REVIEW: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler Learning Toy Smart Stages Chair

Review by Jon Donnis

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler Learning Toy Smart Stages Chair in pink is an electronic learning seat designed for children aged one year and above, built around lights, music and interactive features with more than 120 songs, sounds and phrases that respond when a child sits down, stands up or presses different elements of the chair. It includes an attached flipbook, a light-up pretend remote control and a lift-up seat cushion with "hidden surprises", (no actual hidden surprises, just a place for your child to put toys to keep them safes etc), all aimed at early learning through cause and effect while introducing colours, shapes, numbers, counting and opposites. 

The three Smart Stages levels are designed to grow with the child, starting with simple exploration from around 12 months, moving into more guided learning around 18 months, and then into early imaginative play from around 24 months, with language options in English, German and French.

What stands out first is how easy it is to put together, which makes the initial setup relatively painless. Once in use, the sound quality is clear, with music and phrases that are easy for a toddler to respond to without becoming chaotic or muddled. The interactivity is the main strength, as the seat itself activates sounds when a child sits or stands, while the flipbook and remote buttons add further reactions, giving multiple ways for a child to engage. In practice, this keeps a near one year old entertained, and there is a reasonable expectation that it will continue to be used as they grow into the next stages of learning.

There are, however, practical downsides that are hard to ignore. Batteries are not included, which delays immediate use and adds an extra step before it can be enjoyed. More importantly, stability is a concern, as the chair can tip if a standing child pushes against the back of the seat, which was literally the first thing my baby decided to do. If that happens, there is also a risk of feet becoming caught as it shifts, which makes constant supervision necessary during play. For safer use, it needs to be positioned against a wall or solid surface to reduce movement and improve stability.

At around £23 on Amazon, it represents fair value for a toddler learning toy with strong interactive features and clear educational intent, but the safety concerns around tipping do affect how confidently it can be used day to day. It scores a 7 out of 10.

Buy From Amazon at https://amzn.to/4eoKs5x