Monday, May 21, 2012

Have Fun Outside this Spring with Chuggington Outdoor Toys {Review & Giveaway}

While this spring has shown us weather of every different variety, it appears that the majority of our upcoming days are going to be filled with sunshine and blue skies.

As well as boosting our moods and lifting our spirits, the beautiful weather has really kicked up the Let's play outside! feelings quite a few notches for my kids. Happy to oblige, we throw open the door, run out on the deck and...

Now what?

Although the girls tend to find happiness outdoors with toys or without, it never hurts to have a few of the classics on hand to give their imaginations and creativity a push. Most recently, we've been able to celebrate our time outside with four new and entertaining products from our favorite trains, Chuggington.

Chuggington outdoor toys

The addition of two Chuggington bubble toys from Little Kids, Inc. and two vinyl playballs from Hedstrom to our collection have given new life to our outdoor play. Are there kids that don't love bubbles and balls? If so, I haven't met them yet!

With no explanation needed, the girls were immediately playing with the Chuggington Vinyl Playballs and laughing over the bright colors and endless possibilities.

The classic Chuggington Vinyl Playball includes images of trainees Wilson, Brewster and Koko on the front as well as the back...

Chuggington Vinyl Playball

...while the "Let's Ride the Rails" Chuggington Vinyl Playball is slightly smaller in size and features a variety of bright Chuggington-themed images.

Chuggington Let's Ride the Rails ball

The perfect addition to any playtime, both of these vinyl playballs are fun to roll, throw, kick and bounce for just about any outdoor game. Big Sister E and Little Sister B love that they are small enough to fit well in their hands and I appreciate the durable quality that ensures that both balls have held up to calm games as well as very active ones.

kids playing catch

When it comes to bubble toys, I think that we have owned just about every type, size and style available. However, over the years we've come to realize that not all of them are created equal and those toys that don't work well, are difficult to use or just don't end up producing bubbles never get pulled out again.

In the case of the Chuggington Bubble Train Whistle and the Chuggington Light Up Bubble Chugger, it was the exact opposite. These toys were nearly ready to use right out of the packaging and were sending bubbles soaring through the air within seconds!

Chuggington bubble toys

The Chuggington Bubble Train Whistle is available in Wilson, Brewster and Koko shaped whistles and is just about the easiest bubble toy we've owned. As it comes with a small dip tray, you simply pour a little of the included bubble solution (it comes with a 2 oz bottle) into the tray and allow your child to dip the front of the whistle right in.

When they blow through the whistle, not only does it result in a real train whistle sound (which kids love), but a large amount of bubbles come streaming out!

Chuggington bubble train whistle

This Bubble Train Whistle really couldn't be any more simple to use and both of the girls have been thrilled with their ability to have it send out so many bubbles while sounding the horn.

At the same time, they like that they don't have to deal with putting a traditional bubble wand back into a sticky jar of solution, as swirling the end of the whistle in the tray is no problem!

Bubble Train Whistle

For even easier bubbles, the Chuggington Light Up Bubble Chuggers (also available in Wilson, Brewster and Koko varieties) are made to fit well into little hands and operate with only the touch of a button. Once I had installed three AAA batteries (not included), the girls only had to swirl the end in bubble solution in its own dip tray and press on the button conveniently located on the front of the handle.

The result is yet another long stream of bubbles that would make any child happy and provide a quick sense of accomplishment!

Chuggington Light Up Bubble Chuggers

We've really enjoyed how lightweight this Light Up Bubble Chugger has been, making it easy for both girls to carry it near or far around the yard. As an added bonus, the included flashlight at the front gives this toy an ability to not only provide fun and entertainment in the afternoon, but as a special before-bedtime treat!

Chuggington flashlight

With the long summer months ahead of us, I have no doubt that we will be reaching for all four of these Chuggington toys time and again, whether at home, to bring to the park and more. Even better, as they are all quite affordable (the Chuggington Vinyl Playball retails for $2.00, the "Let's Ride the Rails" Playball for $2.50, the Bubble Train Whistle for $4.99 and the Light Up Bubble Chugger for $8.99), it won't take much to purchase enough for all of the kids in your life to participate in the fun.

The Chuggington Vinyl Playballs will be available in June 2012 at Kmart, Babies 'R Us, Target and Walgreens, while the Chuggington bubble toys are available now at LittleKidsInc.com and specialty retailers. If you have a trainee in your life that would enjoy being active outdoors with Chuggington, these items would make great gifts!

But, wait! Chuggington not only wants kids to have fun outdoors, they care about their safety as well. As the Chuggington 'Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!' campaign aims to provide safety and transportation guidance to children and families across the nation, for the month of May they are celebrating National Bike Safety Month.

This month Chuggington wants to be sure that all young trainees to know the importance of safety so that they can ride the rails (or wheels) just like their favorite Chuggers! Therefore, they are promoting and practicing bicycle safety techniques to help prevent injuries while riding a bike with tips such as:
  • Always wear your helmet and make sure to buckle your chin strap.
  • Ride only with an adult.
  • Don't ride in the street.
And more! For more bicycle safety tips, be sure to head over to the 'Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!' campaign with your child this spring.

Thanks to the generosity of Chuggington, one person will be prepared for a safe, bouncing, bubble-filled good time in the upcoming months as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Bubble Train Whistle, Light Up Bubble Chugger and two Chuggington Vinyl Playballs!


(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Chuggington for providing these four outdoor toys for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

174 comments:

Janet W. said...

My favorite outdoor toy when I was a child was my jump rope!
janet3rdgrade@yahoo.com

Wendy Rozema said...

my scooter!

pauline15 said...

My favorite was my baseball and mitt! My brother and I would spend hours playing catch!
pauline15_01(at)hotmail(dot)com

KayeDean said...

Playing hopscotch on the driveway. so I guess chalk, lol.

Kimberly said...

Hula Hoop
Kims2312@verizon.net

wigget said...

i used to love the hula hoop

Unknown said...

When I was a kid I loved my sandbox.

Anonymous said...

I didn't really have a favorite, but I guess it would be my wagon. julierupert@gmail.com

Alison F said...

I loved the hula hoop!! alijdjam@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I loved the slip n slide.
kyonac1@gmail.com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Iloved riding my bike.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

I loved my bike and rode all over the neighborhood. My other toy was my real ponies.
vmkids3 at msn dot com

jodi lasher said...

I loved my hot wheels when i was younger

Jessica said...

My favorite was the jumprope!

jessicaahays at hotmail dot com

jmajor4870 said...

my favorite thing to do was play kick ball or hop scotch

Serendipity Stitcher said...

The water hose!

d schmidt said...

My favorite was a paddling pool!
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

Pauline MIlner said...

I used to have a self propelled tractor that I used to ride on all the time.

Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity. ~Pauline

dod@rogers.com

Elizabeth Groves said...

My swimming pool!

For Their Future said...

My favorite outdoor toy was my scooter!

VickieC said...

my bicycle

Sarah W said...

I had a lawn mower push toy that blew bubbles. Loved it!

Brandi Elam said...

My favorite was my bicycle.

Sylvia said...

My jump rope and Jacks
sylviawhit@gmail.com

CAJUNMAN12 said...

I had a Tonka dump truck

Dwayne Berry said...

When I was little my favorite outdoor toy would have been a tennis ball. I'd throw it up against the side of the house and try to catch it when it came back--like I was an infielder. I'd throw it a little bit further off to the side each time, making it a little harder on me.

annies home said...

spent lots of time on the swing set when I was a kid

Brooke M Adametz said...

My turtle sandbox...a classic!!!

Peggy said...

I loved to jump rope when I was young.

Bethany C. said...

I loved to rollerskate.

Ryan said...

My fave outdoor toy was my bike.

Anonymous said...

i had a balance beam outside and i loved it
taylormarves at gmail dot om

Colleen Maurina said...

My favorite outdoor toy in the summer was our slip n slide!

colljerr at comcast dot net

Tanya M said...

Bubbles, drawing with chalk and playing hopscotch.

debijackson said...

a horse ride on toy

The Studio said...

my bike...
rendancechick at yahoo dot com

vandahm said...

I loved the PogoStick when I was younger!
jennifer@jennifervandahm.com

crystletellerday said...

my playhouse crystletellerday@yahoo.com

littlelatina said...

enter me thanks

Anonymous said...

my bicycle.

Patricia said...

My bike and swingset

EMMAHORTON said...

horton111@aol.com

IT WAS A BICYCLE

mogrill said...

I loved my Little tikes buggy car.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com

Karen said...

Gotta go with the basketball and hoop :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

ann said...

hula hoop

Linda said...

My favorite toy was a jump rope.
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

Kristen said...

My favorite was the toy that attached to the sprinkler so we could play in it.

Tatum said...

My sandbox

Amanda said...

I always loved hide and seek the best.

Anonymous said...

My favorite game was Red Rover! I also loved bubbles.

xoxvalgal (at) aol (dot) com

SHANNA ELIZABETH said...

Jump Rope and Chalk !
(Mommyofone Shanna)
Shanna.Elizabeth1@GMail.com

Carol said...

I loved my barbie jeep
brand242003@yahoo.com

Allyson Bossie said...

I loved loved my bike. I was on it all the time riding!
masugr at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I used to love my Skip It!

Unknown said...

my favorite toy was a bike with a basket on the handles to carry dolls or stuffed animals in

Gaitha said...

I loved my roller skates :) ggp42304 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

my bike

kellyr78 said...

We had a merry-go-round type contraption that everyone could sit in and pump with their arms and make it spin-everyone still talks about it 25 yrs later.
KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

avisiontoremember said...

Boblyns@yahoo.com. Thanks :)

sherylssg said...

I liked throwing a frisbee.

sflickinger at rocketmail dot com

Nicole said...

I liked my bug barn

Helen Keeler said...

As a child my favorite outdoors toy was my red bike.
helenkeeler1949@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My fave toy was a homemade cloth doll.

Anonymous said...

I liked the slip 'n slide when I was a kid, as well as jumprope.

captainliss40 said...

I loved kites! captainliss40(at)gmail(dot)com

wabashriver1 said...

My swingset

nickieisis3 said...

skip it! I loved that thing.

mverno said...

i loved to ride my bicycle
mverno@roadrunner.com

Anonymous said...

my bike
gkuroda(at)gmail.com

Maryea said...

Depending on my age...my tricycle, dolls, stuffed animals, paper dolls, jacks, jump rope, table games. LOL You can now my age by this!

Lauren U said...

I loved my hula hoop

Cathy C said...

a jumprope

catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

Sewing Fun said...

Without a doubt... my beloved bicycle !!

C and C girl said...

I loved my bike, my brother and I would go everywhere, sometime we would get lost and have to find our way back home.

C and C girl said...

I loved my bike, my brother and I would go everywhere, sometime we would get lost and have to find our way back home.

polly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
polly said...

i loved my jump rope and also double dutch jump rope

Brett Monster said...

I loved my sling shot

Anonymous said...

My bike
marypopmom@yahoo.com

Jackie said...

My favorite outdoor toy was my bike.
Thank you!

Jaime Nicole said...

I loved my bike and a sandbox...and an apple tree for climbing!

Lina said...

i loved my outdoor play set and riding on the swings

AndreaH said...

My favorite out door toy was my hula hoop. I also liked my jump rope but the hoop was definitely my favorite.

AndreaH
davandihamilton (at) gmail (dot) com

Kerry said...

I loved my bicycle

Homemom3 said...

my favorite outdoor toy was a kickball when I was younger.

brich2222 said...

my fav toy was outside was the swingset

brich22 at earthlink dot net

Erin Rok said...

As a child I always enjoyed the swing set
urbancwgrl84(at)yahoo(dot)com

AnnaZed said...

When I was a kid I liked to jump rope.

The Rafflecopter calls me 'Margot' since it is accessing my facebook where I am 'Margot Core' and is connected to this email:

annazed10 [at] yahoo [dot] com

amy beth marantino said...

my roller skates

Tracy said...

my trampoline was my favorite outdoor toy as a child

Seyma Bennett Shabbir said...

hula hoop
seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

my ten speed bike

Unknown said...

my favorite was my outdoor kiddie pool

christinejessamine at hotmail dot com

lisa said...

bicycle

LeeAnn said...

My favorite outdoor toys were a softball and a bat. :-)

Anonymous said...

I loved my bike!

Doris
mamansmart@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Good old Bicycle!

Eric
errt2002@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I loved to go to the park and play on swing and slides.

Linda
mom_of_elijah@homail.com

katja9_10 said...

I always loved playing Hide n Seek.

Les Johnson

Leona P said...

my favorite was my bike

Holly Hook said...

I was always wanting to hula hoop when I was little

MELINA said...

my favorite outside toy when I was a kid was my outdoor swing set/jungle gym It had 2 swings, monkey bars, rigns and a slide.

Unknown said...

I loved my my little pony big wheel as a kid

Katie R. said...

I liked my cozy coupe

Yolanda said...

I loved my bike.
skyrobinson@yahoo.com

dmoniz1980 said...

i loved my slip n slide

yanktheese@yahoo.com

lana said...

riding the bikes with kids

BargainFun said...

I loved the slipnslide !

Yona Williams said...

I loved a baseball and bat. email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com

Julie G. said...

I loved my skip it!

AlexisGrau said...

I loved jump ropes and hula hoops!
alexisgrau1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Teresa H. said...

My favorite outdoor toy as a child was my bike.

Mandy B said...

I loved playing on my swingset.

Anonymous said...

i always remember riding my bike
tcogbill at live dot com

*Brittany C* said...

I liked the swimming pool the best! Thanks for the giveaway.

Phoenix said...

All I needed was nature.

Melissa Shirley said...

Well i am 43 so the toys are boring compared to what the kids have now, but i loved the hula hoop and the skip its remember the skip it toys!
The hose was fun too when you did not have a pool!

Anonymous said...

My Toy Soldiers rkmarsh@aol.com

Christina said...

My fave outdoor toy as a child was my hoola hoop...I also loved the skip-it.

lilyk said...

My favorite outdoor toy when I was a child was my pail and shovel.

Tracie Brown said...

jumprope

Tamar said...

Our swingset... but was that a toy?

Maybe balls. I loved sports.

Marianna said...

My bike!
Marianna

Tylerpants said...

I liked my roller skates. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Oh my strawberry shortcake roller skates
phtreats@yahoo.com

Candie L said...

I loved to throw a softball around the yard. thank you

candieluster(at)gmail(Dot)com

blandmj said...

My favorite outdoor toy was either skip-it or my bicycle.

Jen said...

I didn't have an outdoor toy that i loved, but we used to do amazing scavenger hunts and obstacle courses when we were little!!

Robin T said...

It has to be the hula hoop

rtrexel@gmail.com

Denise M said...

Power Wheels!

1955nurse said...

Toss-up between Swings & my Bike!!! Thanks for the chance....

Still Reviewing said...

slip n slide

Sarah Oswald said...

my favorite toy was a jumprope

Hotsnotty2 said...

I loved my roller blades

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

The sprinkler!
~julie4717

Ellie Wright said...

Not sure if my comment went through. My favorite was my Big Wheel.

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

I liked my bike.

Becca Ann said...

My big wheeler!

Roxann said...

My roller skates were my favorite. (Roxann)

Unknown said...

I liked my play car :)

Daniel M said...

the frisbee! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

tavernie said...

I loved a Tire Swing we had!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com

yyeres said...

huffy green machine

Kelly Skibbe said...

My purple and pink big wheel.

skibmama23@gmail.com

tracey said...

i loved my slip n slide
thanks
rochelle johnson
traceyj40@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

soccer ball

Candice said...

My tee ball set
thank you

Tammy Hastings said...

My favorite toy was my bike
katelynsmom1@att.net

ltlbitone said...

My bike..

ltlbit1 at hotmail dot com

Lena said...

I used to drag my barbies outside for fun in the sun!

Unknown said...

I loved my swingset and my hula hoop.

Paula Michele Hafner

skipthelaundry said...

Chalk!

Laura Jacobson said...

We loved playing jumprope games!
landfjacobson @ charter.net

Amber said...

when I was a kid I envied my friends barbie car! but my favorite outdoor toy that I owned was badmitton. we had a huge yard and we played badmitton all the time. fun!

amos122902 said...

My favorite toy was my bike.

Stacey Lewis said...

Pogo stick!

Nancy said...

I liked my wagon.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Harold D said...

My swingset was my favorite outdoor toy (I guess you could consider it a toy).

tannerboyle12@hotmail.com

Dawn Reid said...

My wagon
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

miriama said...

Favorite outdoor toy: tetherball

Gina F. said...

My favorite outdoor toy when I was a child was my roller stakes.

ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com

peppersalt said...

My favorite was my marbles. saltpepper1_2000@yahoo.com

katecontestgirl said...

trampoline
kate contest girl @ gmail . com

Birabending said...

Roller skating, bike riding, anything that would let me feel the wind in my hair!

carol lewis said...

My bike and my roller skates.
spcale at yahoo dot com

Teresa Thompson said...

my bike
marine.mom42@hotmail.com

Tabathia B said...

It's a tie between my big wheel and huffy pink bike

Shanda S. said...

Skip-It!

couponshanda (at) yahoo (dot) com

daveshir2005 said...

My pink huffy bike and slip and slides.

daveshir2005@yahoo.com

fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski

amasfun47 said...

My bike I was on it all the time

Colleen said...

I loved riding bikes with my brother.

liliesrnice said...

my big wheel!

A Roach said...

pogo sticks!

Abigail Pinter said...

i use to love playing with a skip it use to see how long i could do it for.