Doodlebops Dance Mat

• 1-4 players
• For ages 3 - 8 years
• 1 electronic dance console
• 4 20 x 20 inch dance mats
• 3 AA batteries (not included)

Very annoying!:
We got this as a gift for our 3 year old girl. My friend, who bought this, usually hits the nail right on the head when choosing games and toys for our girls...but, not this time, I'm afraid. It is very loud with no volume control and the speaker isn't flat on the back so you cannot cover it with something like a band aid to lessen the sound. DeeDee's voice is very annoying, like nails on a chalkboard! The "dance mats" are small felt-like fabric squares you lay on the floor. The child is then given directions like "Jump on DeeDee's key-tar", "Jump on Rooney's guitar"...hardly what I'd call dancing. Still, our three year old likes it (unfortunately), so I gave it two stars instead of three. I suppose it might help with listening and following directions and gaining coordination, too. That is, IF you can stand to listen to the loud and annoying noise in the first place. If you purchase this, buy earplugs for Mom and Dad!

Good:
I bought the dance mat as a gift for my niece who was 21 months at the time. She "loves" the Doodlebops so I thought she would enjoy it. I played it with her but found that there were not enough Doodlebop songs (like I assumed there would be). There was more talking than music it seemed. However, my niece didn't seem to mind because she just danced her little heart out!