Toys and video games combine for summer fun
Children are starting to play games on tablets and other devices as early as age 3. Where does that leave toymakers? Excitedly making a place for themselves in the game sphere.
To understand this shift, take a look at the “toys to life” video game category. In this realm, children collect toys in the real world and insert them into video games using an electronic base. A figure that’s identical to their toy shows up in their game.
The toys to life category didn’t even exist five years ago. Now it rakes in more than $2 billion in the U.S.
In toy stores, top sellers the past few years include action figures from games such as Skylanders and Disney Infinity. And some of the credit goes to action figures for making those games more interesting by unlocking new content.
With the kids home for summer, many will look to smart toys for interactive fun that’s sometimes educational. Here are some of the new offerings:
Sick Bricks
Created by Spin Master toy company, which also makes Erector sets, this offering is exclusively for mobile devices. Toys are sold separately. The heads and bodies of the 70-plus characters can be mixed and matched to create different power-ups and abilities within the Sick Bricks mobile video game world. Children can also purchase play sets and build creations in the real world. These toys don’t require a video game purchase or even a console, like traditional console games. Buy the toys and download the app, and play in the real world or in the virtual world of Sick City. $2-$15 at www.sickbricks.com.
Darkside
Darkside is a new remote-controlled toy robot that Sphero has added to its popular Ollie brand. While Ollie is white and blue and features a “good” personality, Darkside is black and red and offers a “mischievous” side. While it may seem strange describing remote-controlled robots as having personalities, that’s exactly what these smart toys convey through their sounds and actions. An app controls features that let the super-fast robot perform tricks and drift on slick floors. Darkside comes with indoor and off-road outdoor tires for playing anywhere. These robots can hit speeds of 25 mph. $130 at www.sphero.com.
Roominate
“Shark Tank” fans may remember this line of educational toys aimed at girls. There are small Studio kits to large Estates that offer hundreds of customizable pieces that can be used to build structures. These products teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through architectural projects and hands-on creativity. The brand is entering the digital age with Roominate rPower this summer, which adds Bluetooth connectivity to new building sets like Amusement Park and Townhouse. With that connection to a smartphone and a free mobile app, girls can program and control motors, lights and sounds built into the sets. Kits are $20-$100 at www.RoominateToy.com.
Ozobot
These tiny robots (1-by-1-inch) are cute and very smart. They follow colored lines (OzoCodes) that you can draw with markers on paper, or trace digital guides on tablets. While children will find it fun to make the robots dance and play games, the free app teaches them how to program elaborate games – including hybrid board games that can be played on paper and tablets. Throw in a second Ozobot (they can be purchased in pairs) and your child gets access to multiplayer fun, while learning along the way. $50 for one, $90 for two, www.ozobot.com.
MiPosaur
With “Jurassic World” breaking box office records, the time is perfect for a robotic dinosaur. The MiPosaur can be controlled with hand gestures or through a free app. You can even play chase with the included TrackBall. This sleek-looking robot can sense its surroundings and environment and interact with people and objects in a realistic way. It also has a personality. The app includes an assortment of games children can play with the robot, which is sure to extend the “coolness” factor of this toy. $120, www.wowwee.com.
Smart Toys Basics
▪ Pay attention to the recommended age when choosing smart toys for a child. Some smart toys, especially Lego Mindstorm sets, come with lots of pieces that can be easily lost or become choking hazards for younger brothers or sisters.
▪ Smart toys can be expensive, so read reviews to find out which ones can take a beating, especially if your kids like to play rough.
▪ A lot of smart toys, especially robots, let you play with multiple people, so parents have an opportunity for playtime with their children.
This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Toys and video games combine for summer fun."