The Toys and Tech Trends Expert!
(Originally posted on DailyLounge.com by Debbie Nolan.)
There’s nothing like shopping for toys during the holiday season and the satisfaction it brings when you get just the perfect gift. That can be you this year with a little help from Reyne Rice, a toy and trend expert who knows what will be on those Christmas lists this year.
Originally posted on dailylounge.com
Reyne Rice has this season’s gift ideas just in time for Black Friday & Cyber Monday!
Kids love construction sets and younger kids can have fun practicing real world activities or using their imagination to create an entirely new world. The LEGO DUPLO Family House is designed for a child’s smaller hands to develop motor skills, and introduce children as young as 1 1/2 to LEGO building, with bricks that are twice the size of a classic brick. With endless playing possibilities and loads of elements and colors to spark their imagination, they learn to stack, build, and role-play as they act out everyday life. Visit shop.lego.com to learn more!
Playing games is a great way to bond as a family over the holidays. Catch the Fox by Goliath Games was named toy of the year in France, bringing laughter and fun to the family when uh oh – the Fox is in the hen house. This greedy fox is snapping up the chickens and stuffing them into his pockets. But when there are too many chickens, his pants will fall down, sending the chickens scurrying so it keeps everyone guessing. Be the first to return 5 chickens to your coop to win! Click here to learn more.
This is the Merge Cube, an award-winning 3D Augmented Reality toy that you use with your smartphone or tablet. This cube allows kids to hold digital, holographic objects in the palm of their hand! Many kids are hands-on learners, and this is enhancing the learning experience in a fun way that they will remember! Just download free or paid apps to activate and play with 3D games, characters and learning tools, like a skull, a rotating labyrinth, a chomping piranha, and so much more…all for less than $15! Click here to learn more!
Getting kids outdoors is always a plus. Kids will get hours of enjoyment out of these Passback Sports footballs. It is a one-of-a-kind training tool that is thrown like a regulation ball but engineered to hit a surface and come spiraling back. Aim the flat side of the ball to any wall surface and be amazed as it boomerangs back to the person who threw it. It’s like having a perfect practice partner when no one is around! It comes in three sizes: Pee Wee, Junior and an official Full size. Click here to learn more!
Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.
“Sponsored Content”
New York Toy Fair opens this weekend and our toy trend expert, Reyne Rice, has a sneak peek at some of the coolest toys this year!
Lego continues to innovate toys for younger kids. The LEGO DUPLO Batcave Challenge lets Batman fans be their favorite superheroes and drive the Batmobile and Batcycle as they look for The Joker and Poison Ivy. Create fun action scenes using these LEGO DUPLO bricks that are two times the size of a classic brick to accommodate smaller hands and help develop motor skills. Visit shop.lego.com to learn more!
LEGO Make Your Own Movie by Klutz
Klutz has new titles in their book-based activity kits including LEGO Make Your Own Movie. Bring your favorite Lego mini-figures to life with this beginner guide to stop-motion animation. Create short, funny clips on a phone or tablet using six backgrounds and thirty-six LEGO elements. Visit Klutz.com to learn more!
A follow up to Sew Mini Treats is Sew Mini Animals that lets you stitch and stuff an assortment of fuzzy animals from felt. These mini plushies deliver full-size fun and everything you need to make up to 14 animals is included. Add extra accessories like hats, bows, and glasses to personalize your animals. Visit Klutz.com to learn more!
From the all-new Klutz Jr. line for preschoolers, My Egg Carton Animals lets kids transform specially made egg cartons into 6 barnyard animals. Fun animal facts throughout the book give an added giggle as kids paint and add googly eyes, cotton balls, and precut accessories to make their very own farm animal friends. Visit Klutz.com to learn more!
Spin Master is reviving ZhuZhu Pets from their launch in 2009 with over 20 new Zhu’s to collect! Each little hamster has a special hidden talent to discover. With their unique personalities and unpredictable behavior, Pipsqueak, Mr. Squiggles, Num Nums and Chunk love to zoom around, dance, talk and even sing. Make sure to check these cute guys out at ZhuZhuPets.com!
Giant Volcano with T-Rex from Schleich
Kids can have hours of fun with the Giant Volcano with T-Rex from Schleich Dinosaurs play world. Press the skull to release the stalactites, set the dinosaur trap, or hit the large stone to see the fossil puzzle erupt from the side of the volcano. This playset encourages your child to explore the exciting world of dinosaurs with over 30 additional dinosaurs to collect. Click here to learn more!
Following the collectability trend, Whiffer Sniffers have become the “It Toy” for kids who collect. The new Series 4 will be introduced this year including Sour Saul, and May B Minty that kids clip to their backpack or sports bag. They smell like everything from popcorn to jelly beans! Or take a chance with this mystery package to find a rare special edition character. Visit WhifferSniffers.com to learn more!
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Aeromax Toys brings imagination to life. The Get Real Gear, My 1st Career Gear Tops, and accessories lets kids pretend to be firefighters, astronauts, chefs, and more. Pretend play inspires kids to dream big and helps build self esteem in their developmental years. They are known for their quality and durability, along with an affordable price. Visit AeromaxToys.com to learn more!
Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.
Toy Fair New York kicks off this weekend and I’ve got a sneak peek at some of the coolest toys and games for 2016.
LEGO continues to be a leader in the construction category and are expanding the LEGO DUPLO line with “My Firsts” sets, like My First Catepillar and My First Rocket. These DUPLO bricks are four times the size of classic LEGO bricks, and are sized for little hands to introduce children as young as 18 months old to the world of building. They make learning fun by encouraging early counting skills with special decorated bricks and come with building cards for more inspiration. Learn more here.
Parents are always looking for ways to get kids outdoors. The Rocket Fishing Rod from Goliath makes fishing fun and more enjoyable for both parents and kids. Kids pump, launch and reel in the fish all by themselves! This fishing pole shoots the bait 25 feet so no casting is needed. The included safety bobber protects the hook safely until it hits the water, so all kids catch are fish. Ready to use right out of the box. Click here to learn more.
This new collection of dolls and books introduces the Middle School Moguls. It follows the story of five unconventional girls who attend Mogul Academy, a school for the brightest kidpreneurers of today. The books, entitled “You Be the Boss”, lets them choose their own adventure, with four different endings. It teaches kids about entrepreneurership and technology. These dolls encourage girls to explore modern careers. In stores this August, and is available for preorder here.
Aurora World is a global leader in plush toys, with over 3,500 original creations from alligators to dolls to zebras. These adorable guys are called Gnomlins. They come with colorful oversized hats, noticeable noses and fluffy white beards. This summer, children will love making friends with the Sea Sparkles mermaids. These six adorable sirens of the sea feature hair colors from blonde to pink to turquoise with sparkly matching or contrasting tails. Click here to learn more.
GameStop is THE PLACE to help find and purchase your favorite gaming and tech items affordably and simply. They have deals on games of all kinds and for all systems for everyone in the family including the best-selling LEGO Marvel Avengers video game! Play as Captain America! Also, add Captain America to your collection with this Pop Vinyl bobblehead figure! Visit the GameStop mobile app, website or stop in at over 4,200 locations. Click here to learn more.
Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge
From ThinkGeek, a ThinkGeek creation and exclusive, it’s the Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge. Hoverkraft is an old-school building game with a twist: Players take turns stacking pieces on a platform… that levitates! Click here to learn more.
Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.
Black Friday weekend is quickly approaching and we have some great Holiday gifts for all the kids on your shopping list!
This LEGO DUPLO Batman Adventure set is designed for young builders 2 – 5 years old. Kids can play with Batman™, Superman™ and Wonder Woman to save the day and create endless adventures with these iconic super-heroes. This set includes an easy-to-build opening bridge, Batman’s Batboat, Wonder Woman’s motorbike, and a cat. These Duplo bricks are over-sized and created to be fun and safe for small hands. As your little builder grows up, they will be able to use Duplos with other Lego sets as they are 100% compatible. Learn more here.
Activision Skylanders SuperChargers
Activision just launched Skylander SuperChargers introducing “vehicles-to-life” that are playable in the real world and virtually come to life in the video game. Now, kids can play in the air, under the sea or on land with NEW Super-Charged characters and vehicles, including race cars, jets, submarines and more! ALL of the existing 300+ characters can be used in this new game and NOW, they all can drive! Get it here.
Kids can capture digital photos or videos of their active lifestyle with the VTech Kidizoom Action Cam. It is designed to be durable for kids as young as 4 years old, with different mounts to attach to their helmets, bikes, skateboards and scooters, plus a case that is waterproof up to 6 feet and will protect from splashes. An affordable way to introduce kids to photography. Parents or older siblings can help them download and share their images. Get it at VTechKids.com!
R.E.V. are super-fast Robotic Enhanced Vehicles from WowWee that are app-enabled remote control battle cars. The starter pack includes 2 cars AND 2 ways to play: One player can play versus the Artificial Intelligence controlled drone car OR battle against their friends. Simply download the free app, connect your device to sync with the vehicle, and start playing right out of the box! These cars are super-fast AND do NOT require a special track or surface to race, or battle on. Play anywhere! Learn more here.
ArcKit Architectural Model Building Kit
For the Maker in your life, the ArcKit Architectural model building kit is a great hands-on way to teach practical STEM concepts with architectural design. The award-winning model kit comes with re-usable construction pieces like walls, windows, and floors. You can customize your design with printable adhesives like solar panels, wood textures, and terracotta tile. Easily put the set together using quick-click assembly and then re-construct something completely different. The sets include access to the digital materials library and the Sketch Up 3D Warehouse. Developed by a real architect in Ireland, Damien Murtagh, and available exclusively at Barnes & Noble this Holiday Season! Winner of multiple awards such as, The Parents Choice Gold Award, Irish Design 2015 Award, and the Red Dot Design Award! Learn more at ArcKit.com!
Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.
It’s that time of year again, those dreaded words, BACK TO SCHOOL! That doesn’t mean the fun has to stop, kids can learn AND have fun with these neat items our Toy Trend Expert Reyne Rice has found.
Give your pre-schooler hours of entertainment with the LEGO DUPLO Deluxe Box of Fun! This set makes the perfect introduction to building with pieces designed specifically for little hands and can be built by the kids themselves. With 95 pieces of classic and special DUPLO bricks, this set can teach counting with the decorated number blocks and inspire role play with the DUPLO figures, opening up a world of imagination and creativity for your child. Learn more about LEGO DUPLO here.
LEGO Juniors are tailor-made to transition young builders to classic LEGO brick building. This Easy to Build set, LEGO Junior Batman: Defend the Batcave, includes modular pieces such as walls and archways for quick brick builds, a vehicle and three mini-figures: Batman, Robin and the Joker. Kids develop math and logic learning PLUS storytelling for developing language skills. Step-by-step storybook instructions and photo inspiration get young builders started. Learn more about LEGO Juniors here.
Kids love being active and keeping their brains engaged also prevents them from getting bored. ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy is an award-winning educational website for kids ages 2 to 6. Developed by teachers and learning experts, this site has over 5,000 skill-building activities to provide hundreds of hours of fun .. that means kids will actually WANT to use it! The Step by Step Learning Path customizes the experience for each child, allowing them to build self confidence by learning at their own pace. It can be accessed from computers and most mobile devices, anytime – anywhere. It’s a 100% educational and safe online environment, with no advertising or links to other websites. Find out more about enrolling your child at ABCmouse.com!
Oregon Scientific SmartGlobe Infinity
Becoming a global citizen is important and Oregon Scientific is a leader in creating global learning tools. The SmartGlobe Infinity opens up the world with the touch of the Smart Pen. Kids will learn history, fascinating facts and global knowledge using the Bluetooth wireless talking Smart Pen to guide their experiences with dozens of fun interactive games and challenges. This SmartGlobe is constantly updated online, providing an ever current view of world content. Learn more about the SmartGlobe Infinity here.
Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.
Written and Produced By: Amelia Floyd
With the biggest shopping weekend ahead, there’s still plenty of time to get the kids something awesome! Reyne Rice is bringing you the best last minutes gifts for kids!
The new LEGO DUPLO “My First Train Set” is designed for preschoolers which features a steam train model! With a simple push of a button, the motorized train travels around the tracks making some really awesome realistic train sound effects. DUPLO building toys are specially designed for small hands and are 100% compatible with all LEGO sets. Learn more about LEGO DUPLO’s “My First Train Set” here.
Ever heard of a smartphone controlled robotic ball? Well, now you have … and it’s awesome! The people at Sphero have launched their new Sphero 2.0 just in time for the holidays. Kids and adults alike will love this little futuristic toy, cats & dogs will love it too! It’s a little unique gaming device that you control using your smartphone or tablet. iOs and Android compatible. Learn more here.
You can’t talk holiday shopping without talking about phones. Meet the Kyocera Hydro Elite. Sounds fancy, and it is! The Hydro Elite is the sleek new 4G LTE Smartphone from Kyocera. It’s durable, waterproof and comes protected out of the box. No need to spend big bucks on a case! Drop it in the pool, you’re good. Drop it in the toilet (because who hasn’t done that before), you’re still good! (Just make sure it gets a good cleaning.) This phone is certified to be dispensed in water a meter deep for half an hour! The perfect gift for your teen, tween or clumsy family member. Free with Verizon. Learn more here.
Available in four adorable animal characters, Digipals are mobile device companions for kids that feature a microfiber compartment fitted for most Smartphones, MP3 players and small point-and-shoot cameras. The unique microfiber allows kids to clean their screens without the use of any chemicals, and the material does not leave behind dust, lint or scratches.They come with a zippered compartment to carry ID’s, money, earbuds or lip balm making them the ideal accessory for protecting children’s devices. Learn more about these cute companions here.