Every now and then we get the opportunity to test out a product, which is great. Its even better when that product is a TOY. I am not sure who was more excited to see what mystery toy came in the mail, my daughter or I. When we opened it, there was a collective “ooooooohhhhhhh”. I hadn’t even seen this toy yet and it looked just short of totally awesome.

So we set up the toy, requiring a few batteries, and go to work setting it up. You HAVE to watch this video of my DH and daughter playing this game:

How is THAT video for a thumbs up from Charlotte (and did you enjoy my DH running around playing too? LOL)! What we loved about this game as a family, was that it involved getting up and moving around. There are so many video games in the market now a days, that what our kids really need is an incentive to move thier tooshes.

There are several levels of this game and it moves on from naming which animal to find, by colors, to phonics, to the sounds the animal makes, and really switches it up. Its also an easy set up for a child to just start the game by a simple push of the button and to put right on top of the animal.

Wild Planet says this about the toy:

What Animal Planet says:
Animal Scramble features an electronic hand-held tagger shaped like a giraffe and four fist-sized friends (a monkey, parrot, tiger and elephant). The giraffe calls out which animals kids should run to and tag and tracks the amount of time taken to complete each course. In team mode, kids are instructed to pass the giraffe to other players as they work cooperatively to achieve their fastest time.

The giraffe houses a microchip that uses Radio Frequency Identification to recognize the different animal targets, which can be set up side-by-side, or spread out across the length of a football field. There is no limit to the distance between targets. Farther targets result in more running and exercise. When the giraffe is placed over the correct animal, the circuit is complete and the players advance.

As the game progresses, the commands become more challenging. In early levels, the giraffe calls out the first letter or full name of the animal to tag. Once kids master the names, the game adds in animal sounds, colors and characteristics. (Who says roar? Who is orange? Who has stripes?) These questions help kids learn to identify single objects in multiple ways.

Animal Scramble requires physical exertion through running, bending, reaching and tagging movements that aid in the development of large and small muscle groups while improving coordination and motor skills. The sharing, listening and turn-taking aspects of the game practice positive social behaviors. Played indoors or out, solo or in teams, Animal Scramble keeps kids up on their feet, expending energy and having fun.

Requires 3 AA batteries, not included.
Recommended Ages: 3-5 / Players: 1-6

To purchase this for Christmas, or any other Wild Planet toy, head off to here!

Would you like to win an Animal Scramble game for your child?

Head on over to Wild Planet and let us know what other toy that you think your child would really like (it helps us plan our Christmas list!).

Gain a 2nd entry by sharing with us ways that you keep your child up and moving and not in front of the tv that your household implements.

Contest pulled on Thursday the 11th by random.org. Must claim in 48 hours, so please leave a blog attached to your name for us to find you.