Actimates Interactive Barney

One of the hottest toys this holiday season (1998) is the Actimates Interactive Barney doll. This toy is marketed to kids ages two to five. This is a good age bracket for this particular program and toy. My thirteen year old promptly announced that his "life was ruined" when the Barney doll showed up at our house. He proceeded to watch (without really "watching") as the toy ran it's testing courses with the younger kids. Very shortly thereafter he told me that he "thought this was pretty neat" and "thought younger kids would really like it." It reminded him of his old Teddy Ruxpin talking doll.

The Interactive Barney doll is sold seperately. You can then purchase VCR interactive videos or PC interactive computer programs. The doll talks and moves his arms in a fairly convincing manner for an electronic doll. He is very similar to all of the talking doll previously on the market physically with the exception of his moving arms. I would worry about a toddler breaking Barney's arms after a period of time, so you may want to invest in a 'huggable' and 'sleepable' version to be dragged around the house. The doll can be played with independent of any programs. By squeezing Barney's feet your child can hear one of seventeen different songs. The sensors in his hands activate twelve learning games. These are imagination games (of course,) as well as counting and A,B,C games. Barney has a 2,000 word vocabulary. As a result, you will not hear the same sentences over and over...although based on Barney's usual conversational style it may seem like you are hearing the same thing over and over if you are above the age of five. This is pure Barney, so if he drives you up a wall be forewarned. If your household is a Barney house, you will love this new doll.

The only problem we found with the doll itself is the sound quality. It is not bad, but there has been little if any improvement in audio quality since the days of Teddy Ruxpin and Talking Big Bird. Because the speakers are within the doll, it is difficult to hear him when you are watching the video at times. There is no volume switch to adjust the volume. While Barney automatically turns off when not in use, there is no "off" switch. As a result he sometimes continues talking when you would like him to be quiet. For example, my son is trying to get him to be quiet right now and made the mistake of turning the room lights off. Suddenly from the dark we hear "It's dark in here, where are you?" The whole house is roaring with laughter! It only takes a few minutes for him to shut down, but an off switch would be nice.

If you invest in the videos you will expand the usefulness of the doll. As the Barney video progresses, your child's doll will talk, move and sing along with the show. A radio transmitter plugged into the back of your VCR allows this interaction. In many major cities, the PBS television show is already being broadcast with the signals embedded allowing your Barney doll to interact with the television as well. More cities will be added later this year. During the video performances Barney's vocabulary increases to 4,000 words. Toddlers and young children will find this experience magical. This is far more "amazing" to a young child than the older talking dolls. This is truly an interactive experience between the doll and the television show.

The computer program is probably what you are most interested in if you are reading this newsletter. This is a very basic program as far as educational software goes. If it were a stand-alone program it would be alright, but nothing worth yelling from the mountain tops about. While using the computer Barney's vocabulary increased to 14,000 words. Barney's interactive role with the computer is more supportive and encouraging than anything else. The program consists of five activities and a video area for your children to visit. The games teach basic concepts like colors, shapes and counting, as well as number and letter recognition. The skills are valuable for toddlers and young children, but most five year old will find the program too easy even on the most difficult level. The fun is the interaction between Barney and the computer. As each game progresses, Barney talks to your child, gives him encouragement and ideas for success. Your kids will find their friends Baby Bop, BJ and Professor Tinkerputt here on the Imagination Island CD.

If you have a Barney fan at your house you will not go wrong with this product. It is a little bit pricey at just over $100 for the doll and around $35 for the PC/video package. Your toddlers will think you are wonderful if they find this as a gift this year. This one is a winner if you like Barney.

Grading for Actimates Interactive Barney

Educational value- 3
Entertainment value- 5
Use of medium- 5
Dollar value- 3
Age- 2-5

Microsoft is no longer making the Barney Actimates Doll. You can often find them on Ebay, however.