Top New Specialty Tech Toys at Toy Fair

These Products Integrate Technology While Allowing Real Play

By Alison Marek
March 2011

At Toy Fair 2011, the mass-media buzz was all about high-tech and social-networking toys. Although specialty toy manufacturers and retailers are devoted to products that stimulate learning and imagination through active rather than passive play, some innovative specialty companies were able to integrate the mass-market trends into their low-tech concepts. From a game that encourages socialization and family time with smart phones to a computer game that lets kids get a taste of real archeology, these toys appeal to today's kids without alienating their folks.

^{Watch videos from previous American International Toy Fairs: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011}

Phone Frenzy by BUFFALO GAMES INC.

Phone Frenzy is a board game that uses everyone’s mobile phone as the primary game component for calling, texting, and sending photos. Every turn, players are given a challenge or activity that can only be completed with the help of one or more of their phone contacts. A challenge might be a race to receive a correct response to “Finish this lyric by Journey: ‘Just a small town girl’…” Players pick who they think are the right contacts from their phone and send them a text message with the question. The first player to receive the correct text message wins the round. Launch date: Summer 2011. ( Watch Video) 2/22/2011 (MSRP: $22.00; Age: 14 and Up)

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 (MSRP: $39.95; Age: 8 and Up)

ScienceWiz™ Cool Circuits by SCIENCE WIZ / NORMAN & GLOBUS INC.

Part of a line of ScienceWiz Thinking Games, this puzzle game created by Harry L. Nelson and Hiroshi Yamamoto provides 40 challenges at different skill levels. Players put a puzzle card down and solve the puzzle by making sure all the pieces are looped together, at which time the board will light up with the solution.

( Watch Video) 3/31/2008

Manufacturers: Find out how a TDmonthly Video attracts buyers. Retailers: Put these videos on your own website! (See terms of use.)