How does the latch work? Can a 4 year old open it? How about a 18 month old?
1053560
It is a little metal lever that you lift. An 18 month old can't do it. Not sure about a 4 yr old. My 8 yr old can operate it. It takes a little coordination even for me lol. You have to lift the lever and the gate at the same time to disconnect it.
1053561
My 3 year old can open it. It allows the older kids to pass through, but not the baby. An 18 month old wouldn't be able to get it, and IF he did it would probably take a while and be a bit noisy- I'm guessing you'd know something was going on before anything could happen. The downside is that it may take more work for the 4 year old to close than open it. I had a tough time getting mine to shut it after going through, or she would miss attaching both top and bottom, leaving a small gap for baby to possibly go through. DEFINITELY not for top of the stairs!
1053562
I doubt if an 18 month old would open it but a 4 year old would probably figure it out.
1053563
The gate works well for us and even my 48 year old husband has a bit of difficulty opening it. Honestly, it would probably be quite difficult for either child to open but not impossible. The latch is a basic lever type latch. You push the lever down and a claw latch opens. You still have to maneuver it out of the eye hook that it is in. So, it would be difficult, but a determined four year old may eventually get it. I have to say that it's worth the try. It is a great gate and you can remove it from the eye hooks if you want to take it down for a bit.
1053564
Hi Matt, a 4 year old can open the latch, I don't think the 18 months old will be able to since you have to hold the latch down while you lift the door up to unhook it but don't quote me on that one, children these days are very smart. My grandson is 28 months and he figured it out. Product is nice and sturdy, have no problem at all. bought it for my dogs, no problem there. I love the fact that it can be opened from either side and swings open.
1587807
3-4 year olds can easily do it if they watch an adult show them how to put a closed end over the open end and visa versa. That is what makes this toy so incredible. It teaches the child to think and plan. I used it 25 years in a special needs preschool.
1422251
I think with enough training and a little strength, a 4 year old may be strong and smart enough to do it. I have 4 yr old nephews I think I could teach how to open it. I doubt they'd figure out how to do it on their own.
1293777
Yes. The latch mechanism is interesting, but if you show your 4 year old how to operate it, it should not be a problem.
1422252
It would take a bit of coordination to hold the release button and lift at the same time for a 4 year old, but I guess it is possible. My 2 year old granddaughter cannot open the gate. I have been quite pleased with the gate overall.
638329
I got it for my great grandson who lives in another state..so I am not sure how it latches..Sorry I cannot help there at present...I will ask my grand daughter
1467209
The latch is very easy to operate. Yes, I think a child could do it. Just be sure not to fill the jar above the bottom of the top or it will leak.
64970
You do have to lift it to open it. I'm not sure whether a 5-year-old could open it or not. My 3-year-old can't but my 8-year-old can.
1636958
I have a 5 year old, and 2 year old twins. I showed my 5 year old how to use the latch- he got it right away- he used two hands- one to lower the little latch and one to turn. Worked perfectly for us!
1729071
There's no latch or anything, but there is a slightly magnetized strip on the cover that keeps it closed. I haven't had any problems with it coming open accidentally.
1422249
I don't think so, personally. It has a double lock, so they have to twist the locking mechanism and then push it over and lift up the actual gate part to open it. A smart 4 year old would figure it out but, i don't think would be strong enough.
694174
Yes, I would say it is very easy open for a 4 year old. It doesn't twist or screw. Only thing I would be sure is to show her how to push it closed tight otherwise it will fall open if dropped or turned on it's side.
2116373
My toddler is two years old he can't open it he's not strong enough. My other son was 4 1/2 years old when we bought it and he was able to open it.
2096760
The latch is adjustable, with the manual you should have no problem learning to adjust it as you 'll need as your child grows, we 're happy with it and have two.
2277042
I agree with Tim. They're great product. Four small screws and they're out. However, I recommend you just press the switch on the latch part to avoid having to use the magnet (you will see a green sticker). That disengages the latch so it opens and closes freely.
1097667
Depending on how you close it. They have to pull spring string stoppers but I also tie the left over string into a bow. It secure the opening a little more and provide easy handles. My 4 year old has no trouble carrying it this way. Note that with Legos the opening does not fully close, there will be space at the opening. We usually place something like the instructions book at the opening to seal it.
1316846
I asked my daughter and she says that the latch seems strong with pretty rough play from her 4 year old so not sure if yours is defective. Those toys are usually very well made so may be worth a return to see. Hope this helps.