Four years ago, if you’d told me that I would love kids toys that made noise, I would have laughed at you. A lot.
I’ve been known to change my mind and I did just that after The Kids received a VTech phone, talking chair and computer for their first birthday.
I was so impressed with their interactive learning that I added a few more toys to their collection. That’s saying a lot.
So we were thrilled when we had the chance to review three of VTech Canada’s latest Interactive Learning Toys for Kids.
Initially, The Kids were cautious. Perhaps it was the lights, sounds, movements or maybe the fact that the dinosaur was quite big and real for a four year old. But once they figured it out (even before I got through the instructions), it was interesting to see how they each interacted.
Max is a doer who loves noise so he found the crane, drill launch and transformation from truck to dinosaur amazing. Artemis is a thinker so she enjoyed the interactive LCD screen and listening to the random dinosaur facts. They sure generated a lot of great questions!
DINOSAUR POWER rings out 3,548,321 times a day!
I found that the voice recognition function was hit and miss, even for me. However, The Kids didn’t mind too much as their preference was to use the manual buttons. I’ll try some new batteries and see how it goes. Unfortunately, even with instructions, it was difficult for me transform the truck into a dinosaur (although it was easier the other way around!?). However, there were a few steps that Max could help me with (releasing catches, flipping up the tail).
This toy is recommended for ages 3-8 and I can see it working well with kids five and older. Especially those with stronger voices and better pronunciation. Or perhaps one of the other 15 different dinosaurs such as one that transforms into a helicopter would work.
Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10 for four year olds.
Up next was the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset.
The Kids love for train sets is well documented so I knew that this wouldn’t be a hard sell. They were challenged by all the different track configurations and I appreciated the track suggestion insert. Max loved all the audio functions including the music and Artemis loved to manually help the train get up the bridge. This toy is recommended for ages 1-5, however, I can see older kids enjoying it as well.
Go! Go! Smart Wheels playsets come with different track shapes that let you reconfigure the playset. They also include SmartPoint™ technology that recognizes and responds to SmartPoint vehicles with sound effects that keep little ones engaged by boosting imaginative play, teaching cause and effect and other important learning skills.
It was great watching The Kids interact with each other as well as the toy. Trying to problem solve which pieces would fit where to create the track that they wanted.
Overall, I give it a 10 out of 10 for four year olds.
Last but not least was the Innotab3 Tablet. The Kids have had a VTech Computer for the past three years and they play on it every day. However, it is nothing like the Innotab 3.
Even at only 4.3″ wide, this tablet has a touch and swipe screen and can be used horizontally and vertically. Within minutes, Artemis was using the E-reader and Creativity app. Both are her favourite and are included with the free cartridge. Note that additional games can be purchased for as low as $2.99 and cover the following areas; Reading, Science, Creativity, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies and Problem Solving.
The list of things this tablet can do is long; Video recorder and camera with photo effects, E-reader and story dictionary, Games, MP3 Player, Clock, Calendar, Friends List (of which Artemis has added many cats and bears), Calculator and more. It is compatible with an AC adapter, earphone jack and 2GB of on-board memory with the ability to expand further.
A few things that I didn’t like; the stylist tether was located in a spot that made it difficult for left handed kids like Max, there is a delay in moving from function to function so the kids were needlessly tapping the screen and I didn’t find the downloading of apps from Learning Lodge to be intuitive (however, I think that the Progress Log will be useful).
This tablet is recommended for ages 3-9 and I can see how it would be appropriate for that age group and older. Personally, I found the Notes app very useful.
Overall, I give it a 8 out of 10 for four year olds.
As a whole, I was impressed with the products available from VTech Canada. While they were made mostly of plastic, they stand by their products and provide a warranty (from 90 days to 1 year) and all the necessary batteries to get you started. Even in a short period of time, the kids motor skill development (tablet keypad), imaginative play and ability to keep them engaged was impressive. So much so that I was able to write this post while they played.
With only 10 more weeks until Christmas, get your shopping done early and save with Free shipping on orders over $45 anywhere in Canada.
The Zoo gives VTech Canada products Two Thumbs Up!
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Journeys of The Zoo received compensation in exchange for sharing about this company.
My little guys would really like the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset.
Jagger the T Rex looks like hours of fun for my son! (do I need any other reason than that??)
The Kidizoom Plus Black would be a hit with my shutterbug!
Bluetooth Enabled Phones would be so handy around the home. I could multitask.
I would love to have the Disney Planes – Learning Laptop for my 5 year old grandson! He love the movie Planes, he could watch it over and over and over again! Plus I love educational toys, so this would be perfect!
We still have a home phone line and a DECT 6.0 + Caller ID + BLUETOOTH would be great to have! The current cordless we have only works with a wired headset and would require a belt clip for the phone (total pain).
Jagger the T-Rex would be another thing I’d like to have. My grandson is a huge dinosaur fan and this would be just up his street, he’d love it.
I’d like to have the Dora Learning Laptop for my granddaughter to use at my house. Then maybe she’d let me have some time to myself on my laptop!
Hoping I win this, as my plan was to get my son one from ‘Santa’:)
I’d love to own the IS7121 2 Handset Answering System with Audio/Video doorbell! I’d love to be able to screen visitors the way I screen my phone calls and apparently this will do that for me!
My daughter would love the Dora laptop 🙂
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the Disney planes stuff looks awesome
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The Planes Learning Laptop! 🙂
The Jagger the T-Rex, I think my niece and Boyfriend would have alot of fun playing with this
I would love the Kidizoom camera because my kids would enjoy this and they love taking photos
thanks
The Innotab3s because its cool.
I would love to own the VTech DS Series Bluetooth telephone! The DS6673-6C would make it so much easier for me to assist my customers (I run a home based business)
I would love the VTech DS Series Bluetooth telephone! I’m handicapped so when I get a phone call, my parents hold it to my ear. That would fix that problem.
the train station play set, my girl is into trains..
go go smart wheels train station because my 3 year old has already put in a “request” for it for christmas lol
The DECT 6.0 + Caller ID + BLUETOOTH® because it looks like such a good product
I would like the LS6315-3 phone set,because I need a new phone,and thee looks great!
The Go! Go! Smart Wheels Learning Garage looks like fun!
I’d love to have Switch & Go Dinos because my little one loves dinosaurs.
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Innotab 2 baby – for my new granddaughter.
I’d love to have the DS6521-1 cordless phone. Mine bit the dust and i really need a new one – plus this model has bluetooth!
Retro phone
Definitely Jagger the T-Rex, my son would go ape for that!
This is what I want the most!
Kidizoom camera! My daughter is obsessed with taking photos!
My daughter would love the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport – she loves airplanes!
go go smart wheels race track cause my girls would love it!!
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I would love to have a Bluetooth Enabled Phone! I can just imagine the multi-tasking possibilities – I could be so productive!
I would actually like to get some new phones, my phones are all lost or dead battery that won’t charge
My son loves the Kidizoom camera !
Would love a V-Reader !
The MobiGo2 Fairies giftset looks pretty neat 🙂
I’d like it because anything geared towards education that distracts my little one from my on tech devices is A-OK in my books 🙂
I would love to get VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor.
Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset, would be another great toy to have for them!
I would like to try the phones. I like that it has a headset.
I like the T-Don the Pteranodon + Horns the Triceratops
the safe and sound baby monitor
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the learn and dance interactive zoo looks cute! My daughter would love it
Innotab 3!
GO GO smart wheels train station play set this would make a great gift for the grandkids
This is a great prize. I think it’s time to cave and introduce tech devices to my 4 yr.old, before she’s the only one of her friend’s that doesn’t know anything about them.
I’d love the Go! Go! Smart Wheels!
We also like the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset
My son would like the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset because of the track!
I’d love the innotab for my very own Max!
And we’d really love an amazing transforming dinosaur like Jagger. Tiny brains would explode with delight.
I’d love to give my youngest Cody the Smart Cub. I love that it remembers my girl’s birthday!
Would love to have the cordless phone with the head set. Talking on the phone while cleaning I love….would love it more if everyone didnt have to hear the conversation! Lol
Jagger the T Rex! I know my 4 year old would LOVE that.
I’d love to also have the mini karaoke machine as my toddler loves music and singing!
Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset
The train station playset, my youngest loves the trains, and is always wanting to play with his older brothers wooden set
the Touch & Teach Word Book looks like a really awesome learning toy
I would love to own the VTech Retro Phone. It would look so great on my antique writing desk
Jagger the T Rex – my son would adore him
cordless phones for me
The Bluetooth Enabled Phones for our home, because our telephones are getting very old.
Thanks!
Ross Olson
Go! Go! Smart Wheels 2-in-1 Race Track. My little one would love it! LOVES cars!
So….this isn’t so much for the kids, but I would really love a vtech phone! Our cordless phones consistently seem to die out on us, so having a fabulous new one from VTech would be ideal!
Learn and dance interactive zoo my daughter would have so much fun!
the DS6421-3 phone system
my daughter would love the Dora learning laptop
I would like the VTech phone because I could really use a new one.
My kids would love the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset!!
Jagger the T-Rex
My son would love this remote control racer. http://www.vtechkids.ca/en/product/detail/2034/Remote_Racer_Smart_Car
I would like to have a VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor.
I really like their “VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor.” Just peace of mind.
the T Rex looks FUN!
My sons would love the trains!
My almost 3 year old son would LOVE the “3-in-1 Race & Learn”! Looks awesome! Any of the “Go! Go! Smart Wheels” would be great too. And I’m sure my daughter (5 1/2) would LOVE the Innotab or MobiGo!
A Jagger the T Rex
My boys would love the Remote Racer Smart Car.
I would love a Safe & Sound Digital Audio Monitor for when my grand daughter spends the night
i like the pink laptop and the vtech headphines, both will be xmas gifts this year!
My great nephew loves anything with wheels.
I think my grandson would love the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset.
I think the Innotab is the one I would most like to try. It looks fascinating!
I like the transforming dinosaurs best.
I know my son who is turning 4 would enjoy the dinosaur.
I would like to have the Lil’ Smart Top – Pink. This would be perfect for my 18 month old grandaughter.
The little one would love the Innotab… he’s always on our iPads playing with the games! But I think it’s a tough call between that and the KidZoom Camera. He loves “borrowing” our cameras and phones to take pictures (and I gotta say, he’s got a good eye!)
I would like to try the Jagger the T-Rex
Would love to have the blue tooth enabled phone. My phone is still a landline connected to my writing desk. This would bring me into the 21st century.
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Spin and learn top
I’d love to get the MobiGo 2 Fairies Gift Set for my daughter. She would feel so grown up using a ‘computer’ as she would say
Thanks for this contest! The Innotab 3 would be wonderful to win for my Grandson.
Bluetooth Enabled Phone because I have a basic old phone right now.
retro phone
I would love to own the safe and sound baby monitor, I would love to see my children sleep to have peace of mind.
My son loves cars and crazy of racing them,he loves the Go! Go! Smart Wheels 2-in-1 Race Track
I think my son would love the mobi go 2…looks awesome for.car rides
kidi zoom camera
The Go Go Smart Wheels Airport set looks like one my daughter would enjoy a lot!
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I would like the Construction Site Playset because my grandson would love to play with this and pretend he was driving a dump truck and filling it up with the crane
My daughter would love the Dora Laptop
Would love to try the vTech Bluetooth enabled phone.
Jagger the T-rex
I really like their “VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor.” Just peace of mind.
I think the Kidizoom camera would be a hit with the nephews!
I need this for my grandson.
The safe and sound monitor.
I would like to own Jagger the T-rex as well. My little one loves Dinosaurs and toys that you transform into something else.
love the video baby monitor
I would love to own the vtech phone cause we really need a new one.
I would love to have the DS6673 Bluetooth enabled phone. It is feature rich and stylish at the same time.
the mobigo 2.
I think my son would love the kidi zoom camera since he is very interested in my camera
I would love a Mobi2Go Gift Set to keep the kiddos busy while traveling.
I would be so happy knowing how secure my little one would be with a Vtech video monitor
The Tote and Go Laptop. Maybe then my daughter would stop trying to play with mine!
My little guys LOVE music so the Preschool Musical Gift Set would be something they would love. Can you imagine two little cuties singing karaoke- SO cute! We are thinking about the InnoTab for our three year for Christmas. He is a sponge for learning.
the TRAIN STATION
Smartwheels Racetrack because my 1 year old loves anything to do with cars…
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Mobi2Go would be great for travel.
smart wheels toy
MobiGo 2 touch learning system would be great fun for my grandchildren ages 3 and 5. I think they would enjoy the built in and downloadable apps like the coloring books and art studio. It’s a fun way to learn.
love their line of phones and answering machines. thanks
My little guys would really like the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset
I think we need a Jagger the T-Rex
i would like to win that dinosaur for my nephew it’s totes awesome
I’d like the MobiGo 2 Touch Learning System for my niece. I love giving education toys.
the go smart train for my nephew
the go smart train!
Go! Go! Smart Wheels 2-in-1 Race Track
I want to get my son Jagger the T Rex because he loves dinosaurs and I think I would be interested in playing with it too.
I’d love the Spin & Learn Color Flashlight for my daughter because we camp a lot and she would love her own flashlight
VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor – I always wanted video monitor and many situations I could use it in.
Go! Go! Smart Wheels Construction Playset is amazing looking. I can see being used for hours.
Early introduction to todays technology is always a good thing!
My daughter would love this! I could get my Tablet back, haha!!
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bluetooth headset would be awesome since you can just slap it on your ear.
InnoTab 2 Baby
The DS6673-6C telephone – make and receive both landline AND cell calls? Brilliant! 🙂
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I’d love to own a V-Reader for my oldest daughter. She is getting really good at reading and I think she would really benefit from this
The Handset Answering System with Audio/Video doorbell would be awesome to have. Ultimate screening tool!
I think the best product would be a InnoTab. Both my kids would be able to use it.
We’d love to try the MobiGo system. Looks exciting! 🙂
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Any of the dinosaurs look cool.
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I love the MobiGo system, my boys would love this!
The innotab for sure! Maybe then I would get my phone back from my two year old twins to make calls instead of doing puzzles!!!
All their toys are so awesome!
And love their baby monitors!
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go go smart wheels, my little guy would love it
mobigo2
I would love to have the Planes Learning Laptop
I would like to own the VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor so I can have a video feed of my daughter at night. sometimes she makes noises, but is still sleeping, so it would be beneficial to be able to watch her, and avoid going in the room, which potential might wake up.
Kiddie Zoom Camera! My little lady loves the camera!
I would love the bluetooth phone! We desperately need a new phone, and our current one is already VTech, so I would absolutely buy the same one also.
Cogsley seems very cool! My daughter would love it!
Jordana (@MamaKujo) recently posted…Book Review, Author Interview and Giveaway: My Handy Little Health Journal
would love the The Tote and Go Laptop
would love the Dora laptop 🙂
The VM321 Safe and Sound Video Monitor. With a bundle on the way, a new monitor would come in handy.
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T-rex!! DS5 is dying for one of these!
The Tiny touch phone – my little guy loves to grab mine!
Vtech toys and tech are awesome! We had had a bunch in our house including Cogsley and the Remote Racer Smart Car. The kids would love the Go Go Smart Wheels as well as the Innotab.
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the go go smart wheels race track looks like fun!
My 5 year old would LOVE the Princess Fantasy Notebook. She can have fun learning and feel like a grown up with her own laptop. So cute!
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I like the MobiGo 2 Gift Set (PINK).
Go Go Smart Wheels Race Track
The safe and sound baby monitor
Jagger the TRex as my son is crazy for dinosaurs
JAGGER the T-Rex would be countless hours of fun! Also innotab accessories would be great TOO!
Would love to have Jagger the T-REX for my great-nephew.
The Switch & Go Dinos looks pretty cool. I know I want that instead of the kids
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I would like to own the Movie Magic DigiCam for my niece!
I’d love to own a VM321 Safe & Sound Video Monitor because it would be easier to just glance at my sleeping son without waking him by opening his door.
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I would love the Tote N Go Laptop….my granddaughter would love her own laptop that’s for sure lol
I would love to get the Learn & Dance Interactive Zoo for my great niece, thank you:)
JAGGER
My son would LOVE the Switch and Go Dinos! http://www.vtechkids.ca/en/brands/brand_view/switchandgodinos
Bluetooth Enabled Phone
I would love the Smart Wheels Train Playset as my kids are totally into trains right now. Thanks for the chance!
LOVE TO WIN
i’d want the MobiGo for my 3-year old daughter… she would love to get one for Christmas!
My boys would love the switch-n-go dinos
InnoTab® 2S.
i want the vm321 baby monitor so i can check on the kids while in the office
the phones are top notch.. would like to have another set..
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Switch and go dino
Seems to be a really cool tablet.
I would like to try the baby monitor
Go Smart Train
The go go smart wheels airport.
I like the Innotab 3
I like the Innotab 3 as I think both my kids could definitely get a lot of use out of it.
I would love the Learn and Discover Driver for my youngest because it would keep him entertained and looks fun 🙂
v reader
would love the pop and count vacuum, my daughter loves to push things around my house!
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I would like to get Blister the Velociraptor for my grandson. He like dinosaurs and this also turns into a helicopter so I think he would think it was extra fun.
http://www.vtechkids.ca/en/product/detail/13343/Jagger_the_T_Rex
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I would love the corded phone with caller ID on the hand set. My daughter is 14 & has a boyfriend. We are currently exchanging all of our cordless phones to cords. She can sit in the kitchen-like we did-& talk all night if she wants!
LS6315-3 phone cause my phone right now is not working too well
I like the MobiGo 2 Gift Set
this would be perfect for the grand kids.
The Ssfe and Sound Baby Monitor looks awesome! Much better than the cheap one we use now.
My son would love the switch and go Dinos! I would especially love to get him the one that turns into an airplane, his 2 favorite things to play with!
I’d love the ABC Text and Go Motion for my son!
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We need the bluetooth enabled home phone with headset, man that would make my life easier, especially when I’m on a call when you got to wait 20 minutes for service! Model DS6633-6C looks amazing!
the bluetooth phone!
I would love to have the Blue Tooth enabled phones (DS6673) so that I could make and receive landline and cellular calls.I would love them for this reason and also because V-Tech makes amazing products.
We need a phone set that has multiples so the VTech phones would be great
the Dora laptop is adorable, I would love to have that for my niece
Count & Colors Bouncing Frog cuz my 2 younger kids would love this
I like the bluetooth phone DS6673-6C
my lil one would love the Kidizoom camera
My son would love the construction site playset or the camera.
I would love one of their video baby monitors because after 3 kiddos our old baby monitor stopped working.
I really like the MobiGo 2 Cars 2 Gift Set. Thanks for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
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would love to have the kidzoom camera as my 2 year old now has an interest in taking pictures, but we don’t want our good camera broken
My daughter likes the Disney Princess Fantasy Learning Tablet because it plays eight learning activities and teaches vocabulary, spelling, patterns and more
I would love the v reader. I have a child with Autism. She has trouble reading and this might help her get a grasp of the language.
The MobiGo 2 is cute and great for in the car.
The Slide & Talk Smart Phone. Thank you!
Jagger the T_rex! We are currently doing a homeschool unit on dinos and my 4 year old is hooked! Thanks for the chance!
the trex would get a lot of use around here
the racetrack!
I would love to have the Kidizoom Camera for my son
Wow! How cool is that. I would love to see this tablet in action at my house.
Touch & Teach turtle for my little guy..
My kids would love Jagger the T-Rex!
this company has about 350 different products that would be lovely for my 2 great grandsons. the construction playset would be a favourite.
Wow, pretty awesome toy’s
My son would love this , fingers crossed
I like the Switch & Go Dino – Blister the Velociraptor that’s so cute , my grandson would love that !
The Go! Go! Smart Wheels Learning Garage!
I would like to own the ABC learning classroom and the The Go! Go! Smart Wheels Learning Garage! because they would be beneficial for my slow learner nephew.
My son would love o e of the Smart Wheels Bundles.
My son would love the Smart Wheels Train Station playset.
I would like to own the KidiKaraoke because my kids like to sing and dance.
i like Go! Go! Smart Wheels Bundle 1
I think my little guy would like the Alphabet Activity Cube, looks like lots of fun stuff to do on it!
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Kidizoom camera
Jagger the T-Rex
InnoTab 2 Ultimate Bundle Pink
My daughter would love the Dora lapto
I’d like the VM321 Safe & Sound Video Baby Monitor. My old video monitor broke.
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my niece would love this!