Electronic Gifts & Gadgets for Kids…and GIVEAWAYS!

Looking for some fun electronic gizmos and gadgets for your kids this holiday season? Take a peak at a few I had a chance to try out recently. And enter two great giveaways!

For the future world traveler: Does your little one already have the wanderlust itch? Give them the world with the the My World Discovery Map by Discovery Channel Store. This 18″ x 15″ interactive world map includes an airplane that your child “flies” around the world as they learn about the land, animals, people and music of each continent.  There are five different modes your child can choose between including informational modes and quizzes/games. My 3-year old had fun flying around the world and is definitely learning something too. The whole idea of continents kind of blew his mind and last night at dinner, he asked when we could go to Australia to see the kangaroos.   Age: 3+ yrs. / Batteries: 2 AA / Price:$29.99

* COUPON CODE ALERT *: Get 10% off a purchase of the My Discovery World Map at Discovery Channel Store by using MWS code “MAP10” at checkout. Offer valid through 1/31/2010.

For the young reader: Have a toddler who can’t get enough of books? Encourage his love of reading with a Tag Junior from LeapFrog. Using the same technology as their Tag reader for older kids, the Tag Junior is easier for little hands to hold, only has two buttons (on/off and volume) and can be used with the growing library of Tag Junior Books with characters like Dora, Elmo, Curious George, the Backyardigans and Winnie the Pooh. Touch the Tag Junior to the story text and it will read the story to your child. Touch it to an image in the book and the Tag will produce some sound to delight and tickle your child or ask them to find something in the book. Two other cool features about the Tag Junior – download LeapFrog’s free Learning Path and when you hook up the Tag Junior to your computer, Learning Path will let you follow your child’s interest and development by showing you which book your child spends the most time with, which kind of activities hold their interest the most and which character they go back to again and again.  Another cool feature? You can teach the Tag Junior your child’s name so that when they turn it on, it says, “Hello Carly!” Sure to get a grin out of any toddler.  Age: 2-4yrs. / Batteries: 2AAA  / Price: $29.99 (comes with one book)

For the future Indy driver: Have a little one who’s barely walking but already in the fast lane? Give your kid some wheels they can drive with Billy Fun Wheels by Chicco. This remote control monster truck is controlled by a steering wheel that your toddler turns left and right to steer the truck out of (or into) trouble. Rubber treads make it safe for indoors, but Billy’s big wheels make him a great outdoor toy too. To add to the fun, Billy Fun Wheels can honk, go in reverse and has headlights to light his way.  Now if only I can get my husband to let my kids play with it…. Age: 2+yrs. / Batteries: 4 x AA and 3 x AAA / Price: $34

* GIVEAWAY! * Want to win your own Billy Fun Wheels? See entry instructions below.

For your SuperWHY addict: In our house, SuperWHY reigns supreme. The kids love it and there’s a small chance that I can sing the entire theme song. So it was no surprise when my son did his patented “happy dance” when he saw the SuperWHY Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer by Learning Curve. With this kiddie laptop, your super reader can work along with the SuperWHY characters to solve reading adventures in over 35 different learning games teaching letter recognition and sounds, reading comprehension, rhyming, and word families. Each SuperWHY character has 3-4 different games you can play with them, each with three levels of difficulty so as your child learns, they can keep being challenged. On the downside, the computer only has two volume levels and no headphone jack which is not so super duper. But it’s educational, entertaining and does keep my kids off my computer (my eldest accidentally took a baseball bat to my last laptop screen so I try to keep their distance from any of my electronics). If you’re kids aren’t SuperWHY fans, you’re probably better off which something else, but if they are fans of the show they will be thrilled to help save the day playing many of the same word and letter games from the show. Age: 3+yrs / Batteries: 3AA (included) / Price: $35

* GIVEAWAY!* Want to win your own Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer? See entry instructions below. *

For the jokster: My oldest is not yet four, but he learned to be a ham pretty early. Recently he’s been yucking it up with the Funny Phone Early Listening Game by Learning Resources. This interactive game gets kids laughing, dancing, drawing, singing and acting (and don’t tell them, but it’s secretly teaching listening skills too!). Players dial a number to hear all kinds of challenges like acting like an animal or singing a nursery rhyme in a silly way that will get them (and you) moving and laughing. With over 300 challenges, the variety was endless and we never knew what was coming next! I’m especially looking forward to pulling out the Funny Phone on the next cold, rainy day for some indoor entertainment. Funny Phone is for two or more players, ages four through twelve – though adults young at heart can play too. Parents will also love that the game features an automatic shut-off and adjustable volume.  Age: 4-12 yrs. / Batteries: 3AA (or optional AC adapter) / Price: $35

For the mini snapper: Most kids that I know over the age of three are enthralled with the idea of a digital camera. See something, press a button and – voila! – image captured! My three-year-old can take 40 pictures over the course of a 20-minutes run my husband takes him on in the stroller. But few parents are willing to pass off their own digital cameras to toddler hands which is why this kid-friendly digital camera by Leapfrog is a perfect holiday present. There are other kid cameras on the market – so why Leapfrog? Leapfrog’s camera is easy to hold, easy to use, protected from drops, has a 1.5″ LCD screen and features 2.1 megapixels (a higher resolution than many competitors) and a built-in flash – both of which help your kids’ pictures actually look good. Added to this are typical Leapfrog touches – encouraging phrases like “great shot!” when you take a picture and easy-to-use photo editing software that lets any photographer turn their pictures into ideal images, silly shots, games or finished products like books and prints. Encourage creativity (and keep your own digital camera safe) this holiday season with the Leapfrog Digital Camera. Ages:4+  / Batteries: 3AAA / Price: $49

*****************

*GIVEAWAYS* To enter the giveaway for the SuperWHY Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer or the Chicco Billy FunWheels, leave a comment telling us:

a) the holiday gift you remember being most excited about as a kid, AND

b) which giveaway item your little one would be most excited to receive – the computer or the car.

One entry per person. Entries must be received by Monday 14th, 11:59pm PST.  One winner will be chosen at random for each of the products. Winners must have a US shipping address.

Disclaimer: A sample of each product was provided for the review by each respective company.