TekyGo! Squeezie: An Innovative New Toy For Kids
It is no secret that tablets and electronics have become a new favorite “toy” for kids. Phones, tablets, TV, and computers are all things our children will grow up using much more than we did. While I prefer to get outside and keep them moving as much as possible, we still spend a fair amount of time inside due to heat and rain in the area we live. Personally, I don’t mind my four boys having some screen time, but I do feel the content has to be monitored and at a certain point they need to be more active. When TekyGo! first reached out about their new product, the Squeezie, I was immediately intrigued to hear that it combined screen time with an interactive plush toy. The keyword for me being interactive. The plush is an adorable kangaroo, named Baby Roo, or the TekyGo! robot. After two weeks of observing my boys playing with the Squeezie, it is safe to say I would definitely recommend this toy to other moms looking for a way to incorporate physical play time with screen time.
The Setup
The TekyGo! Portal is a sensor that connects to the plush making it a fun controller for the games. It is easily installed by plugging it into an HDMI and following the prompts to allow the sensor and controller to sync. You have to charge the plush before syncing it to the portal, but once that is done it only takes a few minutes to complete the setup. My kids helped with the process and it added to the excitement. The basic remote control allows young kids (at least my four year olds) to learn how to use it without the assistance of a parent. The new games must then be installed and saved to the library, no need to reinstall every time. Once the devices are synced and the games are installed, it’s play time!
The Games
While the games are simple, they are also effective at getting the kids involved. My four year old triplets and six year old love using Baby Roo as a controller. You have to squeeze (hence the name), move, or spin the plush to play. Each game instructs the player on what to do using pictures that are easily interpreted and most provide a practice/tutorial on how to play. The gamers work towards winning trophies, hitting milestones, and trying to get better scores. This encourages them to play on repeat and also helps them feel a sense of accomplishment. The movements often get them on their feet and moving around, which I prefer over them just staring at a screen. The graphics are really cute and appropriate, nothing too mature. My kids love robots, animals, dinosaurs, dancing, and racing, which is all incorporated in some of the games. I am happy to say we have not had any issues with figuring out how to play them or with the sensor connecting, which was a concern of mine before testing it out.
The App
The TekyGo! App can be downloaded on your mobile device and connects to the portal. It tracks your children’s activities and milestones per profile added. You can see what your kids have been up to and how much GoPower they have earned. This helps them work towards goals and is a fun way for them to see their own progress. It also provides you with the popularity status of the games, which I find helpful. The app is not a requirement to play with the TekyGo!, just a cool feature.
The Extras
Apart from the very innovative new style of gaming for kids, the Squeezie has some extra cool features that make it even more special.
- It is well made and seems very durable. Since it is a ball inside of the plush cover, it makes it soft and difficult to break. They can throw, shake, squeeze, and even kick it without worry. So far, my boys have not broken it and they are rough!
- The cover can be removed and is washable. I love this feature because they all want to share and snuggle with it. Four boys come with a lot of germs, but also, they have a lot of spills and messes that could possibly get on it as well. This feature makes it easy to clean, which is a definite win for a mom.
- There are a lot of games and TekyGo! releases a new one every month. We all know kids get bored easily and if they were expected to play the same games every time it would get old real quick. I love that there is always something to look forward to with this gaming system!
My kids enjoy the TekyGo! Squeezie and so do I. It keeps them busy so I can actually get things done when I need to, but is also great for a rainy day when you are stuck inside. It gets their busy bodies moving and interacting, which is exciting entertainment for everyone. To learn more about the Squeezie and other products from TekyGo!, just click here.
