How To Choose Safe Electronic Toy Gifts
Rubik’s Revolution, Hannah Montana Guitar & Video Camera are Popular
Nov 7, 2008
A member of the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI), the Canadian Toy Association (CTA) is committed to providing children with safe toys.
Safety is a particularly critical issue for the fast-growing and extensive category of electrical and battery-operating toys.
The CTA recommends reading toy labels to ensure that products are safety tested and are appropriate to the toy recipient’s age.
Another consideration is whether the toys or games reinforce physical force and aggression. Many parents refrain from giving children gifts that feature undesirable characters or that reward problematic behavior like fighting and gambling.
Below are 7 of the safest electronic toy games as suggested by the Canadian Toy Association.
Rubik’s Revolution
Voted Game of the Year, the Rubik's Revolution is an electronic fun-filled follow-up to the best selling iconic Rubik's Cube. Rubik’s Revolution includes six fast-paced games that feature light, sound and voice effects for both single and multiple players. (Suggested retail price $19.99; for children 5 years and over)
Little Tikes My Real Digital Video Camera
This electronic toy operates just like an adult camcorder. Kids can record videos and take photos with a 1.3 mega pixel resolution and 64 megabytes of built-in memory. Included are editing features as well as cables for television or computer playback. (Suggested retail price $99.99; for children 3 years and over)
Hannah Montana Guitar Pop Tour Video Game
Children plug the rock guitar controller into their televisions and then go on a virtual music tour across the country. Each electronic guitar kit includes 10 built-in Hannah Montana songs that enable aspiring young karaoke musicians to imitate the young star. (Suggested retail price $79.99; for children 6 years and over)
Eyeclops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles
Powered by real night vision technology, this battery-operated gadget enables kids to see up to 50 feet in absolute darkness. (Suggested retail price $99.99; for children 8 years and over)
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro
This toy car drives on the floor, up walls and even on the ceiling. Because the product features 4 different frequencies, up to 4 friends can race their Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micros at the same time without crossing signals between controllers and cars. (Suggested retail price $29.99; for children 8 years and over)
Movie Motion
The hand held projector allows children to watch and control a movie reel with more than 350 frames of animation. Kids create new scripts by projecting steady images on any flat surface while applying six different sound effects. (Suggested retail price $24.99; for children 6 years and over)
Indiana Jones Giant RC Ant
The remote control enables children to direct the movements of a robotic ant including its scissors-like jaws. (Suggested retail price $34.99; for children 6 years and over)
Other electronic toys reviewed by the Canadian Toy Association include the:
- Hexbugs from Northbridge Toys & Games which change direction responding to a loud noise like a hand clap
- Bladestar from Gill-Max Inc. which is a rechargeable indoor flyer with an on-board sensory navigation system.
Toy Safety Doesn't End After Gift Giving
Just because the above toys have been safety-tested for a specified age group doesn't mean that they don't pose any risks. For example, the Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro toy car can startle very young children and pets or crash into someone who suddenly enters the playroom.
Similarly, the little brother or sister of a six year old who receives the Movie Motion projector may break off and chew on the sharp edges of the movie reel cartridge. Statistics show that most accidents or injuries are directly attributable to the lack of adult supervision when a younger child trips over, bumps into a toy or swallows small toy parts.
In conclusion, while careful research is essential to choosing safe electronic toys and games, there’s no substitute for adult supervision when children play with their gifts.
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