The hug and learn globe is a first introduction to little one about the worlds map and continents. It has a very basic image of the shapes of the continents all around the world printed over it. Also at each continent it shows 2 pictures of animals that can be found there eg Europe there are a goat and a red fox printed.

While they are babies the ball can just be rolled for them to listen to the music it plays but as they grow into toddlers they can begin to push a button at each continent which will teach them the names of the continent the animal associated with it and the noise that animal makes. What I love about this toy is although it is simple it remains bright and colourful to catch little ones attention.It used to work well as an aid for my first 2 little ones to crawl as when they tried to hug the ball they would drop it and it would roll away playing music. So it is brilliant toy for younger and older children who can both learn from it.

It is operated by batteries which are hidden beneath a Velcro strap there is also an option to turn the globe off completely so even when little one is pressing the on/off button on the globe it is still not going to work.Also there is a volume control for settings meaning it can be mild or loud but I find as the sounds come from inside the globe it has a lot of padding to pass through and so is not too irritating.

The ball itself is very soft so no chance for little one to hurt themselves. My only small problem is the cover can not be machine washed due to the electronics in it and as it get dropped often and rolls across the floor also it was a well loved toy by my children it often got messy. Although saying that it does wipe clean easy enough.

Age recommendation is 6 months + which I think is about right as babies are then able to hold and interact with the globe. I brought mine from my local Tesco 3 years ago for around £15 and I can see that they retail anywhere between £10-£15 which for a toy that has lasted so well and has been used for many hours by two and soon three of my children it is well worth it.