Nursery World - Sounds good

Do you know those flowers that dance in response to music? Gadget shops are full of them. Furby, Poo-chi and other costly cyber toys are also programmed to respond to sound - in this case people's voices - but they usually end up being ignored or turned off. A sound-activated toy is a useful addition to other programmable toys in the nursery, but it is difficult to find a reliable, reasonably priced source, so here are some suggestions from TFH, a special needs supplier. Scuttle the Crab and Incey Wincey Spider (Pounds 15.85)

Scuttle the Crab and Incey Wincey Spider (15.85)

These brightly coloured furry creatures vibrate and wiggle in response to sounds. Both are battery operated and have an on/off switch. They can be activated from some distance and vibrate and move sideways on a smooth surface for about 20 seconds before stopping. The only drawback is the nature of the beast - some children may be scared of crabs and spiders.

Talking Toucan (19.35)

This bird, which contains a small recording chip, sits on its perch and records up to ten seconds of noise, and then instantly repeats it. There are many alternatives to this type of toy in stores, but it's best to check their sound quality and recording length before purchase.

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