iPod for the Toddler Set: Win a Smart-E Bear

Posted by Debbie on Dec 2, 2008 | 196 Comments

Children of the 80s fondly remember Teddy Ruxpin, the storytelling bear. Now our children can fall in love with the new Smart-e Bear. 

Smart-e Bear is akin to a plush iPod. This soft stuffed animal has a hidden USB port which connects to your computer. You can program the Smart-e Bear to say your child’s name, and you can select from thousands of songs, games and stories. 

iPod users customize their playlists, but Smart-e Bear users create customized “playdates.” In just a few minutes, I created a “playdate” full of energetic songs, interactive stories and games (like Simon Says) as well as a “playdate” of lullabies and classic stories perfect for naptime or bedtime. Smart-e Bear is soft and cuddly, so your toddler can snuggle with him during naptime too. 

Smart-e Bear comes pre-loaded with over 90 minutes of songs, stories and games. You can download additional songs, stories and games online at www.smartebear.com. Currently, the only content offered is in English, but Spanish, French and Chinese songs and stories will be available soon.

Some content is free, but most songs are $0.99. Stories and games are $1.99. These prices are comparable to the iTunes store, which makes it affordable to buy new music and stories.  

I was a bit bummed that I couldn’t transfer my own mp3s and iTunes files of children’s music onto the Smart-e Bear, so I contacted Smart-e Bear’s customer service to ask them about it. According to the customer service rep, regular mp3 and iTunes files aren’t compatible yet with the Smart-e Bear software.

Given the highly interactive nature of the Smart-e Bear software, that explanation makes sense. When you turn on the Smart-e Bear, it greets your child by name and then asks if he wants to hear a song. Your child is instructed to “squeeze my hand” for yes or to “squeeze my foot” for no. The Smart-e Bear lists the names of available songs, games and stories. By squeezing the Smart-e Bear’s hands and feet, your child can choose which to play. 

I found the Smart-e Bear very easy to use, and my toddler absolutely tester loved it. So do the critics. The Smart-e Bear is a Dr. Toy’s Best 10 Technology Toys and Best 100 Toys pick, and it also won a Greatest Product Award from iParenting and a Gold Seal from NAPPA (the National Parenting Publications Awards). 

WANT IT: Buy Smart-e-Bear and his friends Smart-e Dog and Smart-e Cat online at Amazon.com for $79.99. 

WIN IT: Visit www.smartebear.com to check out the tour and leave us a comment by 11:59 PM EST, December 11 letting us know what you like best about the Smart-e Bear. U.S. Shipping Only.

Click here to find out how you can receive up to two extra entries.

This sweepstakes is part of our 12 Days of Giveaways. Remember to come back everyday for a new giveaway. Better yet, subscribe to our e-mail digest so you’ll never miss a hip review, chic sweeps, or fabulous deal.

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  • Noreen said:

    I like that it grows with your child and as your child grows older the games can change and stay age appropriate

  • Deirdre said:

    I like that there is a huge library of songs and stories so you can make it really personal for your child and choose songs/stories they love

  • LeeAnn P. said:

    I like that it can interact in different languages and that it grows with your child so they aren’t bored by it after two weeks!

  • EG said:

    Oh man, Teddy Ruxpin, that’s an old memory! I like that it has different games and options for different ages.

  • grubmama said:

    I like the fact that it grows with your child. Thank you!

  • Veronica Szymankiewicz said:

    I love the fact that the Smart-E Bear can be multilingual if you download the games and stories in different languages. It is perfect for my son who is bilingual. Thank you.
    four2vero@hotmail.com

  • Lori B said:

    I like the fact that it tells stories and that there is a large library of them!

  • lise said:

    It’s nice to know this toy will grow with my child. she gets either bored or uninterested with many of her toys as she gets older.

  • Connie said:

    I love the stories. So educational!

  • Stephanie V. said:

    love you can download to your child’s preferences like simon says or interactive stories!

  • Kerry said:

    I love that it can adapt to grow with your child, and that it is durable!

  • Diane said:

    Love how he learns your kid’s name and what your kid likes to do! This looks like an amazing interactive toy, one we’d love to have. I don’t normally go for the battery operated stuff, but this is definitely in a different class of toy.

  • Jen M said:

    I love that this toy is so interactive and encourages the child to participate. My daughter LOVES to sing.

  • ellen cunningham said:

    I like that you can download Simon Says. Thanks for the chance.

  • Nancy J said:

    I like that the music and stories downloadable to the smart-E bear are age appropriate.

  • Brenda S. said:

    I love the fact that the Smart-E Bear can be multilingual if you download the games and stories in different languages. Thanks!

  • Amy B. said:

    I love that you can do so much and it fits all age groups. Thanks for the chance to win this..

  • Babyluxe Dana said:

    I love it that the bear grows with you child, as your child’s interests changes, so can the bears. This looks amazing and it’s the first I’m hearing of it! Thanks for introducing me to Smart-E Bear!

  • Andrea F said:

    call it an MP3 for kids — don’t start them down the Ipod road….
    The multi-lingual part is appealing — language is learned by sound at the earliest ages — so just hearing the sounds while they develop an understanding is great. Thanks!

  • Andrea F said:

    i am registered. Thanks.

  • Andrea F said:

    I have a link to your holiday toys on my website.

  • judy brittle said:

    I like that it comes preloaded with songs and stories so no waiting and you can then add other downloads. My favorite is he will tell bedtime stories to the kids when they have trouble sleeping. I just love that smart little bear. Thank you!

  • Andrea F said:

    kirtsy MotherDuck hot holiday list

  • Elizabeth G said:

    I love that it comes in a pink cat as one of the options. My daughter loves both pink and cats.

  • Andreah said:

    I like that it comes pre programmed with over 90 songs, etc. That way you don’t have to immediately go out and purchase more songs if it’s not in your budget. =)

  • Andreah said:

    I tweeted. (andreashops)

  • Andreah said:

    I also posted about the guide on my blog.

    Here:
    http://mylifesahoot.blogspot.com/2008/12/hottest-toys-for-2008.html

  • Barbara Baker said:

    What a great way to teach the young ones their colors, numbers and sing those oh so cute songs!!!! I would love this for my five year old daughter this year…She would be so extatic…especially with the 5 little monkeys song (that is her favorite); you should hear her sing!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE COUNT ME IN FOR THIS ONE…PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!
    -barbarabaker

    Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

  • Cindi said:

    What will they think of next. I like how toys and learning are really coming together in this electronic world. It grows with your child and is huggable, too! I really like how it can speak another language. Please enter me in your fabulous giveaway drawing. Thanks, Cindi

  • Jeffrey W said:

    I like that it can grow with your child. This looks like a very good toy to have.

  • Ashley said:

    I love how it speaks in a different language – i’d choose french

  • Vickie Couturier said:

    I like the fact that it will grow with your child so that the level of play doesnt get too hard too fast,thanks

  • Carolyn said:

    You can program the Smart-e Bear to say your child’s name, and you can select from thousands of songs, games and stories. ;-) Thanks. Hope to win for my friend.

  • Cori Westphal said:

    I like how you can personalize it to your child. What kid doesn’t like that?

  • Brian said:

    I like the flexibility and the multi-language support.

  • Dee said:

    I have really been wanting one of these! I love that you can change it up and put new and different songs on there so it isnt always the same! THANKS for the chance!

  • Veronica L. said:

    I love the fact that it is multi-language but also has tons of songs which is what my kids love the best! Thanks for a great giveaway :)

  • Cynthia Shern said:

    Connect Click and Cuddle is a great feature. I love that you can download playlistsand organize them in folders for certain activity times like Bedtime, or Mom’s Favorites. JeansandTs@hotmail.com

  • Tracey Byram said:

    I like that it comes with over 90 minutes of stories, songs and games. It would take Tristan quite a while to get bored with it. Then I could always download new songs, stories and games.

  • Carrie Mahan said:

    It’s really great that it can grow with your child, so they don’t finish with it so quickly.

  • Margaret Smith said:

    I love that you can download additional stories and games and that the bear grows with your child. Thanks so much for this wonderful giveaway!

  • MRS.MOMMYY said:

    like how it is personalized for your child, and it grows with them- personalized as you pick what you like

  • stacey moore said:

    love that they offer games as well as stories!

    thanks!
    moore.g@insideconnect.net

  • stacey moore said:

    we blogged about the giveaway and sent an email!
    thanks!
    moore.g@insideconnect.net

  • stacey moore said:

    we sent a tweet about the giveaway and sent an email!
    thanks!
    moore.g@insideconnect.net

  • Jenn S. said:

    I love the interactive stories and games. It is neat that you can program it with your child’s name.

  • Dianne F. said:

    Kids just love it when they think something was made JUST for them. So many songs and games they would never tire of them. My grandaughters are little “hams” anyway. This would give them one more reason to perform.

  • christopher h said:

    youngest would love this

  • R Hicks said:

    Perfect as it grows with the kid. No more Static dolls or bears!

    ardy22 at earthlink.net

  • Carol said:

    I like how the Smart-E-Bear will not outgrow your child. It won’t become obsolete because you can continually add features. Neat giveaway!

  • Claudia Vitello said:

    OH BOY

  • Rebecca Snodgrass said:

    I love that it is for every age and that it has many games.

  • sandra kao said:

    i like that he grows with you/your child. longevity in a toy is hard to come by.

  • Kathy Scott said:

    I like that there a different levels so it grows with your child.

  • Adrienne Gordon said:

    I like that it says’ your childs’ name.

  • Ann Fantom said:

    This is a really great idea. I would like to win this for my daughter.

  • Kerry Ryan said:

    I love that it grows with your child, and wont just be a toy they use for a year

    Thanks!

  • Jeni said:

    I like that it grows with your child and you can download new stuff so they don’t stop playing with it

  • Diana said:

    I love all the choices for songs and stories and how you can personalize things for the kids.

  • veronica sandberg said:

    it grows with your child

  • Carrington said:

    I love the fact that its easy to use for the kids instead of traditional MP3’s. It’s adorable!

  • Vicky H. said:

    I love the ability for kids to interact with the Smart-Es through the games and stories.

  • Kim said:

    I like that my child won’t outgrow the toy in a few months. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!

  • Vicki Wurgler said:

    I love how it speaks in different languages and that it comes pre-loaded with over 90 minutes of songs, stories and games

  • Matthew Meisenhelder said:

    i like that there are so many stories.

    variety is key for kids

  • Misty VanEpps said:

    ok, so the kitty is so adorable and this is exactly what im looking for for my daughter.
    mommy2skie@yahoo.com

  • Kelly Ann T. said:

    I like the Zoo game but, I know the rest of the games would keep Holt busy too.

  • Cherie J said:

    I like the fact that it has age appropriate songs and stories that grow along with your child. Thanks for the contest!

  • susan varney said:

    you can download simon says

  • David Bertolo said:

    I am teaching my children to multilingual so the Spanish Language pack for Smart-e bear would be ideal.

  • Hil'Lesha said:

    I like that it can speak in different languages. :)

  • Autumn H. said:

    i also like the different languages – i am raising my child to be bilingual!

    autumn398 (at) yahoo.com

  • vicky said:

    the fact that there are different languages. My daughter is learning spanish. I like that it would grow with her as she gets older.

  • Suzanne Lewis said:

    I love the fact that it is multilingual.

    txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com

  • tara said:

    I love that kids can control what they want to hear. Great product!

  • tara said:

    I also blogged about you

  • amber said:

    Soo cute! I love that you can use different languages with the pets. How fun!

  • Dree said:

    I like that he plays in Spanish.

  • James Jenkins said:

    it can speak more than one language

  • Jennifer said:

    I honestly love everything about this bear. There is so much to describe. My favorite is the interactive stories. My daughter loves these.

  • Linda said:

    I like that it is for a wide age range since I have two grandsons, one 2 and the other 6

  • Teri said:

    AHHHHH! What’s not to love! Smart and adorable! Gotta have it!

  • Beverley Justice said:

    I like how you can personalize it to your child. My three year old grandson is autistic, and I think this would be helpful in encouraging him to speak.

  • Alicia said:

    what if

  • Cathie said:

    I love how it grows with your child. I’d love to have the Smart-eCat cause cats are my granddaughters favorite animals and pink is her favorite colors.

  • connie s. said:

    Interactive stories and games!!

  • ky2here said:

    I like the educational component while it’s still very fun.

  • Cathy M. said:

    I wish I had seen this bear before I started my holiday shopping – I think it is fantastic and would be a great friend to my son with autism who needs lots of repetition in order to learn!

  • Terri said:

    Love that you customize it how you want it.

  • Kirsten said:

    There is so much to say about it: Different languages, games, stories and it’s cute!

  • M.A. said:

    I like the multi-lingual aspect.

  • Susan Smith said:

    I like that it can interact in different languages

  • Monique Rizzo said:

    The fact that it actually grows with your child. Great contest!

  • A Casson said:

    Can speak more than 1 langauge, how precious~
    rangrace(at)hotmail.com

  • Betty N said:

    I like everything about this bear! The one thing that I think is outstanding is the amount of things available to download so that you can get songs/games/stories according to your child’s age and interest on a continuing basis.

  • Erica G said:

    The thing I like about the Smart E Bear is that you can download more than music! They have stories and games for children too :)

    Msrica03@aol.com

  • Erica G said:

    I posted the guide on my blog & sent you an Email.

    http://guerrasandoval.blogspot.com/2008/12/best-toys-for-holidays-2008.html

  • Lisa Fosses said:

    it adapts to your growing child

  • Erica G said:

    I twittered.
    (msrica03)

    Thanks

  • REBECCA TOWNER said:

    This would be great for the grandchildren-they would all benefit from it

  • Gloria Dornin said:

    I like that it is easy to use

  • Carolyn G said:

    I love that you can do what you want and customize the plush.

  • Donald H. said:

    I like that you can customize it.

  • Tara said:

    What I love is that my kids will never get bored!!! That the Bears “grow” with your child..thats pretty great!

    Tara
    cloudspassby78 (at) yahoo (dot) com

  • Cherie Hagooli said:

    ilike that it’s cute

  • Sara Amos said:

    I like how my child won’t outgrow it for a long while!! That’s great for the wallet

  • Tammy Kennedy said:

    This is the greatest idea for little kids. if I won I would like the classic stories and songs that my children grew up with.
    Thank you..

    Happy Holidays

    camper223[at]live[dot]com

  • Christie said:

    I like it that SmartE Bear can always have something fresh and new, every day if you want it to, just by downloading a new song or game.

  • R Hicks said:

    Nice that it “grows” with your child. Like the downloadable stuff too.

    ardy22 at earthlink.net

  • Kari Follett said:

    I love how interactive this is!

  • Kari Follett said:

    Im also a subscriber!!

  • Kobi Hendrix said:

    It adapts to grow with your child

  • Dddiva said:

    I love that it grows with your child. Not a lot of toys do that nowadays.

  • Christine W said:

    I love that the child won’t ever get tired of it because you can always download new software! I also love that it is interactive and mulit-lingual. Thanks for the chance, justicecw@hotmail.com

  • Carolyn D said:

    I like the amount of activities and games. No kid would be bored quickly!

  • Paula H said:

    I like that you can change the toy by downloading new things. It would be like getting a whole new toy!

  • Rosanne M said:

    I like that it grows as your child grows

  • Joseph said:

    I like that you can download so many features to fit your childs needs.

  • Sherri B. said:

    My favorite feature is that it grows with your child. I am so tired of one season toys. Nice to have something to use for years to come!!!

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

  • Brooke Allen said:

    I like that it has lots of songs and can say your child’s name.

  • Terra Heck said:

    I like that it’s educational and that you can select from thousands of songs, games and stories.

  • Carolsue said:

    I like that this can be personalized for your child!

  • Erma said:

    I love the fact that it is multi-language. Thanks for the chance to win.

  • jennefer sweitzer said:

    I like it greets your child by name and asks them questions and tells them how to particpate.

  • Kathy Conley said:

    Simon Says would be a great fun game to play! I like that they will have games in Spanish soon!

  • Paula said:

    My 17 month old Grandson, Tyson, would’nt feel left out anymore when he sees mom and dad playing on the computer. He would finally fit in with them, with his SmartE pal. These are wonderful, educational toys, that also can be a friend to the person who owns one :)

  • Debby Creager said:

    I love the fact that it comes with a lot of things already loaded and you don’t have to go buy a bunch of stuff to go with it.

  • Jennifer hedden said:

    that it can be personalized

  • Marilyn Higgins said:

    The fact that it can be programmed to fit your child

  • Jodi said:

    I love that you can program it to play games. My daughter would love playing Simon says with it.

  • Tammy said:

    My toddler loves listening to stories so the library of stories would be great.

  • JulieB said:

    I like that the Smart-E bear can speak spanish!! It would be great for my daughter to learn another language and in such a fun way!

  • Lisa C said:

    I love that smart-e-bear can call your child by his/her own name!

  • Lisa C said:

    I subscribe to your newsletter.

  • Lisa C said:

    I am also an email subscriber.

  • Jennifer M said:

    I like the interactive games it can play.

  • Betsy P said:

    I like that Spanish will be available soon! I think it’s advantageous for a child to know more than one language . . . and, what a FUN FRIEND to learn with!

  • Brenda Park said:

    What I like best about the Smart-e Bear is that you can customize your child’s experience by downloading, and in different languages too. Very cool. Thanks!

  • Debra F said:

    I really appreciate that it grows with your child and when your child matures, the games can suit their age level. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  • Lance Pearson said:

    I love the stories that it provides.
    pantslearson@yahoo.com

  • hazel hunt said:

    like the fact that it tells stories and that there is a large library of them!

  • Steve Scott said:

    I like that they grow with your child.

  • Sonya said:

    I love the number of things that it will do… stories, games, etc!

  • Rebecca Peters said:

    I love personalized toys!

  • Terry C said:

    I like the story telling feature. Thanks!

    braaisjo at gmail dot com

  • leah said:

    I love how it grows with your child with age-appropriate songs & activites.

  • Hesper Fry said:

    I like that it can interact in different languages

  • sarah b said:

    i LOVE love LOVE that it can have French on it!

  • gina snow said:

    very educational and fun

  • Storm said:

    I love that they are interactive!

  • Christine said:

    I like that you can download new games and music. There’s always something new so your child will never get bored!

  • Lisa G. said:

    My favorite thing about the Smart-e Bear is is his variety of games to keep kids moving and active!
    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

  • Jaye said:

    I like that everything is themed so as my child’s interests change you can personalize the bear to change with her. That’s pretty cool!

  • Lisa G. said:

    I blogged about the Hottest Holiday Toys for 2008 and emailed you the link.
    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

  • Brenda S. said:

    I love how it grows with your child with age-appropriate songs & activites. Thanks!

  • Kristine Michelle said:

    I think it’s neat that it can interact with your child in other languages!

  • Tamara Burks said:

    I like the games and the choice of 3 different animals.

  • Kelly F said:

    I love that it greets your child by name when it turns on. Using the paws of the bear to change songs is really smart.

  • Heather said:

    I love that you have the option to customize the smart-e-bear to grow with your childs needs. Awesome giveaway

  • Nita M. said:

    I love that is soft and can be updated to grow with my child

  • Tonia Rowe said:

    I love that it has the ability to do so many things. I had Teddy Ruxpin as a child and loved it, but it was limited in capabilities so I couldn’t use it more than a year or two.

  • Elizabeth M. said:

    I love that they’re customizable. It makes them all the more special to the kids.

  • Elizabeth M. said:

    I’m linked to you on my site.

  • Elizabeth M. said:

    I’ve stumbled it.

  • nadine m said:

    I like that it grows along with your child.

  • Tiffany said:

    I like that Smart-e-Bear grows with your child and tells stories.

  • Katherine Frazier said:

    I like that it will be multi-lingual soon.

  • Laura G said:

    love that they have such a large library of songs and books you can customize to your child’s likes

  • Jessica said:

    I like that it’s in diffent languages.

  • Chrysa said:

    I like that you can download new things!

  • kathy pease said:

    i love that it can tell stories and it grows with the kiddies :)

  • D Johnson said:

    Sweet

  • John Deal said:

    I like that it hasd different options for different ages.

  • Paula Harmon said:

    I love how you can change whats on the bear to match your child’s interests, so you know its a toy they will have for a long, long time.

  • Renee said:

    I like that you can download stories for him to tell.

  • Heather C said:

    I like that you can personalize it, and that it downloads things automatically, so as to surprise everyone! So cool!

  • Steph said:

    I like that it grows with my child and I like the download selction.

  • Michelle Rosborough said:

    the songs

  • Kodie said:

    Aw! I Love Simon Says & that this lets you download it! I also love that you can personalize it and make it your own! Fun fun!

    Thanks for this opportunity!

  • Marcy Strahan said:

    I think it’s so Kool that the Smart-e-Bear grows with your child and tells stories.

    A toy that doubles as a learning tool always works for me.
    Yay! To Smart-e-Bear’s helping to make our next genius!

  • michael woods said:

    I love that you can download any type of learning audio to enhance your child’s development in an interactive way

  • Angel said:

    I like that it grows with your child

  • Lily Kwan said:

    What I like best about the Smart-e Bear is that you can download fun new stories, songs, and games in multiple languages and even change the language in which Smart-e Bear communicates with your child.

  • Linda R said:

    This would perfect for my little granddaughter. We could download stories, songs and much more.

  • Marcia S said:

    My boys had Teddy Ruxpin and now I’d like Smart-e-bear for my grandkids. According to their website: With our easy-to-use smart-e-software you can download new content for your smart-e to keep him growing with your child!

  • Gina Benway said:

    I love all the options, This would be perfect for my son who is autistic, thanks

  • Peggy Gorman said:

    I love how I can make perfect for my grand daughter,it will grow with her and she has the choice of animals,I know she will choose the Smart-e Cat
    Wonderful contest!!

  • Pamela White said:

    I like the fact that Smart-E-Bear can talk in different languages.

  • Kelly L said:

    I like all of the different downloads available. Thanks.

  • Bev M. said:

    Those are so cute and educational, too. I think it’s great that it grows with your child and has all the different downloads. My granddaughter would love using it. Thanks for having the contest!

  • Helen said:

    I really like the feature to communicate in multiple languages!

  • Veronica Garrett said:

    I like that it grows with your child. There won’t be another useless outdated toy lyimg around the house.

  • Donna K said:

    I like that it learns your kid’s name

  • Miranda Allen said:

    it grows up with them

  • Janet said:

    I heart that it can interact in different languages and that it grows with your child !