Fun pods? Any good? Waste of money?

[FlatEartha]

My Little Duckling (18m nearly) is keen to join in cooking, washing up and other worktop-level mess making. I've seen these Fun Pod http://www.littlehelper.co.uk/product.php?id=9 things, not least used by Archiesdad (I think). They look like a chair wrapped in cardboard packaging with the top open so that young uns can stand on them safely and join in high level activities (ahem, banana muffins). At the moment duckling stands - rather wobbily - on a chair and I pray she won't fall off. Should I just wrap said chair in cardboard packaging until it gets soggy, or should I spend £100+ on a registered trademark item made out of wood? (Apols to anyone who also sees this on MN, I wish to cast net far and wide for advice and to discover if anyone has actually forked out for one).

[kin_paniscus]

we love ours. we got the one that's part high chair. the chair is currently felix's chair for the living room, and the funpod gets used by xylia or felix in the kitchen. felix can climb out of it, and has been able to do so since he was about 18 months, but so long as he's doing something interesting, he doesn't attempt to climb out.

xylia doesn't use it so much now, because felix does so much and she's perfectly capable to stand on a normal stool.

but yeah, i'm glad we have ours. it was a gift (thankfully!) but one of the best gifts we've had.

[loubeedee]

We got one just recently - I got fed up after M fell off her chair numerous times while trying to help out with various benchtop activities... M loves "washing up" too so that keeps her busy for a good amount of time after the baking/cooking etc. It's a lot to spend but since L will be able to use it too I didn't mind too much. I have found it's rather bulky and even though we have a reasonably sized kitchen I've had to squeeze it into the corner of the dining room and to be quite honest, it ain't the prettiest thing in the world, but it is useful

[Plarka3]

I've put dd on a chair next to me since she was about 18 months. She was very wobbly for a while and it always made me nervous but she has never fallen off or come close to it. Now she's 2.5 and totally stable, and I'm glad we never bought one of those. We did fine without it. Plus...the space it would take up.....

[FlossiesMum]

I love ours. I agree it was pricey, but F loves to help in it. If she's helping me cook, when I have a baby to look after too (although he's in a wrap on my back most of the time so pretty easy) I don't need the extra stress of worrying she'll fall off a chair.

Yes it's a big investment. But I expect ours to be used by both of them over several years. We've only had it since just before Christmas but I don't think a day has gone by when she hasn't used it. It is generally used several times a day as she likes to 'help' with various tasks - making cups of tea etc.

[petitemum]

Ours is good too, we got it a couple of weeks ago. BabyBear (1.5 years) was happy in it playing with some colorful papers while I frosted about 60 cupcakes for a birthday. Peek a boo is a favourite game he plays with us while in it. The gliders on the bottom are great for moving it about the kitchen. But as he wants to practice cruising and he's still too young to really participate in cooking, he doesn't like being in it too long -- 30 minutes max.

It's good value for us though as we spend a lot of time cooking, baking and doing the inevitable cleanup, so any time BabyBear can spend with us in the kitchen without having to be watched in a separate room is great.

[Zsmum]

I probably would have bought one of these if our kitchen wasn't so tiny, and I am occasionally jealous of how close to the cooker Archie gets while still looking relatively safe. But I didn't buy one, and don't regret it, as Z stands well on a chair, and has done since she could not stand alone. Yes, she has fallen off on a couple of occasions, and she has subsequently learned to be more careful. She cooks with me every day and loves helping with the washing up and is occasionally even useful!

Now she is a bit steadier, she likes to stand on her own steps. We bought these recently to help her reach the loo and basin, and they are small and compact and I also use them for reaching high shelves. They fit in our house and only cost £25.

I think that although they are undoubtedly good, it is easy to manage without a funpod.

[handstand79]

We got ours after Christmas with Christmas money and it is used lots every day. J asks to go in it even when I don't need him in it and he also loves playing peekaboo. Give him a few plastic bowls and plates and access to the cutlery draw to sort things out and he's quite happy while we wash up or get meals ready. It has been one of the best things we've bought and worth every penny. But I'm sure we'd have managed without! We were at the point though where he wanted picking up as soon as we tried doing something in the kitchen. Turns out he was just worried what he was missing out on! It has made life so much easier! He also loves pressing the buttons on the microwave in it Oh well! If it keeps him amused!!! Can't wait till we get to the stage where he wants to help with cooking!

[VickiG]

yes we love ours too - makes getting meal ready and tidying up afterwards soooooooo much easier

there is even a whole other thread on them and tips to get money off - not sure if those offers will still be there but worth a try if you go for it.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4928&hilit=funpod


v.x

[louisianablue2000]

We didn't bother, it seemed like one of those things that would seem essential for a short while but then you'd have to wean them onto the 'grown-up' alternative. But we don't have stairgates so maybe I'm just playing fast and loose with my child's safety!

[weasley]

Hiya,
I really wanted one as Scoot cannot be trusted on a chair; he's fallen off a few times and tries to climb up the back/off the side etc. However , I just couldn't bring myself to pay that price for it so my dad made me one. It's made from plywood and is probably a little sketchy looking compared to the real deal, but it cost under £30 and does the same job. Scoot loves to cook and wash up and now he can join in and I can actually get on with things rather than standing there holding on to him.