LeapFrog Alphabet PalŪ Caterpillar (Colors May Vary)
by LeapFrog
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Our Price: $95.96 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.00 (click here) Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of LeapFrog Alphabet PalŪ Caterpillar (Colors May Vary)
Customer Review: once again, leap frog picked a winner!
Summary: 5 Stars
When my 6 month old got this toy for christmas, I was prepared for it to be one of those really loud and annoying toys that drives me crazy. So, I quickly sent this toy to live at Grammy's house (my son is there 2 days/week). But I was pleasantly surprised at what a great toy it is, and the variety of features it offers.
First, the parent friendly features - It has a volume switch and it automatically shuts itself off when not in use (saving batteries). The batteries last a really long time too. We got this toy in December and have yet to change the batteries (8 months later). I didn't even realize until I read another reviewer's comments that some of the spellings were censored to prevent older kids from spelling "bad" words! How funny.
Now, for the kid friendly features - it works as a pull toy and plays music and lights up while pulling it. Great for my son who is just recently mobile! It has several different settings that switch from teaching letters, to colors, to songs... (and a book to identify all those songs that even grownups can't guess). We had the whole family guessing which nursery rhyme belonged to which letter... it was lots of fun! Finally, the buttons are very easy to push, which is great for chubby baby fingers!
All in all, a great toy - durable, educational, fun, and not at all annoying to adults!
Customer Review: Loud and irritating
Summary: 3 Stars
My son recieved this as a gift for his first birthday. My first reaction to seeing it was along the lines of "oh crap, his first annoying, loud, electronic toy", which proved to be true. But my son likes it okay, mostly because he loves hearing the ABC tune.
It's cute, and with all the abuse it's taken even in just a couple of months it's held up - it's been dropped, stepped on, and generally banged around. I have mixed feelings about its phonics value, since it has only one pronunciation per vowel. I also have an issue with some of the censoring. While I certainly don't want my kid's toys saying something inappropriate, I think they went too far. So far I have found that you cannot make any words that end in "as", "az", "ax", "uk", or "uc". My biggest complaint is the volume. This toy is way too loud, even on its lower setting. If my husband or I accidentally trigger this toy at night, it can wake my son up down the hall, through a closed door. But this toy is meant to be played with at close range. I don't know why it even has a louder setting. This is one of my pet peeves about many of the toys out there.
If we hadn't recieved this as a birthday gift, I would not buy it.
Customer Review: Love This Toy!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
What I mean by "Love This Toy" is that "I" love this toy. Fortunately, my 21 month-old son also plays with it regularly (and he's had it since he was 6 months old).
First, it is multi-functional. It does alphabet, letter sounds, colors, and songs. (My second favorite feature is that it plays a different song for every leg - 26 songs in all. This automatically makes for a great toy, since it is less tedious to the listening parent.)
It is durable. I first bought this toy 6 years ago for my little sister. It has since been passed down to my little brother, my nephew, and (lo-and-behold!) my son. It is in perfect condition.
Finally, I mentioned earlier my second favorite feature; my absolute favorite feature is a bit on the immature side, but perhaps some of you will understand. In the letter sounds mode, the Alphabet Pal absolutely refuses to piece together R-rated words. For example, if you hit "A" and then "S" it will giggle and say, "That tickles." When I was testing the toy out in stores I thought this was hilarious. Occasionally, I will demonstrate for my guests just how thoughtful LeapFrog was when designing this toy.
Customer Review: a winner
Summary: 4 Stars
Our son received this when he was about 14 months and enjoyed it from the beginning, so don't feel you need to wait for the "recommended" age. It isn't his favorite toy (trucks and trains win hands down, but that includes over food as well) but he plays with it regularly either on or off. It's proven to be pretty durable as he likes to drag it around on our hardwood floors and isn't always particularly cautious about avoiding table legs or corners. It continues to work perfectly and has nary a scratch on it. He enjoys the singing most of all but will also hit the single legs to hear the letters. One caveat is when is was younger he couldn't always hit just one leg--it certainly never seemed to bother him. Several nice small touches for parents--a working volume control where low actually means low and when it's been left on for a set period of time it will utter a short "bye" and turn itself off. We have yet to have to replace the batteries in the 11 months he's had it. Other highlights--the voice is distinct and clear, it doesn't do a lot of flashing and yelling, and it succeeds as a toy even if you never put the batteries in or turn it on.Customer Review: Skip This Annoying Catapillar
Summary: 2 Stars
To be fair, my daughter enjoys playing with this toy (hence the two stars instead of one). Unfortunately, she does not often get the opportunity as neither her father nor I can stand it. The version of the alphabet song, which plays almost constantly, is the most annoying version I have ever heard (chirpy and overly enthusiastic, to say the very least). Also, when the toy remains inactive for even a short period of time, it calls out "Thanks for learning with LeapFrog. Ba-bye." While I realize this doesn't sound too bad, once you have heard it a thousand times, it makes you want to pull your hair out. These problems might not be so dooming if not for the almost complete lack of volume control. (You have three choices: off, extremely loud, or deafening.) Why the toy company thinks that children sitting within a foot or two of the toy need it to be this loud is truly perplexing. Perhaps this toy might help a child learn the alphabet. Frankly, I would save your money and sing the alphabet song with your child yourself--a much better option than this plastic catapillar.