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Disclaimer: The Talking Dad blog received the mentioned product(s) for review from Hasbro. The statements provided are my own views and opinions. Pal and I have been waiting to play with Hasbro’s new Transformers Contruct-Bots all Summer long. We have a ton of Transformers toys in our collection, from my replica G1 Soundwave to Pal’s Bot-Shots – however, the collection …

With the gift giving season upon us, toy shelves begin expanding with a plethora of new wares from Toy manufacturers. Here at the Talking Dad Institute, we see the same, new toys are constantly arriving for our expertise in playtime. This week a cache of new Toy State automobiles pulled into the testing studio. From realistic replica RC’s to beat-savvy …

The Talking Dad household doesn’t own many modeling clays. The big brand stuff would crumble, turn to stone, and stain everything. We just don’t indulge much ’round these parts. But then Crayola reached out to us to experience their new Create 2 Destroy product line, featuring their proprietary Morphix Construction Compound. Morphix is a soft-grit non-crumbling martian modeling compound. Okay, …

A strange and unfortunate accident occurred when Pal began launching Angry Bird Rebel Birds at the evil Pig forces of the Galactic Empire. One slip and his iPad came crashing down to the floor. A few little boy tears later, and we were up and running again. This time on my iPhone. The loss of an expensive iDevice can really …

“Gentlemen, start your engines!” It’s a phrase Professor Pal and Daddy look forward to on Nascar race day. Automobiles are in our DNA, heck, we live in the Motor City! But you didn’t come here to learn about our family roots, you’re here for our big review of Toy State’s varied line of racing and construction vehicles. So….let’s get rollin’! …

Choo choo or beeep beeep beeep! You get it all with the Caterpillar tractor and train set by Toy State. This sweet little train set pulled into the Talking Dad station last week and its been a smash ever since. The Cat Iron Diesel Train comes in a small package, but it’s packed (15 pieces total) with train cars, tracks, and working tractors.

Comfortably seated in my top 5 movies of 2013 is the brand new Star Trek Into Darkness by J.J. Abrams. Comfortably seated on my fireplace mantle is the brand new Star Trek Starship Enterprise and Klingon Bird-of-Prey by KRE-O. Block building is the perfect father/son activity and Asher and I have spent hours on past KRE-O play sets.

Check out the newest intergalactic feathered Jedi’s this side of Endor in the Angry Birds™ Star Wars® AT-AT Attack Battle game and more. Hasbro released its newest licensed board games just in time for Star Wars day, this May 4th. Professor Pal got his wings on a few sets in the laboratory for this week’s toy review. Setting up the AT-AT is straight forward – 4 legs on 4 feet, followed by the platform piece and head. The remaining blocks and pig tokens are stacked in any number of configurations, but the instructions will provide the most AT-AT-like setup. This step of the game required a steady hand to complete at first, but once the professor figured out the weight and balance, setting up became quick and painless. If you’re not familiar with the Angry Birds™ Star Wars® video game apps, the goal is to eliminate the occupying pig army by launching angry birds at the structures protecting the bad guys. The gameplay is the same with its board game counterpart. Professor Pal launched his first two Jedi Knights over the armored transport, but the next three heroes began dismantling the invading galactic forces. It’s certainly a challenge to completely destroy the entire vehicle, so as Yoda would say, “encourage your child, you must”.