First things first, this may be the easiest child’s toy I have ever put together (singlehandedly I might add!) I took all the pieces of our new Vtech Gear Up & Go Activity Table out of the box and I’m no handyman but I had it assembled within minutes. I only referred to the instructions once and I’m glad I did or I would have totally overlooked the stickers that come in the pack with the manual. They spruce up the reverse side of your table… yes this fabulous piece of equipment is totally reversible!
Flipping between its role as activity centre and moonlighting as a gear board, there is so much more than meets the eye. Plus, although it comes with legs, if your little would rather sit and play, you can easily remove the legs or tilt it into easel mode to accommodate whichever height and stance is preferable for your child. I love the fact that it is designed to grow with your child.
My just turned 1yo is happiest standing to play and has been having a ball plucking the gears off the table to stick in her mouth. Of course, while they are safe and durable to withstand baby drool, their primary function is to teach through play. But, as my little explorer demonstrates, they are fully removable and interchangeable making for hours of fun.
The 16 mix and match gears can be used on the activity table and the gear board, and the three Smart Gear Animals trigger fun responses. When it’s time to pack up, we discovered you can easily fix the gears to the table or store them on the table legs which come equipped with handy pegs for just such a purpose.
The activity table features coloured piano keys and a whole host of gears that twist and turn, triggering more than 150 songs, melodies, sounds and phrases. You can choose between 5 different modes of play that introduce animals, colours, numbers and loads more.
Exhibiting the beauty of VTech’s products in its ability to attract my baby-turned-toddler with its bright colours, learning sounds, music and more; the Gear Up & Go Activity Table is the perfect toy to help her develop an understanding of cause and effect. Learning that placing a gear into the central dial generates lights and sounds; watching that when we turn any gear all the rest move in response; hearing that the action of turning the gears makes the table come alive with sounds and melodies; it is teaching her so much more than we can see at face value.
The Gear Up & Go Activity Table (RRP $69.95) is suitable for toddlers from 18-36 months, and available from Big W and Kogan.
For further information on VTech and its products, visit www.vtech.com.au , or check out the VTech news on Facebook @ VTechANZ and Instagram @vtech_toys_anz.