DaGeDar - a Review and Giveaway

Have you heard of this new toy - DaGeDar? I hadn't heard of it until a few weeks ago, when we were invited to check it out. "A game of speed, challenge, and above all racing, DaGeDar is unlike any toy you’ve ever seen before. Each DaGeDar is made from a weighted ball bearing, and has a character face and code."

The story behind DaGeDar and Dimension 33 was sort of interesting to read - I never new so many things were tied to the number 33.

When the box arrived and I told my son that I had a new game for him, he was excited to open everything. He had everything stacked and ready to open, as soon as we gave him the okay to open them after dinner. (My daughter, of course, wanted in on the fun too - "it's not fair" is one of her favorite expressions. Funny how she doesn't seem to find it unfair when she gets something and he doesn't.)

We assembled the High Speed Score Zone Raceway and some of the balls. You release the balls down the ramp, they do a loop and then jump from the track to the scoring zone. The technique and skill of the "Ballers" come into play as they adjust the ramp position. We soon learned that too steep or too flat weren't good options - once you found the right angle, the ball had the right speed to complete the inverted loop and to jump into the 100 point score box. At first, the unsupported ramp seemed a little awkward, but we soon positioned it against the couch in our basement. This way, it doesn't topple over between turns.

The kids seemed to really enjoy the High Speed Score Zone Raceway. Next, we opened the Rapid Fire Power Launcher, which can be played on it's own or hooked onto the Raceway in place of the ramp. I found that my kids had a little trouble releasing the ball with any force. I was able to do it, but for my 4 and 7 year old, they weren't getting the right pull and release to make it happen. We quickly returned to the ramp on our Raceway.

There are some features that I really like about the toy. First, NO BATTERIES! Second, I like that there are several series of DaGeDar balls, that the kids can collect and trade. They even sell carrying cases that will allow you to easily transport up to three balls. Third, I like to believe that playing with the ramp and seeing when the ball will and won't make the inverted loop and the way the speed impacts where the ball lands in the scoring zone will make physics touchable - certainly, I'm not suggesting that kids will fully understand the physics behind it, but much like the displays at the science center, the hands on experience still builds a seed in their brain that someday will make the Physics and Calculus seem more relatable.

Here is what my son has to say:

"I like DaGeDar because it is a good toy to play with when you are bored DaGeDar is fun too. I like how the DaGeDar balls can race to the finish! I like the dragon ball I want the skeleton horned fire ball and the mummy one too with another ball case as well. And two more tracks called stunt jump track and battle jump raceway."

I think that he was missing some punctuation and sentence structure, but it is summer and he is still only 7 (even if he does point out that he will be 8 soon).

I feel that DaGeDar is one of those toys that the kids will have interest in for a while, lose interest in and then find again. I have seen this happen with other toys - including a car track that my son got when he was much younger. So far, I have found that they will play with it for a little while and then be done - it won't fill an afternoon the way some toys will. I do wonder though, when my son's friends come over if it will have a renewed and extended interest. Sharing the track with his sister certainly isn't as much fun as competing against a buddy. Also, as his friends learn about DaGeDar and if they start to get their own Balls, I think that it will further heighten his interest in the toy.

The DaGeDar website features a whole section on how to play with the DaGeDar - including an elimination tournament for up to 15 friends. I think it could be fun to have a few of the tracks and have competitions to see who could master each one.

Giveaway!
One lucky A Busy Mom of Two reader will receive a DaGeDar basic ball set and a spinner or carrying case to enjoy with their family.

To enter: Leave a comment sharing who would get to play with the DaGeDar.

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Giveaway will remain open until August 11th at 6 pm. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will be selected using a random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (be sure to leave one!) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. We received DaGeDar balls, raceway and accessories through MomSelect and BSM Media. The DaGeDar Basic Ball Set and Spinner or Carrying Case is being provided for the Giveaway. All opinions expressed are mine or those of my family.