gadgets – Page 18 – The Next Kid Thing

Happy Birthday Elmo!

February 3, 2011February 3, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s everyone’s favorite fuzzy red guy’s birthday today, and we here at NKT wanted to send happy wishes to Elmo. Sesame Street and the gang have touched many families in a myriad of ways, but it’s Elmo that always finds a way to the little ones’ hearts. Maybe it’s the cutesy talk, Elmo’s World or the fact that he’s just plain cute, there’s no doubt about it, Elmo is well loved by kids young and old.

Through this blog and beyond, I’ve been so fortunate to recall quite a few fun and surreal Elmo experiences, including an unforgettable tour of Sesame Street, the kid listening to Elmo “read” to children on the White House Great Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll and most recently, visiting Sesame Place for opening day and visiting Sesame Workshop with the kiddo.

Elmo is well loved in our home, and naturally, he’s a fixture in it as well. In fact, two Christmases ago, the kid got not one, but I think three Elmo dancing toys. One can never have too many Elmos, right?

Do you guys have any favorite Elmo memories? If you do, make sure you check out Elmo’s Facebook page and share your memories over there, too!

Be on the look out for my next post about cool Elmo gadgets and goodies worth checking out.

Cooking Connections Launches Today

January 28, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

As you all know, food has become a significant part of my coverage on NKT. The foods we eat and cook and the eating habits we display, ultimately, help our kids to make healthier choices.

For me, cooking resources on the internet and tv help me to navigate in the kitchen. I’ve always been big on cooking, baking and eating, but online sites, magazines and shows underscore just how much I enjoy being in the kitchen. I could seriously watch Food Network for hours and daydream about these professional cooks and chefs coming to my house to cook for me! But good news, though these fantastic chefs can’t come to my house, but there are “real” parents who can—well, sort of!

TheMotherhood’s Cooking Connections, an awesome and innovative eight-week series of virtual cooking classes is launching today. In this series of virtual cooking classes, “real” moms and dads will lead us in their kitchens, to help us learn more about topics relevant to parents. The conversations, led by some of my favorite bloggers, will leverage social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and TheMotherhood.com.

Sponsored by ConAgra Foods, Cooking Connections is launching today, actually at 1:00 pm at the Blissdom Conference that’s going on right now in Nashville.

I love, love, love TheMotherhood and all the wonderful things that they’re doing around our community. Cooking Connections will, no doubt, be just as successful as their other projects. I’m excited to be participating in the cooking class that focuses on picky eaters. “Placating Picky Eaters” will take place in a few weeks, and I’ll be sure to share more about it soon. By the way, TheMotherhood, Emily McKhann and 77Kids by American Eagle got a nod in Forbes for the inspiring Do Good Day campaign that tapped bloggers around the country to pay it forward.

Join the conversation! Want to learn more about Cooking Connections and/or register to participate? Be sure to sign up here at TheMotherhood.

Check out Cooper and Emily’s announcement video for even more details!

Snowy Days Mean More Game Play

January 27, 2011January 27, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Have you had enough of the snow and cold already? I think we’re tired of the work and obstacles that snow brings with it, but “sleighing” down our hill certainly doesn’t get old. Like most of you, because we can’t get outdoors as much on snowy days, we’ve got a little bit of cabin fever going on.

Being indoors much more than we’d like has meant we’ve had to adjust our normal routine. I monitor and limit tv and screen time throughout the day, and so, we’ve found ourselves playing more games, doing more crafts, cooking, reading and just playing whatever comes naturally. Here’s are just a few activities, crafts and toys that’s been keeping us busy.

LeapFrog Interactive Map

I’ve said it before, but LeapFrog, to me, is one of the frontrunners in innovative, educational toys. The LeapFrog Tag Interactive Map is no exception. The Interactive Map, paired with a Tag Reader, has been keeping us busy on these snowy days, teaching us cool facts about states we’ve visited, where our relatives live and helps us visualize where we hope to visit! After locating cool spots on the map, we like to try to put our new geographic knowledge to good use and and find the same locales on our globe ($1 garage sale find.) The Interactive Map is a great way to engage imagination, curiosity while throwing a bit of geography into the mix.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Who doesn’t love puzzles? Puzzles are a great activity for kids and parents to interact. It involves logic, teamwork and patience, characteristics that have surely been put to the test with all this cabin fever! Our favorite jigsaw puzzle right now is this Super Why Hidden Word puzzle. This puzzle is a fun way to enjoy one of our favorite shows and their characters, and not having to stare a screen to do so! The Why Finder (magnifying glass) to help locate hidden words is a very fun added element that gives even more engagement after the last piece of the puzzle is put into place.

Crayola Color Wonder

Crafts, especially drawing, has been one of the best ways to pass time these days. The kid loves markers; my new area carpet and furniture does not. Our compromise is Crayola’s Color Wonder markers and paints. If you’re not familiar with the awesomeness that is Color Wonder, the geniuses at Crayola have created a line of products that only color on special paper. The markers, paintbrushes and paints only show up on the Color Wonder paper, which means no mess all over your stylish white couch. Santa was so kind to bring the boy Toy Story and other Disney themed Color Wonder coloring books. I will probably never buy another kind of marker again–we love these things so much! No mess=happy family!

WonderForge What’s in the Hat Game

Here we go-go-go! Do you guys watch Cat in the Hat on PBS? We sure do! So, when WonderForge told us about their new Cat in the Hat games, we were all about them. The What in the Hat game, though, is THE funniest game to play with preschoolers, espcially the ones who don’t know how to keep secrets. It’s a simple guessing game that involves hiding everyday items within the Cat’s hat, but it never fails, we get big laughs from this game!

What are your favorite snowy/indoor activities?

Full disclosure: Select samples were provided for editorial review. As always, opinions on NKT are my own.

GeoPalz Tracks and Rewards Kids’ Fitness Activities

January 25, 2011January 27, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

What do you get when you combine kids, fitness and a reward system? Kids + fitness + rewards= win, win, win.

Meet GeoPalz, an innovative pedometer for kids that tracks their fitness activities and rewards them with points, which can be used to redeem for prizes like footballs, frisbees and even bikes!

When the weather is as cold as it is on the east coast this week, the thought of playing outside is out of the question. Nevertheless, like most kids, my guy needs to expend all that energy. Fortunately for us, we have Nickelodeon’s Wii Fit, which has been a saving grace for when it’s way too cold to go out. (our review is forthcoming) But when the weather is actually bearable, we’re big on going to the park, going for walks or just playing pirates in our backyard. When we cover so much ground, especially when we were city dwellers, I’ve always wondered how much we walked.

And then, the clever minds behind Jibbitz did the legwork for us and created GeoPalz. GeoPalz was created for getting kids active, with Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative in mind.

Kids can collect a variety of GeoPalz characters to match their personalities, which can be clipped onto their belts. Each GeoPalz tracks their physical activity, which can then be recorded online www.geopalz.com where they can manually enter their steps, which are then converted into miles or “pedpointz.” All steps are converted into miles/pedpointz based on the formula of 2,500 steps equals one mile and one mile equals one pedpoint.

I love the Rock and Roll and Butterfly GeoPalz, but there are also sports, fairy and Skelanimals available. We were sent one of the Skelanimals and have had an interesting time checking it out thus far. Since snow and ice has covered our roads and streets for the past few weeks, we haven’t had a chance to fully test it out yet. We may head to the mall or indoor playground to do some playing, so we’ll give a full report when we do.

Until then, check out GeoPalz and get out and play!

GeoPalz retail for $20 and can be found at REI and select toy stores.

HP ePrint Features Detachable Touchsceen and More

January 21, 2011January 21, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

At CES, one of the most memorable and relevant segments of the show for NKT was MommyTech and Kids@Play. This special section of the show and conference track spotlighted technology that underscores mom’s influence in the technology sector.

I’m all about technology that makes parenthood easier and more organized, but on the flipside, I don’t think it should replace human interaction.

A few tech brands that had a presence at CES and aim to reach the mom market include Microsoft, HP, Mobi, Eye-Fi, Knowledge Adventure, among others.

I had a chance to meet with HP and Snapfish to learn about their latest products, many of which I think you photo fans like me would love. Even though we just bought a Canon printer/fax machine/copier, I thought HP’s Photosmart eStation e-All-in-One Printer would be a perfect complement to my home office and craft area. This thing had more functions than any printer that I’ve ever seen.

According to HP, the Photosmart eStation e-All-in-One can print, fax, photo copy and scan, plus it has a detachable, full-color, 7″ touchscreen that doubles as a wireless digital companion and control panel for remote printing. Now, if only it could program the dishwasher and washing machine remotely!

Play Kitchens Promote Imagination and Creativity for Girls and Boys

January 19, 2011January 19, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

I was planning on writing about something completely different today, and then I saw this question posed on Twitter:

I was caught off guard since my boy, like I’m sure many of yours, enjoys play cooking. As we finish our remodel and completion of rooms, we’ve been on the hunt for a kitchen that’s “just right.” But the reason I was caught off guard was, since when did imagination and creativity become a gender thing, because isn’t that what role playing, such as kitchen play, promotes?

Maybe it’s because I choose to ignore such conversations, but I never realized that play kitchens were considered “girl toys.” Quite honestly, I wish it didn’t have to be that way. Ample research has revealed that exposing kids to the kitchen benefits them in the long run. Whether it’s a play kitchen or a real kitchen, let the kids explore, learn and be creative.

Ever go to a toy store where the demo play kitchen is set up? It never fails, the play kitchen, just like a real kitchen at family gatherings, has some sort of magnetic energy that lures people and kids.

While we’re at it, let’s talk kitchens. Here are just a few kitchens that are perfect for cooking up a good (pretend) feast:

The Educo Gourmet Kitchen is made of wood with completely non-toxic, child-friendly paints and finishes. I love that this kitchen features bright, bold and modern, a contrast from that gender-specific color palette.

The Deluxe Kitchen Play Centre from Melissa and Doug is the kitchen in question that always lures my kid in, whenever we visit our local toy boutique. It’s made mostly of wood, features a myriad of controls, buttons, shelves and accoutrements. Basically, like the marketing material implies, this kitchen has everything including the kitchen sink.

Another kitchen that’s made of wood that I love is the kid’s play kitchen from IKEA. Like their furniture, it boast straight lines, euro design and most importantly, the kids love its “realistic” features. Best aspect, though, is that its in the $100 range, with plenty of options to add personal touches.

Speaking of personal touches, what about DIY play kitchens? I can’t think of a more sustainable option that involves interaction from parent and kids than creating a play kitchen from repurposed furniture. This one, made by a set of grandparents, is probably my idea of the holy grail of DIY play kitchens.

Do you guys have any thoughts on kitchens? Any faves? Opposed or in favor of boys/girls playing in the kitchen?

CES: Fun Picks

January 13, 2011January 13, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Even though I’m still reeling from CES, like many other bloggers and media outlets, I’m already fielding many exciting emails for Toy Fair events and booth visits. But before I can appropriately shift gears to Toy Fair mode, I have so many CES finds that I want to share.

Though there were hundreds of thousands of products being showcased at CES, obviously, not everything is necessarily family-friendly or geared to kids. There were, however, a good amount of products that are of interest to families who appreciate technology. Here are a few family-minded products that I’d love for myself:

Disney Computer Speakers

I spotted these Disney-themed computer speakers at a booth that showcased products designed by students from a Korean University. While not all the products are being marketed yet in the U.S., some products are in the process of being launched stateside. These speakers, I thought, were a modern, functional yet whimsical nod to Mickey and friends.

iPod Dock and Boombox

This M&M iPod Dock/Boombox caught my eye when I walked the floor of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. I mean, who doesn’t love M&M—kids and adults, right? After I snapped a couple of pix, the reps at the booth stopped me from taking photos, so, unfortunately, I don’t have many details on the product, other than this. Still, what a fun idea for an iPod dock.

Asus 100P Seashell Netbook

Asus may have turned heads this year at CES with several new innovative products, but this hot pink textured Seashell Netbook definitely turned my head. Geared to moms and teens alike, while the stylish Seashell Netbooks aren’t entirely new, this line of netbooks has garnered great reviews.

The New Ford Explorer

I had a very cool walk-through with Ford on their Sync technology, the computerized system in the dash that allows you to do, um, practically anything. I’ll talk more about it later, but what I liked most was that the system leveraged the technology that you may already have within your smartphone. During my demo, they showed me how to implement Pandora through the car via Bluetooth and Sync. You can control Pandora on the steering wheel’s controls once it’s synced so you don’t have to fumble with the phone while you’re driving!

Aside from that cool tech, I fell in love with the new body design of the Ford Explorer. My family always had Fords growing up, so, naturally, I loved seeing the new body design in person, and envisioned carting around my own family in that sleek SUV. While I’ve been overlooking SUVs as a practical vehicle for our family due to fuel inefficiency, the V6 model of 2011 Ford Explorer is said to rival MPG of other conventional SUVs. Although, seeing is believing…

CES 2011: Music Monday

January 10, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

CES, the world’s largest technology show, and perhaps, the biggest trade show I’ve ever attended, yielded a whole new world of experiences. The Consumer Electronics Show, which was held in Vegas last week, opened my eyes to the advances of technology and how it complements our families’ lives today and will change the way we tackle day-to-day activities.

It was such a cool experience to check out the latest tech firsthand, but it was unfortunate (and a bit ironic) that I was unable to get online as much as I would have hoped. Nevertheless, I’m in the process of uploading and editing the thousands(!) of photos I took of all the innovative products I checked out.

I’m still trying to organize my thoughts and ideas on CES, but it’s safe to say that tablets ruled the roost and manufacturers are continuing to ride the 3D wave.

Since it’s Music Monday, here’s a sampling of some of the coolest music tech I spotted at CES:

Samsung Galaxy Player

This sleek-looking music player is said to rival Apple’s iPod Touch. It’s said it will employ Google’s Android OS 2.2 Froyo, available in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB flash drives. It features also include SoundAlive audio enhancement technology, HD video playback, microSD card slot, a 1200mAh battery, Android Market and Samsung Apps access.

Sesame Street Headphones

I saw a wide range of headphones, including quite a few headphones geared to kids. Headphones can be used for a variety of devices, but music players, kid-sized instruments and for travel purposes always come to mind. I’m sure we’re not alone trying to rig adult-sized earbuds or headphones to work on the kid, which is why I loved these Sesame Street-themed headphones from DreamGear, and really love the rest of their line up of gaming and other electronic accessories.

Mobi Headphonies

I didn’t come home with too much CES swag (I tried to avoid accumulating more pens and unnecessary stuff at all costs), but the Mobi Headphonies that I came home with is probably my kid’s favorite thing right now. With most kids owning some type of electronic device, who wouldn’t love collecting these cute mp3 speakers? Headphonies, which variety of colors and characters, are portable, functional and collection-worthy. A funky sumo wrestler figurine might be quirky, but it makes us smile every time we hear the kid’s playlist coming from it. My next Headphonie will definitely be Hello Kitty!

Silicone Keyboard

There’s so much more CES coverage and finds. In the meantime, feel free to check out my photos on Flickr. The link can be found via the Flickr icon at the top right.

There were quite a few musical instruments throughout the four different halls of CES, and I spotted this super cool silicone and totally flat keyboard. I amazed at the design and at how flat the keyboard was, but also how it was composed of silicone. I have yet to get all the details of this keyboard, but expect to see another post on it soon.

NKT at CES 2011

January 6, 2011January 6, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Howdy from Las Vegas, everyone! As everyone was gearing up for the New Year and packing up their Christmas decor, I was fielding emails, setting up appointments and mentally preparing myself for the Consumer Electronics Show, the world’s largest technology conference.

What’s a blogger—more specifically, a blogger who focuses on kid stuff—doing at a tech conference?

I’m doing what most other members of the press are doing: checking out and reporting on the latest innovations in technology. Most importantly, what I’m here for, is to learn about all this new technology and how it intersects with families and kids.

This holiday season, I noticed that more and more handhelds for kids and gadgets lined the shelves of big box electronic stores. In the age of iPads and smartphones, apps help our kids to read stories, tablets are being harnessed for educational purposes and moms…well, we’re still doing most of the buying decisions, especially when it comes to technology throughout the entire house. It’s more than evident that technology is embraced by the entire family, with mom and kids influencing a good portion of the techy marketplace, now more than ever.

With CES officially opening today, I be on the look out for a superfluous amount of #CES tweets, my pictures on Flickr, and of course, some blog posts all about the family friendly tech gear that I find on the showroom floor.

Gift Glossary: Outdoor Toys

December 20, 2010January 3, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

First up on the Gift Glossary includes my round up of some of the most innovative outdoor toys from the year. Scooters and caster boards continue to gain popularity in this section, which is exactly why I included quite a few in our list. Other notable goodies include fun toys that have the potential to get a lot of play time outside from kids of all ages.

Whiplash Scooter

The Whiplash was one of the most notable scooters I saw this year. First spotted at Toy Fair in February (maybe you remember the video I posted over on FB?),

this scooter combined elements of a caster board and scooter, making it a versatile vehicle choice with a lot of twists and turns. It boasts speed and swift maneuverability, but for those with skill, the Whiplash can turn heads.

Pulse Slither

The Pulse Slither, unlike other scooters, has the capability to drift. Like its name implies, the scooter’s back end can drift in such a way that it slithers.

When first learning the Slither’s nuances, we found that the maneuverability, isn’t as smooth, but once riders got the hang of it, it’s fun to slide and drift around. Check out one of our kid reviewers take the Pulse Slither for a ride.

Zipfy Mini Luge

It’s snow season for many parts of the U.S. already, but I first caught eye of the Zipfy Mini Luge at the Discovery Store’s Holiday Preview this summer.

The Zipfy, which comes in a variety of bold colors, might be small in size, but its design puts speed on its side. The feet first design of the Zipfy, which gives kids an easier handle to break with their feet, was one of my favorite aspects of the mini luge, which is sure to be a staple for kids and parents alike. As with all outdoor sports like sledding, helmets and proper safety gear is highly recommended.

Little Nutty Helmets

With all these fun outdoor toys that made the list, how could I not include some stylish safety gear? Little Nutty from Nutcase Helmets are among my favorite, eye-catching helmets for kids.

All Little Nutty helmets comply with US CPSC Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards for persons age 5 and older. Who says you can’t be safe and stylish at the same time?

Ybike

Ybike is a new, 3-wheel balance bike that combines the basics of riding a bike–minus the pedals.

Preschoolers can scoot, navigate and “ride” on their own, which makes the Ybike a fun way to learn and implement balance. Made of a durable plastic that can seemingly take a beating from little learners, the Ybike comes in a spectrum of vibrant colors. Low to the ground, easy maneuverability and a sleek design make this balance bike an instant favorite for the preschool set.

Category: gadgets