Gizmag: Childsplay

Storyplay: Nokia and Sesame Street create video conferencing in a book

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:49:10 +1100

Nokia has teamed up with Sesame Street to create an interactive reading experience that can involve grandparents and grandchildren no matter how far apart they may find themselves. The Storybook research project melds the tactile and visual pleasures of reading a real book with video conferencing technology which allows distant relatives to take an active part in a child's literacy development...

Tags: Book, Interactive, Learning, Nokia, Play, Prototype, Reading, Sesame Street, Touchscreen, Video Conferencing

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A new look for an old favorite - the interactive Dora Links doll

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:47:49 +1000

Around the same time we reported that Nickelodeon was teaming up with Mattel to produce an older, “tweenage” version of the Dora the Explorer, an explosion of outrage erupted from parents concerned by the teaser silhouette which had many thinking Dora was to become a “sexed up” version of her former self. They need not have worried, as the recently unveiled “Dora Links” doll recreates the much loved kids icon as an “age appropriate” interactive doll that connects to a computer via USB and offers an educational and fun experience both on and offline...

Tags: Barbie, Doll, Dora, Education, Interactive, Kids, Learning, Links, Mattel

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Gyrobike gyroscopic training wheels help kids learn to ride

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:56:34 +1000

The Gyrowheel is a new spin on the old training wheels that help kids learn to ride a bike. Manufactured by Gyrobike, the Gyrowheel replaces the stock bicycle front wheel and features an internal spinning disk that helps stabilize the bike, reducing wobbles and slowing falls. While the Gyrowheel doesn’t eliminate crashes and skinned knees, the company says it does reduce the amount of time needed for a new rider to gain confidence and become proficient...

Tags: Bicycle, Bike, Kids, training wheels

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Kid Kustoms' Roddler stroller converts into a cool trike

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:19:58 +1000

The Kid Kustoms' Roddler stroller has been wowing parents for a few years now - not only because of its customizable hot rod look but also its price tag – from USD $2,500. Now the company has released a trike conversion kit that replaces the front end of the stroller to create a new set of wheels for your trendy tot. ..

Tags: Conversion, Kid Kustoms, Kids, Pram, Stroller, Trike

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Avatar toys ‘come to life’ on home computers

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:48:58 +1000

Toy-maker Mattel is releasing a range of action figures that incorporate augmented reality technology, based on characters from the Avatar movie hitting our screens around Christmas. The toys, to be launched in October, ‘come alive’ on your home computer when scanned on a webcam. Each action figure in the range has a unique 3-D web tag (i-TAG) which, when scanned, reveals special content onscreen. The animated 3-D models will show off “engaging, evading or defending moves”, says Mattel. And when two i-TAGs from the same Battle Pack are scanned together, the 3-D characters will interact on-screen...

Tags: Action figures, Augmented Reality, Avatar, Computers, I-tag, Mattel, Play, Toys, Video, webcam

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BMW's convertible Kidsbike - two bikes in one

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:31:25 +1000

Riding a bike is something most of us learn as kids, with many a wobble along the way as we develop our sense of balance. The BMW Kidsbike has been designed for youngsters from around two and a half to five years of age, helping them progress from their first experience on two wheels to their first proper bike by means of a separate chain and pedal unit which can be easily mounted when the time is right...

Tags: Bicycle, Bike, BMW, Ergonomic

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Video: mechanical centaur legs let you walk like a horse

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:34:10 +1000

Ever wished you were a 7-foot tall semi-centaur with the body of a human and a horse's legs? Er, me neither. But there's plenty of people out there who do, and Seattle-based fantasy artist Kim Graham has come up with a killer Halloween costume that makes you 14 inches taller and gives you uncanny-looking equine legs and spring-loaded cloven hooves. The effect is quite amazing, and even a bit sexy - or, maybe that's just the admirably proportioned Ms. Graham; check out the video after the jump. A set of Digitigrade legs like these can be yours for under USD$1000...

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Popular schoolyard games come out to play for the Wii ones

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:43:10 +1000

The development of Wii computer games, where handsets take the place of real equipment from sports, such as tennis, golf or baseball, has been very successful. Now, a unique and ambitious collaborative project in the United Kingdom looks set to convert popular skipping and clapping playground games into Wii-styled prototype games. ..

Tags: Computer, Games, Research, Wii

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The PediSedate uses video games to calm children

Tue, 12 May 2009 17:02:02 +1000

It’s not entirely brand new but interest in the PediSedate has been resurrected by Technologizer looking at Game Boy oddities as part of a 20th anniversary tribute to Nintendo’s handheld gaming console. The PediSedate is a clever medical gadget consisting of a colorful, toy-like headset that connects to a game console like a Game Boy system or some portable digital music player...

Tags: Pedisedate

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Toy Amphibious Tank packs water cannon and 4WD

Wed, 06 May 2009 22:53:30 +1000

May 6, 2009 If there’s one thing besides the retreat of my hairline and expansion of my waist that makes me wish I was a kid again, it’s the seemingly endless supply of cool toys that today’s youngsters have to entertain them. While I was forced to make do with a stick and a piece of string growing up, the children of today get to enjoy toys like the transforming Amphibious Tank – a remote controlled tank that is as happy on land is it is in the bathtub and comes complete with a water cannon to smite your enemies...

Tags: Amphibious, Remote Control, Toys

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Lego set to launch a line of portable electronic gear for kids

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:53:50 +1000

Lego Systems has joined with Digital Blue to produce a range of colorful Lego-inspired electronic gear for kids. The range of portable electronics includes an alarm clock (pictured), boom box, MP3 player and later in the year, a stop animation video camera. Designed to appeal to little and big kids, the first products will be released mid-year...

Tags: Boom box, Camera, Clock radio, Digital Blue, Lego, MP3, Music, Portable, Toys, Walkie Talkie

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Smart Animals Scanopedia teaches kids about animals while they have fun

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:37:35 +1000

If you have kids of your own, you’ll know instinctively the easiest way to encourage little ’uns to learn is through engagement and interaction. Toymakers know this, too, and have been quick to use various technologies to develop new lines of educative products. The Discovery Channel-branded Smart Animals Scanopedia, an electronic talking animal encyclopedia, joins the growing list of electronic toys that try to both teach and entertain...

Tags: Animals, Electronic, Kids, Learning, Scanner, Scanopedia

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Sparking up the Razor Scooter

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:56:47 +1000

Razor - the company perhaps best known for the Ripstik - has added a little spark to its Razor A Kick Scooter - literally. The latest incarnation of the lightweight scooter features a "Spark Bar" mechanism attached to the rear wheel - just stomp on the bar to light it up!..

Tags: Scooter, Skate, Skateboard

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Crayola goes digital

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:04:47 +1000

Crayola is a name that conjures up happy childhood memories for generations of kids – or former kids. Although the Crayola brand is synonymous with crayons and other assorted ‘coloring implements’, that hasn’t stopped them embracing the digital age with a range of colorful electronic toys designed to combine learning with fun. Gizmag got the low down on the latest from the company at the recent Australian Toy Hobby and Nursery Fair. ..

Tags: Camera, Cameras, Crayola, Digital, Digital Cameras, Keyboard, Mouse, MP3, USB, Video Camera

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Barbie at 50: revered and reviled

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:48:57 +1100

Barbie turned 50 this month but she doesn’t look a day older than at her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Sure, she’s copped some flak along the way for being empty-headed and ‘tarty’, and reinventing herself to conform to current fashions, but essentially she’s still as glamorous as ever, not to mention technologically savvy...

Tags: Barbie, Digital, Girls, Toys, Women

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USD100 EyeClops Mini Projector projects 70 inch screen, runs on batteries

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:02:26 +1100

The toy shop has always been a place of immense fascination for children, but it is increasingly becoming a place where extreme high end electronics experiences are being delivered at mass market price points. Night Vision Goggles, f'rinstance, were until recently the exclusive domain of well-funded Special Ops teams, but are now available for USD80 in the local toy store, with Night Vision Binoculars soon to land at USD60. Similarly, this pocket-sized, EyeClops Mini Projector will be distributed through toy channels and uses LED illumination to project a 70 inch screen from almost any multi-media device. The battery-powered (or mains) projector has built-in speakers and a recommended retail of USD100...

Tags: Eyeclops, Projector

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Siftables: cookie-sized computer blocks for hands-on fun

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:27:59 +1100

It is believed that many children and adults learn best when they use their hands to perform a task, and for young children, play-based activities are essential for acquiring knowledge. This new design concept cleverly combines both hands-on and play-based learning in one very cool but tiny package. Siftables are small computer blocks with the capacity to interface with each other using a combination of neighbor detection, motion sensing and wireless communication. The user manipulates them by hand and with each process, whether it is sorting, grouping or even piling, the blocks continue to interact with each other. ..

Tags: Computers, Learning, MIT, Wireless

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Dora the Explorer is growing up

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:07:05 +1100

Many parents will be familiar with the educational exploits of Dora the Explorer. The bi-lingual cartoon character designed for pre-schoolers has developed a strong presence both on the box and in spin-off products like books and toys over the past 10 years, and now she's set to grow-up alongside her young fans. Mattel and Nickelodeon have announced that a "tweenage Dora" for girls five years and up will be released later this year. The new look line will be built around an interactive "Dora Links fashion doll" which plugs into a computer and can be customized using an interactive website - change Dora's hair, jewelry or eye color online and the doll will be transformed to match...

Tags: Toys

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WowWee 's Wi-Fi Spyball

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:29:28 +1100

A scaled back version of the Rovio Wi-Fi robot webcam, the Spyball from WowWee is a remote controlled, Wi-Fi enabled, transforming robotic ball that allows kids to see what their brother or sister is up to, as well as checking out what’s for dinner in the kitchen – all undetected...

Tags: CES 2009, Remote Control, Robot, Video, Wifi

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Duck Hunter: Remote control target practice

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:12:59 +1100

Here's one that ducks will like - at least until the kids using it grow up and acquire shotguns. Duck Hunter is a small, free-flying remote control bird that comes with a toy handgun "blaster". Charge it, launch it and take aim. Three direct hits will knock it out of the sky...

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Nu.M8 GPS childrens watch and child locator

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:17:43 +1100

800,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States. In the U.K., that number is 140,000 children and there is no greater ordeal for a parent than not knowing where they are. Gartner estimates that the worldwide market for GPS based location devices will grow from 16 million in 2007 to 300 million in 2011.Using GPS-based systems to keep track of your pets and/or children is a trade off between peace of mind and cost – we’ve detailed numerous pet and child GPS locators, and the just-announced Nu.M8’s main claim is that it does not rely upon the child being responsible enough to keep their locator with them in a bag or pocket. When Nu.M8 is securely fastened to a child’s wrist it cannot be removed without sending an alert to the parent’s phone. As it’s also discretely hidden inside a watch, it’s more likely that if something goes wrong, the parent locates their child, not the technology. ..

Tags: CES 2009, GPS, lok8u

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Snowball Launcher prevents pitcher's elbow

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:47:12 +1100

The Snowball Launcher will outdo even the most accomplished snow tosser by making and blasting softball-sized snowballs up to 50 feet. Unless you live anywhere near a city, in which case it might blast softball-sized chunks of muddy slush mixed with cigarette butts and gravel. Still, it is sure to give you the edge in snow fights this winter...

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Double the fun: Kid Balance bike/scooter design

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:40:41 +1100

Dutch designer Neils Smeltink's clever multifunctional bike design can adapt to the needs of children as they become older by easily transforming from a bicycle to a scooter or a walking bike. Younger children will love to use it as a walking bike or scooter while older children can use it as a real pedal-bike...

Tags: Bike, Scooter

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H-Racer 2.0 gets more power and remote control

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:36:20 +1100

December 3, 2009 Horizon had a global hit with the first version of its palm-size hydrogen fuel cell educational toy car and the second version is likely to be just as successful – unfortunately, it won’t be available for the Christmas market (available January), but the H-racer 2.0 and refueling station now comes with twice the original power output, a manual purge system, new refueling valves and faster operation and an infrared remote control...

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Sprig toys: eco-friendly, battery free fun

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:50:02 +1100

Sprig Toys earn an eco-friendly tick on two fronts. Firstly, they are made from a child-safe composite of recycled wood and reclaimed plastic with minimal packaging and no decorative paint and secondly, rather than contributing to the mountains of used batteries littering the planet they use a "kid-powered" system to operate lights and other electronics...

Tags: Design, Environmental, Toys

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