Bright Starts Tropical Fun Around We Go Activity Station

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Activity center lets baby "walk" to the activity of his choice, providing a variety of creative, challenging toys The Bad: SIt too cumbersome for small living spaces In a Nutshell: Innovative infant activity center gives babies the opportunity to explore and play through toddler hood At a Glance Ages: 4 months and up Requires: Phillips screwdriver for assembly, 3 C batteries

The piano keyboard plays catchy, upbeat music. View larger.

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The activities are positioned on a sturdy, plastic table. The baby seat, which is supported by two wheeled legs, attaches to it. Baby sits in the bucket-shaped seat with his feet firmly planted on the ground. He can learn to push off the ground, propelling himself around the table to get to the activity of his choice.

Unique Toys for Creative, Challenging Play
The Around We Go station is also fresh and unique in the activities it offers. It includes many of the favorite "stand-bys" of other activity centers -- bendable stalk toys that encourage tactile exploration, spinning and moving characters that help babies learn about cause and effect. Babies will find these toys entertaining and educational. But we were especially delighted by the magnetic drawing board that includes cute character shapes that let babies make their own, erasable drawings. And the piano keyboard, which has three play modes, features fun, upbeat music that's actually catchy to listen to. It also plays piano tones and cartoonish, animal voices.

Perks for Baby and Parents
We love the ingenuity of the Around We Go station's set up. Rather than keeping your baby stationary like other activity centers, it helps him satisfy his urge to move; he actually can make himself go from one point to another by using his feet. This gives baby vital, leg-strengthening exercises in a much safer and secure environment than baby walkers. There are perks for parents, too: you can lock the baby seat in place in front of the included snack tray to let him snack safely, and the seat fabric is easily removable and conveniently machine washable.

One drawback: this toy is a bit cumbersome, which may present a problem if your living space is limited. However, the seat easily detaches from the table for more compact storage. In fact, when your baby is able to walk on his own, he doesn't have to abandon this toy: simply remove the seat, and he can play at the table independently.

This toy requires adult assembly. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver, as well as three C batteries for the toy piano.

What's in the Box
Activity station, seat carrier, assembly hardware, and instruction guide.

The Around We Go supports babies as young as 4 months old and can sit unassisted. View larger.

Babies will find the activities fun and developmentally challenging. View larger.