more photosKid Culture features fun and educational books and toys for kids. Toy recommendations are based on independent research conducted by The Toy Research Institute.
Champions Speedway Fold ‘n’ Go Race Case by Life-Like Products
$59.99
Age 4 and older
Toy Tips: B+
Fun: A
Movement: A
Thinking: B+
Personality: B+
Social Interaction: B+
This portable slot car racing set comes in a case that unfolds to reveal a bi-level race course. Kid-powered hand crank generators stimulate fine motor skills and supply power to the cars and control the speed. Street signs, checkered flag and spare parts are included for added play value. Ideal for travel or play dates, this set requires no batteries or electricity.
Augmented Reality by Ravensburger
$19.99
Age 10 and older
Toy Tips: A
Fun: A
Movement: A
Thinking: A
Personality: B+
Social Interaction: A
This 1,000 piece augmented reality puzzle allows the puzzler to create a scene of Paris. After the puzzle is complete, download an app and use the camera function of an iPad2 or iPhone and see Paris come alive through video, including a 360-degree view of Paris at night. It can reveal audio details, sound effects and facts about the scene.
Fine motor skills and intellectual thinking skills are enhanced through building the puzzle. The puzzle is available for iPhone 3G, 4G and 4S and 5 versions and for iPad2. While we tested this one only, there are three other puzzles in the series: a colorful underwater world (puzzlers can “go fishing" for special deep-sea coral and spectacular fish species); African animals (the safari begins with a depiction of exotic animals near a watering hole, and comes to life with five different videos); and Lofoten, Norway (a sunny, picturesque Nordic day that changes into a winter wonderland).
Tester’s tip: Be sure you have access to an iPhone or iPad2 before building the puzzle.
Kurio by Techno Source
$199
Age 4 and older
Toy Tips: A
Fun: A
Movement: B+
Thinking: A
Personality: B+
Social Interaction: B+
This Android-based, 7-inch multitouch-screen tablet allows children to safely access content while parents have control over everything from Internet access, blocking keywords with advanced filtering, passwords and time limit control. Parents can create up to eight different user profiles, giving age-appropriate access to each family member.
This is also ideal for small classrooms for individual learning time and single use giving the teacher complete control. Wi-Fi enabled, this multimedia and entertainment device allows email access, web searching, ebooks for individual reading time, writing, drawing, music, movies and game play. Ideal for travel and car ride commute times, the unit also has both front and rear cameras for photography. It comes with a protective shell for durability and easy handling.
Preloaded content includes Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja, Toon Goggles and Doodle Jump among others. (There is an additional 10-inch tablet size that retails for $329).
Testers’ tip: The educational content promotes school readiness for the pre-K and kindergarten age group while the loading apps and using the multimedia platform at home can assist with defining classroom skills at appropriate grade levels. Ideal for home school and classroom use.
Mathable Classic
$17.99
Age 9 and older
Toy Tips: A
Fun: A
Movement: B+
Thinking: A
Personality: B+
Social Interaction: A
For math enthusiasts, this game encourages thinking and quick math skills. Designed for two to four players, gameplay challenges players to use basic equations to achieve the highest score.
Players do simple math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) by crossing numbers on a game board. Our testers in the classroom used this as a math tool to enhance math lessons. This game is also an homework helper to encourage consistent math practice and problem-solving.
Contents include the game board, four tile racks and 108 tiles.