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.

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 Average rating - 4.0

Rating - 2 Date: 2008-11-21
Content: My son is 21 months old, and he loves Elmo. When he sees Elmo on TV, he always wants to hug the TV. He has other stuffed Elmos that he always carries around and hugs. However, this Elmo Live completely scares him. I think it is the lifelike movement. I know every child is different, but this thing completely freaks mine out.

The problem with this toy is that it is way too LOUD. The voice is too loud and the gears grinding are much too loud. There is no volume control.

Additionally, the phrases and jokes and movements are so repetitive. I've been trying to get it to do different things just to see if there is anything about this toy that my son enjoys, and I've failed.

My son likes this toy best when Elmo is silent. But I don't need to spend $60 on an Elmo that isn't even all that soft.
Summary: My kid is scared of it

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-20
Content: Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RDTHY14RSOMYW Elmo Live will capture your child's imagination with his trademark infectious happiness. He waves his arms, dances, sits on his stool, tells jokes and stories, shows your child how much he loves him/her, laughs, sneezes -- everything you would expect an animated Elmo to do. Other than some mechanical grinding as he moves, Elmo is all cute. This little guy is a blast!

-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann
Summary: He's Cute, Funny, and Animated!

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-20
Content: I received this very quickly and as described...brand new. I wish I had shopped for a better price as I see these online for half the price I paid.
Summary: Elmo Live Doll

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-11-17
Content: I FELT LIKE I GOT RIPPED OFF.. THE PRICE I PAID ON AMAZON WAS $25 MORE THAN I SAW THE OTHER DAY IN SAM'S CLUB...AND I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING THE BEST PRICE OUT THERE...

BE CAREFUL WHAT AND WHERE YOU BUY
Summary: ELMO LIVE RIPOFFS

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-17
Content: Product is as advertised and quite entertaining for my 18 months old grandson. He had seen it a birthday party and fell it love with it so I decided to buy one for him.
Summary: Excellent toy for 18 month old child