DD wants a claw machine toy for her birthday... They're going to be utter shite, aren't they?

[CaptainCarrotsBigSword]

DD(5) has two things on her birthday list. One of which is a claw machine. Something like this.

Ark miido Claw Machine for Kids, Candy Machine Grabber Arcade Game Toys, Mini Vending Machine Dispenser Machine With Music & 10 Dolls and 10 Eggs, Indoor Educational Toy for Girls Gift https://amzn.eu/d/cvUQHSx

Is there any way that these things aren't going to be just complete shit that won't work / will break in three days?

Does anyone's kids have one / something similar?

Picture if you don't want to click the link (is just an Amazon link)

what is the other thing she wants.
what is your budget for her birthday.

If I'm being honest it looks like something a little one would get bored of quite quickly (unless it's a craze I know nothing about!!).

Are you anywhere near a seaside or is there a funfair coming for a bday day out? Maybe a homemade voucher for X no of goes on the grabbers plus the other gift?

My ds got one once (not from me), it wasn’t crap but the music was so incredibly loud it was horrible. Couldn’t turn it off or down. So check about the music first. 😅

It's going to be shite. Say no.

Yes it will be rubbish and not as good as the ones at the seaside.

I got mine one from Typo last Christmas and it's still going strong! Was a fab present and went beyond my expectations (which were the same as yours - it would last about three minutes). Let me look for a link....

https://cottonon.com/UK/retro-claw-machine/1685979-01.html?dwvar_1685979-01_color=1685979-01&cgid=&originalPid=1685979-01#gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6oi4BhD1ARIsAL6pox1HEd_XkObFVr42fbdtpX0BlnAC9bd_Bjngaj1PMqyHh7lSpUBKzHsaAjlEEALw_wcB&start=1

My daughter got one last year from Rymans- we filled it with Celebrations. It's been great, it's quite challenging but she's had loads of fun with it.

My son wanted one similar last Christmas, I found one on Facebook marketplace a lot cheaper! He loved it but I’m so glad I never paid full price for it. As previous poster said the one I bought is so loud!

My kids had one about 2 years ago which they loved, when it died I found a replacement off marketplace, it is probably the most played with toy we have and every child that visits plays with it, we have pom poms in ours. Agree with PP about the noise, there's no volume control on this second one we got.

DS2 has one, it's honestly brilliant and has lasted three years now. Sometimes he puts sweets in it, sometimes little squishy toys - hours of fun. But yes, the music is a killer!

Aww I wouldn't say no if it's what she really wants for her birthday.

I'm afraid you really should get it for her if it's what she wants. There's nothing harmful about it and, if you don't, it may end up being the unattained Mr Frosty of her childhood.

Sometimes you have to give them what they want, not what you think they should have. It's part of allowing them to make choices and develop preferences and learn themselves that all that glitters is not gold.

If she has only asked for two things including that, I would get it for her

To be fair a lot of toys are crap. She’s probably got more chance of winning on this than at the seaside, and you can shove it in the playroom and fill it with sweets for when friends come round.

Mr Frosty is exactly what I was thinking of. Bugger.

I might look for a second hand one.

We got one from Aldi a few years ago. I could never get anything out of it, but ds was a whizz. It was a huge hit with every visiting child and he fleeced his older cousins and uncles at every family gathering because they used real money to play,

Ours looked better quality than that one though

My dd had one when she was younger, it worked quite well actually! But as mentioned upthread, they are noisy!

If you can afford it I agree with the post above.

They are little for such a short time, there is something magical about them opening the wrapping and getting the Christmas gift that they really want and yes, Mr Frosty comes to mind.

We bought gifts for DC that we didn't really want them to have. We also bought plenty of stuff that we thought they should enjoy and they didn't give it a second glance. Buy the game, accept that you might be giving it to the charity shop in April but enjoy that moment when 'Santa' has delivered.

(One last thought.. it's still only October and there is plenty of time for a 5yr old to have a complete change of plan.. around the 20th December is generally the time for a request for something completely left field!)

If it was Christmas I'd wait it out for her to change her mind but she's asked for it for her birthday which is mid Oct.

Have found ones on eBay (new) for £21 ish, might bite the bullet on one of those.

Grandson has one, he loves it, it was less than a tenner on Temu still going strong a year later. All his friends on playdates love having a turn. I wouldn't say it's worth £30 but definitely worth a tenner.

My DD had one and loved it! She also had a coin push machine 😊😊

I would get it. It's not mega expensive and it would make her happy, even if for a short time.

I've seen them on temu and shein much cheaper if you don't mind shopping there.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405253716578?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=xgg19ltds3a&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=brgM_-lURuq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

What do we reckon to this one?