I never thought a small plastic toy could completely change our evening mood — but that’s exactly what happened with the Robo Alive Junior Crocodile by ZURU. Until then, my three-year-old’s bath time was often a mini-battle: first came the negotiations to even get into the tub, then the drama of water getting in the ears, and finally the struggle to get him out after the water had gone cold. And so it went, every evening.
One day, I decided to try a “surprise tactic.” I came home from work with a bright green box in my hands. On it, a cheerful cartoon crocodile smiled with the words: “I swim, walk & chomp like a real crocodile!” My son had already given it a name before we even opened it — “Chompy.” And that’s when bath time completely changed.
We placed it in the water — no buttons needed. As soon as it touched the surface, it sprang to life, slowly paddling forward and opening its little mouth. My son didn’t just watch — he crouched beside the tub and started narrating: “Chompy is looking for his family, but they’re hiding in the bubbles!” That night, there were no tears, no resistance. In fact, the next day, he said, “Dad, it’s time to bathe Chompy!”
What to Expect Before You Buy This ‘Beast’
To be objective, the toy has both strengths and some quirks to be aware of. First off, it looks great: big eyes, chubby little feet, soft green plastic with a few blue ridges on the back. Designed for kids 18 months and up, it’s made of sturdy, non-toxic material with no small detachable parts. Ours took a fall from the edge of the tub onto tile and didn’t even scratch — although I did hold my breath.
In terms of features, it works just as described. On dry land, the crocodile walks and chomps with clicking jaws. In the water, it swims forward — slowly but steadily. It’s not a speed demon, but that’s probably intentional. For little kids, a slower pace is easier to follow and less overwhelming.
A big plus is the automatic shut-off after 4 minutes of inactivity — it saves battery and gives you peace of mind. The toy runs on three AAA batteries, which were included (thankfully).
One minor hiccup we had early on was that it sometimes stopped moving after just a minute. At first, I thought it was broken, but replacing the batteries solved everything. So if it acts up, start there.
More Than Just a Toy
The most amazing thing wasn’t the swimming or walking — it was how my child interacted with it. A few days after we got it, I found him in the living room placing Chompy on the sofa. He played a “rescue game,” watching the crocodile crawl toward the edge, then grabbing it just in time while shouting, “I saved you! Don’t worry, I’ve got you!”
Later, he even packed Chompy into his backpack for a walk, saying the crocodile was scared to stay home alone. At preschool, he explained to other kids how it works, showing them the switch and proudly saying, “He turns on by himself in water — because he’s smart.”
What started as a bath toy turned into a full-on companion — one that inspired storytelling, creative play, and even empathy.
Conclusion
For some families, this might just be a cute tub toy. But for us, the Robo Alive Junior Crocodile became more than that. It brought peace to our evenings, helped my son engage more deeply with bath time, and sparked his imagination in a way I hadn’t expected.
It’s well-designed, safe, and just clever enough to feel magical to a child. If you’re looking for something that does more than just float and squeak — this green, toothy little creature might be exactly what your routine needs.