| CARVIEW |
RSS
Archive: Toys and Games
February 17, 2009
Snap circuits
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - a favorite each year, Snap Circuits from Elenco. We like these kits so much for teaching kids we have them in the Maker Shed too! The one pictured above isn't out yet, it's "green" alternative energy - the circuits are powered by: solar power, wind power, crank power, chemical/battery power and america power.
And... There's also Snap-Micro. A snap circuit version of doing projects with a micro-controller, I couldn't figure out the chip was, but once it's shipping I'll look it up.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 04:02 PM
Electronics, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
The Erector set is now a talking iPod dock robot
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - many of us know Erector as the iconic metal building "toy" for kids.
Erector Set is the trade name of a toy construction set that was wildly popular in the United States during much of the 20th century. Like Meccano that was patented in 1901, it consists of collections of small metal beams with regular holes for nuts, bolts, screws, and mechanical parts such as pulleys, gears, and small electric motors. The Erector Set was invented by A.C. Gilbert in 1911, and was manufactured by the A. C. Gilbert Company at the Erector Square factory in New Haven, Connecticut, from 1913 until its bankruptcy in 1967.That was then and this is now... In the USA "Erector" is now the SPYKEE an iPod dock robot that can talk and turn off TVs, it's also a WiFi spy robot that can make me very depressed it seems, amazing!
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 03:31 PM
Robotics, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry
3D scanning with a web cam and projector
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - One of the more interesting companies was 3D3 solutions, they use off the shelf web cams and presentation projectors to make a 3D model, you can see me getting 3D scanned above - good stuff and not as expensive as many of the other commercial packages.
FlexScan3D is an innovative non-contact 3D scanning software system that takes 3D measurements and creates digital 3D models directly from physical objects. The software is ideal for measuring complex shapes quickly. FlexScan3D is the world's only fully customizable 3D scanning system that scans objects using off-the-shelf hardware components. It is a cost effective solution that is versatile in many applications. How FlexScan3D scanning works: Using one or two digital cameras and a white light (presentation) projector FlexScan3D will scan a wide range of objects, faces, and body parts quickly and accurately. The projector or laser puts reference patterns on to the scan target to aid accurate digitalization. The scene is captured using a camera or video camera. FlexScan3D's 3D triangulation engine takes these images and creates millions of measurements of the scene. The process to acquire the data needed to create a 3D model is then completed in seconds. The 3D scan data is used in industrial design, reverse engineering, visual effects, and biomedical industries. Automated 3D capture drastically reduces the time and cost in capturing complex physical measurements.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 03:20 PM
News from the Future, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (3)
| Email Entry
Ticklish plants
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - We stopped by and visited our pals who sell the plants you can tickle... When you touch them, they "curl up" a bit, it's very cute. The TickleMe Plant has also been called the "Shy Plant", "Humble Plant", "Sleeping Grass", "Touch-Me-Not", "Noli Me Tangere" , "Sensitive Plant" and "Modest Princess." Mimosa pudica is its scientific name. Mark the owner has a bit of history on their site...
When my brother Larry and I were children, we would show our friends our TickleMe Plants and watch the looks of disbelief and excitement on their faces. Growing TickleMe Plants from seeds was then and still is a magical experience for us. Throughout our lives, we continued to grow our own TickleMe Plants. I became a science teacher and over my 30 years of teaching have had many budding scientists experience the joy of raising their own TickleMe Plants. Larry and I decided to form the TickleMe Plant Company, so that we could make the TickleMe Plant experience available to all people young and old. Many children (and adults) have never been exposed to the joy and importance of plants. Watching a plant grow and move can be an unforgettable experience. We don't want children and those young at heart, to lose "touch" with our living world. What better adventure than to raise their own TickleMe Plant from seed? A great experience for everyone! Growing a TickleMe Plant is the perfect gift for someone who wants to share their love of nature and gardening! In addition, we donate 1% of all profits after taxes to The Nature Conservancy's program, 'Adopt an Acre'®, to save the rainforest.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 03:00 PM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (2)
| Email Entry
HDX 1000 - Analyzer for toxic metals in toys
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - There were a few dozen "lead testing" companies, but I think I liked the HDX 1000 lead tester from XOS the most... It's a portable X-Ray machine for the most part and their interface / set up seemed pretty solid.
XOS, a manufacturer of x-ray analytical equipment and x-ray optics introduces the HDX 1000 Toy Analyzer, powered by our High Definition X-Ray Fluorescence (HD XRF) technology. The new HDX 1000 Toy Analyzer is a cost-effective way to quantify lead well below 90 ppm in painted surfaces, ensuring your products meet new global regulations. The HDX 1000 features the ability to distinguish paint layers from base material, small spot capabilities, low limits of detection for 10 toxic metals, and non-destructive measurements. All our analyzers are very easy to operate and are designed for use in factories, independent test labs, retail outlets, and inventory warehouses.On a related note, in China the head of the toy company that caused all these problems a couple years ago with with lead paint in Mattel's toys committed suicide. There were a lot of reports saying it was "suicide or execution" - with all the banking hijinks and the recent deaths from contaminated peanuts here in the USA it's interesting to note our very different systems and social pressures when things go incredible bad.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 02:30 PM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
Ecotronics - Hand crank powered toys
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - "Ecotronics" - Hand crank powered toys (sorry, not web site it seems) had an assortment of hand torches (flash lights) and toys that kids crank to power / store energy. One was a game, another was a microphone / noise maker, we're seeing a lot of the commercial applications of crank/squeeze power hitting the toy arena lately.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 01:15 PM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
ScienceWiz - Educational science kits for kids
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - We saw our pals from ScienceWiz, I'm a fan of their Electricity kit and Chemistry kit for kids, check'em out... Book/magazine/kit all rolled up in to one...
Each of the ScienceWiz™ kits is appropriate for a specific age range and covers a specific topic in science. Tested and refined over many years in school enrichment programs throughout Berkeley Unified and in exclusive private schools in California. Beautiful step-by-step instructions and child appropriate materials encourage independent learning through play.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 12:00 PM
Science, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
Mountain Boy Sledworks - Handmade wooden sleds & wagons
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - I really liked seeing Mountain Boy Sledworks - Handmade wooden sleds & wagons - unlike the cheap plastic RadioFlyer wagons and Cheap-mart special these sleds and wagons are handmade in Colorado and are built to last - My favorite was the "citrus scooter"...
We are working hard to minimize the impact of all of our operations on the environment. Some key elements include: Using only recycled cardboard packaging. Choosing only fast-growing, common, sustainable hardwoods such as birch, willow and maple. Ensuring that every part of the wood is used. Smaller pieces are turned into kicksled slats or Christmas ornaments, and the smallest bits end up in our woodstove or in the wood-drying kiln. Just as important, making products that last! We think it makes sense to buy a sled (or wagon or scooter) that will last for years, rather than buying a cheaper sled that won't last nearly as long.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 10:50 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
Timberkits - Amazing wood sculptures you build yourself
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - We met the folks from Timberkits last year and liked them so much we had them out to Maker Faire - they were at the Toy Fair this year and we stopped by to say hi - there are a few new build-it-yourself wood sculptures, check'em out!
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 10:30 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
Orbitwheels - mono wheeled rollerblades
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - Inventist's Orbitwheels are a blast and I want a pair - the inventor of them is also the maker behind the AquaSkipper.
Like a cross between a skateboard and inline skates, but with more freedom and simplicity than either, the Orbitwheel is a brand new concept for wheeled sports.
The design is simple: two feet, two wheels... and you're ready to go. The Orbitwheel's concept is basic, but with the wheels whirling around your feet, you are capable of countless tricks and maneuvers that can be as complex and creative as you can come up with.
With the Orbitwheel's minimalistic design, fun and transportation have never been so portable and convenient. The large wheel radius enables you to enjoy the Wheelblazer on a variety of different surfaces. The two thin, light wheels require no folding down or taking apart, making them easy to slip into a backpack or carry in your hand. And when you're ready to get going again, you don't need to fuss with buckles and flaps - just step into the hoops and take off.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 10:25 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry
The Unitech Fun Fly Stick
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - The Unitech "Fun Fly Stick" Magic levitation wand made the rounds on the web awhile ago but this is the first time I've seen it in person. It looks like some type of after dinner game Superman's Dad keeps around for entertainment - seeing adults in suits play with this is a hoot. Any way, many makers I know out there just want to take these apart and tinker with them - it's a small battery operated static charge generator, the tinsel-like material is repelled once it has a negative charge from touching the stick (like charges repel, opposites attract) - electrostatic propulsion. I fully expect an Arduino project with these soon...
Wizards of all ages have now an incredible opportunity to get a real levitation wand of their own. Five special flying toys are included in the set. Mesmerizing levitation is captivating for everyone observing. Enjoy levitating incredible metallic-looking shapes and learn physics in the process without even realizing it! Illustrated full-color Magic Wand Manual provided with the set offers tons of tips and tricks for becoming a better wizard.I'd like it if they said "better scientist" but Wizard might be more attractive to kids to align with Harry Potter or something...
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 10:16 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry
Eitech - The "Erector set" is back
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - The "Erector" brand is still around, but sadly it's in name only (they sell robot iPod docks now, I'm not kidding). I'll have a post with those robots later today but we did discover the idea of the "Erector" set is back and it's coming from a German company called "eitech".
They have building packs, projects and straight up bags of parts. These were one of my favorite "toys" at the Toy Fair this year. Sturdy, smart, cold, metal and German. Here's a bit about them and their products from their site...
Our world of brands is characterised by high quality products "made in Germany". Whether young or old everyone can playfully gain experience in the world of the technology. EITECH creative metal building sets promote the motor function, creativity and adaptability. From the Beginner - Set to the Experiment-Set our component systems are high appreciated by children, parents, grandparents, teachers and engineers. All component systems and construction units are sheetingable with one another and expandable. From a easy and safe assembly by means of classical screwing technology guarantee stable metal designs result. With most of the Metal Building Sets you can bulit up different models.
From 5 years onward we recommend to start with our BEGINNER component system set. Here your children build and fit with agefair tools and large volume plastic parts. The detailed step- by- step- instructions help to assemble the models successfully. Each component system contains a toy figure additionally.
With the CONSTRUCTION SETS you can start at the age between 6 - 8 years. Graduated by degrees of difficulty metal buliding set assortment accompanies your whole technical designer life. Depending upon your kit from simple to most fastidious close-to-reality- models can be built with more than 2500 parts. Due to all construction units being sheetingable with one another, the creativity of the young engineer encounter no borders. With most of the models the technical designers learn the functionality of different drive systems in detail additionally .
The Experiment Sets give an idea of the fundamental technical and electronic functions which are founded in the world of technology. Complex functions of transmissions and electro-technology can be illustrated by properly fitting components. Recommended to start from 8 years onward an amusement of light, sound and movement.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 09:45 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (2)
| Email Entry
Junior Tradesman - A bucket of bricks
@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - Junior Tradesman, I like these - sure they're a bucket of tiny clay bricks but that's the point. Kids learn how to make brick structures use "brick mix" to keep them together, besides inspiring kids for an important skill these would be fun for art projects for adults too. It would be nice to see some updating of the term "Tradesman" most of the women I know are better brick layers than the guys (Junior Tradesperson? Doesn't have the same ring to it I suppose).
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 09:20 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
Photos and videos from the NYC Toy Fair 2009
Over the next day we'll have all of our coverage from the NYC Toy Fair 2009 (MAKE style) - if you want to skip ahead and view the photo and videos here's where to get'em... above a slide show.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 09:15 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
MAKE @ The NYC Toy Fair 2009
MAKE is @ The NYC Toy Fair 2009 - thousands of toy makers come here each year to show off their latest - our lens on this show is a lot different than any coverage you'll see anywhere else - stay tuned for posts, images and videos of unique MAKE-style products. DIY kits, science kits, engineering, weird and bizarre -- things you'll see no where else! We'll be reporting live over the next few days, come back early and come back often!
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 17, 2009 09:00 AM
Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
February 16, 2009
Make a Flexagon!
Flexagons are neat little paper models that can be folded in different ways to show different surfaces. There are dozens of different types, and this site gives a good overview & patterns.
So, besides a fun plaything, what else can you do with it?
You can take a regular flat maze and draw it on a pyramid flexagon (pictured at right) instead. To follow the maze, you must fold the puzzle in the correct way.
Or, you can use a tetra-tetra flexagon, like Britta Gustafson did to make a beautiful map (below) that folds to reveal different levels of detail.
(See also this instructable, for an even-more detailed step-by-step guide)
So, what ideas can you think of for this? If you're a spy, you could combine all of your fake identification documents in to one, so you'll be ready to show the proper one whenever needed. Not a spy? Then how about combining all your grocery store loyalty cards in to one object?
Bonus: watch this video for a very fun Flexagon (feel free to skip to 3:00, where Arvind Gupta demonstrates it). The video shows how to make it, but a printed version would be easier to follow -- can anyone find more information about this?
Posted by John Maushammer |
Feb 16, 2009 08:12 AM
Crafts, Paper Crafts, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (3)
| Email Entry
February 14, 2009
HOW TO - Reverse engineer a missile launcher toy's interface
A fairly in-depth technical report by the security researchers at TippingPoint was released on how to reverse engineer the proprietary protocol for controlling a USB missile-launching toy system. They develop an iPhone application to control the device. 'The hardware is coupled with a simple GUI controller written in Delphi (MissileLauncher.exe) and a USB Human Interface Device (HID) interface written in C++ (USBHID.dll). The toys lost their allure within minutes of harassing my team with a barrage of soft missile shots. That same night I thought I would be able to extend the fun factor by coding up a programmatic interface to the launchers in Python. ... One interesting thing is that we have a lot more granular control of the turret movement now than we did with the original GUI. I wrote two simple loops to count the number of possible horizontal and vertical ticks and the results were 947 horizontal and 91 vertical versus 54 and 10 from the original GUI respectively. Granular control allows you to slowly and quietly reposition the turret for stealthy attacks.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 14, 2009 11:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Gadgets, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry
Tabletop trebuchet
YATT (Yet Another Tabletop Trebuchet). Wish the pictures were bigger.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Feb 14, 2009 02:00 AM
Kids, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
February 12, 2009
Scratch-built kid's racer
I love this scratch-built old-school Indie race car for kids. It was built on an aircraft-style stringer frame with a riveted sheet aluminum skin. There are fun details on it, like a sliced-in-half 50s kitchen canister for the front bumpers, a malt shaker for the headrest, and a maraschino cherry jar for the radiator cap (seen in finished pic above).
From the fertile mind of Joseph Ihnat, part 1 - Poppen's Special kid's racer
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Feb 12, 2009 12:00 PM
Kids, Toys and Games, Transportation |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry
MAKE @ The Toyfair in NYC - first stop Thames & Kosmos
MAKE will be at the NYC Toy Fair 2009 - last year we had some MASSIVE coverage from the event and hope to bring you a DIY/Science view of the show again, while we skip a lot of the "toys" we do head right for the science and learning companies - last year one of our favorite companies was Thames & Kosmos - they'll be our first stop this year. Check out their kits here and the ones we stock in our science section in the Maker Shed. Pictured here, Stephanie from Thames & Kosmos - they asked if we'd be there and we asked for some photos of the new kits in action!
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 12, 2009 05:00 AM
Science, Toys and Games |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry
Make: television is here! Visit makezine.tv or iTunes to see all the episodes.
Connect with MAKE
MAKE's RSS feed is here.Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
How to add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
Add MAKE on Twitter.
MAKE's fan page on Facebook.
Add MAKE on FriendFeed
Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!
Click here to advertise on MAKE!
Makezine authors!
Gareth Branwyn, Chris Connors (guest author), Collin Cunningham, Marc de Vinck, Peter Horvath(intern), Kip Kay, John Park, Becky Stern, Jason Striegel, Phillip Torrone
Current Podcast
Not so lazy Sunday... Weekend Project - Cosmic Night Light
There's still time to start making or just watch this week's Weekend Project: Cosmic Night Light. You can view the video here, grab the PDF here and subscribe in iTunes to get all our Weekend Projects and PDFs delivered...
More...
Get the Make blog sent via email
Help | Write for MAKE | Contact Us | Subscribe | Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy| About MAKE | FAQ
© 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.
All trademarks and registered trademarks appearing on makezine.com are the property of their respective owners.