Thank goodness, I survived the tedium many experience in potty training a stubborn child. I learned early on that positive reinforcement works, thus, my search for the perfect “star chart” began. My intention was to transform an everyday cork board, or dry erase combination into the ultimate invitation to toilet train. Instead, I came upon the Imaginetics display at my local toy store, and a light went off. If I incorporate the boy’s favorite character engine, things may flow faster. Thus, the Imaginetics Thomas at the Railyard came into our home, and I’m happy to report that it’s a winner!

Imaginetics is a creative-play type of toy. It consists of a magnetized playboard, and magnets. The playboard opens like a book, so when closed, the magnets are safely stored inside. There are holes on top of the playboard so one can suspend if from hooks, and play standing up. It’s excellent for laptop play as well. Imaginetics playboards come in two sizes: small and large. The small boards measure about the size of a standard piece of paper when opened, whereas the large boards are double the size. The themes vary as well, from simple concepts with Sesame Street characters to the more complex such as, the map of the United States.

The Imaginetics Thomas at the Railyard is a large board, and I’d consider it a medium level set. It has many magnets, but it doesn’t offer the challenge of say the Alphabet Playset where kids can practice spelling, or making lists. This set features 32-magnets: Thomas, Gordon, Percy, Henry, James, Mavis, Bertie the Bus, Harold the Helicopter, Annie, Clarabel, Salty, 2-Troublesome Trucks, Sir Topham Hatt, and a bunch of other accessories like signals, extra track, flags, suitcases, and foliage. The scene features a turntable, the Roundhouse, and a ton of track. There’s also a helicopter pad for Harold the Helicopter. Most of the engines are seen from the side; however, some of the magnets have elevation views that face forward. The magnets range in size from 7” long x 2” high to ¾” square.


Our Experience:
The Imaginetics Thomas at the Railyard set was a hit! It was installed on the wall behind the bathroom door with hooks. This way William could stand, and play with the toy. His play sessions lasted 20-minutes, or longer. He was not allowed to remove the board from the hooks until he was “day” trained. Attached above the board was one of those clear, plastic Crisco shortening stick containers. The plastic container held the magnets, and it was installed out of the boy’s reach. Every time he attempted to use the potty, a magnet went on the board. I pulled out the 10-largest magnets, and left the remaining magnets in the bag. When William reached his goal of 10-magnets on the board, he earned a treat, a puffy sticker, chocolate milk, and so on. The “star chart” method worked. William attempted to go pee pee every 10-minutes. After the novelty wore off, he settled down, and eventually became interested in toilet training. Once he got the gist of the star chart, my tactic changed. He actually had to void before receiving a magnet, and the treats varied as well.

As soon as he was trained during the day, I let him play with the set on his lap. I also added the remaining magnets, which induced longer play sessions. I’ve tossed the toy in the car for road trips too. Imaginetics was such a welcomed relief that I’ve actually purchased the Map of the United States set for our upcoming trip to California. This plaything has never been cleaned per se, so I’m not sure how well it would hold up to that. Since it lived in the bathroom, and it was a potty training toy, I sprayed it down with disinfectant weekly.

William was 2-years old when I purchased the Imaginetics Thomas at the Railyard, which is younger than the recommended age of 3-years and up. I was careful to introduce only the larger items in the beginning, well, until he moved beyond the mouthing stage. The small pieces are tiny, and can easily be swallowed. The playboard is extremely durable, and withstands rough play. The magnets are fairly tough as well, but the paper will peel off with lots of play. The small magnets are apt to get lost, but there’s so many magnets in this set it’s not much of an issue. We’ve had this plaything for 2½ years now, and I’m actually surprised the boy still chooses to play with it. For the price, it was a bargain.

International Playthings, Inc.
75D Lackawanna Avenue, Parsippany, NJ 07054 USA
Toll Free - (800) 445-8347
www.intplay.com/



Additional Travel-Related Games:
Travel Bingo by eeboo
Connect Four on the Run by Hasbro
Pick Up my Pizza by International Playthings
Thomas & Friends All Aboard Card Game by Briarpatch
My First Brain Quest: Animal Matching by University Games



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): $5.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years