Product Review: LeapFrog Discovery Ball

The LeapFrog Discovery Ball is baby's first introduction to letter sounds, names and simple melodies. Each of the letters of the alphabet encircle the center of the ball. While attached to the base, your baby can spin the ball to hear songs, or press individual letters to hear their names or sounds. As your child grows, the ball can be removed from the base and rolled around on the floor. There are also twinkle lights that match the beat of the song.

My son received the Discovery Ball as a gift for his first Christmas. He was nine months old and immediately began spinning the ball to listen to the music. He used the ball primarily for this purpose for several months. We then put the ball away and took it out about a year later after his little sister was born. He began to play with it again, but in new ways. He loves when we detach the ball from the base so he can play with it on the floor. He will push each letter individually as he listens to the song that each one plays. At three years old, he has memorized all of the songs, along with the words I have taught him as we listen to them. So far, he hasn't used the Ball for learning the letters of the alphabet, but when the time comes I am confident it will serve that purpose as well. He has not tired of this toy, and now both he and his sister play with it equally.

I like this toy for several reasons: First of all, it includes a high as well as a low volume setting. The high setting is quite loud, but the low setting is just about perfect. This toy is also small enough to make road trips with, and keeps the kids entertained. I also like that the battery is contained in the center of the ball, so that the outside of the toy looks completely cohesive and attractive. This toy is great for infants, up through toddlers. It is not simply a toy that is relevant for a few months and then gets set aside for a garage sale. I appreciate all of the classic nursery songs the toy plays. I can reminisce about my childhood simply by going through the songs with my kids! Finally, I like that the toy detaches from the base. This small, simple feature adds a wealth of new play possibilities for children.

I have only found one drawback with this toy. When the ball is being spun while on the Letter Names or Letter Sounds setting, it always plays the same song. I wish they would have found a way to make the spin motion play a variety of songs.

For $20, this is a wonderfully adaptive, educational toy that will entertain and instruct your child for months or even years to come.