I was recently sent an Animal Planet Remote Control Spider to use with Animal Planet’s new Real Scary Spiders augmented reality app. This creepy and cool addition to Animal Planet’s digital portfolio enables users to interact with a pet spider via an app to bring their spider to life through a unique augmented reality experience.
I thought it would only be fitting to have my nine year old son help me review this product combination. He was thrilled when the box with the giant tarantula in it arrived. It is pretty lifelike to say the least. I don’t know what’s worse, looking at the spider or waiting for my son to sneak up on me with it!
We downloaded the app online and the set up and game was fairly easy for him to figure out. He sailed through each level and when he got to Level 5, we were able to incorporate his remote control spider into the game. This is the level at which the spider owner can ‘handle’ their spiders in the real world by directing their device at a trigger object to bring the spider to life. He named his spider Ricky and we were able to have Ricky appear in the game and then in real life situations in our home through the augmented reality application. My son loved it and while we had a few hiccups along the way with getting the right kind of background for the reality application, we figured it out and it was smooth sailing from there. He was pretty self-sufficient throughout the play process and was able to figure everything else out on his own.
My son really enjoyed playing the game and said it was “pretty cool” and thought it was awesome that he could feed his spider and make it “come to life” and do tricks. You can see the company’s preview video here on how the creature can actually be introduced into your home or other setting of your choosing. We had ours crawling on a step from our patio into our living room and it was definitely very realistic to watch on the iPad screen. The spider is also just as fun to play with standalone too. The remote control is easy to use and the spider even has web/string that shoots out—our dog was NOT a fan of this feature for sure.
The app can be downloaded for free at realscaryspiders and is available for both iOS and Android platforms. The Animal Planet Web Blasting Tarantula is available exclusively at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and is available for $24.99, which is a really good buy when you factor in the free application. What I also liked about this toy is that my son is learning about different kinds of spiders through the application. Any game that offers a bit of education and keeps my son interested, entertained and engaged is a win-win for me. Overall, my little 9 year old creature loved his little creature, Ricky and we loved seeing him have a good time exploring the world of creepy, crawly spiders
Disclaimer: Kristine has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ. Please read our official rules for giveaways before entering. Two Classy Chics is not responsible for shipment of this product.
They are from the rainforest
love that my kids can really learn a lot of important info about spiders in a fun way bc living where we live we do have lots of spiders 🙁 thanks!! 😉
The online play is a great feature.
I love that this site couples learning with fun. I learned their natural habitat is the rainforest.
I love that with this toy kids can actually learn a lot about spiders in a really fun way!
they live in rainforest
I learned Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas are docile.
Their natural habitat is in the rainforest (oh, and I didn’t learn this fact – spiders creep me out) !!
Their natural habitat is in tropical rainforest areas with trees that lose their leaves during colder months
i visited the site and i learned that the collect section is my favorite
they have a game to help you learn spider species.
You can unlock new spiders online but the Mexican Redknee is the first.
I learned that this is so cool,would love to have this spider,lol
The Mexican redknee spider loves the tropical rainforest especially if the trees are deciduous and lose their leaves.
Real Scary Spiders is free to play, but it contains items that can be purchased for real money. You can toggle these purchases on/off in the “Restrictions” menu on your device or from within the app.
I learned this is an online game website.
I love the spiders and the game to play online
They have a game to help you learn spider species.
they have a cool game where you collect different types of spider species
I learned that you can control it from an Ipad!
They have a game to play on the website.
I learned it’s like a game, where you get reward moves. Pretty cool really. Creepy, but cool, looks like fun.
I learned that Mexican Red Knee tarantulas are only slightly venomous to humans…but I still don’t want to be near one!!
I learned that you can collect exotic species in the game on the site.
Facebook comment was on the post for Blue Notes by Carrie Lofty.
Oh, boy it is a remote control spider! I might regret this! But my nephews would love this toy!
I learned that they are incredibly realistic looking.
I liked the Mexican Redknee spider.
I learned that you can virtually collect different species of spiders
I love that you can learn about different spiders and have a virtual pet!
I learned that I got freaked out looking at all those spiders. They give me the shivers.
Mexican Red Knee tarantulas are only slightly venomous to humans and are considered extremely easy to manage (docile).
I LIKED and commented on the 4/21 Facebook comment about The Abundance of Hard Boiled Easter Eggs.
I learned that the first spider you meet in the game is the Mexican Redknee,
I learned there are other species too!
I learned on the website that the Mexican Red Knee tarantulas will kick irritating (urticating) hairs into the air from their abdomens and back legs if disturbed.
I learned they have animal planet spiders and exotic species as well..
lots of different kinds of spiders–all scary!
They also sell a cobalt blue spider
I learned that they offer many different species of spiders. They look very real!
I learned that Augmented Reality (or AR) is a technology where the view through the camera on your device is augmented (or altered) in real-time by adding virtual elements that seem to appear in the real world.
I learned that you can purchase this at Toys R Us. I like that its a remote control.
I am not good with these things, but for children who are this Augmented Reality would be great fun.
I learned that As you care for your spider you’ll unlock fascinating facts and information about the spiders habitat, temperament, place of origin and much, much more
I learned this allows you to play both the digital game and interact with the virtual R/C spider on your device.
I went to the sponsor’s site and I learned you can buy this at Toys R Us. Also they have great games on their site.
I love that there is an augmented reality game to go with the pet spider to make learning more fun. This would be soo much fun for halloween. Thank you so much for the review and giveaway
I learned that Mexican Red Knee tarantulas are only slightly venomous to humans and are considered extremely easy to manage (docile).
I commented on FB Did you ever wish you could speak multiple languages? Here is a neat giveaway to help get your younger children off to a new language start
Name: Stephanie Compton
I learned that tarantulas will often use the homes of others like rodents instead of making their own.
What a novel toy and I had to give the cool YouTube vid a thumbs up for a great presentation. What a hit this would be on Halloween too! I learned from the site that all you have to do is scan the box to play the Augmented Reality game so you use the package as a trigger. What will they think of next?!