Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Great Fun |
| Disadvantages: |
None |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Yesterday I spent the best part of three hours clearing out the babies toy cupboard when I came across a real old favorite and after discovering that even a year and a half down the line you can still buy it I have decided to write a review about it. I have been writing a lot of toy reviews lately since cleaning out the toy cupboard, it really is amazing just how much you buy them without knowing it. I originally bought the
VTECH Explorer Mat from Argos for £35.99 however it is now available on Mothercare for £29.99 so an even better price than I paid for it. I bought it for my son when he was 6 months old and he loved it. Very easy to assemble the mat itself just needed the batteries putting in which were supplied 3x AA and then clip in the fun end stand and your ready to go. He loved it straight away and just
learning to crawl this was ideal as it encouraged him to crawl up and set off all the different sensors that begin sounds, music and singing. Motion sensors really encouraged him to move as well as the many different sounds set off by touching certain parts of the mat.
When he eventually pulled himself up to the business end of the mat he was fascinated by the rocking bug's and tree which move and jitter when the motion detector is activated and pressing on the light up keyboard also produces songs, notes or sounds. There is a switch that you can change to two different activity levels one for real small babies and one for learning numbers, letters etc my son preferred the funny noises and music and lost interest once he could walk and run. I have told you how my son enjoyed it and now for a more accurate description of what the mat does.
THE MAT
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The mat itself is very brightly colored and has various different animals on it. Pressing these animals will activate sounds and music depending on which of the two settings you have it switched to. Motion detectors at the front end of the mat also begins music and movement of the animals at the end of the mat on the activity stand. Once baby had reached the stand they can the activate the keyboard which has two settings again one for music and funny noises and one for learning how musical notes are pronounced. Colored lights in the keys add to the effect and keep them amused for ages. The mat really encourages your baby to move and he/she is rewarded by the fun activities when they get to the top end of the mat. The tree at the stand end has loads of small buttons each producing different effects very hard to explain exactly what funny noises sort of weeeeeeeee and whooooooooo lol as well as many other animal noises. The mat itself measures 30cm x 81cm.
SAFETY AND CLEANING
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The mat is very safe and suitable from birth because there are no sharp points and to be able to use the plastic activities at the end baby would have to be able to crawl. However they can have great fun using the motion sensors for fun sounds and music. The batteries which are included are concealed inside the mat and the sensor mat can be removed for very easy cleaning of the mat itself. All the activity end toys can be removed to allow washing and the toys themselves can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth.
AGE AND SKILLS
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Most children's toys encourage gross motor skills as this is movement in general but the mat encourages neck shoulder and back exercise and builds baby up ready for full crawling. As baby advances the sounds, songs, letters and numbers are very educational and they can relate the different phases with sections of the mat. Great for a baby who is just slapping about as when they hit the sensors on the mat fun sounds and songs are played which really keep baby amused. Baby will be very eager to reach the activity end of the mat encouraging full use of the body to reach it my boy started like a caterpillar then decided rolling up the mat was easier lol.
OVERALL
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Overall the mat is great value for money as it did my boy for ages and had I found it sooner I could have had from birth to 10 months out of it. The encouragement to move is the best feature of this mat and really does get them up and moving on all fours. I paid more than the £29.99 it is now available for and am still glad I did so I would advise anyone looking for a play mat to seriously consider this one. I hope this review has been informative and helpful and should you wish to know anymore please just drop me a comment and I will get back to you ASAP.
Barry
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
