Customer Reviews

LeapFrog LeapStages™ Learning Piano

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

LeapFrog! This is so unlike you!! I give this two stars because the piano lights up and is a nice size. My disappointment comes from my children ages 5 months; 18 months; 3 years. The piano comes with little half circle discs. You need these discs to have the piano play different songs or hear different things. Disc 1(Stage 1)the child can hit "play" the piano along to a song(s). It sounds like bubbles playing. Disc 2 (Stage 2) It names the colors with an instument and plays a song. Disc 3 (stage 3)has counting with animals and plays a song.
Notice I keep saying "discs". There are only three. The piano does light up/play without the disc...but that is it. The age says 6 mo-3 years. The baby just drooled and accidentally hit this toy. This piano is more for a toddler. The problem with that is the toddler thinks it is crazy to keep the disc in the piano and almost impossible for them to do it themselves. The best example I can give--it is like having a toddler put in viewmaster discs. It just takes too much coordination. (plus a toddler likes to "take" the little discs to secret hiding places) My three year old liked the discs/piano for a 1-2 time play session. It is very repetative and unimaginative. Really...an xylophone piano is a much better purchase. It is noisy (which they all like)...it is cheaper...and it doesn't take batteries.
LeapFrog is usually so much better. They typically make really age appropriate toys. Not in this case.

It was a Christmas present for my 16-month old, and he certainly does enjoy it. It's much more rewarding for him when we "share" the toy with him. There is a level of complexity to the Learning Piano that is well beyond him. As is, the keys makes sounds and flash, and he enjoys them. To get the most mileage out of it requires changing three half-circled discs. By doing so you change the sounds that are produced on the keyboard.

For a 16 month old this present's a couple of challenges. First, and foremost is that he doesn't grasp the idea of the discs, their purpose and what happens when you switch them. To him it is all lights, sounds and music. The second challenge, and accepting that their are child geniuses in the world, is the whole manual dexterity issue. Even if my boy understood the concept of the disc's, I am not certain that he could actually change them himself. It requires pulling them out and placing the one you want into a slot. Tough stuff for someone his age. Perhaps at the age of three this would work, but my 3 and a half year old isn't too interested in this type of toy anymore.

With that said, when he and I sit down and "share" the toy, it provides for a wonderful interaction with my son. He enjoys it more fully (as do I), when we play with it together. As a stand alone, it flashes and makes sounds.

My 16 month son loves this toy! Especially playing the Stage 2 and 3, which is more interactive. It is a fun toy and value for money.

I just saw this in the movers and shakers. Great price! My daughter has had this since she was about 6 months (now 2). She loves music so we might be a touch biased but she is still playing with it. Very durable and the batteries seem to last and last. 18 months and I don't think I've had to change them at all. For those concerned about noise it does have a volume control with two settings. We like it fine on the lower volume.

I purchased this as well as the drum for my 9 month old. He likes this toy but would prefer to play with the drum.
He will press the piano keys, however his favorite thing to do is pull out the sheets for the different stages and play with them.

My 18 month old, does like this a lot. Plus it has 3 different variations which means she won't get bored of it.

Love it! My 7 month old loves this toy. She watches the lights on the keys and loves the gum the "sheet music". Older kids love to count, sing and clap along to the familiar tunes

My year old nephew loves this. It's a great musical instrument with lots of sounds and lights up too.

I bought this piano for my granddaughter's first birthday. She loves it, bangs on it all the time. The keys are just the right size for babies who tend to use their whole hand to "play piano". The bright colors and lights attract little ones.

This is a fun toy, however if the discs get lost (or chewed up by a dog or toddler) you are out of luck. No way to get replacement parts. My son enjoyed this toy, however by the time it got to my daughter (3 years later) only one stage card was in tact. At most this is a disposable toy. You can find a better option w/o removable parts.