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.

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.
Cheryl says
Our kids just love the fisher price laugh and learn puppy 🙂
Cheryl says
Our kids just love the fisher price laugh and learn puppy 🙂
Denise W says
My baby is crawling now, I love how this toy will provide fun for a very long time and grow with her.
Denise W says
My baby is crawling now, I love how this toy will provide fun for a very long time and grow with her.
Marla says
I love that children will learn as they grow and that these toys help develop them in their stages
Marla says
I love that children will learn as they grow and that these toys help develop them in their stages
Betty S says
I like that these toys encourage imagination play
Betty S says
I like that these toys encourage imagination play
Belinda McNabb says
I love that the toys grow with your child and encourage use of imagination
Belinda McNabb says
I love that the toys grow with your child and encourage use of imagination
Nancy J Montgomery says
I like that the toy grows with the child.
Nancy J Montgomery says
I like that the toy grows with the child.
nomnombearinyvr says
I really like that this toy will truly grow with your child and each stage is built to encourage learning.
Jeannie Lam
nomnombearinyvr says
I really like that this toy will truly grow with your child and each stage is built to encourage learning.
Jeannie Lam
Bailey Dexter says
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!
Bailey Dexter says
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!
Erin Brinklow says
It is a toy for all stages and will keep my child amused.
Erin Brinklow says
It is a toy for all stages and will keep my child amused.
Kristi Renout says
I like that it grows with your child.
Kristi Renout says
I like that it grows with your child.
Jenny says
there are different stages for the little one to grow with
Jenny says
there are different stages for the little one to grow with
loucheryl says
I love how the Smart Stages toys grow with my child!
loucheryl says
I love how the Smart Stages toys grow with my child!
edmontonjb says
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
edmontonjb says
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
Rhonda W G. says
I like that this train comes apart for the kids…It’s super cute too!
Rhonda W G. says
I like that this train comes apart for the kids…It’s super cute too!
Maegan Morin says
I like that it moves around and your kids have to chase it. I also like what seems to be a really love battery life!
Maegan Morin says
I like that it moves around and your kids have to chase it. I also like what seems to be a really love battery life!
Sunshine G says
I like that they’re well made and I can trust the quality!
Sunshine G says
I like that they’re well made and I can trust the quality!
Angela Mitchell says
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!
Angela Mitchell says
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!
Tanis S says
I love how there are different stages for the little one to grow with!
Tanis S says
I love how there are different stages for the little one to grow with!
ioana c. says
I love that its great for different ages , keeps the kids entertained for a long time!!
ioana c. says
I love that its great for different ages , keeps the kids entertained for a long time!!
kayla says
Love how interactive it is and how it grows with the children. love love the fisher price characters
kayla says
Love how interactive it is and how it grows with the children. love love the fisher price characters
stacey h says
i love the bright colours and how they radiate happiness
stacey h says
i love the bright colours and how they radiate happiness
Jennifer P. says
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.
Jennifer P. says
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.
michelle tremblett says
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 !
michelle tremblett says
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 !
Edith Rennes says
I love how durable they are and the interactive features
Edith Rennes says
I love how durable they are and the interactive features
Florence says
I love how the toys grow with the children
Florence says
I love how the toys grow with the children
Suzie M says
I like how the toys grow with the kids great concept.
I like the bright colors & the size
Suzie M says
I like how the toys grow with the kids great concept.
I like the bright colors & the size
lisa bolduc says
i love how thje toy grow with the kids, meaning I dint have to buy diff toys for each stage they r in
lisa bolduc says
i love how thje toy grow with the kids, meaning I dint have to buy diff toys for each stage they r in
April says
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
April says
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
kristen visser says
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
kristen visser says
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
Courtney says
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!
Courtney says
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!
Melissa Avey says
I love how it grows with the child!
Melissa Avey says
I love how it grows with the child!
Tiffany A. says
I love that the toys are interactive and can grow with my children!
Tiffany A. says
I love that the toys are interactive and can grow with my children!
Amber says
I love that you can buy this toy and have it keep your child interested in it for months.
Mommy Gearest says
Amber – not months…YEARS!! Amazing, right?
Amber says
I love that you can buy this toy and have it keep your child interested in it for months.
Mommy Gearest says
Amber – not months…YEARS!! Amazing, right?
teressabignell says
I really like the fact that their toys are bright & colourful and can grow with the kids. Even future generations will be enthralled with it.
teressabignell says
I really like the fact that their toys are bright & colourful and can grow with the kids. Even future generations will be enthralled with it.
Amy says
My girls would love this! They love FP toys!
Amy says
My girls would love this! They love FP toys!
ivy pluchinsky says
Seems like an awesome toy for kids! very interactive
ivy pluchinsky says
Seems like an awesome toy for kids! very interactive
Ashley J says
Neat how it has stages to grow with the child.
Ashley J says
Neat how it has stages to grow with the child.
Jennifer Harrison says
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.
Jennifer Harrison says
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.
Athena says
It seems like a great interactive toy
Athena says
It seems like a great interactive toy
Marie Noelle says
I love that it will entertain the kids for a long time!
Marie Noelle says
I love that it will entertain the kids for a long time!
Marie Shea says
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.
Marie Shea says
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.
Lynda Cook says
I love how the smart stages grows with your child, and all the interactive buttons and sounds, the children will not get bored with these toys
Lynda Cook says
I love how the smart stages grows with your child, and all the interactive buttons and sounds, the children will not get bored with these toys
Laura B says
I love toys like this that grow with my son!
Laura B says
I love toys like this that grow with my son!
bailey says
Love the fact that this is interactive and it moves! Anything with wheels is perfect for my busy toddler.
bailey says
Love the fact that this is interactive and it moves! Anything with wheels is perfect for my busy toddler.
Laura Beazley says
I love that these toys grow with my son! We have lots of Fisher Price toys and he loves them all.
Laura Beazley says
I love that these toys grow with my son! We have lots of Fisher Price toys and he loves them all.
countingstarsintherain says
It’s bright and colourful, and a good size for small hands to grab and hold.
countingstarsintherain says
It’s bright and colourful, and a good size for small hands to grab and hold.
Elizabeth KD says
I like that it is interactive and my kids would love all the sounds.
Elizabeth KD says
I like that it is interactive and my kids would love all the sounds.
Noa G says
Love toys that my 1 year old and 4 year old will enjoy together!
Noa G says
Love toys that my 1 year old and 4 year old will enjoy together!
Shoshi Gastfreund says
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!!
Shoshi Gastfreund says
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!!
Brandi C says
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!
Brandi C says
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!
Judy Cowan says
I love that it grows with the child and that it is very interactive. It would be a great toy for my nephew!
Judy Cowan says
I love that it grows with the child and that it is very interactive. It would be a great toy for my nephew!
Nicole B says
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!
Nicole B says
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!