The Ultimate Set for Bob the Builder Fans!
Written: Dec 10 '02 (Updated Jul 12 '03)
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Pros: My son loves it and plays with it all of the time.
Cons: A few pieces were difficult to assemble, quality is just okay.
The Bottom Line: The ultimate play set for Bob fans.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Hasbro Bob the Builder Electronic Building Yard |
Our little Bob the Builder fan opened this play set last week. It is, so far, his favorite toy of the holidays.
PACKAGING
The packaging was mostly plastic bags. The figure and truck were secured in cardboard by a few plastic wires. Overall, it was not a big deal to remove.
ASSEMBLY
Assembly proved to be a bit challenging. The directions are not entirely clear and there is a definite order in which to assemble the pieces. It took about half an hour to finish, but I had to start over after getting it nearly complete and then finding a few extra pieces that should have been added on earlier in the process. After it is assembled, you need to apply some stickers which is not a big deal.
WHAT YOU GET
The play scene includes a base, 3 trees, 3 signs, Bob’s house, Wendy’s house and a lightpost. There is a separate shed. In addition, there is a Bob figurine and Scoop vehicle. Two small, removable plastic pipe pieces fit into the pipe on the base.
The base has 3 buttons that say Bob the Builder phrases (For example: Pipes have burst . . . I need your help with the repairs). Another button plays the theme song from the show. The last button makes a tree “fall” down and Bob asks for help to put it back.
There are also several movable pieces on the playset. The doors on Bob and Wendy's houses open, the street extends out a couple of inches, the pipes open so Bob and friends can work on them.
BATTERIES
The toy needs 2 AA batteries that are not included. A Phillips screwdriver is needed to insert the batteries.
OTHER COMPATIBLE TOYS
One nice thing about this set is that you can buy some pieces to add on. The set comes with a Bob figure and Scoop, which is a truck. You can also buy other trucks from the show. My link to Dizzy, another truck from the show, is below.
You can also buy other figures from the show including Wendy, other Bobs in various poses, Spud the Scarecrow and Farmer Pickles. According to the instructions, the additional figures can fit into holes on the base of this playset.
QUALITY
The quality of this toy is just okay. We have had a few problems:
- The chimney on Bob’s house is a separate piece and it is supposed to swing open to expose a hole in Bob’s roof. On our play set, the piece just falls off. Perhaps this is all the more challenge for Bob and crew to fix?
- Bob’s roof on our play set has a faded area. Looking at the picture on the box, it seems that maybe it is supposed to be that way – it is just more obvious on our play set. In any case, it looks like the painter ran out of paint and forgot to finish the job.
- The “tree” is supposed to fall down when you push the electronic button. This almost never happens on its own.
Other than these glitches, the play set works pretty much as designed. The pieces are fairly thick plastic and stay together once assembled.
OUR EXPERIENCE
What can I say? My 3 year old son doesn't see any of the flaws of this set. He doesn't care that the roof doesn't look painted or that it was difficult to assemble. He just sees Bob and Bob's house. He simply loves it. We have several of the other trucks and he plays with them constantly. I hear the theme song in the morning when he wakes up and then all day until he goes to bed. He integrates figures from other sets and shows to help Bob get the job done. I have even seen my 6 year old sneak a few plays in.
AGE APPROPRIATENESS
The box says the toy is for ages 3 and up. That seems accurate because there are some smaller pieces in the play set that a younger child might mouth.
MORE INFORMATION
www.hasbro.com
www.bobthebuilder.com
1-800-playskl
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
While I had some quality issues with this playset, my concerns are totally eclipsed by my son's love for this toy. He happily plays with it all day and that is as good a recommendation as you can get.
REVIEWS OF TOYS MY PRESCHOOLER LOVES AND I RECOMMEND:
Preschool Roller Skates: http://www.epinions.com/content_83685772932.
Bob the Builder Trucks: http://www.epinions.com/content_82655350404.
Color Glow Flashlight: http://www.epinions.com/content_83062001284.
Leappad Learning System: http://www.epinions.com/content_82650893956.
Wagon for Two: http://www.epinions.com/content_81773825668.
Magna Doodle: http://www.epinions.com/content_80241397380.
Air Happy Tricycle: http://www.epinions.com/content_105852604036.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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modernmarvel
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