Dancing squid — with lights, music and a fishing rod

Put it down and it goes. Tentacles flailing, fins lit up, music on, wriggling across the floor away from whoever wants it — and there is a rod in the box for hooking it back.

What it builds

• Crawling and then chasing, because it moves away and has to be followed
• Aim and timing, since catching a moving thing on a hook takes more than one go
• Taking turns — one child runs it, the other fishes for it
• Laughing, which is most of what this toy is for

Why we stock it

We are careful about toys that do the playing for the child, and this one nearly is. It earns its place because of the rod. Without it the squid performs and the child watches; with it there is a game, the child sets the terms, and the toy is the thing being played with rather than the thing putting on a show.

The details

Age

3 and up

In use

Floor toy. Not for the bath.

Moves

Crawls, spins, waves its arms

Lights

Both fins, while it runs

Sound

Built-in music

Power

Rechargeable, USB cable included

Also in the box

Fishing rod with a line and hook

In the box

The squid, the rod, and a USB cable. Charge it before the first go and there is nothing else to fit or fetch — no AA batteries, no screwdriver for a battery hatch.

Care

Wipe it with a damp cloth and keep it out of water — it is a floor toy with a motor and a charging port, not a bath toy, whatever it looks like. Charge it when the music slows down. Keep the rod with it; the line tangles if it goes in a toy box loose.