Grow A Frog Reviews

• Be prepared for a commitment...

  
  By A318MRBR7DQJRR on 2007-05-02
  My husband bought the Grow-a-Frog kit for our daughter when she was three. It amused her briefly, taught her a little something, and provided her a new pet, so life was good.
  
  That was nine years ago. Beware. When your tadpole grows into a frog, you will need to send away to the company for the frog kit, which consists of a larger environment and a different type of food. We also received a "bonus" frog in the mail with our order, which we did not ask for. Unfortunately, this frog was much larger than the one we had raised, and it ate our old friend one night while we were sleeping. This was also a good learning experience for our daughter, I suppose, but not for "Lily..."
  
  Our bonus frog is still alive and going strong, all these years later. Before you consider buying this "toy," please think about the commitment involved to the living creature(s) you will be bringing into your home. Do some research. These are African Clawed Frogs, and you can find plenty of information about them on the Internet, such as life span (up to 30 years), and habitat needs. These are aquatic frogs, which means they can never live outside of a water-filled tank, making them more similar to fish than to the frogs you may find in your backyard. The small plastic cubes provided by the company are not nearly large enough to comfortably house one of these animals, let alone two. Our frog now lives in a five-gallon fishtank, which still seems a bit small for him.
  
  One thing you may want to consider before purchasing this item is the ethical implications involved. The company breeds frogs and sends them out to customers indiscriminantly, without ever knowing or seemingly caring if the animals will be adequately cared for. These frogs will NOT survive if you let them go in the wild, so please take that into account. Your child may tire of his new pet in a month, but you will still need to care for the animal for many years.
  
  Although this product does have some educational value, I believe your child can adequately learn the same lessons from a book, video, or trip to a local pond. If you're ready to adopt a new family member, however, this may be the perfect "toy" for you.
  
  

• Fun learning experience

  
  By A165UK4J81OR00 on 2007-01-13
  It's great to find something that is this fun and educational for the whole family. My daughter, who is five, learned a lot from seeing the frog's metamorphosis. Please realize that the tadpoles cannot be sent when the weather is too cold or too warm. I read reviews on another site where people complained about this. We got our tadpole and it came in a foam box with a plastic bag in the center containing the tadpole in water. It was clear and had little whiskers. It also had the front appendages already. When you read the book you realize this is a special frog created in a lab and not your average pond frog/tadpole so it is supposed to look like this. It will always remain in water unlike regular frogs. You can even see the heart beat and food digestion since the tadpole is clear in color which is really neat. It turns darker as it starts to go through metamorphosis. Read the book completely as soon as you open the box before you do anything else. It's easy to miss little things that will be important with the water. The book is written to be entertaining which it is, but when you are a busy parent it can become annoying. I wish it came with a bullet list with just the need-to-knows for parents.
  
  When we got our stage two habitat (which you must get for when the frog completes metamorphosis or so they say) it came with a free froglet. They say they do this because frogs are such social animals. They warn you however to go through this staging process before you put them together so they become used to one another. Basically, you put them in separate containers next to each other for 48 hours and keep them well fed. You must read through the cutesy new booklet too as things are a little different with the water once they are froglets. We opted to pay extra and get the "rare white froglet" as our second. It was actually orange, but it's still cool to have the two different colors. We were worried when we first got the kit because there was a leak in the new frog's bag from poor packaging and it was just about out of water. It looked dead, but I put it temporarily into a cup with spring water until I could read the book and figure out what to do. It lived and is fine even though ultimately you are supposed to put them in tap water purified with their crystals they send at this stage (spring water is only for the tadpole stage except initially when you clean the little granules in the stage 2 tank). At first I thought the whole two frog thing was just a way to make more money on frog food, but I do think they enjoy each other now that they are used to one another. They say it is VERY rare to have them mate, but I'm wondering about ours. They spend an awful lot of time "socializing" on top of one another. I'll post again if we get any new very rare tadpoles.
  
  

• Sturdy, economical, simple and a real bargain!

  
  By A1KBVPF133VVIF on 2007-01-03
  The Grow-A-Frog kit was a Christmas present for my frog-lovin' 7 year old. Let me just say right up front that the packaging is simple and the tank is a simple cube shape. For us that was more than fine- I was more interested in the contents than the frills, bells and whistles included on other tanks. Additionally, the tank was made of sturdy plastic. It held up to being dropped (while empty, of course) several times prior to the frogs arrival.
  
  Not only do I heartily recommend this but I'd like to share why I'm thrilled with this product:
  
  1.) Educational Value- The kit came with an engagingly written booklet that includes instructions on set-up, care, feeding, troubleshooting, etc... and has a hotline number for froggy questions. The book was written in such a way that it keeps kids interested without talking down to them. It's also incredibly informative about frogs in general.
  
  2.) Sturdy plastic- Apparently this is not ubiquitous in frog habitats available on the market. This holds up to my 5 boys. That says a lot for it's quality.
  
  3.) Value for price. In addition to being significantly less expensive than comparable products, it has a lot of bang for the buck. You get the tadpole shipped free (not all of them do that!), you get the habitat, food, and a record keeping/instructional booklet with the kit.
  
  4.) Great customer service!!! The Grow-A-Frog folks had the tadpole to us in 1 week and 1 day after we mailed out our postcard. Taking into account that we mailed out the postcard the day after Christmas that's pretty amazing!!!!
  
  
  

• These frogs live a loooong time

  
  By A1K1BWT0D8BNYD on 2007-06-06
  I bought this kit for my son when he was five. We loved watching the tiny tadpole turn into a tiny frog and then a rather large frog. However, now my son is entering his senior year of high school and no one in the house ever pays any attention to this poor frog. She gets smelly very quickly even though she is in a small aqarium so she needs frequent cleaning. My husband diligently feeds and cleans her, but no one will be upset when (if?) she passes on. I know the frog will die eventually and it's not that I want the creature to die, but the life span is too long for a cute little science project. So be warned, it is a great educational activity but it is a long term commitment to rather boring frog as a pet. By the way, customer service at Grow-A-Frog is excellent if you ever have need to contact them. They are very friendly and helpful.
  
  

• Wonderful Product!

  
  By A2VPOPMJX76J62 on 2006-11-19
  I got this product for my daughter a while ago and she loved it! We watched the tadpole morph into a frog, and we had the frog for 3 years! It comes with very detailed instructions, the habitat, food, and a coupon to send away for your tadpole. When it gets larger you must buy a "Stage 2" habitat, but it is worth it! There are many selections for habitats, as well as accessories for your frog. You can also buy another frog. All in all, this is a great product that is worth buying!
  
  
• Great Toy, Great Guarantee
  By A11TFPQ53VDAWU on 2008-05-25
  This is an excellent learning kit. For those who are concerned about the frog's longevity, and the idea that some irresponsible frog parents may let them go, or worse, let them die, the company offers to take in any unwanted frogs:
  
  WE WILL WELCOME YOUR FROG BACK HOME
  
  We know you love your Growafrog. Every now and then, however, a situation arises in which a Growafrog care-giver can no longer take care of their frog. If this should ever happen to you, please simply E-mail us so we may send you 'breathable bags' with instructions on how to send your frogs home to us. In no instance should you ever let your frogs 'go' into a pond or lake. Never release any kind of animal into the natural environment near your home ( unless it came from there in the first place ). To request your breathable bags at no charge at all, please simply E-mail us your complete name, address, city, state, and zipcode here.
  
  http://www.growafrog.com/quesfrog.html#Anchor-2765
  
  
• Very entertaning!!!
  By on 2007-01-13
  Yesterday I got a little foam box in the mail. I took it out and open the "cork" type thing. It came with a little tadpole and an order form for supplies. At first I thought it was dead since the box wasn't moving much but the bowed moved!!! My grow a frog cube had a little crack in the bottom that S-L-O-W-L-Y driped. So we went to the pet store and got a new tank. Any way the tadpole is a little ball of enegry! Feeding is no problem becuase you just feed it a level spoonful once a day and then you watch it swim like a nut!! They hate light and run from it. P.S. DON'T GET THE "PLANET FROG" KIT!!They provide no instrucion manual for the tadpoles and they die easily. GET THIS!!!!!!!
  
  
• Good but a pain
  By on 2007-02-13
  I have had 3 frogs two are living hapily and one died after a month. They are fun to watch but expensive and a pain to clean. Also if you have them you can't go on vaccations. But they are cute fun to watch and they play with eachother and somtimes sing. overall they are a fun pet but i warn you cleaning is a 3 hour process that must be done twice a month.
  
  
• Cool 15 year adventure with grow a frog - I'd do it again.
  By ALS9UZ1S1IARG on 2007-11-08
  Bought the 'grow a frog' at SW Randalls Toy Store in 1991 for my 5 year old niece. I thought the 'toy' harmless but my soon to be ex-sister in law thought it would be too traumatic when the frog died - translation I got custody of the grow a frog. Little did I know that this frog would live 15 years and grow to be larger than a big mans hand. Terminator tadpole RIP 2006 last tank was over 66 gallons. The Tpole was cool, we taught him/her (we weren't really sure, it had characteristics of both) to do a few tricks. Mostly Tpole was very low maintenance, laidback but needs to be in the tank alone. We tried mixing it up with fish of varying levels of aggression & yeah, the frog is a loner.
  
  If you're considering this gift, remember this could turn into a decade+ commitment including tank swapping and cleaning. I would recommend the bigger tanks as they are easier to maintain. Overall, I would do it again, a very cool and low maintenance pet.
  
  
• Finally a REALLY Cool non electronic gift
  By AKORQ3SWA2JPR on 2007-11-21
  Not that I don't let my kids play all the latest video and computer games but enough already. I saw this in another store actually and it is awesome! My son (7 years) loves frogs and if your child is interested in having a cool pet this is it. The tadpole is shipped to you and as it grows you can actually see the organs developing through it's skin. The frog is able to live in the water alone and only gets as large as the container they send you or the one you put it in. They are easy to keep, don't smell, you can leave them for a long trip and most importantly they are educational. Rock on Grow a Frog!!
  
  
• I miss my Frog--my friend for 8 years!
  By A292O08UX1DMOV on 2007-12-01
  I just had to write a review. My grow a frog lived for 8 years. She was an albino, and a female (because she laid eggs and didn't croak noisily). The grow a frog people really do stick by their lifetime guarantee; if one dies, they'll send you a new one. They have a web site where you can get accessories for your frog, too. This is genuinely a great investment in an easy-to-care-for pet.
  
  
  
• I love my frog
  By A209D4XAQTHUXR on 2007-12-18
  I gotta tell everyone how happy I am with my frog. The only downfall was after I received the container for the frog, I had to send another company the postcard that was enclosed in the box, and of course, it got lost in the mail. However the company was very nice and easy to communicate with. (I did via email). I received my tadpole within the week and within days it turned into a frog. He is so cute and I want to get another frog for him for company. Mind you, this present was suppose to be for my 8 year old daughter, but I love my frog so much as he sits on my desk at work and I get a few smiles every day just watching him swim around. He sure brightens my day and desk!!
  
  
• Throw away the little plastic plant!
  By A1P6MYW4SOP4ZK on 2007-12-28
  I got a grow-a-frog as a gift 8 years ago, and my frog is still alive! I originally had two frogs, but one tried to eat the little plastic plant that comes with the little container, and I discovered him with a third of it sticking out of his dead gaping maw. Pretty sad, as he was quite a few years old. Toss the cheesy plant -- it's unnecessary.
  
  As your frog grows, you may want to consider getting him a larger container. No need to purchase all the materials through the kit company, though. I feed my guy reptile sticks; he lives in untreated tap water; his home is a clear gallon water jug. A very low-maintenance kind of dude.
  
  These are great for kids to watch an animal grow and learn to care for a pet that doesn't require intensive care before moving on to a more demanding pet.
  
  I'd say, "Beware, this is a commitment!", due to the long life of the animal, but how committed do you have to be to toss a couple food sticks at the little guy every few days?
  
  Some people are disappointed with what the kit includes for about $[...], but $[...]for a pet that lives as long as a cat? I'd say it's more than worth it.
  
  
• Sneaky, the Grow-A-Frog, now 19.5 years old!!
  By A1ULDDRC8XGV2M on 2008-05-29
  We first got our Grow-A-Frog in September 1988. He has lived in two states and vacationed in a couple more. Transported him when we moved in 1989 in glass cranberry juice large bottle (wide spout) in a foam-lined bucket, air holes in lid. (Even been in MacDonalds so he wouldn't boil in the car). Fun to watch metamorphose. Skin not transparent when a frog. I found changing water/ cleaning tank not very time consuming at all. Just have to make sure water has had time for dechlorination crystals to work and equilibrate to room temperature. He now lives in a plastic tank made for hermit crabs since Grow-A-Frog Stage 2 tank too small. Easy to order more adult frog food. I don't think Sneaky is the oldest Grow-A-Frog ever. Think I read on the Internet of one that was 21.
  
  
• Excellent nursery kit but needs bigger habitat
  By A35DL29O0RM1NQ on 2008-06-21
  Hello! I've had Grow-A-Frog for about 4 months now. My frogs are HUGE now, so be warned they do grow extremely fast! Also an important note is this Grow-A-Frog tadpole is the African Clawed Frog, which is NOT the same as the African Dwarf Frog which is commonly sold in pet stores. The kit sold on this item page is a small "nursery" cube I like to call it, compared to what you'll need eventually. When you think nursery you think infant baby right? So it makes sense that the small cube included in this kit should only be for tadpole raising, and newborn froglets.
  
  After the froglets are born however, in a couple weeks or less I would get at least a gallon tank per frog you have. These frogs will need the space to swim and would just be more entertaining for your family. They will only grow according to the tank size. If you leave them in this small cube too long I'm afraid it's putting fatality at a higher risk.
  
  I have 3 of these frogs in a 10 gallon glass tank, bare bottom too. They do love company of other frogs of their own kind (african clawed frog). I don't have any gravel or substrate for easier cleaning. Just use a turkey baster to suck up frog waste, and they do waste alot! At night, I often find all three frogs I have laying around each other, so don't be afraid to get two frogs. They will be buddies for life =)
  
  Oh, did anyone mention the Grow-A-Frog lifetime gaurantee? Thats right if at anytime you have problems just email or call them. Their customer service is friendly and understanding.
  
  I feed them HBH tadpole and frog tablets since they were born and they look very healthy and show rapid growth. Also feed them some Freezed Dried bloodworms as a treat. They love it! Thats about it, these frogs are very low maintenance once you get the hang of it. Please do research the African Clawed Frog on google. It's all well worth it.
  
  
• Grow A Frog in the Library
  By A2TU7P6EEXKYXT on 2007-05-14
  I purchased this for use in my Elementary School Library while my Kdg-2nd grade students studied the life cycle of a frog. Since my students are curious creatures, I kept the frog container inside a 10gal aquarium with a wire lid. The students can see what's going on while the tadpole turned frog was safely behind extra glass. My 3rd-5th graders were also fascinated with the tadpole's growth and changes. I also recommend the Stage Two house with a single tube for your frog. It comes with a frog friend. My elementary students LOVE it!
  
  
• Do some research on these things first.
  By A2XDMNSFTQV2DY on 2008-09-02
  My daughter had been begging me for one of those caterpillar/butterfly kits. I talked her out of it because the thing looked like so big and bulky. We ended up with a grow a frog kit instead. I had wondered how amazon got me these live tadpoles, this is how it worked. I got the package from amazon which is basically a box with tadpole food, habitat and a card that says "good for one grow a frog". The card is mailed in to the grow a frog folks who then mail you a tadpole in a starfoam container.
  
  My kids had fun watching it grow into a frog. Yes you can see the frog's internal organs. I am highly pleased with what I got. When the tadpole became a frog I ordered other items from the grow a frog company including a stage 2 habitat and frog food. The stage 2 habitat was cheap and sprung a leak. My advice is that when your tadpole becomes a frog, put it in an aquarium.
  
  Some of the things I've learned is that despite what grow a frog says, once your tadpole becomes a frog you do not have to use spring water, treated tap water will do but not distilled water. These frogs need a place to hide, buy some aquarium decorations that allow the frogs to swim around in. My kids bought a ceramic log that the frogs seem to enjoy. DO NOT use small gravel in the aquarium with the frogs. They will eat it. I made this mistake but switched the gravel out for rocks once I noticed my frog pooping pink gravel. These things are messy, really messy. They poop quite a bit and shed their skin. Frogs normally eat their skin once shed but mine never have. I bought an aquarium vacuum that helps keep things clean, it cost me around 10 dollars at the pet store. Pet stores also sell cans of krill, shrimp or reptile sticks that your frog will enjoy just as much as the food from grow a frog.
  
  My kids have gotten sorta bored with the frogs (we have 2 now) but I really like these stupid things. They're very relaxing to watch. Also these frogs are African Clawed frogs. If you do a google search for African clawed frogs you will learn a good deal about what you are getting yourself into. They are a little bit of work but I enjoy them.
  
  
• We will see...
  By ACOGROSIRFH0E on 2007-01-18
  I ordered this for my daughter for Christmas; we will see how great it is in the spring when we can order the tadpole (the weather must be between certain temps. prior to delivery).
  
  
• Educationally fun!
  By A3TJAWZ6P8YSUS on 2008-03-11
  Shockingly small, but when our tadpole arrived we knew why the container was so small. As the tadpole turned into a frog we put him in an aquarium, all the while in a classroom setting. He is still thriving, growing big and fun to play with. Very easy to care for and he has been a great pet for the classroom.
  
  
• Great educational value, poor durability
  By A3TL60074LUD70 on 2007-04-23
  It's not a bad deal, overall, for kids. The kit is nothing to get excited over. It's a plastic cube, the lid to which has a hole for easy feeding. The feeding spoon is spade-shaped, so you'll spill some food on the lid.
  The tadpole came quickly for us, even coast-to-coast. The bag in the package was leaking, though, so we were a little concerned about his future. We've had it two weeks, now, and hind legs are sprouting out of his body. He's not much to look at. When content, he stays suspended in one place doing nothing. If he reaches sufficient size after metamorphosis, that sucker is going into the aquarium despite what the booklet says. I'm not spending any more money on cheap plastic tanks and "special food."
  
  

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