USB keys are kind of necessary items nowadays, even for kids. After all they can use them to transport their homework around (or not). Target has Hannah Montana and High Musical USB bracelets that have a 1GB capacity. Your kids will love these, and you will too. After all, it costs just $14.99, and having them wear it as a bracelet means they are less likely to lose it.

It’s probably not a good idea to get kids addicted to text messaging at a young age, but whether or not you try to prevent it - it’s bound to happy anyway. At $19.99, the Slide Click Text Messenger is an affordable way to feed their text messaging appetite. The device is reminiscent of a Sidekick cell phone, complete with a full keyboard and a monochrome display. Using the Slide Click, you can send messages wirelessly across the room to other Slide Click users and also doubles as an organizer that holds addresses, emails and memos.

One of the benefits of reviewing gadgets, is the joy of getting them before they hit the market. And if they actually happen to be electronic toys, then, I am as happy as a kid in a candy store. That was the case as I got the opportunity to explore Bandai’s latest and greatest Tamagotchi toys. Yes, I will admit that I am a big kid at heart if not in spirit. The Tamagotchi Connection, V5 and the Tamagotchi Lama Leash, are two hot items that are bound to elicit a few “gotta have stares” among the 8 year old and over crowd. My first impressions of the Tamagotchi V5 virtual electronic pet is that it takes off where the Tamagotchi V4 left off, in that it adds a few more features to its virtual kingdom. Such as having the ability to grow their family using a myriad of styles such as celebrity, athlete, model, paparazzi and royal families. I was impressed with the jazzier multi-colored design of the V5 that conjures of thoughts of a rainbow or a beautiful arrangement of pretty flowers! Also, three buttons align the unit for various play functionality and a reset button adorns the back of the V5 unit. Also, I would be amiss if I didn’t mention Bandai’s kid and parent friendly website. Continued kudos goes to the folks at Bandai for leaving the battery compartment located on the back of the unit as a “parent” only task (in order to access the back of the unit, one has to use a screw driver to replace the battery). The V5 is solid in craftsmanship (sturdy plastic), and it appeared lighter in my hands. Additionally, the V5 includes a metal lanyard like key chain which can be attached to the new Tamagotchi Lama Leash. The Lama Leash is available in three vibrant colors and each Leash comes with an adorable charm that can be attached to the metal lanyard. I can even see teachers using the Lama Leash too, perhaps, to attach plastic name tags for when classes go on field trips (if anything the bright colors will be noticeable). All in all, I think the Tamagotchi Connection V5 and the Tamagotchi Lama Leash will strike the right cord with the young crowd. Just ask the happy and proud recipients of these new gadgets; my darling nieces. It seems that they have got a jump on the rest of the crowd, since these items do not debut until later this summer (August 2008). These fun toys, will be definitely worth the wait! (more…)

What child hasn’t been afraid of noises under their bed or maybe monsters in the closet. Well the Shrunks are on the way to help fight your child’s fears. This was one of the more innovative toys, even if its not that techie that we saw at Toy Expo and their marketing was a bit confusing. The Shrunks family is a collection of plastic figures that always have one eye open and one eye closed so that it appears they are always on the look out to stop fear. The Ududolls by The Shrunks (we said it’s confusing) are plush dolls in the shapes of common monsters that kids fear. So instead of fearing them, hold them tight and give a big hug because they are just afraid as you are of that squeaking noise coming from the closet or under the bed. Finally, there is also a collection of fight fear gadgets. The Mist’r Calming Spray smells of lavender which will soothe a scared child and scare off monsters. The Blow’r Whistle when blown will signal parents that their child is scared as well as the Yell’r Blowhorn. And the Big’r Magnifier and See’r Flashlight will help kids explore under their beds or in the closet if they think someone is hiding. So help your kids fight fright because in the end all we want is for our children to be safe, whether there fears are real or not. The Shrunks line is moderately priced and all items range from $10 to $30. Check out TheShrunks.com when it launches in March for more info.

We all want our kids to be geniuses before they are age 5 but what we want and what is logical are two different things. myPC is a keyboard created with toddlers in mind. Targeted Technological Solutions has created kid friendly keyboards for the 2 most important stages in a childs life. Stage one keyboard (12 months to 4 yrs) and Stage two keyboard (4 yrs to 7 years.) Just because Mommy and Daddy have an expensive iMac that doesn’t mean Susie can destroy it and with these two specific child orientated keyboards they can’t do to much damage. The keyboards are made to be spill proof with a washable/removable cover. The keys of the keyboard are over sized and colorful to differentiate between numbers, consonants, and vowles. It even comes with a little mouse attached. These keybaords are meant to be simple in design and focus on keys that would be most important to kids at that age. No F12 or caps lock key here. The myPC keyboard for ages 12 months to 4 yrs have much less keys than the Stage Two version. The Stage Two keyboard adds a couple of more keys that will be useful for those just starting school. No pricing is available yet or any other details, so keep checking mytechstart.com for when they launch myPC. Your current keyboard will thank you.