My baby has a bug! (IQ Builders Talk Teach Bug)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	IQ Builders Talk Teach Bug
Date:	20/04/04 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

I bought this toy from a car boot sale for the princely sum of £1.50!! I was attracted by its bright colours and numerous funtions. On getting the toy home my 18 month old was immediately enthralled by it that was 3 months ago and he still loves to play with it!

The toy is a plastic tortoise shaped creature. It is about a foot long and 8 inches wide (sorry for the lack of metric)! The body is purple plastic with 6 different shapes attached to it by a curly cord; this is great, as the shapes can't get lost. The bug has a wobbly yellow head with attractive eyes. In the centre of the bug are 4 buttons to press each with a different insect. A ladybird, a dragonfly, a caterpillar and a bee. The bee is my sons favourite! Each one makes a different insect sound when pressed. There are also coloured beads encased in a plastic dome.

The bug can be played with either in voice or music mode which is selected by a switch at the back of the toy in music mode 10 different tunes are available, including some more unusual ones such as if I had a hammer and yankee doodle. My son has learnt to tap his feet in time to the music! In voice mode the shape and colour are spoken as the child fits the shape into the corresponding space i.e. yellow heart. The voice is clear even when the batteries are getting low!

The bug has a cord attached so it can be pulled along at which the voice says let?s go! The head of the bug wobbles from side to side. There is a compartment in which the cord can be stored if you are concerned that this could prove a choking hazard for a younger baby.
IQ builders recommend this toy for children from 12-36 months I would think this is about right. The toy usually retails for around £12.99 and can be purchased from most toy shops including mothercare, Tescos and Asda.

This toy is a real winner with my son and is great for teaching co-ordination, colour and shape recognition and language. I think that even at the normal s
elling price it is good value as it has so many different functions and can be played with at different levels. The batteries have only be replaced once despite being used constantly. I do not normally like either plastic or toys which need batteries but this toy is the exception! The bug is very sturdy and withstood being thrown when my toddler had a temper tantrum recently!

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