Kid Culture features fun and educational books and toys for kids. Toy recommendations are based on independent research conducted by The Toy Research Institute.
“007" For Your Eyes Only R/C, by Toy State
$49.99
Ages 6 and older
Toy Tips: A
Fun: B+
Movement: B
Thinking: B+
Personality: B+
Social Interaction: B+
For any child whose parents grew up watching James Bond movies, this remote control muscle car is a gift to share together.
It uses a touchscreen controller for driving, while unlocking realistic vehicle sound, light effects and unique front and side wheelie action. It also plays the James Bond theme music for the full experience.
Playing with remote control vehicles enhances fine-motor movement, hand-eye coordination and quick-reaction thinking.
Tester’s tip: “Great for collectors and anyone who enjoys the James Bond movies."
Step2 Corvette Toddler to Twin Bed with Lights, by Step2
$329.99
Ages 2 and older
Toy Tips: A
Fun: A
Movement: B+
Thinking: B+
Personality: B+
Social Interaction: B+
Kids love fun beds and parents love it when kids love to go to bed! This Corvette-inspired toddler/preschooler bed accommodates a crib-sized mattress that can easily be converted to accommodate a twin mattress. The bed features a built-in racetrack to use when the crib mattress is in place. The tap-on headlights, silver rims and realistic decals are similar to a Corvette and our testers reported that they felt like they were sleeping in a race car. The recommended maximum thickness for the twin mattress is eight inches.
We like that to preserve battery life, the headlights turn off after 15 minutes (they also serve as a night light). Mattresses, bedding and four AAA batteries are not included. While it is never recommended to play on a child’s bed, we do encourage kids to be creative in their “car" and our testers were encouraged to read and relax. Most of the time, testers played imaginatively as if they were in a race car; we heard a lot of zooming sounds going on. Tester’s tip: “When the child outgrows this bed, pass it along to another car-loving child who will enjoy it just as much."
