TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Software - Educational

ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover by SMARTLAB TOYS

The Programmable Rover is a toy, a robot and a tool for learning the basic fundamentals on programming. Kids can program this Rover to navigate specified courses to deliver a treat to a pet, surprise a family member with a personalized message, carry a soda, guard a bedroom or just dance. With a spiral bound Owner's Manual, kids will begin work through guided projects building their knowledge for the more advanced operating techniques. This cleverly crafted guide helps get the Rover rolling and will inspire the next level of learning — charting one's own adventures. 8/26/2010 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Roman Town: The Premiere Archaeology Computer Game for Kids by DIG-IT! GAMES

Roman Town lets the player be an archaeologist and manage a team of diggers while learning about archaeological techniques and uncovering ancient objects. Graphics rendered in 3D let players explore Roman buildings and immerse themselves in Roman history. One can put pots together, exercise puzzle skills with fun mini-games, and find out what archaeologists really do. President of Dig-It Games Suzi Wilczynski told TDmonthly, "Roman Town is unique, educational and, most importantly, lots of fun!"
Awards: The Tillywig Brain Child Award; NAPPA Honors; The National Parenting Center 2010 Seal of Approval; Creative Child 2010 Game of the Year Award; Dr Toy’s Best Vacation Product; five 2010 Life Buzz Parent-to-Parent awards. ( Watch Video) 4/29/2010 (Price: $39.95)

ItzaBitza Interactive Computer Game by SABI INC.

In the award-winning game ItzaBitza, drawings truly come to life. Kids help their Sketchy by using Living Ink — a drawing recognition system — to draw one-of-a kind interactive objects that form the centerpiece of the game's action. They can draw a house and watch the character shrink to fit in the door, or draw flames and watch the rocket ship kids drew blast off. Since the environment is created through each player's personal drawings, the possibilities are endless. Awards: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009; Creative Child Game of the Year Award; Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Award; Editor’s Choice and Gold Award from The Children’s Technology Review; 5-star review from USA Today; The Toy Man Seal of Approval, eco-Recognition Seal, Award of Excellence and eChoice Award; an Editor’s Choice Game Award from the Computer Times; and a “Best Tech for Kids” mention in BusinessWeek. Launch date: November 2008. 11/25/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Keyboard Town PALS Educational Software by KEYBOARD TOWN PALS LLC

Keyboard Town PALS educational CD-ROM or web-based software is designed to teach children to type on a computer keyboard in one hour using association with puppets who live in a fictional town. Children of all learning aptitudes can enjoy the puppets' humor, music and stories while learning to type in a stress-free environment avoiding repetitive, boring drills. "The Keyboard Town PALS product stands in stark contrast to all other traditional typing products. Our method, unlike other methods, is able to accelerate the learning process to teach children to type in one hour. Parents and educators now have an alternative option permitting their children to enjoy a fun, fast and easy way of keyboarding and avoid endless repetitive boring exercises that are slow and frustrating, taking months and sometimes years to learn," Donna Katz, president of Keyboard Town PALS, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 10/5/2009 (Price: $39.95)

Student Activity Fun Book CD by KIDSRULER

This student activity fun book CD includes a comprehensive teacher's guide and engaging activities which provides incremental instruction in using the KidsRuler, from inches, to half-inches, to quarters. Additionally, it includes a fraction review, and covers feet and yards, and perimeter and diameter. 1/8/2009 (Price: $14) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crazy Machines 2 by VIVA MEDIA

Crazy Machines 2 is packed with all-new features to help kids create their wackiest "Rube Goldberg-style" contraptions. A 3-D physics engine lets them craft even more complex gadgets and effects. Builders can kick the brain into high gear with mind-bending puzzles and tinker with wrecking balls, lightening rods, lasers, pulleys, springs, gears and more to create the chain reaction they need. Launch date: April 15, 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.99)

My Smart Budget by MY SMART BUDGET LLC

My Smart Budget is a fun, parent-child interactive financial literacy program that trains kids as young as 8 to become Money Wise for Life™. Kids CREATE their budget; DECIDE to spend, save, share or invest; MANAGE their activity; and TRACK their results. Parents CREATE the budget; FUND the budget monthly; DELEGATE management and STAND BY to help. Professionally designed by Day Timer, the kits includes everything needed to get started. "Just like an adult, kids get to manage a real budget on expenses that are all about them while still under the tutelage of the parent. Well beyond an allowance program, the expenses the parent incurs for the child are delegated to the child to manage. No more kids asking for money everytime they want something. No more worried parents when they send their child off as a young adult," Creator Danielle Aguiar told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 11/24/2008 (Price: $59.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pet Pals: New Leash on Life by LEGACY INTERACTIVE

Kids can perform surgeries and nurse all the rescued animals back to health. There are more than 30 different animal cases, derived from practicing veterinarians that range from a drooling rabbit to emergencies involving a dog who has been hit by a car or a kitten who has swallowed a piece of string. Kids will heal and nurture these animals, along with 15 other breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic animals such as chinchillas and macaws. Launch date: October 22, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]