When my daughter was about 5-6 months old, we used to have our baby’s toys out in the lounge. As I’m so OCD, I have to make sure the toys are turned off before going to bed and, in general, to save battery power.
It happened a few times when a particular playmat with a battery-powered mobile hung over the top, a toy for tummy time or lying on their backs. This toy would go off at the most random times. And as it did, normally, my daughter was nowhere near it, but nobody was. Then, simultaneously, the walker with battery-powered noises would start up, and other toys like this doll would make a noise, but this doll only made a noise when you pressed its belly. It would say a repeated phrase. It was a very loving phrase, but when you’re alone and hear it randomly, it does provide a creepy vibe.
I would go and check all toys were in the switched-off position. As I went to sit down again, the playmate would go off again. It baffled me. It did this on the regular. Sometimes, just in this house, my daughter would laugh and point into the same corner where the toys sat. I would always, with my scepticism, put it down to a “ghost toy”, or maybe she’s just doing what a lot of babies are known to do. My daughter would laugh at nothing. Smile at nothing. Like literally a curtain. I couldn’t figure it out.
It is said that babies’ eyesight adjusts to lights, shades, shapes, and movements as they grow. This could explain why she was so interested in a moving curtain or the light and shadows made behind it. Also, babies are known not to instantly cry to strange shapes or visions as they are still learning to distinguish people’s faces.
The toys going off on their own could be put down to the batteries dying or faulty wiring, especially with the playmat. Sometimes, my husband would walk past it with a heavy step, and it would go off. But it happened more often, just on its own. No movement was needed.
I can’t explain the ripple effect that happened throughout the toys area, and even one time, a toy firetruck went off. It was almost like they were all connected. I eventually let the batteries die out and only replaced them when the kids asked.
Saying this, my oldest daughter has a toy donkey from Shrek. This donkey is 18 years old and has only ever had its batteries changed once when my daughter was still young. It’s still going! The batteries are as strong as ever, and you press the hoof, and it plays all three phrases as strong as it did when it was brought. The outside material has seen better days as it lives at my mum’s now and is a toy for the younger grandchildren to enjoy.
This has always made me wonder how and why. I remember purchasing this toy that long ago because my daughter was obsessed with Shrek, one of her favourite toys.
Another toy that went off on its own was a TJ Bearytales, a robotic bear that told a story when you entered a cartridge into his “backpack.” The bear moved in an animatronic motion by lifting his arms, moving his mouth, and blinking his eyes.
This toy would be switched into the off position cause if it didn’t, it would go off randomly to suggest reading a story with him. As a mother, I would use this as a “going to sleep method” with storytelling to help my baby drift off. Then, I would turn it off once done. Some nights, it would do the same thing when turned off. I had to change the batteries regularly as I thought the toy would drain them quickly, using it every night. Discussing with my now husband, we would decide the malfunctions came down to faulty mechanics as the toy was removed from the shelves soon after.
It was just an interesting thought, and it has been something I have wondered about. I’m happy to hear any ideas on this.