Toy Fair: The Hottest Tech Toys

This week at the annual Toy Fair in New York, I got a sneak peek at this year’s coolest tech toys. While nothing I saw was truly transformative, there will be plenty of great picks for birthday and holiday gifts. Here are my favorites.

Cine-Mask 3D Transformers Masks

If you have a little Transformer running around your home, he’s bound to love the Cine-Mask Optimus Prime and Bumblebee 3D role-play masks that are coming out by July 1, 2011 for the opening of the first 3D Transformers movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Instead of the usual eye holes, these masks have polarized lenses, so they can be worn the watch the movie in 3D instead of the theater’s 3D glasses. Price: $9.99, available June 2011

Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera

The latest in Fisher Price’s ruggedized kids’ camera line, the Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera has two interesting new features that set it apart. First, it has a 180-degree rotating lens, so young photographers can be in their pictures. Second, the camera will take video as well as stills. Price: $69.99, available July 2011

Meon Picture Makers

Remember lace-up cards? Meon has taken the same concept and applied it to neon signs. Kids ages five and up can clip between one and six strands of neon wire to Cars, Toy Story or Disney Fairies templates or create their own design. Kits start at $9.99 for a 7-inch frame and single 3-foot strand of wire and go up to $35.99 for a 15-inch frame, several strands of wire in different colors, sound effects and games, among other features. Available for holiday 2011.

Star Wars Ultimate FX Light Sabers

The best light saber technology, a progressive light-up LED blade previously only available in adult collector’s items, has finally been made tough enough to withstand countless battles in the hands of small children ages four and up. Choose from Anakin Skywalker (blue) or Darth Vader (red). Price: $35.99, available in August 2011.

Hot Wheels Video Racer Vehicle

Capture the fast action of a Hot Wheels race car from the driver’s seat. The Video Racer has a built-in camera that captures video at a full-motion 30 frames per second for up to 12 minutes. Then turn the car over for playback on the integrated display. You can also download the footage to your computer. The Video Racer comes with a protective case that you can mount to almost anything using the included Velcro straps, clips, brackets and adhesive strips. Price: $59.99, available Fall 2011.

LeapFrog LeapPad

With a 5-inch touch display, built-in camera that can take video, a tilt sensor for gaming and a ruggedized housing, the LeapFrog LeapPad hits the ground running as a kids’ tablet. There will be LeapPad specific titles, but the tablet will also play the whole library of Leapster Explorer titles and there will be downloadable games as well. Price: $99.99 with games costing $24.99. Available Summer 2011.

GeoPalz Kids Pedometers

Kids can be rewarded for each step they take when they wear a GeoPalz pedometer. Steps turn into points when they’re logged online, and the points can be redeemed for prizes like a jump rope, a water bottle or a gift card. The current GeoPalz can only be worn on the hip, but this summer there will be a new style can be clipped to a sneaker or worn in a slap-style bracelet. Price: $24.99 for the pedometer, $9.99 for the bracelet.

Battleship Live and Monopoly Live

Hasbro has taken a couple of my favorite classic games—Monopoly and Battleship—and given them an electronic game “director.” Using Infrared sensors, a tower in the middle of the game board can sense hand movements and the position of the game pieces on the board, and provides audio feedback to guide game play. When the pace lags, the “director” will add unexpected events like a typhoon damaging ships in Battleship or putting properties up for bid in Monopoly. Available for holiday 2011.

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