Dollar Tree Toy Test for Operation Christmas Child 2023

I have always wanted to know the quality of some items at the DT without buying them ahead of time. With new items always coming out, I thought it might be helpful to do some toy tests for you on some of these products. Remember, we want to sent quality products in our shoebox gifts, so it is helpful to know what toys and items are great and which one's get the thumbs down....and a friendly reminder...it is only my opinion. So let's get started!
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[@wescindaself9445]

On the hot wheel ramp, there should be a launcher to add at the front. So it does shoot it down the track, and you can add as many tracks as you wish. My little boy had a lot of these and loved it.

[@drogers]

Thanks so much! I finally figured that out! 🤣 Thanks for watching!

[@deborahcarr2177]

I appreciate your testing. It helps to know what is good and what not to buy!

[@drogers]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful! I’ll try to do this again!

[@wonderyears2000]

Really great video! Would love to see more of these types of videos testing out dollar tree toys/items for shoeboxes. This will be my first year making some shoeboxes so I will definitely use some of these items! And your whole channel in general is extremely inspiring to me just starting out. Thank you!

[@drogers]

Thanks so much! So glad to hear this is helpful and happy you enjoy my channel! I pray it encourages and helps packers! ❤

[@wonderyears2000]

@@drogers It really does! Thank you! 💖🙏

[@KH-co4ez]

Also, the dollar tree harmonicas are not good either.

[@JustMe-kg3xc]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@drogers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@denise5457]

Well, this was super helpful. Thanks for checking out the tracks. I had my doubts about them, but I always do keep an open mind. There are always hidden gems to be found. I'm disappointed that the 100 piece blocks haven't shown back up. I had accumulated a lot of them and last year I decided to let them all go as filler. I made block sets using all the storage boxes l had for them. Some were the ones with a base plate lid, but I also used those clear DT storage boxes for cars which also worked great with a base plate rubber banded to it. I figured I'd replenish my stash around the holidays, but the blocks never appeared. 😂 I like the checkers sets too. I also pick up tic tac toe when I see it. I like to put the calculator in those tins when I send them. I know it'll keep the buttons from being pressed. 😊 I didn't pick up any of the kayaks, but I might now. If I see any at this point. They could be a summer stock thing. ? I think a lot of people will appreciate toy reviews! 👍🏻

[@drogers]

Thanks Denise! What an awesome idea to put the calculator in the checkers tin! Love that! I know…. Sometimes you just never know if an item will come back or not. I’m hoping the 100 blocks set eventually come back. I still have a bunch but will probably be packing them this year. I’m hoping this is helpful. In fact it’s helpful to me! 😂 Taking the time to actually test them is worth it I think. I was so bummed about the car track not working/connecting. I’ll prob donate the others I bought as filler. Thanks for watching! I’ll probably do this again when they get more new items in.

[@debifritzsd]

Thanks for doing this. It helps when people are always saying $tree toys aren’t worth it. Very helpful. 😃

[@drogers]

You are so welcome! I will do it again in the future!

[@gilleycjoy]

I taught kids to play recorder for many years. I generally recommend Yamaha Soprano for quality. But there are some cheaper that will play well and come apart. Not usually the$1-2 pricepoint though. I want to buy stickers so the child can decorate their remote control car!

[@drogers]

Thanks for sharing Christina! I love sending quality recorders! I’ve heard back from several recipients who tell me it is their favorite item in their box! I think it’s worth sending a great one vs. the DT version. I think it’s a great idea to include stickers for the car! I wish they included some but adding them is an awesome idea! Thanks for watching! ❤

[@occland8864]

So glad you did this video. They are always so helpful. I bought some of the Forever Friend dolls and hesitated when I saw some of the comments. I’ll definitely continue to purchase them. I’m also a fan of the magnetic games, Barbie like canoe, and Lego like blocks and container. I’ve searched high and low for those boxes of 100 bricks to no avail. Thanks for sharing, Denise.😊

[@drogers]

Thanks for watching Carol. I’m glad it was helpful! I will probably do it again in the future! Yeah, those 100 blocks seem to be long gone for now but maybe we will see them again for Christmas! I hope so! 🤞🏻

[@terrisreet8189]

Thank you for testing the Lego like toys. I've always put them in my shoeboxes and I've bought several of the little boxes. I was really relieved that you said it was a great item to include

[@drogers]

You are so welcome! I hope to do more of this type of video next year also! Thank you for watching!

[@SharonLaBolle]

❤ Great info. Thanks so much

[@drogers]

You are welcome Sharon!

[@susanslick71]

Push the Ht wheel up the ramp quickly. It'll fly over.

[@NikiChicote]

thanks for testing the items, most of them are available at our local dollar tree, now i know what to get and what to avoid! the mini cars are my fave! thank you Denise! 💖💖💖

[@drogers]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful, Niki! ❤

[@debrabarr6097]

A very helpful video - thanks for sharing the good, the bad, and the gooey! 😀

[@drogers]

Thanks Debra… oh I love that… the gooey😂🤣😂

[@tracystoaks6573]

Great video, thank you for buying those items to test for us. Very helpful!!!😊

[@drogers]

You are welcome Tracy! I had fun! 😄

[@shawnaellis9059]

So very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@drogers]

Glad it was helpful, Shawna!

[@valswain]

Cute canoe! I wish I had that for my Pocahontas box but I have never seen them- I only saw the jet ski. I like it 😊. I love the spinner too! I have not seen those either but I didn’t pay attention up by the registers. I’ll look next time. Your animation on the recorder demo cracked me up even if you didn’t like the product. I enjoyed watching it lol. The air pump and ball looks great. Wish I could find any type of air pump at Dollar Tree. Love the infinity toy - and so easy to pack. I didn’t know the tops light up either 🙃. I love love toys that light up and I know the kids will love them too. I bought a couple of the first air Clays- good to know they’re ok to send. You did a great job molding that puppy. Not sure I would send that either. And I have one. Have to think about that one. This video is extremely helpful. It’s well done too and I enjoyed watching! I have a couple of the make it block containers - I always forget I have them. On the forever friends - that doesn’t bother me either. And the clothes are so cute anyway. To cover that all up. I like a couple of those dolls a lot and a couple not so much - I don’t think all of them have cute faces. That’s just my personal opinion. I actually tried out the turbo wheels car as well. I also wished you could turn them, but I wasn’t totally unhappy with it. This was so fun. Like you, I love to play with items I have purchased lol

[@drogers]

Oh the canoe would have been perfect for Pocahontas! It sounds like we are on the same page with all of these items! I think the play dough air clay is fine. I would just not send the gooey off brand clay. Just my opinion though. I’m glad this was fun to watch! Took me awhile to put this together but I like the goal of helping others know what works and what might not work for our boxes! Thanks for watching friend!

[@christinebarber8311]

I love this toy review!!! Very helpful! The ramp needs two of those long orange pieces to go with it. It’s a loop.

[@drogers]

Yeah, I figured that now.😂😂. I guess you have to buy it one piece at a time. And thank you! This was fun!

[@annecornine8469]

Thanx for demonstrating!! All good to know before buying!!

[@drogers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susanslick71]

Thanks for the test. It was quite helpful!

[@DeborahMWells]

Very helpful as are all your videos. I enjoy shopping for items you feature. Found some .25 3D sticker sets yesterday & only knew about them from you

[@drogers]

Thank you Deborah! So glad you found the .25 sticker scenes! Those were a great find! I’m so glad the videos are helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@batmansboxes4936]

Thank you for showing the balls! I had one in my hand blown up the other day and left it behind bc I didn’t know how well it would deflate and re-inflate. Hopefully they still have it🤪. The spinning tops are cute. I bought the remote car and tested it, I love it and yes, they are fast. The forever friends dolls are adorable. I box lifted Niki’s idea to paint it and look like Snow White and it came out beautiful. I don’t think the tushy sticking out is a huge deal. Great idea to do a product testing video. DT is hit or miss so this definitely helps people decide what to buy. TFS friend!

[@drogers]

I loved your Snow White! It was such a fantastic job!!! I remember it well! I think those dolls are great! Yes, those cars are soooo fast! Much better than I expected! And on the other hand the car track was big disappointment. You just never know at DT so I thought this might be helpful for some. Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@trishamunoz3911]

Thanks so much! I found this super helpful!😊

[@drogers]

You are so welcome Trisha! Thanks for watching!

[@byrdfeed9071]

Wonderful video, Denise! You tested several items that I have never purchased, but often wondered about. So now I know! Awesome! Thanks! I’ve never bought the Hot Wheels ramp, but I have purchased the launcher, which is a much shorter piece of track and works great. Think of all the pieces as à la carte. To make the best of it you’re supposed to purchase the long track piece, or several, the ramp and the launcher. They even have one that does a loop de loop, because I have it in my basement. I think I got it from dollar tree. Now, if you get the launcher and attach it to the other end of the ramp and launch a car, it should fly off the ramp, so I would think the ramp definitely needs the launcher with it. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@drogers]

Yep, I think I now know that. Well I’m glad I tested it! 😂😂 I kind of thought that but wasn’t sure. I have packed the track before but even if I added this ramp, I don’t think it adds much to it. Now I know not to waste more money on those. TFW Trish! Hope it was helpful! It was pretty fun to do!

[@jcross9251]

I enjoyed this video so much!🙏I gotta go to dollar tree to find some of those like those fidgets and cute dolls 👏🏻🥰

[@drogers]

Don’t forget to look for some TY beanies there also! I found some today!!!!👀

[@bernievandewalker1420]

Good video I found it very helpful.

[@drogers]

Thanks Bernie! I’m so glad!

[@dianaruthshoeboxes]

Thanks for showing s a great varoety of DT toys. I will probably stay clear or the car track. Great to know about the DT dolls. We actually bought the HotWheel launcher from DT last year for our son amd it was a bust...my husband was pretty annoyed with it. Thanks again for the great info, Denise!

[@drogers]

Having your kids test the items is perfect! Yeah, I think Hot wheels track is great but the ramp and launcher not so much. Live and learn. That little car track was so darn frustrating. I would hate to bring that upon a child. And I was so excited when I first saw it… so I’m glad I tested it. Thanks for watching and commenting Diana! I appreciate it!

[@eastcoaststories]

This is very helpful, Denise! I probably won't buy any of the air clay or any of the goey stuff. I do like the canoe. And the dolls with wardrobe. The track is disappointing so thanks so much for trying to get it together - if you can't built it properly then most likely a child can't. I love the checkers too! The remote car is a surprise! Thanks Denise for testing!

[@drogers]

Thanks for watching Sharon! The remote car was a surprise! I would have and did buy the track over the car in the store … so I’m glad I tested it! I probably won’t buy the air clay either. I might try the play doh single packets of it though. Nothing specific to build and just play with it for the fun of it. So no pattern to follow like the octopus. Hope this was helpful and fun! I know I had fun filming it! 😂🤣

[@sarahschreffler5407]

I have not used the ramp. But we buy the orange track sets that look like that and those work WONDERFULLY. Kids are pretty good at putting together their own track sets with them. (You can make your own ramp out of the normal tracks by just putting the start up on a box or something)

[@drogers]

Thanks Sarah! I agree the track by itself is wonderful and kids can make their own ramps! Right? Thanks for watching!

[@dianecraigslist6555]

I bought 2 packages of the turbo wheels track sets. I definitely was frustrated trying to put the tracks together. FYI: those extra pieces you mentioned make extra curve pieces.

[@drogers]

And I was soooooo excited when I found those too! I definitely had some frustration with that track. Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@lollyd1276]

Wow, you are so kind to do this type of functional video for us packers. I have been watching a channel (The Purple Alphabet) where Christine does DT toy tests, and often gets her kids involved. She also tests craft kits, markers, crayons, etc. a nice complement. But I love that you focused on OCC appropriate items. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I was wondering about the air clay(?); I've not seen it yet. Is the finished product meant to be dried after completion, or is it meant to be reused like Play Do? I think the hot wheels ramp is meant to be combined with other track pieces, like the launcher, and track lengths. I do like the forever friends dolls, and the little wardrobe makes a great set. Again, thank you for a super helpful video. I will definitely be trying some new items.,

[@drogers]

Thank you Lolly! I’ll have to check out that channel! I’ve always wished someone would share their experiences with the DT toys for OCC! So I thought I would give it a try! I’m so glad it was helpful! The air clay is suppose to dry, it does not seem reusable to me. So one time use only. I think that alone makes me like play dough better but the feel and sensation of the clay is fantastic. Well not the messy one but the play dough one was fine. Hope that helps and makes sense! Thanks again Lolly!

[@christinebarber8311]

Idk why I’m just noticing this, but with the tracks- it seems like there’s an image on the back as to how to put it together. Maybe it works only one way kind of?

[@drogers]

It was very difficult to put together. Even with following the pic. Other reviews said the same. It was pretty cheap.

[@fiennesgirl9776]

Hey! I bought a recorder like that and it DOES come apart. I tried to turn another one while still in the packaging and I couldn’t turn it that way. I tried another one still in packaging and it DID turn. Maybe yours was just stuck. Perhaps try it again. I liked your demonstration because I haven’t bought everything you got and have wondered how some of the things worked. Thanks for sharing!

[@drogers]

Thanks for the info! I’ll try it again! That’s good to know. I tried with all my might and could not get it to come apart but maybe it was just stuck. 🤷🏻‍♀️Thanks for watching and letting me know!

[@DandyLight]

Thank 😊 you!

[@susanslick71]

Ill bet if you use ll he parts it would connect

[@drogers]

Thanks Susan!

[@Lisa-eo9gd]

How does Barbie do in her kayak in the water?

[@drogers]

I haven’t tried it! Maybe the little girl that received it will find out! These kayaks are back at the Dollar Tree now!

[@fiennesgirl9776]

I just thought of something for the doggie clay. It might not be as gooey if the tubes of clay were kneaded in your hands ahead of time, but I don’t know how you would indicate that for the children.

[@drogers]

Yes, I agree. Maybe you could attach a visual to it! Just a thought. just think the whole thing was pretty messy.

[@christinebarber8311]

Whenever I’ve used any air clay I’ve done that and rolled it in the package so it let’s go of the sides. Usually works well, but I haven’t tried it with that particular clay

[@drogers]

@@christinebarber8311 that’s great to know! Thanks Christine. The only thing is I don’t think the OCC kids will know to do that. Idk… maybe. Do your kids like it instead of play dough?

[@christinebarber8311]

No I don’t think that my tip is very intuitive unfortunately.😅😅 I’m sure a child would do just what you did and be frustrated. My kids like creating things with the air clay, but it does not last long. The second it touches itself it’s stuck and it dries out quickly. so it’s a one-time use and then you’re stuck with whatever you create. I love the idea of a kit with an end goal in mind so it’s clear you’re creating a thing not keeping it to play over and over like playdoh.