Minimum Age: 18 months Rating: Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Talking, moving Elmo doll provides interactive fun for kids of many ages The Bad: Speaking voice is sometimes difficult to understand In a Nutshell: Elmo Live! has more movements and actions than ever, making for even more realistic, interactive play for children of many ages. At a Glance Ages: 18 months and up Requires: 6 AA batteries, Phillips screwdriver

Elmo's always appreciates a hug. View Larger.

Interactive gestures bring Elmo to life. View larger.

Moving, Talking, Dancing Elmo!
Elmo Live! features the furry, bright-red exterior and the big eyes characteristic of the popular Sesame Street character. He features complex actions that give him a life-like quality: His mouth and head move while he talks, sings, and tells stories; he gestures with his arms, and he moves his legs. He even crosses his legs when he sits on the included stool.

We found him very easy to play with -- just press his buttons to get him going. Press Elmo's foot and he will sit down on his stool to tell you a story. He even gestures to act out parts of his stories! Squeeze his nose, and he'll make a variety of silly sounds; he'll even ask you if you "have his nose" and ask you to give it back to him. Squeeze his hand, and he'll dance. Elmo even blows kisses, asks for hugs, and says he loves you. He tells jokes, acts ticklish, and more.

When he's laid on his back, or if your child doesn't play with him for a while, Elmo will go into a battery-save mode. He'll yawn, say he's tired, and shut down. Just press one of his buttons to get him going again.

Interactive Fun for Kids of Many Ages
We particularly enjoyed that, unlike some other "talking" toys, Elmo Live! doesn't just spout programmed phrases. Instead, he asks for interaction, and he responds as if your child is responding to him. For example, when he will ask for a hug and then say "thank you" as if he's received one, or he'll say he's ticklish and then will "respond" as if your child is tickling him. This makes an almost magical experience for your child, as if her toy is really coming to life.

The wide variety of things that Elmo Live! can do makes him a great toy to grow with your child. Younger children can engage in cause-and-effect play by simply pressing Elmo's buttons to see what he does. Our two-year-old tester was especially delighted with the silly sounds Elmo makes when his nose is squeezed. Understandably, her attention meandered during the somewhat lengthy stories. However, an older child will have the attention span and comprehension skills to appreciate them, as well as the silly jokes that Elmo tells.

Tips on Playing with Elmo! Live
Elmo makes lots of fun movements and gestures -- the only slight drawback is that his movements generate a somewhat loud, mechanical sound that sometimes interferes with being able to understand what Elmo is saying. He also has to be on a hard, flat surface -- otherwise he has a tendency to fall over. This in itself has a fun effect, however. When he falls over, Elmo asks you to help him back up again, and when he's put back upright, he'll say "thank you." Also, since his nose has to be squeezed with a bit of force to activate him, our two-year-old tester sometimes needed assistance with it.

Elmo Live! comes with 6 AA batteries. A Phillips screwdriver is required to replace them.

What's in the Box
Elmo Live! doll, with 6 AA batteries included




Customer Reviews

Great entertainment! Posted 05 March 2009
My daughter had seen Elmo in different shops and was always drawn to him, but never heard him speak, so was a little worried that he would scare her when she heard him for the first time, but she just laughed! Panic over!
She hasn't quite figured out that other parts of his body have "pressy buttons" so at the moment, we hear the 2 stories over and over again as she keeps pressing his foot...
When we get to press the buttons, it's always the belly first so Elmo dances...this is so funny to watch as she dances and jumps up and down like crazy with him.
Other reviewers have commented about hearing the noise of the mechanics of Elmo, and yes, you do hear some whirring, but it's not off-putting, and you soon ignore it...
All in all, am glad we now have a new addition to the family, Elmo is really good fun, both for young and old alike.

Elmo is educational and entertaining! Posted 24 February 2009
Elmo Live! is a bargain! It was easy to get him started and he is alot of fun. Our 1 year old is attentive and responds well to Elmo. There is plenty of "variety" (jokes, music, stories) and the toy is designed to take a beating. Elmo Live! is a toy that gets played with everyday and the "story" function is a wonderful way to end the day. Our family and friends (adults) want their own Elmo! Love it!

great toy Posted 24 February 2009
I bought this for my 2 year old grandson's birthday. He loves it but I think his mom and dad love it even more!

Good Toy, But Not A Toy to Carry Around Posted 21 February 2009
ok - my son is 17 months old and we got this for him for his Christmas present when he was 15 months old. At this age, toddlers like to carry stuff around and hold things in their hands - in this case, Elmo Live is not a practical toy. He enjoys Elmo but he wants to carry him around and he is always twisting his arms and holding him by his eyes, etc (he is a boy) so we think Elmo's life expectancy is short if this keeps happening. He is not cushy - if he was, I think our son would like him more. He is entertaining - but kids like to TOUCH and HOLD toys, not just look at them. And after awhile, Elmo drives mama and daddy crazy :)