Playskool Step Start Walk 'n Ride - Colors May Vary
by Hasbro
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List Price: Our Price: $22.00 You Save: $7.99 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $16.00 (click here) Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Playskool Step Start Walk 'n Ride - Colors May Vary
Customer Review: Good Idea, Not A Good Toy
Summary: 2 Stars
We were very excited to receive the Playskool Walk n' Ride as a gift for our (at the time) 11 month old dd. She wasn't quite walking yet and couldn't wait for her to be able to use the Walk n' Ride to keep her on her feet. We did not find it that difficult to put together, however it did take some time (I might suggest putting together before actually giving it as a gift to child) - dd was uninterested by the time we finished putting it together.
Our daughter was able to push toy without the problem that some other reviewers listed as "not enough room for the feet". She did however have some difficulty turning the toy in a different direction. Because it was so heavy, she had to use all her might to turn sideways. And do to it's bulkiness, we found that she could only play with it in large open areas. Since she was a winter baby, this meant moving the kitchen table to the side of the dining room, just so she could play.
As she progressed we thought maybe we'll give the "ride" part a try. I was equally disappointed with this feature. Due to the "bulkiness" of the toy she had a difficult time swinging her little legs over the toy to get on and off. Also when she sat on it correctly the handle was so close to her chest it really didn't look comfortable and didn't allow for her to get much leverage to push the toy forward.
On a positive note, some of the sight-touch-sound features (such as the flexible antenna, spinning drum, clicking gear) did provide some pleasure for dd. Also, the toy seem to be sturdy enough that dd very seldom tipped it over.
All-in-all I would save your money on this one.
Customer Review: Nice basic walker.
Summary: 4 Stars
A lot of people spend too much money on a pushing/walking toy and on riding toys with all kinds of bells, whistles, lights, etc. It's not worth it, especially when you can get both items in this one convenient toy for less money. I was at the store with the grandparents, and they were wanting to buy the fancy stuff. First of all, I'm trying to avoid having every toy we own take batteries and make too many noises. It's not necessary, and I think it's actually detrimental to the kids. But I digress... I let them buy this one for me to take home to help get my daughter walking, and they bought one with lots of crazy buttons and noises to keep at their house for when we visit.
My daughter was very cautious and turned out to be a late walker, but once she was comfortable standing while holding onto something, she took off with this thing going all over the house. She also liked the activities on it. It's comfortable for her to push, because there is room to stand directly behind the handle and push without having to lean over or hit her feet on it while walking. The other toy was a low-to-the-ground, straight-back type without room to move your feet forward.
I was surprised that it wasn't bulkier, but after I watched my daughter play with it, I wasn't concerned about the stability. It was just fine, and I don't have to worry about it being so heavy that it hurts her if she flips it over to check out the underside. I also think this was money well spent because she can continue to use it as a riding toy now that she walks very well and doesn't need it for that purpose anymore.
Customer Review: Functional from beginning walker to toddler age.
Summary: 4 Stars
We received this toy as a gift just when my son was just about the right age. As he was starting to learn how to walk, he took to the toy eagerly. He enjoyed putting things in the small storage compartment, spinning the flap-spinner, and shifting the 'gear lever'. In our apartment, which has berber carpet, he walked behind it without any slippage or imbalance of the toy. At Grampa's/Grandma's, where the floor is bare wood, the wheels did slip, and he did fall a few times.
Now my son is well into his toddlerhood, and he still plays with it with regularity. In ride-on mode, he now adds his imagination and says that he's driving a race-car or even a truck. It seems like the toy has had a good life, and I do not yet see the time when we'd give it away.
The toy is light, which makes it easy to carry (if the need arises). It may seem that its light weight would mean that it's flimsy, but it has survived one year of good use with no breakage. This may be because of its simple design. In walker mode, the toy does not flex -- it seems sturdy. Conversion between walker and ride-on is easy, but be sure to listen for the 'click' of the lock.
I recommend this toy if you have carpeted areas to use it on. It's also OK on pavement, but I advise adult supervision. I believe (but without proof) that this toy does encourage walking and did help my son learn to walk while having fun. (I'm sure that there are plenty of other factors. But it helps.)
My only irritation with this toy is the color. Ugh.
Customer Review: My Son Loves It.
Summary: 5 Stars
We received this when my son was around 6 months old. At first he couldn't do much with it, but immediately was drawn to the spinning toys on the front and rear of it. He would play with them over and over while sitting next to it. Now he's 10 months and hasn't quite learned to walk, but he's walking all over the place using it in the upright "walking" position. It works great. He still has trouble staying on it when it's converted to the ride-on position because he's still young. But he likes to push himself backwards and bounce up and down on it. Like other reviewer's children, he does fall off from time to time, but that's no reason not get it or return it. The riding part is really geared towards a slightly older child who has mastered the ability to get on and off by himself. Backwards as it might seem to some, the walker feature, in my opinion, works out better for younger children who are just learning these skills, which is why I really like this toy. It provides my son with a variety of play and helps him to practice some physical skills. It comes mostly unassembled and goes together pretty easy. Changing it from a sitting to standing position (or vice versa) is a cinch, and can be done without taking anything apart or using tools. You just push a button and pull it into position, where it then locks into place. (So far, we haven't had any durability problems, although we haven't used it outside yet). I highly recommend this for anyone with a baby just learning to walk.Customer Review: good choice
Summary: 4 Stars
I did a lot of searching before I bought a walker for my 9 month old who was interested in walking around. But when it came down to it - we couldn't actually open the boxes at the store to physically look at them and we couldn't find the ones we had originally wanted to look at - so we took a gamble on this one. I had remembered that it got pretty good reviews so I was comfortable with buying it.
Turns out my son LOVES this walker! It is so cute. He gets the biggest grin on his face and after only a couple weeks he's a pro with his walker.
Some of the minor negatives: It is lightweight so you have to be there to hold it when they try to stand up on their own. I put ours away so he doesn't try when I'm not looking. Others have complained about the fact that it doesn't turn and you have to manually turn it for them. I do not think this is a bad thing. When they turn while learning to walk they get a little unbalanced so I have no problems turning it for him. I think that the lack of interesting things on this walker is a negative. It's a little boring. It has one roller that has a bead inside, a thing for them to turn (like a dial on an old phone), and 2 other things (not that intersting) and that's all. I do like that this does turn into a seated car for them to ride on although my now 10 month old doesn't know what to do except sit and play with the roller.
All in all I am very pleased with this walker and would recommend it to others.