Alarm clock? No need! Just Pick Up a Fisher-Price Activity Center
Written: May 24 '04 (Updated Aug 27 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: ● NO batteries required
● Progressive toy
● Amuses baby
Cons: ● Strap(s) may break with heavy use
The Bottom Line: The Activity Center by Fisher-Price engaged my son more than any other toy the first year. I absolutely recommend it!
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| marybatson's Full Review: Fisher Price Activity Center |
When it comes to selecting playthings for my son, I generally spend a good deal of time accessing and evaluating items. In this case, I just placed the Activity Center by Fisher-Price in my basket, and depressed the purchase button. There’s something about the timeless appeal, and the Fisher-Price name that made me proceed without question. It’s a good thing too, as it was probably THE most practical impulse purchase I’ve ever made.
Simple put, the Activity Center is a crib toy that is recommended for babies, and toddlers. The plaything is an all-inclusive unit with a built-in handle for carrying. It’s rectangular-ish in shape, and has rounded corners. Thus, there are no safety concerns with this plaything such as strangling, smothering, cutting, swallowing, or sharp edges. It measures approximately 15” wide x 12” high, and is 1½” thick; think of a large coffee table book. It weighs just over 2-pounds, which is light enough for a toddler to carry, but obviously not an infant.
The toy does not require batteries, and if you ask me, that’s a bonus. It’s made a very hard plastic, and features raised tactile treasures on the base of the unit, and on several of the fun-filled activities. The knobs, levers, and beads are primarily red, yellow, green, and blue; however, the body of the toy is white. Thus, the color combination is not overpowering to an infants eye, or to any decor.
Altogether there are 10-activities:
● Rotating dial that clicks (similar to a rotary dial on an phone)
● Slide half-moon lever that reveals animal faces
● Slide and spin molded glides
● Push-in squeaky drum
● Peek-a-boo mirror
● Bat the dog handle which goes "BOING"
● Spin and slide the shaped beads
● Twirl the colorful wheel
● Push the spring-loaded lever which spins the wheel
● Spin the cylindrical rattle
The activities are progressive and grow with a child. For instance, an infant doesn’t have the strength to rotate the clicking dial, but they can kick the rattle and make it roll. The toy provides a wonderful sense of accomplishment and rewards achievement. It’s easy to clean. All you do is wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Set-Up & Assembly:
The Activity Center attaches to the inside of a baby crib with two adjustable plastic straps, and an additional tie string. The straps are located at the top of the unit, one of each end. The straps fasten on the backside of the toy like a loop and button type of deal. They are about an inch wide and offer 4 different height settings. The tie string is located at the bottom of the Activity Center, so when fastened, the unit doesn’t flop around.
There is no assembly per se, you just take it out of the box. However, Fisher-Price does offer explicit instructions on “How To” attach the Activity Center to a crib. Considering the product is no longer available through retail sites, and Fisher-Price no longer catalogs the product, I’ve included the instructions below:
1. Position the Activity Center inside the crib.
2. Wrap one of the attachment straps around the crib rail.
3. Fasten the strap slot onto the button on the back of the Activity Center.
4. Repeat this procedure to attach the other strap.
5. Tie the string to a crib spindle. (It is better to tie the string in a knot than a bow, since a bow may be easily untied.)
6. The Activity Center should be snug against the crib rail and spindle. Use the strap slot that provides the tightest fit.
Our Experience:
From the time my son was born, he played in his crib. He LOVED his crib! In fact, it’s been 7-months since he transitioned in the "big boy bed," and he still asks about his crib. I think his fondness for the wood and steel cage stems from the attachments he formed with his crib toys, one being the Fisher-Price Activity Center. Boing… boing… squeak…squeak…click... It became apart of my son's morning routine to kick and bat at this toy until the day when one of the adjustable straps broke. He was 14-months old by then, and what’s a mommy to do when her kid’s favorite plaything breaks? Neither parent could supply an appropriate fix to the problem, so mommy called Fisher-Price, and asked for the replacement part. "What? There is no replacement strap?" I ended up finding another crib toy that didn’t meet all the requirements, but William found it amusing just the same. In all fairness, Fisher-Price offered a FULL refund upon inspection of the product. In addition, they provided a prepaid mailing label so I could return it at no cost. It was the first time I had to call their customer service department, and I must say I was very impressed!
I opted to keep the toy, as it provided hours of amusement every week. The truth be told, I would have bought it 2 and 3 times over had it been available. I’m confident had I been able to replace the strap he would have played with it for another 6-months, or more. If you happen to come across one of these, you won't regret the purchase.
Fisher-Price Headquarters
636 Girard Avenue, East Aurora, and NY 14052
Telephone: 1-800-432-KIDS 8 AM ~ 6 PM EST Monday through Friday
www.fisher-price.com/
Additional Fisher-Price Reviews:
Kick & Learn Piano
Symphony Star Beads
Farmer Says See 'n Say
Infant to Toddler Soothing Rocker
Sesame Street Grow N’ Go Play Gym
View-Master Thomas & Friends Gift Set
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
marybatson
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Member: Mary
Location: Phoenix
Reviews written: 169
Trusted by: 188 members
About Me:
We are all apt to believe what the world believes about us.
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