My kids love to play with the usual plastic junk as much as any child obsessed with colorful, shiny objects, but like many a parent, I’ve grown weary of giving them stuff that won’t teach them anything and will just end up at Goodwill (or a landfill) in six months’ time. Roboquad - This quadruped robot from Wowwee (which offers a number of fun robo-companions) was the biggest hit with both kids. You can use a remote to order him around the house, step by step (or dance, which the kids like to see at least 10 times a day), or put him in a semi-autonomous mode to blip and beep and explore on his own. Ice Shattering Mammoth Dig - A huge hit with the kids. Digital Speed Sensing Baseball - Why play ball with a normal baseball when you can use this one, which has a speed sensor built in. R2-D2 Interactive Droid - I was hoping this miniature R2 unit would get higher marks, but adults liked him more than the kids. read more

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