SECTOR GUIDE SCIENCE AND EDUCATION 55 Learning curves
No longer just about science kits, there is a growing range of toys in the science and education sector that teach children through play. Skills including maths, science, languages, reading and writing and much more can be enhanced by toys. Katie Roberts tracks down the latest products…
LEAPFROG 01895 202840 VTECH 01235 555545
Tag Solar System Adventure Map allows kids to explore the solar system and learn planetary facts. Suitable for children aged four to eight, the double-sided map offers over 40 activities and family friendly games. Unfolding to over three feet wide, children can log their journey through the solar system and also enjoy bonus interactive stickers. The Tag World Map encourages
children to learn about the world through more than 30 games and activities and is brought to life by the award-winning Tag reading system. Through treasure hunts and race games, children can discover and
TOMY
explore new countries and learn about children from other cultures. The Discovery Education Learning
Videos show footage of the natural world ranging from animal habitats to tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle. The videos are available to download via the LeapFrog App Centre and can be used with LeapPad and Leapster Explorer. The videos also include quizzes and interactive activities using experts to talk about the benefits of looking after the planet. The Discovery Video apps mark the beginning of a unique partnership with the entertainment and learning company.
020 8722 7300
Vtech is updating Storio with additional software, which will allow children to use a microphone to enhance gameplay and view photos and videos via an SD Card. The InnoTab 2 will be available in pink or blue and comes with a built-in 1.3 mega pixel camera with a rotating ‘self-portrait’ lens; children will be able to use the editing suite to add special effects to photos in a similar way to the Kidizoom camera. InnoTab 2 will also boast a built-in microphone and video recording. VTech will also be introducing MobiGo 2. New features include
BRAINSTORM
View the earth by day and space by night with the 2 in 1 Globe Earth and Constellations. The 22.8cm daytime globe shows political boundaries and natural features, such as lakes and rivers. The illuminated night globe shows key stars and constellations. An advanced light-sensor automatically turns on the LED illumination when the room darkens.
New for 2012 is the 2 in 1 Globe Earth
K’Nex is about more than building models: kids can also develop their imaginations and fine motor skills. Tomy has teamed up with the Young Engineers to host a series of educational challenges under the Making K’Nexions Regional Events umbrella. The aim is to provide primary school children with an introduction to the world of engineering by challenging them to produce a design solution for a problem and then build it. Kids are tasked with designing and
developing extraordinary models of theme park rides, historical buildings, local landmarks and pre-historic animals of all shapes and sizes.
K’Nex has a range of traditional construction sets for three-plus, five- plus, seven-plus and nine-plus age groups including Amusement Park Sets and a series of chunkier sets for younger boys. K’Nex Thrill Rides are new for the summer, including the Super Cyclone. To celebrate the K’Nex 20th
anniversary, Tomy is launching a new kit, the Classic 50 Model Building Set, which includes 700 pieces and comes with 50 building ideas including a hot air balloon, lighthouse, creatures from the sea and more. This summer, K’Nex adds to its traditional product range, incorporating Mario Kart Wii and Top Gear licences.
by Day Earth by Night. Like the Earth and Constellations Globe by day, but at night the globe transforms into a map of city lights illuminated with colour changing LEDs – the Earth at night as seen from space.
The Deep Space Home Planetarium
and Projector has two domes. The planetarium projects rotating star or constellation patterns onto ceilings and walls. The projector shows 24 colour NASA and Hubble Telescope photographs of spacecraft, astronauts, planets and nebulae. At bedtime, Deep Space transforms into a night light. The R/C Illuminated Moon scrolls
through 12 illuminated lunar phases, operated by remote control. The moonscape shines moonlight like the real moon.
motion-based gaming and a microphone. MobiGo 2 also
includes interactive eBooks, drawing activities and a picture viewer and still uses a touch sensitive screen, keyboard and four-directional cursor to teach curriculum-based school skills. Gadget the Robot features body and facial movements with an LCD screen on its tummy to recognise 30 learning tokens. It sings songs and teaches letters, numbers, objects and music, while encouraging visualisation skills and hand-eye coordination. Also new is VTech Colour Notebook, which has a full colour screen and 90 curriculum-based activities.
01200 445113
The R/C Illuminated Solar System includes a sun with eight rotating planets operated by remote control. Detailed, colour planets rotate on three separate orbits around the sun. It also includes a full colour space facts booklet.
JUNE 2012
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