Noddy: Playtime in Toyland

Copyright: KBkids.com

If your kids are fans of the PBS television show Noddy, they will certainly like this program. Those who have not watched the show, but like Thomas the Tank Engine, or Bear in the Big Blue House will enjoy it as well. The rather understated British show is about a small wooden type character named Noddy. This program does not include the live action NODDY store that is shown on television.

Three skill levels are included, although they are not easy to change from within the program. Noddy goes to bed and has dreams about his days in Toyland. You can select one of six dreams to 'explore.'

• Noddy's Dreams: The Fair: In the other dreams, Noddy earns quarters that allow him to play the arcade games at the fair.
• Trouble in Toyland: Help Noddy catch the goblins, who are invisible and causing trouble.
  • Count objects for Mr. Sparks in the garage
  • Squirt down the villains to make them visible again
• A Hot Day in Toyland: Here Noddy explores the town on a rather hot day.
  • Find letters hidden around town to complete simple words
  • Make ice cream by recreating pictures of 'tubes' that dispense ice cream. This is a good visual puzzle.
• A Cold Day in Toyland: Big Ears has forgotten ingredients to make soup for Noddy.
  • Sled to Big Ears house in a number recognition and counting racecourse.
  • Match musical patterns on Big Ears' Icicles.
• A Stormy Day in Toyland: Help put Toyland back together after the big storm.
  • Catch chickens and return them to the correct color chicken coop.
  • Put puzzle pieces back in Mr. Wobbily's house. This puzzle was too easy in comparison to other activities at this level.
• Master Tubby's Birthday: This rather nasty little bear tells Noddy he can not come to his party without a present unless he helps him finish his homework.
  • Complete simple spelling words
  • Match dance steps in a birthday party game.

   

There are plenty of activities here to keep your kids busy for a while. They are educationally sound, although not extremely thorough. The 3D graphics are nice. Most preschoolers who enjoy a bit more subdued action will like this program.

Bottom Line: A nice program for quieter 4-6 year olds who like the Noddy show, or other 'gentle' PBS television shows. Nice activities, and plenty of them.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 3

BrainGain: 3

FunFactor: 3

EasePlease: 3

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