Almost better than a real snowball!
938066
My kids love these!

They are lightweight as to not hurt, but are heavy enough to throw really well. But the best part is that when you squeeze them they crunch! This is the perfect option for an indoor snowball fight for the whole year.

Can't say enough how fun they are.
2762286
I absolutely love this bulb. I got it just as we were packing away our winter decorations, so I can't speak to longevity yet, but I did test it out and it is awesome.

The snowflakes move and swirl. I suggest using a lamp at reading height and as far away from the walls as you can for the best effect. Alternatively, suspended in a pendent light would also be pretty great.
208761
I live in the DC area and had to use this item, just after purchase, to clear the results of the last two monster snowstorms we got this year (2010). With that much snow (in the 2 to 3 foot range, plus even bigger drifts and snow-plow created piles in front of the cars), don't expect this snow shovel to clear everything without a large amount of effort. Also, with snow at that level, you can expect to have to use a combination of a regular old shovel and the Toro shovel.

That said, this shovel works quite well if you persist at it, and is quite adequate by itself if the snow level is about 8 inches or less. As other reviewers have said, you have to be careful in which direction - and which angle - you point the thing, otherwise you will get a cloud of fine snow blowing back onto you. You should also make sure to get an electric cord that is rated for the amperage that this shovel requires, to be on the safe side.

Overall, this is a good buy if you have the typical townhouse unit space to clear (I have an end-unit TH with parking spaces for 2 cars - no garage). It won't work as effortlessly as a larger gas-powered snow blower, but then again, you won't have maintenance issues or have to shell out a lot of money for this handy little unit either.
677206
I bought this for my brother and his family with two small children.  When they opened it at Christmas it was an instant hit.  Instant hit, because the kids ripped it open and I got a snow ball in the face real quick.  It was a lot of fun.  Snow balls were flying though the house all afternoon.
There was no odor as mentioned in some of the reviews.  They did not pick up a lot of lint as mentioned.
The density is perfect - common sense says they aren't real snowballs, and therefore will not be the same - they fly well when thrown, but are soft enough to be safe with all ages.
Highly recommend - a lot of fun!
888779
For years, I shoveled snow because it was pretty easy in Northern Virginia. Last year we had significant snow so I borrowed my neighbor's small snow blower. It worked well except when he ran out of gas or 2-cycle engine oil and couldn't get to a gas station. This year I decided to invest in a small snow blower just in case I needed it. After reading the reviews, I decided to get an electric blower. (No gas, little maintenance and better for the environment.) I also bought two Extreme All-Weather 12-gauge extension cords (one 100' and one 50'). My driveway is about 125 feet long and 14 feet wide so it's pretty good sized.

About a month after I got my Toro 38381, we had 4-5 inches of snow. The Toro 38381 zipped through the light, powdery snow. It did take me a little time to get used to flipping the cords out of the way. Yesterday, we got hit with a snow storm with heavier, wetter snow. I was concerned how the Toro unit would do. I was surprised how well it cleared the snow. Yes, I had to make more than one pass because the snow was very thick and heavy. (That might also happen with a small gas powered, one-stage thrower.) Another thing I like about this snow thrower is its mobility. I have to walk around my hilly backyard to clear the snow from my deck. I can actually pick up and carry this unit with one hand. Try that with a heavy gas powered unit.

All in all, I'm happy with how the Toro 38381 snow thrower has performed. Granted, it can't compete with a big gas powered 2-stage snow thrower, yet for a little guy it packs some zip. My suggestion to anyone interested in buying this unit is: 1) guide the 38381 in heavier snow instead of forcing it through and straining the motor  2) be sure to buy/use a 12-gauge extension cord, preferably one that stays flexible in cold weather  3) get a cord reel so the cord stays in good shape.
4517419
This works pretty well, but does not pack them as well as the single snowball maker does.  You can't get as much leverage in making the snowballs, so if you are using powder, they tend to stay powder like.
2716918
I bought 2 Zipy's for each of my boys (11 and 13).  Brought them out to the local sledding hill to try them out.  I couldn't resist, I had to try them for myself.  They were alot of fun.  Just about as fast or faster than anything on the hill, and was a huge hit, everyone wanted to try them, and were runnning home to tell dad they wanted one.  Still, I felt the need for more.  I want to go down those ski slopes like they show in the videos at zipfy.com, because the fun is in the handling with more speed.  I'll be calling the local ski mountains here in Western Massachusetts to see if anyone allows any sledding.  If anyone knows of any, let me know.  Happy sledding!!
833621
This is a very cool product. It looks like real snow. It is not cold, but is cool to the touch. It is light and fluffy, not wet at all. I've heard that the product that some other brands sell is blobby but this one is not. It is great. Once mixed, we store it in a gallon size zip lock bag to get out and play with again later. My almost 3 year old is sitting happily at the table next to me right now completely entertained with about 1/4th of a gallon of Insta-Snow in a clear shoe-box size bin playing with a small scoop and his hands. I'd say it is good for all ages. Great sensory play for littles, cool science experiment for older kids, and fun to play with for everyone. I know you can color it and add glitter for something different. You have to play with different proportions of water to powder to get the best results. It will mix in any container, but seems to mix faster and with less mixing in a container that is as big at the bottom as at the top. This only matters of you are going for the magic effect. We tried in in some cups that were smaller at the base than at the top and it seems to inhibit the absorption from happening super quickly.
3309205
We used these balls to throw at my daughter's wedding since the venue basically told us our only option to use for something mess less to throw at the couple was bubbles.  Guests loved them.  We threw 120 and the guests took their snowballs home.  (I had thought I would have several left over to take home.)  They are soft so don't hurt when they are thrown at a human but when they are squeezed, they "crunch" in your hand like a snowball.  Really weird but so cool.  I would use these again for sure.  I practiced hitting my daughter in the head before the wedding just to make sure they did not hurt anyone.  She said they didn't hurt.  LOVED THEM!!!!  The price fluctuates.  I bought mine fore 32.00 but have seen them sold for 52.00.  Not sure i would have paid 52.00 but they are super cool.
3731748
These are an awesome indoor toy! Our 1 1/2 year old loves to "have a snowball fight" and we don't have to worry about things getting damaged!  They are slightly larger than a tennis ball, and crunch a bit when squished. Pretty painless when hit by one.
4410959
I decided to do a little test when I got the icefields tumbler! I put the same amount of ice and water into my Yeti and Icefield and let them sit for 24 hours.

Attached are the photos after 24 hours and the Icefields held ice better than the Yeti!! The photo doesn't show it perfectly but the icefields had about twice as much ice left in it.

Comparing the two cups they look and feel exactly the same! The icefields kid seems to fit more snug in both tumblers and the kids are interchangeable. The icefields kid has the great features of a sliding kid to close over the hole and a cutout to insert a straw in the top. I'm happy to say I recorded a discount for my honest review.

Looks and feels the same as a Yeti and held ice better! You can pay more for a yeti but you will get more right here!

*Yeti is on the left and Icefields is on the right
2812676
My kids love making snowballs with this thing. I was amazed with how cheap it was considering the overall quality and durability.  We've had a pair of them for three years now.
2345825
I love having a snowball fight with the kids, but I have a bad back and hate the cold! My kids and I love these!! Bonus, you can even use them as a whistle! Would buy again!
4249814
I really enjoy my Snowball - it definitely is very clear for skyping - which is my primary use.  My voice sounds like I'm in the room with the other people I call. I enjoy the settings on the back.  The primary reason I bought this is because my walls are thin and you can generally hear the TV in the other room when I'm playing games for other people on my Microphone.  I bought this thinking the combination of the 10 decibel reduced cardoid pattern and the pattern of rejecting noise from behind the microphone would be helpful.  It is!

Onwards, this is no small microphone.  It's massive, but doesn't weigh a ton.

The included stand will not be enough for you:  let me be clear because it's something I looked for when I bought this.  It WILL work if it's 3-4 feet from you and the quality will be better/on par with better webcam mics.  However, this thing shines on an arm, about 1 foot from your mouth.  This will also help reduce the amount of background noise you hear.

My first unit arrived DOA.  Amazon replaced it quickly.
1946810
Ok, so the hardcore snowboard simulation fans probably aren't going to like this game.  Yes, some of the tricks are over the top, you couldn't actually do them, but that's the point, it's a game.  If you wipe out in Tricky you don't go to the hospital.  If you are ok with having fun and can do it without complete realism, give this game a shot.  I mean come on, is Halo really realistic?  And yes, some reviews comment about the frame rate having problems.  In my experience it only comes up very rarely and isn't that bad.  Only seems to be a minor problem when racing against a high number of other computer racers and having them all on screen at once, just get ahead of them, and no frame rate problems at all.  Plus a lot of the fun in this game isn't racing, it's about tricks, and when showing off/tricking you are usually the only one on the course.  Just deal with it when you pass the pack on occasion in a race.  This game is worth it, lots of replayability, and for less than $ you really can't go wrong.
288143
Bought these for our family Christmas celebration...indoor snowball fight..awesome fun. Purchased two , thinking of ordering another...there are 10 of us, and loved having all the ammunition, lol! We live in Indiana and see plenty of the real stuff, but this is just as much fun without the runny noses and frostbit fingers
2017599
I bought it for shoveling, sledding, and general snow-play with my kids, and it performed quite well. I dove, rolled, played, and chased in the snow for hours, and even knelt and/or sat for extended periods to watch the kids burn energy, and not once did I feel moisture seep through the material.

The one thing that keeps it from being a five-star product in my book is that it doesn't have a good cinch. It has a somewhat loose elastic inner section in the cuff area, and I tuck that into my snow boots, but it doesn't always stay tucked when I'm high-stepping through a few feet of snow. A smaller (or adjustable) elastic inner portion plus a cinch on the outside cuff would take this to the top.