The 2010 Toy Fair and Engage! Expo brightened up the Jacob Javitz Center in New York, filling one wing of the gigantic convention plaza with overwhelming rows of the latest products for kids. Surfing through the sea of neon colors, odd shapes, discussion panels and sale-bent exhibitors, I managed to locate some games for kids that blend physical play with online interaction, including HexBug Nano, GigaPals and Bella Sara.
Skittering around with the aid of a tiny motor and little rubber legs, HexBug Nanos are darned cute once the urge to squash them passes. That adorable quality saves them and allows an owner to open the secrets that come with a special code tucked inside the test tube-esque packaging. Entering the cipher at the “secret” Hands & Stars Web site opens the user’s personal online bug collection where they may learn about the unique qualities of their particular insect.
Designed to engage kids in a mystery-riddled world of science and technology, Hands & Stars features a handful of puzzle and strategy games that challenge players to think carefully about their next moves. Through site use and by completing specific tasks, players earn Lumens and Stellas that unlock new areas of the online world. Daily, monthly and all-time leaderboards allow users to track high scores.
Offline, Nano owners can purchase pens and tunnels to create a “habitat” for their creatures. The Nano is just one edition in the HexBug product line that includes larger robots like crabs, ants and inchworms and is recommended for children 3 and up. HexBug Nano is available for about $9.99.
Designed for children ages 3-6, GigaPals are “adoptable” plush toys that come with an online code, giving users access to the activities available in the online world. Activities range from alphabet adventures, vacations with the vowel family, a bubble popping game and a program that turns the keyboard into a musical instrument. Additionally, an in-game coloring book lets kids paint and print their favorite images.
A preview option allows parents to explore the world of GigaPals before giving the product to their children. After purchasing the GigaPal, parents create a master account that their child uses to access the online environment. The plushies come in a handful of different animals, including horses, elephants, penguins, lions and cats. GigaPals are available for about $11.95.
Based on the trading card series for girls, Bella Sara is an online world of horses accessed via a special code that comes packaged with a playing card and miniature horse. It is possible to play around on the Bella Sara site without a code, but the activities are limited as each cipher unlocks new adventures within the game.
Kids ages 5-12 may adopt a foal and care for the animal in an activity designed to teach responsibility. Players will feed, water and groom the animal as well as change the hay. Outside of the barn, gamers may spend time decorating the rooms in their cottages with objects, including furniture, décor, wall hangings and plants. From there, players have the option to explore North of North, a world inhabited by magic and horses.
North of North has a handful of interactive locations. The World Tree features an art studio and the Bellapedia. The Arena, Township and Floating Islands access themed minigames, including Trailblazer, Wheel of Wonder and Dream Rider. Users can spend golden horseshoes at the bazaar to purchase items like in-game teddy bears, horse posters and nightstands.
After going broke at the Bazaar, players have the chance to earn more golden horseshoes in the Bella Sara Adventures. The code packaged with each Bella Sara trading card bundle adds new content to this ongoing quest and is designed to provide users with several options within the Adventures area of play. Bella Sara has a huge range of products available, but the mini-horses and cards come sold together for about $2.
