Educational InsightsGeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope Featuring Bindi Irwin: Microscope for Kids, STEM & Science Toy, Interactive Learning, Ages 3+

Perfect blend of education and fun. We purchased one and saw the joy of our children. And now is a go-to gift idea. Lots to learn and do with this one item. The buttons are easy to use (large). The cards are easy to use (slide in and out). Lightweight. Batteries do last in this toy. We couldn't be happier with this product.

This is a cool toy, some of the slides I wonder if the specimen is real though, if so magnificent! Bought for my 5 years old grandson. Love that it give facts about each slide. Sems sturdy enough.

When our grandson opened this gift, he said, “Gram, we have one of these at school” looking very disappointed. When his dad showed him the talking aspect of the microscope and how he could view the multiple slides, we lost Eli for the rest of the day. This is the perfect size for a five-year old. The weight was just right and the product was built to last. Eli wanted to know more about each of the slides. We were put to the test at that time. I’m so glad I saw this educational and fun gift.

My son enjoyed looking at the slides, but I wish there were more variety in what we are looking at, instead of three of the same on each slide. Bindis voice is a delightful addition to this toy.

PROS:1. First and foremost, the kid loves it, loves it, loves it. It's really the only talking toy I have found that has held this rambunctious 4-yr-old's attention independently for large chunks of time.2. Appropriately sturdy and simple enough for 4-5 yr-old to manipulate without close supervision.3. Good variety of slides - from insects to plants to such things as salt and blood cells.4. Enough slides to keep occupied for a while but eventually the child will need to repeat, and that review and gaining of familiarity is when real incremental learning can take place. IMO, it's exactly the right number of starter slides.5. Bindi, Bindi, Bindi!!! As the voice of the toy, her high young tone has an excited childlike quality, so my child completely took to this as 'playing with a fun friend' rather than being asked to sit still or learn something. Do I want to listen to her pitch for an hour? - maybe not so much, but it was genius for them to use her. Very effective for the kiddos.CONS:1. The slides have a flat side and a grooved side and must go under the "microscope" magnifier flat side down or the notches don't fit in their slots to activate the sound. But you can't SEE the difference in one side vs. the other - you can only feel it. This can be difficult for a young child to perform and produces frustration when they're putting the slide in the right place but they can't get their pal Bindi to talk. I don't think this would be a problem for a 6-7 year old, but in the 4-5 age range, it's an issue.

First all the kids wanted to check this out - the 6, 4 and 2 yr old. It was a gift for the 4 yr old. It keeps her attention and gives great bite sized info and facts about each thing. Each slide has 3 versions/stages of the theme or item - ie: dandelion, butterfly, housefly, blood cells. Bindi gives info and facts about each of the three images across the slide as the slide is moved to each image. The slides have sets of teeth in them to go into the slot on the scope. If it's not quote seated all the way you might end up with Bindi telling you about a different creature - ie: we learned this when the snowflake slide started talking about the black widow spider. Not a flaw, just user error - so some kids may have trouble at first getting the slides seated and then they have to be lifted out and the teeth put in for the next image in the slide. Sounds more complex the way I'm explaining - the 4 yr old caught on just fine.Kiddo now peppers me with facts about spiders and red blood cells. Over all it is higher quality than I expected and I'm QUITE pleased with it and would definitely buy it again for another kiddo and definitely recommend.

perfect gift to keep grandson busy! easy to use - very child friendly