The Farmer Says :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

The Farmer Says

2008-04-05
These have been around since I was a kid and they're still great for teaching young ones the sounds of animals. I love them and love to see the looks on young faces when they put the sound with the animal. It's great to see the moment they figure it out!

A timeless classic

2008-03-10
This one will be a keeper for a while. We bought it for our 4 month old, and it 4 months later she gets more and more into it. This is one toy I think she will continue to play and learn from for many months to come.

The Farmer Says: Poo Poo

2008-01-21
Man . . way to ruin a classic! Toys are made so crappy now. This use to be a cool toy. .They make it way el cheapo now. Save yr money. Mr. Potato Head is still good, magnadoodle is good, some toy pianos are still good, . . . we are buying alot of natural wooden toys (i.e. wood blocks, giant puzzles, we even found the classic corn popper push toy in wood, real instruments that are kid friendly, etc. ). . . not this 10 cent plastic waste of time type of stuff anymore. Work too hard for the money. damn. you can buy sterling silver action figures for these prices! ! ! you could almost buy your own damn REAL farm. ha ha

Satisfied

2008-01-01
It's much smaller than I expected, which makes it less interesting for my baby...the animals are too small for him to really see well.

The sounds are mostly great...except that the sound of the rabbit is a "boing" for hopping, which isn't really consistent with what sounds the animals "make."

The other oddity is the "owl" which isn't an owl, but a "barn owl." Seems a little complicated.

Anyway, still it's a fun and safe toy for us to play with together.

Not as I remembered

2008-01-01
The manufacturer has miniaturized a toy that was a favorite of my kids back in the 70's. When purchasing this for my grandchildren, I was very disappointed in the size and appearance.

Not Loud Enough

2008-06-12
The See 'n Say lets our 2 year old choose from 16 different animals, 2 animal songs or the "animal quiz." My son especially likes the song option which either plays "Old McDonald" or "Farmer in the Dell." I like how this new model has more animals than the older version. This version is smaller and slightly easier for little hands to pull. This new model runs on batteries as opposed to the wind-up/unwind kind with the harder-to-pull lever or string.
The major problem with this toy is that it simply isn't loud enough. The spinning wheel drowns out the sound of the animals. It's not even that the spinner is too loud. The toy is just too quiet even in a room with no other noise. It would be impossible to hear it in a daycare or some other louder setting.
Overall, it's a good toy for teaching animals and sounds. The pictures are bright and vivid. I just wish it was louder.

My 1 year old hates this toy

2008-06-05
My one year old keeps trying to like this toy - the potential is there - but he has difficulty holding the toy up and pulling the leaver. When he does have success his little finger inevitably gets pinched between the spinning arrow and the side of the toy. He's 16 mos old now and pretty much ignores the toy now.

A Different Story - Be Careful

2008-05-31
Was looking for the same toy I grew up with but this one was half in size and not loud at all. Hearing the sounds are a big problem. Did not hold the childs attention well at all. Very disappointing. F-P could have made this one better - potentially taking safety too far and overiding the performance factor.

Brings back memories when I was a child

2008-05-29
We haven't used this yet as our baby is still too young but the toy works great. Can't wait when our child uses it. I just saw the item and had to get it. The sounds are really good and it looks very educational.

a special child

2008-05-17
My sister who suffers from cerebral palsy took a liking to this toy more than 15 years ago. She cannot speak herself but enjoys listening to the sounds of the animals and watching the center arrow spin. She's never grown tired of it and recognizes the toy even if she hasn't had one for a couple of years. The toy is very durable and never comes apart despite the bashing it takes in her adult hands. The lever is easy to use and requires very little effort. She learned to use it very quickly. The internal mechanics fail eventually after repeated use. This is a very safe and educational toy. It will last a long time in the hands of a small child.

Toys and Books

	Dr. Toy's Smart Play . How To Raise A Child With a High PQ Play Quotient Review: "...Play is the work of the young. Through play, children grow -- physically, emotionally and cognitively. "Dr. Toy," Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., helps readers to find the toys and playthings that will best advance this growth. This comprehensive book demonstrates a deep understanding of the different needs children have at every phase of their development and provides specific guidelines for choosing toys, computer software, musical instruments and a host of other items children can play with.. "
	Dora the Explorer Mr. Face Plush Backpack Review: My daughter is a big Dora fan and uses this backpack to carry around her favorite toys and books, which is why I gave it 5 stars for educational value. My friend's daughter has it as well, and love hers too. We've had it 6 months now and it's holding up just fine. The map opens up for an added bonus. My daughter likes to wear it and sing the backpack song from the show.
	Star Wars Episode III: Darth Vader Voice Changer Helmet Wow, do I ever wish they had this out when I was a kid! I bought it, and my wife, kids and I have all been playing with it. It has a chest box with several buttons that plays about 5 of Darth's quotes from the movies, or you can switch it to voice changer. The voice changer is fun! It has 3 different levels of depth for changing the voice. ... A must for Star Wars Geeks!!!!

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, 2005. The Best Toys, Books, Videos, Music & Software for Kids

As featured on NBC's TODAY Show! The experts from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, the independent consumer organization rate the best (and worst) in children's toys, books, videos, music and software. Don't waste any more money on products that are a waste of your money and your child's time. Here's the guide that every parent (and grandparent) should have before they go shopping.

Guide includes important child development information, basic gear checklists, product comparisons, best shower and birthday presents for every budget, multicultural products, science toys, educational toys and a full chapter on adapting ordinary products for kids with special needs.

Excerpt: ..many of the best hoard games are both entertaining and educational. Many games can improve math, spelling, memory, and reading skills in a more enjoyable way than with the old flash card.