The Meadow : Review of a Toddler-Safe Computer Game From ClickToy Interactive

As the parent of a toddler I’ve found that many computer games that are marketed for toddlers just don’t meet our needs. The game play tends to be too complicated, too time consuming and have linear storylines that little ones are easily bored with. In addition to that, a toddler can be out of the game and “chatting” online quicker than mom or dad can say, “What button did you just…?”

Clicktoy Interactive, a Vancouver-based, parent-run company, is addressing the unique needs of toddlers with a new computer program called, The Meadow. In The Meadow toddlers will find four beautiful scenes set in a meadow. In addition to high-quality, colorful images of the environment and a variety of animals, your toddler will enjoy bird songs, frogs and other sounds of nature.

Toddlers are able to easily maneuver through the four scenes with the use of only two buttons. While most programs have the pressure of points, time limits and limited variability, The Meadow offers toddlers and parents the chance to explore nature at their own pace and to follow their own lines of interest. The Meadow is a program that was designed to do more than just appeal to toddlers. It was designed to be used by toddlers.

Your toddler can freely push computer keys to cause different actions to occur on screen. Much of the enjoyment in The Meadow is the surprise your child gets with each push of a button. Causing bunnies to hug and roll down hills is fun, but wait until your toddler finds the key that causes the donkey to kick the fence or the acorn to fall on the cow’s head. Even older children will venture into the room for some of the fun.

ClickToy uses it’s own ClickSafe technology to create what it calls a “software playpen” which prevents toddlers from exiting the game and ending up elsewhere on your computer or the internet. I encouraged my children (even the older ones) to push buttons as they wanted. I even gave it the ultimate test and left the room while they did so. They were never able to navigate away from The Meadow (and believe me, they tried!).

The Meadow is available in 19 different languages. It is the first in a series of programs designed for children ages 1 year and older. You can purchase The Meadow online for $20 US/CDN.

Keep in mind that The Meadow is only available for Windows-based computers at this time. Also check the system requirements to be sure that your computer meets the minimum specifications to run the program. Clicktoy is working on updates so that the program is compatible with older computers.

My overall impression of The Meadow is that it is a fun and engaging program that is worth the purchase. You can view a demo of The Meadow on YouTube.