Bead Chaser by Kids II ~ Track This One Down!
Written: Jul 26 '03 (Updated Jan 23 '04)
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Pros: Safe, compact, affordable toy that entertains
Cons: ~~None~~
The Bottom Line: The Bead Chaser is an awesome maze-type toy that babies love.
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| marybatson's Full Review: Kids II Hand Held Bead Chaser 452-6 |
My closest friend is the best source for kid’s stuff, bar none. She always knows what’s HOT, and what’s NOT. Sometime ago my son and I had a scheduled play date with this friend and her son. Her boy was playing with a Bead Chaser by Kids II. He seemed engrossed by the mini-maze, so I put it on my list of things to find. Several months later, I was exploring the isles of Babies R Us for small toys, that is toys small enough to fit in a diaper bag. When I saw the Bead Chaser hanging among the many activity toys I placed it IN my basket, and as they say, “The Rest is History.”
The Facts:
● The Bead Chaser is manufactured by Kids II
● It is a developmental activity toy
● It is recommended for babies 18-months and up
● It currently retails for $5.29
My Experience:
My son was instantly intrigued with the Bead Chaser! He was only 6-months old, so initially he used the maze as a rattle. He didn’t have the manual dexterity to move the beads around the maze, but he discovered that dropping it was fun. It makes a high-pitched, tinny sound, which he loved. After a while, he gained strength in his hands and fingers and was able to slide the beads around the wire. He was mesmerized, and at times, it occupied him for 20-minutes, or more. I soon discovered that when combined with a set of Sassy Lively Links the Bead Chaser made a super stroller activity. We had one set of links attached to the stroller, and another in the diaper bag. That way we were always prepared to link-up the Bead Chaser, or some other activity toy.
Toy Description:
The Bead Chaser is a hand-held maze comprised of wire and colorful beads. It measures 4” x 4” square, and weighs just 6-ounces.
Beads
There are 10-beads altogether, 9-1” beads, and one that is not really a bead, but a large ring. It allows baby to chase the smaller beads in and around it. The small beads consist of three different shapes: a star, a triangle, and a circle. Each shape features a different texture, and a different color: pink, orange, yellow, and lime green.
Maze
This bright blue maze is made of thin wire, so it’s flexible, but not bendable. It has many loops and turns so infants are sure to enjoy. This maze is very secure. There is NO way to pull it apart. Both ends of the wire are encased in a large plastic knob, which is then screwed into place.
As a developmental toy, the Bead Chaser offers the following basics:
● Sliding the beads enhances fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination
● Differing textures develops sensory skills
● Grasping and shaking strengthens gross motor skills
● It also promotes independent play
Other Points of Interest:
● No batteries required
● There are NO safety concerns with this plaything, i.e. strangling, smothering, swallowing, or sharp edges
● Gender neutral plaything
● No assembly required
Closing Remarks:
If you are looking for a baby toy that is small, entertaining, and portable, than chase one of these Bead Chaser mazes down. It is recommended for babies 18-months and older, but my son was fascinated at 6-months. It’s safe, it’s compact, it’s affordable, and it’s durable. How can you go wrong?
Happy Playing ~☺~
Mary
Other Maze Reviews:
Zig Zag Zoom Tabletop Maze by Educo
Symphony Star Beads by Fisher-Price
Kids II, Inc. Corporate Headquarters:
1015 Windward Ridge Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 751-0442 • (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. E.S.T.)
Fax (770) 751-0543
ConsumerServices@kidsii.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $5.29
Type of Toy: Baby Toy
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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marybatson
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Member: Mary
Location: Phoenix
Reviews written: 169
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