The Bilibo Chronicles

A couple months ago I was able to procure a Kid o Bilibo free of charge.  It was not from the company and this is not a product review.  I just had a gift card.  Anyway, it's designed to be an open-ended toy to stimulate imaginative play inside or outside.  Click here to see the product on Amazon.com.  If you want a giggle, read the first review. 


Even without reading that review, I knew this toy would be hit-or-miss with the kids.  I like to think they are pretty imaginative so I had high hopes.  I unveiled it as one link on our Advent activity chain.  Within five minutes of giving it to my sweet angels, I had to take it away and hide it.  They fought like merciless, hungry lions over the green piece of "meat".  There was biting, scratching, yelling, and of course, tears, involved.  Yeowza!  I have reintroduced the BIlibo and they still have a very difficult time sharing it.  Little Lady even yells out, "Be bo, be bo!" when she wants to play with it.  In sum: they love this toy.  


Here are some of the ways they have played with it:


As a car tunnel, and ramp, including using the two holes as entries into the tunnel.

As a hat or helmet of all varieties.

As a chair.

To rock, spin, and cradle stuffed animals and dolls.

As a sled for toys or a pull-behind.

As a bowl or scoop when we play with our colored pasta.  The little holes make it extra fun to fill up.  

We spin, rock, and twist around in it (and even my husband and I have tried it... much to our own hilarity!)

We use it as a home for animals or people figurines.  It's dark, but can you see the eyes peeking through the holes?

Unfortunately, both children enjoy standing on it and in it, which is not very safe on our slippery, hardwood floors.  Sigh.


What I love about this toy is that it follows the 90/10 rule of toys: It's 90% child and 10% toy.  There are no buttons or flashing lights or other modern toy "restrictions".  The fun of this toy is what the child's imagination brings to it.  What I do not like about this toy is that it's too big to store in our toy cubbies.  And, if I hadn't had a gift card, I would not have paid for this.  A box or a bowl might do just fine.  However, if you aren't a cheapskate like me it could be a very worthy investment for a long-term toy.  My toddler and preschooler are always finding ways to integrate it in their play.