Nerf Super Soaker and N-Strike Review With a Blast Away Winter! Prize Pack Giveaway (3 Winners!)

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Is spring here yet? Didn't really notice much. But then again, I've been too busy playing with my new toys thanks to Nerf by Hasbro. What can I say? It's been great venting my frustrations with the weather by lining up rows of mittens and tuques and blasting them away with my brand-spanking new semi-automatic N-Strike Barricade RV-10. It's so easy to use, even my three-year-old knows how.

Current website price: $21.99 on ToysRus.ca

First, mom or dad needs to insert 3 AA batteries (not included, of course) into the battery compartment. You can use a Phillips or a cross head screwdriver to loosen the screw, insert the batteries, replace the cover and tighten the screw.

Second, be sure the switch is set to the Off position.

Third, rotate the barrel and insert darts completely.

Finally, turn it on and you're ready to go.

If a dart becomes jammed, which we have yet to experience, simply open the jam clearing door and remove the dart. Be sure to close the door or the blaster will not work.

Even though it's recommended for children aged 6 and up, my kids have been able to use it, with adult supervision of course. The only major problem we've had is sharing it! And finding some of the darts that end up in hard-to-find places. Be it known that we only aim at stationary targets and never at people. I am sometimes uneasy when it comes to my kids and 'blasters' of any kind, including water balloons, but this is where a serious conversation comes into play about the safe and appropriate use of such toys. As a kid, though, I remember how much fun we would have playing with water blasters, especially on a hot summer day.

Enter the Super Soaker.

Current website price: $19.99 on ToysRus.ca

Nerf's Spring 2011 line has certainly come a long way since I was a wee lass. The Super Soaker Thunderstorm is one of their newest products and is a fully automatic water blaster that can send streams of water up to 25 feet away. It comes with a water clip but additional water clips can be bought separately to expedite your drenching efforts. I really like that it is on the smaller side and easy to use. Plus, having an extra water clip saves you from having to take multiple trips to the kitchen to fill up.

Current website price: $32.99 on ToysRus.ca

But if you want big, Nerf has got big. Super big. Check out the Super Soaker Hydro Cannon! Man, this thing will surely cause a spike in your water bill. It makes me want to invest in a pool just for the added water fun potential. This is also great for toning the biceps thanks to the required pumping action. If you pump the handle 20 times, you can send a stream of water as far as 35 feet! This Super Soaker is understandably the one toy that everyone wants to reach for first, including my daughter's friend who lives next door. The thing is almost as tall as my son so it's kind of hard to keep out of sight. And while my 5-year-old can use it, it is also quite cumbersome for the little ones to carry, especially when it's full of water. Oh, well. I guess I'll have to lighten their load and play with it on their behalf.

This contest is now closed. Scroll down to the end of this post to see who won.

THREE incredibly lucky readers will win a Blast Away Winter prize pack consisting of:

NERF SUPER SOAKER THUNDERSTORM
NERF SUPER SOAKER CLIP SYSTEM CANISTERS
NERF SUPER SOAKER HYDRO CANNON
NERF NSTRIKE BARRICADE RV-10

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to visit the official Nerf site and browse their catalogue with extreme stealth. Leave a comment on this post with the name of a Nerf product you'd like to have in your possession along with a way to contact you if you win. This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds. Good luck.

For additional entries, you may choose to do any or all of the following:

Add the Blast Away Winter button to the sidebar of your website or blog. (Worth 5 entries! Leave five separate comments.)

Add my regular blog button to your website or blog for one entry. Copy code is located on my sidebar.
Blog about this giveaway and include a direct link to this post. (3 entries)
Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom using Google Friend Connect.
Like the Toronto Teacher Mom Facebook fan page.
Subscribe to this blog by email or in a reader.
Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Tweet daily for additional entries. Feel free to use the following tweet:

Win a "Blast Away Winter" Nerf prize pack (3 winners!) @TeacherMomOfTwo http://goo.gl/fb/F4YCD

Contest ends on the first day of summer June 21 at 10pm EST. Open to Canadian residents only. Winner will be selected using Random.org and must reply to the notification email within 3 days or a new winner will be drawn.

And the winners are:

120. Maria 52. Tinatchick 252. D Calvert

Disclosure: I received samples of the products listed above for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way. The thoughts and views expressed in this review are strictly my own honest opinions.