Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to hit the road on a great family vacation. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by Tech Trends on NBC in Chicago to talk about the best toys for traveling kids.For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the season, check out our Spring & Summer Gift Guide.
BRIGHT LIGHTS SOCCER BALL (VTECH)
- Kick up some fun with this lovable and huggable soft soccer ball! Left or right, up or down, roll the Bright Lights Soccer Ball all around to hear music and sounds and listen to the friendly ball encourage playtime.
- This brightly colored soccer ball shares encouraging phrases and teaches about colors and sportsmanship.
- Kids can press the happy light-up face button to hear playful phrases and three songs that introduce opposites and numbers.
- They can also kick, pass or shake the ball to activate the motion sensor and hear fun sounds and music, or touch the soft crinkly hands and give the ball a hug.
- Ages: 6-36 months
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart
ZOOMER ZUPPS PRETTY PONY (SPIN MASTER)
- Introducing Zoomer Zupps Pretty Ponies, with all new secret tricks, musical games and beautiful manes! These ponies are adorable cuteness you can hold in the palm of your hand! They respond to your touch with lights and sounds.
- Each Zoomer Zupps Pretty Pony comes with a comb to style their mane and tale, and a collector card, so you can learn all about your new friends personality. With light-up eyes, sweet pony sounds and bright colorful hair, you’ll want to meet them all!
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $12.99
- Available: Best Buy, Kmart, Target, Walmart
- Silly Squeaks are musical pets, each with five interactive songs and 16 surprise silly sounds!
- Press their backs to play music or press their faces to hear them speak! Kids will fall in love with their entertaining personalities and their soft, squishy feel!
- There are eight to collect, each with its own musical genre and unique personality.
- They have touch points (face for silly sounds, back for silly songs) and two play modes: Play along with a pre-programmed songs (Play Mode A), or play your own song using the full musical scale (each Silly has its own note – Play Mode B).
- Play Mode A: Each character is programmed with five songs and kids are able to play their own beat on top of the songs. Press the back to hear song number one. Continue pressing the back to play your own beat along with the music. If kids want to change the song, they can press the face and they’ll hear a silly sound, then press the back again to hear the song number two. Continue pressing the back to play along with the music. Repeat this pattern to hear and play along with song number three, four, and five.
- Play Mode B: Each character is programmed with its own note on a musical scale. If kids collect all eight characters, they’ll be able to play their own songs using each one of them (like playing a piano). Press their backs to hear the individual notes. By pressing their faces, kids will hear all of their adorable sounds filled with personality.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $9.99
- Available: Walmart and specialty stores for Spring 2018, Target will be added in Fall 2018
HEXBUG RING RACER STUNT SET (HEXBUG)
- Customize the environment for this thrill-seeking, fearless remote controlled robot, with the HEXBUG Ring Rover Stunt Park!
- Running on two rotating rings, this tech toy is unlike any remote-controlled HEXBUG! Watch in amazement as you spin, tumble, and flip it over – all while regaining perfect balance.
- Two speed settings allow you to drive in regular mode, or blast-off into turbo mode as you are ready.
- Assemble the stunt park to show off your Ring Rover Skills. Snap-together ramps allow you to create cutting-edge tricks and show off this robot’s one-of-a-kind capabilities.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Spring 2018
