We’ve spent the last couple of days scouring the aisles at the 2018 Toy Fair in NYC to find the coolest new toys. Whether you are looking for toys that will encourage your kids’ interest in STEM, get them more active, ignite their creativity, or help them imagine worlds far, far away, there is something for everyone.
Hasbro’s Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie
Ultimate Co-pilot Chewie
Move over Tickle Me Elmo, because Chewbacca just got transformed into the cutest animated toy ever. Hasbro’s Ultimate Chewie is a 16-inch tall toy that is based on Hasbro’s Furreal technology. He roars when you pet him, or when he detects movements and sounds. You can even rock him to sleep. Chewie will be out in the Fall for $129.99.
Mattel’s Hot Wheels Augmoto Augmented Reality Racing Track
Augmoto
Mattel’s Hot Wheels Augmoto is a racing track system that incorporates AR. The game lets two players race against each other using their iPhone (or iPad), with the app extending the racing experience by adding lighting effects, power-ups, track enhancements through AR. Augmoto will be released in the fall, and it will retail for $120.
Lego DUPLO Steam Train
Lego DUPLO Steam Train
You can never be too young for STEM. That’s the concept behind Lego’s DUPLO Steam Train. The 59-piece set is designed for ages 2 and up, and it encourages kids to tinker with their train set and to learn about cause and effect. A free optional companion app lets kids take control of the train using a Bluetooth connection. The Lego DUPLO Steam train set will be available in August for $59.99.
NextWave Jumbo Beach Basket (AMLOID)
What a fun item to take to the beach! The NextWave Jumbo Beach Basket not only holds 15 “tools”, but it also doubles as a sand mold for castles. The basket also has holes on all sides so that, when the beach day is over all the tools can get put back inside, and you can simply run water through it to wash away the sand. It’s a brilliant modern take on an old beach classic; it will be available in Spring 2018 at Sams Club for $14.99.
smART sketcher Projector
smART sketcher Projector
Unlock the artist within! With the smART sketcher Projector, you project images on paper and then you can trace any of the numerous preloaded images. When you are done, you can animate the image with backgrounds and color those in too. The projector will never get old since you can also upload your own pictures to trace. The smART sketcher Projector retails for $59.99, and it is available now.
StikBot Studio
StickBot Zanimation Studio
StickBot Studio uses an ever-growing collection of figures, backdrops, apps, and accessories to make stop-motion video easy and fun. The StickBot line has been around for a few years, but this year the kits now include dinosaurs and other figures. Their video channel with their stop-motion films is fun to check out, but even better are the #stickbot videos on YouTube. Kids and adults love the easy way that this system makes stop-motion accessible to all. StickBot Studio Zanimation sells for $19.99, and it is available now.
HEXBUG + 3Doodler Start
HEXBUG + 3Doodler Start
The 3Doodler Start is a 3D smartpen that’s made for kids as young as 6. The pen never gets above 110 degrees, and the “construction” material is safe… even to kids and animals who might munch on it. The kit includes everything you need to draw in 3D — and because of their partnership with HEXBUG, it even includes three Hexbugs that you can build into characters so you can make your own motorized creations. This is a STEM toy that’s so fun, your kids won’t realize they’re actually learning as they go! The kit will be available in May 2018 for $59.99.
Play Impossible Gameball
Winner of Last Gadget Standing at CES 2018, the Play Impossible Gameball looks like loads of fun and then some. The ball has sensors and the free app has a host of games built-in. The Gameball is designed to get kids up and moving, and there’s no reason adults won’t love it too. The Play Impossible Gameball is available now for $99.99.
Voice Originals When in Rome
A 2018 take on the traditional board game, Voice Originals’ When in Rome uses the Amazon Alexa Echo not only for instructions but to keep score, offer clues, and more. The game will be released this summer, but in the meantime, you can get a feel for it by enabling the When in Rome Daily app on Alexa. Sign up for updates.
Thames & Kosmos Engineering Makerspace STEM Experiment Kits
It isn’t enough to just have cool tricks to play with these days. Thames and Kosmos’ Engineering Makerspace lets kids (6 and up) combine their imaginations with STEM skills and lessons. There are five kits available in the series so far, some motorized and some non-motorized. Kids will learn about different engineering principles like gears and kinetic energy while playing. Prices vary on the kits, and they will be available in Fall 2018.