WHY TECH TOYS
ARE HERE TO STAY
Reyne Rice
Toy Expert, New York
Besides being fun, and incredibly engaging, tech toys
and games have evolved into amazing new catego-
ries of play that offer thrills and tap into new skills for
kids and adults. These new segments include robots
and RC drones, electronic pets, 3D printing, virtual
play, and also incorporate new technologies such as
virtual reality, augmented reality, and even artificial
intelligence. Here is a review of the top new segments that are
emerging, and some of the players that are leading
the charge. Get excited, and get in on the fun. The
best way to learn new technology is to place it into the
hands of kids you know, and play right alongside
them.
The most exciting premise of these new technological
toys is that they encourage kids to be active creators
of their play experiences. By inspiring kids to embrace
an active creator playstyle, instead of a passive
consumer mindset, we are evolving kids into being
vested in the process of building, making, creating
and customizing their toys. This has developed a
whole generation of kids that take more risks and are
becoming more confident “Do-It-Yourself” kids. When
kids start to ask “What if?”, then we have got them
thinking. Encouraging experimentation and curiosity
are important, active life skills. As kids become more sophisticated and adept at
technology, their toy electronic pets have also
become more interactive. The CogniToy Dino, is a
cloud-based WiFi Connected Toy that allows kids to
engage in intelligent conversations. C.H.I.P is an elec-
tronic puppy who is trained by their owner to follow a
child, to learn tricks and even to play with an object
that uses beacon sense smart technology
(Wow-Wee).
ELECTRONIC PETS
Spin Master has created a variety of smart technology
pets in multiple play iterations. Their Meccano Mec-
Kids India Mag Issue: July 2017 | Page 07