GiftXYes, for most preschoolers: the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register costs $27.99 and rates 4.7/5 from 22,114 Amazon ratings, with a built-in kid calculator and 73 pieces.[1]
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Our verdict on the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register
Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register
A warm, well-loved pick for kids who love playing store. It pairs a working-style calculator with play money and a card scanner, so pretend play doubles as early math practice.[1] It suits ages 3 to 5 especially well.[1]
Check price on AmazonIs the Learning Resources cash register worth it?
For a child who loves playing grocery store, this register is a strong match. The listing says it helps children practice addition, subtraction and counting through cashier scenarios.[1] It is also described as built from sturdy materials with large buttons sized for small hands.[1]
Reviewers back up the staying power and the fun. A Toy Insider reviewer who has owned the calculator cash register for over five years says it has held up, even doubling as a real lemonade-stand register.[3] The same reviewer says it helped with money units at school.[3] The Gadgeteer reported that the register they reviewed worked out of the box after pulling a battery tab, and that their kids enjoyed the real-life pretend play.[2]
At $27.99, with a 4.7/5 rating from 22,114 Amazon ratings, it looks like a solid value for a toy that blends imaginative play with number skills.[1] Buying guides such as BestReviews compare toy registers on features like calculators, scanners and included play money, and this one covers a calculator, card scanner, receipt pad and a pretend credit card.[6][1]
What you get with the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register
- 73 piece set that includes a kids credit card for pretend shopping.[1]
- Working features include a kid calculator, a drawer with a ka-ching sound, a card scanner, a receipt pad and a play store checkout.[1]
- The Gadgeteer's review of the Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register lists 30 paper bills, 40 plastic coins, a pretend credit card, an activity guide and an extra-large-button calculator.[2]
- Large buttons are sized for little fingers and small hands.[1]
- Aimed at toddlers and preschoolers ages 3 to 5.[1]
- Designed to help kids practice addition, subtraction and counting.[1]
- This listing is the pink version.[1]
Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register pros and cons
What we like
- Pretend play and early math practice come together in one toy, covering addition, subtraction and counting.[1]
- Realistic touches like the ka-ching drawer, card scanner and receipt pad keep play store scenarios engaging.[1]
- A Toy Insider reviewer says their register held up for over five years.[3]
- Strongly rated at 4.7/5 from 22,114 Amazon ratings.[1]
- Large buttons are sized for small hands, which makes it easy for little ones to jump right in.[1]
Keep in mind
- A bit pricier than some smaller Learning Resources toys, which run from $15.99 to $19.69.[1]
- Best for kids who enjoy open-ended pretend play and have a little space for a play store setup.
Who is the Learning Resources cash register a good gift for?
It shines for kids ages 3 to 5 who already love playing shop, restaurant or lemonade stand.[1] The listing says pretend play like this can build fine motor skills, social interaction, vocabulary and creative thinking.[1] It also works for a family or classroom that wants a hands-on way to practice counting and making change. For more ideas in the same spirit, see our roundup of birthday gifts for kids.
Because the set comes with a pretend credit card, play money and a receipt pad, a child can run a whole store without extra accessories.[1][2] It is a thoughtful pick for birthdays, holidays or a preschool graduation, especially for kids who love to be the cashier.
If your child prefers games with rules over open-ended role play, or you would like a lower price point, one of the alternatives below may fit a little better.
See the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register on Amazon
Learning Resources cash register vs alternatives
Learning Resources makes plenty of other kid-friendly learning toys, and each leans toward a different age or play style. If the register is not quite right, these are worth a look.
Money Bags Math Game
This is a counting board game focused on value and financial literacy, so it suits kids who like structured games more than free-form role play.[1] It costs $19.69 and rates 4.7/5 from 2,989 Amazon ratings.[1]
Check price on Amazon
MathLink Cubes Fantasticals Activity Set
This 115 piece number block set is made for ages 5+, so it is a good step up for kindergarten-age kids who want counting manipulatives.[1] It costs $17.99 and rates 4.8/5 from 7,932 Amazon ratings.[1]
Check price on Amazon
Hoot the Fine Motor Owl
This sorting toy is aimed at 2 to 3 year olds and focuses on fine motor skills, so it suits younger toddlers who are not ready for a full play store yet.[1] It costs $15.99.[1]
Check price on Amazon
Bottom line
The Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register is a cheerful, practical gift that turns playing store into early math practice. At $27.99 with a 4.7/5 rating from 22,114 Amazon ratings, it is a confident pick for preschoolers.[1]
It also fits comfortably in a budget list, so it would sit nicely among our Christmas gifts under $50.[1]
How we researched this
We did not test the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Register hands-on. This review is based on the manufacturer's listing and specifications on Amazon, the Amazon customer rating at the time of writing, and the published reviews and discussions below.