My Son's Addiction
May 13 '01 (Updated May 23 '01)
The Bottom Line They stimulate the imagination and creativity.
***I am re-posting this as it was archived under the specific software Tonka Digs N' Rigs shortly after it was posted. It is significant to being a "construction toy" as it involves simulated construction sites and their workings that stimulates my son's imagination and creativity.***
An addiction it is. My 3 year old son is totally addicted to trucks, any motor vehicles and constructions sites. I am requested to stop at street construction to park so "Mr." can view the happenings and identify all the trucks and the functions they perform. This is all new to me since I had a daughter first. (Now I am truly convinced that it is a gender-biased, genetic thing).
I heard about this product, researched it on Etoys for consumer opinions (favorable) and bought it for my son for Christmas. I am thoroughly impressed.
After a very appropriate-looking construction worker (muscular with rolled-up sleeves and blue jeans)- Tonka Joe - walks the player through the simple-yet realistic levers and controls for operation of the vehicle. A short test drive is then employed of the truck that he chose out of from a bulldozer, crane, excavator or front loader. Each perform their own true-to-life functions.
The cab accessories include a radio whereby T.Joe keeps in touch or you can solicit help by clicking on it. Another is the map which allows you to jump from one location to another.
The locations are:
THE CITY: Where you can clear up the park with the bulldozer, recycle building materials with the front loader, demolish old buildings with the crane and wrecking ball or dig bridge support holes with the excavator.
THE ZOO: Where you can load manure with the bulldozer, feed animals with the front loader, build a roller coaster with the crane, or dig a polar bear pool with the excavator.
THE AIRPORT: Where you can plow the snow with the bulldozer, load cargo with the front loader, demolish old control towers with the crane or dig a new foundation with the excavator.
THE WATERFRONT: Similar operations employing the above to appropriate situations (I think you get the picture).
At any time during the "work" you can take time out to play a fun game of "Catapult Splat", "Steamroller Smash", "Fast Food Machine" or "Gas Station Game". All are challenging and fun.
The icing on the cake is the printing fun at the Construction Trailer where drivers licenses and plates, pictures of trucks and T.Joe, and all kinds of certificates can be printed out.
In summary, coordination and instruction-following skills are built in an atmosphere of fun and high-interest while being prompted by a friendly voice of Tonka Joe (whose voice doesn't become tiresome to hear). It is a rare combination of educational value with fun and encouragement that is successfully mixed.
My son navigates independently for at least an hour at a clip (I limit it to one hour, but he'd probably go for about two!) and my 7 yr old daughter is known for sneaking on when her brother isn't around. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for reading!
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Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
Kids are our future...let's do it right.
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