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- Vtech's Smart Shots Sports Center features a basketball hoop, a soccer net, and many interactive buttons and manipulatives.
- The light-up backboard and catchy songs encourage my daughter to keep playing longer than she would otherwise.
Toys that light up and make noise are ubiquitous in many households today, but they're not always the most engaging. They often tout learning benefits, including features that help to teach kids colors, letters, numbers, and other simple concepts. Despite these claims, kids don't often interact with these toys for as long as parents would like, and playing with the toys usually doesn't result in meaningful learning.
Any toy that does light up and talk has to both impress me and engage my daughter if I'm going to keep it around. The Vtech Smart Shots Sports Center that my daughter and I recently got a chance to test checks both of those boxes.
While the toy does light up and make noise, it's designed to be an active, rather than passive learning toy that invites parents to play with their kids. The main draw is the basketball hoop and soccer net, but the sounds and interactive features keep my daughter playing longer than she would with a regular net or hoop.
Smart Shots Sports Center Features
The sports center comes with a basketball, a soccer ball, an interactive basketball hoop, and a soccer net. The sensors detect when a ball goes in the hoop or net, and the toy responds with cheers, lights, and encouraging phrases. The hoop also counts baskets up to 10 and bends down for slam dunks.
In addition to the active sports elements, there are buttons and manipulatives that activate songs and phrases. These features are particularly engaging to kids at the lower end of the age range, which spans from 12-36 months. Two color options are available: red and black or yellow and blue.
Assembly was pretty simple; I had it together in less than 30 minutes. At first, I tried to assemble it with a screwdriver, but I almost stripped a screw in the process. While not absolutely necessary, I found assembly much easier once I started using a screw gun.
What it's like to play with the Smart Shots Sports Center
When my 2-year-old plays with the sports center, she switches between basketball, soccer, and the interactive buttons and manipulatives. She's able to extend her play because there are so many options.
Standing only 24 inches tall, this toy is definitely small, which is what makes it ideal for young
Don't think this is just for toddlers, either — my husband and I have played some pretty intense games of HORSE and one-on-one soccer. We've fired some balls at it pretty hard, and it holds up very well. Because it's fun for us to play with too, it's a catalyst for family bonding. We enjoy introducing our daughter to the fundamentals of sports and getting lost in play together.
The cons
While durable, it is lightweight. If you have a child who is pulling to stand, the sports center might topple over on him or her.
As with any toy that plays songs, get ready to have some catchy melodies stuck in your head. While the toy can play quite a few songs if kids press the buttons, it defaults to the same songs over and over, and eventually, they were seared into my brain. The good news is that the songs don't continue playing indefinitely. After about 30 seconds of inactivity, the toy goes into sleep mode.
The bottom line
The Vtech Smart Shots Sports Center is a fun toddler toy that introduces even the youngest kids to sports. Kids who aren't even walking yet can play with the toy from a seated position and still be able to reach the basketball hoop.
Taller toddlers or those at the higher end of the recommended age range will probably be ready for a bigger toy. Check out this mini soccer net ($38) or this adjustable basketball hoop ($32).
This indoor toy helps keep my daughter entertained on cold or rainy days, and it fosters healthy competition and teamwork when the whole family joins in.
Pros: Multiple interactive elements keep toddlers entertained, quick assembly, durable, can play from seated position
Cons: Too small for taller and older toddlers, songs are repetitive