We trial the Fisher-Price Learn Around the Town Learning Table.

Let’s face it, with so many toys available to young children it can be hard to know which ones to choose for your little one. You want the toys to be educational and fun, not just something that takes up valuable real estate in your house. And you also don’t want them to grow out of them too quickly, leaving you to wonder why you even bothered buying it.

I was recently given the opportunity to trial the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Around the Town Learning Table with my daughter, Isla.

Having tried out lots of baby toys with her two older brothers, I could immediately see this would be one of the toys she would gravitate towards each day. From the minute I took it out of the box, she was on my lap touching, pointing and laughing with excitement at this colourful new delivery.

Jacqui with her young children and (R) Isla. Images: supplied.

The tower itself features four sides, which means a different perspective for baby where ever she pulls herself up on. Isla is 14 months old and is now toddling around the house with ease. We set the table up in our living room and throughout the day she would make her way over to the table to see what else she could discover, each time remaining engaged for a considerable amount of time, something which simply doesn’t happen with a lot of toys.

On the table there are flashing lights and open/close doors (which we know babies love). There are noise makers and ‘peek-a-boo’ type activities, which keep baby interested and Isla made my heart melt in a hundred different ways when she started dancing (in her own way) to the catchy songs which are activated by baby pressing buttons on the unit.

The best part for me as a parent was to see that the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Around The Town Learning Table has three separate learning modes, allowing you to adapt the toy to your baby’s age and stage.

Mums and Dads, this means that one toy that will see you through for quite a while, which is always a bonus. My older boys who are three and five still enjoyed the table and would play happily with their sister as she giggled at them opening and closing doors and windows and turning on and off the slight switch.

I found the table to be very educational, while still retaining Isla’s attention. It features songs and activities focused on shapes, colours, numbers and letters. It also educates your toddler on animal noises, which she really enjoyed.

"I found the table to be very educational, while still retaining Isla’s attention." Image: supplied.

Isla’s favourite part of the table is the removable mobile phone which is cradled in the middle of the unit. In fact, I couldn’t get it off her without a tantrum, so it had to come along for the ride to do the school pick up on more than one occasion.

The table has a ‘ringing phone’ button, making imaginative play easy for kids and parents. Even though Isla is only young, she giggled with delight when I pretended to answer the phone to various friends and relatives, eventually mimicking the game for herself. (I was also happy that my mobile phone got a rest from being carried around by peanut butter-covered fingers!).

I can’t begin to tell you how many toys have been purchased or received as gifts over my parenting career. And most parents will tell you that kids grow out of most of them pretty quickly.

It’s for this reason that I put a lot of thought into my toy buying or giving, wanting the child to enjoy the toy for more than a few weeks.

I’m confident in saying the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn About Town Learning Table is one of these ‘solid investment toys’. I love the four-sided play options, offering baby something different and stimulating at each viewpoint and I really love that the activity table offers children three tailored learning modes to keep them interested and engaged over time.

If you’re struggling to think of the perfect gift for your child this Christmas, I’d highly recommend the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Around The Town Learning Table.

Not only will it excite your little one now, but it will grow with them and provide many years of stimulating play. As a mum I also feel confident in Fisher-Price as a brand, knowing full well that of the toys I invested in with my first born, it’s the Fisher-Price ones which are still in great condition now that we are onto baby number three.

What is your favourite 'solid investment toy'?