July 2010 Notable Toys — Electronics

Girls can use the freaky skull key to open the Fearbook and access a specially locked section, where they can write secret messages with a “magic reveal” pen. Another lockable compartment can hide a pen and marker, composition book, and creepy stickers. When the button on the back is pressed, the book records a re-playable message.

This colorful laptop with LCD screen comes with 30 engaging activities. A detachable mouse with mouse pad is included.
 —  As of 1.10.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars on Target.com from 37 reviews and was listed as a top 30 bestselling toy. Pros: Interactive; portable; educational. Cons: Lower quality graphics; some reports of trouble with the mouse.

At the pool, on the pond, or on the shores of a small lake, Kid Galaxy's Barracuda is a fun, refreshing water toy. Durable, fast and easy to steer, the boat is designed with a distinctive hull for stability on the water's surface and a steerable prop for responsive handling. The boat comes in two colors: bold red and white, and bright yellow. The two designs are 49MHz and 27MHz respectively, allowing for two boats to race and play together without crossing the signals from the controllers. The vehicle requires one 9V and 6 AA batteries, which do not come with the set.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers said that R/C vehicles from Kid Galaxy were their best-selling electronic or battery-operated product.
― Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said in June 2010 she sells three Kid Galaxy Barracudas per month, and listed this item as her best-selling electronic toy.
― “They're really good and sturdy. [Kid Galaxy] is a great company to work with,” said Sarah Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., after telling TDmonthly Kid Galaxy is her top-selling electronics line during a summer 2010 survey.
— Though Pun’s Toys is not a hobby store, “we sell dozens [of Kid Galaxy products] in total each month,'' said Owner Joe Beradoni, whose store is located in Bryn Mawr, Penn.

Beyond the basic motion detector or potato clock, Elenco's Snap-Micro I Standard kit allows children to learn about the theory and application of micro-controllers while building their own complex projects. A variety of components and software included in the kit guide children through the basic commands and flow charts required to assemble and operate the micro-controller, which can then program more than 25 different projects. 
― “Snap Circuits do well,” said Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., during a summer 2010 survey of top-selling electronic toys.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Snap Circuits are their best-selling electronic item.

The R/C Tarantula from Uncle Milton puts control of this large, realistic spider in the palms of kids' hands. The flocked texture and detailed coloring of its legs and body give it a lifelike texture, and all eight legs move as it rolls along on wheels concealed under its abdomen, for a convincing scurry. Even the remote control is a creepy spider egg. The Tarantula works best on smooth, flat surfaces and requires two AAA and two AA batteries (not included).
― “[We carry] some battery operated R/C toys. The most popular is the [Tarantula] from Uncle Milton,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly about her best-selling electronic toys in June 2010.

The ferocious Morphibian Killer Whale packs a lot of features into one durable, adventure-seeking package. This full-function, radio-controlled vehicle performs on land and in the water. Whether pond-side, pool-side, in the house or in the yard, the Morphibian tackles all kinds of terrain. The Killer Whale works on a 27MHz frequency, allowing it to coexist with another of Kid Galaxy's 49MHz vehicles without controller confusion, and requires two AAA and three AA batteries (not included).
― “Kid Galaxy's Morphibian does great,” said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, in June 2010.
― “[The] Morphibians are popular items,” said Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas. In Summer 2010, Challinor reported sales of 30 to 40 Morphibians per month.
― Sixteen of 40 retailers surveyed in June 2010 told TDmonthly Kid Galaxy is their best-selling electronic line.

Recreating the memorable, adorable Star Trek aliens, this plush features real sounds and motion from the iconic episode "The Trouble With Tribbles."

ABC Melody Maker is an exciting electronic learning companion featuring five fun games and a ten note musical keyboard sure to entertain and educate youngsters. This colorful interactive unit features an activity selector that puts kids in charge of choosing their fun. Children won’t even realize they’re learning! Song book included. Requires three “AA” batteries (included). Ages 3+ years.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products 2010

This bot is a fifth anniversary release of Isadore, the very first MIMOBOT character, in a new green color variant.  Isadore is available in 2GB to 16GB capacities

GeoPalz is the first decorative activity tracker and online game that allows users to earn points through physical activity. With a simple message of  “Walk to Win,” every mile walked counts as one pedpoint and once the points add up, the child can use the points to redeem fun, activity-focused prizes - including basketballs, jump ropes and frisbees. The site also displays a map of the distance the child has walked – showing the specific destinations he/she has reached with their steps.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010, 2011. Launch date: August 2010

This digital camera is attached to spy sunglasses. Users can take photos with the secret handheld remote, then download them to a computer. This product is designed to encourage imaginative and abstract thinking skills.

This light-up silver disco ball is also an audio speaker. When an MP3 player or iPod is plugged in, the multicolored lights flash to the beat of the music. A line-in cable is included.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This elegantly detailed LEGO model really spins and plays music while the horses and swing boats move up and down. Built with intricate, lifelike ornaments and features, the Grand Carousel includes nine minifigures and a LEGO Power Functions motor and sound brick.  It measures 15.1" x 15.1" x 13.8" and requires 6 AA batteries, which are not included. ^{This particular item may not be available in specialty stores.}
—  Nine percent of 43 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in May 2010 that LEGO products are best sellers.

This portable learning device offers a high- resolution touchscreen, click-in camera accessory and Flash and 3-D graphics. 40 different play experiences are available, including 12 cartridge games and 18 Leaplet Learning Applications.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum.

The 44 pieces in this kit from Elenco Electronics include a miniature motor and a working solar panel. Children can assemble six different machines and watch their creations come to life while learning how the energy in sunlight converts to powerful electricity. A detailed instruction manual is included with the kit.
― “I can't keep those in stock,” remarked Casey Sartain, buyer for Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, of Elenco's 6-in-1 Solar Kit. Sartain listed the 6-in-1 Solar Kit as his best-selling activity kit during an April 2010 survey of 48 storeowners.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, Kim Emigh, manager of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly that this solar kit is one of their best-selling science toys.

People read up to 30% slower on-screen than on paper, aggravating problems of readers who struggle with reading printed materials. eSee-N-Read™ electronic reading tool for PCs focuses on-screen readers on the proper line of text, enhances transitions between lines, reducing word and line skipping. eSee-N-Read™ is a modifiable teaching tool used to highlight key on-screen information while obscuring distracting ads that clutter internet screens. eSee-N-Read™ can also open as many as needed at once. "eSee-N-Read™ works with any program to aid the on-screen reading and perception process. There is no similar product on the market (patent pending)," Steven R. Smith, Marketing Manager of CadenaSmith Enterprises, told TDmonthly.

These squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights come in a variety of animals whose noses light up when switched on. The side lever stores inside the body and can be released and squeezed to charge up the light. The 12-piece counter displays include four assorted animals in each assortment. The Zoo assortment includes a tiger, panda, monkey, and penguin, whereas the Farm assortment features a cow, pig, duck, and dog.

Jessie comes packaged with a USB key that provides access to Hub City and to Nuna, a magical, natural forest off the mainland in KizPlanet. Jessie is the steward of the "green" island of Nuna. She loves nature and animals, doesn't mind getting dirty, and is a mix of a tomboy spirit and a compassionate nature. With Nuna KizPals Jessie or Takoda, kids gain additional interaction points in Nuna and Hub City, unique areas for their avatar to check out, and new quests, games and adventures. Launch date: 2010.

This powerful reference tool is packed with the features that English and Spanish language learners need most. Designed to enhance grammar and speech skills, it speaks words and phrases—providing students and language-lovers with sample sentences, advanced verb conjugations and learning exercises.

Best of all, it comes with the most trustworthy word lists in circulation: Merriam-Webster’s Spanish-English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster’s Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary and Franklin’s comprehensive thesaurus. Students appreciate features like the TOEFL* word list and SAT** Spanish Subject Test Word List, along with a range of extras, including a phonetic spell corrector, grammar guides and interactive quizzes.

It also includes a USB port† for connectivity to a PC or Mac, allowing users to download their entries from their own dictionaries. Despite its robust features, this powerful device is perfectly sized to fit into a pocket or bookbag, and is ideal for language, gift, puzzle and learning aisles.

3 great tools in 1: Pencil Case, Spelling Corrector and Calculator