Learning Resources Carlos The Pop And Count Cactus Review

Reviewed by Lindsay Burton

Working in a school, I am always scanning the supermarket shelves, looking for any educational toys that would meet all the Early Years Foundation Stage milestones AND would make an exciting and fun addition for the children. I then had the opportunity to review this innovative toy and realised that this item would be ideal for any preschool classroom as well as any home or playroom. And here’s why! It’s adorable! It’s tough and made from very durable plastic so it is ideal for youngsters who are discovering the world around them and investigating and learning through play. Learning Resources make toys that are recommended by teachers, trusted by parents and loved by children. Being educational play experts, it’s guaranteed not to only be instructive, it is easy to play with, entertaining and loads of fun! With tactile pieces made for active play, this fun cactus toy encourages and inspires little hands to grab and grow. It is simple to use and encourages little minds to think creatively and find new ways to try and make the pieces fit. Through pushing and twisting the brightly coloured flowers and spikes into Carlos the Pop & Count Cactus, children strengthen their wrists, thumbs, and forefingers. This supports them to build the hand strength and coordination they require to do fine motor-dependent tasks such as feeding themselves, getting dressed and eventually tying their shoelaces and brushing their teeth. The Pop & Count Cactus from Learning Resources helps kids develop early counting in this learning oasis!

In addition to boosting fine motor skills, Carlo’s colourful flowers, numbered spikes, and textured pot also helps children to learn how to count, identifying colours from warm reds to cool blues, and discover their sensory skills! When playtime is over, Carlos’s spikes and flowers can be kept inside the cactus for easy-clean-up and tidy, ready for the next time for investigative play. With this toy, from Learning Resources, your child will be helped on their journey to becoming the person they will become one day, whether they’re an architect, a grade A student or just an overall fantastic child.

Carlos the Pop & Count Cactus comes with 10 numbered spikes and 4 colourful flowers. As children grab, push, pull, and twist these, they build essential fine motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and bilateral coordination through fun play.

The tactile spikes are numbered 1-10 and have a fun texture for sensory play. Use these to build early number skills such as counting and place value.

After playtime is over, the pieces are easy to wipe clean and store inside Carlos ready for next time.
Includes 2-piece cactus, 10 numbered spike pieces, 4 colourful flowers, and Activity Guide.

This toy would make an ideal gift for Christmas and would make any 18 months to five-year-old child happy and excited.

Rating: This item is definitely one to add to your shopping list and I rate this item as 5 out of 5.

RRP: It retails at £16.00 and can be purchased from here.