Category: gadgets

SmartyCard: earn while you learn

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The end of the school year for many kids is upon us.  If they’re not already out, then they will be soon!  Ah, the endless days of summer…Some kids go to camp, some go to the beach, some go play outside all day and then, of course, they’ll play video games.  Hours spent playing video games won’t be so bad, especially if SmartyCard is in the equation.

smartycard

SmartyCard is quite simple: parents pay for the card (smallest increment is $10), kids participate in interactive online games, quizzes and lessons; as they learn, they earn. The rewards rendered are SmartyCard’s virtual currency that can be redeemed at online destinations like, ClubPenguin, WebKinz, Stardoll, or used toward Wii games or iTunes giftcards.  SmartyCard recognizes the importance of refining reading skills during summer break and has partnered with the Scholastic Summer Challenge, a program that encourages kids to read for fun over summer break.  Every Scholastic Summer Challenge participant who reads and logs a minimum of 20 minutes is offered free SmartyCard points.

Call it learning 2.0:  I love the concept of SmartyCard, and how it leverages technology and video games to encourage educational activities targeted specifically toward tweens.  I know plenty of kids who consider reading a reward in itself, so earning cool rewards will be like extra credit!

Flippin’ sweet

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We have a blue rhinoceros hanging in our bathroom—a cute, blue rhinoceros to be exact.

hanging

FlipperWe were recently sent a Flipper Toothbrush Holder to try out, and it’s been a fun accessory for our toothbrush-loving tot.

Our guy enjoys brushing his teeth so much, but he doesn’t get the importance of keeping the toothbrush sanitized in the bathroom or that you can’t clean the windowsill with it, either. In fact, he conveniently hides his brush in his toybox, or better yet, under the couch after he’s finished. (yuck!)

The Flipper has helped to remedy this problem. The animal-themed toothbrush holder wards off nasty bacteria, while the handy suction cups on the back provide an easy-to-find placement on our bathroom mirror. So, what was once a problem, the Flipper now makes for a fun addition to the little dude’s toothbrushing experience–no more playing “let’s find the kid’s toothbrush in the toybox” anymore.

Also, since we travel frequently to visit family back in Virginia, the Flipper is compact enough as a toothbrush cover, too. I’m all about multi-purposing gadgets!

flipperflipper

The functional toothbrush holder works well with standard kiddie brushes, but we just so happen to use the Hasbro Toothtunes at the moment. Because that toothbrush is a little bulkier, the Flipper doesn’t close all the way, but it still holds well on the bathroom mirror! It’s fun, functional and a great addition to our toothbrushing routine.

I bet kids of all ages and their parents would enjoy the functionality and fun of the Flipper Toothbrush holder.

Flipper offers various animal designs, as well as several other functional products. The Flipper can be bought at stores such as Urban Outfitters, Babies ‘R’ Us, Target and Amazon.

Update:  want a Flipper for yourself or your kiddo?  please use the code “next kid thing” for a 10% discount on their site!

Video Review: LeapFrog Text and Learn

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

A couple of weeks ago, while visiting our neighbor, I watched our kid from across the coffee table as he stared at our friend’s Blackberry.

He eyed it, then looked up at me.

Eyed it, then looked at hubs.

He knew exactly what he wanted, and nothing was going to stop him.

And then, he lunged for his electronic prey.

With the swiftness of a gazelle, I shooed his tiny paws and averted a would-be Blackberry disaster.

Like most kids, our little guy is absolutely fascinated by electronics.  Cellphones are everyday fixtures and of course, mom and dad are both iPod devotees and laptop junkies.  It’s no wonder he’s always trying to snatch up our expensive electronic gadgets the minute we let our guards down.   All he wants to do is “play” like mom and dad.  But unfortunately, his kind of “play” often ends with a cellphone buried in a bucket at the bottom of the toybox for 4 days.

scouttext__learn-product_shot

But alas, leave it to LeapFrog:  the forward-thinking developer of children’s products recently released a couple of toys that address the would-be electronic gadget disasters.  In fact, they even commissioned some research to delve further into the topic.

LeapFrog recently commissioned a “Save Your PDA” survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, which found that when kids have access to their parents’ PDAs, shenanigans often follow. Kids apparently are dropping their parents’ PDAs into the toilet (7%) and garbage (9%). They are also changing settings (32%), smearing food on the keypad or screen (23%) or placing calls (51%) to folks parents may not be too thrilled to talk to unexpectedly–such as mothers-in-law, bosses or people overseas. For a little extra excitement, 16 per cent of these unwanted calls were to 911. A lucky 12% of parents, though, found out about new features on their PDA, thanks to their children’s “exploration.”

We identify with so many of these, but most notably, we’re part of the 12% that learned about new features.  Not surprisingly, we can’t replicate those new-found functions!

As electronics like Smartphones and PDAs become a mainstay in our lives, LeapFrog designed My Pal Scout and Text and Learn with curious kids in mind.

lfMy Pal Scout is plush puppy that sings and plays games with kids 6 months and up.  Scout can be personalized with kids’ names and favorite items via USB connection.

Text and Learn is a kiddie version of a PDA that even boasts a Qwerty keyboard.  While it might not be able to log on to Gmail or save data like the real thing, the Text and Learn encourages basic computer skills and preschool learning with games like letter matching and shape identification.

Check out my first video review to learn more about Scout and the Text and Learn.

Read More

It’s Game On for Kai Lan

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

This holiday season, Ni Hao, Kai-lan will take on a new adventure as she joins the ranks as one of the latest video games for preschoolers. Available for the Wii, Nintendo DS and PlayStation2, like the popular Nickelodeon show, the Ni Hao, Kai-lan video game by 2K Play will infuse learning the Chinese language and culture, with a bit of action and adventure.

kailan
I’m so excited about Kai Lan, simply because she’s a non-princess Asian cartoon character that our family identifies with–you know, because we tickle the sun and sing with tigers on a daily basis.  Hooray for Ni Hao, Kai Lan becoming such a hit.

Up video game hits shelves today

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

upgraphicThe video game, Up, based on the Disney-Pixar film of the same name, is hitting shelves today. Up, by THQ, follows the adventures of Carl and his young sidekick, Russell, as they embark on a journey through the  jungles of South America. The four main characters of the video game are the same from the movie — Carl, Russell, Dug the dog and Kevin the prehistoric bird. The characters must work together to navigate jungle terrain, combat animals and avoid being captured by a villain and his army of talking dogs.

Rated E for Everyone, the game is available for Wii, DS, Xbox 360, Playstation 2 and 3, PSP, Widows and Mac and retails for $39.99.  Here’s the trailer for the video game.

The game has already been taken for a spin by video game reviewers, and it sounds like it’ll be a big hit with kids.

I’ve got kids and they sat still and quiet while I was playing UP, so I know this game will do well with children, it’s bright and colorful and cute, all of the things a kids games should be.

said Kristofer Brozio of TestFreaks. For a thorough review, complete with screenshots, be sure to check the Testfreaks.com blog. For more information on the movie, Up, which hits screens on the 29th, head on over to the official site.

Jamba Juice-branded toys coming soon

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

jjIf I associate anything with summer, it would definitely be a Mango A Go Go Jamba Juice smoothie.  When I was pregnant, I craved these smoothies (ok, and ice cream too!) like it was nobody’s business!  So when I heard that Jamba Juice is coming out with a line of toys, I couldn’t be more excited!

Think Wow Toys will create a Jamba-branded blender for kids, EZ-2 Make! Jamba Juice Smoothie and Ice Pop Maker, giving kids a chance to make their own smoothies and ice pops at home.  Um, yum!
Beyond their delicious smoothies, it’s good to know that the company announced their eco-sustainability initiative earlier this year, too.  Go, Jamba Juice!

On a related note, I’m wondering if Paris Hilton will invest in these toys to avoid the paps?  Probably not.

New release: Boom Blox Bash Party

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram
5
Spielberg holds a copy of Boom Blox Bash Party (Photo: BW)

Boom Blox Bash Party for Wii, another anticipated release for the week, is hitting stores today.  The follow up to last year’s Boom Blox game for Wii features almost twice as many multiplayer challenges as the original, hence the Bash Party. Players can play with or against others in co-op, versus and new team-based challenges.

Boom Blox Bash Party is the sequel to the critically-acclaimed Boom Blox which is an EA and Steven Spielberg collaboration.  The new release features cool themed worlds including Space, Pirate, Heroic and Show Time where kids can check out action puzzle game play in zero gravity and underwater.

Boom Blox Bash Party has more than 400 new levels and players can also download new levels for free with an Internet-connected Wii.

Be sure to check out Boom Blox Bash Party on Facebook and the trailer on You Tube.

Punch Out!! launches this week

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s a big week for video game releases, with tomorrow’s launch of the new Punch-Out!! game for Nintendo’s Wii as one of the most noteworthy.
punchoutlogoLittle Mac is back with other existing characters from the existing Punch-Out!! with the only new character called the Disco Kid. The video boxing game, that was loved by many since the NES days, was reinvented with the Wii’s motion-sensitive Remote and Nunchuk controllers. The appeal of a retro game, combined with new technology, has a lot of original Punch-Out!! fans talking.
There are various reviews out on the new Punch-Out!! but one that I found incredibly comprehensive, complete with graphics is over on ign.com. And from what it sounds like, the new Punch-Out!! is a big hit.

Read More

Go outdoors with Crayola

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Crayola is challenging kids this summer with their nationwide campaign, The Outdoor Challenge. The challenge is quite easy and goes a little like this: after chores, homework and meals, step away from the computer and electronics and go outside to have fun! Easy enough, right?

viewmedia-1

The Outdoor Challenge coincides with National Physical Fitness & Sports Month and encourages outdoor play for kids of all ages. Crayola even enlisted Olympic Gold Medalist Dan O’Brien to help kick off this campaign. O’Brien will attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the fastest game of hopscotch, which is currently one minute and 23 seconds. The Decathlon champion and Hop Scotch champ hopeful was seen training yesterday at Chelsea Piers.  Stay tuned to find out if he accomplishes this latest endeavor!

Dan O'BrienCrayola is challenging families to achieve the national goal of one million hours of pledged outdoor play time through the end of the summer. Research by Kaiser Family Foundation suggests that kids ages 8-10 spend an average of six hours a day consumed with electronics and in front of computer and tv screens, increasingly overshadowing outdoor play.

From kickball to hopscotch, the options for colorful outdoor play are endless. But in case you need ideas, Crayola has added some new products to their lineup of creative tools for outdoor play.

Crayola takes sidewalk chalk to the next level with their new Sidewalk Crayons. With Sidewalk Crayons, kids can use the outdoors as their own personal coloring book. As opposed to the pastel palette of sidewalk chalk, the Sidewalk Crayons are bright and bold and have a smoother feel. After playtime, just like chalk, Sidewalk Crayons are easily washed off of driveways and sidewalks.

550_lo

Crayola has also introduced the Airbrush Painter, which pumps out washable sidewalk paint to create airbrushed designs. Designs can be created freehand or with the included stencils. As always Crayola thinks ahead: the airbrush only sprays when pointed downward, so young artists—or their siblings— won’t become their own canvas.

554_lo

We’re definitely taking this challenge. In fact, since the rain if finally letting up, we’re grabbing our bucket of chalk and heading to the park! Whatever your medium for colorful play might be, make sure you get outside as often as possible!

Oscar the Pig app from iKids Play

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

387035_5Pigs have been getting a lot of bad publicity lately, but if the shows on cartoon networks are indicative of kids’ unflappable taste in characters, pigs have and will always be a favorite when it comes to books, shows and now, apps!
Oscar the Pig written by Megan Calhoun, the multi-faceted founder of Twittermoms, is a great book that talks about the transition of mom going back to work and the separation anxiety that often goes hand in hand with it.  This cute children’s book is now available as an educational app, thanks to iKids iPlay.

Oscar the Pig can be read with five interactive activities.  With the Oscar the Pig app, kids can rub the screen to reveal hidden pages; the book becomes a coloring book with the stroke of a little finger, which can later be sent to grandma via email; storytime can enjoyed with automatic page turns and beginning readers can read, record and replay as they grasp their new reading abilities.

387035_2 387035_4

The Oscar the Pig app from iKids iPlay can be downloaded from iTunes for $2.99.  Be sure to check out the other cool children’s books they have available, too!  The book, Oscar the Pig, is available online.