Review: VTech’s New V.Reader
Written on Jul 6, 2010 by RuthJS and filed under Featured, VTech
VTech® describes it’s new V.Reader™ as an “animated e-book system.” In my opinion, it’s like a kiddie Kindle and has taken e-readers for kids to a new level. Designed for children 3-7, it’s both easy to use and fun. Add to that the fact that it was a hit with our reviewers, and I think [...]
Review: Thomas Wooden Talking Railway [Farewell at the Docks]
Written on Nov 14, 2009 by Brian and filed under Learning Curve, Reviews
Right, so technology and classic wooden Thomas trains don’t go together right? If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that’s not true, as we brought you the news of RFID integration coming to Thomas at this year’s Toy Fair. We have our first hands on one of the new Talking Railway sets from Learning Curve featuring Cranky, Thomas and Spencer. If you have a child who loves Thomas, then this new lineup will have them “Peep Peep-ing” with excitement.
Review: FAMPs
Written on Nov 12, 2009 by RuthJS and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Short for feelings, attitudes, moods and personalities, FAMPs allows users to customize their computer’s look based on their mood, play games and meet up with friends online. Coming from Mattel, it’s no surprise that everything about this toy appeals to the age 6+ target audience. I reviewed the FAMPs starter kit.
Review: Xtractaurs
Written on Nov 10, 2009 by Brian and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Mattel showed off Xtractaurs at CES back in January. Now the dinosaurs are available, another entry in Mattel’s line of merged physical and online play set of toys.Xtractaurs combine the offline world of dinosaur play with an online world filled with adventure games and perhaps most important, the ability to mix and match dinosaur parts to make unique hybrids ready for battle.
Review: Tonka Chuck My Talking Truck
Written on Nov 8, 2009 by Brian and filed under Hasbro, Reviews
Any parent with a young boy invariably will end up with a collection of trucks and related vehicles, many of them with the Tonka brand. In our house, my son still plays with his first Tonka dump truck that he received as a gift nearly 5 years ago. With Chuck My Talking Truck, Tonka has fused their classic dump truck durability and design with technology, to give kids 2 and older an entirely new truck experience.
Review: UCreate Music
Written on Nov 6, 2009 by RuthJS and filed under Mattel, Reviews
Ok, so is there anything cooler to an 8-year-old than creating his or her own dance music? Well, video games are big, but jamming with the UCreate Music ranks pretty high with my testers.
Review: Super Why Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer
Written on Nov 4, 2009 by Brian and filed under Learning Curve, Reviews
It doesn’t take long for kids to want their own computers. And while the idea of a 3-year-old running around with Mom or Dad’s laptop isn’t the best plan, there are alternatives. Learning Curve has recently released one such “computer” complete with touch screen interface. The Super Why Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer gives kids access to their favorite Super Why characters and games, in a fun and portable form factor.
Review: Fisher Price Splatster
Written on Oct 29, 2009 by Brian and filed under Fisher Price, Mattel, Reviews
Fisher Price announced what was then called the Splatter Brush at Toy Fair earlier this year. The now named Splatster is a plug and play TV game that gives kids a truly unique way to not only express their creativity but save and print it as well.
Disney Launches Disney.com Application for iPhone/Touch
Written on Oct 28, 2009 by Brian and filed under Disney, News
Disney has a load of Apple applications already and today they’ve added one more. The free application includes several content features around Disney characters, music, video and games. Disney has also committed to regular updates for the application so kids continually get something new to interact with.
Review: Spy Gear [Wild Planet]
Written on Oct 28, 2009 by RuthJS and filed under Reviews, Wild Planet
Wild Planet has released the new products under their Spy Gear brand, which we saw earlier this year. We reviewed a kit with the Lazer Tripwire, Spy Night Scope, Micro Ear Gear, and Evidence Kit all designed for ages six and up.
Review: Playskool Kota & Pals Stompers (Triceratops)
Written on Oct 27, 2009 by Brian and filed under Playskool, Reviews
At Toy Fair we saw the new lineup of Kota-branded dinos from Playskool. The Stompers are a mid-range interactive dinosaur line that walk, errr, stomp, roar and in the case of the Triceratops, raises and lowers its head.