Can an 18-Month Old Boy Operate a Sit 'N Spin?

Updated on December 18, 2008
L.L. asks from Shawnee, KS
26 answers

I have an 18 month old son. I bought him a Sit n' Spin for Christmas. It was a great price and very cute. I was looking for things to keep active inside over the Winter. But, I am starting to worry that he is too young for it and that he won't be able to operate it. The box says it is age appropriate for 18 months to 3 years, but I thought I would check with the real experts. Do you think he can handle this? Should I return it? Thanks!

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K.T.

answers from Kansas City on

My 11 month old can operate one. He gets a few spins in now and then, but loves to push the buttons to make the music, use it to help him learn to balance, etc. He will definately find something he enjoys about it.

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

I have one that plays music and yes my kids did just fine with it.They fought over it when my daughter was younger she wasn't 1 yet but could still get on it and enjoy herself.

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S.L.

answers from Springfield on

Is it the green and orange one with the oval shaped seat? My 27 month old can't operate that one but she can operate the classic round one. If you do have the green and orange oval one write to Hasbro and they will replace it with the classic round. That design was discontinued, most kids couldn't use it.

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R.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My son received one for Christmas around 18 months, took him a few tries to figure it out, but not long! Of course now he only uses it standing up! So it is time for it to get put away until a younger sibling can use it some day!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I think it's fine, if he doesn't figure it out now, he will in the upcoming months.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Joplin on

Even if he needs some "help" at first I think he will be ok.
I remember seeing them in the "Twos" room at the daycare forever ago and they did great with them. My son is almost as old as your son and just about the time I say...he is too little for "insert whatever here" he goes and proves me wrong!
Good luck!
Merry Christmas!
B.

1 mom found this helpful

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

It might take him a little bit but I think he will have alot of fun trying. My daughter and Nephew love that thing! They like to get on it together! My nephew wasnt two yet and he really liked it. I think thats kind of a classic toy thats been around for awhile, so it must be a good one! Merry Christmas!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.D.

answers from Columbia on

Hi L.,
I have a 18mth old girl and she has had her sit &spin sinse, july.. she didn't figure it out right away but shes got it now!
GL,
Jenn

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K.C.

answers from Wichita on

It depends on the physical capabilities of the 18 m/o. My son used it for a ladder until he was about 2y/o & now he loves it! We have a chidren's trampoline (with a handle) that our 2 boys love. They make ones that fold up too.

God Bless & Merry Christmas!

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S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

He may not jump on it and know exactly how to work it, but I think an 18 month old has the potential to play on one. You may have to show him how it works and help him out a couple of times, but he will catch on. Even if he doesn't catch on right away he will grow into it. I think it is a great gift for an 18 month old.

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S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

It may take him a little while to figure it out, but I think he'll be fine. We had one for our girls and my oldest didn't care much for it, but my youngest was wild about that thing. We were always tripping over it in the kitchen (dosen't work real well on carpet). She would sit under the ceiling fan and try to keep up with the fan. She could really spin. She started playing with the sit-n-spin when she was about 16 or 18 months and it took her about a week or so to really figure it out but she got it and loved it!!

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Hi L., I wouldn't take it back. He will get the hang of it soon and have a wonderful time. Even if you turn it for him a little bit.
I got our son's one when they were young like your little guy. They loved it and remember it still. They both bought one for their little ones.

Merry CHRISTmas L. to you and yours
K. Nana of 5

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B.S.

answers from Joplin on

Yes ! He can do it. I had one here for my grandkids (until they wore it out ! LOL !) At least one of them was a bit younger than 18 months when he played with it, but he learned by watching the other 2 kids.

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter got one at 1 and had no trouble working it. Those are just guidelines. She and her sister played with it until they were to heavy for it to spin and they were 6 or 7 when that happened. They loved theirs. You brought up memories of them having spinning contests to see who could spin the longest. I'd forgotten about that. Thanks. Good luck and God Bless.

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A.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Thanks for asking this! My question exactly!

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L.B.

answers from St. Joseph on

If you don't think he can handle it, hang on to it and give it to him as a present from the Easter Bunny....the EB doesn't bring too much candy to our house (the kids just don't need it and neither do mommy/daddy! LOL) so he gives them little presents instead... Frankly, I think he'll do fine with it...I got my kids one of the jump-o-lenes (sort of a mini indoor bounce house) and they loved it...I even got some of those colored balls like they have in the ball pits...they would spend HOURS doing nothing but that! Just another idea.

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C.V.

answers from Kansas City on

Yes! Kids catch on quick!My son was doing his sister's before I thought he was capable

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F.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Actually, I think my 12 mo old knows how to use ours. They don't use it exactly how toys are suppose to be used. I have to keep our baby from wanting to stand on it so he can climb onto it to get to things he isn't suppose to be able to get to. As long as he is supervised, I would say he could definitely use it.

And, as far as age recommendations. The manufacturer would like a parent to use it for as little time as possible to ensure that you'll buy more toys more often than you need to :) I would say that my 4-5 (and 6yo) children enjoy this sit and spin toy just as much, if not more than the 12-24mo age range. So, don't be surprised if he doesn't show too much interest, although I am sure he will once you show it to him. But, if he doesn't, put it up for a while and he will enjoy it later anyway.

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

he will probably figure it out pretty quick. I also had one of these when my kids were little and not sure how old when they got it but they caught on fast and if he doesn't get it at first he will get it soon. I think my son was around 2 when we got it. My kids enjoyed it and played on it until they were 3 or 4 so it will last several years as long as big kids don't get on it.

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R.I.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm a daycare provider and I have a Sit 'n Spin for the kids to use indoors. It takes them all a few tries, no matter what their age, to get the hand action figured out. But it should be fine for your little guy. He'll be growing right into it soon. And with boys, they are just as facinated to turn it over and watch how it works anyways.

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S.N.

answers from Kansas City on

I think it will be a challenge. Just my thoughts based on one my kids have.

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A.P.

answers from Kansas City on

My mom bought our youngest son a Sit 'n Spin for his first birthday, he loves it now. From personal experience if he isn't ready for it now, he will be in a few months when his other Christmas presents have lost their new shine. We try to buy fun toys (with an educational value) and use our personal judgement about the age appropriateness for our boys. We bought our 2 year old Mega Blocks (with an age rating of 3 and up) based on his maturity level and his interest right now.
Good luck,
Alex

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C.W.

answers from St. Louis on

It took my 19 month old a couple of days to figure it out... but he did!

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L.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Good morning,L.! We got a Sit 'n Spin for our now 3 year old daughter for Christmas last year, when she had just turned 2. She didn't quite get how to operate it herself. She loved to sit on it and have us spin her though. So, be prepared to do some spinning!

Good luck on the not overdoing it for Christmas!!

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H.L.

answers from St. Louis on

He'll love it! Sure you'll have to teach him how to use it for a while and spin him around, but that will give you guys some fun qualily playtime together! He'll love that too! It took my daughter my daughter a while to get a hang of it but she ended up having a sit n spin not only at our house, but she had one a grandma's too! The best gift ever! Kids LOVE feeling dizzy!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! ~H.

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C.W.

answers from Kansas City on

We got my son the same thing at the same age... He liked it but ended up with no interest in it as it was hard for him to manuaver by himself, especially on carpet.

Good Luck!

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