My son used to hate riding in the car. I'm not exaggerating when I say that a 10 minute ride to the grocery store resulted in 10 minutes of tears. It was to the point where I dreaded getting in the car, and we were in a vicious cycle. Off we finally went to our nearest baby store to see what they might have that would remedy our dilemma. We came home with two products, one of which was the Baby 500 Car Seat by Kids II.


Sold to the Parents of the Crying Child!

What attracted us to the Baby 500 Car Seat Toy? I'd have to say that the first thing that jumped out at us was how colorful it is. Bright reds, blues, greens, and yellows decorate the baby-sized dashboard. In addition to the stimulating colors, Kids II has also designed this toy to feature several interesting patterns, including stripes, polka dots, and checkerboards. There's a lot for a baby to look at, which is crucial when you're buying for a 6-month-old. There's even a cute plastic windshield, which has a picture of a bear driving a race car while another bear waves two checkered flags.

The product packaging boasted that the Baby 500 Car Seat Toy features "6 fun activities." Upon examining it more closely, we found that these activities include the following: a steering wheel that clicks as you turn it, a horn that squeaks, a button that triggers music, a gear shift that rattles, two plastic keys that fit into an "ignition," and a "baby-safe mirror." The sheer number of possibilities convinced us that there had to be something there that would entertain our little guy.

For your little one's safety, Baby 500 Car Seat Toy is pillow-soft. Kids II has stuffed it with polyester foam, making it possible for the toy to hold its shape well yet still be gentle in the event that the toy would become a projectile in a traffic accident.

Before purchasing the toy, we read the bottom of the box and were happy to find that Kids II has designed it to work with both overhead shield and 5-point harness car seat models.

Reading the information on the box carefully one last time convinced us to purchase the Baby 500 Car Seat Toy. We read that it was appropriate for children up to 36 months and that it had been named "Best Vacation Children's Product" by Dr. Toy. We couldn't resist, so we took it home with us.


A High-Performance Dash Board

My son is now 17-months-old, so we've really put the Baby 500 Car Seat Toy to the test. He's been using it on a consistent basis from the time we bought it, and there are several things about it that we've come to love.

Attaches securely--For 5-point harness models, the car seat toy attaches by way of a strip of fabric that wraps around the crotch strap. A piece of velcro at each end keeps it in place. Though it is most easily attached before you begin your travels, it is still easy enough for me to remove it while my husband is driving. I often choose to do this if my son has fallen asleep, since it tends to disturb him to have the toy on his lap. (For those using an overhead shield model, the toy has two long straps which fit over the shield and again connect with velcro. For whichever type of car seat you own, Kids II recommends that you cut off the attachment apparatus meant for the model you don't own.)

Keeps baby busy--My son has his favorite activities when it comes to using his Baby 500 Car Seat. It seems like most babies enjoy playing with keys, and the two plastic ones that are attached to the dashboard are his first choice in activities. He doesn't normally insert them in the button-hole shaped ignition, but he sure does love to chew on them! He also enjoys turning the steering wheel and rattling the gear shift. Since I drive a stick shift myself, this gives him a chance to emulate Mommy!

Easy to clean--Come drool or spit-up, spot cleaning has done the job on our Baby 500 Car Seat Toy. Immersing the toy is not recommended, but to be honest it really hasn't been necessary. A damp cloth really does do the trick!


Time for a Pit Stop--A Few Design Flaws

That pesky horn!--Getting the horn to squeak practically takes an adult! It must be pressed in exactly the right spot and with a good deal of force. I find it easiest to use my thumb, and my son's level of coordination just isn't there yet.

Change the station!--The music feature on this toy leaves a lot to be desired. Thought it is somewhat easier to press than the horn is, the results aren't all that pleasing. Though the button is labeled "music," pressing it often results in a series of silly sound effects rather than an actual song. One of them sounds like a cuckoo clock, while others aren't identifiable. There are three songs on the soundtrack, "The Wheels on the Bus," "Three Blind Mice," and one I'm not familiar with, but even the songs have a downside. Each press of the button results in only a section of the song being played, meaning that baby has to press it again to hear the rest. Though this may be a means toward keeping baby interested, it hasn't done the trick in this household. My son pays very little attention to the music button, though he loves music (especially toddler tunes) in general!

Dead battery? Uh oh!--There is no way to replace the battery which operates the music. I don't think ours is in danger of running out, since it's rarely used, but it is something to consider if you're contemplating purchasing the Baby 500 Car Seat Toy.

Warning--Kids II warns that this toy can be a strangulation hazard if attached to a crib or playpen.


Vroom! Vroom! Keep on Driving!

In spite of my one or two little complaints, the Baby 500 Car Seat Toy by Kids II has been a long-lasting, durable toy in my experience. My son has been using it for about a year now, and it still keeps him entertained. We don't use it exclusively , but it is one of a few car toys that are consistently a part of the rotation and have made traveling with baby much more bearable. The bright colors and fun activities make this soft toy a champion!





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 12.99
Type of Toy: Baby Toy
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months