Is it almost September already? Summer may be ending, but that doesn’t mean your kids can’t go back to school with these awesome new toys. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by WCIU Chicago to show off some of her favorite new toys and games for the start of the new semester. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and be sure to check out our complete guide to the best toys of the summer.


Untitled-1CogniToys  (Elemental Path)

  • CogniToys are Internet-connected smart toy Dinosaurs that are changing the
  • way kids learn and play.
  • The Dinosaurs are smart devices in toy form, tailored just for kids to provide an educational and entertaining experience without the need for a screen.
  • Powered by Elemental Path’s “Friendgine” and IBM’s Watson technologies, CogniToys respond to thousands of questions across multiple topics with age appropriate answers. Additionally, the Dinos explore educational subjects like spelling, geography and math through games and stories designed to challenge kids’ problem-solving abilities.
  • While other tech toys rely on pre-programmed responses, CogniToys™ listen to kids’ questions and adapt to their interests, creating a unique opportunity for interactive learning.
  • The cute and curious 7-inch Dinos are Wi-Fi-enabled and Cloud-based and update regularly as new content becomes available.
  • The toy explores favorite colors, animals and more to customize engagement as well. Each toy comes with access to the CogniToys Parent Panel, a platform that provides analytics on a child’s progress across content modules for parents to review.
  • Ages: 5-9
  • MSRP: $119.99

Untitled-1Animal Jam Cool Koala and Pet Pony (Jazwares)

  • School Yard currency doesn’t get better than this!
  • These Fancy Friends love to dress up. Mix & Match accessories for a Jam-tastic look!
  • Collectible animal, pet and accessories
  • Customize your animal and pet with accessories
  • Mix & Match accessories across all animals and pets
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $4.99

Untitled-1Gemmies (Tech 4 Kids)

  • Gemmies are the next evolution of the popular 3D beading craft.
  • Following a simple process, kids clip Gemmies crystals to elastic rings then join completed rings to create a 3D sparkling creation! Design templates are intuitive and use a repetitive pattern that lets kids develop their cognitive abilities and progress to designing their own creations.
  • You can make anything out of Gemmies crystals.
  • Starting series include animals, flowers and
  • more! Store all your Gemmies crystals and accessories in the Gemmies Design Studio and display your favorite creation on the light up pedestal.
  • Age: 6+
  • MSRP: $34.99

Sqand (Cra-Z-Art)Sqand (Cra-Z-Art)

  • With Cra-Z-Art’s Sqand, create and display awesome underwater scenes with specially formulated sand.
  • The sand holds its shape under water.
  • Squeeze out the compound under water and it becomes the ultimate molding fun!
  • Make various forms, build up, build out, it’s so much fun to use!
  • There is no mess and it never dries out – out of water it becomes magically dry.
  • Can be used over and over for hours of underwater sand play fun.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $15.99
  • Available at Toys “R” Us, Amazon

Untitled-1Simon Air (Hasbro)

  • In the new SIMON AIR Game, classic SIMON gameplay gets a modern twist with touch-free technology!
  • Play solo against the new SIMON AIR Game or team up with a friend and work together to remember the sequence, repeat the pattern and conquer the SIMON AIR Game.
  • The Simon game senses every hand motion and registers correct sequences. Stay on top of the game and conquer the speed-increasing levels with double moves, swoop moves, and even moves that light up all four lights!
  • If the pattern is repeated incorrectly, a buzzer will sound and signal the end of the game. The player with the highest score is the winner!
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $19.99

Untitled-1Folkmanis Corgi and Bulldog Puppets (Folkmanis)

Untitled-1

  • Show and tell is one of the most exciting experiences at school, and now kids can use these incredible puppets to share their stories
  • The Corgi and French Bulldog are two adorable pups, and kids can use them to share their tales of summer.
  • Puppets also encourage interaction between kids, strengthening key social-emotional skills necessary for school.
    They also encourage expressive action, helping kids gain confidence in their ability to positively affect their world, setting them up for school success.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $55.99 (Corgi), $29.99 (Frenchie)
  • Available: Amazon, Folkmanis.com

Untitled-1Classic LEGO Large Creative Brick Box (LEGO)

  • Build up a storm with this big box of classic LEGO bricks in
  • 33 different colors.
  • With lots of different windows and doors, along with other special pieces to inspire you, you can really run with your imagination.
  • Includes a wide range of LEGO bricks in 33 different colors
  • Features 8 different types of windows and doors with 8
  • different frames
  • LEGO® Classic is designed to inspire open-ended creativity with the LEGO brick
  • Special pieces encourage imaginative building play
  • Ideas included with the set and online at LEGO.com/classic to help you get started
  • Comes in a useful plastic storage box
  • Ages: 4+
  • Canadian MSRP: $59.99

Untitled-1 Arckit Go Plus (Arckit)

  • Based on today’s contemporary building techniques, Arckit GO consists of the same modular components in the original kits allowing you to design, build and modify multiple structures.
  • Ideal as an affordable introductory kit for budding architects looking to experience Arckit for the first time.
  • Arckit GO contains enough components to get you started building smaller architectural structures, which can be added to with out component packs.
  • Ages: 12+
  • MSRP: $69.99

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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