As a parent, I don’t offer recommendations lightly. That stance holds, even when it comes to toys. First of all, no one needs more living room clutter. And second, in my experience, toys are rarely one-size-fits-all. What might offer hours of independent play for one kid doesn’t always mean the same for the next. But once in a while a unicorn comes along. I’m talking about a toy that’s screen-free, mess-free and entertaining enough to appeal to both a 4-year-old, his parents and all of his cousins (ranging from 1-6 years old).
What is this top-notch toy, you ask? Why, the Little Tikes Story Dream Machine. My son first received this storytelling projector as a Christmas gift from his Nonni last year. Ugh, another light-up machine I thought, almost convinced that he’d lose interest within days (if not hours) and it would be relegated to our “donate” pile. That is, until we both discovered the magic of this little machine.
The Story Dream Machine is a mini projector that uses film cartridges to display stories onto a wall or ceiling. The stories (shown via images, like pages in a book) are narrated aloud and include lights and sounds to bring the pictures to life. But the best part? It’s super easy to use. Kid-friendly controls allow children to change the volume, fast forward and rewind with ease. When story time is over, the cartridges pop right out and your child can swap in a new one. You can also store the cartridges in three slots on the side of the projector for portability. Full disclosure: we purchased a case that holds our growing collection (I wasn’t kidding about loving this thing).
Speaking of collections, this holiday season the brand has launched their newest licensed story—the Dr. Seuss Starter Pack, complete with three favorites: I Am the Cat in the Hat, I Am Sam-I-Am, and We are Thing One and Thing Two. The Cat in the Hat character figurine, which comes with the set, adds to the story with fun light effects in nightlight mode.
