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By testing children Physical and mental limits, these games help children learn where the limits of their knowledge lie, and how to transcend them. Take a look at some of our favorite ways to color outside the lines.
Orbita MIDI color sequence
Photography: Antosh Sergio
This turntable sequencer is like a game of musical roulette for budding improvisers. Place the colored magnets anywhere on the four concentric gray rings, each of which controls a MIDI loop. Then connect the sequencer to your smartphone or computer, connect your favorite music software, and start creating. All four rings operate simultaneously, with each magnet representing a different tone or sound. You can adjust the volume and mute individual loops as well. Refreshingly mechanical, Orbita makes visualizing music production easy for kids. $458 playtronica.com
LEGO Smart Play System Pokemon sets
Photography: Antosh Sergio
By combining a new smart brick, programmable NFC tags and minifigures, kids of all ages can now design and interact with Lego creations like never before. The 2×4 rechargeable smart brick is equipped with a synthesizer, speaker, accelerometer, gyroscope, light and sound sensors, and LEDs. GPS can sense the direction between multiple smart bricks. Big bonus: Lego’s intelligent play system is fully functional without attention-sucking screens.
Lego’s first Pokémon collaboration nearly crashed the website, so the Danes must have had IT on standby when 12 new smart playsets appeared online. There are two complete sets: the 400-piece Pikachu Training House and the 751-piece Charizard-Jolt Battle. Both include templates and smart tags that can trigger lights and sounds. $70 and up, lego.com
Rainbow Staplestine Collection
Courtesy of Stapelstein
Kids can stack and arrange these 11-inch tiles and then play or walk on them to develop their balance. $299 stapelstein.com
Kids Lane Electronic Dance Mat
Courtesy of Kidzlan
Pump your music through this mat’s built-in speakers (using Bluetooth) and flashing icons tell kids where to step, stomp and slide to the beat. $19, walmart.com
Moqabil Takwai
Courtesy of Takway.AI
A Tamagotchi-like pet with an AI mind that listens and remembers as it grows. $149 takway.ai
Robot law
Courtesy of Concrete Future
Mount your phone on this little tank-like robotic body, and the set transforms into an interactive mobile robot. The companion app gives the creature an expressive face and personality powered by ChatGPT. $239 looirobot.com
Crocs Super Mario Core Classic Clog
Courtesy of Crocs
One iconic brand meets another. And if you know what this means, you’ll be super excited: Each pair holds 26 Jibbitz charms, and there are many Nintendo-themed charms to choose from. $70, crocs.com
Gibson x Log Les Paul
Courtesy of Logue
Loog makes three-string electric guitars that are playable – and actually sound like a real guitar. This product, in collaboration with Gibson, adapts the classic Les Paul shape for little hands. Get it in true Gibson finishes like Shell Pink or TV Yellow. $229, loogguitars.com
Wom Wow Balance Bike
Courtesy of WOM
The perfect purchase if your Bambino has mastered the art of sitting and standing independently, and you want more fun and chaotic adventure in your life. This self-balancing bike is designed for babies 9 months old (28 to 40 inches in height). It gives them the chance to become the next big name on Red Bull’s MotoGP roster before they realize that broccoli aren’t actually fun little trees. $199 woom.com
Keybo headphones
Courtesy of Kibo
Turn kids’ headphones into a cool STEM project. Kibu gives them the quick parts to put together before they listen. The components are 3D printed from plant materials, have a standard 3.5mm jack, and are volume limited to a safe 85dB. When something breaks, replacement parts are cheap, and your kids can learn to repair the set themselves. $73, kibu. family
Marvin Miniblocks
Courtesy of Little Marvin
It looks like a game of Tetris, it’s based on the game Tetris. These wooden blocks slide from the top of the board to create shapes, building hand-eye coordination in children ages 3-5. $55, the-littlemarvin.com
Hoover Air Aqua
Courtesy of Hoover Air
This mini drone with a 4K camera has 10 flight modes, including a “follow me” feature. Take her to the beach; Waterproof floating shell makes it able to take off and land on water. $1,299, hoverair.com
Modo balance track
Courtesy of MODU
Kids and parents can design and build their own elevated walkways to improve their balance. Keep it simple for kids as young as 3, then increase the complexity as they get older. $203, modutoy.com
Timex Time Machines 29mm Dinosaur Watch
Courtesy of Timex
It tells the story of any era, not just the Jurassic. $49, timex.com
UNO Canvas x MoMA Card Game
Courtesy of Mattel
Can Matisse, Mondrian and Monet really stack up +4? $25, mattel.com
Blipblox after dark
Courtesy of Blipblox
Kid-friendly compound to build rhythms, whistles and musical confidence. $219 blipblox.com
Dex camera
Courtesy of Dix
Take a photo and Dex will identify what’s in the frame, then teach him the word in one of 16 languages. It can turn pictures into flash cards and use spoken stories to make learning fun. $249 dex. camera
