Photo-A-Day #4594
These are toys that we received from various toy companies for free. Opinions are our own. Amazon.com affiliate links are withing the post.
Back in 2008 we began a Christmas tradition. That year a friend of mine was having a toy drive for Christmas is for Kids, a local charity that collects toys for the area children. That first year we donated a couple of toys but then we decided that each year we would put aside some money each month so that we could make a decent toy purchase at the end of the year. That way we could give a good sized donation. Fast forward to today and we’ve been making larger and larger donations because of the work that we do through this blog. From contests to conferences and everything in between there are many toy companies that have been providing us toys each year and we give the overflow to Christmas is for Kids.
Early on Allison and I decided to involve the kids in our toy buying. We wanted to show them, from an early age that they can help people less fortunate. You may not change the world for everyone but you can start locally and help those in your immediate environment. My kids have never had any want for toys especially because of this blog. Involving Eva and Andrew in the process of selecting toys for other children is very important. This year they were fantastic in the store. Not once did they ask for any toys for themselves. The hardest thing was saying no when they choose expensive toys. I had to keep explaining that the higher the cost of the toy the less toys we could buy to help out the kids. I think we also had some lessons in math and estimating and rounding and more and also understanding how much prices are for toys came in to play as well. Andrew wanted to get a toy and thought that it was $6 but was actually $64. It gave me a chance to talk money with him.
We also recorded a video thanking many of the toy companies for sending us toys to review and some that we were not able to review but instead added to our gift donation. I wanted to recognize them here. You can see the video below. And below that a bit about the toys.
From Just Play we received some Mad Balls including Blind Bags.
The Madballs Blind Packs feature favorite unsightly Madballs characters in a collectible 1.5″ pocket size. Each Madball is made with amazingly grotesque detail and comes packaged in a foil blind pack, ready to be revealed! These totally gross figures are perfect for both kids and collectors alike! Collect all 13 Madballs characters including: Dustbrain, Horn Head, Oculus Orbus, Screamin’ Meemie, Skull Face, Slobulus, Swinesucker, Lock Lips, Snake Bait, Buzz Off, Fist Face, Bruise Brother, Ultra Rare Glow in the Dark Skull Face. Each character sold separately.
From Jakks Pacific we received a couple of things, Power Rippers.
Power Rippers are the fusion of Vehicles, Battle Tops, & Action Figures in 1! Rev ‘em up & Rip it Up! They can Race up to 500 Scale MPH, Battle, and do Insane Stunts, Jumping up to 10 Feet High! Each Ripper Transforms and is armed with either Teeth, Stingers, Battering Ram or Saw Blades! 16 characters to collect in wave 1!
And also from Jakks the Disney Palace Pets.
The Palace Pets live in the kingdom of Whisker Haven, a world of adventure, fun, and friendship. From putting on a dance show to throwing the biggest ball, there’s no task too big, too small, or too glamorous for the Palace Pets. The Palace Pets know it doesn’t take a crown to be royalty—all kids need is friendship, kindness, and loyalty!
Playmates Toys:
Usagi Yojimbo Figure has been extra good to me all year with tons of great Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Voltron and Ben 10 Toys. When we went shopping we picked up a Ben 10 Toy, and a Voltron Toy. I had done a special post and giveaway of some Usagi Yojimbo toys and had one left to add to the Christmas is for Kids donation.
When I was at Sweet Suite I received a couple of K’NEX toys including the K’NEX Imagine Power And Play Motorized Building Set.
Let your child create whatever they can think of with the Imagine Power and Play Motorized Building Set from K’NEX! Set contains 529 K’NEX parts to build 50 unique models. Set includes a battery-powered motor that gives life to the K’NEX pieces. Requires 2 “AA” batteries, not included. Comes in a suitcase style package to store all K’NEX parts, or partially and fully built models. Set comes with an easy-to-follow instruction manual. Ideal for kids 7 and up.
I recently went out to California for a Disney Press Trip. While I was there I learned about the Droid Inventor Kit from littlebits. I have one kit to use for a review but I was sent a second one that I decided to use as part of the donation this year.
Kids can create their own Droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic blocks! With the Droid Inventor app, they’ll give their Droid new abilities and take it on 16+ missions. Look for another post on this fun toy on November 20.
Spinmaster was also very generous to us this year and since both kids have Hatchimals Glittering Garden of their own from earlier in the year we decided to include a third one, that we received later in the year, in the annual donation.
Hatchimals Glittering Garden is the newest hatch batch straight out of Hatchtopia! Who’s inside? It’s a surprise! Each sparkling egg contains one of two interactive Hatchimals with twinkling wings and soft, shimmering fur. Love and care for yours inside the egg and its eyes will light up as it makes cute sounds, telling you how it’s feeling!
We also got the Prime Time Toys Adventure Force Light Command
Recognized for power and performance, the Walmart-exclusive Light Command does it all at the most affordable prices in the blaster category. Kids can light up their opponents with the featured ILLUMINATED BLAST PANELS that keep the action going, day or night. It’s packed with power and automatic action featuring a 20-dart belt that fires the entire belt under 20 seconds projecting darts up to 80 feet, leaving opponents running for cover.
Another outdoor game is NightZone Capture the Flag from Toysmith.
This is a classic game of Capture the Flag with a NightZone twist!
We also received some great toys from Wicked Cool Toys for The Wild Kratts.
Wild Kratts Talking Plush Toy – Martin – What if you could you bring home your very own Kratts brother – in a buddy plush form!? Now you can. With the all new, over 11” tall Talking Kratts plush, you can take a Kratts brother everywhere you go and hear their signature adventure phrases over and over again! Simply pull the tab on the back and see the toy in action. Makes a great gift for any Wild Kratts fan!