Playskool Air-tivity table or Leapstart Learning Table?

[peasprout]

I'm looking for new toys for my 8 month old and narrowed it down to these two. Does anyone have either the air-tivity table or the Leapstart learning table (or both)? I can't decide between the two, so any opinions would be great! Thanks!

[Ryansmom]

DS is 10.5 mos and loves our Leapstart Learning Table. The music is not annoying - in fact I really like it. Many friends and family like it too! In fact several family members have been caught playing with it by themselves :) too cute!

I was at a friends house yesterday and saw what I think was the air-tivity table - although I am not 100% sure. The reason I liked the Leapstart table better was the variety of activities.

I think any table with different activities (pull, push, slide, etc.) and with noise that does not bother you - will do well.

Have Fun!!

[August Mom]

I would definitely get the Leapstart Learning Table. DS has had one since he was 4.5 months old and it's been a favorite since. (He's now 11 months). I'm not sure if your baby is pulling up yet, but if not, the table is great without the legs too. Once the baby is pulling up, it's just the right height. DS loved cruising around the table too. The Leapstart table plays lots of musical tunes, but I don't find them annoying. And, there are some learning aspects to the table as well, like letters, numbers, shapes, colors and opposites. I really have nothing bad to say about it. The batteries even last well.

I do not own an Air-tivity Table, but someone in playgroup does. As the mom/owner of the table stated "After DD plays with it for awhile, I feel like I'm in a casino. The music drives me crazy." I must admit that I was curious, so I turned the music on and it was not pleasant IMO. The other thing that was annoying about the table was that the playgroup kids could care less about watching the air blow the figures up and down. They all wanted to pull the plastic canisters off the table and throw them on the ground, which meant that the adults were constantly picking up the tubes and putting them back on the table. After one afternoon in playgroup, that was enough for me. I learned that we definitely didn't need to own it.

Just my two cents. HTH

[myllam]

Hi,

We don't have either, but we did try the air-tivity at a friends house and I whole-heartedly agree with the previous poster re: it being a definite pass (IMHO :-)). It was extremely noisy (the air toys themselves, let alone the music). And my friends said it eats through batteries. Not much learning involved. Just place the toys in the various air holes and watching it jump up and done, spin, or whatever. I found it on clearance for under $10 at Target and still passed up on it :-)

HTH,

Monica

[josephsmom]

The Leapstart Learning Table has been a hit at our house. DS is 18.5 months and just starting to lose interest in it. I agree with the other posters who said that the music is very enjoyable. It's not nearly as annoying as the @#$%& Fisher-Price Crawl & Cruise Playground (just in case you were considering that as another option)!

Helene
mommy to Joseph 12/29/01

[August Mom]

I agree about the Crawl & Cruise Playground. Another playgroup mom has it and while the kids seem to love it, it drove me nuts. The music is very annoying IMO. I'm not a big fan of the music on the FP Stand-Up Ball Blast either, although I think it's a little better than the Crawl & Cruise Playground. Luckily, I've been able to experience all these toys that I find annoying at other people's homes. :)

[mabuckles]

We have both tables. Both were X-mas gifts. I agree with all the other posters the Leap Frog table is the one to get. My daughter likes the air activity table too but it is VERY noisy. It starts to drive me nuts after a few minutes.

[peasprout]

LOL! I actually WAS considering the Crawl and Cruise Playground as well! Does your son still play with it? Does he like it? I'm thinking that if DD enjoys it, I'll just grin and bear the music. Or am i being naive? ;) So far I've developed a high tolerance for annoying tunes.
And thanks everyone,...I think I'll pass on the air-tivity table. Anyone know of any deals on the Leapstart Table?

[August Mom]

The kids in our playgroup are 11 months - 1 year. The last time we were at a home with a Crawl and Cruise Playground was about 3 weeks ago and the kids were still very entertained by it. I think you are being a little naive about the annoying music. Your DD doesn't know that annoying toys exist. She'll get along just fine without them and you'll be a lot happier. But, if you have a high tolerance and don't mind, give it a try.

The best price I've found on the Leapstart table is around $40. That's what it goes for at Target, Wal-Mart and KB Toys. It's $45 at TRU.

[josephsmom]

I'll put it to you this way. If there was a toy that Joseph absolutely loved, and/or it helped him with some kind of developmental skill, then I'd "grin and bear the music." But he has never really played with the C&C for more than a few minutes at a time. And the music is really horrible. It's one of the very worst I've heard from any toy. Don't tell my parents; they were really excited to buy it for him ;-)!

Helene
mommy to Joseph 12/29/01