Just because it’s a rainy day doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski stopped by Good Morning Washington to show off some of the best new toys for a rainy day. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the spring and summer, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide.
SMART SKETCHER PROJECTOR (FLYCATCHER)
- smART sketcher Projector is the next great product for promoting artistic ability, fine motor development, and STEAM education skills using 21st century technology.
- Developed by the innovative Flycatcher Inc. team, smART sketcher Projector allows children and adults to transform photos taken from their smart devices into a sketch.
- By using the free smART sketcher app, photos are filtered and transferred via Bluetooth to the projector. Instantly users will see their desired image projected onto paper.
- Users are able to draw anything the eye can see with just a touch of a button.
- The smART sketcher Projector also comes with pre-loaded micro SD cards that are filled with a variety of activities including step-by-step drawings, learn-to-write letters and numbers, early spelling skills, and more.
- Additional SD cards can be purchased separately to keep the creative learning going.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $42.99
- Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Michaels, Target
- Classic puzzle fun becomes an adventure in pixelated creativity!
- Each set comes with either 700 or 1,500 vibrant, precision-cut micro jigsaw pieces. Follow the instructions to transform the tiny pixel puzzle pieces into vibrant designs.
- Build a cat and a dog with the Playful Pets set!
- Or why not get creative and invent your own designs or why not collect them all, combine them all, and build something HUGE?
- All Jixels hold together strong – no ironing needed! – and they fit together easily without any frustration.
- Let your big ideas shine bright with Jixels!
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $9.95 – $16.96
- Available: fatbraintoys.com, Amazon
- Fluff your own plush!
- Stuff yarn behind the mesh pocket attached to plush, then add your character features and use the hook to pull out the loops to create a fluffy friend!
- Age: 7+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon & Specialty Stores now; Walmart & Craft Stores in September
SPIROGRAPH RETRO DELUXE DESIGN SET (KAHOOTZ)
- The classic Spirograph set, just like you remember!
- This commemorative edition is a reproduction of the original 1970s set, featuring throwback packaging and retro graphics.
- This classic set features all the iconic wheels and rings of the original that parents, grandparents, and collectors alike will remember fondly.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Specialty retailers, Amazon
AQUABEADS BEGINNERS STUDIO (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)
- Kids can get started creating amazing bead designs with the Aquabeads Beginners Studio.
- They can create artwork even faster with the improved flip tray, which lets one creation dry while another one is in the works.
- The Beginners Studio comes with more than 840 jewels and solid beads in 16 colors, the case, a flip tray with a bead receiver, a sprayer, a bead pen, and template sheets.
- Age: 4+
- MSRP: $19.95
- Available: Walmart, Target, Aquabeads.com
JUST MY STYLE PERSONALIZED JEWELRY STUDIO (HORIZON GROUP)
- With this kit of more than 600 beads, kids can create custom transfer beads, spell out names, phrases and words with alphabet beads, and add vibrant pops of color with neon accent beads.
- They can learn 11 techniques for making different kinds of bracelets, including macrame, braids, and beaded bracelets.
- They can make better bracelets faster with the included bracelet making tool.
- The kit includes a bracelet making tool, 126 charms, 42 beads, 500 beads, 14 skeins of friendship thread, six skeins of wax cord, eight skeins of satin cord, six skeins of neon cord, six skeins of elastic cord, and a transfer sheet.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Amazon
