Musini
© 2002 Neurosmith
This is a neat toy, but doesn't have much play value. About the size of a small, fat pizza, it uses vibration detection sensors to transform jumps on the floor into short musical bursts. Imagine your own orchestra that you can conduct with your feet, and you get the idea. Of five families who tested it this toy for us, none thought it was worth the rather hefty price. You can easily switch between musical styles with toe-friendly knobs, and additional Neurosmith cartridges can expand the musical selections. We were impressed with the quality of the music, and features, which include a headphone jack, volume dial, and "sensitivity" setting. Our testers liked it and got the idea, but noted that it is a bit pricey, and were not sure how long kids would stay with it. $60 for it (for $30, sure, but not more). Tip: Plug a cable from the headphone jack into your computer sound system or home stereo, and you'll be amazed at the sound quality. So should you buy it? It depends. If you're intent on providing every possible musical experience for your child (e.g., you suspect they have talent) and don't mind the steep price, this toy is worth considering. Our test families preferred the older, more tried and true Music Blocks to this toy, however because it is easier for a child to more directly control the musical phrases, and the sound quality is comparable.
$59.99, Smart Toy
Teaches: music and movement