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Gaucho SuperPower (Peg Perego)  Ages 3-10, $799.99

This is hands down, the ultimate ride on machine, rave all our testers. The kids, ranging in age from 3 to 10 all agree that this is the COOLEST ride on ever. It's got a working radio, seats for two with seatbelts, lights, working breaks, shock absorbers, and a tool box and did we mention its fast!!! It's REALLY fast. Luckily for nervous moms there are three speeds that can be set, and locked. There's a panel that unscrews and you can set the speed from one to three, which is great if you have younger kids who want to jump on. Another great feature added to this jeep is a key and a push start. This works amazingly well to prevent the toddlers that climbed in and out from inadvertently starting the jeep.

Regarding the nitty gritty, Peg Perego's exclusive "QuietRide" realistic tires allows you to drive fast and quietly. The tires start out bumpy and then they wear down to smooth and quiet - they are not loud like the wheels of the past. The 24 volt battery pack plugs directly from the jeep to a power source so you don't have to remove the battery each time it's run down. The accelerator pedal has coasting action and a separate brake with real disk brakes. The seats are adjustable. This comes fully loaded and is easy to assemble. The only thing you'll need once you get it are some batteries 1 9-volt battery required for horn and 2 AA batteries required for radio.
The kid testers couldn't stop raving about this toy - and it's a good thing that the battery lasts as long as it does, because with all these testers it runs, and runs, and runs!  It's not an inexpensive toy, but if you're looking to get your grandkids a treat that they will enjoy for years this is it!  This is a winner of a toy, and certainly a favorite among all our testers!   Click here to find a retailer near you.

Better Batter Baseball (Fisher-Price) According to our mom-testers - and their kids "this set is great!"  We had kids of all ages trying it, from 3-years-old up to age 8!  Everyone had fun with it.  They loved the fact that it suspended the ball in the air, at the right height for their children.  They liked the sound affects, the interactive play, as well as the fact that the kids were outside exercising!  The set has plenty of balls, that the kids surprisingly didn't lost, a bat (that's adjustable, a tee-free design helps kids keep their eye where it should be when they're learning to bat—on the ball, not the tee.

WaterBall Cannon (Wild Planet) Our testers aged 4 - 9 had a blast with this waterball shooter.  I sends out gumball sized water balls that are fun to shoot, as well as fun to try and catch.  The kids had a blast for hours playing with this water toy.  As an added bonus - it doesn't look like a gun!  Age: 4+ $16.99 / Available: At online and specialty stores such as shopwildplanet.com

Hot Wheels Power Rev Race Gloves (Mattel)  (Ages 6-10  $19.99)  "So these are fun." commented our 6-year-old tester.  "They sound just like a racing motorcycle!  You flick your wrist and it sounds like your a revving up and then flick the other wrist and a horn goes off."  Kids who like to ride their bikes or scooter and wished that they had "real" power will enjoy these fun little gadgets.  Just a note to grandparents though - they are a bit loud - and sound VERY realistic!  You might want to encourage your grandchild to use them for OUTSIDE play only!

Power Flyer (Go Fly A Kite)
At just $14.99 these kites pack a powerful punch!  With a rubber band and nylon and fiberglass frame, these 27” x 26” Power Flyers are the latest in outdoor flying fun! All you doo is crank the propeller with the power winder and launch it gently.  The Power Flyer can go up to 50' and travel 200 yards!  If you set the rudder it can fly in a circle!  Our testers had a blast with this fun and innovative kite! 

Do you remember parachute guys, well, here's double the fun.  The Action Figure Flyers launch any 6" to 12" action figure into the sky.  You set a timer that releases your guys gently parachuting back to earth.  How much fun is that!!!  They are just $19.99  Click here to find a list of retailers online.

Crayola Rainbow Rake (Binney & Smith) So far, I have yet to find a child that doesn't enjoy playing with this rake--it is a perfect addition to you outdoor toys. It is also a great tool to keep at grandma's house because it's not only fun but takes up little space and is easily washed away by the weather. We had children aged 3-11 yrs old test it and they each found different ways to express their creativity. The only recommendation is to stock up on additional chalk because with so many kids using it, you will quickly run out of chalk! $9.99  Want bigger, bolder lines then you'll want to check out Crayola's GIANT chalk - and we mean GIANT - at $5.99 you'll have happy coloring kids everywhere!  Available at most retailers and online at http://www.crayolastore.com

Madd Jumpster (MADD International) Our testers have had so much fun with this toy - it's amazing.  They have used it for bouncing, they've used it as a play tent and they have used it as a secret hideout.  It's been entertaining as entertaining for our 3-year-old tester as it has been for our 7-year-old tester.  Our only recommendation is if two kids are in it they must be REALLY supervised.  Our testers tended to go a little wild and it's just too easy to get hurt when you have a couple of wild 5-year-old boys jumping around.  For $29.99 you wish they'd make one for us Moms - it would certainly be great for those much needed venting days!!!  Available at eToys.

Polaris Sportsman 2X (Peg Perego)  This is the ULTIMATE summer toy, the Polaris Sportsman 2X.  To say that our testers, boys and girls aged 3 - 9 enjoyed it is an understatement.  From the time it was received it has been driven until the batteries are exhausted, once recharged it is quickly driven again.  It's the only toy that I've experienced a real group sharing effort!  Our kid testers patiently waited their turns, graciously offered smaller kids a ride and happily run errands on it for mom!  This ATV which is equipped for two passengers has everything a child would want to simulate a real ATV.  It has a real gearshift, steering, automatic brakes, a foot pedal accelerator, and dual 12-Volt motors. It's rated for 3 to 7-year-olds but unless the 3-year-old is really tech savvy and coordinated we suggest they get help.  Four and five-year-olds are champs on this!  There's a 2-speed gearshift, for 2 ½ or 5 mph forward or 2 ½ mph in reverse. There's a removable rear cargo box and front luggage racks as well as a hook for pulling.  It comes complete with the 12-volt rechargeable battery and charger.  As with any ride-on we recommend helmets.  This retails for $399 and is available at Wal-Mart or click here to find a retailer near you.
 

Shield Blaster Cruncher 5000 (Mattel) What could be more fun on a hot summer day than a big water blaster?  Our testers certainly agree!  They just loved these!  They were given the Shield Blaster Cruncher 5000 which drenches your opponents with it's 55 ounce capacity!  It doesn't require pumping which is great for smaller kids and has a protective shield that closes with every blast of water!  $24.99

Ariel Sprinkler (Disney Consumer Products) Our testers aged 4 - 9 had a blast with this sprinkler.  It doesn't go too crazy and sprays a nice even shower.  Ariel spins as water sprays from her beautiful sea shell. Sprinkler is 10" tall and connects to a standard garden hose. $11.99, Ages 3+, Available at Target & Toys R Us.  

Super Soaker Mt. Tiki-Soki Water Volcano  (Hasbro)  Hook this up to your garden hose and your grandchildren are guaranteed hours of fun!  Our testers have played with this again and again, even taking it to friends houses.  When they get tired of jumping over it, they would place balls on it and watch them shoot into the air.  This is a great keep cool, summer toy that provides hours of fun.  When Mt. Tiki-Soki's eye's open - watch out your going to get wet!  Our mom tester also loved the fact that it didn't drench the garden by running non-stop.  A real winner at $17.99. (Ages 3 and up)

Dodge Discs:  This toy was a HUGE hit at our house! Our son spent hours outside running around chasing his friends with this toy--a great way to use up all that adolescent energy. Even his dad had to get in on the action! The set comes with two different colored launchers that hold ten soft foam discs each and are easy to refill. With a push of a button you can launch all of your discs at your opponent in seconds. Luckily, the discs come in bright colors so they are easy to find after being launched over 20 feet in the air. Plus, the discs never get stuck in the launcher, a bonus when you are chasing your friends around the yard. This toy is great for anyone over the aged six and up.  Even kids as young as four and five enjoy it and can play safely with it!  -- Reviewed by Diana I and several boys and girls aged 4 - 9.

Super Soaker Oozinator (Hasbro)   Sneak up on your opponents with a surprise bio-ooze attack! Just when they think you’re coming at ‘em with water, blast ‘em with a shot of icky bio-ooze! Shoot out globs of gooey bio-ooze and then drench ‘em with water! It’s a double blast attack that’ll keep your opponents on their toes and running during every water fight. With the OOZINATOR blaster you don’t just get soaked, you get drenched!  $24.99

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