They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight....... (Born To Play Dan Jam Thomas The Tank Magnetic Stacking Thomas)

Member Name: mumto3

Product:	Born To Play Dan Jam Thomas The Tank Magnetic Stacking Thomas
Date:	13/12/08 (147 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good quality, bright colours, nice sized pieces

Disadvantages: a bit expensive but shopping around could find a bargain

My youngest son recently celebrated his first birthday and received a Thomas the Tank Engine Magnetic Stacking Thomas as a gift.

I'm not really sure why it is called a stacking Thomas as it doesn't really stack. The train comes apart and you have to rebuild it in the right order with the help of the magnetic sections.

The whole thing is wooden and painted to look like everyone's favourite engine Thomas. The base part has movable wheels on it and other features like the bumpers are painted on. The other pieces all come off the base and you have to re-build Thomas. The whole thing is held together with magnets so once you have placed a piece it stays put pretty well. There are some magnets along the base which keep the top parts on but the whole thing does come apart very easily. The other parts include two side panels, a roof section, the front part with Thomas' face and funnel and then three midsections pieces. There is also a small rectangular piece the fits inside the side panels and under the roof to keep the whole thing together.

My three year old son was very excited when this toy was opened and he managed to take it apart and build it with very little trouble. My four year old daughter also took it apart and built it again with ease. The intended recipient was a little less impressed and wanted only to keep in all on one piece and push it around the carpet whilst going brrmmmmm brrrrmmmmm!

The manufacturers recommended age range is 18 months plus so maybe my youngest son will show a little more interest in the future. The pieces are nicely sized and not too heavy so in my opinion are ideal for the 18 month to 2 year age range.

The quality of the train is very good. The whole things is wooden and brightly painted. The magnets are sunk into the wood so there is very little chance that they will become loose or come off. I think it is currently available (Dec 2008) on www.amazon.co.uk for £11.90 with free postage but in my opinion this is a little expensive for what you get. I do find that a lot of the Thomas the Tank Engine toys are quite expensive. I would be happy to pay about £5 for this little train.

I would recommend the Thomas the Tank Engine Magnetic Stacking Thomas to any little Thomas fans as I think it a good quality toy. They toy will help you child's development as they will be improving their co-ordination and fine motor skills.

Summary: an entertaining little train