Every year, the Toy Industry Association presents Toy Of The Year Awards on the eve of the American International Toy Fair. This year, the trend seems to be leaning purely towards electronic learning toys, though some conventional educational toys would have been nice. The educational toy nominees include the FLY Pentop Computer, the Leapster L-Max Learning Game System and other electronic educational toys. Here are some of the chosen 2006 award nominees for Best Educational Toy Of The Year.
1. FLY™ Pentop Computer - LeapFrog Enterprises
This awesome invention is definitely something to talk about! With this mini computer, you can solve math problems, play musical instruments, calculate up some numbers in a jiffy and lots more. You have to use the special dot matrix paper in order for the computer to detect what's written. You can draw drums or keyboards with it, and play music with what you've drawn. This is one of the best educational toys to be seen for a while. Amazing!
2. Leapster L-Max™ Learning Game System - LeapFrog Enterprises
Leapster has come out with an upgraded version of their original Leapster Learning Game System. This time, it can connect to your TV so that youngsters can interact with their handhelds and view the results on the big screen. The LMax is extremely educational, with cartridges teaching math, reading, spelling, vocabulary building and more. Your child will benefit from the Leapster LMax right upto 4th grade.3. Nitro Notebook™ - VTech Electronics North America
This kid's laptop actually looks like a real laptop, complete with full functioning mouse. The notebook has over 50 activities and games. You can also play additional games by plugging in the two additional included cartridges. The biggest drawback of the feature loaded notebook is that the graphics in the games are a bit too simple when regular video games keep getting more and more realistic. The other drawback is the lack of a backlit screen makes it difficult to use it at night time.4. V. Smile Pocket™ Learning System - VTech Electronics North America
The VSmile Pocket Learning System is a great handheld unit which can connect to your TV. The system works with the original VSmile Cartridges that were used with the VSmile TV Learning System. The advantage of the Pocket version is that it can be taken anywhere, on the road, to a game or to a friend's house. Your child will enjoy playing the educational games and learning with this great educational toy at the same time.