Thursday, June 17, 2010

Kung Zhu


As a mom, there are just some toys that I would never think to pick up off the shelf at the store. It's not that there is anything wrong with a toy, it's just that sometimes I wonder would my kids actually like that or play with that? One such toy is the new Kung Zhu line from Zhu Zhu pets. If I had seen it on shelf, I'm not sure I would have picked it out. My kids are lucky though that through MomSelect, I recently had the opportunity to check out Kung Zhu Pets. They LOVE them.

What are Kung Zhu Pets?
    "With eight original characters split into two battling groups called Special Forces and Ninja Warriors, Kung Zhu Pet owners will have the thrill of training each character to transform fighting, battling warriors. While these Kung Zhu hamsters may start of as "cute" and "mild-mannered" once they are sent into their main training grounds, smart chip technology will actually allow you to hear a distinct personality transformation of fighting ninja and warriors."

Deck your Special Forces or Ninja pet in their armor and they are ready to achieve their goal of "justice in the zhu-niverse".

We came home from school one afternoon last week to a large box sitting in the kitchen. They were excited and couldn't wait to know what was inside. When I opened it, they immediately started pulling things out and wanting to know if we could open them.

I allowed them to each select a hamster and a set of battle armor for their hamster. These Kung Zhu pets are very similar to regular Zhu Zhu pets, but they have some special features that make them even more fun. They can be played with in "discover" mode like the original Zhu Zhu pets, in which they just tool around, making cute noises and bumping into things, or in "battle" mode where they make cute little warrior noises and do some special tricks (spins, wheelies, etc). Their armor set comes with a shield that has a track to run them across to "charge up their armor". Even before we opened anything else, the kids were having fun with their Kung Zhu hamsters.

After getting our hamsters out, suited up and running, we finally opened and set up a Battle Arena, where the two hamsters can duel it out a couple at a time, pushing each other around, doing spins, and trying to "win" by knocking the other Zhu Zhu over. We set up a Ninja training set and a Special Forces training set on either side of the arena. There also were some battle accessories for the arena (or for use on their own). We built and connected all of the pieces. The hamsters were ready for battle. (We only connected one training set to each side and added two battle accessories, but there are all kinds of accessories that you can hook onto the battle arena to make it more intricate and fun, too!)

The kids were a bit disappointed that when the hamsters were wearing their armor that they couldn't fit through the training set. This did seem somewhat odd, since the training sets attach to the "tunnels" leading to the battle arena. The kids quickly got over this and just let their hamsters train and upon reaching the battle arena, they would pick them up and pop on their armor. The battle accessories and the armor both have some "action" pieces that when bumped into fire or drop or swing a weapon into the arena. Of course, mostly these just serve as obstacles to the hamsters, leading to one or the other to flip over and "lose". That's okay, once they lose the kids switch sides and let their hamsters run on the other training set and return to battle again.

Generally, I am not a big fan of "fighting" or "battle" toys, but this one features cute hamsters and really makes the kids giggle - so it feels less violent than a "battle toy" sounds. In addition, the arena and the accessories can really start to take up a lot of space. We are fortunately enough to have a basement, but we first set it up in our family room which quickly was overrun in Kung Zhu. Once we moved it to the basement, there was plenty of room.

I have been impressed by the amount of time the kids spend playing with the Kung Zhu pets. Most of the time, hasn't even been in battle. As they were downstairs playing, my son came up and asked if he could recycle the boxes that the pets and toys had come in. Recycling makes sense to me, so I said sure. Turns out he meant reuse. They took to opening boxes and using the cardboard inside to create houses for their Kung Zhu hamsters. It was really great to see them spend time playing and being creative together. To me, a toy that inspires them to be creative is a good thing. Of course, all of their play has not been without squabbles. They both want to use the same set of armor - it fires off missiles when it gets bumped and my daughter struggles with letting her brother's Kung Zhu train on "her" training set (the one she helped me open and set up), but they have worked through both and now take turns.

Overall I would give these pets a great review...my kids have enjoyed playing with them all weekend! I love that you can play with just the pets alone or add in any number of accessories to mix it up.

Giveaway:

Kung Zhu giveaway! Thanks to MomSelect, I have a HUGE package of Kung Zhu fun to give to one lucky reader. Here is what the winner will get:

Two Kung Zhu pets
Two Sets of Kung Zhu armor
One Battle Arena
Three Accessories

To enter - check out the Kung Zhu hamster bios (here) and then leave a comment sharing which Kung Zhu hamster you could best relate to.

Additional entries:
· Follow @ABusyMomofTwo on Twitter. Tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet. (this can be done daily)
· Follow this blog or sign up to receive e-mail updates (upper side bar). Leave a comment letting me know that you follow or subscribe (or if you already have been).
· Include my button on your side bar or a link to A Busy Mom of Two in your blog roll. Leave a comment with a link to your site.
· Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook.
· Write a post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post.

Giveaway will remain open until July 5th at 6pm. Winner will be selected using Random.org random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (Please make sure that your email address is either in your comment or clearly visible on your profile or blog) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I did receive through Mom Select a pair of Kung Zhu hamsters, armor, battle arena and some accessories for my family, that we could play with them and share our experience. In addition, a set was provided for a giveaway.

58 comments:

mytwogirls said...

I think Azer has a fascinating history. I am always going against the grain and I admire his principles. Always root for the underdog!

cillymoo@gmail.com

mytwogirls said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/cillymoosh/status/16439458901

mytwogirls said...

I am a long time subscriber cillymoo@aol.com

Jennifer said...

I'd say Rivit because I LOVE the 4th of July too!
thekillerbeesx3 at yahoo dot com

mytwogirls said...

tweeted! http://twitter.com/cillymoosh/status/16623632241

cillymoo@aol.com

Melinda said...

I think I can relate to Sgt Serge....I hate to see swings without kids in them too. Plus, my husband is in the military so Serge reminds me of him :)

jmdanials @ hotmail.com

Michelle S. said...

Most Definitely like "Rock'O" here. Although I think my favorite would be Seargent Serge. :)
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

Michelle S. said...

I am following on twitter
@rsj2000mrs
and tweeted
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/16730476882
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

I think I could best relate to Sgt. Serge.
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/my3lilbirdz/status/16739446022

Billy said...

Rock-O

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/16765801077
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

Kristen said...

I relate to Stonewall.

kristen_yeh (at) yahoo (dot) com

✿Heather S✿ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I like Rivet because my kids and I love fireworks (can't wait til the 4th!) -Liz, chlives at hotmail dot com

Jay said...

I like Rock-O love to "Zhu-ogle" anything I don't know!
rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com

Christine said...

Ex military - so I guess Sgt. Serge would bethe one I relate best to. (althougth I do like fireworks).

Christine
dazed1821@aol.com

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/16852168288
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

cathy said...

follower

myerscathy [at] hotmail [dot] com

cathy said...

follow on twitter

myerscathy [at] hotmail [dot] com

cathy said...

subscriber

myerscathy [at] hotmail [dot] com

cathy said...

I think I like Thorn the best

myerscathy [at] hotmail [dot] com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/16919046875

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/16931536538
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

I rivet it awesome my son would love it
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

2kidsand8cats said...

follow twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17049762321
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

2kidsand8cats said...

subscribe email
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17105798704
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

I blogged about your giveaway!
my3lilbirds.blogspot.com
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17123352900
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17165555548
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17022979190
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17205250350
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17257086444
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

Daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17260020417
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17283362366
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17330547961
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
✿Heather S✿ said...

I messed up on the previous comment. Sorry, I was NAKing and got distracted. Here is the correct link to my tweet!
http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17341373111
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17364651008
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

Life Is A SandCastle said...

Love the color of Sgt. Serge, and he loves apples:)
mccullar07@yahoo.com

Life Is A SandCastle said...

mccullar07@yahoo.com is already subscribed to the mailing list of A Busy Mom of Two

Life Is A SandCastle said...

Button is in the scrolling right side bar

http://lifeisasandcastle.blogspot.com/

mccullar07@yahoo.com

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17408932836
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17424485683
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17439724897
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

Michelle S. said...

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17486591145
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

Daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17510352969
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17514351586
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17582666273
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Michelle S. said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17641584813
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17653118334
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17670766029
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17728480590
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

2kidsand8cats said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/highlight4u/status/17798764624
amyfedorchak1(at)gmail(dot)com

✿Heather S✿ said...

Daily tweet 7/5
http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17803821510
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Michelle S. said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/rsj2000mrs/statuses/17806693314
rsj2000mrs@gmail.com

mytwogirls said...

tweet http://twitter.com/cillymoosh/status/17817825748
cillymoo@gmail.com