Brilliant Basics Friendly Flip Phone (review)

Sponsored by Nuffnang

Well, it’s that time again, another goody for the kids sent to us from the lovely folk at Nuffnang. This time, the kids were thrilled to find the new Mattel Friendly Flip Phone delivered to their home just for them to try out.

It couldn’t have come at a better time for us, actually. Missy 1 has an obsession with phones, and loves to turn on the landline phone, have a long natter, then leave it turned on in some wonderful hidden place in the house. As much as we like to foster her imaginative play, it can get tedious when we try to make a phone call, and have to first find the phone in order to switch it off to use it. Oh, the joys…

I had actually been checking out toy phones in the hope of redirecting her play away from the real thing, and each time I looked in the shops, the offerings were pretty boring, and I didn’t see much chance of them holding her attention for very long.

This phone is for children from six months and up. My almost two year old phone fanatic and three year old son could not leave this alone. Neither could I, for that matter, it’s so cute!

I was worried that there would be fights between my two youngest kids, but it really fostered co-operative play between both kids. I had to encourage them to take turns, and when they did, the child using it wanted to show the other which picture came up on the display when they flipped open the phone. Every time the phone is opened, it emits this magical, tinkly music that builds the anticipation, and then one of a variety of animal pictures is shown on the rotating blocks.

Mr 3 got excited each time he closed it, and would ask, ‘I wonder what animal it will be this time?’ with a coy giggle. He’d show Missy 1, and she too was able to join in the fun. When it was her turn, she’d babble into the handset, having a very deep and meaningful conversation with some make-believe person. Even she wanted to show her big brother the new picture each time she opened it, at which they both would giggle.

Mr 3 also enjoyed looking at and saying the numbers on the keypad, and of course, pressing them to hear the beeping sounds. The top button plays different tunes and has a realistic ringtone.

This phone is really sturdy yet easy for small hands to open and close, helping to develop their fine motor skills as they play. It teaches little kids cause and effect as they experiment with the buttons and opening and closing it.

The Friendly Flip Phone is brilliant for nurturing childrens’ emotional development as they play out different roles, talking into the phone. I had a few red-faced moments, as I slowly began to realise via my children what I sound like when I’m  on the phone! It’s also an excellent toy to build a child’s language skills, as they are encouraged to vocalise through their pretend play. My son was able to build further on this by telling me what the phone does, guessing what it would do next, naming the animals and numbers. An often-forgotten aspect of language development is also listening skills, and this toy nurtures that as well, with the sounds and tunes it plays.

I’m actually really glad I didn’t buy any of the other toy phones I saw at the shops. I didn’t see any that were as good as this one, it’s just so chunky and adorable! I especially loved that it’s not too noisy. Missy 1 might have to watch out that I don’t start knicking her phone from now on…

I’ll leave you with a little video of my two youngest kids playing with this cool phone in their own unique ways. I really wanted to capture for anyone reading this, just what it looks and sounds like. I must admit, the resulting video gave me a giggle, and I hope you enjoy it, too.