Hot for the Holidays: HexBugs Robotic Bugs

One perk about being the Mom Buzz is seeing first hand what’s cool in the land of toys for kids. A few years ago my niece and nephew had these little robotic bugs that caught my eye, but at the time I was pregnant, had a toddler and didn’t run the Mom Buzz. But now I recognize them as the original Hex Bugs, which have since diversified and evolved into some new, fun robot bugs that are affordable and great for kids and adults.

I was actually chosen to host a Hex Bug Nano party, which is one of the smaller bugs that you can purchase in test tubes. When the package arrived, I decided to immediately open and assemble some of the Nano Bug Habitats that you can purchase separately to see how it worked before the party. Of course, my boys at 3 and 4 years of age were QUITE interested. And  using just the extra pieces that were sent I created a spectacular arena for four Nano bugs to skitter around in.

BUZZWORTHY: Kids will have no trouble assembling the tracks and stations. They snap together easier than GeoTrax.

I had set-up the track for the boys the first time. It was easy and the possibilities are endless!

From that first moment I was sold on the HexBugs. Truthfully, I was sold even before they arrived, since I’d been looking at the HexBug site like crazy trying to learn more. From Day 1 I decided that Santa is bringing the boys some HexBug Ants for stocking stuffers. You can easily pick them up at Target – moms do love Target.

Now, let me tell you about the party. I had two separate buzz events – one with a small group of 4 children and the other with 8 children. The ages of the kids ranged from 3 to 7. HexBugs are great for 3 year olds and 4 year olds. Three is the minimum suggested age. I know that 7 and 8 year olds will go wild about collecting the HexBugs Nanos and their habitats and battle sets. But adults with a techy side would love having these bugs skitter around on their desk in a little habitat (Hex Cell).

Now, there are 5 different hexbugs – the Ant, Inchworm, Original, Crab and Nano. The Nano is roach-like and sized. If you have just one, it will skitter around in an area that you blockade for it. It’s easier if you have a HexCell, though, which is like a little cell for it to run in. If you have more than one, they have a swarming capability, as they run around and bump into each other. The Nanos move through vibrations on their little rubber-like legs. If they topple over the vibrations will help them get up again. They run on little batteries – you can purchase direct from HexBug.com, buy the HexBug version at Target or other HexBug retailers or you can just buy non-HexBug packaged LR44 batteries. Honestly, I haven’t priced out the difference in price. I know HexBug sells the batteries for between $3.99 and $4.99 for a pack of 2. Each Hexbug takes 1 battery. The battery lasts about 1 to 2 days of SOLID PLAY. So if you buy this as a gift, get some batteries too.

For the HexBug Parties that I held, I assembled a Habitat Set and Battle Set, along with some individual spiral ramps, HexCells, straight bridges and curved bridges.  I put everything on a train table, so that if a HexBug fell off, which they do topple off the Battle Set, they will  land on the table and I could still keep track. I had given each child 2 bugs to play with during the party, so that was 16 bugs running around the set at one point. And the kids would let the bugs fall on the floor, too. So here there would be a group of moms talking and out of the corner of our eyes we would see a black bug wandering down the hallway. My head would spin as I think, “I better not have a ROACH in my house! That better be a HexBug!” And sure enough, I’d catch the wandering robotic bug and stick it back on the train table.

It’s amazing to watch the HexBugs maneuver the HexCells, bridges and my living room – almost like they had a real little brain as the swarmed through openings, up ramps and through bridges. And surprisingly, at the end of the party we found all the HexBugs, which by then had been let loose in the boy’s bedrooms too! It was a HOOT for the moms and the kids.

I gave each kid the HexBug Nanos they played with during the party, along with an additional bug still in its test tube, batteries to keep them running and some of the kids left with HexCells and Bridges for the bugs to run in. As one 4 year old said, “It’s more fun with the set.”

Just so you know, there are different series of Nanos in a variety of colors. Some colors are harder to come by than others. My personal favorite color are the black ones. My sons seem to like those too. Thankfully, they are an easy color to get. There is pink for the girls. I have also seen aqua, gray and yellow versions.

So, the party was a complete success. And this is what I decided.

1. HexBugs are going to be a HUGE hit with boys and girls this year.

2. The pricepoint makes it great as a stocking stuffer and/or affordable gift. ($7.99/ea or $39.99 for a set of 5)

3. If you want a “big gift” idea, look for the new battle set or Nano Habitat Set. The Habitat Set is $29.99.

AFTER THE PARTY:

My boys have played with the HexBug Nanos DAILY since we’ve gotten them. I love all the variations they can create with setting up the HexCells and bridges. There are little doors that open and close on the HexCells to give it a more maze-like quality and the boys love redirecting their bugs through the appropriate openings.

HexBugs were great as a group play activity and I can definitely see birthday themes revolving around these little buggers, which would make a great party favor! But at the same time, when my oldest is in school, my 3 year old will play with the bugs by himself.

FINAL SAY:

Overall, I love them and can enthusiastically suggest them for kids ages 3 and up. I personally would buy some of the other bugs in the future to add to the fun.

Learn more about HexBug Nanos and the other HexBug options at HexBug.com.

HexBug Nano Commercial:

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The Mom Buzz was chosen to host an in-home party for HexBug Nanos through Mom Select and given the materials and samples to do so. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!