Ok, so maybe they're not in a big race but each is using a different mode of transportation in the Blue's Clues Racing Collectible Playset. For some reason, only the Safari Playset is available around here once in a blue moon and I've yet to see this playset or the Underwater playset in any of the stores in my area. When I saw all 3 on eBay, new in box, I snatched them up (and yes, that means I sniped them) because I was bound and determined that my 2 year old daughter was going to have them for Christmas.

About the Blue's Clues Racing Collectible Playset

Just like the other 2 playsets, the Blue's Clues Racing Collectible Playset comes with 4 pieces. Included are:

Steve Steve has finally made an appearance and this dates these playsets from before Joe, Steve's brother, moved in and took over the show. Steve is wearing is usual green striped shirt. He stands about 3 1/2 inches tall and is made from rubbery plastic. He has a small hole in the bottom of his feet that fits over a small peg in the seat of the car so that he can be driven around in it without falling out.

A Car Steve's car is very colorful! It's mostly yellow, with a red seat and tail lights, an orange steering wheel and head lights and green tires and horn. It is about 3 inches long and is made from hard plastic. There is a small peg in the seat of the car that goes into the hole in the bottom of Steve's feet.

Blue Blue looks adorable in this playset! She is riding her purple bike and has on a matching purple bike helmet. She stands about 3 inches tall and is made from rubbery plastic.

A Stoplight Since Blue and Steve mind the rules of the road, a stoplight is included in this set so that they can demonstrate this. The stoplight is blue and has the colors of red, yellow, and green going from top to bottom. Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper have come along and are hanging out on either side of the base of the stoplight and even Paprika has put in an appearance. She is located in the front of the base. The stoplight stands about 2 3/4 inches tall and is made from hard plastic.

Why I recommend Blue's Clues Racing Collectible Playset

The Blue's Clues Racing Collectible Playset has several things about it that I really like. First is the safety factor. I like that Blue is wearing a bike helmet because if kids see one of their favorite characters wearing one, they are less likely to balk at the idea when it comes time for them to wear one. I also like the fact that they included a stoplight in this set. With this stoplight, you can show your child what the red, yellow, and green light mean on a stoplight and how important it is to follow these rules and why. Plus it's a good way to practice colors with your child, especially since this is a very colorful playset. Courtney learned the colors red, yellow, and green from our Christmas tree lights and she was quite proud of herself when she was able to recognize them on the stoplight that comes with this playset.

This set is similar to the Safari playset in 2 ways. First, both have cars and again, that is Courtney's favorite part of both playsets. She loves to roll cars around on the floor and because we have a high pile carpet, not all cars roll very easily, including these. That doesn't deter her though and she takes them over to our organ bench and rolls them around on that. She does have a child size table and chair set but because she tries to climb up and stand on them, we had to put them up for now. So for now, the organ bench is what she uses to push her cars around on and the cars from both playsets fit the bench perfectly.

The other way that the Blue's Clues Racing Collectible Playset is similar to the Safari one is that they both share the same con. Just like in the Safari one, the little hole in Steve's feet is small and therefore hard to fit into the peg on the car. I really do understand why Mattel made it that way but I wish they could have found an easier way to attach Steve in there so that children could do it themselves.

All in all, I'm very pleased with all 3 Blue's Clues Playsets. They're all sturdy, easy to clean, and fun. I just wish they would make more with other themes! If you can't find these in your area, check on eBay. Many sellers have these new in box at reasonable prices.

Related Websites

Blue's Clues on Nick Jr. :

http://www.nickjr.com/grownups/home/shows/blue/

Clue Into Safety :

http://www.clueintosafety.com/cis/www/asp/neighborhood.asp

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 4.50 on eBay
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years