Fat Brain ToysTobbles

I bought toys for my two grandsons who visit from out of state. Both are the same age (21 months) and I needed some age appropriate things. I always get toys that are both learning toys and fun. This was just the ticket. There are so many ways to use it, it teaches so many things, is very well engineered (there's no other way to say that, it is engineered!) and is really fun. My husband and I played with it and familiarized ourselves with it ahead of the first grandson's visit. Great.

Received the toy on time, and it was in perfect condition! My 11 3/4 month-old loves knocking it down and watching the "balls" spin around. She tries to teeth on them (cutting molars right now) but haven't had any problems, since they're round, and she can't get a good bite on the side that has the indentation. Husband likes to stack them for her -- I like that it almost looks like an art piece, and not just a baby toy. Seems pretty durable. I think that this will be one of those toys that stick around for a long time...oh, and I know that it says it's for "3+" but if you watch your baby play with them, it's safe.Update: My 17-month-old is still playing with these! She's no longer trying to teeth on them, but they do make a terrific racket when she clatters them onto the hardwood floor. Still, no scratches on the toy or our floors, so everyone wins.

I purchased this toy for our 1 1/2 year old grandson. The first "hand" toy we gave was the good old standby... the graduated ring set on a post. This Tobble toy seemend to be and has proven to be the next logical step in hand/eye coordination. Grandson gets to play with it after the adults in the room are finished. I personally have spend more than a few minutes "pushing the extremes" of the toy's ability to defy gravity and create super bends and leans in the stacking. Grandson also has found that the smaller "balls" will fit in the larger ones..... a new way to play... I've recommended the toy to my dentist for her child and also to other grandparents to give their little ones.

We bought this for our son who just turned one and although he isn't coordinated enough to stack them he still enjoys holding onto them and flinging them around the room. We just have to watch out as they are made of plastic and would hurt if your hit by one.

My grandchildren opened this last night at a Chanukah party. The 7 month old and the three year old were both entranced. The individual components are weighted so they can stack the balls in all kinds of leaning confections. The adults gathered around and played with the toddler to see how much off balance would still work. He then balanced it with different sizes on the bottom. The seven month old put the items in his mouth and tottered them around. He liked them because they are approximately balls but do not roll off so quickly so he can explore different properties, and tastes. The components got a hard handling given the adult participation and I didnt see any scratching or chipping. The toy itself is bright and attractive. I always like a toy that is fun for the parents too, and this fulfills this wish beautifully and colorfully.

Not really a big fan if this toy. I know I lot of the reviews state that the adults play with it half of the time so I'm sure that assist in the rating. I will say off the bat though that my kids (3yr & 18mo)do love playing with it for a good few minutes at a time but mostly as a colorful ball toy.It stands about 12" high when stacked/assembled. The balls range in diameter from about 2", 2 1/4", 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2", 3 3/4" with the 4" base. Again those measurements are really rough, but it's just for a general idea. I'd say that they are weighted in the bottom center of the balls base, but not magnetic from what i can tell. Just given the shape when tucked into each other and the small weight might give that impression though. The balls are assembled with the top half(cup) and lower half(ball). The top half has a very slightly rubberized coating all except for the smallest ball.They are light weight balls but you can feel the presence of the balance weight. I know because they are a ball shaped toy most kids might be inclined to toss them around accordingly and for that I wouldn't rate them durable. My kids haven't tested that limit yet, but I'm sure it's a matter of time until it goes Humpty Dumpty right into the wall.They state that you "can stack, spin balance, open ended play". Honestly from practical play at the young toddler age, they can stack it directly on top of one another very still and it will stay piled, that's about it. I played with it myself initially to check the limitations/range of stacking play and really the second product picture is about the most staggered you can make it before it topples all over the place. You can roll it, because it's a ball shape, and yes like a ball you can spin it too, imagine that, a 'free extra feature' ;) I've tried to stack these outside of the base with no luck, of course, and I've tried to stack them inverted(cup side down, one on top of another) with no luck there either. Again if I approach it as meticulous as one would while disarming a bomb then I can get a couple different configurations out of it, but my kids with more of the 'pull the pin and launch' grenade style leave little else for this toy to do but to stack it straight up.It's colorful, it's a nice idea and the weight is a nice touch. If that weight was in fact also slightly magnetic, this might be worlds more fun with far more range of play. Being that it's not easily stable or all that durable(for 'ball' type abuse)and really nothing more than a plastic stacking toy, I think it's overpriced. I would have paid $12 for this at Imaginarium or a store like that. My kids do love it though for the few minutes at a time that they play with it so, I concede to their authority, and don't pretend to understand why.

I love this toy!!! My son has special needs and has a hard time with his motor skills. What I love about this toy is is that's it's very forgiving, it doesn't have to go on balanced and straight. Usually he's successful with his attempts and can stack several without it tipping over. We have tons of fun to see how out of balance we can make it and are surprised at how well it stacks! This toy has also encouraged him to use two hands which he does not like to do. The bigger pieces are a bit too big to use with just one hand so it's been a great toy to encourage use of both hands.