Toy Chest: Sprig Adventure Rig

Sprig Discover Rig - Awesome.

It's undeniable: I love Sprig Toys. 

I stopped into our local Mom 'n' Pop hardware store right before Thanksgiving to pick up some specialized items that the Big Box down the road didn't have.  There in the front display was a collection of chunky, rugged-looking toys that looked cobbled straight out of Santa's workshop.   I picked one up to examine it and found it without any licensing tie-ins, "X-treme" packaging, or obnoxious mascots.  It was simple, it was classic, it was Sprig.

Something about the toy line spoke to me, and I knew I had to get it for Mu.  His interest in big tucks, adventuring, and propensity to smash things required a line of toys that would hold up to toddler abuse, but also allow him to fill in the storyline of his adventure - not to have his adventure dictated to him by the folks in Marketing.

And that's where the beauty of Sprig comes in: the Sprig guys are faceless, which means they are ready for whatever your child can imagine.



Sprig Toys are made from Sprigwood (tm) - a super-durable substance that is the combination of sawdust and recycled plastic.  An incidental environmental benefit to me, though the parents who are looking for "Green" toys can find it in Sprig.  It doesn't fade or chip, I've yet to see any splitting, and has easily withstood the Mu's full weight as he's used the Adventure Rig as a step-stool (much to our chagrin).  Added benefit: it smells like real wood.  Admittedly, I have been known to just sit and sniff the Discover Rig over and over again.

Edmund Peak, Yeti-Hunter.

The Discover Rig, itself, is the coup-de-gras of the Sprig Adventure line.  In addition to it being super-durable; it allows for three Sprig Guys to ride in it.  The driver's seat is fitted with a USB which allows any of the Sprig Adventure Guides (the ones with head-lamps affixed to their hats) to be plugged in.  A kinetic generator in the Discover Rig itself powers the headlamp and once enough juice has been built up from your little toddler pushing it around, the Adventure Guide will describe the type of animals they see on their adventure.  Each Adventure Guide has its own personality and region of origin.  My favorite? Edmund Peak, the British, Himalayan explorer who sounds like he's just come back from African Safari with Teddy Roosevelt.

As much as I love the idea of the requiring the child's energy to power the lamp and sound effects of the Rig, the speaker fitted into the rig where the sound comes from is muffled at best.  I'd hoped that with more use, it would improve, but it hasn't.  Additionally, some little trickle battery on the generator would have been nice because the moment movement stops, so do the sounds.  But replace the generator with AA batteries and a switch? Don't even think it.

The entire Adventure line allows for hours of adventuring and exploration, both in electric and non-electric forms.  The non-electric Adventure line, combined with the Eco-Truck line make for the prized-possession in the sandbox.

For those concerned about the higher prices of Sprig Toys, the adage "You get what you pay for" couldn't ring more true - these toys will be in the family long after the kiddies are done playing with them.  Then you can save them for the grandkids.

Check out my other Sprig reviews, for more!