Review: Super Why Tech Toys

Written on Jul 30, 2009 by Brian and filed under Learning Curve, Reviews

Earlier this year Learning Curve announced they’d be producing a series of toys based on the popular Super Why television series. We’ve been playing with the more tech-oriented toys of the bunch the last few weeks and will weigh in with this group review.

Perhaps the best thing about Super Why is he and the team get kids energized about reading. The line of toys largely reinforces this mission, along with providing the typical roleplay action and imaginary play. Learning Curve sent us a trio of these products including the Super Why Hovering Why Flyer, Princess Presto Electronic Role Play Set and the Zap & Learn Why Writer.

Princess Presto Electronic Role Play Set

This kit also comes in a Super Why version, but both let kids pretend to be one of their favorite characters. Both come with the proper accoutrements, in the Princess P case this means a tiara, full size cape and an magic spelling wand that lights up and has 11 unique sounds and clips of Pricess Presto. The Super Why bundle has a mask, fulle size cape and and electronic writer that lights up and says 10 phrases.

For the price, it’s hard to complain much. The kits don’t provide much learning, but they do get kids int eh right frame of mind. Emulating Super Why is more constructive than most other characters on TV. For that reason alone we can recommend these kits. Otherwise, the components are durable and provide good pretend  play value.

Both kits are designed for ages 3 and up and retail for $14.99.

Zap & Learn Why Writer

This unit is actually pretty fun for kids, though the non-adjustable super loud volume could make parents want to be in another room. On Level 1, kids get to wiggle the writer to cycle through two options that result in a little animated movie. There seem to be dozens of combinations involving popular animals. The Level 2 game makes kids answer questions. They’ll be prompted to waggle the reader to find the right answer, then press the Zap button to lock it in.

Both games are pretty solid, the words are reinforced both with images or sound and the spelling, so kids that are getting ready to read are exposed to easy to see letters. Kids who are into the show will also get a fair amount of pretend play out of the writer as well.

Aside from the loud speaker, we like the learning components of the writer and think it’s great for kids who enjoy the show. There’s also a Princess Presto branded Spelling Wand that’s similar. ($19.99 MSRP)

Super Why Hovering Why Flyer

The Hovering Why Flyer uses an air current to make it float enough off the surface of the ground for it to glide around, complete with lights and sounds from Super Why. The concept is great, it would have been easier to slap some wheels on the flyer. So we give Learning Curve credit for being creative. The only problem is that we couldn’t find many surfaces where it actually hovered very well. It obviously doesn’t go on carpet, but it also struggles a bit with hardwood floors. Desks and counter tops are okay, but the risk of drops and accidental crashes runs pretty high. If you have a completely flat hard surface, you should be fine. (MSRP $19.99)

Overall we’re pretty happy with the value of the Super Why line by Learning Curve. The combination of imaginary play and actual learning is enough to get us to recommend most of their tech-oriented lineup.

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