The Garden Bug Wrist Rattle/ Foot Finder Set is a set of 4 brightly colored, smiley faced, patterned and rattling interactive toys. The set includes 2 wrist rattles (rattles that attach to baby’s wrists), and 2 foot finders (socks with garden bug characters), and is made by Lamaze. This set encourages the development of hand-eye coordination and exploration. The bright colors and cute garden bug characters make this set visually stimulating to baby, and the rattling sounds create auditory interest.

Pros:

• These toys are ideal for taking on road trips or in the strollers, as they Velcro on to baby, so they can’t be dropped.
• Toys are small and fit easily into a purse,  diaper bag, or a pocket, so they can entertain baby anywhere.
• Both the rattles and the foot finders are made of soft fabric that is comfortable against baby’s skin.
• This set is machine washable on delicate cycle, so it is very easy to keep clean.
• The bug characters work well for a baby to chew when teething.
• Great for babies that are not yet able to grasp and hold a non-attaching rattle.  As baby develops more grasping skills, she can hold these toys rather than wear them.

Cons:

• Using all four of these toys at the same time may be overstimulating to some babies, so may be better to use only one of the foot finders or wrist rattles at a time.
• The socks (foot finders) are made of t-shirt material, rather than normal sock material and have the potential to stretch out while on baby’s feet, making them fall off when baby kicks.  They may stay on baby’s feet better if put on over other socks.
• The size is quite small and does not contain stretch elastic, so the size may limit use to very young and small babies, unless used as hand-held rattles.
• The rattles are not very loud, which some people find does not stimulate their baby as much as louder rattles do.

Mortimer the Moose is a cute, cuddly toy  moose with many interactive features for baby, and is made by Lamaze.   Mortimer has a soft plush body that is perfect for baby to cuddle up with at bedtime.  Mortimer the Moose  has textured antlers and rings on his tail that are ideal for teething babies.  This cute toy also has brightly colored hooves that rattle, crunch, chime,  and squeak when baby grabs or shakes Mortimer’s legs or feet, creating auditory interest.   There are many bright colors, patterns and textures on this toy that help to develop baby’s eyes as well as tactile and touch senses, making this toy perfect for  newborns and older.   Lastly, Mortimer comes with a Lamaze link so he can be attached to a crib, stroller, or car seat with ease, making it a cinch for Mortimer to keep baby company on any kind of outing.

Pros:

• Great all-in-one toy for developing babies:  a cute stuffed animal that is soft and cuddly for baby to hold ; a crinkle-noise maker (two hooves crinkle when squeezed);  a rattle bell (2 of the hooves have jingling bells); a chew toy (the antlers and tail rings are made of soft, textured plastic, perfect for soothing the sore gums of a teething baby); the tail rings can also serve as handles for small hands to grasp or carry Mortimer; the scarf-like legs of Mortimer also make crinkle noises when manipulated; the body of the moose has a squeaker toy inside, so when the body is squeezed,  it makes a squeaking noise;  and has a Lamaze link, making it easy to hang this toy from any surface be it crib, car seat, or play pen.
• Toy is brightly colored and attracts babies’ attention.
• This toy provides a lot of interest for baby without being “overstimulating”, which could frustrate, overwhelm, and confuse a small child.

Cons:

• Mortimer is a fairly large toy that may be difficult for some young babies to manipulate all of his interactive features.
• The antlers are large and can cause baby to choke if he is able put the entire antler in his mouth.  It may be wise to pay attention when baby is using Mortimer the Moose for teething to avoid choking if baby is able to put the entire antler in his mouth.
• May have to watch the family dog, since this toy makes a squeaking noise when the body is squeezed, the dog may want to play with Mortimer too.
• If it is necessary to wash this toy, it should not be put into the dryer as the fur will pill.

Freddie the Firefly is a brightly colored, high contrast, soft plush toy made by Lamaze.  The bright contrasting colors and patterns are designed to visually stimulate a baby from birth on.  Whereas, the varying textures and sound makers help to train both auditory and tactile functions.  There is a mirror, click-clack rings, a pull-out ladybug teether, crinkle-sound wings , a squeaker, knotted feet and antennae, and Freddie’s whole body is a rattle.

Pros:

• Freddie the Firefly comes with a Lamaze link for easy attachment to strollers, car seats, and diaper bags, which make this toy great for bringing along.
• Freddie the Firefly offers visual, auditory, and tactile  stimulation through the attachments of a squeaker, mirror, click-clack rings, crinkle noise maker, and brightly colored, patterned fabrics.  All of this makes for a great learning toy that will appeal to your child at various stages of growth and development.
• Freddie has a friendly face that babies find comforting and amusing.
• Freddie the Firefly is a soft toy that helps to sooth babies at bed-time.
• This toy is light-weight enough for most little hands to hold and manipulate with ease.
• The knots at the end of Freddie’s legs and antennae are both interesting for baby to touch, as well as utilize for teething.
• The pull-out ladybug teeter is also very good for those sore gums during teething time.  It comes complete with its own pouch to keep clean between chewing times.

Cons:

• Ladybug teether can break loose from Freddie and has a potential to be a choking hazard.
• There are no stretchy or springy limbs. If your child is into interactive toys, this may not provide the type of stimulation that he/she is interested in.
• There are a couple of hard surfaces (the click-clack rings, the ladybug teeter, and the Lamaze link) that could cause injury if swung or thrown as a weapon.

Jacques the Peacock is a brightly colored, high contrast, soft velour toy made by Lamaze.  The bright contrasting colors and patterns are designed to visually stimulate a baby from birth on.  There is a mirror for individual peek-a-boo or parent/ child peek-a-boo.  Jacques the Peacock also has auditory stimulation with a squeaker, rattle, and crinkle noise makers.  This toy is soft and cuddly, the ideal bed-time buddy or learning toy.

Pros:

• Jacques the Peacock comes with a Lamaze link for easy attachment to strollers, car seats, and diaper bags, which make this toy great for bringing along.
• Jacques offers both visual and auditory stimulation through the attachments of a rattle, mirror, crinkle noise maker, and brightly colored, patterned fabrics.  All of this makes for a great learning toy that will appeal to your child at various stages of growth and development.
• Jacques has a friendly face that babies find comforting and amusing.
• Jacques the Peacock is a soft toy that helps to sooth babies at bed-time.
• This toy is light-weight enough for most little hands to hold and manipulate with ease.

Cons:

• Tail consists of hard and large pieces that are difficult to bend and are not easy to manipulate for some babies under 6 months old.
• There are no stretchy or springy limbs. If your child is into interactive toys, this may not provide the type of stimulation that he/she is interested in.
• There are no rubber surfaces to aid in teething, only the harder textured feathers of the tail.