OT -- Fisher Price Smart Cycle, anyone have it?

[mom in 2005]

Hi gang,

Getting ready for Xmas and wondering about the Smart Cycle. My dd is 3 1/2, and I am considering it but dont' know anyone that has one to test out. Does anyone have one, do your kids really use it, like it? Any good points or bad points to consider?

Thanks much!

 

[JamesMom]

'Santa' for Christmas 2007 got our then 4 year old (Jan b-day) the Smart Cycle and he plays with it occassionally. Same with our 3 year old. When I say occasionally - I mean maybe once a week? On the other hand, the play station and V-smile are played on daily basis. We have 4 games (Dora, Dino, Hot Wheels and the one it came with). It's a cool concept but my kids really didn't get into it that much.

 

[luvmy3]

Ds got the smartcycle last Christmas. He had just turned 4. It was the favorite gift and he still likes it, but I don't think he'll use it much past this year. I think the games are boring and I wish they would come out with more. I think a 3 1/2 year old would enjoy it but if you don't already have a vsmile I would get that instead, it has longer staying power. I catch my dd10 still playing the vsmile

 

[Stephaniecmc]

My DS4 got it for Christmas 2 years ago and loves it! He likes riding even more now because it's cold out. He's on it at least 3 times per day and he's exercising too!

 

[daleswife]

My Mother In Law got one for my son this year. He'll be 2. I was wondering the same thing...

 

[teedisney]

We have one. Got it for DS 4th birthday. He likes it but forgets to turn it off. So get the power supply or rechargeable batteries. It is $20 more expensive than last year. I saw it at my fav plac Costco for $95. I think it was $89 last year.

 

[Disneychix]

At our local TRU they have one set up there to try. I put DS (21 months) on but he is WAY too short to even consider it for this year. Maybe next year.

 

[mcqueen n' sally]

my parents got it for my son last Christmas when he was 3 (just turned 3)... he didn't quite love it... but as the year has gone on, and he got the dinosaur game, he loves it! it's fun to see how much better he has gotten at it too (he couldn't reach the pedals as well last year)... i would recommend it...

 

[billwendy]

Just last week, Fisher Price donated some to our Childrens Hospital - they will arrive this week! Im hoping the kids will think they are fun, and not realizing they are doing their therapy!!!

 

[mom2princessj]

We have it and my kids play it occassionally. I'd probably by vmotion or vsmile before the smart cycle.

 

[mom in 2005]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm still on the fence about it based on cost and all the reviews I've read.

 

[BellAbbeys Mom]

My daughter (4) received it when it first came out, and to date I believe she has played with it just the first three months...got bored and went on to other hand held games.

My daughter told me just the other day, that there was nothing that exciting, we have barbie, Dora, Elmo, Dinosaur and the original game it came with..

To the poster re: the therapy bikes, I believe that is a great idea and the kids should love it.

 

[joshiesdad]

My ds4 got one last year for Christmas. He loved it then. Not so much now. He has the v-smile which he got when he was 3 and plays it every day. It is easier for him to master. He uses the smart cycle as a seat when he plays the v-smile games. If there were more games to offer for the smart cycle he might like it more.

 

[princesspwrhr]

My SMIL got one for my little two girls last year (3&4). It's a neat idea, but my girls would much rather ride their REAL bikes and they aren't into video games at all so it was a bust. I sold it on Craigslist with the Dora and Barbie game for less than half the retail.

Pros - neat concept, keeps kids active during winter in colder climates (we have a milder climate, snow isn't unheard of but it isn't the norm and doesn't stick around when it does happen), improves gross motor skills, eye/hand coordination, spatial relations, physicality. Easy for the kids to figure out on their own

Cons - graphics are awful given the available technology, soundtrack loop is parentally annoying, the cord that connects to the bike is in two parts, one connects to the tv/stereo system, then connects to the other cord which is permanently attached to the bike. It would be very nice if this part disconnected completely from the bike for storage. Limited ammount of games. Games have a hole in the cartridge to connect the cartridge to the 'key ring', but the 'key ring' will only hold 3, maybe 4 games - an onboard storage somewhere (maybe the back?) would be nice.

If you're not concerned with second hand and want a good deal on the bike - try Craigslist. In my area there are several for sale between $40 -$70.