Reviews for Electronics
This rocket ship by International Playthings is great for toddlers, as there are no small or complicated parts. It’s also great for preschoolers who are at the height of their imaginary play phase. Although made of plastic, it’s of quality construction with lots of fun accents you might find in a real space shuttle (cockpit, cargo hold, microwave, Murphy bed, toilet, etc.). In addition to the rocket ship, the set includes 2 astronauts, space dog, alien, dune buggy, and moon crater. And, of course, there is a button that when pushed, takes kids through the “lift off” sequence (10, 9, 8… lift off!), simulates other rocket sounds, and lights up the “boosters.” A really fun and popular toy!
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
Finally, a video game system that promotes physical as well as mental exercise! Yes, there’s the Wii system for older children, but the Smart Cycle by Fisher-Price is specifically designed for 3-6 year-olds — an age group that really needs to expend energy, regardless of the weather outside. The Smart Cycle “physical learning arcade system” plugs right into the TV, where your grandchildren can ride their onscreen car through virtual environments by pedaling (to keep the car moving) and steering (with the cycle’s handlebars), making sharp turns and negotiating other obstacles, while “catching” letters of the alphabet along the way. The Smart Cycle also has a console with buttons and joysticks (both sized and positioned appropriately for this age group) to play other games. It comes with a few games (on one cartridge), including “Math Mountain,” which reviews numbers, and “Shape Lake,” which introduces different shapes. Also included are a car racing game that allows 2 children to play at the same time, and a “creative journal” in which your grandchildren can create pictures of their travels. Of course, there are other game cartridges available for purchase, including Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and other common characters. Regardless, there are plenty of essential skills that can be learned from these games, and along with the indoor exercise it offers, the Smart Cycle is an overall plus. It should be a big hit with your grandchildren, and Parenting Magazine agrees, having chosen it as one of their Best Toys of 2007.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
iPod Touch (8 GB 2nd Generation)$220 at Amazon.com |
By now you probably know about the iPod revolution. Your grandkids (12 and older) long for this new iPod that incorporates Apple’s “touch” technology introduced earlier this year in their beloved iPhone. Of course, the iPod Touch plays and stores music and photos, as Apple’s other iPod models do, and also plays video (tv and movies), as is featured in the latest iPod Nano (see our review). But the iPod Touch also allows you to browse the internet comfortably and in style! The iPod Touch’s “multi-touch interface” allows you to control everything using your fingers on the touch-sensitive screen (there’s no physical keypad). And it is so intuitive that, for example, if you turn the device horizontally, the display will automatically switch to “wide-screen” mode. We could describe its features in much greater detail (Amazon’s product description and the Apple website can fill in the blanks). Just know that any grandchild who receives this gift will be one very thrilled person, because the Touch is truly magical and highly prized! We’re featuring the iPod Touch 8 GB second generation model.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
Most preschoolers (and even some toddlers) are already interested in computers. Here’s a great new affordable kids computer that is designed specifically for 3-6 year-olds! LeapFrog’s ClickStart has alleviated many of the problems that occur when young children try to use computers meant for grownups. The television becomes the computer screen, the keyboard is wireless (no getting twisted up!), the mouse is downsized, and the buttons are colored for easy identification. ClickStart comes with four educational games that teach letters, phonics, counting, and computer skills. And of course, there are several other games that can be purchased separately, featuring preschooler favorites like Thomas & Friends, Dora the Explorer, and many more.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
Eyeclops Bionic Eye is a great educational toy for kids 6-12, or younger, with supervision, who will never look at their everyday surroundings in the same way again. Objects become 200 times their size when viewed through the fun hand-held device, and then projected using LED lights onto a TV screen. An observation dish and clear tube are included to allow kids to view things like liquids and insects more easily. It’s more powerful than a magnifying glass and unlike a microscope, there’s no fuss — it hooks up directly into any television and the imaging is great. Mom and Dad will love joining in the fun, and also appreciate the educational value in this perfect gift.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
What an incredible way to get kids (ages 7-10) to challenge themselves both physically and mentally! We’re not surprised that Wild Planet’s game Hyper Dash has won several awards, including an iParenting “outstanding product” award. Kids set up five different colored targets wherever they want (as far apart as they want), inside or outside. Then they hold an electronic “tagger” that calls out which targets you need to hit, while also playing energizing music to encourage them to go as fast as they can through their “course.” There are four different skill levels, with the first calling out certain colored targets to be tagged, up to level four where they need to solve an addition or subtraction problem in order to know how many targets to hit. There are also other play modes, such as “micro dash,” a memory game, and multi-player mode, promoting teamwork — although the game is equally as fun being played solo or head-to-head. Loads of fast-paced fun!
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
Leapster L-Max Learning System-Blue$69.99 at Amazon.com |
LeapFrog makes plenty of great products, but this one has a special place in our hearts. The LeapFrog Leapster L-Max Learning Game System is a portable educational video game system made for boys and girls ages 4-10. During one long drive to visit his grandparents, our 4 year-old son actually learned all of the sounds that the letters make. Leapster provided him with another way to learn the information and it made all the difference in the world. Other game cartridges teach other skills, and more are being made available all the time. This particular system has a nice size for small hands, and is available in either blue or pink. It runs on 2 AA batteries, although you can buy a recharging system that parents will appreciate (sold separately). This gift is a sure winner for children that are starting to learn independently, and it will grow with them for several years. And check out Leapster’s many educational game cartridges while you’re at it. We highly recommend “Letters on the Loose” and “Get Puzzled,” but check the recommended age range noted on each game cartridge to make sure that it’s appropriate for your grandchild (but of course yours is a genius)!
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Alphabet Drum$14.99 at Amazon.com |
It features 3 learning modes, including Alphabet, Dance Along, and Music Play. The Alphabet Mode introduces babies to letters in both English and Spanish. And Music Play mode lets the child freely explore music and movement. In the Dance Mode, children, of course, dance. But babies and toddlers also roll it around… and chase after it — it truly does engage children through various developmental stages. The Alphabet Drum is built to withstand typical toddler handlAnother great toy by Leapfrog! Your grandchildren (ages 6 to 36 months) will quickly learn cause and effect, as each tap of this drum rewards them with lights, letters and music. ing, and mom and dad will appreciate its volume control feature. To prolong battery life, the drum shuts off if it hasn’t been used for a while. Plus, at approximately 8 inches tall, it helps babies learn to sit up on their own! This toy was a winner of the 2006 iParenting Media Greatest Products Award.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
Star Wars Voice Activated R2-D2 $174.90 at Amazon.com |
This is certainly a crowd pleasing toy — for the grandchildren who’ve recently discovered the magnetism of the Star Wars films, to their parents (and grandparents!) who first fell in love with R2-D2, the little droid, and his hero pals back in ‘77. Similar to a real robot, this sophisticated 15″ voice activated mini R2-D2 droid robot toy will be like a companion to your grandchild. R2 responds to 40 voice commands such as “turn around,” and navigates rooms and hallways well. Ask him if he remembers Darth Vader and he’ll cower in fear. His sensor helps him follow behind you, or it can be set to detect motion. His lights, swiveling dome and happy and sad noises look and sound exactly like the real R2-D2. If he slips into his occasional “bad mood,” your grandchild will say a simple command of “R2, behave yourself,” and he will snap right out of it. And the little droid toy can replay sounds and dialogue from the Star Wars movies, answer yes or no questions, and dance as he did in the films. He does require some assembly, but comes with detailed instructions and a bonus poster.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table$31.99 at Amazon.com |
This was one of our son’s favorite toys — and ours. The central “book” flips into one of two positions to put the toy into one of two modes (at one of two parent-selectable volume settings). Children can then press keys, move sliders, and enjoy their musical creations. The Leapfrog Learn & Groove musical table & activity center for baby motivated our son to pull himself up to the side of the table, helping him to learn to stand and cruise as he’d move from one side of the table to the next — to get to another activity and sound. The music the table makes is geared towards children’s ears, but unlike many musical toys, is pleasant enough for adults. The legs detach, and the top of the table can rest on the floor, so that infants can play with it (and this feature also makes the toy more portable). This toy is a winner on all counts and your grandchild will be sure to receive a standing ovation.
| Buy Now |
to learn more at our trusted vendor's website |
