Sometimes opportunities come at the perfect time. I recently pulled my three year old son out of preschool so that I could stay home with him and my daughter for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was worried that he would get bored staying home with me and was looking for some fun but educational things to keep him busy. Vtech offered to let us review the brand new MobiGo Touch Screen Gaming system. I knew right away that my son would love it because he’s a pro with the touch screen preschool apps on our iPhones and he had been asking for a “computer” of his own. While I knew that Jackson would love this new gadget, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away. I was far more impressed with this product than I thought possible.
I didn’t want to turn my son into a video game junkie and I was worried that the games would be more fun than educational. They are certainly fun for Jackson but they were geared towards educational development. Using a touch screen for many of the games, children are able to practice their dexterity while drawing shapes and letters, plucking guitar strings and more. The games available for the MobiGo appeal to children (think Toy Story 3 which my son will go bananas for!) and teach numbers, colors, shapes, letters, spelling, logic, observation, and music. Games are set to be priced at $19.99. If they are anything like the game that was included with the system, they won’t disappoint.
Advancing from the touch screen, a slide out QWERTY keyboard adds another learning dimension and appeal to the toy, making it look more like mom and dad’s computer. The system itself retails for around $60. An optional carrying case sells for around $15. The Vtech MobiGo is available via pre-order on Amazon.com
and will be released on July 1, 2010. Need one sooner? Pick one up at Toys R Us starting 6/7. The MobiGo will be available nationwide in August at various retailers and online at www.vtechkids.com
The MobiGo is available in blue (as pictured) or pink. It comes with a USB cable for downloading more games, takes 4 AA batteries, includes a jack for an AC adapter, a jack for headphones. Available game tiitles include: Toy Story 3, Disney Fairies, Ben 10, NASCAR, Shrek 4, Dora the Explorer, Super Hero Squad, and Mr. Men to name a few.
I could hardly get him to look up from the game to snap this silly picture!
Jackson earns “computer time” by picking up his toys before dinner. It’s amazing how quickly the toys are returned to the toy box when I mention this. It’s a win-win for both of us, the toys get cleaned up, he has fun (while learning!) and it keeps him entertained and out of mischief long enough for me to get dinner on the table.
Visit www.vtechkids.com/mobigo for more information on the MobiGo. Additionally, you can follow Vtech on Twitter @VTechToys and “like” them on Facebook
“I was given a MobiGo by VTech for my review. I was allowed to keep the product, but the opinion I am sharing remains my own.”