Playskool Magic Tambourine

The concept is simple.. The music only plays if you shake the tambourine constantly.

The problem is that the age group this toy is targeted to doesn't have the attention span or desire to shake it constantly to hear the entire song. So they shake it a few times and then then the music stops. This happens once or twice and then this toy is consigned to the toybox, permanently.

Spend your money on something else, it's not worth it no matter what the cost.

very happy with product, this is a christmas present for my 1 year old nephew, he loves music and i thought this would be a great toy for him

My 1 year old daughter was definitely not impressed with this. She was bored with it after the first few minutes, if she played with it THAT long. The songs are too short and borring. Does nothing extra other than play a short tune. That's it. BORRRRRINGG!

This toy has little to do with music and a lot to do with coordination and strength. The 2-year-old for whom it is presumably suited must: 1. catch on to depressing a button before shaking the toy; 2. have the muscular stength and aerobic endurance to shake the toy vigorously until the tune has come to its conclusion; 3. possess the motivation to attempt either of the aforementioned steps.

I frankly was wasted after shaking it violently for the entirety of "Oh, Susanna," so I'm not sure what the remaining six tunes are (and in no shape to find out). From the opening bars I was able to recognize Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer," but the typically cheesy single-note sound provides little motivation for a huffin'-'n-puffin' grandpa to shake this ragtime staple to its conclusion.

This thing might work with a precocious Arnold--just promise the kid some greater reward than the song itself. Or an adult in need of some exercise might find it convenient to use at their desk (just don't let your co-workers catch sight of you turning as red as the tambourine while trying to get it to play "Don't you cry for me").

Of course, there's always the possibility that an adult's working with the device will loosen it up enough for a tot to tempt a tune out of it. Or perhaps this "Magic Tambourine" will work for those who have the magic touch. It's not worth the fuss of returning, so we'll see how it goes over with my grandchild. If she makes it all the way through "The Entertainer," I'll raise my rating to a high 5 and encourage her to run for governor (big things can happen to women governors).

this toy stinks! my daughter loves music and band toys, so this seemed perfect and the price was right.. WRONG! it's a terrible toy, it doesn't stay on unless you are shaking it, and it is hard to shake, my one year old gets frustrated with the fact that the music wont stay on, it's definitely a poor design and if they shake it the way they are supposed to, they will be covered in bruises from how hard you have to shake it... yuck!