I bought this for my kids (ages 6 and 4) knowing that I'll have to do some of the cranking. The design is not very ergonomically friendly. The handle is way too close to the counter surface. I keep scraping my knuckles on the counter turning the crank. The scoop/opening is also a bit low. It's perfect for the 3 little paper cups that came in the box. But the opening is too low for a small kids cup, and too narrow if I put a bowl underneath. I had to use a silicone muffin cup after my kids finished up the three paper cups. (You would have to get paper dixie cups to put under the opening.) Raising the machine by one inch would have eliminated both of these issues. The paper stickers are also a pain. The machine is meant for ice and water. I have had the sno cone maker for two days and the stickers are already starting to peel off because of the water contact (shavings get on the stickers, the stickers get wet etc.). It also makes it difficult to wash - the snowman syrup container also has a paper sticker. After three washes, the sticker is already partway off. I can do with just wiping the sno cone machine - but I have to wash the syrup bottle. This is purely an aesthetic issue. But if I paid $25 for this, I want the snoopy stickers to stay on longer than 2 days. Having said all of this - my 6yo does enjoy this a lot. He's a bit slow at the cranking, but he has fun doing it, and I guess that's what counts.

The weather outside is frightful.. When I received the Snoopy Snow Cone maker it was around minus 20 Celsius outside, but it did not stop us from making shaved ice and miking in grape and orange juice. It is going to be much more fun for everyone in the family to taste a refreshing treat during summer time, but for now it's a colorful and cheerful decoration that the kids like a lot.

I purchased this for my daughters (ages 12, 11 and 9). While they liked it--the shaved ice tastes so good on a hot day, especially with Italian soda flavoring--I wouldn't purchase it for children much younger than mine unless you have the time to stand at the counter and crank and crank and crank. It does become rather tedious!