Gadgetoid

gadg-et-oid [gaj-it-oid]

-adjective

1. having the characteristics or form of a gadget;
resembling a mechanical contrivance or device.

V-Tech First Steps Baby Walker Review

I’m sure there’s an army of mums and dads out there who I simply don’t need to tell just how good the V-Tech First Steps Baby Walker is. It’s an explosion of baby entertainment built into a portable, detachable unit on the front of a robust, easy to collapse walker that has been the apple of my 2.5 year olds eye ever since she saw one at playgroup.

But for those of you who have been eyeing up this particular product for a child of your own, a niece, nephew, granddaughter or grandson I have but one thing to say: why haven’t you bought it already? It’s £19.99!

Call it suspicious that I’m ranting and raving about a plastic child’s toy, but I don’t have to be a couple of years old to recognise a good product when I see one and, unfortunately, nobody is thrusting fist-fulls of cash into my hands for me to promote this particular gem, or any other for that matter. The V-Tech First Steps walker is robust, flexible and brimming with functionality, including a typical-of-V-Tech touch of education and plenty of repetitive music which, of course, is the bane of every parent but an unavoidable necessity in any young child’s entertainment and learning experience.

When turned on the walker will burst into song, if left alone it’ll attempt to attract your child’s attention before saying “bye bye” and going to sleep. The dog in the top left corner prompts a Simon Says like activity whilst numbers, letters and what can best be referred to as “whirly things” will engage your nipper and, hopefully, aid in their learning. It’s a great toy from when your child first sits up, to a good three years of age and is robust enough to survive this period of time so it can be handed down or stowed away for the next one.

The removable top part can, of course, be removed and placed upon the floor for separate play (for younger babies who are sitting up but not yet walking) or carried elsewhere if you don’t want to pack the whole walker. The walker itself, though, is a synch to fold flat with large plastic twist and remove bolts that let you fit it snugly into the boot for visits to the in-laws. It has certainly frequently found its way into our boot.

Sunday, December 13th, 2009, Toys.