Was that a cricket?
Written: Jan 20 '01 (Updated Jan 20 '01)
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Pros: Real animal sounds, handle, easy to use
Cons: Might be hard to find a replacement bulb
The Bottom Line: So easy all a child has to do is turn the knob and press the button to hear the sounds of nature
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| bonniesayers's Full Review: Nature Sounds Lantern |
I chose the Nature Sounds Lantern as a birthday gift when my son turned three in June of 1999. My parents sent this from New Jersey and soon after I realized we could use two of these.
A few months later I found a similar product through AVON that turned out to be a disappointment. It has been difficult to find a bulb replacement and I hope when the Nature Sounds Lantern needs one I can contact Fisher Price ® for ordering that item.
This is model number 72384 with the glass light bulb being a PR4. The instructions indicate that in order to maintain proper use you must replace the batteries at the time you replace the bulb. Two “AA” batteries were included inside the box (LR6) in which you will need a Phillips Screwdriver to open the case for battery installment and bulb replacement.
I store the Nature Sounds Lantern on a hook located on the outside of a kitchen cabinet within arms reach of the backdoor. When I have to take out garbage and toss diapers into the trash at nighttime I like to bring along the Nature Sounds Lantern.
There are cats all around the walkway that visit due to neighbor having cats and I see them running away from the steps as I am coming down. This is my cue to press the yellow button located on the Nature Sounds Lantern and let the chirps and hoots chase those kitty’s away. I have counted to fifty when the sounds stop, although the directions indicate twenty seconds. There are frog sounds and crickets as well as the owl sounds.
In California you never know when your power will go or an earthquake will shake causing distress in kids with no lights. At least there are the sounds to entertain in the beginning moments of duress to keep children at bay so an Adult can find the candles and flashlights so each member of the family has a light of their own.
During the summer we also experience Santa Ana winds that cause the wires to go down and blackouts on various streets for a period of time. Nature Sounds Lantern has not failed us during each time the power has been zapped.
The knob has a switch with a small icon showing light and dark light to indicate turning on and off. If you forget to turn off the light you will notice a flicker followed by the light going off. This saves the life of the battery unless you got the Energizer Bunny !
My children are almost five and six years old and still enjoy the Nature Sounds Lantern. There is no age recommendation noted, unless it was on the box that was tossed long ago, but I would suggest from three to seven. This could come in handy for the older kids if they are camping or doing sleep-overs. Kids like to tell stories in the dark and this could be a hit for that age group.
During Halloween my oldest son had this hooked onto our fence and between flashing his Fisher Price Flashlight in the treaters face he would press the sound button on the Nature Sounds Lantern for added effect.
When we must travel in the vehicle at night my son holds this and lights the walkway to the car. He uses the light while waiting for me to come open the side door to the Minivan so they are not in the dark after I close the driver’s door.
This is a great addition for a daycare facility and home care provider for the kids in case of an emergency. For grandparents who have children come for a visit this would help being in the room they will sleep in with the light turning off in the time they would take to fall asleep.
If you have a porch, patio or table set up outside and frequent during the summer months staying outdoors late into the evening, a Nature Sounds Lantern would fit right in these areas.
The Nature Sounds Lantern is made of plastic with a base for resting on a dresser or nightstand or used with the hook or the handle. I use a baby wipe cloth to dust the top and base off as this should not be placed in water.
The parts to the Nature Sounds Lantern are called the lantern cover, plastic light bulb cover, light bulb compartment, tab, slot and lantern base. The instructions give step by step pictures on how to change the light bulb explaining what parts to remove and how to replace. In the over eighteen months since we have had the Nature Sounds Lantern this has not been tested or needed.
Currently this is available online through www.amazon.com for $9.99. This is a perfect gift for any youngster who might be at the monster stage and need a light on in the bedroom for reassurance for a few minutes. Once the child presses the sound button the sounds will scare the monster(s) away.
The sounds are very realistic thus fooling some people and catching neighbors off guard. This makes for a learning game of identifying which sound belongs to what animal. My son will correct me and say that is a frog not a toad! You can count how many times each animal sound makes helping to learn rote count as well.
For ten bucks you can add the nature sounds to your backyard or frontyard, and rid those unwanted pests away. Fisher Price ® Consumer Affairs has a toll-free number to use weekdays during business hours according to the east coast time zone at 1-800-432-KIDS.
For those using TTY/TDD hearing equipment you can call 1-800-382-7470. For Canadian resident the number is 1-800-567-7724 and Australian Consumer Service is at 1-800-800-812. Those in Great Britain the telephone number is 01628 500302.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 10.00
Type of Toy: Science and Nature
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
bonniesayers
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
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