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Mommy Gearest

Real life. Real reviews.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Smart Stages Train (sponsored post)

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When I think about toy brands that have been part of my life since my own childhood, Fisher-Price is at the top of the list.

Two of my old toys have stood the test of time and both are from Fisher-Price: the barn and the train. My parents kept all of our Little People — at least the ones that didn’t get flushed or beheaded — and everything often gets pulled out when my kids visit their grandparents.

Fisher-Price smart stages train

Pictured at top is the full Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Smart Stages train in all its glory. Front and centre, however, are the three characters with whom my kids have fallen in love.

Although the barn, remarkably, hasn’t changed very much over the years, the Fisher-Price train of yesteryear has certainly evolved. Along with several companion Smart Stages toys that were introduced about a month ago in Canada, the Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Smart Stages Train is one we’ve been playing with a lot.

I admit, however, that I wasn’t sure how much my own kids would play with a toy that’s intended for six- to thirty-six-month olds. I totally thought I was going to need to borrow a toddler. But, wow. Even after more than four weeks, they’re both still very much interested in it. That’s saying a lot for 3.5 and six year olds who have more toys than any child really should.

I keep asking them what they find so appealing about it and one kept telling me, “Mommy, it’s just so FUN! There’s so much to do!”

And there really is.

My other kidlet, on the other hand, likes that the train comes apart and there are animal characters that provide a different kind of play.

That’s the beauty of these Smart Stages toys; they grow with your child. Each one is equipped with a switch that allows parents to be in control of each stage. Stage 1 is the most basic for babies in their earliest stages of development, but by the time you reach Stage 3, there’s a lot more sophistication. There’s a mix of songs and problem solving built into each toy. But the Smart Stages train has the distinct bonus of actually moving; my kids seem to like that part best, and they’ll make themselves into bridges to allow the train to choo-choo between their legs. I can picture them using this during the crawling stage; they would have loved trying to keep up with the train as it chugged away from them.

You’ll need a bit of extra storage space for the Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Smart Stages Train, as well as a couple of batteries, but, great news: we haven’t had to replace them yet despite pretty heavy use.

If you’re the kind of parent who eschews technology in the home, I get it. I really do. I love the “bubbles” we’ve created for our kids, too. But technology isn’t going anywhere, and at least the technology from Fisher-Price is safe and developmentally appropriate. And just for kicks one day, I removed the batteries altogether. And you know what? My kids still played with the Laugh & Learn train.

So grab an engineer’s cap and let off some steam, conductor! Fisher-Price’s Smart Stages are literally chock-full of bells and whistles, and come with the promise of appealing to your little one for more than just a few months.

Hint: watch for this toy in my annual holiday gift guide. Yes…it’s that fun.

 

DISCLOSURE: I was compensated for this post; however, you can’t buy your way into my gift guide — toys have to earn that kind of approval. And this one sure did.

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Comments

  13. I really like that this toy will truly grow with your child and each stage is built to encourage learning.

    Jeannie Lam

    Reply

  14. I really like that this toy will truly grow with your child and each stage is built to encourage learning.

    Jeannie Lam

    Reply

  15. I really like that the toys don’t have to be a baby toy (as the kids say as they out grown them) with these ones their favourite toy is, well still that! As they toys also grows with them and and now continues to be part of their growing up!

    Reply

  16. I really like that the toys don’t have to be a baby toy (as the kids say as they out grown them) with these ones their favourite toy is, well still that! As they toys also grows with them and and now continues to be part of their growing up!

    Reply

  25. I love that these toys grow with your child. kids outgrow some toys so fast, you never feel like you got your money’s worth. I think these toys would be well worth the price.

    Jonnie

    Reply

  26. I love that these toys grow with your child. kids outgrow some toys so fast, you never feel like you got your money’s worth. I think these toys would be well worth the price.

    Jonnie

    Reply

  33. My kids still play with a few of my Fisher Price toys including the old cash register! I love that these new toys can be adjusted and that they grow with your child. They will last longer and be used more this way I think!

    Reply

  34. My kids still play with a few of my Fisher Price toys including the old cash register! I love that these new toys can be adjusted and that they grow with your child. They will last longer and be used more this way I think!

    Reply

  43. I love that the toys are interactive and that they are suitable for a long range of time. So many baby toys are designed for just babies, and thus their purpose wears out quickly. I love the concept of a toy that can be used not only for months, but for years. The different functions at different ages interests me.

    Reply

  44. I love that the toys are interactive and that they are suitable for a long range of time. So many baby toys are designed for just babies, and thus their purpose wears out quickly. I love the concept of a toy that can be used not only for months, but for years. The different functions at different ages interests me.

    Reply

  45. I love that it grows with you and that all ages can find it enjoyable, that really helps stretch a dollar..it is so eye catching, love it !

    Reply

  46. I love that it grows with you and that all ages can find it enjoyable, that really helps stretch a dollar..it is so eye catching, love it !

    Reply

  55. Fisher price is awesome because they offer all stages of play and are interactive. The trains is awesome because it’s ine toy that leases and grows for years

    Reply

  56. Fisher price is awesome because they offer all stages of play and are interactive. The trains is awesome because it’s ine toy that leases and grows for years

    Reply

  57. I love that these toys grow with your child! You get way more use out of them and they are terrific quality. I love how they have different and many functions to keep your child entertained

    Reply

  58. I love that these toys grow with your child! You get way more use out of them and they are terrific quality. I love how they have different and many functions to keep your child entertained

    Reply

  59. I love that fisher price makes toys that will grow with our children and toys that will be loved for years. They also have amazing customer service!

    Reply

  60. I love that fisher price makes toys that will grow with our children and toys that will be loved for years. They also have amazing customer service!

    Reply

  75. My boy will love this Fisher Price you because it moves. He can push and pull – and bang – but it’s well built to withstand even his physical play. My girl loves music! She will grin and sway away to the tunes. Mom likes that they are learning the whole time.

    Reply

  76. My boy will love this Fisher Price you because it moves. He can push and pull – and bang – but it’s well built to withstand even his physical play. My girl loves music! She will grin and sway away to the tunes. Mom likes that they are learning the whole time.

    Reply

  81. I live Fisher Price toys they are durable and loved by my child. The Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Smart Stages train would be a toy that would grow with my chold. I love that it has different stages and multipe interactive features.

    Reply

  82. I live Fisher Price toys they are durable and loved by my child. The Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Smart Stages train would be a toy that would grow with my chold. I love that it has different stages and multipe interactive features.

    Reply

  97. I love fisher price toys! I love how they’re the same great quality (and even some of the actual same toys!) that I played with as a kid, but innovated better now to give my baby. I have a 6 month old baby and I love finding great educational toys to stimulate him, and Fisher price toys are always at the top of my list! 🙂 definitely want to try out the smart stages train for him!!

    Reply

  98. I love fisher price toys! I love how they’re the same great quality (and even some of the actual same toys!) that I played with as a kid, but innovated better now to give my baby. I have a 6 month old baby and I love finding great educational toys to stimulate him, and Fisher price toys are always at the top of my list! 🙂 definitely want to try out the smart stages train for him!!

    Reply

  99. I love all the different kinds of play that this toy allows for! My 2 1/2 year old daughter would love it, while baby #2 could get a ton of use out of it too!

    Reply

  100. I love all the different kinds of play that this toy allows for! My 2 1/2 year old daughter would love it, while baby #2 could get a ton of use out of it too!

    Reply

  103. I love that this toy is good for more than one stage. So many toys are only good for one stage and then the child gets bored. So great that they made this to grow with the child!

    Reply

  104. I love that this toy is good for more than one stage. So many toys are only good for one stage and then the child gets bored. So great that they made this to grow with the child!

    Reply

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