February 2012 Notable Toys — Interactive

Yippits are pets for Fijit Friends. The Yippits can learn tricks, and bark, growl, and dance along with their Fijit owner. They can work on their own, too. Launch date: June 2012.

Baby Alive is ready to walk — and she can really learn to do it with girls' help and loving care. She has lots to say with more than 40 fun phrases and sounds like "Hold on tight!" and "I did it!" Walking makes her happy, but she'll be happiest when girls scoop her up and give her lots of hugs to show her how proud they are. Launch date: 2012.

This follow up to last year's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure features 8 Giant Skylanders, 4 Light Skylanders, 8 New Skylanders, and will also work with the 24 re-released Skylanders. Each Giant Skylanders is about twice as large as the originals. The toy can be used for Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, and Nintendo 3DS. Launch date: 2012.

This wireless game controller sports classic a D-Pad and button layout reminiscent of retro 8-bit game consoles from the 80's and 90's. The 8-Bitty works with the iPad and iPhone to play apps using a game controller with real tactile input. It also works with Android devices as well. 8-Bitty supports iCADE's growing list of hundreds of retro game apps, including Atari Classics collection, Pac-Man, Super Mega Worm, etc. The 8-Bitty uses a completely open interface system, so that any app developer can easily add game support. Launch date: 2012.

iBuKu Pets are fun, lovable characters that turn any smartphone into a cuddly pet. iBuKu Pets are not just a protective holder for mom or dad’s new iPhone (although they work well in this scenario too), but iBuKu Pets are intended to breathe life back into older used smartphones that have been placed aside in a drawer somewhere. Why not give that used smartphone to a child as a learning tool? One major issue with older phones is that their batteries often don’t hold the charge they once did. iBuKu Pets will have versions with not only a secondary battery inside, but also with the ability to wirelessly charge the batteries by simply setting the iBuKu Pet on a charge pad. Image a child never having to remove the phone from his iBuKu Pet, but rather setting him on his bedside table to charge at night. While charging, the iBuKu Pet will turn itself on as a nightlight when it hears the child wake up, or it will be an alarm clock for school-aged children.  And when they wake in the morning, the iBuKu Pet is charged and ready for a new day of learning activities. Launch date: April 2012.

This smaller scale version of the original Butterscotch is an interactive pony that responds to touch, or when kids brush its mane. The legs are posable so kids can make it lie down. Launch date: 2012.

These pairs of super-sized plush hands looks just like kids' favorite character's hands and slide right over their hands for slamming SillyHands™ make-believe. Each hand makes distinctive motion activated sounds and speech. Styles include Karate, Tiger, Alien and Boxing. Launch date: February 12, 2012.

Silly Hands ©&TM 2010-2013 Idea Vault LLC All Rights Reserved
Used by Kellytoy U.S.A. Inc. under license from Volcano LLC

Starshine Watchdogs™ are cuddly bedtime companions specifically made to empower kids to overcome fear at night. Each talking, light-up Watchdog comes with reassuring phrases to comfort your child, along with a Go-Anywhere Star Light night light kids can remotely illuminate with the touch of the Watchdog’s paw. Let Starshine Watchdogs help your child harness the courage and confidence all kids possess to overcome their fears. Each All-in-One Starshine Watchdog™ purchase comes with: (1) Cuddly, Talking, Light-UP Watchdog Plush with wireless technology; (1) Go-Anywhere Star Light night light with Auto-Off timer; (1) Embroidered cape with logo and your Watchdog’s name! And yes, batteries ARE included! Choose from Orion (blue) or Skye (pink). (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Starshine Watchdogs ©&TM 2010-2013 Idea Vault LLC All Rights Reserved.
Used by Kellytoy U.S.A. Inc. under license from Volcano LLC

GameChanger is an electronic, multiplayer game board that works with the iPad.  Featuring interactive animation and sound, GameChanger adds a whole new dimension to the traditional board game by creating a different experience every time you play. Kids are given the option of playing 6 different games; The Magic School Bus® from Scholastic or Animal Mania, plus 4 action games. The iPad simply slides into the GameChanger cradle, and one of the included game skins can be placed on top of the board.  Parents can download the App, which is free with GameChanger purchase. The game pieces themselves interact with the iPad, which asks questions and assigns tasks, so players always know whose turn it is. A “spin” of the wheel on the iPad lets players move their pawn across the game board. Since the game board and the iPad are connected, all game play is completely guided and tracked. Launch date: February 12, 2012.

The three dimensional skill based toy is orbiting to the next level with the Astrojax MX. This version presents the futuristic, aerodynamic SPORT, and the eye catching POP as the first ever Modular Astrojax. What’s this mean? Not only are these two styles vibrant with color, but with a simple pull and click kids can easily change out their mantles, cores, string buds, and strings. Launch date: January 2012.

Light the way to early writing with Scribble & Write Children trace the lights to get practice drawing simple shapes and pictures, then graduate to learning upper- and lowercase letters with step-by-step guidance. Fun learning games help reinforce letter knowledge.
— As of 12/13/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 212 reviews on Amazon.com.

Kids draw on the coloring pad as usual, but can select from 60 sound effect and add them anywhere on the Color Wonder coloring page.
— As of 12/13/2011 this product had 3.1 out of 5 stars from 46 reviews on Amazon.com.

A great variation on the classic ring stacker. This one has 7 rings and the top one spins like a windmill. The round pieces have 2 holes so kids can learn about 3D. Height is 18cm. Launch date: September 2011.

TeeGee is a fully interactive, customizable stuffed animal capable of telling stories, singing songs, and playing games with children. TeeGee is able to interact with the world through smart accessories, speech recognition, and other modes of communication. Parents can customize TeeGee's behavior by downloading age-appropriate apps from our online app store or the iTunes app store. Launch date: August 2011.

A Bi-Plane in which parts turn. Ideal for little aviators. The propeller and steering wheel spin and the little pilot comes out. The size is 28cm x 20cm x 18cm (3y+). "Dicoveroos toys are 100% Plantation Wood and only use non-toxic paints," Jane Wood, president of Bug In A Rug, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

This updated Password Journal includes a new look and feel with some of the cool features tweens love most about previous versions including a microphone to record voice for security access. Also, a voice recording alerts you when intruders have tried to access your journal. This version has a new feature: a hidden compartment that only the user can access by using a second voice—activated password. The Journal comes with a pen and an assortment of fun stickers to decorate with. Light allows girls to share special messages with friends.
— As of 11/04/2011 this product was 19.99 on Amazon.com
— As of 11/04/2011 this product had 3.2 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Sound quality is poor; batteries ran out quickly.

Kids learn how to recognize animals through sight and sound with the Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo from Fisher-Price. This interactive set recognizes model animals, like the included lion, gorilla, and polar bear, names them out loud for children, and demonstrates the noises they make in the wild.
— As of 11/04/2011 this product was $34.88 on Amazon.com.
— As of 11/04/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; interactive; large; handle is useful for transporting it. Cons: Extra animal figures are expensive; one person reported missing/defective pieces came in her box; animal sounds can be annoying and even though children seem to like them, they don't add much educational value to the toy.