Toy Fair 2011: Top 10 Tech Toys

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

LeapFrog Map

Maps are great, but you know what they can't do? Talk. When used in conjunction with LeapFrog's innovative TAG reading system, kids can simply tap the TAG pen anywhere on the map and play games, find out how to say "hello" in virtually any language, and much more. As with most LeapFrog products, the TAG Map manages to be both educational and fun.

Available now for $19.99 (map); $39.99 (TAG pen).

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

20Q

Want to get freaked out? Check out 20Q. Its the classic game of 20 questions in handheld toy form. The updated version has artificial intelligence that will blow you away. Seriously, if this thing gets into the wrong hands, prepare to welcome your robot overlords. I tried out the iPad app and it correctly guessed my item -- pool table -- in only 14 questions. Danger, Will Robinson.

Available Fall 2011.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

Geopalz

How do you get kids to move around? How about by giving them prizes? Geopalz are a colorful and creative line of pedometers that allow kids to keep track of their steps, enter the number d at Geopalz.com to earn 1 point per mile (2,500 steps). Once they do enough moving around, children can choose from a variety of free prizes, ranging from baseballs to Target gift cards. All you need to do is buy the pedometer; being a member of the site is free. Parents are in control of their children's accounts, receiving a weekly email of their young walker's progress.

Available now for $19.99.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

B. Meowsic Keyboard

Warning: This thing is so cute that you may end up fighting with your kids so you can play with it yourself. Meowsic has popped up on Regis & Kelly, Ellen and even on the Zappos.com Delivering Happiness bus. Watch the video and you'll see why. It's a keyboard that makes kitty noises and looks like a cat. It's a toy even a dog person can love.

Available now for $29.99.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

Totally KooKoo Bird ReTweets

All of the Totally KooKoo toy birds from Jay at Play are very cute (and well-timed, since they look a teeny bit like a certain group of not-so-happy avian creatures from a popular iPhone game). Most of the KooKoos are low-tech, but the Totally KooKoo Bird ReTweets are as advanced as they are adorable. It's a huggable plush toy that repeats -- sorry, retweets -- whatever words you say, but in a cute birdy voice. Kind of like a parrot, but without the poop.

Available Summer 2011

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

Wappy Dog

There are robotic dogs. There are handheld games that let you take care of a virtual pet. Wappy Dog is both. This little pooch is adorable and never needs walkies. Players interact with it by touch and through a Nintendo DS. The dog does change its mood depending upon how well you treat it, but unlike some virtual pets of years past, such as the Tamagotchi, Wappy Dog might be less perky without enough food, but it won't "die."

Available November 2011.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

DC Comics Mimobot USB Flash Drive Collection

When is a computer storage device a toy? When it looks like a superhero. Or supervillian, if that's your thing. Following up on their wildly successful line of Star Wars USB flash drives, Mimobot has introduced a line of iconic DC Comics characters -- the original Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin, and two of their greatest foes, The Joker and Catwoman.

Available now. Price depends on size.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

Parrot AR.Drone

The coolest thing I saw at Toy Fair is the Parrot AR.Drone, a remote controlled device that you control via an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. The technology behind this thing is absolutely amazing -- two cameras with live streaming video, four rotors, wifi, and ultrasound. Yes. Ultrasound. There are even third-party apps available through iTunes. Not cheap, but incredibly cool.

Available now for $299.99.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

Pokemon Black and White for Nintendo DS

It may seem like Pokemon have been around as long as the dinosaurs, but in fact the insanely popular Japanese gaming franchise is only celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2011. The Pokemon enterprise is a multi-faceted beast, but the two main components are the cards and the video game. This year's model will introduce many new Pokemon, something that is sure to keep your Pokefan happy for quite awhile.

Available March 6, 2011, for $34.99 for each version (Black or White).

Toy Fair 2011 Tech

ZAZOO photo clock

ZAZOO Kids line of photo clocks are pitched as a way to help children wake up, fall asleep and even stay asleep, so you know they were created by a parent. But this is also a beautifully designed digital photo frame that also plays videos and mp3s. Images and movies look great on the 7-inch LCD screen, and the frame itself is compact and much more attractive than most products in this category.

Available now for $89.

Toy Fair 2011 Tech