I want to kiss the person who invented the saucer!
Written: Jun 05 '02 (Updated Jul 23 '04)
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Pros: contains as well as amuses child, while teaching bouncing and standing ability
Cons: not cheap enough to have one on each floor of our house!
The Bottom Line: It's a fantastic developmental toy, as well as a safe and effective containment device. I don't know one single person who regrets getting a saucer!
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| wembley's Full Review: Evenflo SuperSaucer Activity Center |
'Exersaucer' is a word that has entered our modern vocabulary. Many of us know we need to buy one, but maybe don't know why. My husband and I considered it an unnecessary and over-priced toy, and didn't plan on buying one.
And then my daughter hit four and a half months and demanded to be held up into a sitting position at all times so she could view the world around her. I soon became weary of being unable to do anything with two hands, and was anxious to keep her content. The bouncy seat didn't cut it -- it made her recline too much. Pillows on the floor were no good because she had recently begun rolling with ease. The only way that I could shower or use the restroom was to stick her in her crib and hope she'd stay happy long enough to get whatever done.
Then we had the opportunity to try one out at a friend's house, and voila! We were able to eat an entire meal while baby was entertained! Suddenly, the saucer's usefulness all made sense.
We went to purchase one, and were bewildered with the range of prices and attached toys. We went home empty handed and overwhelmed. I spent the next week researching them and asking for opinions. Here is what I found;
* Most of the people we asked preferred the Evenflo models over the Safety First models for durability, and adjustability.
* The Graco were preferred overall, but are very hard to come by up here in Canada.
* The four current models of exersaucers (classic, super, mega, and ultra) are all essentially the same model (as far as weight and height capability, and adjustability goes) with a different amount of attached toys and prices. The classic is the most affordable, but has almost no toys to speak of. The super (the one we bought), has more toys, but still some empty tray space. And the mega and ultra have even more toys and higher prices.)
Not knowing if our baby would like the attached toys, or be happier playing with her own while seated in the saucer, we opted for the Supersaucer. I think we chose wisely. There are enough toys to keep her entertained, but plenty of room to load up the tray with other toys (which can be thrown off, much to baby's delight). The toys that are on this saucer are a tall, rubberized teether (which is a hit with every baby we know), a spinning clear cylinder with plastic beads in it, a water globe with sparkles and floating foam creatures (my daughter will plant both hands on it and smoosh her face against the plastic trying to see closely -- future fortune teller?), a three-piece plastic train that slides on a bar, a handle that clicks as you turn it, three large plastic wheels that spin, a button with small lights that plays an obnoxious tune that will make your skin crawl and your child bounce around happily, a mirror, and a curved bar with rings that slide on it.
She took to the saucer immediately. In fact, she started playing with the spinning toy before I even had the saucer completely assembled. At first, the lowest height setting was still too high, but we folded up a towel in the bottom so her toes could touch. (note -- if you have cats, they will adore you for buying them a colorful new sleeping spot) As she got older, she discovered new toys that had been too complicated or difficult when younger. She was able to spin herself in it almost from day one, and was anxious to release the brakes and get rocking as well as bouncing by 5 1/2 months. I would put the saucer in the doorway to my bathroom so she could she me while I showered and Elmo on tv at the same time. It was a winning combination that meant Mom could get clean! Mom was also able to get work done and prepare meals. We even took it to a friend's house so she could sit in it next to the table while we had dinner. **Don't get me wrong -- I did not stick my child in this device and leave her for long amounts of time. The saucer was always where I was and she enjoyed being in there. She would let me know when she had enough, and would be taken out.
She is now 8 months old, and still loves her saucer. She doesn't tolerate being in it for as long now, but she loves to play with the toys while standing outside the saucer, and she also likes to crawl underneath in the base. Even if it only got used for a few months, it payed for itself in sanity within about a week. Just think of the therapy bills Mom will save on!:0)
This is a very worthwhile investment. I've read reviews that complained about it being too heavy, too large, too noisy, and too boring. The bottom line is this...it isn't that heavy and bulky. If you turn it sideways, it easily goes through doorways. You can stick one arm through the seat to carry it while a child is in the other arm. We've even taken it on a trip with us and fit it in a loaded car (we shoved pillows and luggage inside it). Yes -- it makes a lot of noise as your child bounces around, but that is the sound of your child having a blast! And like most other toys that make noise, you really do get used to it. (Plus, if you go to the restroom and still hear the noise, then you know baby is happily and safely playing!) As for the too boring part, well...not every child is going to love the saucer. But be sure not to just plunk your child in it and go about your business. Show them how the toys work. Make a bouncing motion to give them the idea. Smile and giggle and play with them. Give it a shot!
There are also the nay-sayers who claim the saucers delay the baby's attempts to use their legs. Humbug! My little munchkin loved being able to stand up in it without fear of falling over. Once she learned how to bounce, she did it non-stop. Now, at 8 months, she is trying to walk. Doesn't seem to have slowed her down one bit!
***UPDATE*** My daughter used this saucer nearly every day until around age TWO!!! When she no longer wanted to be confined, she still enjoyed having her snacks on the tray and playing with the toys. At the end, she would put her baby dolls and toys in the seat. And for all that, the thing still looks like brand new! The only part that broke was the rubber teether on the wand, which is understandable after all the gnawing abuse it took. I called Evenflo and ordered a replacement part for it without any difficulty.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wembley
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
mom/wife/artist who likes to be well informed and buy intelligently
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