The "Classics"

I think one of the biggest perks for those of us with children is that we get to play with toys again! We can say that we are playing with Barbies or coloring with our kids to make the kids happy, but let's be honest. Really, we adults get to have a ton of fun playing with toys or coloring in a coloring book.

I have been thrilled this season to see some fun toys out in the market that I played with as a kid. Some people like to call these toys the "classics," but that equates to "old" in my mind...and I'm not ready to go there yet!

Here are some of the toys I've seen that we all had a blast playing with in our youth. Check them out...just be sure to let your kids have a turn playing with these once in a while!

• Deluxe Spirograph: Just like the Spirograph you played with, but now in Deluxe form (i.e. it offers even more stuff to do)!
• Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots: Toy robots that beat each other up? Does it GET any better than that?
• Shrink Art: It's still a ton of fun to color the pictures, put them in the oven, and watch them as they shrink. And unlike the version we had as kids (you'd shrink them, but then what could you do with them???), you can now make jewelry out of your artwork.
• Chutes & Ladders: This is still one of the best games out there. And this Collector Series version makes a great gift for anyone with young kids.
• Rubik's Cube: If you still haven't beaten it, now's your chance!
• Connect Four: Sorry for the bad pun, but this is a great way to "connect" with your kids and teach them about strategy at the same time. I had a great time playing this with my nieces and nephews over Thanksgiving weekend.
• Jacks: Yes, jacks are fun. If you think otherwise and that they are only meant for those born in the 1910s, that means you have never played them. This is truly an addictive game.

I could go on and on, but instead, I'll let you browse the HorizonPlay.com Classic Toys & Games store for yourself. Have fun playing!

This Toy Roks

A bunch of people at work recently told me about a brand we carry called Rokenbok. From their description, I just assumed that Rokenbok was standard, plastic construction blocks. I admit that I didn't quite get their enthusiasm. I decided to check out one of the Rokenbok items we carry at Horizon Hobby to see why people are raving about this toy.

I decided to play with the Conveyor Company Start Set. And let me tell you, the description of Rokenbok being a "construction toy" simply did NOT do it justice. The Conveyor Company Start Set was easy to set up and had tons of action. You can drive the RC Loader Vehicle and pick up a truck-load of Rokenbok Rok Balls. You can then unload the Rok Balls into the loading bucket, watch as they automatically go up the motorized conveyor belt, and then marvel as they get sorted into different buckets. My four year old loved this toy...it was really easy for her to play with after a 1 minute tutorial session. (But, grownups, trust me...you will have just as much fun with this toy as your kids will...I couldn't keep my coworkers away from it!)

Rokenbok is a line of construction system building sets that feature radio controlled cars, trucks, and more. Kids can start with the basic sets and progress and advance as they get older. The imaginative play opportunities with this brand of toys is limitless. Rokenbok has won tons of toy industry awards, and I totally get why!

Welcome

Welcome to Let's Play, where you'll get the scoop on great toys, games and more for your phenomenal kids. They deserve it, right?

As editor of http://www.horizonplay.com/ (and a mom of 2 kids under the age of 5), I have no choice but to be fanatical about all things fun. Toys, games, arts & crafts, educational kits and more...if it's something that you and your kids will have fun with, then I'm going to Blog about it. I am especially a fan of unique, quality-crafted toys and games...the toys you'd find at an actual, genuine, old fashioned toy store.

By the way, I'm always open to requests. So, if you see something on HorizonPlay.com that you'd like to know more about, please email me. I'll get my hands on it, play with it (or, better yet, let some kids play with it!), and let you know how it rates.

Let the fun begin!