Childsplay
Lights out: Crayola glow station
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The Glow Station from Crayola allows kids to create drawings from light when their rooms get dark. The canvas starts to glow when the lights go out, and drawings made using a "light-wand" stay illuminated for approximately 30 seconds before they start to disappear. Read More
Wrex the robot dog
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Based on a similar concept to the now defunct Aibo, Wrex The Dawg is the latest robo-pet from WowWee and his moods are distinctive. Ill-mannered Wrex was styled using discarded mechanical and electrical parts and is designed to be any kid’s mischievous robotic pal. Read More
Hide and seek 21st century style
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Kids can take hide and seek to all new levels using the EyeClops Night Vision Infrared stealth goggles. Based on real US military-style Infrared illumination technology coupled with an LCD monocle, the goggles promise clear visibility up to 15m (around 50ft), even in absolute darkness. Read More
Limbo String: throw a party anywhere, anytime
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After something a little different for your box of party tricks? At the click of a button, the compact Limbo Stringunit releases a colorful circular string which arches across the room. The string is constantly fed through the unit so it remains airborne at all times and if you turn off the lights, the multi-colored, fluorescent string will glow in the dark. Read More
Cool fun: Hasbro’s Super Soaker Aquashock Arctic Blast
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Hasbro's Super Soaker Aquashock Arctic Blast is not your run-of-the-mill water pistol - it packs an extra element of surprise in the form of a wide-fill cap which you can fill with ice-cubes. Then you simply pump it up, fire and your target is left soaking in a pool of ice-cold water. Read More
The 50 mph Axon Razorback RC Hovercraft
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August 7, 2008 The Axon Razerback is one of those toys that makes adults wish they were children again. Billed as an anti-gravity racer, it’s essentially a remote-controlled, high-performance hovercraft that looks like an RC car. The standard $250 Razorback does a remarkable 25 mph straight out of the box, but there’s also a motor upgrade which enables it to reach 50 mph. Read More
Fat Shark's first person RC racer
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June 16, 2008 This all-in-one RC vision system bundles a set wearable VR display glasses and a 4WD remote controlled car equipped with an on-board camera to deliver a drivers-eye view of the action. We've encountered realtime RC systems before, but what grabs us about this incarnation is the gyro-controlled pan-tilt tracking mechanism that's integrated into the camera mount so you can alter the camera direction with your head movement. Read More
Swinxs: a toy for active play
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The Swinxs is a unique games system which encourages children to move and run while they’re having fun. Designed for active indoor and outdoor play the Swinxs communicates, cheers players on, explains games, referees and keeps game scores with the help of RFID wristbands worn by each player. Read More
Realtime video goggles put R/C plane pilots in the cockpit
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May 16, 2008 Radio-controlled planes are all about vicariously experiencing the freedom of flight - and with this little device, you move one step closer to feeling like it's you up there soaring between the trees. Pilot View's FPV 2400 is a US$550 add-on that sends video back from the plane in real-time to a set of video goggles so you can fly your plane (or drive your R/C car, or watch your buddy's hang gliding experience) from a first-person view. Read More
LeapFrog Tag Reading System
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May 12, 2008 Designed to enhance the learning to read experience LeapFrog’s next generation Tag Reading System uses special dot-printed books and a stylus fitted with an Infrared camera and speaker to allow children to hear the words of the story and read along. Read More
Disney enters growing robotic toy market
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May 1, 2008 Known for DVDs, plush toys and movie character figurines, Disney Consumer Products has announced that it will now enter the fast growing robotic toy market. Disney has created its debut line in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, Thinkway Toys and WowWee. Read More
Thudguard safety hat for toddlers
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In the UK, over 500,000 children's head injuries are recorded each year and part of this is due to bumps and falls as toddlers learn to walk. Thudguard is a lightweight safety hat for kids to keep them safe while the find their feet and reduce the severity of the everyday bumps and bruises. Read More
OUiP!: child’s handheld electronic device powered by play
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March 12, 2008 Small children have an uncanny ability to understand and use electronic devices quickly and correctly. You’re happy when your child wants to learn but when their buttery fingers caress your new laptop or digital camera it’s time to introduce them to their own toys! The industrial design company think/thing (designer of the recently featured Nestt car seat), has developed OUiP!, an intuitive, interactive technology interface for children. Read More
Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle and Smartcycle take Toy Of The Year Awards
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The annual Toy Of The Year (TOTY) is always a deusy – this year the crown went to Spin Master’s Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle Set – two radio-controlled helicopters with their own infrared laser targeting and hit recognition system. The Most Innovative Toy of the Year and the Educational Toy of the Year Awards both went to the same toy - Fisher-Price’s Smart Cycle Physical Learning Arcade System - a stationary bike and computer game console that gets junior so involved in the action that he doesn’t realize he’s pedaling his little legs off. It’s a great idea – the easiest way to get fit is to find something that’s physically demanding and fun to do, and the Smart Cycle seems to have all the bases covered for ease-of-use. Read More
One-of-a kind, diamond encrusted Hot Wheels car
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February 18, 2008 Hot Wheels® has unveiled the most expensive car in its 40 year history - a unique diamond encrusted 1:64-scale car cast in 18-carat white gold designed by celebrity jeweler Jason Arasheben of Beverly Hills. The car was made to commemorate the production of the 4 billionth Hot Wheels® vehicle and coincides with the upcoming release of the Designer's Challenge™ Die-Cast Car Line and other events marking the company's 40th anniversary celebrations. Read More
Trunki: the ride-on, carry-on, kid’s suitcase
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February 14, 2008 The Trunki is a kid’s suitcase with a difference: it’s a seat, a ride-on toy, a carry-on container for in-flight toys and a tow-along bag. The Trunki has a capacity of 18 litres so there’s plenty of room to pack favorite toys and games, snacks and even some spare clothes and at just 1.7 kg (3.8 pounds) and 46 x 20 x 30.5 cm (18" x 7.9" x 12"), it’s easy to stow-away once on board. The integrated wheels and specially designed stabilizers help make a strong base for little ones and the extra wide wheel base allows for smooth cornering. The Trunki is made from strong but lightweight plastic material and kids will love the bright color combinations. The towing handle and shoulder strap allow parents to move quickly if need be and the extra-strong hooks mean they can tow several toddlers at once. Read More
Paperpod’s cardboard play-house: recyclable and reusable
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February 13, 2008, According to the EPA, if consumers bought more recycled environmentally-friendly products, not only would they help to make the recycling process a success, they would also put pressure on manufacturers to produce high-quality recycled products. Toy manufacturers are often among the worst offenders when it comes to excess packaging and plastic toys but now a UK company has developed a range of children’s toys which are not only made of recycled material but are also themselves recyclable. Read More
Corgi International announces H2GO fuel cell powered toy car
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February 7, 2008 The automotive market is set to undergo momentous change over the next decade as the impetus of low-emissions, alternative fuel designs that have recently dominated the Concept offerings from major auto manufacturers continues to grow and prototypes move towards commercialization. But at the other end of the scale - literally - the application of hydrogen fuel cell technology in particular is already making its mark. The latest example comes from toy-maker Corgi International, which has unveiled a new hydrogen fuel cell powered radio controlled toy car at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany. Called the H2GO, the new RC car uses a propulsion system based on Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' pioneering H-Racer. Read More
Fisher Price’s Kid-Tough digital camera
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February 6, 2008 Fisher Price has developed a kid's digital camera that is durable and drop resistant and features a built-in automatic flash and an 8MB of built-in memory. Designed for little hands, the Kid-Tough has dual handgrips and big buttons and the controls are simple enough for a three year old to understand. The viewfinder has two-eye viewing which allows for easier focusing and the 1.3” color LCD preview screen allows kids to see the picture they have just taken. Read More
Lighten the load: Infant Cruizer travel system
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January 7, 2007 An invention that parents-on-the-go will love, Go-Go Babyz' unique Infant Cruizer travel system is designed to easily transport your baby without taking him or her out of the car seat. The Infant Cruizer simply attaches to a car seat and turns it into a wheeled pull-cart, reducing the need for a stroller on both short and long-distance trips. Read More
Twice the fun: Cozy Cruiser Double Baby Sled
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January 6, 2008 This winter, grownups might be maneuvering down the slopes on a Ski-Doo snowmobile or even a Snoxcycle, but the kids will have a safer trip careering down on a Cozy Cruiser Double Baby Sled. This nifty sled is inflated by air pump in about five minutes and is comfortable but sturdy with three-sided security enclosures and tough, welded-on rubber handles. It is made from crack-and-cold-resistant PVC and is light enough to drag through the snow using the extra-long tow rope. Read More
Wee Target zeros-in on toilet training
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January 3, 2007 Desperate parents resort to any number of incentives to encourage their kid to “use the potty”- special underpants, reward charts and for parents of boys, even floating toys in the toilet bowl for target practice! Inventor Joanna Haymes, a mother of three boys, took the latter idea further and developed the “Wee Target”. Inspired by heat sensitive ink on a packet of batteries and driven to help her boys aim in the right direction, she designed a “target”- a black circle made of heat sensitive ink which is fixed temporarily inside the toilet bowl. When the target is hit by urine, the circle fades and a surprise picture appears. Read More
Nokia to add Creebi virtual pets to n-gauge
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December 17, 2007 It seems that virtual pets such as Tamagotchi and their electronic brethren are a fad that just won’t go away. Now Nokia has announced that the Creebies virtual pet-care game will be available through the N-Gage mobile games service, giving each player their own 3D Creebi to care for, entertain, feed and even breed. Read More
Britepack motion sensitive LED backpack
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December 6, 2007 Tomorrow Incorporated has released a fun new backpack for kids. Triggered by movement or impact, the Britepack sets off a pattern of LED lights and shuts off when it's not in motion. In addition to being a cool novelty for kids, the lights are also an added safety feature allowing drivers to be able see the wearer more easily in traffic or other low-light conditions. Read More
Lotus' toy-scale open-top sportscar concept
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November 23, 2007 More images to hand from Lotus of its open-top two-seat sports car concept produced for Mattel’s 40th anniversary Designer’s Challenge™, a competition in which leading manufacturers were invited to create an original vehicle for the company’s die-cast toy range. Read More
Crayola art tools for toddlers
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November 23, 2007 Crayola has introduced a new line of art tools for toddlers that are ergonomically designed just for tiny hands. The egg-shaped crayons, markers and paints are completely washable and let children 12 to 36 months scribble and paint up a colorful storm. Read More
Kids rock on with their toothbrush out
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November 23, 2007 Getting kids to brush their teeth is no easy task, which is why Tiger Electronics has introduced a little fun to oral care with Toothtunes - a collection of musical toothbrushes that transmit music from the bristles, through the teeth into the inner ear. Songs last for two minutes, the amount of time generally recommended by dentists for a thorough clean.
i-SOBOT: the smallest humanoid robot in production
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October 31, 2007 TOMY Toy Corporation's i-SOBOT, has been certified as the “smallest humanoid robot in production” by Guinness World Records. Despite its diminutive 6.5 inches stature, the fully articulating and bipedal robot is endowed with 17 custom developed servo-motors, 19 integrated circuit chips, a built in gyro-sensor, 2 LEDs and a voice command recognition chip that can recognize 10 voice commands. i-SOBOT, which has just hit shelves in the US, can also speak over 200 words and phrases, features hundreds of preprogrammed actions including walking, dancing, martial arts, push-ups, soccer - even air guitar, plus over 90 kinds of sound effects and the ability to play five songs.
Hot Wheels Designer’s Challenge: leading automotive manufacturers come out to play
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October 31, 2007 Major automotive manufacturers recently showcased their visions for the automobile of the future as part of the LA Auto Show Design Challenge, but now comes a competition of a very different kind. Clean fuel and artificial intelligence take a back seat as speed, power, performance and attitude become the key criteria in Mattel’s 40th anniversary Designer’s Challenge™ in which leading manufacturers were invited to create an original vehicle for the company’s die-cast Hot Wheels® toy range… but there is one special requirement: each vehicle must be able to perform a loop on classic Hot Wheels® orange track. Read More
Meade mySKY: the personal, point-and-shoot, multimedia guide to the heavens
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June 5, 2007 The US$400 Meade mySKY is a remarkable mash up of technologies that creates a very cool educational toy and the first of a new breed of augmented reality informational products. It is NOT a telescope! mySKY is an interactive, hand-held, point-and-identify multimedia guide to the heavens. It locates, identifies, and describes 30,000 celestial objects in the night sky – every object visible to your unaided eye, as well as many you’ll need a separate telescope to see. If you like this new “browse function for the heavens” ability, it has the added ability to control a Meade computerized telescope. No knowledge is needed - just turn it on and mySKY does the rest. It incorporates full GPS Auto Alignment using a 12-channel GPS receiver which aligns itself on the sky without any input from you. Read More
Real-world toys enter virtual reality
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September 13, 2007 In days gone by the only virtual reality was the one we created in our heads. Before Atari and Space Invaders, and certainly before Tamagochi and Wii, kids had to rely on their imagination to generate fanciful worlds in which to play. Nowadays the imagination gets a kick-start from electronic gadgets, gizmos and games based on emerging technologies that are transforming the world of "playtime". Bratz dolls and MyPets are among the latest to embrace this idea with the launch of websites based on their respective toys that act as virtual worlds for kids to explore. Read More
New range of high-tech Lego Technic models
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September 12, 2007 Lego is a household brand synonymous with childhood fun that also aides learning and motor skills. The toy giant has just announced its latest offerings in the Lego Technic range for 2007 with some notable improvements in technology including remote controlled functionality for models designed to replicate real-life vehicle movement and functions. Read More
New line of toys boost scientific learning
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September 7, 2007 ToyQuest and Mad Science have developed a new line of science-based toys designed to combine learning with play. The range consists of five different toys for children aged six and up including a Hydraulic Robotic Arm which is powered completely by water. Read More
RipRoar Creation Station allows kids to create personal videos
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August 29, 2007 This new video creation system designed for tweens enables the creation, editing and one-touch uploading of videos directly to YouTube. Toy manufacturer ToyQuest recently announced the release of the US$99.99 RipRoar Creation Station, which features the ability to shoot in "green screen" and drop in background animation. Read More
LeapFrog introduce ClickStart PC for preschoolers
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August 4, 2007 From entertainment game play to information research and skill enhancement software, the computer is now firmly established as an essential learning tool for 21st century kids. Recognizing both the importance of acquiring these skills at an early age and the cost barriers presented by access to such technology, educational product developer LeapFrog has introduced the ClickStart My First Computer, an interactive system aimed at preschoolers that converts the humble TV into a kid-friendly PC and introduces basic computing skills without the need for an expensive desktop or notebook PC. Read More
