Bendaroos: A Mom's Review

"Benda what? Benda who? Bendaroos!" Any parent who has a television set has surely heard this phrase on commercial breaks of kids programming. A child's craft toy of sorts, these flexible bending sticks are great and kids love them. In addition, they really aren't that expensive. However....(with children's toys, doesn't it seem there is always a "however?" Yes, there is a downside to Bendaroos, as with many products, but it would be totally remiss not to mention the awesome benefits this product offers kids: encourages creativity, reusability, versatility.

Great Benefits
Bendaroos are lightweight, pliable, building sticks that come in all colors. Kids can shape and mold them into just about anything! Creativity is totally encouraged, because whatever a kid dreams up, they can try and recreate it with a Benderoo, which holds its shape. Unlike a Lincoln Log or Lego, they are more free form so kids aren't blocked into to shapes. For kids that need help getting creative, a package of Bendaroos also comes with template designs to get the imagination in gear.

In addition, Bendaroos can be reused. I might recommend a container for them, so they don't dry out. But if you can coerce your child into undo-ing what they created, the sticks can definitely be reused.

Lastly, this craft is totally versatile. It is not gender specific, so it can be enjoyed by both girls or boys. It is not age specific. My six year old enjoys it as much as my 13 year old. (I even find myself grabbing one that has been left here or there for fidgeting.) But best of all, they are compact enough to travel with or bring to a restaurant, where there might be a wait.

Now, the Bendaroo website also touts a benefit of "no glue, no stains, no mess." I am on board with the glue and stain part. This is true...but no mess? They aren't fooling me!

Great Downside
Honestly, Bendaroos should be monitored like Play-Doh. They don't break into bits (thank God) but they will get stuck in the carpet. In fact, they will stick to anything. It took me 20 minutes the other day to scrape a benderoo stick off my kids bunk bed (wood), that had been placed there months ago - and flew under the cleaning radar. When a Benderoo dries up, it will stick and be very hard to remove from something...like a hardwood floor. It is much like getting hardened gum off of a hard surface.

This can totally be kept in check by limiting where your kids play with them, or ensuring prompt clean up of ALL Bendaroos. But a dried Bendaroo is no joke!

Would I buy them again? You bet! I believe in the product like I believe in Play-Doh...just a word of caution to the new Bendaroo owner - dried Bendaroos really stick and removal is no treat.

To order Bendaroos or find out more information, visit their website! https://www.bendaroos.com/flare/next