For the first time in the United States,
Chuggington toys, based on the Playhouse Disney children's program Chuggington, will make their debut exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide around early to mid-October 2010. If you cannot wait, this new line of Learning Curve
toy trains and playsets is currently available for pre-order on
ToysRUs.com . If your child loves to collect
Disney Pixar Cars die-cast vehicles, then these
die-cast trains are likely to be a big hit as well.
We received the
Chuggington Launch & Go Roundhouse playset (which includes a die-cast Koko engine), the Straight & Curved Track Pack, and three additional die-cast engines (Wilson, Brewster, and Mtambo). Although the television program
Chuggington targets preschool-aged children, the toys have a much broader appeal. Our 6-1/2 year old son was equally as excited to play with these toy trains as our 3-1/2 year old twins.
The Chuggington Roundhouse has lots going on to keep your little ones busy. It has four colored engine bays and the children were thrilled that we had one train engine to match each color. When the light blue launcher is switched to a particular track, the corresponding bay door pops open. The Roundhouse is powered by two AA batteries (not included) to delight your child with both lights and sounds. Enough track pieces come with this playset to create a complete circle, but we added additional track pieces to make a larger curving track. This set also comes with two ramp pieces to be used wherever the track ends so that the engines can drive off the track smoothly.
The track pieces snap together securely and conversely pull apart. If your child is young, then you may need to help him or her with setting up the tracks. Unlike with some wooden track pieces, these segments are uniform. I do not miss having track pieces that do not quite fit properly. One thing that is not as convenient about these track pieces is that they are not reversible. You cannot just flip the piece over when you want your track to curve the other way.
Something that very much impressed me was the expressions depicted on each engine's face. Each one is unique and they have open mouths. They are all very charming and look as if they are about to engage you in conversation.
Each train has front and back couplings that snap together securely. One problem our children have with their wooden trains is that the cars disconnect too easily. Our children can pick up the Chuggington trains, while there are two or more connected together, and they will not come apart from each other.
If you have multiple children in your household, it is likely that they will all gravitate towards the
Chuggington Roundhouse playset like mine did. Since only one train can use the launcher at once, this toy actually teaches children to be patient and to take turns.
There are several
Chuggington Playsets available and I imagine that when they are all put together, they will make quite an impressive set up. There are currently 16 different die-cast engines and train cars in this line. If you decide on gifting a playset to your child this year for the holidays, I think including one or two engines in his or her stocking would really add to the fun.
Thank you to Learning Curve for providing sample toys free of charge for us to base this review upon and for providing additional toys for our contest prize. This article was written as part of the Chuggington Conductor program.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Chuggington Prize Pack containing the following . . .
- Launch & Go Roundhouse (SRP $24.99)
- Straight & Curved Track Pack (SRP $17.99)
- 3 Die-Cast Train Engines (SRP $5.99 each) - Styles may vary
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Browse the selection Chuggington Die-Cast Engines, Playsets, and Accessories. Then leave a comment telling me the name of the one item a child in your life would be most excited to receive (aside from the items reviewed in this article). You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest. Extra Entries:
1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2)For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Chuggington Toys . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.
7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
8)
Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
9)
10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, October 11th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
For the first time in the United States, Chuggington toys, based on the Playhouse Disney children's program Chuggington, will make their debut exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide around early to mid-October 2010. If you cannot wait, this new line of Learning Curve toy trains and playsets is currently available for pre-order on ToysRUs.com . If your child loves to collect Disney Pixar Cars die-cast vehicles, then these die-cast trains are likely to be a big hit as well.
