The toys your kids'll soon beg you for

Toy Fair previews cool gear, from 3-D movie masks to a kids' tablet

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By Suzanne Kantra

Explainer: The toys your kids'll soon beg you for

From a 3-D mask kids can wear to watch "The Transformers" in 3-D, to a Leap Pad tablet — yes, a tablet for children — there were all kinds of tech goodies at this year's Toy Fair in New York.
Cine-Mask 3D Transformers Masks

RealD

If you have a little Transformer running around your home, he’s bound to love the Cine-Mask Optimus Prime and Bumblebee 3D role-play masks that are coming out by July 1, 2011 for the opening of the first 3-D Transformers movie, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." Instead of the usual eye holes, these masks have polarized lenses, so they can be worn instead of the theater’s 3-D glasses. Price: $9.99. Available June 2011.
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Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera

Fisher-Price

The latest in Fisher Price’s ruggedized kids’ camera line, the Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera has two interesting new features that set it apart. First, it has a 180-degree rotating lens, so young photographers can be in their own pictures. Second, the camera will take video as well as stills. Price: $69.99. Available July 2011.
Meon Picture Makers

Meon

Remember lace-up cards? Meon has taken the same concept and applied it to neon signs. Kids ages 5 and up can clip between one and six strands of neon wire to Cars, Toy Story or Disney Fairies templates or create their own design. Kits start at $9.99 for a 7-inch frame and a single 3-foot strand of wire, and go up to $35.99 for a 15-inch frame, several strands of wire in different colors, sound effects and games, among other features. Available for holiday 2011.
Star Wars Ultimate FX Light Sabers

Hasbro

The best light saber technology, a progressive light-up LED blade previously only available in adult collector’s items, has finally been made tough enough to withstand countless battles in the hands of small children ages 4 and up. Choose from Anakin Skywalker (blue) or Darth Vader (red). Price: $35.99. Available in August 2011.
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Hot Wheels Video Racer Vehicle

Mattel

Capture the fast action of a Hot Wheels race car from the driver’s seat. The Video Racer has a built-in camera that captures video at a full-motion 30 frames per second for up to 12 minutes. Then turn the car over for playback on the integrated display. You can also download the footage to your computer. The Video Racer comes with a protective case that you can mount to almost anything using the included Velcro straps, clips, brackets and adhesive strips. Price: $59.99. Available Fall 2011.
LeapFrog LeapPad

LeapFrog

With a 5-inch touch display, built-in camera that can take video, a tilt sensor for gaming and a ruggedized housing, the LeapFrog LeapPad hits the ground running as a kids’ tablet. There will be LeapPad specific titles, but the tablet will also play the whole library of Leapster Explorer titles and there will be downloadable games as well. Price: $99.99, with games costing $24.99. Available Summer 2011.
GeoPalz Kids Pedometers

GeoPalz

Kids can be rewarded for each step they take when they wear a GeoPalz pedometer. Steps turn into points when they’re logged online, and the points can be redeemed for prizes like a jump rope, a water bottle or a gift card. The current GeoPalz can only be worn on the hip, but this summer there will be a new style that can be clipped to a sneaker or worn in a slap-style bracelet. Price: $24.99 for the pedometer, $9.99 for the bracelet.
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Battleship Live and Monopoly Live

Hasbro

Hasbro has taken a couple of my favorite classic games — Monopoly and Battleship — and given them an electronic game "director." Using infrared sensors, a tower in the middle of the game board can sense hand movements and the position of the game pieces on the board, and provides audio feedback to guide game play. When the pace lags, the "director" will add unexpected events like a typhoon-damaging ships in Battleship or a putting properties up for bid in Monopoly. Available for holiday 2011.
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