My son just have it for her 5 years. It's hard to throw the ball, it remains easily stuck in the chute down. The sounds are difficult to hear because they are more the result of a hubbub. I always test my children's toys before they play it themselves, and I have not found it easy to use. As for his strength I already feared to break the trap by trying to insert the batteries, then I doubt that my son're used a lot!