Pre Schooling | Home Schooling

It makes me wonder sometimes, with the hundreds of different toys that I have bought for my girls over the years, whether the toy companies test the quality and durability under actual ‘normal kid abuse’ conditions. So many of the kid’s toys are fine if you treat them delicately, but try explaining that to a toddler, whose less than delicate playful instincts often result in another broken toy. So the question that I asked myself when my children started nagging me for the new Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters (aka Zoo Zoo Pets hamsters or Zu Zu Pets hamsters) toys which are priced at a retail price of a mere $7, is whether they really can stand up to the inevitable abuse, particularly of some more ‘testing’ toddlers.

The first assessment turns to the toy hamsters themselves, whether that be Mr Squiggles, Pipsqueak, Num Nums or Chunk. This real test was really not possible before a sufficient quality of these kids’ hamsters had been sold, but with shipped items now in the hundreds of thousands, if not more, there is a large enough ‘tested by real kids’ base to draw conclusions. It is, therefore, not only surprising, but also pretty unusual these days with such sold volume that there are very, very few parent or customer complaints about the poor quality of them. It is impossible to find any number of parents that voice their dissatisfaction that their kid’s new hamster just doesn’t work anymore. So on the face of it, it would seem that Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters have successfully created a hamster toy that is of high quality and durable enough to stand our kid’s vigorous test conditions.

The numerous Zhu Zhu hamster toy accessories, unfortunately, score a little bit differently. There are a number of comments that the plastic that most of the add-on accessories are made from could be tougher and more robust. I don’t know whether I share this same opinion, knowing that stronger weight plastic would simply add to the overall fabrication costs and lead to higher prices. In my opinion, the quality of the plastic is perfectly fit for purpose, but no, it will not stand up to your 8 year old son jumping up and down on top of it.

Some parents make comments that the plastic clips to integrate the various accessories together are a bit flimsy and I would tend to agree, but they do the job and I have not experienced any consequential issues or read about any from other parents that have bought hamster accessories.

The only hamster accessory that has received enough criticism for the same issue, that it becomes warranted, is the hamster car and garage set. A large number of people seem to have a problem with the garage doors. Whether it be that they don’t swing open properly, do not fit properly or indeed that they fall off altogether as their hamster zooms through. I have not had any personal experience with this accessory myself, as my children have not wanted it…as yet…if they did, I would probably still buy it and use a bit of glue or tape if it was needed!

All of the other accessories as individual items really do have very few criticisms about them in terms of poor quality build, so it can be assumed that parents and kids alike are perfectly happy with them. This is in itself is pretty outstanding achievement for a new toy that has been sold so widely.

Visit Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters for some great price deals on these toy hamsters and accessories as well as detailed information, parent reviews and hamster action videos. Original article source published under: Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters

Related Reading:

The Big Book of Sight Words: Vocabulary Words for PreschoolThe Big Book of Sight Words is a powerful tool that will help your preschool age child develop their vocabulary and communication skills. Children love gadgets and technology, and this ebook is viewable on Kindle, ipad/iphone, Android devices, and even desktop computers, using the free Kindle application from Amazon.

It was specifically designed to teach children the crucial “40 Sight Words” from the Dolch List of most common words found in children’s reading books.

Named after Dr. Edward Dolch, who had originally compiled the list of the 220 most common words, sight, or “service” words are words that cannot be phonetically “sounded out,” and therefore should be memorized.

Developing fluency in in these crucial words and nouns is essential to literacy, and will help your child become a stronger reader. Children should learn to recognize all of the 220 sight words and nouns by the end of first grade.

The Big Book of Sight Words will help them do just that.

Get this extremely effective book today for your “parental toolbox,” and help your child develop their “educational edge” for tomorrow.

Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box, Alex Little Hands SeriesKindergarten, here we come! This jumbo box of preschool learning activities helps kids develop the essential skills they'll need for school. And because the activities are so much fun, future students look forward to learning. Kindergarten readiness pack includes dry erase workbooks, preschool worksheets, stencils, crayons, stickers, and more. Helps preschoolers master the alphabet, numbers and counting, colors, shapes...there's even a shoe-shaped lacing board so kids can learn to tie their shoes! With helpful, step-by-step instructions for parents. For ages 3 and up.

I Know Letters (Preschool) (Step Ahead)Contains activities for parents to use in preparing their children for kindergarten. Includes press-out panels and stickers. Author: Susan J. Schneck Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Format: 32 pages, Paperback Publisher: Golden Books 1 edition (November 12, 1985) ISBN: 978-0307035844

Big Preschool WorkbookThis Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar.

(Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)

Preschool & Kindergarten Skills (Home Workbooks)-Build essential skills while having fun with Home Workbooks! Each book measures 7" x 9.25" and is filled with 64 pages of age-appropriate activities, puzzles, and games. These teacher-approved books are perfect for extra practice at home or at school. They can even be used to build upon basic skills during school breaks or family vacations! 140 full-color stickers and an incentive chart to help parents or teachers track student progress are also included. Home Workbooks are available for prekindergarten through grade 3 students, and feature titles in a wide variety of skill areas to suit any need.