Munchkin Toys for the Holidays

We recently received a few educational toys to review from Munchkin Inc., including Mac, the S.M.A.R.T. Stool; a Water Color Wand; Twisty Activity Wheels; and, a Twisty Barbell teething toy.

Mac, the S.M.A.R.T. Stool, is recommended for children 18 months and older and it is an interactive step stool that interacts gross motor skills with cognitive skills, which is reason alone to buy this stool. There are four interactive modes in both English and Spanish and, besides the standard alphabet and counting modes, there is a sound game and toothbrush mode. The sound mode is a fun stepping game, but my favorite is the toothbrush mode because it is so difficult to get some children to brush their teeth. It talks the child through brushing their teeth by giving step-by-step directions and fun facts about teeth. It's a child's personal dental coach - if there ever was such a thing!

If Mac, the S.M.A.R.T. Stool, gets a child to brush their teeth, the Water Color Wand will get them to take a bath! It's recommended for children ages three and older. It is a very colorful wand that can extend to over eight inches with a fish on the end of it. The wand comes with three color tablets to start. By placing a color tablet in the wand and waving the wand in the bath water, the water changes into different colors. The colorant is, of course, non-toxic and will not irritate eyes; plus, the color washes away clean with soap and water.

The Activity Wheels and Barbell teething toys are both Twisty toys for children ages six months and older. The Activity Wheels includes a safety mirror and is full of bright colors. Besides functioning as a rattle, it also has different textures and a gear-like turning action. Munchkin has updated the basic barbell teething toy by adding a twisting center link and rotating balls on the end. The textured rings are all very different so the child will definitely have a variety on which to munch. This toy is also very eye-catching and is great for the child who is past the basic rattle stage and requires something more interesting to play with.

I thought these Munchkin Toys all filled voids in young children's educational toys including gross motor activity and rattles that do a lot more than just shake. I would highly recommend these toys to anyone looking for something a little different and much more interesting than what I have seen on the market.