Ever since my boy could pick things up he has been fascinated with the magnets on our refrigerator. We got him a few indestructible ones to play with, and he loves them all, but when I saw the Fisher Price Baby Smartronics series of magnets I knew that I had to get him at least one. I had some trouble finding them, but when we finally managed to get one my boy couldn't get enough of it!

Product Description:

Fisher Price manufactures a series of 3 Baby Smartronics magnets, each sold separately. The pizza-shaped magnet teaches shapes (circle, square, triangle), and the phone-shaped magnet teaches numbers (1-3). This review is on the train, which teaches letters (A-C).

The train is approximately 5x5 inches and is fairly lightweight. The large, strong magnet is in back -- it is strong enough that it requires a good tug to pull it off a refrigerator, but a toddler should be able to remove it without much difficulty.

The train is mostly a hard red plastic. There is a cute happy-face in front. Large buttons, representing a square window and two circular wheels, recite the letters A-C in a cute, child-like voice when pressed. Each button is a different color (yellow, green, and blue), so it could also be used to teach colors. A note-shaped button on the smoke-stack plays a musical rendition of "I've Been Working On the Railroad".

The Baby Smartronics A-B-C Train Magnet requires 3 button cell batteries (LR44), which are included at time of purchase. I have not yet had to replace the batteries.

Our Experiences:

I had long since given up hope of finding the Fisher Price Smartronics magnets when I finally chanced upon them a few months ago at a mall KB Toy store. When I pointed them out to my 14-month old son, he selected the A-B-C Train Magnet and refused to let it go for the remainder of our shopping trip (including when the nice store clerk needed to ring it up). He loves toys with lots of buttons that make lots of noise, so it was right up his alley. When we got home and I showed him how it would stick to the refrigerator, he loved it just that much more.

My son will wander around the house with his Baby Smartronics A-B-C Train Magnet, but when I tell him that we have to leave or that we need to go upstairs, he will run and put his magnet back on the refrigerator before he can go anywhere else with me. I love it that he always, without fail, puts it back on the fridge when he is done playing with it!

My biggest complaint is that the "B" sounds more like a "D" than a "B" to me. When I overheard my son playing with it I thought that I had somehow overlooked the "D" button. Other than that the toy's sounds are very crisp and clear recordings.

Other things I might change about the toy include the addition of a volume control and an on/off switch, but neither bothers me too much. The volume is at a very comfortable level.

The toy has been dropped numerous times on hardwood and tiled floors, and it still works like a charm.

My son has owned his Baby Smartronics A-B-C Train Magnet for a few months now, and he still hasn't lost interest. It doesn't keep him occupied for hours on end, but it never fails to bring a smile to his face as he pulls it from the fridge and starts pressing buttons. He prefers the music button to the letter buttons, and dances around to the tune.

Quickie Summary:
Pros:
*) It's a magnet!
*) Plays music
*) Teaches letters A-C
*) Can also be used to teach shapes (circle, square) and colors (red, yellow, green, and blue).
*) It's a good size and lightweight enough to be carried around by a toddler
Cons:
-) "B" sounds too much like a "D"
-) No on/off switch or volume control




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 5.99
Type of Toy: Baby Toy
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months