Reviews (41)

Your Baby Will Love This Toy!
Out of all of the toys that my daughter has, she loves this one the most. I bought it for her when she was 3 1/2 months and she loves it still. It is easy for her to hold and shake. It is very durable-we take it everywhere. I have purchased other Lamaze products as well.and she loves them the best out of all of her toys. Great company, great products. Highly recommended.

Hours of Play
Such a fabulous interactive cube. Lots of bright colors, jingles and jangles. My 4-mo little boy shakes it, stares at it, gums it, and reaches and grasps for all the rings and handles. Since he has had this cube his grasp has improved as well as his independent play time. Great for the stroller and car, small enough to transport all over. The only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars is that it is not machine washable. Great, interesting, he loves it. Also try the Lamaze catapiller, really impressed with this line of toys.

Jingles, crinkles, chewable -- what more could a baby want?
This is one of our son's most beloved toys. It's amazing how much they've packed into one little toy. The big, soft handles made this one of the first toys he could successfully clutch and lift. He loves to shake it and hear the jingling noises. Whenever he's bored, we can offer this toy and it seems to satisfy him.

great toy
I bought 2 of these for grandchildren as Easter gifts.They were 4 1/2 and 6 months old and they both loved them from the start. So I purchased another for my newest granson who is just 3 months old now. The 2 older babies had no problems figuring out how to rattle, shake, open flaps and chew on this toy.And it is still a favorite for both of them 2 1/2 months later. Levi likes to look at his but at this point thats about all he does with it. I'm thinking that even though it says 3 months and above they should be 4 months or so in order to actually try playing with it. Or maybe its because he was premature. At any rate it really is a good toy, has lots to offer and I would reccommend it for every young baby--it holds their interests for a long time and I'm sure it will do the same for Levi in another month or so--glad I purchased these. As always, LaMaze makes great infant toys and I think I've purchased everyone they've made and never once have I been disappointed. This one is a must have and well worth the money.

One of our favorites!!
Our son received this as a gift, and LOVED it!! Now it is the gift that we give to everybody!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great for the money!
I bought this stroller about 2 years ago and I absolutely love it. It folds up so easy that Grandparents can do it without a sweat. It takes some time getting used to the front wheel not turning to the sides, but the big wheels are great and ride over any and everything without a sweat, even in dirt. The seats recline for younger kids and seatbelts adjust really easily. Has lots of storage area. With other strollers I found it uncomfortable to push because the handle was so low, I'm only 5'7, but this was perfect.
My babies love this and always want to go for rides in it.

Great for the Price
I did a lot of comparing of double jogging strollers before I bought this one. For the price it was a great value. The others that I really liked were over 300.00 and they were basically the same thing. I like how the canopy is adjustable and the parent tray. I don't use mine just for walking, it's my main stroller. My 2 are 9 months and 2 1/2 yrs and yes they do sit uneven, but so far that hasn't driven me too crazy. It pushes very easily, my older 2 love to push this one. My only complaint is that the material on the seat has ripped out 2 x/s now, under normal wear and use. I am taking it back and trying one last time, if it does it again then I'm getting the one over 300.00.

It's Okay...
Pros: Good price; Easy to fold/unfold; Easy to push; Good canopy; Pretty solid stroller

Cons: Seats are not very comfortable or stable. They are soley supported by an adjustable strap that lowers or raises the seat. My twin girls always seemed to be uneven when sitting. I don't mean at different levels. I mean the left part of the back was sinking deeper than the right or vice versa.

Also, I think for an avid jogger-someone who runs on a straight path for a long time- it would be just fine. For me though, I am more of a fast paced walker. I like walking in my neighborhood and along paths. The stationary front wheel makes it very hard to turn or even make a simple bend in the road. You have to constantly pick up the front end. It just wasn't for me. I returned this and am getting a swivel front wheel jogger, which gives you the option to lock the front wheel.

great improvement!!
This stroller is a great improvement over previous joggers. My biggest complaint about the joggers was the horrible sun protection. This new model has an adjustable sun shade that can be moved easily. Also there are secure cup holders and a covered space for keys and a cell phone etc. I'm not a runner but we enjoy our daily walks and we really like it. The fixed front wheel is a pain but I've gotten used to it.
Nice features- good value for the price. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Nice stroller for travel
This is a nice stroller for travel. Folds up easily, very lightweight, easy to carry.For everyday use though, there are several flaws: cupholder for the adult is a joke.After 2 months of use it finally broke off. The canopy doesn't do a good job of protecting your child from the sun.(I bought a canopy extender to fix this problem.) this stroller features the drawstring in back for the reclining seat.This can be a pain to move up and down.

For travel I will use the Aria. For an everyday stroller I prefer my Graco Metrolite.Better cupholders, much bigger basket.I only paid $120 for my Aria (on clearance). I paid $169 for my Graco Metrolite stroller.I feel the Graco was the better deal.

Poor Buckle Design
I would like to add that the buckle, which sits directly behind the
child's head, can be a source of irritation for the baby.It is a design flaw in my opinion.My little girl does not want to sit in it and cannot fall asleep in it because the buckle makes it uncomfortable for her.I bought a cheap combi and she is happy to ride around in that one,I am hoping that when she grows a little taller, I can still use the stroller.

On the posititive side, it IS very light weight.

Love this stroller
My husband and I both love this stroller.It's easy to open and close and fits in the back of our Ford Explorer with plenty of room for other items.We used the Peg infant carrier to create a travel system and we never had a problem attaching the carrier into the stroller.It's very easy to steer and I have no problem opening a door with one hand and pushing the stroller with the other.The basket is HUGE and holds plenty of bags.Also, if my daughter is asleep and I need to access the basket I just push the sit up gently.She hasn't woken up yet.The adult cup holder will hold a skinny bottle of water or small drink.The only negatives are: The child cup holder comes out so it is being stored in the back of our car since our daughter doesn't need it yet.Also, the sun shade is useless so we had to buy a large sun shade from another company that fits over the Peg shade.We have used this stroller for over 5 months so far and would buy it again.

Disappointed with Peg's Aria stroller
I bought this stroller thinking it was of top quality, due to the name.I wish I researched more before purchasing.I read the other reviews, and have found the same conclusions.Here's what I found as good and bad.Good - It is a smooth ride, and turns with little effort.I found I was able to easily manuever it with just one hand.It is truly a light stroller, and folds up compactly.Ok, now the bad... the sun shade is very small, and mine is crooked, so I have to tug on it to straighten.The belt is cumbersome, having to go around the shoulders.(you can take the shoulder belt off, however)You can't access the basket underneath when the seat is in full recline position.Because the stroller is so lightweight, it can tip over easily (when baby is not in it), as I found out the hard way.The front tray is nice, but a little too far for baby to really use.So far, the cup holder on the back has not broken off, as other owners have said their's did.And finally, you have to use two hands to collapse the stroller, and the handle catches on the sun shade when folding.To open, you really have to put hard on the handle, for the unit to pop open.I don't have any other stroller to recommend, I have heard the other Peg's also have basket access issues, etc.I am going to stick with this stroller, and see if it grows on me.Its better than an umbrella, and smaller than a travel system, but not really worth the money.

Glad we bought this!!
I love this stroller!Yes, like others my cup holder was not very functional with different sizes of bottles- and broke off within the first week anyways.I also don't like the fact that it's not one hand fold/open- you definately need two hands to fold/open which is difficult at times.The basket is smaller than what I have had in the past.But it's so lightweight.I have not had any problems with maneuvering it- just had to make sure the wheels were unlocked.And it was great in the airports, on a very long journey.I love the handle and the color is nice.And I have had no problems fitting my car seat in the stroller (Graco Snugride), and I think it's a great feature that you can attach any carseat- one of the reasons I bought it.Overall we are very happy with this.And we have had 2 Graco travel systems in the past.Would recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

FINALLY a swing we all love!!
Our 7 week old daughter loves this swing! We purchased and ultimately returned countless others due to poor quality. So many just didn't work properly at all once they were assembled, and frankly, we were getting pretty tired of bringing them back!! As a last trial, we found the Link a Doos swing, looked up the consumer responses and ratings for the swing and gave in and bought it as a LAST attempt to find the perfect swing.....and haven't stopped using it---finally a swing that actually works, is easy to get a baby in and out of, one that supports her head and doesn't have it lobbing around when in motion, the music is much more enjoyable than the previous swings, and she actually lays very comfortably in it as well! Not to meniton the bee and bird attachment is quite mesmerizing. We wondered whether the rotating noise would bother her, and we found it seems quite soothing to her instead......She has already logged quite a few nap-time hours in the swing, and it allows me to get some other things done at the same time as well...the only thing i would change is to allow the music to be played without having to have the swing on. Sometimes she just likes the tunes......This is a great gift idea for a shower, and just simply a MUST HAVE for a new family!!

Cute but too fast
We bought this swing because of the cute toys and the colorful look however we realized that it moves way too fast. The 6 speed seems to be the same and we can't really tell their differences. It may be more suitable for an older child but it's way too fast for our 5 weeks old daughter. She doesn't feel comfortable with the speed even when we put it in the slowest mode.

Link-a-doos Swing
We bought this swing because it was really colorful and cute. Something we thought our baby would like and he seems to like it. My only problem with it is it goes way to fast. It has six speeds, but they all seem the same. We are taking it back because we just don't feel comfortable with how fast it swings.

Great swing
We bought this swing for our then 2-month-old and, at 6-months-old, she still loves it. We like the different song and volume settings. We also like that you can move the spinning mobile to the back of the swing, so it's out of baby's way. It reclines far back, which is good for wehn baby falls alseep (which she almost always does). My husband complained at first that it cost too much, but we now know it was worth it.

Very flimsy for the price......very disappointed
Like many others, I thought this swing was very cute. It was easy enough to put together but was not very stable. The back legs would not stay on for anything! If we moved the swing even a couple of inches they fell out. We took this swing back twice and had the same problem each time. The seat is also very narrow. Overall I was very disappointed with the quality for the price. I wouldn't waste your money! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The best carseat!
Thankfully I didnt purchase all FOUR of our Granite carseats for my 9 month old sons. I bought one, and than my MIL, and Mother bought the other three so we would have enough for each car! They really are amazing!

Okay they are large, but they fit in the rear of my SUV without much of a hassle (one in the seat behind the passenger, and one in the seat behind the driver) and theres still room for another 3 more if the back seats are up (we keep the middle seat in the middle row down, for easy access to the trunk or back seats)! They have a very nice design and color to them. The boys are nice and cozy (they fall asleep instantly) and they also NEVER sweat... and they are BIG sweaters, so obviously its the seat!! The seat also keeps them nice and warm in the winter, yet nice and cool in NY's equally WARM summers, who could ask for anything more? The LATCH system was easy to use, and installying the carseats was pretty simple. The boys have plenty of room rear-facing and can even see out the back window if we take off the headrests on the car's seats! They are high up and love being able to see eachother too. The harness is easy to adjust ( just take off the cover) and they harness never twists, tangles, puts up a fight, or gives anyone a hard time. The cover can be easily wiped off if something little spills, but can also be thrown in the washer and dryer on those few occasions. The seats are VERY stable and never wiggle or anything. They come in MANY patterns, and many textures (maybe for different climates?) but this pattern is very plush and sort of hugs the boys. They used to be horrible to deal with in the infant seats, but now they couldnt be happier! I also love that it can accomidate 60 lbs of baby!!! And rear-facing alone holds 22 pounds! (the boys are tiny in the 15% but they will be turned around at about 13-15 months the doctor says!) My husband is a firefighter and even he agrees with the saftey of this carseat...

If you really dont trust these good reviews, check out the saftey ratings, they are off the charts! Still not convinced, go to your local BRU and ask the employees about them, not sure? Than just try it, you will be so happy you did... not only is it SAFE, but convinient and comfortable too!!!

Great carseat
I had previously owned the Eddie Bauer glacier deluxe it was a horrible carseat I returned it and got the Marathon..Wow I could not believe the differences, it is so easy to install, the straps do not get tangle, my baby is able to sleep in it without his head flopping all over the place. There is just no comparison the Marathan far exceeds it. It is worth spending more money for better quality.

Great Seat
This is a great car seat. I have one other and a Bodyguard booster seat. They are expensive, but so is my cargo in my opinion.

Equipped with the LATCH system which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This Anchor system is wounderful feature, it makes installation so much easier, especially if you ever have to switch the seat into another car that is also equiped with the anchor points. Some vehicles don't have the anchor points which would require the standard seatbelt installation.

These anchore are 2 locking devices, one on each side of the car seat which clip install into metal loops which are factory installed on some vehicles inbetween where the back of the seat and the bottom of the seat meet. You can feel them or see them if you dig or spread the cushion. Check your service manual for the location.

You simply push the achors and snap them into position. Then just kneel on the car seat and pull the tethers tight. removing is a simple push of a button.

The Versa-Tether, which keeps the seat from tilting forward or backward is a nice additional safety feature. Again, with vehicles built with the tether anchors installed. You don't need to use the anchors but if you can it helps anchor the seat.

The seats are rather large, make sure they fit before you just buy one. You can do that by testing one with a local retailer. I've found that getting a comfortable reclining angle while rear facing to be harder. It's easier forward facing, but those are based on my own vehicles, that can vary so again, you should try before you buy.

I'm overall very happy.

Safe, comfortable, and easy to use
After contemplating convertible car seats for a few months while my daughter was still in her infant seat, I decided to order a Britax Marathon.I liked the fact that it would allow me to keep her rear-facing much longer than most seats (up to 33 lb.) and that it would allow me to keep her in a 5-point harness longer than most seats (up to 65 lb.).

The built-in lockoffs have been handy when installing the seat in vehicles that would require a locking clip otherwise.The seat cover and comfort foam are very plush (we have the Houndstooth print seat cover) and comfortable.My daughter has always been very comfortable in her Marathon, even on longer trips.

The best seat ever made!!!!
So happy that I chose the Britax Marathon. It was defineatley worth the wait after all the research that I have compiled over the past month with other mothers. Their experiences with the Britax Marathon made me feel so secure with my purchase.

If you are a parent whom is transitioning their little one(s) into a convertible. Then the Britax Marathon is the only seat you should consider. I am especially thrilled that the 5 point harness can handle the weight of a 65 lbs child and the maximum height of 49". That means my little jack will be in his seat for quite some time........thats reassuring!

I made my purchase online and after searching carefully. I purchased my seat at travelingtikes.comThere prices are competitive and sold the seat to me for $209.99 including shipping.

After recieving my seat I installed it in my car almost immediately. Even though the instructions were somewhat complicated to understand the seat did not budge once in place.

Im a happy Britax customer. I hope this info will help other parents in there never ending search for the best seat ever made! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Outfitted in orange and purple, this electronic learning system for preschoolers plugs directly into a television, and at first take looks a lot like a video-game console. Insert any of Vtech's "Smartridges" into the unit for lessons on language, math, phonics, problem-solving, music, and more. Children can choose between two difficulty levels. Included are a large joystick, adjustable to right- and left-handed kids, and an Alphabet Park Adventure cartridge; other cartridges are sold separately. There's also a storage compartment on top that holds up to six cartridges. The system can run on either three C batteries or an AC adaptor; strangely, neither are included. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Reviews (11)

your gonna need batteries
the ac adapter is extra, and the unit runs on 3 c batteries! otherwise it is perfect for the school age child...the controller and joy stick is large enough for small hands.. the games may requier parental help at first, but they are quickly learned...my kids love it.

little kid friendly!
my 2 boys (ages 3 & $) received this as a gift and they are fascinated by it. I did find the additional control at Target and bought it along with the SpiderMan cartridge. It is fairly easy to use and very kid friendly for tough little boys who like to use their feet and hands! The cartridges are by age and the levels are very easy. Once they master one level they can move up to more difficult levels. What I really like about this toy is that it is educational and not violent like most of the other video games out in the market today. I like it so much, I'm giving it to several on my gift list for the Holidays. Another retailer (online) is $10 cheaper but you have to pay shipping.

Not impressed
I have two boys, 3 and 4 years old. We also have many video game systems, XBox and Playstations 1 and 2, I was originally going to get the boys a used Super Nintendo, but I saw V.Smile and thought it was more created for their ages and less likely to end up broken as quickly as any other console.<br /> I was upset that the 9 Volt adapter didn't come with the system, I actually think it is because V.Tech is a "rookie" when it comes to game systems like this.We expect to have to buy another remote,like all other game systems make you do, but most game consoles come with the accesories needed to make it run properly. It is designed to be a learning video game system for Preschool age to age 8, but I couldn't imagine a normal 8 year old or 7 year old enjoying it as much as other game systems. <br /> I also was upset and returned the first V.smile I got, because the learning system would shut off and I would play with the batteries replace the batteries and blow in the game and game slot, I noticed sometimes the game would come on even though I pulled it out and it would make my TV screen all disarray. I exchanged it for another and the new one does the same thing. VTech should be more on top of things. I even called the company at 1-800-521-2010 to ask if they have had many complaints. I do not know why VTech would sell the V.Smile without the adapter if it doesn't work properly alone on 3 C batteries. A parent should not have to go in there every 5 minutes or everytime the child changes games. If it is designed to run mostly on an adapter it should say so and include this feature with their product. I do not think it is worth the price, and hassle, but its okay as far as the activitie sthe games play. <br /> All I know is if you think you are going to get your kids to leave you alone for a minute while they play, then you are mistaken, lots of "mommy come help me" because the game has shut off. Even my husband who can fix anything gets annoyed when he plays with it for a while. One of these days, probably after their 90 day warranty expires, the system will probably shut off and never turn back on. Other then that, it is OK, my kids love it, and the games are nice because they are made similar to the Nintendo games, that won't break or scratch like a CD.

Good but.......
The system is great, but......<br /> The extra controller is no where to be found! IT IS NOT AVAILABLE through V-Tech even though the customer service rep said they had 1000's in the warehouse. They can't sell me one because they have no way to take payment. <br /> Try explaining that to twin 4 year olds who argue over the controller and whose turn it is. The adapter was also very hard to find. <br /> Why would a company even consider merchandising something as awesome as this before making all the necessary items readily available? If you have as much trouble as I did locating the adapter, buy yourself a ton of batteries!

extra controller
I haven't actually used this product yet (with the exception of the display in the toy store....loved it!), but I did stumble upon an extra controller in Target. I grabbed it up because I haven't seen it sold anywhere else (and it was the only one on the shelf) and I knew if I waited, chances are I wouldn't get my hands on one until January. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Looks like you could ride all the way to the famed Milwaukee Harley factory and back on this toddler hog. Buttons on the frontproduce authentic rev-and-rumble, while another button (near the righthand grip) provides a single forward speed from the rechargeable 6-voltbattery. "Harley Davidson" flame decals decorate the sides, and the20-inch-wide rearend gives plenty of stability. Appropriate for a smallchild and a big flat area. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (25)

My son is a motorcycle man!
My son recently got this for his third birthday. I chose this one compaired to the full size Power Wheels Harley cause he is small for his age, and also cause of the difference in cost. He really likes it a lot. It's versatile enough to ride around in the house, and since it's getting cooler, that is great for us. He is really proud of it and it is so durable I can resell it when it's time to purchase a larger Power Wheels.

harleydavidson
I am looking for a battery for a Harley Davidson I bought 2 years ago for my grandson. It has 6v 4-0 on it.run no-3070mv.It is blue. Yours looks like it is a cream colored one. I cannot find one anywhere I am wondering if the 6 volt for your harley davidson would work on this on of mine. also I bought a Lil Honda at the same time Cannot find a battery for it. It is a small black one. 6v number on it is 2-30096WM-A. The name on the Lil Honda is Tek Nek Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Christine Mooney

THIS IS AWESOME
We purchased this Harley for our son for Christmas. He is only 14 months old (started walking at 10 months, so he is mobile). He loves it. It took a week or so for him to figure out how to hold the "go" button down (he could only press it over and over before), and he is learning how to steer, but he giggles endlessly when it starts moving. I think it is starting him early on the hand/eye coordination. It is the perfect size for him and I am sure he will get a good 2 years out of it. You can't beat the price, either!

Great lil Harley
This is a great toy that teaches little ones to: stop/go, eye & hand cordination, etc.

Vroom-vroom
My 18 month old got this wonderful motorized bike as a gift. Initially, he was a little apprehensive about riding it but liked the buttons and the noise it made. It didn't take long for him to not be afraid of it and now loves it. Even though this is on the heavy side, this is a wonderful toy. I think it's geared more toward older toddlers and small children. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

EXCELLENT!!!
We have an original version for my 3 year old son, his 6 year old sister fell in love with his and they were "sharing" the one - it was a well thought out decision to buy a second, only I was concerned with making sure which belonged to whom.The pink version was the perfect solution!Great addition to this family of super star toys! ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Many of the Features of the Costlier Versions
I purchased the Supertrike 4 after seeing the top-of-the-line Kiddio trikes at the mall. I was impressd by the features, but the cost was a little high. I am very happy with the combination of features and value offered by the Supertrike 4. The seat, inflatable rubber tires, "dump truck" bed, and hand brake are identical to the higher end Kiddio trikes. The design is not as "tank-like", but it looks to me that the Super Trike 4 is very strong, and actually will be a bit lighter than the higher end versions. The grey/blue/yellow color scheme is a little less vibrant.

I was also happy that the push bar comes included with the price of the trike, not as a separate purchase. The bar works well. My daughter is a tall 2 1/2 year old, and in the shortest seat position (there are two), the trike is just a bit too long, so there is plenty of room to grow. The rubber tires are smooth and quiet on my driveway, and I even pushed her around the grass. The steering is limited so the front tire can't rotate too much and cause a tip hazard. The trike seems very stable. Unlike the more expensive versions, the front wheel cannot free wheel, so your child always has to pedal, or take their feet off the pedals.

Tools are provided for assembly, which took me about 45 minutes. The directions are fairly clear. Hopefully this will save people some time: The seat has a 3-point safety harness, and the procedure is to screw the harness to the seat. The assembly instructions show holes in the harness straps and seat. They don't exist. Little indents in the plastic seats indicate where you should put the screws. It turns out you can just screw right through the nylon strap with no problem, so you don't need the holes in the strap. The plastic of the seat gives and then forms a tight fit with the screw. So you don't need the holes there either. It took me a few minutes to stop looking for the holes and just try it.

Overall my daughter seems very happy with the Supertrike 4, it seems well-built, and I am happy with the features for the price.

Don't worry
I'm not calling anyone a liar or anything but I have this trike and it is next to freaking impossible to "get your foot stuck between the pedal and the wheel". Also you have to be an idiot to not be able to put this thing together. The trike ships in basically four pieces. With a ratchet you can put it together in 15 minutes no problem. Best value of all the Kettler trikes. Inflatable tires a huge difference. If you need the coaster wheel pay double to get a "real" Kettler model. Other than that this one is close to perfect

disappointed
I was in the market for a tricycle for my daughter's 2nd b-day.
I was going to buy a Radio Flyer, but the one I was looking at got bad reviews. So I found this Kiddio, had wonderful reviews!
Bought it, received it, put it together by myself (2 hrs). It was by far the hardest thing I ever put together!:( Next bike I buy will already be operational!! that's for sure!!
When my daughter and I tested it out, she was steering, so I COULDN'T!!! Not Good!! and we all of a sudden came to a dead stop, her foot was stuck between the wheel and pedal!! She wasn't hurt.:)
!!!!VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!

great bike for my son who has autism
We were looking for a bike for my younger son as he wanted to get on his elder brothers bike, so we thought he is ready for a bike and took him to toysrus there he just went and sat on this bike,and ever since we bought it home he loves it very much, he gets on the bike and asks me to take him out for ride in the evenings, this is a good sized one as my son is 2and1/2yr old is 42in and weighs around 38lbs, and as i said he is diagonised with ASD(autism spectrum disorder) so he wont stay in one place and wants to wander all around, but the belt on the bike helps him to stay in seat.
The only thing i didnt get is how to use the brakes on the bike other wise its really good one though bit pricey.

Great bike!
We just bought this bike for our two year-old. He was aprehensive about the pedals at first, but now he says "wheeee" as his feet go around and around. He's a little short at this time, but he will grow into it. I love the handle as it is easy to push and steer. It was worth the money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

It may not feature any loop-de-loops or terrifying hairpin turns, butpreschoolers will likely find this 10-foot-long roller coaster every bit asthrilling as grownups find the amusement park version. Molded in brightlycolored plastic, it's built for years of wear in either the backyard or theplayroom. The set's components fit together to form a downhill ride with anothersmaller hill about halfway through. What we loved most about this set is thefact that the individual parts are just as much fun as the fully assembled kit.The car, bright yellow with a sturdy handle, could just as easily be used aroundthe house if the child is too young for the coaster. And the ramp system isplenty of fun to roll cars, balls, or anything else. Perhaps our tiny toy testersaid it best: "Wheee!" --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Hours of Fun for your Little One!
The Step 2 Up and Down Roller Coaster is a great toy, and yes, is hours of fun. The first day we brought ours home, our 14 month old had taught herself to climb the steps, hang onto the handle bars, and push herself off to get the coaster to move. The steps are easy for a little child to climb, and even if they fall, it's a VERY short distance, I sincerely doubt a child could get hurt on this. Our little one is now 17 months old, and the fun factor has not worn off. She now can push the coaster back to the top of the ramp, to go for another ride.....she's very independant, and this toy has been perfect for her. I think it's helped her and her urge to do everything on her own, and since it's an easy toy for children to crawl on, play with, they CAN do it on their own! Durable, easy to assemble, it maybe took us all of 5 minutes to get it together, and it moves easily. Washable, and our dogs have put the coaster and track to the torture test, too....you cannot hurt this toy! Highly suggest buying this. Plus, when she outgrows it, I know it'll hold up a long time, to be passed on to another child. Also, the coaster car can be ridden off of the coaster track, making it double as a great first "bike". We often see our little one riding it around the yard!

great investment
we bought this for our sons 2 year birthday. we had it out at his party and all of the kids loved it. it is a safe toy that kids of all ages can have fun with.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
This toy was given to my then 2 year old daughter for her birthday. she just turned 5 and still loves it. To make things even more enjoyable, her older sister and brother love it. They are now 9 and 6 1/2 and still love to play with it. I took a ride on it and I loved it. They also have taken their silly pins and put them at the end and rolled the ball. They call the game rock and roll bowling. You can put it together in a "snap" and can easily be taken apart and stored.

Fun toy
My 2 year old got this for his Bday. I wasn't too sure about it at first because it is so big and the steps seemed like they could be dangerous. I was completely wrong! It may be big, but it is perfectly safe. He and the neighbor kid love to ride this and then enjoy pushing it up the ramp. They also like to send other toys down the ramp! I see this as a toy that is going to last many years!

Awesome!
Bought this for my oldest daughter when she was 27 months old. She loved it. My one year old didn't show much interest. But, just three months later, she loves it too! It's durable, easy to assemble and your kids will learn how to push the car back to the top. Too much fun! ... Read more

Editorial Review

With a little help from a bigger friend (parent, guardian…), young children can launch into the world of learning via interactive books. Little Touch LeapPad is designed for tots 6 to 36 months, with three distinct levels of activities and stories: musical rhythms and sounds; short descriptive phrases; and rhymes and early learning. Stories or activity cards snap into the book frame, along with a story cartridge. Grownups will need to help little ones activate the book pages by touching the "Go" button every time a page is turned, as well as showing young "readers" how to touch pictures to make them come to life with developmentally appropriate narration and learning activities. A comfy cushion is attached to the LeapPad platform for cozy shared reading time. Four AA batteries required (not included). --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (162)

Good pics, but too hard
I loved the idea of this toy, and thought it would be incredibly beneficial for my daughter (who's had it since 6 months). She is now a year old and still cant push the buttons, it just takes too much strength! I have tried pushing the buttons with her finger and I almost feel as though Im hurting her to try and show her how. She loves the boks and sounds, but it doesnt hold her attention as she is very independent and wants to do it herself. The books and pictures, however, are great. I would recommened the keypad have sensitive settings, (maybe 3 levels of sensitivy) so it would be VERY sensitive to the touch of a baby, and maybe require more strength as they grow and understand. Otherwise they lose all the cause & effect learning from it! Overall, I dont regret the purchase, just feel it is not age-appropriate.

For my daughter
I bought this for my daughter at 18 months for christmas. She could not push the buttons herself and did not want to push the go button everytime she turned the page. It holds her attention about 10 min although she does like turning the pages and just reading the stories. At 31 months she likes it a little better but still does not have the patience to press the go button each time.

Somewhat Dissapointed
I bought this for my daughter at 10 months old. I ended up putting it away until she was 20 months. At 21 months she is showing some interest and finally has the strength to push on the pages to make it work.

Great toy for future book lovers
My daughter has loved the LeapFrog Little Touch since she received it last Christmas. It's a great child/parent toy and the ability to interact with your kid is a big plus. In fact, I miss the days when she needed me to push the buttons for her.

Good Toy
This is a great toy which requires your interaction at some level. My son is 1 and he just got this for his birthday. He does fine with it by himself, but to fully utilize the toy, we read and play with it together. ... Read more

Features

• Comfortable, full rubber wheel realistically turns 2-1/2 times lock-to-lock. See a list of games that support 900 Degree Steering mode.
• Automatically switches to 200 Degree Steering compatibility mode to work with other racing games
• State-of-the-art force feedback technology lets you feel all the action
• Textured floorboard features responsive gas and brake pedals and exclusive no-slip carpet grip system
• Sequential stick shifter, wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a full set of PlayStation® buttons give you all the control you need

Reviews (9)

Some things to be aware of when purchasing this device!
Logitech's Driving Force Pro for PS2 is an excellent input device for novice and more advanced users in driving simulation games. The response is excellent, the feel is decent, and the functionality is superb.

Those who purchase this unit must be aware that the 900 degree turning can only be used by games that support this type of input. If 900 degree movement is not supported by the game (such as Gran Turismo 3) the user will find that this wheel automatically detects this and adjusts the steering locks accordingly. When this author purchased the wheel for use with Gran Turismo 3, he found that the standard turning radius of 200 degrees seemed to create a problem for fine tuning the position of the wheel. Because of the smaller rotation area, minute movements are much more pronounced than when 900 degree rotation is allowed.

The steering feel of this device is as close to true as one will find in a gaming device. The force feedback power can be manually adjusted from full power to 60% power directly on the device. Some games may allow further tuning of force feedback power in-game. The footpedal unit feels firm, with different resistances for gas and brake, adding some to the realism of most games. The buttons on this wheel are not pressure sensitive like the Dual Shock controllers and other accessories are. This device is all digital, using the PS2's own USB port to connect. An outside AC power source is required for use.

Technical note: This device is listed as Force Feedback, but with all technicality, this is not correct. Force feedback devices use pressures from the users hand and responds by generating its own force which opposes the hand. Typically in these devices, the counter force generated by the device is proportional to the force applied by the user. This wheel uses a different mechanism that does not require a force from the user to be present. In a nutshell, this all means that this device will move on its own, independantly of whether or not a user is present.

Overall, this device is unique, and a great buy.

The goods:
Great feel, as close to realistic as you're gonna get
Excellent range of motion
Solidly built, Heavy duty. Nothing flimsy about it
Table clamps are very strong, with no extra movement
Learning curve is at a minimum
Quick and easy setup. Up and running in no time
GT emblem on the wheel. Looks GREAT!

The bads:
Force Feedback is a little noisy, though not exceedingly loud.
200 degree motion makes it difficult to fine tune steering on the fly.
Initial price seems a little high. (well worth it, however)
Too addictive! Can't seem to put it away!!

A must have for racing enthusiasts!!
The Driving Force Pro is the first wheel that I have owned and used at home. At first I was a bit hessitant because let's face it, the wheel is still expensive compared to other products. All my doubts soon left me after I was cutting lap times in GT3. It did take a good 30 mins to and hour to get used to the action. The wheel came nicely packaged, and it took me all but 10 mins to set it up. (Be sure to buy a lap accessory if you aren't going to use it on a table.) I heard the force feedback was noisy, but personally I could barely notice the noise. The wheel itself is tuff. It looks and feels very heavy duty. The game play with only 200 degree steering in Gran Turismo 3 is amazing, it will defininately be unreal with GT4. If you are considering buying this wheel, DO IT!! It is worth every cent. It totally adds to the experience of racing!

Great.
Well, i recieved the wheel a while ago. I havent played it much but i have used it to my liking. This is my first wheel purchase. Although it can be a bit noisy with the feedback, it is really good. I have tried other wheels and they are nothing compared to this one. I play GT3 using only this wheel setting up my cars with drift settings and its great. It feels good drifting through a corner and its almost life like. Overriding the 900 deg turning makes it a harder play in GT3 as it is not accustomed to playing with a 900 degree turning wheel so its best to keep it at 200 deg legacy mode. I wonder what it would be like to play it on GT4 when it comes out.

Anyway if i were you and i dont have one of these wheels to play with, i suggest you BUY NOW because when GT4 comes out, these will be short of stock everywhere for sure.

Excellent!
Just got the wheel in tonight and I've been putting it through its paces with GT3. GT3 only uses 200-degree mode, so that's all I can talk about, but it's very cool indeed. It's going to take some getting used to, but the feedback is good, the wheel itself is very responsive, and rally is just plain awesome! In rally, I found myself not thinking about the wheel at all, just about controlling the drifts with the gas pedal. My arms were completely on autopilot, doing all the steering by instinct. Very cool. The pedals are excellent as well, light and linear on the gas, and heavy and tight on the brake, just like a car. I haven't seen any other pedals that are like this; Logitech definitely thought of everything. The paddle shifters don't stick out very far, but that makes them very non-flimsy. You definitely need some kind of table to mount this to (I use a fold-out dinner tray), or your knee is going to bump the power cord out while it bounces around on your lap. I believe there's a $20 lap attachment accessory that probably also works, but a table is better.

I was very pleased to get this for $35 less than MSRP ($150 for even this wheel is a bit much) and with free shipping. Overall, great buy, and a must for racing fans!

Verry realistic
(...)This wheel has changed the way I play GT4: Prologue. Instead of mashing buttons with the DS2 controller, I am now 'driving' the cars that I use in the way that I normally would in real life. Using the McLaren GTR in Fuji Speedway is incredibly amazing now that I have the wheel. The cool little paddle shifters behind the wheel help to heighten the sense of speed as well as the feeling of being in one with the car.

But somehow, driving the rally course in Grand Canyon still sucks. Its like 95 percent of the course requires you to drive in 1st/2nd gear with the optimum speed at 50kph. Translated to mph, its 30mph....Grand Canyon is by far the most boring track in GT4P. I hope they fix the rally physics by this fall.

(...) To sum up, this wheel is just damn sexy. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The layout of PlayStation2's Dual Shock 2 controller is nearly identical to that of the original PlayStation's Dual Shock controller, which is good news for most gamers. The main new feature is that, when the buttons are pushed, the controller can register how much pressure is being exerted. This adds a completely new dimension to sports, racing, fighting, and more games. Aside from the Start and Select buttons, all of the functions are analog for greater control, a wider variety of operations, and a more compelling interactive experience. Two convex analog thumb pads and two force-feedback solenoid rumblers round out the features. This controller is also compatible with all software that supports the original Dual Shock controller. ... Read more

Reviews (168)

THE BEST CONTROLLER JUST GOT BETTER
The way I see it, the best controllers are the NES, SNES, and Playstation controllers. All three of these have one thing in common: ridiculously simple button lay-out. Play with any of these three and you'll notice that you NEVER have to take your eyes off the screen to find the right button.

I see a lot of people complaining about the price on this controller, but let's look at what you're getting. First of all, this controller has the vibration function, which makes the controller literally shake around. This is especially fun when you're shooting guns in games like Metal Gear Solid 2. Then there's the two analog controllers. However, just because they're there, doesn't mean that you are forced to use them--like with that dumb N64 controller. Every Playstation 2 game I've played so far still lets you use the D-pad--which an old-school gamer like me prefers. But if you want to use the analog controller, go right ahead, it's just a thumb-flick away.

Everything I've mentioned up to here is pretty much common knowledge, but there are a few features on this controller that you weren't aware of: 1) This controller has AN EXTRA FOOT OF CORD when you compare it to the generic Playstation One controller. Now I can relax on the COUCH instead of the FLOOR. 2) The R2 and L2 shoulder buttons are LARGER, making it sooooo much easier to find them in the heat of battle. And 3) I recently saw a magazine advertising a product that lets you use the Playstation 2 controller on the Gamecube because "the Gamecube controller won't be ideal for all games." See, I told you the Playstation 2 controller was the best.

So far I haven't had any problems with buttons sticking, and quite frankly, the only way I can see that happening is if you make a habit of dripping pancake syrup onto your controller, or throwing your controller at the wall. Controll yourself!

It really is the best
My only complaint about the Dual Shock 2 that came with my PS2 was that it was too small for my alien long fingers, which tend to cramp after a while. The controller was designed for Japanese hands, after all.

So I decided to get a larger game pad from a 3rd party. I did a lot of homework; but people kept telling me, "Sony's is the best. Only get Sony. You'll regret it if you don't get Sony. Sony, dude, Sony."

And I didn't listen. And that was a mistake.

Sony's controller just feels right in the hands compared to everything else. The construction is solid, but it's light weight. The buttons are much more comfortable and easier to manipulate than any other PS2 controller. It really is well designed and it lasts.

Spending any money on a 3rd party controller is, in my opinion, a total waste. You are sacrificing a lot of quality.

Minus one star because, in spite of being the best, it's still too small.

Great!
This is an easy to store controller, and long cord so theres no need for a wireless controller! It comes in diff colours so its cool!

Super goo
I really like the product, I love the service and everything.Amazon has topped any other intenet services, and thats that.

Cant beat it
BUY SONY! This is the conclusion that I have finally reached after spending many years and many dollars with 3rd party controllers. I have finally relented to the fact that cheaper controllers are cheaper for a reason and that life is too short to be spent cursing your controllers maker. If your looking at other controllers that have only a few $'s in cheaperness dont waste your time and gaming enjoyment, buy Sony. The only problem that I've had with these are the rubber knobs breaking down. This happened to a controller I had for prob over 4 years. Not too worried about it ... Read more

Product Description

Bust blocks, groove through puzzles, and jam wirelessly with friends. Stackem right and you ll unlock lush looks and buttery beats. Want to be lumines? Just let the music guide you. "Advance through 24 action-packed levels, each with its own musical theme and sound effects. ... Read more

Features

• Bust blocks, groove through puzzles, and jam wirelessly with friends. Stack em right and youll unlock lush looks and buttery beats. Want to be lumines? Just let the music guide you.
• "Advance through 24 action-packed levels, each with its own musical theme and sound effects.
• 4 gameplay modes including single-player and multiplayer ensure varied and lengthy gameplay. Time attacks, duels, and puzzle challenges await!
• Unlock new customizable skins and avatars as you progress. Flaunt your progress in multiplayer mode; push your opponent right off the screen.
• Challenge yourself, or go head to head with an opponent via wireless multiplayer functionality.

Reviews (28)

Great game
Obviously this a Tetris style puzzle game.The music is amazing and goes with the game the way a fat kid goes with cake.This game is way better than Tetris ever was.Lummies has a colorful backround and is VERY addicting.This is a very good pick up and play game.I perfer this game over Mercury although I like both.I am also an action gamer and don't even really like puzzle games!

THE BESTEST!!!!!!!
I<3this game!!!
even if u hate puzzle games it's still really fun!
u can get backrounds + songs called skins.there hard to get though,I only have 3 :(

when u create your file,u get to choose a character that dances at the bottom of the screen when playing.the doggie is the best!
playing with the headphones is really cool for this game!

MUST BUY!!!!
Starfishie"Star"^_~

New twist on tetris
I've seen a few variations of Tetris since it was first released.. well the first version I ever saw was on an Apple IIc that was a pirated and completely in russian.

Lumines is pretty simple, form 4 small blocks of the same color into a square by shifting, sliding and spinning 4 block combos that drop from the sky.Make high score, start over. You could add on that you can also play head to head with other PSP players or try a few of the other modes with specialized goals.
For some reason I get drawn into a cycle of playing one game after another cause I messed up just a little bit on the last one and could have done better.

Each time you last out a level (timed, so your not penalized by making bonus points like you did in tetris), you open up a new "skin" with a different song and visual background/blocks.

This was the third game i've bought for my psp so far and it is the most addictive.Even though its not as flashy or involved as some of the other titles, its definately packed with fun.

Tetris wishes it was as cool as Lumines
Okay so a lot of other reviews will focus on things like the amazing music, flashy graphics, rotating skins, and so forth.But the fun of Lumines is mostly in gameplay, which requires a lot more skill than tetris ever did.

Everybody's going to compare this game to Tetris because it has four-part pieces that fall onto the screen where you place the pieces in order to get points and clear blocks.Let me be clear in saying that this is ALL they have in common.Clearing lines in tetris is easy, and the only skill involved is being able to move the piece fast enough before it falls.

Lumines is a whole new kind of game.Each piece is a 2x2 block where each little block is one of two colors.Your goal is to make squares of 2x2 blocks that are the same color.This sounds easy enough, but it isn't, always.Not only can you make blocks of 2x2, but these blocks can overlap each other, so a block of 3x2 works, or any other combination of shapes where the 2x2 blocks can be found.This means there's a lot of strategy in laying down a block in order to maximize the number of cubes it makes.

What's also innovative about this game is the "timeline" which scrolls across the screen, clearing the cubes you've made.That's right, a cube doesn't disappear as soon as you've made it.. it takes a few seconds, which allows you to stack multiple pieces together to form more and more overlapping cubes before the timeline swipes them away.but if you don't do it quick enough, you'll only get part of your cube cleared and be left with the rest.

The skill and strategy involved with dropping each piece in the right place at the right time is immense, and takes far more brainpower than tetris ever could.That's what makes this game so fun.

Another little feature I will mention about the skins, some of them seem designed specifically to be harder to see, so that placing the blocks isn't as easy as it was with other skins.On other levels the timeline will move slower or faster, further changing the dynamics of the game (you'd think a slower timeline would let you create more blocks, but if you've got a full screen it can be a nightmare waiting for your screen to open up).

I should point out that there are a few annoying bugs in Lumines that, for instance, won't save your scores all the time.The instructions are also pretty unclear about the details of the vs. modes, where you can attack your opponent (which moves the border of your screen over one, giving you more room to work and your opponent less), but they don't tell you exactly how to attack.Finally from what i've read, you cannot score higher than 999,999 which is a bit ridiculous for a system of this level. Hopefully someday there will be a Lumines 2 that fixes these problems, but in the meantime this game is good enough for me.

Perpetual Harmony
Tetris quite frankly bores me.It dominated a large sum of my time and now I dread its remade counterparts.Why do I enjoy Lumines?It breaks out of the norm so many block puzzle-games take.A new perspective and enjoyable mix-up of gameplay makes it a favorite for the PSP, although I would not go as far as calling the game revolutionary or mind-blowing.

If you've played "Rez" or any other games set to music and beats you already know how these games strike an incredibly fun chord, and why they are must buys.But if not the I'll let you in on the twist, with each stage clear new eye-candy appears in the background and a tune begins.With the beat of the song a timer swipes across the screen stack as many of the square style blocks before the time between beats is over and rack up combos.Then watch to your amusement as your towers fall causing chain-reactions multiplying in more blocks made, and a higher score.

I admit to playing the game in a trance-like state watching the blocks flow and hearing the music blend to find myself going on half an hour of play without noticing.Unlocking new songs, and backgrounds give just enough initiative to keep playing you up into the night.

Overall Lumines is fun but not my pick over a console game with more of a story.It's perfect for a portable platform and a great game for the PSP.
A Bliss of 7 ... Read more

Editorial Review

Toys that grow with your child from infancy to toddlerhood are well worth their cost. The Classical Chorus Gym is one such toy, allowing your child to explore music at every stage of his development. As an infant, your child can lay on his back and bat at the hanging toys while the keyboard plays 10 different classical or nursery melodies, some with a children’s chorus. You can set the music to play continuously for up to 10 minutes, or only when your child successfully hits a toy, teaching him cause and effect. When your child learns to sit, the keyboard adjusts with him to the proper height, and then adjusts one more times to accommodate a standing or walking child. At these stages, you can set the music to play part of a song when your child presses a key or let your child experiment with scales and individual notes. The keyboard’s "singing" stars light up as music plays to further delight budding musicians. The Classical Chorus Gym requires three "C" batteries for operation. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (110)

Extremely Versatile
We bought this toy when our son was just two months old and he loves it. We are at five months now and he still gets a huge kick out of it.
There are so many ways to play! At first we'd lay him on his back an he would swat at the dangling rattles. They are bright and attention-getting. When he'd hit one, music would play and the lights would flash; it kept his attention. It didn't take much effort, and helped develop his coordination. There aren't many toys a two-month-old will play with. Then he learned that he could push the buttons to play and change songs.
The toy is re-positionable, so it can be used when the baby is laying down, with the rattles hanging. Tilt it at 45 degrees and sit him in a bouncer or car seat under it. At 90 degrees when he's standing (we still have to help him stand). And with a switch in the legs' configuration, it can be positioned so that he sits and plays.
There are (at least) 6 sound modes, ranging from one button playing a whole song, through pressing buttons that prompt a song to continue, to one button being a single tone (like a keyboard).
We love this toy and so does our son. It is good for just about everything except tummy time. We expect to get at least a year out of the developmental value.
Just another two things about it: it is very sturdy construction, but not a good toy to balance or lean on, and it is EASY to reconfigure.

It Grows With Your Child !
Another must have for every new parent !

We bought when dd was several months old, however we were still able to get some use out of the hanging toy feature. She loved it because she could control the music when it stopped. We also found that she would try to reach beyond the hanging toys and press the piano keys.

Then as she got older, we would sit her in front of the piano inside her boppy. She loved the fact that she was playing upright and would constantly watch all the colors. The keys on the piano were nice and big for her to hit as she gained more control of her hands.

Then as she got to the standing age, she would use this tall piano to stand up with. We never had a problem with it tipping over because the legs seemed to be positioned just right to prevent this from happening. As the months went on, she would push the piano throughout the house when she didn't feel like using her activity walker. Several months ago she began to press keys on setting 2 and she would dance to the music. Now at 20 months she tries to sing along with the songs (ie Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) and also recites the colors as they light up.

The variety of songs is great. You don't really get tired of them. Also, we've had for almost 18 months and have never needed to replace the batteries yet.

We very seldom use setting 3 (the one that lets you play it like a real piano) because we have a real piano that she tries to play.

The entertainment and educational value on this toy cannot be compared. It's so nice that it grows with your child. We definitely feel like we got our monies worth ! It has proved to be extremely durable!

A couple minor complaints that I have is that there is no volume control. Sometimes it does seem as though it's a bit loud. Also the orange plastic piece that snaps in above the keyboard doesn't really seem to provide any value. DD just kept pulling it off and found that the force of pulling would cause her to fall backwards to the floor - - after several times of doing this, we decided to just not put it back on.

Great toy - great value ! !

A great beginning toy
We got this toy as a gift and my daughter has loved it ever since she was just a few weeks old. She started out watching the lights on the mirrored attachment and has loved every feature; the dangling toys, the keyboard, the music. I was even able to turn it into a kicking toy. She loves to kick the keyboard and make it play. It keeps her attention for LONG spans of time.

My daughter's favorite toy!
We bought this toy when my daughter was 5 months old. She is now 16 months old and STILL loves it. It was one of the first toys that she played with when she was an infant. It helped her to learn to control her legs. It's not a "battery hog" either, even if you forget to turn it off, like we do. It also breaks down for easy travel.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this toy!
My son loves this toy. We've had it since he was 4 months old and he is now 9 months old. He plays with it everyday. It entertains him for hours on end. I would say this is the best toy we have. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This award-winning globe could help children become A+ geographystudents. The Explorer Globe II is jam-packed with hundreds of facts, trivia,and useful scholastic information about every aspect of the geographical world.It electronically verbalizes everything from area population, capitolcity/country, state/province, large bodies of water, currencies, high points,distance, and more. Other remarkable features make the Explorer an even moreuseful reference tool. It has a world clock that, once set from your home area,will tell the time in every other part of the world. And any country can beselected to hear a sample its national music (yes, Tahiti does have a nationalanthem). The globe sits on a sturdy base, which features a dashboard full ofinteractive functions and an attached soft-tipped stylus. This stylus is the keyinstrument: use it to touch virtually any point on the surface of the globe toretrieve information. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Best present my kids ever got
I'm not one for electronic toys, normally. But this globe is terrific. The second day after she received it, my 6-year-old had learned all the continents and oceans, and could find each of them within two or three seconds after the globe called them out. She's working on countries now. Her first-grade class had to make a collection of 100 items of their choice. She chose to collect 100 country names, which she patiently copied from the globe while listening to music snippets and basic facts about each one. Last month, we read that geologists believe India was once a seperate island, which eventually crashed into mainland Asia. I asked her what mountain range was made during that crash, and she barely paused before answering the Himilayas. And what's the biggest mountain in the Himilayas? Mt. Everest.

But the best part is when the kids go to bed. Then I get to challenge my wife to Eureka, to see who can find the most countries, cities and continents as they are called out randomly by the globe. She always wins. But I'm improving, and one of these days....

My only complaint (like many of the other reviewers) is that the globe started malfunctioning after several months. In our case, the sensors must have shifted inside the globe so that instead of giving you information for the country you select, it tells you about it's neighbor 2 inches to the left. But the company will replace the globe for free...I just had to ship it back to them at my own cost (no big deal). Many people complain about the Stylus failing. But a replacement stylus is pretty cheap. And if you play with it as much as we do, you can't expect it to last forever, can you?

Pity!! Good toy that doesn't last
This interactive globe is really good at introducing geography to the kids. It's a real pity that the pointer's touch system becomes insensitive after regular use. Toy lasted less than 3 months.

Fun but broke after a few months
Defintely a great concept but the touch pen quit working after about half a year. Now its just a plain globe. Ratings are based on function level after it quit working, since I found many similar sotries on the web. Sad the quality is so LOW. It would be all 5s otherwise

Be Careful Before you Spend Your $100
It's frustrating really. We purchased an explorer globe for our son who loved to play the states game in the Lap Pad book. We used it a total of 4 times in 6 months because once we got it we realized it wasn't quite at his level, (he was just 5). We put it up and when a friend came over whom was interested in purchasing one for her son, I let her try it out. It turned on just fine, but the pen would not work. I changed the batteries but with no luck. It worked randomly for a few times after that but it no longer works at all. We have had it for only a year and it has been used no more then 10 times. Leap Frog only warrants their products for 3 months. Our 3 months were up and their was nothing we could do about. We spent $100 on what was supposed to be a great, long term educational product, unfortunately not even the company that makes it can back it up. Their goes another $100 wasted on this company. We're done spending money on their products. Note: Watch out for Leapster and Leap Pad products as well.

Very educational and fun
I have a son, and he loves it. He always points to different parts of the globe, and I create stories for him. Its a joy to watch him grow and learn, and this toy has helped him do that. ... Read more