Brief:
T' D&L Company's Stomp Rocket Junior is a great way to get kids hooked on rockets at a very young age (recommended for children 3 years old and up). These are foam rockets that are powered by a small (but quite rugged) air bladder that you step on t' launch t' rockets into t' air. Well, blow me down! Since the rockets are lightweight, me bucko, they recover ballistically.

Also, matey, me bucko, they were given t' us as a gift so I do nay know where it be purchased.

Construction:
There are only a few pieces in t' box and assembly takes but only a couple o' minutes. Ya scallywag! There are 4 foam rockets, arrr, the three-piece tripod, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and t' bladder with hose and nozzle, which attaches t' t' tripod by a simple wingnut and screw. T' tripod easily goes together for quick setup and comes apart (but nay too easily) so that puttin' everythin' back into t' box only takes a few seconds.

One night as I be cleanin' up around t' house, matey, I noticed somethin' comin' from t' toys had an eerie greenish glow. Blimey! Blimey! Turnin' out t' lights t' determine t' culprit, I discovered that t' rockets were glowing! What an added bonus that we could do some night launches!

Finishing:
None needed.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' height o' each flight is determined completely by t' force o' whomever is stoppin' on t' air bladder. Ya scallywag! Blimey! The packagin' indicates a maximum height o' 100 feet, which I feel is slightly optimistic, however, t' upside is that these rockets can be launched in t' convenience o' most yards--no trips t' a special field are necessary!

My 3 and a half year old son and I have done several launches, both durin' t' day and at night. Blimey! Aye aye! When we've launched them durin' t' day--includin' at a club launch--it always attracts other young children t' try it out. Ya scallywag! And a pleasant surprise is that thar were pretty much zero squabblin' over who gets t' next turn. (That's a HUGE endorsement for these alone!)

T' flights are pretty consistent, matey, too. While you can adjust t' launch angle, I don't recommend it. Arrr! Begad! T' rockets weathercock pretty smartly after they leave t' nozzle due t' their light weight. Arrr! Your best bet is just t' leave the nozzle pointed straight up for best performance and safety.

Also, on a particularly calm evenin' I had t' crazy idea t' stack a rocket on top o' one mounted on t' nozzle. With a steady hand, I be able t' get it t' stay thar as me son jumped on t' bladder. Begad! Both flew successfully and stayed together until they reached apogee (not your typical 2-stage flight profile mind you). Begad! Aye aye! I would have attempted a three-stage flight, shiver me timbers, but t' tops o' t' rockets are slightly rounded (and hardly pointed) so stackin' them more than two high would require a surgeon's steady hand, me hearties, shiver me timbers, absolutely zero wind, matey, and uncanny care t' make sure t' nay prematurely bump or move t' launch bladder or nozzle. Ya scallywag! Begad! (I don't see why it wouldn't work, but fair winds if you manage t' somehow pull it off!) PROs: Can launch these rockets day or night in a small yard. And they always attract a crowd o' kids who want t' try them out. CONs: You should keep an eye on children placin' t' bladder too close or walkin' up when launchin' so that no one gets hit by a rocket as it is bein' launched. There is no mechanism in place t' stop a mischievous child from launchin' a "landshark".

Recovery:
With calm winds t' rockets almost always landed within 10 feet o' t' pad whenever dad (me) launched rockets. Arrr! Blimey! My son's rockets usually landed within 2 or 3 feet o' t' pad.

On windy days, t' rockets didn't drift more than double t' distance on calm days. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! A word o' advice if you happen t' launch too close (or angle t' launch "rod" too much) t' t' house on those windy days: Don't panic. Blimey! Blimey! There's little need t' break out a ladder t' fetch a rocket on t' roof... Just give t' winds a couple of minutes t' blow t' rocket(s) down off t' roof.

Regardless, matey, we've gotten t' best performance (and closest recoveries) by keepin' t' launcher aimed completely vertical.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
If you ever wanted t' introduce some young (as early as 3 years old) children t' rockets, I can't think o' a better way. Begad! Blimey! They get t' do t' whole process (prep, launch, and recover) t' rockets all by themselves with little adult interaction. Avast! Blimey! It's all very safe, me hearties, they stay low enough that it can be done in a small yard (as well as allowin' t' kids to see t' entire flight), and takes almost zero time t' set up, move, and put away. Aye aye! Blimey! Plus t' rockets glow in t' dark so you can even fly them at night!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5