HIA Toys Testimonials
HIA Toys – Testimonials
I presented the Matthew Henson HIA figure to my seven year old just after his reading time and at the start of his "free play" time. Much to my surprise he used most of his time not to play his DS-Lite game, but to explore with Matthew Henson. He was excited about the information and the tools Mr. Henson used to make history. You could see it in his eyes and feel it in his spirit... that my son was going to need the snow shoes, ice pick, and all his tools to make this history making adventure with Mathew Henson. Thanks, Michael S. DeLoatch MBA Silver Spring, Maryland... more
I ordered the three action figures for myself and when they arrived, showed them to my kids (2 and 6 years old). They immediately asked to play with them, which I thought would last maybe 30 minutes. Instead, my kids played with the action figures for three hours, playing out scenes of air adventures (Bessie flying through the treacherous breakfast bar stools), arctic discovery (Mathew scaling the couch to escape the dinosaurs) and leadership (Benjamin teaching a kitchen full of dolls about where they should build roads and houses). The childrens' play and imagination continue -- and I thought I would put them on my windowsill as inspiration... well, we can share them :) Thank you for molding your creativity and our history into a form that encourages kids and adults to dream today and succeed tomorrow.... more
My almost-8-year-old boy loves these action figures. I've even taken them into his 2nd grade classroom and his teacher and I have developed lessons around them. The kids love hearing the stories of these historical characters. They hear the stories, can touch and play with the action figures, and learn about important concepts like diversity, perseverance, life-long, learning, and curiosity. My son has the first three characters and can't wait for more to come out! ... more
I have three boys ages 12, 5 and 3 and these action figures hold the interest of them all. It has provided opportunities for us to have discussions about history and the significance of African American contribution to the growth and development of our nation and the world. It also gives the boys something to do together. We await the next set of heroes!!
The HIA historical African American action figures are a brilliant innovation designed to educate as they entertain. Attractive to the eye, and wonderful as manipulative toys, the products are beautifully made. The characters that were chosen -- Matthew Henson, Benjamin Banneker and Bessie Coleman -- introduce both boys and girls to the worlds of science, mathematics, exploration and achievement. I highly recommend these thoughtful products! Ramona H. Edelin, Ph.D. Executive Director, DC Association of Chartered Public Schools ... more
An exciting set of edcational opportunities that meet the social and academic awarenesss so necessary for the young child developing in a global world. HIA toys makes a wonderful and sustainable addition to any childs' holiday experience. The curriculum additions are augmented by the exceptional detail quality found with each member of the HIA family. In over 40 years as an educator I am glad to now witness the development of historically significant role models for all children. Interacting with the figures is a very worthwhile activity for all... more
As both an educator and a parent I have to say that History In Action has delivered a fine product. These action figures are the rare toys that both parents and children will like, as they promote learning and creativity, and appear to be quite fun. As a parent of a child who has the figures, I can attest to the excitement and fun children will have with these products. My children think the toys are cool. As an educator I am impressed with the potential for the products to be a tool for learning about Benjamin Banneker, Bessie Coleman and Mathew Henson. They are ideal figures not just because of their historical significance, but also because they are fun to learn about. Kids love adventurers and inventors, and the stories of each of them may spark fires of adventure and creativity for children of all backgrounds. There is also the added benefit of children seeing these images of American heroes who were African Americans. This is especially good for African American children who will benefit from seeing and learning about adventurers and heroes who look like them. ... more
As a teacher educator with a special interest in African American children, I was delighted to find out about and purchase all three of the historical action figures. Too often, parents of color have a difficult time finding culturally relevant educational materials and toys for their children. However, these toys are for all children because Benjamin Banneker, Elizabeth Coleman, and Matthew Henson were Americans. I highly recommend these historical action figures and believe that they would be wonderful holiday gifts that will encourage children to learn more about some of America's unsung heroes and heroines. --Dr. Jonda C. McNair, Assistant Professor in the Eugene T. Moore School of Education at Clemson... more
Brilliant toys! I appreciate the unique opportunity to put real life heroes in the little one's hands instead of make-believe dolls. The 7 and 9 year olds took to them and I was tickled hearing how they bragged about their action figures to their friends, quoting american history along the way!
What an inspirational idea!! Action Figures based on actual black people who lived, dreamed and accomplished great feats. Every child in America should have one for greater understanding of themselves and their country. Through his invention of such a toy, Mr. Ashby perpetuates the greatness of these very figures and inspires young people to create. My daughter, Yetunde, painted a collage inspired by Bessie Coleman's life as well!... more
I'm so impressed with these toys! The HIA action figures are innovative and wonderful tools that can be used to educate younger generations about the achievements of past African American trailblazers. Not only can we pass along the legacy of Matthew Henson and others to our children verbally, we have these figures which can engage children of younger ages and can be passed from generation to generation. Well done, HIA! Thanks for keeping the legacies of these trailblazers alive!... more
During our Famous American unit, my 2nd grade students enjoyed learning about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. But when they began learning about the famous African Americans developed by HIA Toys, they became so enthusiastic about African American History, geography, and discussing the life of each African American portrayed in each toy. The toys got their attention. They fit in perfectly with my curricular goals. They provided awareness and recognition to the contributions of African Americans in history, a platform to discuss how life was different long ago, lessons in geography, enriched their vocabulary, and taught my students a message of perseverance. Months later, the students still remember their contributions to American History and the lessons still continue to apply to other areas of the curriculum. Children learn best through play. These toys complimented my lessons and served as wonderful manipulatives for role playing, storytelling, and they gave the students a way to remember what they had learned about each person. The items and the gear that come with each action figure, help the students interact with the toy, elicited so many questions and were a wonderful teaching tool. I’m looking forward to future toys. Fishing Creek Elementary... more
When I first saw the action figures developed by HIA Toys, I whipped out my cell phone and called my father. "We need to buy these for all those little kids [my younger cousins] and give them out at the family reunion," I told him. Having action figures of the people that we try to learn about our reunion "Historical Who Am I" game will make the game a lot more fun for everyone.
When I first HIA Toys, I whipped out my cell phone and called my father. "We need to buy these for all those little kids [my younger cousins] and give them out at the family reunion," I told him. Having action figures of the people that we try to learn about our reunion "Historical Who Am I" game will make the game a lot more fun for everyone.
This is a well overdue idea and a wonderful tribute so some of our great heroes. I have all three of the first installations and I am looking forward to future figures!
I think the HIA figures are a wonderful product and a great addition to any child’s playroom. I don’t have children of my own but I do have kids in my extended family. I always find it challenging when it is time to purchase gifts for them because I want to give them a gift that is both fun and inspiring. Thanks to HIA Toys I have now found the perfect gift. I look forward to your future releases and being a lifetime consumer of HIA Toys and products.... more
I expected the line of lesser-known African American heroes to be like any other action figures I'd seen in the toy stores, but I was wrong! I was pleasantly surprised and amazed by the detail given to the flexibility of the figures, their accessories, and the attention given to the historical stories on each of the boxes! Children can have so many different adventures with them! HIA Toys are the complete package- fun, intrigue, and education. Well done!... more
I found the HIA toys on the internet while looking for African American history toys. I went to the website and was delighted to find not only the toys but information about each of the characters. The toys will serve several purposes for me. I will use the toys,this year. as a part of an interactive Black History museum that I will present at my elementary school. Secondly, the toys will become a part of my own personal toy collection while not on display for school. I love the detail on the toys as well as the packaging. I can't wait to share the toys in the museum with our students (children from Kindergarten through 5th grade). Children's natural love of toys and the added fact that these are real, historical characters, is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I anxiously await the next toys in the series. The toys arrived quickly and in perfect condition. I am very... more
When I opened the boxes for each super hero, I was simply speechless. They are absolutely beautiful!! The time spent to make sure of each hero and their detailed accessories were in tact in their separate visual packaging was so amazing. Hia Toys will make great gifts for kids of all ages and definitely they are a keepsake. I am thinking about putting them into a decorative shadow box to hang on our entrance wall. What a conversation piece! I plan to tell all of my friends about the Fearless Fly Girl, Stargazer and the Trailblazer and especially those who collect historical items. You must visit... more
These action figures are wonderful, and would make an excellent addition to anyone's collection. We simply cannot get enough positive images for the African American community, so HIA Toys, keep up the good work!
I received all three action figures and gave them to my three grandchildren. My fourth grade granddaughter immediately knew who Bessie Coleman and Mathew Henson were and all three kids were thrilled at how the dolls moved their elbows and knees and had such amazing accessories with them. It thrilled me to see my grandkids have such an animated conversation about these historical figures and start to play and explore with the characters. They thought it was great that the dolls were actually real people. I think they made a wonderful alternative to so many of the toys on the market. Probably the statement that best sums up how much the kids love the toys was this one "When are they going to make more?" Thanks HIA toys for giving my grandkids a toy that is actually a great conversation starter about some authentic American... more
Building cultural competence and self esteem starts in childhood. These African American dolls spark Visions of Success for all children. Bessie Coleman sits on my desk to remind me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I only wish these dolls were around when I was a little girl.
the concept is great- if i can give my nephews and nieces toys with an educational component, i'm all in! ...but first i ordered a set for myself. the quality exceeded my expectations, particularly the packaging- i left the set out on a table in my living room and anyone who saw them (once past the "40 Year Old Virgin" toy collector jokes) came away impressed and more importantly interested in acquiring a set, either for self or as a gift. i guess you could file HIA toys under the category of 'things you'd love to have but never knew you wanted'... i support this product. ... more
I am delighted to see toys that are directed towards enhancing the education of our young children, particularly young black children. I think that all children, regardless of race, could benefit from having a toy of this nature and reading and understanding the contributions of Black Americans.
These toys are fantastic fun. All their joints are fully functioning just like the best action figures on the market. You can do just about anything with them. My daughter loves Mathew Henson and takes him everywhere. I love that because I know that she loves the toys and what she has learned about Mathew Henson will stay with her forever.
I ordered all three figures from HIA toys because I was very impressed with the idea and the quality of the merchandise. I plan to give these toys as Kwanzaa gifts to the students in my children's school. They honor Benjamin Banneker's birthday with a day off from school so I thought they would enjoy having a replica of this historical figure. I plan to order 2 more dolls for my own children as I know they will want to share in the experience of their classmates. I look forward to other dolls being added to the collection and will definitely share this site with... more
There are so many wonderful things about History In Action Toys -- First, the genesis of the "toys" from the memory of a young African American boy who had no action figures that looked like him.... Second, that memory and dream of creating action toys in his own image becoming a reality through the production of history in action toys! Third, African American owned and inspired -- a "toy" that teaches our children about their history in a fun way -- a way they can relate to. I especially like that a men and a woman were included. Fourth -- they are even for adults! I am so passionate about these "toys" that even though my children have grown I have collected a full set of my own, and look forward to additional historical figures. I only wish they were available when my children were much smaller. This is a company with professionalism, vision, and commitment. I strongly believe this is a company and product that parents and educators should support and use-- -- historical, well made, educational African American toys/figureines for our children -- and adults too -- toys that teach! ... more
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