Last month I was offered the opportunity to review a new fun product that my editor described as “large pipe cleaners.” The toy, Fuzzoodles, was created by Giddy Up an Elmer’s Kids Division company headquartered in Ann Arbor. The timing of the request was perfect, too, since my son had recently saw the product on television and insisted that he “really needed it.” He wants everything he now sees on TV, however, I thought the product looked interesting as well!

Fuzzoodles were introduced as a unique combination of arts and crafts and construction toys combining colorful, bendable and BIG fuzzy “noodles” with wacky features like crazy eyes and toothy smiles, along with cool accessories such as a bowtie and a purse. My first thought when I saw them on TV was that they were a potato toy crossed with oversized pipe cleaners.

Immediately upon opening the box my kids had a blast putting together a small gathering of wacky, fluffy Fuzzoodle characters. Since my son had seen the product on a television commercial, he insisted on creating everything he had seen - fuzzy characters, bracelets and a doorknob critter. The commercial is effective because when my son’s friend came over he immediately wanted to tear apart one of the critters to create a fuzzy pen!

Fuzzoodles combine the best of two worlds: crafts and construction. Like a great arts and crafts project, children can develop their own designs, and like the best of construction toys, they help strengthen skills.

“Playing with construction toys helps sharpen kids’ minds, strengthen hands and improves coordination as they have fun,” said Michelle Manning, Giddy Up’s director of marketing. “Fuzzoodles is an innovative new interpretation on the classic and proven construction play pattern, and is sure to be a hit with parents and kids alike.”

The kids really enjoyed playing with the Fuzzoodles and have come back to them multiple times since the package arrived to create a new cast of characters.

Pros: Fuzzoodle noodles and accessories are interchangeable for limitless possibilities to create; there are 8 sets of "eyes" included in the kit we received so each child could have at least 4 characters. The kit also came with a booklet with several easy design ideas and step-by-step directions that my 6-1/2-year-old was able to follow.

Cons: The product is designed for children 5 and older, however, even my 6-½-year-old had a little difficulty at first bending the Fuzzoodle noodles into the shapes he wanted. As a mom who likes to keep like items together I would have liked some type of bag or case to store our Fuzzoodles in; I did create one though!

As soon as the Fuzzoodles arrived I had an immediate vision to use them in our travel box; whenever we travel any great distance, I create a box full of small toys, trinkets and goodies. Fuzzoodles would be the perfect activity if it included such boxes. Fuzzoodles don’t take a lot of space and allow my kids to create many creatures to play with.

So, would I buy the product? Absolutely. Luckily we have a couple birthday parties to attend in our near future ...

Tammy Mayrend is a search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com.