Our Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht showed NBC Chicago’s Art Norman the best hi-tech toys that will delight kids and adults, too. Click here to check out the whole video!
- Tiggly Shapes is a great iPad learning toy for toddlers.
Designed by world-class educators, this set contains four geometric shapes (square, circle, triangle, star) that interact with an iPad’s learning apps.- Develops spatial thinking, motor skills, creativity, and language development.
- Comes with three free apps that feature eight different languages and a bilingual mode that allows kids to learn two languages at the same time.
- Tough enough for toddler play, but gentle enough for iPad screens.
- Ages: 18 mos+
- MSRP: $29.95
- Kids can “Catch Em All” and become a real Pokemon trainer with Ash’s gloves.
- These motion-activated gloves make four different sound effects when kids pretend to throw a Poke Ball or make other battle movements.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $16.99
- This music-inspired figurines’ hair dances to the beat of the music you’re listening to!
- There are six unique Elektrokidz in six finishes, including matte black, shiny gold and silver, and more.
- Each has its own special hair movement that dances to the beat and no two Elektrokidz dance the same way.
- Kids can collect them all.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $19.99
- This 8-inch long R/C includes beast gear for realistic walking action and a special propeller system for soaring into the air.
- Kids can launch the Heli into the air for a smooth flying experience.
- Features 2 channel radio control and it’s easy to recharge.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $50
Hexbug XL Strandbeast (Innovation First)
- This R/C robot walks with eight legs in a smooth, gliding motion in controlled forward, backward, and turning motions.
- Walks in a smooth, gliding motion.
- 50 percent bigger than the original Strandbeast.
- Available in two translucent colors: blue and green.
- Kids can operate the bot in three speeds: slow, medium, and fast.
- Ages: 8+
- $39.99
Bubble Blower (Thames and Kosmos)
- Kids can build a bubble-blowing machine that automatically blows a stream of soap bubbles in different sizes.
- While building, kids will learn about electric motors and fans, and how bubbles are made.
- This educational toy is also a great outdoor toy.
- Kids can perform awesome tricks and flip action stunts with this R/C that reaches speeds of 13 mph.
- Features differential steering for precision 360 all-around steering.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $119.99
BladeRunner HeliQuad 2.4 (Interactive Toy Company)
- Kids can fly this R/C indoors and outdoors.
- The R/C features four-channel flight and 2.4 Ghz frequency for faster control response and further flying radius.
- Perform awesome flips, stunts, and tricks.
- Ages: 12+
- MSRP: $69.99
