Cute idea with some improvements needed.
Written: Jan 22 '07
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Pros: Sturdy to pull up on when learning to "cruise" and stand.
Cons: Not much to it for entertaining a baby. Loses interest quickly! Had much potential
The Bottom Line: Had potential but missed the mark. Go for the Laugh & Learn Home instead!
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| tmvetter's Full Review: Baby Gymnastics Play Wall |
When my first child turned about 8 months old we bought him the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Home (see http://www99.epinions.com/content_158258269828). This toy was loved and worth every single dime! So, when baby #2 came along we decided to buy her the Baby Gymnastics Play Wall because it appeared to be a similar toy for a slightly younger age because at 6 months when she was sitting up she should be able to play with the things around the wall. Their age recommendation was 6 months and up.
The toy comes in a large box and has to be put together. Assembly was not difficult. It seemed typical and expected. Once put together the toy does take up some floor space. More then the Learning Home. Each wall is about 23" tall by 22" long and 2" deep.
Configuration: There really are only two ways you can set the walls up. Either in a "U" shape or a zig zag. That is part of the trouble.
Toys: There are four reconfigurable animals:
- a mirrored sun
- a blue monkey rattle
- a purple rhino rattle
- a cheetah ball
There are 10 slots to put them in. The are a snug fit but they do not "latch" in. So, one tug from the child and they are free for chewing on (positive note) or throwing (negative). There is no other noise or use for them other then that distraction play purpose. My mistake. Assumed because of my experience with the Learning Home that everything had a reason and purpose. I assumed that when you stuck one of the toys in a slot it would make a noise or song. What potential that had!
There are two toys on the middle wall. There is a jumping frog and a spinning monkey dial. Those are the only two things that will cause noise to happen as a reaction on this toy. The box states that there are 10 songs. I have not noticed that so they must all occur on this spot.
The unfortunate part of the set up is that those two toys have to be on the outside of the "U" shape. Otherwise the other two walls will not fit in the leg slots correctly. So, if you do have a sitting newborn and want to sit them in the middle of the U to play then they cannot reach those two noise making toys. If you force it the other way then the dial will not turn and the frog rubs the inside of the other wall.
There are four "chimes" that hang down from this same wall. They are bright colors and durable plastic. However, they are not actually chimes. They do not make noise either except for the noise that is made if two plastic pipes bang together. My child will bang them together and sit there trying to chew on them.
There are three colored domes with lights on the top of that middle wall. They light up when one of the couple things that make noise are activated. That is fun and gets her attention but only a few things will make it work.
There are three handles. So, if your child is trying to pull to standing then they can grab one of these three handles on the inside of the U and pull up. I have had no issue with toy being stable enough to let a 20 lbs child pull to standing position when in the U configuration. We really only use it in this configuration so I am not sure about the zig zag. That just takes up too much room and isn't set up as much.
The green wall has a blow up ball that hangs down in the middle of the doorway with two rattle balls inside of it. It is good for batting at. No noise is made other then the chimed balls inside. The other wall has a colorful set of curtains. The bright happy colored scene is only on one side. The other side is the "wrong" side and so not as pleasant to look at. The curtain and the ball are a good to crawl through and the curtain is good for peek a boo.
Sturdiness: There are two base legs that stick out 11" from the toy to give it its sturdiness or support. Please take that into consideration when looking at this wall. That is quite a "footprint" of floor space to be needed. But the two legs help to make it sturdy for the child to pull up on the toy and not tumble over.
Currently we use this toy as a gate of sorts. We have walled off 1/2 of the playroom with those big plastic play yard types of gates and have this as her opening to craw in and out of it. That is really the best use of it for us. We were not impressed with it as a distraction or fun time for our child as free standing toy on its own.
When we pulled out the Learning Home when she turned 9 months old it was as much of a joy for our second child as the first. If you are looking for a bigger size toy for a 9 month child then go for the Learning Home instead. Really, dollar for dollar it is better money spent. If I could have returned this wall unit after a couple weeks of little to no use I would have done it.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 55
Type of Toy: Baby Toy
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
tmvetter
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Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 0 members
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