Out of the mouths…
PLAYTHINGS set up a play lab on Take Our Kids to Work Day, but with so much fun on tap, this day of play was hardly work
By Pamela Brill -- Playthings, 6/1/2004
When PLAYTHINGS hosted a panel of toy testers during Reed Business Information's "Take Our Kids to Work Day" program, kids gave their honest take on which items they liked (or disliked), whether or not the packaging was difficult to open, if they'd like to own a particular toy and how much they'd pay for that toy. Their candor makes for a refreshing read–not to mention an informative education for manufacturers and retailers alike.
Flight Test Lab: Helicopters from Silver Dolphin BooksMaria Robins, age 9: This toy wasn't so easy to open; it took me about five minutes. I needed to read the directions to understand this toy, but I did like it. I'd buy this toy and give it as a gift. I'd pay about $15 for it.
Teen Titans action figure from Bandai America and MLB Yankees action figure from McFarlane SportsNoah Drysdale, age 7: I think the Teen Titans figure would be for a 6- or 7-year-old. It would be good for a lot of kids who watch Cartoon Network. I don't watch it, though. I'd pay about $10 for this toy.
The Yankees figure is more like a collectible than one you'd play with. I'd pay $12 for it.
Extreme Canteen Kit from Wild Planet Toy's Off the Map lineGrace Robins, age 5 ½: Anybody can play with this toy. I would pay 6 cents for it.
Camp Set from Learning ResourcesKeiji Drysdale, age 11: This toy says it's for ages 4 and up. That sounds about right.
Take & Make Cake Food Fun from Manhattan ToyAmanda Magnotta, age 7: I liked the bright colors and think a baby would really like it, too. I'd pay $10-$12 for it.
Allessandra Norman, age 8: I think it should really be for ages 2 and up. I'd buy it if I was a baby-sitter.
Fur Real Friends Newborn Puppy from Hasbro's Tiger ElectronicsKayla Rivera, age 6: It was hard to open, but I'd buy it.
Maddie Walker, age 6: It's cute. It feels soft and sounds like a real puppy. I'd pay $7 for it.
Bratz Petz Catz from MGA EntertainmentAli Walker, age 5: It was hard to open; I needed a grown-up's help. But I loved it. I'd pay 25 cents for it.
Lil' Bratz Zada from MGA Entertainment, Les Minis doll from CorolleAlexa Magnotta, age 10: This [Bratz] doll is cool. I like that you can swing her in her chair. But the accessories are so small, I'd be afraid I'd lose the pieces. I'd pay $10 for her.
Nadia Tsiperson, age 8: I'd pay $5 for the Bratz doll. I like Bratz better than Barbie because they have cooler clothes. I wouldn't buy the Corolle doll because she doesn't have enough accessories.
