We received our first ever Fisher-price Octonaut toy when Abby was 3 and was really into Octonauts. She has asked Santa for the Octopod, and she was such a happy babe when she's received it from him!
When Clay started loving Octonauts (and really loving it!), she has kindly let him take over her favourite Christmas present, and our collection of Octonauts toys has been growing ever since. You can see the collection in our previous review for Tweak's Octo Max Suit, plus Gup-E and Gup-B that Clay received for his 3rd Birthday after the review. We should have taken another picture but the toys are scattered now as we are half packing!
Knowing Clay's passion for The Octonauts, the lovely people at Mattel has kindly sent him the latest Octonauts toy to review - Gup-S Polar Exploration Vehicle, and oh my it is so cool!
This is one of the times when I wish I had a camera facing my child when they first saw something they love. Clay spotted Gup-S sitting on the window sill (where I left it after taking pictures) when he came home from nursery and he went: "WHAAAWW!" That look was absolutely priceless! The picture above was taken when he ran to the Gup-S and played with it for the first time. At least I caught something on camera!
The Octonauts Gup-S Polar Exploration Vehicle appeared in episode 6 of The Over, Under Adventure series. The Fisher-Price toy is retailed at £34.99, suitable for 3 years plus and comes with 3 AAA batteries. The play set includes Gup-S, Captain Barnacles in a snow suit, Narwhal, 2 mini-skis, three interchangable tools and an iceberg.
The Gup-S, like the one in the show, can be split into 2 vehicles - Octo-sled (head of the Gup-S) and Octo-Shuttle (body of the Gup-S). When the Octo-Sled is being removed and attached back to the Octo-Shuttle, it will activate the light, sound and phrases. You can also activate it by pressing the red button on the side of the Octo-Shuttle (see below). The retractable treads will pop open when the red button is pressed as well.
Note: Abby discovered the obvious, that pressing down the tail will lift the lid (Command Centre) easier. Silly mummy!
As mentioned in our previous review, we noticed that Fisher-Price has been improving their designs for easier play. With Gup-A we had to help Clay fix the windscreen all the time. The shield for Gup B and E were sturdier, and the one for the Octo Max Suit was strongest and hasn't fallen off at all.
The Gup-S however, doesn't have a shield. Judging from its design, if it does have one, it might be one of those that will become loose and fall off as well. We don't mind really, it looks more realistic with the shield, but not too big a problem without it. It's more convenient for Clay to reach inside as well.
Clay absolutely love the Gup-S and it makes a really cool addition to all the other Gups he has! We love the light and sound, and how each part functions. The mini-skis are cute and fun to play with too. The night he received the Gup-S, he wanted a bath with it! It's definitely not recommended as it will ruin the light and sound function, but I let him bring the mini-skis, barnacle and the narwhal in, and he was really happy! I just wish I took a video of him seeing the Gup-S for the first time!
I think Gup-S will make any Octonaut fans really happy this Christmas. Do you have an Octonauts fan at home as well?