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Electronic toys for Ecology and Science

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:39:19 +0000

If a child can make something that is relevant and works learns science and technology skills along the way and is absorbed in the process, then this is a great deal for around £12! For example, the name of the Kidz Labs Spy Science Kit already is intriguing and whilst the child learns how to make an intruder alarm for his or her bedroom door there is lots of learning about electrical circuits and the way they work in the process. This is an educational electronic toy that teaches about circuits and building a kick wire door alarm. When finally attached to the bedroom door it will buzz when intruders try to enter. With a cyber-look casing it looks the very epitome of a cool spy master’s gadget. A technically-minded parent might want to develop these skills by buying further astute electronic components to set up more complicated circuits and design electric motors. or buy or recycle computer spares to look at making control gear for older children.

For those kids who are interested in green technology the Green Science Solar Rover Kit is a great introduction. The completed solar rover will whiz along on an outside path on a sunny day powered only by a solar panel. The panel operates to transfer energy from the sun into electricity to run the motor of the solar rover. Not only is the solar rover fun to make but will also help introduce solar science to a child whether technologically inclined or not. The kit has all items to make the rover including the solar panel with attachment wire, an electric motor, reflectors and a chassis, wheels and axle and all connectors. At around £15 it is good value and good science.

Electronic Cameras for kids

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:32:39 +0000

There are a whole series of digital cameras now designed for the young child – they tend to look like a toy rather than a piece of equipment and are designed for the child old enough to learn how to work the different functions but not yet old enough for one of those expensive and pretty fragile once dropped, cameras designed for older kids and adults.

Disney Pix Megapixel Digital Camera

If the ferocious pink colouring was not enough to give a clue the name – Princess Petal Digital Camera should help you realise the target market for this camera. As well as taking ordinary pictures the camera a can also be turned so the child can take a self portrait! Also they can insert Disney stuff into the pictures.

Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera

This is a chunky beefed up little camera built to withstand the wear and tear of a young child. It is also easy to use with just a few large easy to press buttons. It also doesn’t have the usual single viewfinder but easier to use twin viewfinders.

In-scene Disney Princess Video Camera

Another pink piece of equipment you wouldn’t really buy for your son, the Disney Princess Video camera lets girls shoot their own video movies. This clever little piece of kit comes with a program to use in their computer to edit their own films – so probably only really not for very young children unless their computer skills are better than your or your want to help out.

Electronic educational toys

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:33:42 +0000

If you are looking for toys for your child that are fun to play with and also have a high educational component then you should look at the LeapFrog technology-based educational products. With products available for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and primary school children the learning-games based toys can develop children’s skills in numeracy and literacy. The TAG learning to read system works with a “magic pen” which when the child passes it over the words and symbols will read the story out loud and allows the child to interact with the process. The TAG system has a number of book titles – from Paddington to Ben 10 and Disney, Scooby Doo and Dora the explorer. And the books introduce the child to a number of reading skills including word building and reading comprehension.

LeapFrog has also developed the hand-held Leapster Explorer based on access to educational and learning experiences. Advertised as a safe online learning world Leap World encourages the child’s development and they can also download a number of learning apps such as e-books, flash cards and videos. The Leapster Explorer is said to personalise the play and learning experience for the child by automatically adjusting the learning level. Games can be customised with particular maths and spelling activities so the focus can be on the areas that they need it most. This handheld obviously hopes to attract the early market for electronic games from the market leaders such as Nintendo DS but also appeal to parents who want to feel that their child is getting particular educational support from the toy.

Favourite electronic toys for children

admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:44:03 +0000

Nowadays it isn’t easy to buy stuff for children – they are all individuals with their own ideas of what they want to play with. There are likely to be some differences between girls and boys and the toys they get – not that they always want something different but often it’s the parents that suffer from the problem of thinking if it’s not pink then their daughter won’t like it. There are however, some electronic toys that attract just about any kid (and the grown up ones too).

The Nintendo DS series are really near the top of the list for electronic toys that kids really want. The immensely popular hand-held gaming system not only has the popular Nintendo games such as Mario and Zelda as well as all kinds of stuff like brain training and a long list of games in the Nintendo library.( I have also to confess with some shame that my granddaughter has a pink one!)

The Apple iPod is another really popular electronic hand-held device – it’s a MP3 music player –but so much more too. Children can choose the songs, videos and digital photos they want to store on it. They can buy music and audio books from the iTunes store and even use the iPod as an external storage disk. The iPod is a toy that can grow with your child though you may want to start with a cheaper model such as the Nano for a young child rather than the expensive Touch.

Two futuristic electronic dolls

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:55:26 +0000

Adults may find these two dolls a little unsettling (rather like little robots than dolls) – children will find them fascinating –if they’re into participative play and small screen characters and technical stuff.

Barbie Video Girl

Not particularly cheap at around £40 the Barbie Video Girl is a Barbie doll that is actually a video camera. She has a mini camera round her neck like a necklace which will capture video picture from this doll’s eye view and then watch it on the LCD screen on Barbie’s back or choose to upload it to your computer. There is free Video Girl editing software online which offers music, graphics and special effects. Cool!

Dora Links Doll

This Dora the Explorer Links doll looks almost like a normal Dora doll except her features a USB port in her back. This particular Dora is grown up from the Dora children on the TV, has moved to the online city and has new friends. Children can join the interactive world of the Dora by plugging Dora into their computer and customise Dora. As an explorer Dora needs to be helped to solve mysteries and move across the city. Dora the doll is alerted when new stuff has been added online, even if the child is away from the computer at the time. A little different type of gaming that will fascinate and keep some young people that may not like to play with handhelds and yet enjoy the interactive experience.