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Put a Bow on It: HEXBUG Nano

December 20, 2011 By Lena

A few weeks ago, I was one of several bloggers contacted to review HEXBUG Nano, touted as “one of the hottest finds for both boys and girls ages 3+”. Not one to pass up hot finds, I agreed to receive a whack of HEXBUG toys.

Truth is, I had no idea what the heck HEXBUGs were.

So sue me. I’ve got toddlers, okay? They still play with toys that are shaded in primary colours. But, I had seen mentions of the micro-robotic bugs popping up all over the place. “Best Innovative Toy of 2011”. “Top 25 Toys for Christmas”. “Best Toy of 2011”. And my personal fave – from Time Magazine, “The 15 Smartest Toys for Young Geniuses”. Interested? You bet I was.

The box arrived. Inside, I found:

• 1 HEXBUG Nano 5-Pack
• 5 Glows in the Dark HEXBUG Nano bugs
• 1 Glow in the Dark HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set
• 1 HEXBUG Nano Spiral Starter Set
• 1 HEXBUG Nano Bridge Battle Habitat Set
• 1 HEXBUG Nano Elevation Habitat Set
• 1 Carton of “Bug Food” (batteries)

Still, I was unmotivated to set it all up. Call me crazy, but I worried that it was too complicated a concept for my two boys. So, I sat on it.

Then the blog reviews started popping up. Here, there, everywhere – the toys were universally adored. And I began thinking… perhaps I should really see what all the fuss is about.

So what has everyone buzzing?

Programmed to behave like real bugs (ew! but educational nonetheless), HEXBUG robots encourage young minds to develop a balanced appreciation for both science and nature. In addition to designing habitats for their high-tech bugs, children can go online to register their critters, where they’ll be privy to real-life insect and habitat facts. They can also play games, learn cool science tidbits and keep on top of the latest in HEXBUG news.

All of a sudden, I started to understand the fascination with HEXBUGs.

Last night, we popped open the packaging and my husband helped our little guy build the Nano Elevation Habitat Set. After some prodding (and a few screams and whines), they managed to put together what roughly resembled a race track. And OMG. Both the boys absolutely LOVE the toys!

Ryder loves that HEXBUGs behave like real critters; they flip, crawl and find the tiniest cracks to crawl through. Reid, although young and therefore requires full supervision, loves that they move (I know, isn’t it lovely to be so easily amused?). And hubby and I love that Ryder is asking questions – questions about how they move, why they behave a certain way, and what happens when we change the course of the play set. A truly intellectual toy that will grow with them for years to come.

(Oh my! I just realized that the boys are dressed the same. TWINSIES!)

I’ll say it – TOTALLY my bad! I can’t believe I didn’t catch on to these little wonders sooner. There are a few days left before Christmas, and I encourage you to put a bow on it! If you’re wondering if 3 years old is too young to introduce the toy… not true! My little guy is already addicted to his HEXBUGs (threw a massive tantrum when playtime was over) and I can see him getting a lot more play out of them in years to come. The sets are attractively priced at between $19.99-$49.99 depending on the size and complexity.

Click here to visit HEXBUG.com. 

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: discovery, HEXBUG Nano, learning toys, review, toys

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammi @ My Organized Chaos

    December 20, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Even my princesses – they are addicted to Hexbugs!
    Great toy, definitely worth a consider when shopping!

    • Lena

      December 21, 2011 at 9:28 am

      I LOVE that even though HEXBUGs are traditionally marketed towards boys, girls love them too! They are officially my fave toy of 2011!

  2. Shauna MacKenzie

    December 20, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    Aidan loves Hexbugs! The boys must have had a blast! Love the ‘twinsies’ :) I do the same with my boys!

    • Lena

      December 21, 2011 at 9:28 am

      Ha ha ha, we’ll have to get them all together for a HEXBUG convention!

  3. Cee@SmookieStyle

    December 20, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Smook loves her little Buggy-Bug…it’s pink! She only likes the one…and has the small spiral set put together. But she mainly puts it in Tupperware dishes and lets it annoy the cats. Infrequently, she sleeps with it in a paper cup by her bedside (sometimes I don’t catch it!) Kids are so silly!

    • Lena

      December 21, 2011 at 9:30 am

      LOL! Love that she likes sleeping with it – Ryder asked to do the same last night!

  4. Tony

    December 21, 2011 at 9:29 am

    That looks like fun. It’s like a futuristic version of bed bugs.

    • Lena

      December 21, 2011 at 9:31 am

      Ha ha, maybe… but without all the biting!

  5. Julia

    December 21, 2011 at 9:32 am

    These have to be one of my favorite toys this year. I have as much fun with them as the kids! Your boys are too cute!

    • Lena

      January 24, 2012 at 12:56 pm

      Aw, thanks Julia! We LOVE them!

  6. Marissa

    December 24, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    Lena, you have the cutest little boys…… Look at the concentration of the little guy – this is an amazing toy – I love it!

    • Lena

      December 29, 2011 at 11:08 am

      Thanks Marissa! The boys are officially ADDICTED to the Hexbugs!

  7. Shelley

    December 29, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Wow, we bought the battle bridge for christmas and it was the hit of the holidays for our 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. We have had a ton of fun playing with them and the kids easily can change things around without our help. Love it and will be picking them up for our next birthday party gift.

    • Lena

      December 30, 2011 at 7:14 am

      We’re addicted to Hexbugs too! I’ve actually rearranged the track almost 5 times – I love that each new arrangement is like a new toy to the kiddos. Happy to hear you love ’em too!

  8. Karina

    January 9, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Oooh Max would go crazy for these! :)

    • Lena

      January 9, 2012 at 7:47 pm

      He would LOVE them Karina! They boys are addicted ;)

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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