The play's the thing
By Deborah Porterfield
Gannett News Service
The elves appear to be caught in a power struggle this season — one side pulling kids back into the '80s and the other nudging them farther into the 21st century with toys that showcase the future.
"What's old is new again," says Michael Redmond, a senior industry analyst with the NPD Group in Port Washington, N.Y. Here are a few suggestions for gifts.
Help children master reading
Beginning readers can gain skills while playing Fisher-Price's PowerTouch Learning System. As a child glides a finger across the page of a specially designed book, the interactive device sounds out each word. Kids also can use the lap-sized toy to practice spelling, learn phonics and play educational games. The battery-operated system costs $50 and comes with two interactive books. Additional books are $15.
Ages 3 to 8; www.fisher-price.com
Musical building block for your toddler
The cloth-covered Together Tunes cube from Neurosmith is triggered by a tot's touch. Each side of the cube features lyrics and an illustration associated with a classic children's song. To encourage children to sing along with one of the tunes, turn the side of the cube you want to hear face up. While the song plays, you can sneak a glance at the lyrics printed on the box and let your child spin the plastic wheels on the bus, watch the weasel pop out of its box or help the eensy-weensy spider go up the spout again. Together Tunes costs $60. Additional cartridges with more songs cost $20 each.
Ages 6 months to 2 years; www.neurosmith.com
Neopets jump offline
Fans of Neopets.com, a popular site where kids create and care for virtual creatures, can now play with Neopets offline, too. The voice-activated Interactive Talking Neopets Plushies are soft and cuddly. They respond to each other and their owners' touch and voice with sounds, lights and gentle vibrations. Each Talking Neopet costs $30 and has a repertoire of 80 sounds, including laughs, giggles and friendly questions like "Will you be my pal?" Smaller and less chatty Interactive Petpet Plushies are $9 each.
Ages 4 to 12; www.thinkwaytoys.com
The ultimate Game Boy
Since the launch of Game Boy Advance SP in March, U.S. consumers have snapped up more than 2.3 million units. Kids (and game-playing adults) dig the SP's cool-looking flip-top design; fun color choices (black, red, silver and blue); and an illuminated liquid crystal display that can be viewed in the dark. Parents like its rechargeable lithium-ion battery and its ability to play Game Boy titles. Plus, there are plenty of new games to suit most every taste. The new Game Boy unit costs $100; games, about $35.
Ages 6 and up; www.nintendo.com
Put your kids on television
Want to get your kids moving? Plug Sony's EyeToy camera into the USB port on a Sony PlayStation 2 console and pop in a disc with virtual games that challenge them to jump, box, spin and dance. Players bounce balls in Soccer Craze, kick ninjas in Kung Foo and move to the music in Beat Freak. Their actions appear as part of the game play on the TV screen. The EyeToy, which includes 12 minigames for one to four players, as well as 14 virtual playrooms, costs $50.
Ages 6 and up; www.us.playstation.com
