With this portable, lightweight system, letters, words and numbers come to life with the touch of a Magic Pen, and interactive learning games, sing-a-longs and word play give kids a full-throttle jump into the exciting world of reading. Children can just snap in a book, pop in a cartridge, and be ready to read and play.

This kidult gadget allows future spies to practice their skills by secretly taking photos and uploading them to the computer. The miniature camera watch takes up to 152 pictures and comes with spy cam CD-ROM software. It weighs only 1 pound and measures 2.5" L x 2" W x 4" H. The watch requires two AAA batteries (not included). According to Pamela Rucker, vice president of communications at Discovery Communications, the digital camera watch is unique because of its double function as a Web cam and its inclusion of software that allows the user to add messages and captions. Launch date: September 2006.

Preschoolers can be-bop all day long with this digital media player — the first to provide a durable, easy way for youngsters to play downloadable songs and stories. It comes preloaded, but parents can add more files from their own collection or Fisher-Price Song & Story Online Store. The drop-resistant player features a 1.4” LCD screen, an SD card slot, software and more. It requires 2 AA batteries (not included). “We'll continue to develop a variety of toys to answer changing trends that will ultimately help spark imagination and enhance role-play fun,” Mike Sullivan, Fisher-Price marketing manager, shared with TDmonthly. Launch Date: July 2006.

This preschool-appropriate digital camera boasts a durable drop-resistant design, a rubberized outer shell, a 1.3” backlit color LCD screen, dual handle grips, two-eye viewing and auto flash. Features include 640 x 480 resolution, memory for more than 50 pictures, an SD card slot, software and more. It requires 4 AA batteries (not included). “Our motivation for product development is always grounded in a consumer need or want,” marketing manager for Fisher-Price Mike Sullivan told TDmonthly. “In this case, it’s 'durable and easy-to-use' preschool electronics. Since preschoolers may drop their toys, we wanted to develop an electronics line that would be tough enough for them to use.” Launch Date: July 2006.
— Steve Levy, owner of Toy City in Keene, N.H., got a lot of requests for the Fisher-Price digital cameras, “which I should have bought,” he said.
— Kidult products continue to grow in popularity, attracting ever younger fans. (VIEW ARTICLE)
— The Kid-Tough Digital Camera made the top-25 best-selling electronics toys for kids on Amazon.com as of December 28, 2006.

Miuchiz are digital, interactive companions that children can customize, personalize, and stylize. They can be plugged into a computer and entered into an online community, and feature color screens and voice activation. Varieties include MIUCHIZ Bratz Babyz (fashion play), MIUCHIZ Bratz Pawz (adventure in gaming), and MIUCHIZ Monsterz (battles). This toy includes 3 AAA batteries and was named one of the Top 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy. MGA Entertainment Public Relations Coordinator Reagan Holmes told TDmonthly that “In this interactive online realm, you can meet up with old friends or make new ones while loving and playing with your character.” Launch date:  August 15, 2006.

Zizzle Arcade Floor Pinball has a stylized look of a real arcade pinball machine. Two players can compete for a high score, playing on a wood cabinet that houses a colorful bold playfield design that includes arcade pinball features, such as pop bumpers, spinners, solenoid controlled flippers, multilevel ramps, led lighting, roll-thru lanes, wire ball guides, backlit LCD scoring, slingshot kickers, targets, tilt and more. The machine truly comes to life with real sound effects and independent flipper buttons that control all the wild pinball fun.

This pocket-size communicator uses WiFi (802.11b) so kidults of all ages can instant message via Yahoo! Messenger, Google or Skype; make Skype Internet voice calls, play MP3s ATRACs or WMAs, or browse the web. Mylo (“my life online”) has 1 GB internal memory, plus a Memory Stick Duo slot, and features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for fast, easy typing. There’s no monthly service fee. Ha Thai at Ruder Finn, representing Sony Electronics, said the Mylo is targeted to “college-age [individuals] and other young techno-socials looking for a fun way to stay connected.” Its uniqueness comes through its status as a WiFi device with numerous functions.

A computer device cleverly disguised as a monster, these limited-edition designer flash drives make collecting data ultra-chic. All mimobots have their own personalities and hobbies. They come in well-designed, attractive packaging along with some fun stuff, such as wallpapers, already stored on the drive. Compatible with Mac and Windows, mimobots come in 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB versions ($44.95, $54.95, $79.95, $119.95 and $169.96, respectively). “You’re getting a piece of art and … something that’s loaded with content,” Evan Blaustein, founder and CEO of mimoco, told TDmonthly. And mimobots are not easily misplaced. “A lot of people lose their flash drives,” he said, but “this is your flash drive and it’s your little friend.”

Fans of Doraemon will rejoice knowing that there is a new Doraemon-based game in town that uses the “takekoputa” as a navigation device. The control scheme goes one up on the Nintendo Wii, as players are required to wear the takekoputa on their heads, leaning in all four directions like a traditional D-pad to control Doraemon as he flies through the air. It is powered by four batteries.

This handheld electronic ant farm has electronic ants that scurry about, dig holes, feed their queen and do all the “anty” things ants do, like destroying nests, finding yummy caterpillars and — if they’re not careful — getting eaten by passing spiders. Unlike a real ant farm, this thing will never accidentally unleash ants into the wild of a child’s bedroom.

Strike up the band with Barbie’s electronic guitar and NEW Barbie™ "Jam with Me" Keyboard. This compact keyboard incorporates a ton of top features to rock out. Contains a built in microphone and karaoke style cartridge player, which allows girls to sing along with their favorite pop tunes or their own original tunes.

Mazu Kan is a two-player non-contact battle game. Strap on the Mazu Kan’s chest-plate and wristbands and punch/power attack away. If one opponent doesn't block, the other scores, and the loser’s chest vibrates with excruciating, humiliating ... vibrations.  Knock the opponent’s life-lights out and be victorious.  Use the energy force unit to fight, heal and shield.  In this game, strategy is essential, and only a true Mazu Kan master can be victorious. Chop, punch, block and dodge: everything a real battle has... without the bloody noses and crying home to mom.

The Star Party headset microphone lets every girl have fun while being the star. This adjustable kid’s headset microphone features an amplifier that clips onto the belt for complete portability, four melodies, eight rhythm styles and an applause button. The other Star Party products are compatible with one another, so a group of friends can sing, record and dance together. When asked for his best sellers, Michael Ziegenhagen, owner of Playmatters in Cleveland, said that this item had done consistently well for three years. "I don't know why!" he told TDmonthly.

Listen to digital music without wires, remotely control your portable music player, create a hands-free link to your mobile phone — and do it all with eyewear that features the best optics on the planet. O ROKR combines patented innovations from Oakley and Motorola and lets you stream digital music from portable players that have Bluetooth adapters, and from music-enabled phones that use Bluetooth wireless technology. When a call comes in, use the integrated controls to answer without digging out your mobile phone. The music pauses automatically. Carry on a phone conversation while up to 33' away from your mobile phone then return to the music automatically.

Think of them as Christmas lights for electrically challenged Lilliputians. It's a 36" long rainbow on green cord, red on black cord, silver on black cord. Price: $5; 3 for $12, 12 for $45 with free shipping.

This electronic baby monitor allows parents to listen in on baby as she sleeps. But, more than that, the monitor also allows parents to control the room temperature in baby's room, activate a starry night light and play soothing lullabies all using a remote feature. The product includes a travel bag and has a soft blue LCD display for nighttime use.

Kids can have a blast with the Gigglator — the electronic voice and sound toy. Roll, shake, twist and slide Gigglator up, down and all around to distort 12 pre-recorded crazy sounds. Pre-recorded sounds include funny phrases, laughs, belches and wacky sound effects. Kids can even record and distort their own voice, music, or any sound. They simply hold the top of the Gigglator about 6" from the source of the sound and press the record button. Then they can Gigglate the recording! Shake, rock and turn to make the sound high and low pitched, fast and slow, or short and long. More than a giggle, it’s hilarious and simple to use.

Mimobots are little friendly data fiends that hold essential data, such as tunes, pictures, or presentations. The 2" monsters transport files via flash memory drives that also come preloaded with bonus removable content such as animation, games and music. Mimobots are produced in limited editions and are available in capacities ranging from 256MB to 4GB. They are hi-speed USB 2.0 and compatible with both Mac and Windows. The 2006 mimobot Artist Series delivers crisp characters created by influential artists representing a cross-section of pop art genres. Pictured here is Betty-Lou, designed by Lili Chin, co-creator of the Warner Brothers hit show Mucha Lucha! Only 500 were produced and she runs from $49.95 to $144.95, depending on flash memory size. Launch date: Late 2005.

Experience all of the excitement and thrill of one of America's most popular television shows, "American Idol." The American Idol - All Star Challenge DVD Game will transform your living room into a TV talent showdown! With this game board and DVD packed with clips and songs from the show, players will journey to auditions, Hollywood and, if they have what it takes, the Finals round where they have a shot at being America's next hot superstar. In this game that features real television clips from the first five seasons of American Idol, and hosted by Ryan Seacrest, players will experience the unique personalities of Paula, Simon and Randy and see their favorite Idols. Players can also find out how much they know about the show with questions and performance challenges.

This is the latest from Blue Box Toys’ line of 21st century music makers for kids. It features two drumsticks that can be plugged into i-Pods and used to drum, making noises like Ginger Baker, John Bonham and Ringo Starr all rolled into one. Kids can either play along with their favorite songs or create their own.

This is the only digital camera officially licensed for the smash hit American Idol series. The mini camera measures a tiny 2.25" x 1.5" but comes equipped with enough memory (16 MB of SD RAM) to store up to 80 pictures, plus photo-editing software. Julie Gibbons, vice president of marketing at Digital Blue, said “the software is very inherently easy to use,” so that 6- to 11-year-olds get past the basic functions quickly and find new things to do. The company plans to release a refreshed version of the camera, with a more rounded shape and a different color by February 2007, she told TDmonthly.

This exclusive line includes the Disney Pix Micro Digital Camera, with 24-photo storage capacity; the Disney Pix Click Digital Camera, with 1” color LCD screen, 200-photo storage capacity, and two interchangeable face plates; the Disney Pix Max Digital Camera, with 3 mega pixel digital resolution and a 1.5” color LCD screen; and the Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker. These come with Disney Pix CD-ROM, a highly interactive editing software suite loaded with animation. Designs include Disney Chrome, High School Musical, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars, Little Mermaid, Disney Princess and Tinker Bell. With the software, children are “creating something that’s truly their own,” said Julie Gibbons, vice president of marketing at Digital Blue. 5/19/2006

i-RIDE bicycle stereo allows bike riders to safely listen to their favorite tunes without tuning out the world and the traffic around them. They simply plug their iPOD, MP3 player or any portable audio device into the mini stereo speaker with the included audio cable and snap it into the universal mounting bracket. They are now ready take their favorite tunes on the road.

Due out in July: The Backyard Boogie Boom Box features 10 Backyardigans songs from five different genres of music. Kids simply press one of the five characters on the front of the unit to hear songs and watch a psychedelic light show from the center of the unit. For interactive play, a microphone is attached that allows kids to hear their voice through the speakers as they sing along with their Backyardigan friends.
— “We’re looking forward to the Backyardigans Sing Along when it comes out,” said Tommy Jacobs, owner of The Jolly Rodger Gift Emporium in Mountain Home, Idaho. “Kids around here are real fans of the show, so the toys should sell well.”
— “Backyardigans is THE thing for the little ones, so I’m making sure to have all the toys that come in, or else,” laughed Didi Cohen, play princess (and owner) of Laugh All Day in Bismark, N.D.
— Brown Johnson, executive creative director at Nickelodeon Preschool Television of Nickelodeon Jr., has been raving about the Backyardigans since its inception, and she should know: She was the driving force in bringing “Dora the Explorer” and all its merchandising to the world.

Kids learn how to tap their toes and tap their bows with the all new Bella Dancerella tap dancin' clip-on set. This tap-along set includes a 30-minute instruction video and a pair of adjustable tap shoes to fit children shoe sizes 8 to 12.
— “Kids who get the Bellas always get something else to sing with, so I’m putting it in the sing-along/dance-along category. All the Bellas sell great,” said Duncan Cooper, owner of Bright Lights in Salt Lake City.
— “Not quite sing-along,” explained Betty Roig, manager and co-owner of Good Stuff Toys in Newark, N.J., “but it does sell well, is musical, and is interactive.”
— Eva A. Webb, a mom from Brownsville Tenn., said, “My 4 year old loves Bella Dancerella and we thought that the tap dancing video would be a great idea for her to learn the basics. She loved the video and could follow it perfectly but the shoes kept coming off no matter what we did to them.”