As a mom of three, I’m always on the hunt for the best new toys. If it will keep my kids happy, entertained, and provide some kind of developmental value, I’m all in! And trust me when I tell you the VTech® Switch & Go® dinosaurs, more specifically the VTech® Switch & Go® T-Rex Race Car, the VTech® Switch & Go® T-Rex Muscle Car, and the VTech® Switch & Go® Velociraptor Jet, fit the bill.
So, why do I love these part-dinosaur, part-vehicle, part-transformer toys so much? Let me count the ways…
1. They hone fine motor skills.
Not only do little ones need to work their brains and problem-solving skills to figure out how to transform the dinosaurs into vehicles and vice-versa, but they have to stretch their hands-on coordination as well. Plus, they’re easy to transform, so you aren’t going to have to do it for them every time — although you might want to. They have a really satisfying tactile *click* when transforming that even I get a little sensory happiness from.
2. They fuel imagination.
I love a toy that develops my child’s skills, but I also want my kids to be kids! I love watching them use their imaginations and create their own worlds, characters and stories. The little digital faces on the Switch & Go® dinos change depending on which mode they’re in, and the different vehicles each have different voices, lights, and effects to keep those creative juices flowing.
It’s amazing to see all the different ways each of my three kids plays with these items. My 7-year-old son loves to crash, roar, and fly them. My 4-year-old daughter plays dino school (when they’re in vehicle mode, they’re the moms driving the kids to school, and then they transform into the dino kids once they arrive at school, obviously). My car-loving 2-year-old son zooms and races them all over the sofas and cabinets in vehicle mode. The possibilities are truly endless!
3. They’re interactive.
I don’t know about you, but my kids generally have the attention spans of a gnat, so for a toy to keep them entertained for longer than 2 minutes, it’s got to be interactive on some level. These Switch & Go® dinos light up, talk, change faces, make noises, and some of them even have little props that fire off with the push of a button. They keep my kids engaged and stimulated for long periods of independent play, which is basically the best gift a toy can give to a mom.
4. They have longevity.
Not only are these well-made and able to withstand the usual preschooler abuse, but they also have proven to keep my kids’ interest over many ages and stages. In my seven years of parenting, I’ve seen countless toys come into my house, only to be pushed into a corner and forgotten about a week or two later.
But we got our first Switch & Go® dino nearly four years ago, and they’re still a go-to toy in our house! My 7-year-old has just as much fun playing with them as his little brother — they really stand the test of time!
5. The price is right.
Best of all: These VTech® Switch & Go® items are affordable! They’re offered in so many different varieties and sizes, that you can really find one for any budget. They’ve become one of my go-to birthday party gifts for my kids’ friends, because I know it’ll be a slam dunk, no matter who the kid is. With three kids, we’ve got birthday parties out the wazoo, so it’s nice to not have to spend a fortune on gifts!
So, if your child doesn’t have any VTech® Switch & Go® dinos yet, what are you waiting for?! Go grab a couple and make your kid’s day!
Chrissie Jones is a mom to three little maniacs, IVF survivor, and writer of OneHangryMama.com. Join her there for a dose of family-friendly meals, infertility support, gift guides galore, and a heavy dose of chaos.
