Recently, my co-blogger, Libby posted an article about the hula-hoop’s role in the world of popular culture. Kids’ playthings have certainly made their mark on pop culture and each year toy makers take a stab at creating new products that may impact society the way items like hula-hoops have.
Potential candidates were unveiled this week at the American International Toy Fair in New York. The annual event is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and this year more than 1,500 toy manufacturers, importers and sales agents came in from 30 countries to show off their new goods. The following are products, which some analysts believe could be the next “big thing.”
Interactive Toys
TMX Elmo caused such a stir over the holidays his manufacturer decided to give him some company. Fisher-Price executives announced that two more, smaller, TMX units are on the way: Elmo’s pals Ernie and the Cookie Monster will go high-tech this year too.
In addition, Hasbro is going high–tech with Squawkers McCaw Parrot, which repeats words and responds to touch. Meanwhile, LeapFrog is jumping into the computer world with its ClickStart system, which plugs into a television and operates like a grown-up’s PC.
Fisher-Price is taking the LeapFrog concept one step further by offering products that can be used online. The company’s Easy-Link Internet Launchpad allows kids to safely visit preschool-appropriate websites on their parent’s computer.
If your child loves making music as much as mine you may want to save your money to purchase one of these new gadgets.
Fisher-Price is marketing a new “I Can Play Guitar” system that plugs into your television. Zizzle has a similar product with its Rockerz Jammin’ Guitar, which is tied to the hit Disney Channel movie “High School Musical.” The interactive guitar allows kids to add their sound effects with a push of a button.
Dolls
It’s not just musical instruments that are going high-tech… Barbie is going interactive too. According to Mattel, a new management team is spearheading a makeover for the iconic doll. Chat Diva Barbie will be able to lip-sync to the music on Apple’s iPod, and chat on the phone! Not to be outdone, Bratz dolls are hopping on the interactive bandwagon with a movie studio play set that will be released in conjunction with the dolls’ first theatrical movie premiere this summer. The play set connects to your television and allows your kids to make their own movies.
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