Top tech toys for kids: Tablets and more
— -- From iPad imitators and robotic dogs that bark at your Nintendo DS to tiny cars that interact with the iPad , this year's roundup of tech toys has items that will create wonder.
KIDDIE TABLETS
Given the iPad's sky-rocketing popularity, it is only natural that toy companies would mimic that popular tablet. The result is some good, cheaper alternatives to the $499 iPad for families with young children. Here's a closer look at the top two:
— LeapPad. From Leapfrog, best for ages 4-9, $99.99. Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 4).
For only $99.99, parents can purchase a tablet device designed for kids. Featuring a 5-inch touch-sensitive screen encased in a durable frame, Leapfrog's version of a kiddie tablet plays Leapfrog downloadable apps, games, e-books, flashcards and videos. The device also supports games that come in cartridges, and is compatible with those playable on last year's Leapster Explorer handheld gaming system.
The LeapPad houses a camera and video recorder, and has a microphone that supports voice commands and recordings. While it comes loaded with lots of apps to explore, the best thing about this system is that it plays the new LeapPad Ultra eBooks, robust interactive books that feature cinematics, learning games, the defining and highlighting of words as read and the adjustment of reading level based on the child's ability. Parents will welcome the connection to the Leapfrog Learning Path, a service that tracks what kids are learning and then offers suggestions about new apps and games to play next. This is our favorite kiddie tablet.
— InnoTab. From Vtech, best for ages 4-9, $79.99. Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)
Similar in size and functionality to the LeapPad, the InnoTab is $20 less because it doesn't include the camera and video recorder functionality of the LeapPad. The device comes loaded with apps, games and books, and can connect online to the Vtech store to download additional content. The InnoTab also plays separate cartridge game ($25 each). This kiddie tablet is good, but we like the LeapPad's built-in camera functions. Also, the initial quality of software is better on the LeapPad than on the InnoTab. That said, this is still a nifty choice for kids.
TOYS WITH A GAMING COMPONENT
—Life of George. From The Lego Group, best for ages 7 and up. $29.99, requires iPhone or iPod Touch and free app. Rating: 4 stars (out of 4)
This box of 144 Lego bricks comes with a special playmat and a guide on how to play this game using an app downloaded onto an iPhone or an iPod Touch. The concept is that the app challenges you to build a specific design (like a car or a pineapple) as quickly as you can. When you are done building, you place your creation on the special playmat and use the camera on your iDevice to scan your creation. The app rates you on how well you built the requested item within the time used. For one or two players, this toy-plus-app combo blends fun Lego building with cool technology that can accurately register your Lego building skill. It is playable on two levels of difficulty. You can also photograph your own creations and then challenge others to build them. For all Lego builders, this is one competition you don't want to miss. There is a special Christmas album offered as an in-app purchase ($1.99) which gives you 30 new holiday-themed challenges.
—Wappy Dog. From Activision, best for ages 6-10, $49.99, requires a Nintendo DS. Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)
Wappy is a white robotic dog with blue trim that comes packaged with the "Wappy Dog" video game for the Nintendo DS. The robotic toy responds to human touches, but it is most fun when played using the Nintendo DS software. The Nintendo DS acts as translator by letting children select questions to ask Wappy. The dog responds by barking and moving its body (it doesn't walk) and then the Nintendo DS translates this "doggy speak" into English. The puppy may tell you it is hungry, or that it wants to play a game with you. You can even play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" with it. In addition to providing kids with a series of questions and commands to which Wappy will respond, the software also allows for a virtual version of Wappy to appear in the game so that kids can play a virtual pet simulation game on the DS. With this adorable robotic toy at their side, kids will love owning a virtual pet.
— Cars 2 AppMATes. From Disney, best for ages 5-9, $19.99 for two-vehicle pack or $12.99 for single car, requires an iPad and a free app. Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)
This new toy line has a high "Wow" factor. Sold in packages of two cars each, AppMATes are little Matchbox-like toy car versions of "Cars 2" movie stars, including Mater, Lightning McQueen, Holley Shiftwell, Finn McMissile, Shu Todoroki and Francesco Bernoulli. These toy cars come to life when placed on top of the iPad that is playing the free AppMATes app. By holding the car with two fingers on either side of its windows, and placing a hand on the side of the iPad, kids cause the car to trigger animations beneath the car. It appears as if the car is driving all around Radiator Springs. It is a magical experience. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work and can take some experimenting to figure out how to make the cars connect to the playmat on the iPad. Even so, the game is lots of fun to explore with races, mission, and collectibles waiting around every bend.
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Gudmundsen is the editor of Computing With Kids (www.ComputingwithKids.com) magazine. Contact her at techcomments@usatoday.com .