Playskool Busy Ball Popper Review

For my daughter's birthday, we got her the Playskool Busy Ball Popper because it really seemed like a lot of fun and provides a good interactive experience.  I paid about $25 for the popper and I couldn't wait to try it out.

The Playskool Busy Ball Popperis made of plastic and is made of a down spiraling ramp in orange and blue that leads into the main mechanism of the toy.  The main mechanism of the toy is a fan that pushes the ball through. When activated, the balls are pushed through a clear tube and up through the middle of the ramps.  There is a hole in the top in which the balls come out and enter the ramp.  Once the balls are in the ramp, they work their way back to the main mechanism again ready for another run.  The ramp is done in orange and blue with a yellow tube going through the middle. There are five softer plastic balls, red, aqua, pink, yellow, and lime green and are easily held in a one year old hand.  The blowing mechanism is triggered by a red plunger that is pushed down.  Once it is started, oh my...

The balls come flying out the middle tube and into the ramp at a very quick pace.  Ideally a ball stays floating right above the opening and is pushed out by another ball which takes it place.  This part does not work all that well and often the balls are shooting in all directions.  My daughter does think this is absolutely hysterical and likes to chase after them so I can't say it is a big flaw.  When she isn't chasing them, she likes to grab hold of them in the ramp and celebrates her victory.  I typically stay right next to it to help keep the balls moving.  The cycle works best if there are five balls but will still work well with three or four.  While the balls are flying around, there are about eight different tunes that can be played.  Each tune lasts for an entire rotation which is about 45 seconds. 

The only thing I don't like about the Playskool Busy Ball Popper is that it can be loud between the sound of the music and the fan pushing the balls through.  Although, the minute my daughter hears it, she comes running. 

The popper requires 4 D batteries and stands about a foot tall.  There are only a few items of the ramp to put together when first opened however it only takes a few minutes to do so.  The ramp is not the most sturdy and can become dislodged if pulled on too hard.  I have to make sure my daughter doesn't pull on it too hard when she is working to get her hands on a ball.  The fan mechanism is encased in a purple plastic holder along the bottom and little fingers cannot fit through it.  This toy is appropriate for children 6 months and older.

This is a great toy that will engage a child but expect to wear yourself out to trying to help control the balls.  Even my niece and nephew who are eight years old can't help but play with it too!