The Toys Store

Seven stunt pieces add drama to each iCoaster ride. View larger.

A magnetic elevator takes metal rider balls back to the top of the coaster. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Track can be reconfigured for long-lasting fun The Bad: Small parts may get lost In a Nutshell: The iCoaster is a unique building set for action-loving kids. At a Glance Ages: 6 and up Requires: Four C batteries

Ten Extreme Configurations
The 64-piece iCoaster set comes with a booklet that illustrates 10 extreme roller coaster layouts to choose from. With 10 towers and seven hyper stunt track pieces, the possibilities seem endless. Each piece is identified by a symbol at both ends so that assembly is a straightforward process that encourages little engineers to be precise in building the suggested tracks. When they've mastered these layouts, they can unleash their creative instincts and invent new ones.

Once a coaster has been constructed, five 15-millimeter magnetic rider balls act as cars, zipping around the track, providing a serious adrenaline rush. Before the action starts, an adult will need to use a Philips head screwdriver to install four "C" batteries, which power the lights, sounds and cool magnetic elevator.

Lights, Music and Speed
Stunts that can be incorporated into the track include a bounce jump, vertical loop and magnetic slide. One of our favorite features was the sleek, magnetic elevator that transported each metal ball back to the top of the iCoaster at the end of a ride. Two flashing lights can be placed in any tower to complement the neon track pieces and add visual interest every time a ball goes whizzing by.

The plug & play control box features 10 music backgrounds, 10 sensor beats/sound effects, and a jack where you can plug your iPod or other MP3 player in and customize the sounds behind your roller coaster. You need to provide your own connector cable and music player to take advantage of this feature.

Durable and Educational Design
The plastic pieces seemed quite durable, and they snapped apart just as easily as they snapped together. Our only concern about the iCoaster was the potential for losing or damaging small connector pieces, but even these held up well in our construction and reconstruction of the track.

It's easy to see why the previous iCoaster was recognized by The National Parenting Center and Parents Magazine as an incredible building toy. This version retains all the great qualities of its predecessor and is bigger, stronger and faster.

The construction oriented iCoaster encourages kids to build with determination, helping enhance their ability to focus and their fine-motor skills. It also promotes understanding of magnetism, inspires creativity and helps kids develop problem-solving skills, adding an innovative dimension to play.

The convenient carrying case is also a construction base. View larger.

With 100 pieces, the MagNext offers endless magnetic building options. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Building system offers infinite possibilities for construction fun The Bad: Small metal balls can roll away and get lost In a Nutshell: The MagNext system inspires hours of imaginative play At a Glance Ages: 6 and up

Ready for Action
Just open the convenient case, take the pieces out of their plastic holders, and you and your child are ready for the fun to begin. A single page of illustrated instructions offers some construction suggestions and shows how to use the mX logo to figure out the polarity of magnetic connectors.

The carrying case converts to a platform for construction that can be arranged in several ways, allowing inventions to hang in the air or climb up and down a slanted platform. Several compartments help keep small parts from getting lost when the set is not in use.

Colorful, Easy-to-Combine Pieces
Plastic pieces in red, blue, orange, lime green, and gray combine with shiny silver balls to make bold, colorful creations. A mixture of square and triangular base pieces increases the geometric possibilities of this system, while special pieces that snap into the middle of those base pieces allow the addition of interesting features. Translucent faces can be snapped on for a smooth look, and snap-in connectors that spin or hinge add movement to favorite creations.

We found that the pieces were durable and easy to handle. Both assembly and deconstruction came naturally, making it easy to begin new projects.

Encourage Creativity
Innovation and creative thinking come naturally to children, and building toys stimulate their desire to create new things and explore the world around them. With the MagNext system, kids can choose between recreating the things they see each day, like houses and vehicles, and inventing entirely new machines.

MagNext also offers a hands-on way to explore geometry and magnetism. The only downside we found with this building system was that metal balls occasionally escaped off of smooth tables or across hardwood floors. Playing on carpet or being careful to store the balls in the carrying case when they weren't in use quickly solved this problem.

Since there are plenty of pieces for simultaneous construction projects, this set is perfect for cooperative play or a single child with a huge imagination. It can be combined with other MagNext systems, increasing building possibilities and adding to the fun.

A Wish Come True
This simple wooden toy fosters creative play and is a wonderful addition to imaginary kitchens everywhere. Use the wooden spatula to serve the cake and the fake candles to make a wish. This toy will make an excellent birthday gift for future bakers.

The cake itself is painted white with blue icing swirls and has seven removable candles that fasten to the top. Three delectable toppings -- strawberries, jellybeans, and gumdrops -- can be added to the top and the cake comes in a decorative box kids love. This delicious dessert is already cut into slices that fasten together with Velcro and easily pull apart. It also has a bright red serving platter and each of the six pieces is about the size of a real piece of cake. Also, as a well-made and durable wooden toy, it withstands child play and the paint won't easily chip off, even if it is accidentally dropped. Storing all the pieces may be a challenge, but a party box is included to contain the candles and decorations.

Features
This birthday cake is a hit for those who like to help out in the kitchen. Children love redecorating and serving it using the wooden spatula. Unlike many of today's modern toys, it encourages creativity, as children get to design their own cake and parties. It amuses future hosts and hostesses for hours and is an exceptional value as a 33-piece set. This cake remains child's favorite for years and includes enough candles to celebrate a lot of birthdays. The cake has a 10-1/2-inch diameter.