Mirari Pop Pop Piano
(Patch Products $27.99) Platinum Award
We ran into this at the Museum of Modern Art and had to wait a long while for a turn. Kids of all ages were drawn to this tot-sized keyboard with a see-through dome where music making also sets the colorful plastic stars in action. Pop, pop is right. Hit the keys and the stars pop up and jump from one cylinder to another. There are two sound modes, one musical the other funny sound effects; both pleasant enough. Older players may try to play tunes or get the colors into the matching cylinder; for babies this is more of an instant gratification toy that empowers their sense of being able to make things happen. Marked for 1 and up, we'd say this will be enjoyed even by sitting up babies who are gaining control of their hand movements.
Ages: Infants and Toddlers.
