Handy Manny’s Repair Shop by Fisher Price has been a hot toy item for a couple of months, and there’s quite a bit to look at as you begin reading reviews on this item. Here are a few of the highlights:
Positive: On the upside this item does have a very different design than many of the other workshops on the market today. The colors in Handy Manny’s Repair Shop are bright, yet subtle, making it a cheerful addition to any playroom or home. There’s quite a bit of attention to detail too. The tools are very accurate in their design, and look quite real. What’s more is that it comes with the plans to complete a number of actual projects. The manufacturer’s instructions suggest your child can use the parts included to build over twenty different actual items. They can also disassemble them, and then build something else, adding to the potential for creative play with this particular product.
Negative: Many parents report that despite the title character’s involvement with this one, it’s just a basic workshop. Most also suggest that many of the pieces are too small. While they have been safety tested to ensure they aren’t choking hazards, they are small enough to be easily lost, and that can be frustrating for the age group this particular item is aimed at. What’s more is that because the tools are so accurate in design, a child might think that the real version of these tools are also harmless toys. That may cause some concern in households where another member of the family has actual power tools that could hurt a child.
All in all, it has been noted on numerous occasions that the workshop could be one of the best toys for three to five year old children. That is, it could be, but the safety of the child is entirely up to the parents. Any child playing with the workshop needs to know that these toys are for play, and that their bigger version can hurt them. As long as the parent is careful, it could be a fun and interesting thing to play with.
On another bright note, the Handy Manny’s Repair Shop has the ability to teach small children about repairing things. Being able to fix the small stuff that needs repairs is a necessary skill for both boys and girls to have, and the workshop looks like it would do a great job of teaching that skill through hands-on activities. There are even add-on products you can buy to enhance the overall experience and lasting play-ability of this toy, which makes it all the more valuable for busy parents with kids who love this particular title character.
