Toy Review: Matchbox 360 Pop-Up Pirate Island

Seeing the commercial for the Matchbox 360 Popup Pirate Island caused me, as a parent, to be somewhat skeptical. It is not that the idea isn’t wonderful because it is. I just didn’t think they would be able to pull it off. It seemed like a rather large feat, opening this world of adventure and then being able to close it and have it tuck back neatly together without a problem or a mess. It seemed like a tall order to fill. Matchbox managed to fill the order though and they filled it so well that I am happy to admit I am wrong.

The Matchbox 360 Popup Pirate Island is nice for so many reasons. You can take it anywhere so if you have restless kids it’s just a matter of carrying it along and keeping them occupied wherever you go. As a parent, the convenience factor of Matchbox 360 Popup Pirate Island is worth its weight in gold. That being said, as much as I loved how easy it was, it did not mean that children would like it. In the end, that is always going to be the most important test.

Requirements:
The Matchbox 360 Popup Pirate Island is ready to go once you open the box. Once you open it up your child or children can begin playing with it immediately. The car and everything else you might need is right inside waiting for your child to play to their hearts content. I think most parents can agree when I say that there is something nice about buying a toy that doesn’t need batteries or other non-included attachments. Mattel and Matchbox did a nice job creating a traveling toy with some spunk. There is no assembly required, which is another added plus as your child won’t have to wait and fidget while you get things put together.

Basics:
The Matchbox 360 Popup Pirate Island is portable, storable, and can be taken wherever the kids go. Perfect for kids age three and up, the Pirate Island is just under four pounds so there should be no problem with a smaller child carrying this around. Once the Matchbox 360 Popup Pirate Island is opened up, prepare for some excitement. Kids love this adventure landscape and all of the accessories that are waiting inside.

In Depth Information:
Before pulling this out for the kids I popped it open to take a look. I hate offering disappointing toys and was certain there was going to be a problem here. I didn’t find one, but what I did find was pretty cool. The colors are all incredibly vivid. From the bright crimson of the pirate flags, to the burnt orange bridge, the deep blue water, and the verdant green trees everything just seems to shine.

There are four specific areas where play can occur on the Pirate Island. The areas include the pirate ship, the croc cove, the treasure lagoon, and the forbidden island. There are also quite a few accessories that are included with this set. The accessories included are a firing gun, treasure, pirates, a Matchbox car, and a croc.

Lil B was nice enough to give this toy a try for me. Being that he is three and that is the minimum age recommended for this toy, I wanted to make sure it was easy enough for someone that young to play with. Lil B is extremely independent and doesn’t like receiving help with what he is doing. He wants to be able to do it on his own. So, when I brought him his new present (as he likes to call his review material) he wanted me to just sit down while he set everything up. He had it up and ready to go in just a minute then he was gracious enough to let me play with him.

He loves the Pirates theme due to the commercial success of Pirates of the Caribbean so this was a huge hit with him. He dove right in by playing with the car and testing out the various play areas that are available. His favorite parts of Matchbox 360 Pop-up Pirate Island seemed to be croc cove and playing with the big shark and the cannon. He really seemed to amuse himself by just driving the car around and acting things out with the pirate theme, as well. For a three year old this toy was amazing. He sat for hours in complete enjoyment and seemed content to just play with the accessories that were included with the play set.

When it was time to clean up he was able to fold things all up without too much trouble and put it away with minimal adult help. He liked it so much that when I told him I was taking it home with me, he told me it was his and I couldn’t have it back. Of course, I let him keep it.

Bottom Line:
The Matchbox 360 Pop-Up Pirate Island is a great toy. It’s perfect for younger children and it comes highly recommended. If you are looking for a great gift for a young boy this year this is going to be one of your best bets. It’s modestly priced at $29.99 on Amazon and you receive free shipping. Considering the amount of fun, independent play that a small child will gain from this, it is well worth the price.

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Technorati Tags: Matchbox, Pirate Adventure, Mattel, Pirate Island, Popup, Race Track, Toys, Toy Reviews, Fold Up, On the Go, Hot Holiday Toy

Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.