Appropriate for a 4-year-old?

[holly]

I am considering getting a Pleo for my son's 4th birthday. The price is considerably more than I would usually spend, though I'm trying to rationalize it by figuring I'll combine what I'd spend with what his great-grandmother usually sends him... and get him one quality gift rather than smaller toys that will break in a matter of months!
I'm worried though that he'll lose interest in it (though I think I'D get pretty attached!). Or on the flip side, he'll get TOO attached, if that makes any sense.
Anyone have a 4-year-old?

[pleoWhisperer]

My concern would more likely be a 4-year-old being too rough on a pleo.

[fancyfont]

I've noticed it really depends on the child. Some I wouldn't trust with a Pleo Most of the kids I have encountered in Peeky's outings are pretty gentle. Four year olds need lots of supervising

[HJPotter]

I don't think it would hold his interest for that long and/or he won't really understand it. It's kind of pricey for a 4 year old imo.

[wgb]

I have to agree on the holding attention and also being a little hard on Pleo. Lot of $$ for a 4 year IMO

[degers]

I really wouldn't recommend Pleo for a four year old. Sorry!

[pleoguy101]

I showed my pleo to my little cousin, he's 4 or maybe 5. he was interested in it for aout 10 minutes. I'd just buy it for yourself for now:-D;-)

[holly]

Thanks everyone for the honest answers. I don't think he would be too rough with it, but the attention span issue is probably a valid point. (though he can sit and listen to long, long books for hours!)
Sigh. Maybe in a few years.

[mweed]

You can always get pleo for yourself. ;)

[wgb]

I agree get it for yourself. Let him play when you do. ;-)

[Allosaurus]

Get it for yourself! Yes! DO!

[degers]

Yeah, I really would buy for yourself! :)

[fancyfont]

There's no question that your four year old, to be, would be thrilled just to watch Pleo. But it does sound like you would enjoy this little dino too.:)

[pleoWhisperer]

As a "family toy" your 4-year old can enjoy playing with the pleo under adult supervision, and the play time can be appropiately limited so that he won't get bored as quickly.

[Allosaurus]

If you trust them, I'd say yes.

[P1e0]

I have a two year old nephew who simply loves Ferdinand. There have been times when he pulled his tail or nocked him over so I'm sure a gentle four year old is fine. Just watch him.

[Allosaurus]

But opnly if you trust him....

[June03]

My kid turns 4 soon, and we got the Pleo "from the Easter Bunny" this year. The Pleo is his own pet, althoughI help him with the battery (he isn't allowed to remove or charge it). That said my kid is used to handling things with care, so I'm not worried that Pleo will break.

Must say my kid is not overly impressed with the Pleo... he appreciates the aibo so much more. He has only turned Pleo on twice since Easter. Otherwise I switch Pleo on and tell the kid to come and play... which he usually does not... Like last week Pleo was coughing with a cold, kid asks fom the other room 'what's that noise' I tell him 'Poor Pleo is sick, awww' kid replies 'oh' and doesn't even bother to come over and take a look... Also if I turn Pleo on and leave him around his room, he'll almost always switch him off...

Of his friends I don't think any (3-4 year old) have really shown much interest in Pleo. But a visiting 6or7 year old boy was really interested/excited about it, his parents told me he's really into dinosaurs though. So I guess if the kid is interested in dinosaurs it might be worth it. But none of the 4year olds we know are interested, to be honest. I'm much more interested in Pleo than the kids ;)

But I'm still happy I got Pleo (for 600+usd they're pricey in Europe) because I hope he'll be interested in a few years. Anyhow, it's a piece of robotic history. And I'm an early adopter of gadgets, lol.

[Allosaurus]

I'll be mad playing when I get mine.