Should I pre-hatch before Christmas?

[Graysaint]

First time poster here, with a question.

I am getting a Pleo for my sister and her family this Christmas (well, hopefull, assuming Best Buy ships prior...but that is a different story). What I am concerned about is how sensitive is Pleo when he is in the hatching stage. My sister has five children ranging from 8 to 18, and I am not sure how rough they will be with Pleo initially.

I'm not talking "abuse", but they are not likely to understand what Pleo really is initially. I don't feel that I can count on my sister to regulate activity during the crazy Christmas mornings that they have.

What I am wondering is should I consider Pre-hatching Pleo for them, in a more controlled environment, so that he is in Puppy stage when they first use him. How critical is the hatching stage to development?

Suggestions?

Thanks
Graysaint

[Sondo]

I would definitely pre-charge the battery (four hours). The kids don't seem too young, so they might enjoy watching the "hatching" transformation take place. It requires a little patience, but Pleo is indeed doing some interesting things. He becomes more and more active, fairly quickly. But you should probably give them an overview of the process, tell them some patience will be required, and by mid-day, Pleo will be the active playmate they have nurtured along.

[bradray]

My daughters are getting a Pleo for Christmas and being unfamiliar with it I'm wondering if I need to prepare before Christmas morning. They have no idea and I was considering unboxing it and having it out and waiting to hatch before they wake. Or should I just let them do the unwrapping and unboxing as well?

I believe Pleo arrives with a partial charge, but are most fullying charging their batteries before hatching?

I'm curious what others are planning who are also giving this as a Christmas gift.

[kchamster]

I would precharge it but not prehatch it...they'll love hatching it...I know I did!! so yes pre charge and they will appriciate it!! (hopefully :))

[PleoWorldHostCami]

My daughters are getting a Pleo for Christmas and being unfamiliar with it I'm wondering if I need to prepare before Christmas morning. They have no idea and I was considering unboxing it and having it out and waiting to hatch before they wake. Or should I just let them do the unwrapping and unboxing as well?

I believe Pleo arrives with a partial charge, but are most fullying charging their batteries before hatching?

I'm curious what others are planning who are also giving this as a Christmas gift.

I agree with kchamster. I would definitely precharge the batteries before.

[Tastentier]

I'd not only open the box to precharge the battery but also to air the Pleo. Its skin has a chemical kind of smell to it that needs a moment to air out.

[Siren]

I got Pleo in the mail last week, as soon as my daughter was asleep, I opened it up, charged the battery, and put the Pleo back into the box with a fully charged battery. Ready for IMMEDIATE play on Christmas morning.

Nothing is more frustrating to a child than waiting 3 hours to play with a toy they just opened :) I would fully recommend opening it up and charging it and then pack it back in. Your child won't know it was already opened :)

[pleoman]

I got Pleo in the mail last week, as soon as my daughter was asleep, I opened it up, charged the battery, and put the Pleo back into the box with a fully charged battery. Ready for IMMEDIATE play on Christmas morning.

Nothing is more frustrating to a child than waiting 3 hours to play with a toy they just opened :) I would fully recommend opening it up and charging it and then pack it back in. Your child won't know it was already opened :)

I agree i have bought a talking mater tow truck (from the Cars film) for my nephew for christmas and i have included extra batteries for it as the batteries included are for 'demonstration purposes only' and would probably only last a few minutes of play.