Thinkativity Feed and Learn Singing Croc: Eat Your Letters

The Thinkativity Feed & Learn Singing Croc ($20) is a great way to introduce your curious little ones to new words that begin with each letter of the alphabet.  Letter cards are fed into the crocodile’s mouth, and when they are pressed down the crocodile sings a tune with 5 words all beginning with that letter.  When it’s done, you snap the crocodile’s mouth closed, and the letter is conveniently "swallowed" where it can store nicely in his tummy.  The tummy has a door, and when you are finished you can empty all of the cards and begin again (note: there are only 13…each one has 2 sides). 

My 2 1/2 year old twins were excited to open the box, played with it initially for about half an hour on one day, and it was the first toy they went to the next morning. It’s a good toy to have if you want to reinforce taking turns–one can feed the letter in and snap, and then the other. They quickly learned that I didn’t want them to snap it shut before they heard the words for each letter, and they listen to the list each time and repeat usually one, maybe two of the words before facilitating the "swallow."

Not all perfect, though. For one, I wish the voice would speak a tiny bit more slowly, or clearly, or something. I understand this is the way inexpensive electronics at work, but it’s hard for me to even get all 5 words for some of the letters, and I’m not surprised that the kids only come up with 2 or so from her list. The second complaint is that the letter piece is fairly difficult to secure into the crocodile’s mouth so that the appropriate letter song comes on. It requires being exactly straight in the slot and then a firm press down, which my son has actually mastered, but it is not easy. Again, though, because my daughter is still having difficulty with that step, it’s a nice chance for them to work together and for him to be able to help/teach her. 

Overall, the Croc is a good toy but probably better once your child at least knows their ABCs as the words aren’t necessarily the most usually associated words with each letter.    

Available at Target.com with free shipping!

– Lisa