#HASBRO ~ The Amazing Spider~Man ~ Mega Blaster Web Shooter Product #Review

ARV $19.99

The Amazing Spider~Man Mega Blast Web Shooter

Imagine SPIDER~MAN adventures at a while new level with this incredible Mega Blaster Web Shooter set~!!

You'll be able to fire web fluid or water just like your favourite web~crawling hero when you pull on the glove and attach the Mega Blaster Web Shooter to it.

Evil doesn't stand a chance when you've got your Mega Blaster Web Shooter Set~!!

Web shooter comes with 1 can of web fluid, 1 refillable water cartridge and 1 glove.

Recommended for ages 5 and up, not suitable for younger children due to small parts that may cause a choking hazard.

It is quite simple to use, place your gloved hand into the web base holder and use your two middle fingers to trigger the shooter just like SPIDER~MAN does~!!

Please note that the web fluid is a pressurized container and adult supervision should be considered.  Please read the back panel on the cartridge before use.

It took me a while to get this review in place as all my children wanted to see it in action together, and with busy summer schedules it wasn't an easy feat...but we finally managed and boy oh boy, did they EVER have a blast...uh...no pun intended...lol

We loved how the web string came out like silly string and many giggles ensued as they chased each other around outside, blasting webs and water at each other.  I liked the fact that AFTER the web string was gone, they were able to use the other canister, fill it up with water and continue on their adventures.  

The string and water have a fair range, anywhere from 6 to 10 feet range.  

We found on the smaller children's hands, it didn't fit properly, but my 15 year old had no issues getting it to fit properly, and it is not adjustable to fit smaller hands.  The can of web fluid lasted maybe five or ten minutes and when I went to investigate the prices on refills, I promptly told my children to just use the water option.  Refill cans seem to be priced higher than the web shooter itself, which I found kind of odd.  I was thinking I was going to find them for 3 cannisters for $10.00 but the over $20 price tag for one can is a bit too much for this frugal mother.

However, the product was a huge hit and my kids agreed that they would have spent their own money on it~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  I was no compensated for this review other than a product in which to review with.  My opinions are 100% completely my own~!!  **

Barbie...My Barbie...Imaginations Soar With You ~ #SaveWithBarbie

What little girl hasn't played with a Barbie??  Her iconic presence has wrapped children's imaginations in many wondrous and delightful tales.  Her styles and character have changed over the years giving every type of child a doll in which to play with.

Originally created in March of 1959 by Ruth Handler after falling in love with Bild Lilli, a German doll which inspired her creation.  Barbie has been promoted through Mattel's ingenious marketing campaigns ever since, creating a world of wonder for children to delve into.  

Here is a little Barbie trivia for those who may not be aware that Barbie is much more than just a doll, she has history, a background story and many friends and loved ones in her life.  

Barbie's full name is, Barbara Millicent Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin.  Her parents are George and Margaret Roberts and she attends the Willows High School and Manhattan International High School in New York City.

Barbie's on~off romantic relationship with Ken Carson, who first appeared in her life in 1961 and briefly had a relationship with Blaine, an Australian surfer when her and Ken split in 2004.  Since 2006, Barbie and Ken have been working on their issues and putting the love back in their lives.

Barbie has had over 40 pets, owned a wide range of vehicles, has her pilot's license and she has been an astronaut, a veterinarian, a doctor, a Nascar driver, an Olympic swimmer, a mom and so much more~!!

She loves all races and creeds of people and has many multi~cultural friends and her relatives include Skipper, Todd & Stacie, Kelly, Krissy and Francie.  

Seriously, you couldn't ask for a more diverse toy in which to use your imaginations with.  

Barbie is every girl and all girls...she's been through it all in order to bring imagination to every child's creative abilities.  When I was a wee lassie, Barbie shared my dreams, my fears, my obsessions...she understood me and I understood her~!!  My imaginations took her to far~off places battling good and evils along our ways. Together we have laughed and cried, shared secrets and made people smile...her gift is in her beauty to be whatever we need her to be~!!

NOW, I have some really groovy great news to share with you, my beautiful readers...I'm going to be promoting this wonderful lady~friend to all of you with some awesome savings coupons via Websaver.ca ifn you are not a member...I suggest heading on over there RIGHT NOW and joining on...it costs nothing to you and the benefits are HUGE~!!  I cannot tell you how many deals I've been able to save over the years through Websaver.ca~!!

I will be sharing all these groovy great deals on my Facebook Fan Page, as well as my personal Facebook page and on my Twitter account~!!

And be sure to check out Barbie on her Facebook page too!

  **  Disclosure: I am participating in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Barbie and receive compensation for my post. All opinions on this blog are my own...stated by me...as I see it.  **

#HASBRO ~ The Amazing Spider~Man Hero Mask

ARV ~ $9.99

The Amazing Spider~Man Hero Mask

Feel just like your web~slinging hero with this awesome SPIDER~MAN Hero Mask~!!  

It conceals your true identity as you imagine web~crawling adventures and battles against the forces of darkness.

Evil doesn't stand a chance when you're in your Hero Mask~!!

Mask adjusts to fit most head sizes for ages 5 through adult.

Odin McBam~Bam using his Spidey senses~!!

Playing with my inner child...lol

Li'l Miss Peaches'n'Cream knows how to battle evil~!!

Ms. Alarm flashing her Spidey Moves~!!

Ms. Not~Quite~Right showing her Spidey hand actions...

As you can see...the kids and I had a blast wearing the Spider~Man Hero Mask and tearing up the neighborhood with our antics~!!

The only drawback to the mask is keeping your hair from falling into the eye sections of the mask.  As you can see, we all have long hair and all but Ms. Alarm (who was fortunate to have had her hair in a ponytail) had the hair in their eyes.  So for safety reasons, if your child's hair is long, keep it tied back while they are playing, especially if its unsupervised.

Really and truly, I can see these being a GREAT mask to have for Hallowe'en...your child is able to see out of the eye holes perfectly, giving them a nice, wide area in which to view out of.  The mask sits very comfortably on your head, though the bridge inside the mask may hinder some younger folks as it can feel a bit claustrophobic.  The velcro straps are secure and the mask does not slide around on your head when moving.

Hasbro's The Amazing Spider~Man Hero Mask would make the PERFECT accessory to your child's crime fighting needs...putting it on gives your imagination a chance to play and you can't help but busting out all your best Spidey moves~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  I received no monetary value for my review other than a product in which to review with.  My opinions are mine and mine alone...and yea, sometimes my kids~!!  **

#HASBRO ~ The Amazing Spider~Man Web Battlers Action Figures~!!

ARV ~ $9.99

The Amazing Web Battlers Assortment

This is the amazing web~crawling hero and hi sarch nemesis, The LIZARD, like you've never seen them~!!

These Web Battlers Action Figures look just like the characters from "THE AMAZING SPIDER~MAN" movie, but each has a surprise that his enemies won't be ready for~!!

When you squeeze his legs, he unleashes a furious attack.

Amp up your adventures with these Web Battlers Action Figures.

Each sold separately.

My son just adored his Amazing Spider~Man Web Battler as did many of his friends who are in awe of how wonderful the action figure character is.

The colours and definition are quite remarkable on such a toy and my son loves how nicely he fits in his hand.  My son has beefy hands and some of the smaller action figures discourage him, however, this Web Blaster was the exact size and fit he needed in order to play with his imagination properly.

He found it very easy to squeeze the legs together and after giving it a try I realized that it truly doesn't take much effort to squeeze the legs in order to activate the spin web feature that is attached to Spider~Man's hand.  This would be a very good toy for younger folks who are just beginning their coordination skills as it not only gives them a sense of accomplishment but it strengthens their hand muscles at the same time.

If you have a Spider~Man fan in your family, then this is one action figure that is sure to be a HUGE hit~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

HASBRO ~ Spider~Man Spider Strike Battle Racer

ARV ~ $24.99

The Amazing Spider~Man Spider Strike Battle Racer

Buckle up, because your Spider~Man adventures will never be the same once you've got the Spider Strike Battle Racer.  Your Spider~Man figure rides in the seat and when he needs more than webs to chase down evil and stop it.  When his enemies least expect it, push down the vehicle's spoiler and launch the retractable web claw.  

Use your Spidey sense to stop criminals in their tracks with a sneak attack from the Spider Strike Battle Racer.  Shoot Spidey out to capture crooks and he swings into action.  

Includes a poseable 4" Spider~Man action figure
Swinging web claw
Push spoiler to unleash claw
Wheeled vehicle (3"x5"x9")
Plastic
Ages 4+

My son just loves the Spider Strike Battle Racer and didn't have any troubles putting the car together.  He did need some initial help in attaching Spider~Man to the bar so that he could do his acrobatic flips and turns, but after he saw me do it a couple of times, he quickly picked up the concept and played with the vehicle for hours.

He has a few cars that he plays with and this one has quickly been added to his line of bigger cars.  He loves how Spider~Man flips out of the car when he activates the lever on the spoiler at the back.  

I love the durability of the car and how the action figure can be removed and you can use it in other imaginative plays.  The colours are vibrant and the small pieces are few.  You will have to attach the spoiler to the car after some uses and sometimes Spidey doesn't always flip off but other than that, there are no true issues with the Battle Racer.

I love how the Hasbro line of toys are all easily affordable, being a frugal mom of six children, you can understand the need to find toys that are within my price range and stand up to the rigors of my children's imaginations.  I would recommend this to anyone of you who have a Spider~Man lover on their list, they will be using their imaginations and battling bad guys before you can get it out of the box.



**  I was given a product to review by the sponsor and all opinions and thoughts are my own...reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Jem & the Holograms to Launch a New Toy Line~!!

Integrity Toys, licensed under Hasbro, is getting geared up to launch a brand~new retro line of high~end collectible dolls that are being based on the iconic 1980's animated television series, Jem and the Holograms.

The doll line will include accessories as well as, limited edition sizes and was inspired by the original companion doll line which marketed from 1985~87.

Hollywood Jem will be the first featured special edition doll in the collection and will feature Jem's "truly~outrageous" pink hair as well as her infamous rock'n'roll look.  It will be available for purchase at the end of July at www.hasbrotoys.com.

#Disney to Unveil the Villian's Toy Collection

The Disney Store has launched an all~new line of Disney Villians Designer Collection, a range of products inspired by iconic Disney villains including 101 Dalmations' Cruella de Vil and Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent.

The collection, will be available at DisneyStore.com in August and at select US Disney Stores in September and will include six limited edition designer dolls, apparel, beauty products, home items and staionery.

Other villains being featured will include the Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Mother Gothel (Tangled) and the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland).

The line follows the success of Disney's Princess Designer Collection which originally launched in 2011.  The Princess line was one of the top selling properties lat year, based on total dollar sales according to The NPD Group.

I think this is a wonderful lin and I am looking forward to checking it out...there are a few I'm thinking would make groovy Christmas presents for some of the daughters in my life~!!

All About Matchbox

There are certain toys nearly every boy has growing up. Footballs and action figures of some kind are just to name a few. However there are some that are even more common than that. We are talking about Matchbox cars and as it turns out they have quite they history behind their name.

Matchbox was created and owned by the British die-cast toy manufacturer called Lesney Products.  Lesney was founded in 1947 Rodney Smith and Leslie Smith. A quick read of Lesney will reveal the company got its name by combing the last names of the owners.  Back then die-cast toys like Corgi and Dinky were extremely popular and Lesney hoped to break into this market. That same year a die-casting engineer they hired named Jack Odell became one of their partners as well.  The Matchbox name would come about through an interesting story of his creation.

In 1953 Odell’s daughter informed him that they were only allowed to take toys to school that would fit into a matchbox. This inspired Odell to come up with a line of toys that students could take to school and it wasn’t before long when the first Matchbox cars were produced. Popular among collectors, these early toys are often referred to as the “Golden Age” of toy collecting.

 The first series of Matchbox cars were known as the I-75 series, although it only contained a few models.  Up until then Lesney’s best-selling product had been a replica of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation coach which sold roughly one million units but Matchbox changed everything for them as the toys became a huge hit. Matchbox was so successful that the term became synonymous with small cars everywhere. One of its most successful series was the Models of Yesteryear, a line of classic cars from the early days of automobiles. It is slightly ironic since these Matchbox cars are now considered classics as well. Another popular series was the Major’s Packs which consisted of larger construction vehicles and the King Sized sets which was made up of larger trucks and tractors.

Matchbox dominated the die cast toy industry for over a decade and nobody could touch but then in 1968 something would happen that would change everything. Mattel invented the Hot Wheels. The Hot Wheels were painted bright metallic colors, had fancy wheels, slick accurate designs and featured the popular low friction, high speed “racing” wheels. For Matchbox it was a disaster as every kind in America wanted the new, shiny Hot Wheels. 

Matchbox, and everyone else for that matter, desperately tried to come up with something to rival the Hot Wheels. Their answer was the “Superfast” series that could also be bought with tracks and accessories. Matchbox made another bold move by reworking their cars and parts to be the same size as Hot Wheels. This would allow kids to buy Matchbox cars to use their Hot Wheels tracks. The plan worked well and by the 1970’s they were back on track.

The 1980’s saw a rough time for England’s economy and due to financial problems Lesney was sold to Universal Toys who moved production to China. It would be the beginning of a series of sales for the Matchbox brand. While they survived the 1980’s Universal Toys decided to go ahead and sell Matchbox to Tyco Toy is in 1992. Tyco did continue to produce the Matchbox name. Then in 1997 Tyco was sold to its fiercest competitor and ultimate rival: Mattel. This sparked outrage and fear among Matchbox fans who were afraid that Mattel would change or even discontinue the line. Fortunately Mattel realized the value of this brand and had no intention of changing it what-so-ever. Thanks to this bit of wisdom both collectors and children can continue on in enjoying these iconic toys.

RJ plays with toys and writes in sunny Southern California. He writes about pop culture, toy collecting and history. Enterprise Car Sales is one place to find great used vehicles.

The Popples Are Making A Comeback~!!

The 80's hit franchise, The Popples, are making plans to join merchandising partner, Saban Brands, to bring the next generation of Popples to fans.

Plans are in store for a 2013 merchandise to hit store shelves based on the Popples characters, ranging from apparel, accessories, mobile & tablet apps as well as new Popple characters and additional products for Spring 2014 which will include more publishing, stationery, party goods and crafting supplies.

The Popples television series made its US debut in 1985 amongst great success and their toy line was launched that following year and has generated more than $444 million dollars in retail sales worldwide.

If you recall, the original Popples plush toys, created by Mattel, could transform from fluffy plush balls to furry friends and back again.  

Babar ~ Finds A New Toy Partner~!!

Toronto's Nelvana Enterprises as well as, The Clifford Company, have joined partnership with a New York~based, Yottoy Productions, to develop a new line of soft toys which are being based on the classic Babar book series, marking it's 80th anniversary.

Production will launch a vintage plush which will be designed around the literary versions of King Babar and his wife, Celeste.  The new toy line is set to launch in the US this Fall, 2012.  Also in the works, will be a licensing program built around their new CGI "older preschool" series, Babar and the Adventures of Badou.

Looney Tunes Lands A New Toy Master~!!

Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced a new program for Looney Tunes by naming "The Bridge Direct" as the property's first toy licensee in seven years.

"The Looney Tunes are everywhere right now," says Brad Globe, WBCP president.  "Animation, theatrical shorts, online, video games, home video and, of course, merchandise.  All of this activity and success is driving our opportunities to develop a refreshed and ever~expanding product line for fans."

Last year, The Looney Tunes series, was highly successful on the Cartoon Network by garnering a 5.2 rating with boys six to 11 and the series has continued to grow and regularly brings 7.5 rating from their targeted demographics.

With a array of new content, it's truly not that surprizing that the company would choose to get back into the toy business.  The toyco will be producing new plushies, figures, playsets, vehicles and role~play items that are scheduled to hit mass retain across the United States by Fall 2012.

"We have been out of toys for awhile," says Jordan Sollitto, EVP of international licensing at WBCP.  "But The Bridge Direct is just terrific at what it does and it really understands these characters."

WBCP also states that it will be keeping a search for US back~to~school, select apparel designs and stationery partners.

This Christmas should make for some interesting and delightful gifts.  The Looney Tunes characters have been favourites of both the young and old and with the new found partnership, we can be expecting we'll be seeing a lot more of our favourites.

HASBRO ~ KRE~O BATTLESHIP U.S.S. MISSOURI Set

Hasbro, Inc., has turned another of its timeless brands into a multi~media entertainment property with the release of Universal Studio's film, "BATTLESHIP".  Hasbro has augmented the experience of the hot new film, with an action~packed line of BATTLESHIP toys ~ both in the gaming realm and in a brand new line of KRE~O building sets ~ as well as an expansive line of licensed goods.

ARV ~ $79.99

KRE~O BATTLESHIP U.S.S. MISSOURI Set

Man your battle stations on deck of the military's last defense against the alien invasion, the U.S.S. Missouri, the iconic flagship straight from the BATTLESHIP movie~!!

Spanning 21.5" long once assembled, the U.S.S. Missouri build features double barreled missile launchers, single fire rocket launchers and a deployable attack boat with gunner station.

The ship is also equipped with several areas of interest including the Captain's navigation tower, a central control room, maximum security alien prison, soldier barracks and more~!!

Kids can command Admiral Shane and Naval Fighter KREON figures into the heat of battle against alien forces.

Set includes:  545 pieces and 5 KREON figures

Ages 8 & up

Building this is guaranteed to keep your children busy for days, it took several for my two sons to complete this, but their bonding was well worth it~!!

The directions are easy to follow and everything comes packaged according to useage and the boys were able to follow everything to a tee, even though they had a couple of pieces left over.  My oldest son assured me that he has built many of these in his lifetime, of fifteen years, lol, and there are always pieces left over.  Seeing, as I am the source of buying these kits for him, and tripping over those "left~over" pieces, I can attest that his projects have always looked successful, so who am I to question his authority on the matter...lol

At first it appeared to be a bit mind~boggling as you ponder those 545 pieces, but as the work progresses, you get to see what kind of architectural wonders your children are as they concentrate on placing all the pieces together as they are meant to be.

My sons argued a few times and whenever their patience began to thin, they'd put it away and come back at it again.  My younger sons finger weren't able to snap some of the smaller pieces together and he would grow frustrated, which would frustrate his older brother and then it would be time to step away and come back at it again at another time.

Even though they argued, I found they resolved their issues in a very mature and brotherly way.  We love the Hasbro line of toys in this house, we have yet to be disappointed with anything they produce and promote~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **