The rise of the digital age has brought about another dimension in the world of toys and games. Whilst there will always be room for traditional toys, board games, wooden toys, construction sets etc the trend for techy toys is growing stronger by the day.
Electronic Toys & Games
Learning Tablets
LeapFrog 2-in-1 Touch & Learn Tablet, Kids Two-Sided Tablet, Electronic Toy with Stories and Activities, Educational Play for Children Aged 2 Years +,Multicolor,22.1 x 28.5 x 33.5 cm
Amazon
£20.63
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Vtech Touch & Teach Tablet for Kids | Sound Effects, Phrases and Songs | Early Development with Numbers, Shapes, Animals And Colours | Suitable For Ages 12 - 36 Months
Amazon
£19.99
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Electronic Games, Interactive Toys and Robots
More and more toys including old favourites that have been around for years are getting a digital makeover. Today’s technological advancements and electronic wizardry bring games alive and learning has never been so much fun.
Toy companies are thinking up new ideas all the time that are truly amazing and producing electronic toys and games that appeal to both kids and parents. The advancement in toys over the years has seen the growing emphasis on learning with Vtech leading the way.
It was back in the 1990s that Vtech made a grand appearance and since those early days has never looked back. V-Motion is their new offering for 2009 and looks set to be just as popular as Vtech’s V.Smile; which has been in the top ten toy list for the last 5 years.
V-Motion
V-Motion is a motion-activated educational video gaming system that includes wireless motion sensing technology. Interactive play is even more fun with the addition of the Action Mania game introducing exercise, colours, shapes, numbers, spelling and more. This new electronic toy from Vtech is aimed at 3 – 7-year-olds and makes an ideal preschool toy.
As a child develops and grows their choice of toys and games tend to change but this is not the case when it comes to electronic toys. Electronic toys, techy toys and gadgets appeal to both kids and adults alike. They are the best type of toy that suits all ages and offer plenty of play value.
There are also video games, remote controlled cars, RC vehicles, electronic board games including TV favourites like Family Fortunes, The Colour of Money, Scene it and popular Britain’s Got Talent electronic game that the whole family can enjoy together.
Interactive Toys
The latest craze appears to be all things electronic and the more interactive play the better even when it comes to the baby and toddler age group. Electronic toys for infants to three-year-olds are always in demand because of their developmental value. They can soothe baby, with different sights and sound, teach letters and as they get older more toys are introduced to stimulate and entertain them like the range of Leapfrog toys.
Leapfrog has obtained a good track record of excellent preschool learning toys with best sellers of 2008 still proving just as popular this year such as Tag, Leapster 2 and Learn ‘N Groove lines. Their new line up for 2009 includes Tag Junior; this is aimed at a much younger audience and comes with a book and special bookpal character replacing the normal electronic stylus.
Leapfrog
One to look out for is the new Zippity. Leapfrog in partnership with Disney has come up with a sort of Wii Fit for kids. Although it does more than just get them active it is an interactive TV-based learning game.
It is designed to get children moving their entire body and comes with eight learning games, folding dance mat and incorporates wireless technology. The 8 built-in games feature popular Playhouse Disney characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Little Einstein’s and Handy Manny.
Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera
Other electronic toys that work well for toddlers are ride-on toys; they love the idea of driving their own vehicle and the feeling of independence. The cool VTech Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera is another great idea and makes a good first camera that lets kids take photos just like mum and dad. The Kidizoom has 16MB of internal memory; an SD Card slot and 1.8 inch LCD display.
Animatronics is a new concept in the toy world that was originally developed for the film industry. The use of robotics and electronics are used to make a model or puppet appear to be real or alive. Fine examples are the award-winning Elmo Live and the amazing Meccano “Spykee’ animatronic.
Handheld gaming devices
8 – 11-year-olds still enjoy the thought of toys but the type of toys they choose is changing. There are music orientated games, musical instruments, video games and handheld gaming devices that would also suit both sexes.
12-year-olds are more like “little adults” and are at the stage where you could consider a more grown-up gift like a camera, computer or digital music player. Boys at this age wouldn’t say no to the latest robot toy or RC car and buying for a girl is also easy if she is a fan of the popular talent shows on TV.