Toy Review: Fisher Price - Easy Link Internet Launch Pad

As someone who uses the Internet all the time and has all kinds of work documents stored on my computer, I am so glad that Fisher Price came up with the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad. I know when I have more little ones I will be using this with them. In the meantime, I can tell you about what happened when I let my 3 1/2 year old nephew, Lil B, play with the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad.

First, I should explain that my brother (Lil B’s dad) uses his computer almost exclusively for work. He is computer competent, but he wasn’t born in the Internet age (he’s about ten years older then I am) and he can only do enough to accomplish his work goals. Anything beyond that requires a call to me. I come over and either setup a program, show him what to do, or fix whatever problem he is having. The thing he does not need is Lil B on his computer. He is terrified of the thought of his son deleting his work or going someplace online that he shouldn’t. Until now, Lil B has been computer banned.

Now, with the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad, Lil B can learn about the Internet and computers in a fun, innovative and safe way. My brother is able to let Lil B on his computer and he can take a deep breath as he doesn’t have to worry about losing any files or finding Lil B at one of those 18+ websites that kids always seem to find through those pesky pop ups. This is perhaps one of the best kid-friendly computer inventions I’ve found to date.

Requirements:
The Easy Link Internet Launch Pad hooks up to your computer through the USB port. Obviously, you are going to need a computer. Unfortunately, not every computer is going to suffice. The minimum requirements for using the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad are as follows:

-Microsoft Windows OS – XP, 2000, or Vista (DOES NOT WORK WITH MAC)
-A processor with at least 750 MHz
-128 MB of RAM
-100 MB of available Hard Drive space
-USB Port
-Internet Connection

In the box for the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad, you receive the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad, CD-Rom Software, USB Cable, and Three smart keys. The smart keys that are included are the adorable Fisher Price Puppy, Elmo, and The Dragon Tales Two-Headed Dragon.

Basics
The Fisher Price Easy Link Internet Launch Pad is a great toy. It is recommended for children who are age 3 and up. This is, in my opinion, the perfect age to get this toy for your child. The Easy Link Internet Launch Pad allows your child to browse websites that are safe without the fear of having them wander off to a site they shouldn’t go to thanks to Internet history, advertisements, or popups. With the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad, all of these things are blocked. If your child tries to click an advertisement on the page they are allowed to visit, it will making a dinging sound, but nothing else will happen. The awesome thing about this toy is that it also blocks children from accessing your hard drive, computer settings, private computer files and anything else on your computer.

Your child uses a mouse and the arrows on their Easy Link Internet Launch Pad to navigate around to the site that is accessible through the smart keys. When you place a smart key on the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad, your child is able to travel to the website of the character that has been placed on the pad. For example, the Elmo smart key goes to the Sesame Street website. Once there, the child can play child friendly games and surf around the kid-safe, Elmo website without access to any other website on the web.

The Easy Link Internet Launch Pad has parental controls, which include a parental timer. You can set the timer for as long as you want to allow your child online. Once the timer says time is up, your child will be unable to use the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad. This helps to teach your child about time limits and prevents them from wanting to stay on too long or not listening when they are asked to get off the computer. The parental controls on the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad allow for the return to normal computer modes by putting in a password. Your child won’t be able to access anything else on the computer without the password. This safety feature makes it easy to step away from the computer for a moment or two without having your child going places they shouldn’t go.

In Depth Information
After I helped my brother install the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad and everything was hooked up to his computer, we let Lil B take over. I don’t recommend this or any toy as a babysitter. You will still need to keep an eye on your child, especially if they are small. I sat nearby on my own laptop, and did some work while I kept an eye on him as he played. From the moment he placed Elmo into the Launch Pad it was as if no one else existed to Lil B. He felt like such a big kid because he had the chance to use the Internet and computer on his own. It was fun to see his reaction as he played.

I had set the timer for 45 minutes. In that time, he had the chance to play plenty of games with Elmo including online coloring activities. He then switched to the Dragon Tales, which he absolutely loved. While Elmo was one of his favorites, he seemed to enjoy the other two smart keys, as well. We’re already looking into getting him the Bob the Builder and Thomas the Train smart keys. Other smart keys include Arthur, Barney, Clifford, and The Wiggles. I am sure he will soon have all of the smart keys, and the fun he will have with them is sure to last at least a couple of years.

Bottom Line:
The Easy Link Internet Launch Pad is a great toy for children over the age of three. The safety features of this toy, by Fisher Price, make it worth the purchase. If you are looking for a way to have your small child learn about the Internet and allow them to have their first experiences on a computer then this is the safest way to do so. Your child will enjoy the freedom to be online as they get to play like “big kids” and you will love the fact that their experience is safe for both them and your computer files and settings. This is at the top of the Hot Holiday Picks list and it comes highly recommended.

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Technorati Tags: Fisher Price, Easy Link Internet Launch Pad, Toy, Computer, Elmo, Dragon Tales, Fisher Price Dog, Smart Keys

Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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Ashtyn lives in her home state of Michigan with her life partner, Dominick, her 14 year old son, and her baby, the Shih-Tzu, Oliver Twist. Ashtyn is in college, going for a degree in Psychology. She plans to get her Ph.D and work as a therapist in the field of human sexuality. Ashtyn is an experienced and talented chef. She also excels at writing and has worked as a professional writer for the past five years. Ashtyn enjoys spending time with her son and four year old nephew, watching movies, listening to music, and writing works of fiction.

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