Four great learning toys for kids
If you’re looking for toys this Christmas for littlies, here are my four top picks. As well as being great fun, they all develop core learning skills.
Let’s Go Thomas
RRP: $129.95
Thomas the Tank Engine fans will go crazy for this toy. It uses the latest technology to bring Thomas to life with a face that actually moves as he talks and sings — he even blushes and apologises when he bumps into objects. He can speak over 60 phrases, which is a first; we’ve never heard Thomas talk before, as his thoughts are usually vocalised by a narrator. He’ll even come to you when called.
LeapFrog Tag Junior
RRP: Tag Junior $69.95
(Tag Junior board books purchased separately for $16.95 each)
The Tag Junior book pal is a brilliant way to help pre-readers acquire reading skills while having fun interacting with text and illiustrations in the Tag Junior books. Following on from the success of the Tag Reader for older kids, the Tag Junior features a chunkier stylus just made for younger children and the book pages are made from specially printed robust board rather than paper to survive the rough and tumble of young learners. By touching the book withe the stylus anywhere on the page of a Tag Junior board book, kids can hear each page read aloud, hear fun sound effects
embedded in the pictures and listen to music.
LeapFrog Text & Learn
RRP $42.95
Kids from three years old will have fun with this adult-like PDA as they share pretend text messages with Scout the dog (see below) as well as learn the alphabet, letter matching, shape identification and more. All the activities require kids to use a QWERTY keyboard, so they will develop valuable skills for later computer use.
LeapFrog Scout Learning System – My 
Puppy Pal Scout
RRP: $49.95
The real littlies will love My Puppy Pal Scout. He’s fully customised and incorporates your child’s name and favourite things into his activities, songs and conversation. Scout comes with five pre-loaded songs, plus 30 downloadable tunes and lullabies and he’ll introduce toddlers to first words, counting and routines. Scout also has a female counterpart for the gender-conscious: My Puppy Pal Violet
Gail Lipscombe has worked for some of Australia's hottest tech magazines for over 10 years. In her blog, she focuses on demystifying technology, gadgets and the web for average consumers.