Toy Review Process

The key to any good process is to have it formalized in a written document. That way the document can always be referenced throughout your activities.

Now this does not mean that this document is set in stone. This document is only the original pathway. We will update the document on a continuous basis to make the process better and get you better reviews.

At the bottom of this post is a revision table. A revision table is used to highlight any changes in the document. We will keep this updated on continuous basis to make sure you understand any all changes that have been made.

Please Contact Us with any suggestions on how to make our process better!

Title: Toy Review Process

Revision: NC (revision table at end of post)

Purpose:  To describe the ideal review process for toys or activities. 

Summary: This document illustrates the steps Dad Joke Engineering takes to conduct their reviews. We make our process visible so all who are reading our reviews understands what what into making that review. We do this to both inform our readers and establish a baseline for ourselves to conduct our reviews.

Critera:

• Must be new to the kids
• The identified age group by the manfufacturer needs to be applicable to the kids

Value Stream Map:

Step 1: Toy Reveal #1

• Showcase the toy to the family 2 days before opening.
• Package is not to be opened yet.
• The adult highlights what the toy is, what it does, some features.
• Explain to the kids that as the adult we will open later to make sure we understand how to use the toy to provide any help.
• Explain to the kids that tomorrow we will open the toy, not to play with, but to show how it is used.
• Explain to the kids that in 2 days we will open the toy and can play together.

Step 2: Parent Familiarity

• Box is opened without the kids.
• While opening the adult is to work to keep original packaging so the toy can be donated. 
• Adult makes themselves familiar with the toy… how to use, understand instructions, etc. 

Step 3: Toy Reveal #2

• Showcase the toy to the family 1 day before opening.
• Package is opened with the entire family. 
• Allow the kids to review the toy, without playing. 
• The adult highlights how to use the toy and any instructions. 
• Explain to the kids that tomorrow we will open the toy and allow you to play. 

Step 4: Toy Opening

• Within the first 30 minutes, allow the kids to  play on their own as much as possible. 
• If the toy includes family be the extra player not the lead. 
• After 30 minutes, the adult plays how they feel as much or as little as they want to be included.
• Record the review for later review.
• Take pictures of any and all interactions.
• Stop play after 1 hour.

Step 5: Child Rating

• Sit down with the kids and show them the review board for visual que (see figure below).
• Conduct Ratings review of 1 – 5 stars
  • 1 star = low rating
  • 5 star = high rating
  • Fun: How much fun did you have with the toy.
  • Cool: Did you like playing with the toy? Was it interesting?
  • Excitment: Do you want to play with toy again?
• Get addtional comments:
  • What did you like about the toy?
  • What did you not like about the toy?
  • What were your feelings while playing with the toy?
  • Any other thoughts on the toy?

Step 6: Adult Rating

• Once the kids are away conduct the Adult rating (see figure below). 
• Conduct Ratings review of 1 – 5 stars
  • 1 star = low rating
  • 5 star = high rating
  • Design / Function: How was the toy designed? How did it function? Was it safe?
  • Age Appropriate: Did the age illustrated by the manufacturer fit? 
  • Adult Required: How much adult interaction was required? Were the kids able to play by thesmelves?
  • Educational: Was the toy educaitonal? Are the kids able to learn something from the toy? 
  • Fun: Was the toy fun? For the kids is the most important thing, but how about fun for the whole family?  
  • Lasting / Value: Will this toy be played with a lot? For the price will the kids get a lot of time of the toy? 
• Get addtional comments:
  • What did you like about the toy?
  • What did you not like about the toy?
  • Would you buy this toy again?
  • What were your feelings while the family was playing with the toy?
  • Any other thoughts on the toy?

Step 7: Overall Rating

• Once the kids are away conduct the Adult rating (see figure below). 
• Conduct Ratings review of 1 – 5 stars
  • 1 star = low rating
  • 5 star = high rating
  • Design / Function: How was the toy designed? How did it function? Was it safe?
  • Age Appropriate: Did the age illustrated by the manufacturer fit? 
  • Adult Required: How much adult interaction was required? Were the kids able to play by thesmelves?
  • Educational: Was the toy educaitonal? Are the kids able to learn something from the toy? 
  • Fun: Was the toy fun? For the kids is the most important thing, but how about fun for the whole family?  
  • Lasting / Value: Will this toy be played with a lot? For the price will the kids get a lot of time of the toy? 
• Get addtional comments:
  • What did you like about the toy?
  • What did you not like about the toy?
  • Would you buy this toy again?
  • What were your feelings while the family was playing with the toy?
  • Any other thoughts on the toy?

Step 8: Follow-Up

• Once the reviews have been conducted the kids will be allows to play with the toys for the next week.
• The adults will get a better understanding on the longevity of the product and can update their review before it becomes live.

Step 9: Give Back

• Once the toys have been played with for a maximum of one month the toys will be donated. 
• The child that apprecaited the toy the most will determine where to donate the toy (with adult guidance)