Learning Resources Spike Hedgehog Review: Fine Motor Sensory Toys (2023)

Hi there! Today, I’ll be sharing my review of the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog.

Pros and Cons:

What We Liked

• The chunky, peg-shaped pieces are easy for toddlers to grasp and hold.
• The hedgehog is a fun and engaging way for kids to develop their fine motor skills.
• The colorful quills help with color recognition, sorting, and counting skills.
• The toy is versatile and can be used for various activities like stacking, counting, and pretend play.
• The size of the quills and hedgehog make it safe for young toddlers.

What Can Be Improved

• Some customers have mentioned that the pieces can split open and may pose a choking hazard if chewed on.
• The product packaging could be improved to prevent damage during shipping.

Quick Verdict:

The Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog is a great educational toy for toddlers. It helps develop their fine motor skills, color recognition, sorting, and counting abilities. The chunky pieces are easy for little hands to hold and the hedgehog design is engaging and visually appealing.

However, there have been some concerns about the durability of the pieces and the packaging. Despite these drawbacks, this toy provides excellent learning opportunities for young children. If you’re looking for a gift that combines fun and educational value, this is definitely worth considering.

You can find the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog here.

Unboxing – What’s Inside?

I recently purchased Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog from Amazon as I was looking for a fun and educational toy for my 18-month-old toddler. The delivery was really fast, taking only a couple of days to arrive at my doorstep.

When I opened the box, I found 14 chunky, peg-shaped “quills” and a cute hedgehog toy. The quills were colorful and sturdy, perfect for little hands to grip and play with. They were also interchangeable, allowing my toddler to have endless fun creating different patterns on the hedgehog’s back. The hedgehog itself had a friendly face, and its back had slots where the quills could be inserted. It was adorable and instantly attracted my child’s attention.

Specifications

The Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog is manufactured by Learning Resources, a well-known company in the toy industry. It falls under the categories of Toys & Games, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten Toys. The toy was released on April 1, 2019, and is still available, not discontinued. It has received a remarkable average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from a whopping 49,653 customer reviews. The product is made in China and weighs 0.8 ounces. Its dimensions are 9.1 x 9.1 x 3.9 inches.

Documentation

The user guide or documentation provided with the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog was incredibly helpful. It explained in detail how to use the toy, the different ways it can be played with, and the educational benefits it offers. The guide also provided some suggestions for activities that promote fine motor skills and sensory development. I found the user guide very comprehensive and user-friendly.

If you want to check out the user guide yourself, you can find it here.

Features – What We Found

Fine Motor Skill Development

The Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog is designed to help children build their fine motor skills. The chunky, peg-shaped pieces can be easily grasped and fit into the back of the hedgehog. By manipulating these pieces and placing them into the hedgehog, children can strengthen their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

This toy is especially beneficial for children who may require occupational therapy exercises. The act of placing the pieces into the hedgehog can help children improve their fine motor skills and develop the muscles in their hands and fingers. It provides a fun and engaging way for children to work on their motor skills.

Pro Tip: Encourage your child to use different grasping techniques, such as the pincer grasp (using the thumb and index finger), to enhance their fine motor skills while playing with Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog.

Color Recognition, Sorting, and Counting Skills

The colorful quills of Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog not only make the toy visually appealing, but they also serve as a tool for learning. Children can use the quills to practice color recognition, sorting, and counting skills.

By asking children to sort the quills by color or count how many quills are of each color, this toy helps them develop important cognitive skills. The tactile and visual nature of the quills adds a hands-on element to the learning experience, making it more engaging and interactive.

If you’re looking to purchase the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog, you can find it here.

Easy-to-Grasp Pieces for Toddlers

This fine motor set is specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers, with easy-to-grasp pieces that are just the right size for their little hands. The size of the pieces ensures that children can hold and manipulate them comfortably, promoting independence and confidence in their motor skills.

The two-piece hedgehog, measuring about 6 inches in diameter, is a perfect size for young children to handle. The quills are also of an appropriate size, allowing children to easily grasp and insert them into the hedgehog without frustration.

With this toy, children can develop their fine motor skills while enjoying an age-appropriate and challenging activity.

Convenient Storage

After playtime, the quills can be easily stored inside the hedgehog, providing a convenient and tidy storage solution. This ensures that the pieces do not get lost or scattered around, making cleanup simpler and quicker.

The easy storage feature not only helps keep the play area organized but also teaches children about responsibility and taking care of their toys. They can learn to put away their toys after playing, promoting good habits and a sense of order.

Pro Tip: Encourage your child to develop a routine of cleaning up and storing their toys after playtime. Make it part of their daily routine to enhance their organizational skills.

Ideal Gift for Learning

Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just because, the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog makes an ideal gift for children. It combines the joy of play with valuable educational benefits.

With this toy, children can engage in sensory play, improve their fine motor skills, and enhance their cognitive abilities. It’s a versatile toy that can be used for individual play or shared play sessions, fostering social and cooperative play.

By gifting this toy, you not only provide entertainment but also facilitate learning and development. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, providing new learning opportunities and endless fun.

Scores and Review

Our Score: 93.0

I recently purchased the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog for my toddler, and it has quickly become one of her favorite toys. The chunky, peg-shaped pieces are perfect for her little hands to grasp and fit onto the hedgehog’s back. Not only does this toy help develop her fine motor skills, but it also promotes color recognition, sorting, and counting skills. The colorful quills are engaging and make learning fun.

What I especially love about this toy is its versatility. It can be used for occupational therapy exercises, making it a valuable tool for children with special needs. Additionally, the toy is safe for toddlers, as the quill pieces are not small enough to be a choking hazard. The easy storage feature allows for quick clean-up, making it convenient for busy parents.

In summary, the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog is a fantastic educational toy for toddlers. Its durability, educational value, and ability to engage children make it a worthwhile purchase. I highly recommend this toy for parents who want to promote their child’s fine motor skills and cognitive development. You can find more information about the product here.

Best combination

If you’re looking to enhance your child’s fine motor skills while also providing them with a fun and educational toy, then I highly suggest pairing the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Baby Learning Toy Smart Stages Piggy Bank.

The Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog is the perfect companion to the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Piggy Bank. With its colorful quills and easy-to-grip pieces, this toy is designed to help toddlers develop their fine motor skills while also promoting sensory exploration and problem-solving abilities. The different patterns on the quills also provide a great opportunity for children to practice sorting and matching skills.

By combining the Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog with the Laugh & Learn Piggy Bank, you’re providing your child with a well-rounded learning experience. The Laugh & Learn Piggy Bank introduces numbers, counting, and shapes to your child through songs, sounds, and phrases. This, combined with the fine motor skills practice from Spike The Hedgehog, creates an engaging and educational playtime experience.

Investing in both the Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog and the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Baby Learning Toy Smart Stages Piggy Bank will ensure that your child is not only having fun but also developing important skills that will benefit them in their future education.