Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)In order to put jack back in the box it must be in between songs. If you try to relatch it once the music has begun it doesn't work. That is clearly stated in the instructions but is very difficult for a one or a two year old to understand.
I feel that the kids who enjoy this the most are babies through age two. The sad thing is that the "reloading" of Jack is nearly impossible for these aged children. Even when they "get" how to push Jack down, hold him there, close the lid and snap the tiny latch, they have difficulty stopping the music at the exact point in which "reloading" is possible. All kids I've seen use it love to continue to wind the crank and make the music continue.
Perhaps they could redesign it so that the music won't play until Jack is back in the box. Then the kids would understand when to put Jack back in the box.
I bought this when my first born was one year old and he loved the toy but became frustrated with putting Jack back in the box.
The challenge with "reloading" extended to my second child and for every child-visitor. Frustration abounds! The only way to successfully use this with the very young to avoid tantrums is for the adult to sit with the child and help them as they need it. When they were very young and most-upset about this, I put it on a high shelf until the next time.
When my first turned three he finally "got it" and was able to play with it by himself.
The beauty of this is that it has a classic look. Other jack in the boxes I've seen have TV characters on them or other non-traditional characters. Also I like the "Pop goes the weasel" tune. I have seen others with different songs and even with electronic sounding music---YUCK!
We've owned this for over 4 years and it has not broken yet. The paint is in very good shape, it is not peeling from some defect (as others have reported). Most times now it is not stuck on a high shelf, so it is played with often.
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