Magnetic Book & Play Set

I absolutely love these Magnetic Book & Play Set paks my daughters received for Christmas! First, they have fairies and princesses- two of our current favorites in this house. Second, they both include a book, magnets and changeable backgrounds to act out the story. Third, self contained fun with an easy-to-carry handle.

What's not to love?

The books my girls received are Disney Princesses Enchanted Fashions and Disney Fairies The Secret Fairy Garden. (I also found Barbie Magnetic Fashions, Shrek the Third and Wall-E in this style, though I can't comment on them specifically.)

About the books we received:

The Disney Princesses set includes

• over 40 magnets (some quite tiny)
• 8 play scenes (side by side they create 4 complete backgrounds)
• A reversible story book (Belle on one side, Cinderella on the other)

The Secret Fairy Garden set includes

• 20 magnets
• 4 double sided play scenes
• Book of fairy poetry

Both sets are magnetized on the inside of the case so you just lay out your scene and the magnets "stick" to it. Because the case is magnetized it's a bit easier to keep all those pieces right where you leave them. (They both slip easily inside a Tika Kids crayon bag. And if you have the magnet board you have more room for those magnets you don't want in the scene.)

My recommendations:
These items are for ages 3 and up. However, the Princesses set has dozens of very tiny pieces and the magnets are thinner. I would suggest this for ages 4 or 5 and up. The Fairy set, on the other hand, has larger pieces and the magnet is thicker. The fairy set doesn't incolve "dressing up", only placing the magnets on the background, a much easier task for younger children. My 2-year-old is just fine with this set.

I would avoid using these in a car or airplane unless you like searching for magnets that may drop. I prefer these for floor or table-top play. Especially the one with the tiny pieces.