I have to admit I don’t believe we’ve ever owned a product made by VTech Toys before. We’ve owned electronics by VTech, such as cordless telephones, and have always been impressed with the great quality and features. Naturally, when presented with the opportunity to try out a toy by VTech, I was ecstatic. I expected great quality – and of course, great features.

When the Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike {Jungle Gym} arrived unassembled, I was disappointed. I HATE having to put things together, but I honestly didn’t expect it to be assembled, even though I hoped it would. :) I asked my husband to go get a screwdriver as I unpackaged the contents… then I realized the entire toy could be assembled by simply snapping each piece into place. YAY! It was super easy – it took me about 3 minutes to assemble it. The only piece that required a screw was the place where the neck attaches to the body.

This product is designed for children ages 18-36 months.

When I emailed my selection to the PR guy for VTech, I mentioned to him how active Zoe is:

I believe my 17 month old would absolutely love to try out the Jungle Gym: Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike… She’s very active and loves to climb, so I’m curious to find out if this toy will be able to capture – and keep – her attention. :) It definitely has enough bells and whistles to stand a fighting chance!

My main concern was whether or not this product would be able to keep her entertained for any length of time. When I say she is active, that is certainly an understatement. Zoe has been climbing on things, running, and moving nonstop since she learned to walk at 10 months old – she most definitely won the title of Most Likely to Keep Me on My Toes among my five children. She normally loses interest in things rather quickly and turns her attention back to things like climbing onto my desk via my office chair and dancing on top of my keyboard while dipping my camera in Kool Aid :) Yeah… I know. She is my monkey baby.

To my surprise, Zoe took to this toy like a fish to water and has guarded it with her life ever since! When my 4 year old, Avalyn, tries to get on the back of it with her, Zoe scoots her little booty back to knock her off! She’s very possessive when it comes to this toy, which lets me know she LOVES it… She likes it so much that she has learned a new word since getting it: “Move!” She uses that word EVERY time anyone goes near it. LOL!

The only negative I can mention about the Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike is that I wish the screen was made of a stronger plastic. Zoe LOVES noise and the lights and sounds coming from the bike excited her so much that one day, she started banging on it with another toy and put 3 small dents in the screen so the images aren’t as visible on those spots now. Other than it not being able to fully withstand the abuse of my Sumo-Toddler, I am thoroughly pleased with it – and more importantly, so is SHE!

I highly recommend any parent with a child between the ages of 18 and 36 months to buy this toy, which retails at $49.99. This would make an excellent Christmas present. Some of my favorite features on the bike include:

• The bouncy, adjustable seat: The first level is for smaller children… as your toddler grows, you can lift the seat to accommodate their longer legs :) Also, they won’t develop a mild case of whiplash when they jump up and down because the seat has an anti-shock system in place {haha}… It absorbs the impact by yeilding under the pressure to present a “bouncy” experience for baby!
• The speed-sensitive pedals: The faster the child pedals, the faster the tempo of the music becomes! The faster the music plays, the more excited Zoe gets :) I love this because it encourages activity and provides it own source of fun and exercise all at the same time!

Zoe’s favorite feature: that it’s HERS! :)

*I received no monetary compensation for this post. VTech Toys provided me with one unit for the purpose of conducting a product review. The opinions and expressions herein are my own.

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