For a while I couldn't justify purchasing the Moluk Bilibo, although I just kept coming back to it.
Here's what I'm thinking, I think there's two types of children who would like it.
1) the kid that needs the extra sensory support & the kid that's 2) low to no tech kid.
1) My 6.9year old son needs a great deal of sensory input. I hate the term "ADHD" but it really is the best way to describe it without going into a great deal of explanation. This is some of the stuff we have done to try to help him focus.
We homeschool, so he plays outside for about 2hrs (that's basketball, riding his bike, soccer, football, lots of tag and running) essentially he exherts himself until he's ready to sit and work. I do as much as he feels he can concentrate on with in 30-45minutes & then we break for a snack. Then he listens in on lessons done with his older siblings (history, science, read alouds) & he gains a lot of knowledge merely by being involved that way. We have also gotten him signed up for MMA which he goes to about 4 times a week for about 3hrs a day. In between those days he does a 30minute trampoline MMA style workout with YouTube.
You'd think with all of that physical activity he'd be okay as far as his sensory needs are concerned. Yet I was frustrated by his rolling around on the floor, flipping off the couch, sitting upside down, etc... I have a strict, "no horse play" in the house rule especially because we have small children that tend to get kicked as they are walking by or as they're sitting on the couch but he had these needs.
I gave in & bought the Bilibo & it was like Christmas for him. He was so thrilled with it. He uses it every day & there are time where his energy is a bit overwhelming & I say "please go use your spiny thing" & he runs off to do that. He comes back down & says "mom, I think I can sit now". My other kids have really liked it as well but since its more of a "therapy" tool then a toy, we have asked them to just let him have it to hisself, especially because they're much bigger than he is physically.
If I didn't have a toddler I would have him use it as we do some of the reading during school but if I allow him to do that the toddler would try to climb in with him & likely get hurt. So maybe when she's a little older & understand she can't climb in there with him.
2. I think we need to know our audience. I don't think that the techi kid would enjoy this toy/tool. I really don't want to offend anyone or get anyone riled up. I'm not intending on starting a debate or trying to guilt anyone but there are countless studies that have been done on brains that have shown how a child's brain (a person's brain) is changed by the use of technology. Essentially it is rewired to need constant media input. There's so many links to ADD, ADHD, etc... That being said, if your child is really into the tech stuff, the likelihood of him/her liking this toy is probably slim, you might want to save your money, I hope I was clear, that it wasn't a judgement on your parenting, just a hope at saving you some money on a thing your kid was likely going to find boring. Think: a large brown box. If your kid would hate a large brown box as a gift, she/he'd likely hate this gift. A brain that is very stimulated would likely find this toy incredibly boring. I know that personally my brain is so over stimulated that I watch tv with my iPad on and also my smartphone on. While I watch one thing on tv, I google things on my phone & I look through sites with my iPad. It's so upsetting to me that my brain needs the super stimulation. I personally as a kid would have hated the Bilibo, just like I hated Legos. Best thing I've ever built out of Legos was "a wall" lol Know your audience to save yourself the aggravation of buying something they won't enjoy or use.
I hope that my review has been helpful. Much luck.
We originally bought two of these for our first two. When the third came along we knew we would be getting a third. (He's now two. The brothers are 4 & 7.) Bilibos are incredibly awesome. They're overpriced as anything, but they're rock solid (even for an adult to jump on), they slide and spin great, and they function much less like specific toys in our house so much as a spacious, colorful bowl of fun. They're chairs, crazy masks, step stools, toy haulers, caves to adventure in, train tunnels, cleanup buckets, and more. Trust me, you and your kiddos will all end up using your Bilibos far more often than you would expect for far more things than you could ever predict. Yes, they're pricey, but you won't ever regret the purchase for one moment. All three kiddos play with them and I don't foresee that changing for many years to come. I also don't expect any of them to ever wear out. Our first two are ~4 years old now and aside from some minor cosmetic scuffing they're still in exactly the same condition we got them in, despite having been used in the snow (both for sledding, which worked poorly, and for hauling snow for snowmen and snowballs, which worked perfect), in the grass (for dragging like a wagon), on the tile (spinning and sliding), and on carpet (for yet more spinning and sliding).
This Bilibo Blue seat is great for rocking. Working with developmentally challenged students they often need sensory breaks. Something that gives them a break from academic work but not just 'do nothing' time. This seat is wonderful. Students can use this as a rocker. It sits on the floor and looks like it wouldn't hold anyone. I work with intermediate elementary and my biggest students can sit in this and rock. It helps calm them down by giving them sensory input. It helps with coordination since they have to balance a bit. It also allows for imaginary play.
I bought this for my autistic 4 year old boy for Christmas and he LOVES it! He spins around in it on the ktichen floor and laughs and laughs! He also likes the feeling of just sitting in it while he watches his iPad or we read books. It is a really great solution for getting this busy boy to SIT STILL! He has such a hard time with that, but if he sits in this thing, he'll stay put a little longer because he can balance, rock back and forth and because it seems to hug him just right to feel good.
The quality and durability of this item is very very good. It's not some cheap, thin, flimsy plastic that is going to chip, scratch or crack easily, which is a big deal in our house because this boy is HARD on toys!
$30 still feels a little high for what it is, but I really won't complain too much about that because it's so well made and he enjoys it so much. I highly recommend this toy for autistic kids or any kid! My nieces (5 and 8) also love the "turtle shell"!
I did NOT receive this item for free or at a discount.
My 2, 3, and 4 year old grandchildren love it. It's been a spinning chair, a 'snail shell', a bucket of sorts, a rocker, etc...they are always thinking of a new way to play with it. (I need to order two more because they also fight over it A LOT. They LOVE it.) The only negatives I've seen with it are that sometimes fingers get smashed between it and the floor when they are rocking/spinning in it and once, one rocked a little too hard and bumped their head on the floor. They were not seriously hurt but I thought I'd point that out so parents and caregivers are aware it can happen. Overall, it's a great toy and I do plan to buy more.
Feature Product
- Deceptively simple, elegantly shaped and magically attractive, the Bilibo inspires creative, imaginative, limitless play for boys and girls
- The iconic shell shape and bright colors are immediately appealing, arousing curiosity, intrigue and commanding immediate attention
- The award winning Bilibo was designed in Switzerland in conjunction with child development experts
- Made from nontoxic, shatterproof polyethylene it is incredibly durable and appropriate for both indoor and outdoor play
- Stimulating creativity and open-ended play for kids ages 2+
Description
Deceptively simple and magically attractive, Bilibo's iconic shell shape and bright colors immediately appeal to children. Developed in collaboration with childhood development experts, Bilibo's unique form arouses curiosity, engages the imagination, and encourages creativity. Both boys and girls find unlimited ways to play with Bilibos – using them to rock in, spin in, hide under, sit on, tote with, and peek through. Bilibo provides hours of fun, indoors and out: at home, at the park, at the beach, in water, and even on snow.
My 20 month old niece really likes her bilibo. She likes to sit in it and read her books, and sometimes she uses her feet to turn herself around and around while she sits in it. She’s a little too young and cautious to actually pick her feet up and spin, but maybe she will do that when she gets older. She also likes when grownups put the bilibo on their heads like a hat. She carries it from grown up to grown-up, saying mommy hat! Daddy hat! Grandma hat! so we know it’s our turn to put it on our heads.
I bought this for my friends little girl on her second birthday. I would have to say that it was the number one gift at the party with her as well as her friends up to 10 years of age! I loved the color (we ordered yellow) and how well it was made. I would say it was a win win because the second best attraction at the party was the large box it came in! I have another one arriving for my 2 year old nieces birthday this weekend!
I was skeptical about spending $30 on a random toy but my kids love them. There are no instructions. Anything goes. We bring these togetherness and kids love them once they realize there are no rules. Super durable hard plastic. My kids have thrown these, they step on them, carry stuff in them. This is definitely along then lines of the cardboard box phenomena with kids.
At first my 19mo had no idea what to do with this. No worries, my 6yo and no problems. Now a month later it is a chair, stool, helmet, sorting bucket.... the ideas just keep coming.
I bought the Bilibo for my 5 year old niece years ago. It's been such a hit, I had to come back and write this review.
I pride myself on finding unique, fun toys for my nieces and nephews on Christmas. I always try to find something the kids can enjoy immediately on Christmas day. Compared to the other toys I've bought them, this was the best Christmas present I've ever purchased. Not only did they love it right away, 6 years later they still play with it all the time. This is THE most loved toy at the house. I bought the Bilibo for my niece, who was 5 at the time. She's now 11 and still plays with it. Her sister, who's 7, plays with it, and their 4 year old brother also plays with it.
Pros:
-Nearly Indestructible. I challenge any child to break this thing.
-Easy to use. There's absolutely no wrong way to play with it.
-Fosters creativity. These kids have been playing with this thing for years, and they're still finding new ways to play with it.
Cons:
-None. If I had to find something negative to say, I'd say you might want to find a large area in the house to play with it. Oftentimes they like to spin around in it and we need to move some chairs out of the way.
I can't recommend the Bilibo enough!
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