Fisher-Price Code-a-pillar

Unboxing the Code-a-pillar wasn’t too bad, but it was encased behind a lot of plastic and I had to use scissors to remove the Code-a-pillar and all its attachments from the packaging. Within a few minutes I had everything out of the box along with the instruction manual, advertisements for additional play packs you can buy separately to go with the Code-a-pillar, and a start/stop pad.

I had a lot of fun playing with the Fisher Price Code-a-pillar. It’s amazing how all the pieces interlock using USB connections, and then it reads the pattern and moves according to how the pieces have been put together. The start/stop pads allow you (or your child) to create a challenge where the Code-a-pillar starts at one pad and the puzzle has to be put together in the correct way to get it to the end pad. It’s lots of fun to create an obstacle course and try to figure out how to put the pieces together so Code-a-pillar moves under and around objects set in its path.

The Code-a-pillar doesn’t move very well on carpets or soft surfaces since the wheels are rather small, but it can move right along on a smooth surface. I love that there are so many combinations to be tried with this toy.

I like this toy a lot, and I had so much fun moving the pieces around and building different obstacle courses for it. You can actually forget you are actively thinking and solving a puzzle. I have never been much for puzzle games, but I really like this one. I also like that there is the option to buy more interchangeable parts that do new and more complicated moves. This keeps the toy new and exciting without having to spend a lot, and it continues to challenge kids to solve harder and harder puzzles.

There really wasn’t anything I disliked about the Code-a-pillar. Perhaps if the wheels were more robust, there could be more value in being able to use it on multiple surfaces instead of just smoother surfaces like hardwood, linoleum, or tile, but all around I think it’s a great toy.

Code-a-pillar is designed for kids from 3-6 years of age, but I can confidently say I had fun playing with this toy even as an adult, and I think the value extends far beyond that 6 year age cap. Most children younger than 3 don’t yet have the motor skills needed for this toy, and since that age group spends a lot of time with toys in their mouth, I would be concerned about damage to the usb connections from moisture.

My final review on the Fisher Price Code-a-pillar is that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this toy and the extension packs. It’s reasonably priced and offers entertainment value way beyond the age group it’s marketed for. It’s an educational toy that doesn’t feel educational; it’s a puzzle and a brain teaser that is fun from beginning to end. The added value in creating obstacle courses and using the start/end pads just keeps adding to the fun.