Sing-a-Ma-Jigs review and giveaway

One of the things I love most about review blogging is the opportunity to get first looks at the latest, greatest products. For example, one of the most memorable toys featured at BlogHer 2010 was Mattel's Sing-a-ma-jig, an adorable stuffed toy that sings and chatters when you squeeze its tummy. Bloggers went wild for Sing-a-ma-jigs, and it looks like the rest of the world did, too: Sing-a-ma-jigs won Toy of the Year, Preschool Toy of the Year and Innovative Toy of the Year at this year's American International Toy Fair, and they are poised to become the Must-Have toy for the 2011 holiday season. Just remember, bloggers saw it first!

I recently had the opportunity to get a closer look at Sing-a-ma-jigs when Mattel sent me a Yankee Doodle Sing-a-ma-jig to review. Here's what we thought:


The Basics
They’re cute, they’re zany, they’re the latest singing sensation. Introducing The Sing-a-ma-jigs! Sure to put a smile on your face with 3 different ways to play: Chatter, Sing a Song, and Harmonize. Squeeze their left hands to change modes then squeeze their tummies to see their mouths open and hear them sing and chatter! But the Sing-a-ma-jigs' favorite thing to do is harmonize! Start with 2, now 3, now 4, now add more! Start your own Sing-a-ma-jigs group today! The new red Sing-a-ma-jigs sings Yankee Doodle.
The Bongga
Sing-a-ma-jigs would be cute even if they didn't do anything. These toys are soft and cuddly, with fine terrycloth bodies and a cute pom-pom nose. They come in bright colors that little kids love -- but they're more than just a cute toy. Their mouth looks like a terrycloth ponytail holder, and when you squeeze their tummies, the mouth opens (you can even see tiny teeth and a tongue!) and sound comes out! You can toggle between song mode, chatter mode, and harmony mode by pressing it's left paw.

The best way to appreciate what a Sing-a-ma-jig can do is to see it in action. 3Po was only too happy to demonstrate:





Here's a more polished video featuring the Yankee Doodle Sing-a-ma-jig singing with Uncle Sam:



Their baby chatter is adorable! Since we only have 1 Sing-a-ma-jig, 3Po wasn't able to demonstrate the Harmony mode, but if you go to any store that carries Sing-a-ma-jigs, you can try it out for yourself. Just set 2 or 3 Sing-a-ma-jigs to Harmony mode (press on their left paw), and squeeze their tummies at the same time. They sing in harmony! It's really adorable to see and hear.

The Blah
These toys are for children over 3 (probably because the button eyes and pompom nose could be a choking hazard) which is a real pity, because I think babies and toddlers would love these. Could they possibly make a baby version?

The Bottom Line
Young children will love cute and cuddly Sing-a-ma-jigs. They'll love the adorable sounds that come out of the toys' mouths. And they'll love doing it without mom or dad's help!



Win a Sing-a-ma-jig
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Yankee Doodle Sing-a-ma-jig!


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite Sing-a-ma-jigs character.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Add the Bonggamom Finds blog button to your sidebar (1 entry).

2) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway in your blog post (1 entry).

3) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Sing-a-ma-jig giveaway! http://ow.ly/61UMJ

4) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
@bonggafinds is giving away a Yankee Doodle Sing-a-ma-jig! http://ow.ly/61UMJ #giveaways

5) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you've joined)



The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on August 30, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on August 31 and post their name after he/she confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Sing-a-ma-jig to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by Mattel and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.