Learning Aids Track Time on Video

Cars, Cards and Bookmarks Educate Today's Kids

By Julie L. Jones
June 2010

A scheduling buddy helps kids handle daily activities, a tomato teaches kids about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, and a see-through race car lets children see inside the action to find out how cars work. Take a look at TDmonthly Magazine's educational and science toy videos from 2010 trade shows.

Little Green Money Machine Interactive Book and Storefront by Little Green Money Machine

Developed by Del Visionaries, the Little Green Money Machine is a gateway learning system designed to teach children lifelong skills, in addition to building confidence and self esteem. The book and storefront stand can be used at home, in the classroom, and with youth groups and fundraising projects. This system teaches children about money management and business, and lays the foundation to learn about entrepreneurship. The interactive book, "The Little Green Money Machine: Kids in Business Around the World," offers content, ideas and exercises to give children ages 7 to 14 the tools and know-how to run a business, set goals, and pursue their dreams. The storefront is an all-purpose business stand where children can set up actual business ventures and fundraisers and apply what they have learned in the book. It includes adjustable-height upright posts, five magnetic and dry erase banner areas for marketing and increased visibility, built-in cupholders, a built-in money tray with lock and key, a solar-powered calculator, and a storage area for marketing materials, such as brochures, fliers and business cards. ( Watch Video) 12/28/2009 (Age: 7 to 14)

Speedster Race Car by WORX TOYS INC.

The Speedster Race Car lets children 6+ get a detailed look inside to see how it works. The Speedster Race Car comes with an illustrated Howie Work’s adventure hardcover storybook that takes kids through how each of the major parts work in real life. Check out the working engine, transmission, steering and much more. The doors can be opened to get even closer to the action. Launch date: July 2011. ( Watch Video) 1/6/2010 (MSRP: $30.00; Age: 6 to 14)

Mark-My-Time™ Digital Bookmark Bulk Single Color Packs by MARK-MY-TIME LLC

Mark-My-Time™ Digital Bookmark Bulk Single Color Packs contain 20 digital bookmarks in single colors, your choice of: neon blue, purple, green or bright yellow, pink or red. ( Watch Video) 11/2/2009 (MSRP: $187.95; Age: 6 and Up)

TimeBuddy™ by GOLEARN LLC

TimeBuddy™ by GOLEARN LLC TimeBuddy is designed as a fun, interactive toy that teaches children the concept of time and time management. It connects children’s activities to specific times during the day, helping them develop routines and the understanding that activities are done during certain intervals. Fully customizable, TimeBuddy helps parents tackle the challenging task of managing their children's daily activities against their own. "There are no other products on the market that teach the skill of time management. This unique approach at teaching children schedules and routines will help them become successful adults in a busy society driven by time," Amanda Vasil, Account Executive, AKHIA, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 ( Watch Video) 2/11/2010 (MSRP: $34.99; Age: 3 and Up)

The Adventures of Tommy the Tomato by Tommy the Tomato

The Adventures of Tommy the Tomato is an alphabet book geared towards ages 4-9. It follows Tommy the Tomato through his days in school where he learns from his classmates as well as his teachers. When reading "The Adventures of Tommy the Tomato", children go on an educational adventure alongside Tommy the Tomato. Throughout the book, Tommy encounters other fruits and vegetables, all of whom explain how they are beneficial to Tommy, and in the same breath, to the child reading. ( Watch Video) 12/30/2009 (MSRP: $9.95; Age: 4 to 9)

Glitterins Magical Optical Science Toy Deluxe by GLITTERINS

This product consists of a toy polariscope and soft flexible models that show beautiful prismatic rainbow colors when touched, bent or stretched and viewed under polarized light. Other contents include a prism, bell, magnifying glass, magnets, origami cellophane and adhesive tape in dispenser for amazing rainbow art, and ambiguous shapes of Black Glossy Cardboard for experiments with Brewster's angle and for stimulating the imagination. Instructions brochures and a Book of Science provide many activities for adventures with light and photoelasticity. "This is the first and only toy polariscope and the first toy based on photoelasticity. The toys are soft and flexible and provide the experience of magically causing brilliant rainbow colors to appear and move around within them with manipulation under polarized light. Other adventures involving origami cellophane and rainbow art with tape are also unique," Pamela Saha, Vice President, Biomedical Research and Services, Inc. (as Glitterins), told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 10, 2010. ( Watch Video) 2/4/2010 (MSRP: $79.95; Age: 5 and Up)

Antosphere 8 Pod by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Antosphere 8 Pod by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC This ant habitat lets kids see all the inner workings of an ant colony. The Antosphere allows for children to connect and customize their own anti-gravity ant colony at home. The package contains eight pods, three bases and 18 supports. ( Watch Video) 4/16/2010 (MSRP: $49.99; Age: 6 and Up)

The Amazing Alphabotz™ Superphonic Decoder Cards by IDEOPOLIS LLC

The Alphabotz Superphonic Decoder Cards jumpstart beginning reading skills by building lasting associations between sounds and the letters that represent them. The cards include a variety of games and activities that are designed to promote vital early literacy skills such as phonemic awareness and are geared toward children of various skill levels, making this product both an educational tool and a toy. "The ALPHABOTZ personify sounds in the English language. They help children visualize and build lasting associations between sounds and the letters that represent them. The letter/letter team on a character's chest and the icon on its head serve as constant visual reinforcements for the sound that is represented by that character," Nicole Sigsby, principal of Ideopolis LLC, told TDmonthly. Awards: 2009 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award in the Educational Products Category; iParenting Media; Mom's Choice; Tillywig Brain Child; and Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009; 2009 Family Choice Award; 2010 The Toy Man Seal of Approval, Award of Excellence and Editors Choice Award. Launch date: July 2009.
— "Just when you thought it was not possible, here is another fresh approach to letter recognition. Developed by an educator, Alphabots are for children at all developmental levels. Use the 46 robot character cards in one of 12 fun letter and sound games to improve phonemic awareness. I love Alphabotz!" Jennifer Shuman, of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010. ( Watch Video) 10/2/2009 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 3 to 7)

4D Vision Anatomy Kits by TEDCO INC.

This 4D educational biology series includes kits on human anatomy, cell and plant biology, and animal figures complete with anatomical guide. Tedco's 4D Vision Anatomy Kits expand to include cross-section models of Sea Life and Mammals. Launch date: 2010. ( Watch Video) 3/30/2010 (MSRP: $12.00; Age: 7 and Up)

African Dwarf Frog by WILD CREATIONS

African Dwarf Frog by WILD CREATIONS These African dwarf frogs are sold individually, to be added to a self-sustaining Wild Creations eco-aquarium.
— The eco-aquariums were top sellers at the end of 2009 at RoundTable Toys in Winterville, N.C., according to David Davis, owner. ( Watch Video) 1/25/2010 (MSRP: $3.49)

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