Roam and Wander: Toys for Little Readers
Today’s post is brought to you by Roam and Wander.
DiDi: iPad Powered Teddy Bear for Little Readers:
I recently received the DiDi Teddy Bear (soft and plush it sits up with no problem plus has a teddy bear face without the iPad inserted ~ and my daughter loves “him” just as much without the iPad which is great) from Roam and Wander. DiDi utilizes your iPad (iOS 6 or higher) with an app created just for this cute teddy bear. Insert your iPad and turn on the app and it split screens (with the top looking just like DiDi) and the bottom being DiDi’s interactive tummy where you will choose between “belly books” (stories) to games (currently in beta testing) that also utilize their ingenious Magic Touch™ toys while still seeing DiDi up top. Our DiDi came with three Magic Touch™ toys: toothbrush, carrot and apple (along with the beta app to try out). For the games in beta we were currently able to do ABC’s (which also had words where when letters collected matched the word they were loaded to the corresponding letter) and matching. There are several “belly books” available on the bookshelf that are currently in production and the one available in beta is “The Three Bears” which reads to your child and has an arrow to touch when they’re ready to go to the next page (my understanding is that as your child advances so does DiDi which is referred to as leveling up). I can see various ways the future of DiDi could grow with your child as they advance in age with more content that may include in-app purchases (IAPs) although this is me speculating on down the road quite a bit and nothing about IAPs has been mentioned (just me talking out loud). My daughter was able to use the Magic Touch™ toys to feed DiDi (apple and carrot) at which point she was able to see the food fall into DiDi’s tummy. She could then slice them in half and they would disappear (I think she was just too impatient to wait and again the app is still in beta).
DiDi and TuTu: Interactive and Educational Games:
Next up she brushed DiDi’s teeth and when she stopped DiDi would say “Teeth All Clean” (when DiDi is released in August and the app fully developed I believe based on what I have read that just as in real life if you don’t take care of DiDi’s teeth then he could get a cavity! Think of DiDi and TuTu like the Tamagotchi interactive toys in that capacity!) The concept is great with teaching younger children learning skills along with being responsible and bonding, plus interactive and educational games that help with reading and number/letter skills to help preschoolers up to elementary age. The soft and plush DiDi teddy bear holds your iPad safely and when it is in place on the backside of DiDi there is a zipper pocket where you can store the Magic Toys (if your iPad is not in DiDi the toys or anything you place in there will come through DiDi’s tummy.
TuTu the Rabbit made for the iPhone/iPod
TuTu is a soft and pink plush rabbit that is made for your iPhone/iPod and already has an app readily available to download (along with a couple others that I found in the app store listed from/as Roam & Wander). When I downloaded the app (as I did not have TuTu) I was able to choose an age range from 2 to 6 (although the main app for TuTu says ages 4+). TuTu also comes with Magic Touch™ toys of her own such as the toothbrush, apple, carrot, milk and a ring. My understanding is that TuTu will tell you/your child when she is thirsty (and you would in turn would place the milk up to her and when removed she’ll have a ‘milk mustache’ that she happily licks off … just too cute!!) to being hungry for the carrot or apple (if you give one of the foods when she is thirsty TuTu will say “I’m not hungry”) to again the toothbrush (which seems to be a huge hit for both products allowing kids to have lots of fun while teaching them at the same time).
Inspiration Behind the TuTu and DiDi Animals:
I like the technology both TuTu and DiDi are bringing to the toy market for our younger children who are most likely already asking (or pointing/pulling) to get at your iDevice. This way you’re able to give your child a stuffed animal in one sense that they can play with on their own or with the proper iDevice made for the product you have knowing they can hear stories, engage in early learning skills by playing educational games and have an interactive and fun experience all rolled into one (plus they’re cute and fun without the iDevice). I can also see this helping children with special needs (which I’m big on). I know in my experience I had a lot of issues with brushing my sons teeth (he’s on the spectrum with other medical d/x) and he has a lot of sensory issues. Having a stuffed animal with an iDevice (as he’s drawn to anything technology) that teaches life skills is great and I can see new Magic Touch™ toys and other expansions to their apps for this or as add-on’s in future updates (or in special packages to purchase – I’m dreaming/talking out loud here again *hint.hint*). This seems to be some of the motivation from Jason Warren, founder, whose son’s nickname is “DiDi” and has mild autism. Mr. Warren stated when he was a young child his favorite toy happened to be a brown teddy bear (which he still has) and he really wanted to create a toy for his son and other kids that would help them connect with, play, and learn by using the same classic toy he had growing up (albeit one that also crosses into our technology fused toys that allow all children to learn basic numbers, letters, basic reading and other skills needed in elementary school). To me the room for growth and potential with their two staple products is not limited (at least not in my mind) and I can’t wait to see where their Magic Touch™ toys and apps takes educational learning and life skills to next (sky is the limit in my opinion).
Roam and Wander Participating in the 500 Startups Accelerator Program:
Right now, DiDi is very close to being brought to life as Roam and Wander is participating in the 500 Startups’ accelerator program which is part of a Kickstarter campaign that ends on May 21st. They are only slightly below their target goal and it looks like they’re going to be able to start production on-time and on goal for DiDi (just as they did previously with TuTu). TuTu is currently available for sale online and DiDi will be available for distribution in August. They have several different options if you’d like to become a Kickstarter backer. You can find out more here.
My daughter enjoying her DiDi toy!
The driving philosophy behind Roam & Wander “is a belief in the power of play in a child’s intellectual and social development, and a commitment to create safe, fun toys”. In other words, don’t just hand your child an iDevice to ‘quiet’ them but let them use it engaged in physical, creative play with toys – not just sitting around tap tap tapping on a screen. I like that; no, I love that!
For more information visit:
Order TuTu $39.99 (includes TuTu Plush Doll, Magic Touch™ apple, carrot, milk, toothbrush and ring and app with registration code)
Pre-Order DiDi (I believe the cost will be $59.99 includes DiDi Plush Teddy Bear, Magic Touch™ toys, along with fun yet educational app of games/stories that gives a Tamagotchi experience that allows you to earn prizes and unlock new games and books) *I believe a DiDi “mini” will be released as well
Follow on Instagram: @toydidi and/or @roamandwander
Good News! We have a TuTu Rabbit + toys and DiDi Bear + toys for a giveaway! There will be two winners. Good luck!
UPDATE: Rafflecopter has picked our winners! Congratulations to:
TuTu winner:
- Thursday, May 22 @ 06:50 pm
- Liked DandelionMoms on Facebooknull
- Loading…
(68.230.59.237)Location is approximate. Click here for more details.
DiDi winner:
- Thursday, May 22 @ 11:00 pm
- Tweeted a Messagehttps://twitter.com/cdteachme/status/469719414179246080
- Loading…(173.71.1.28)Location is approximate.
Charly
Charly is a divorced SAHM of two kids (varying SN). She loves sweet tea (x1gazillion), watching TV (too much of it), CHOCOLATE, anything tech, cooking/baking, and her kids! Born, raised and resides in the South. Fan of: Rob Lowe, Jason Bateman and John Stamos. A sci-fi, used-to-be girl gamer, lover of books, art and music. Has a passion for organizations that reflect her life's journey before and after kids (thus far): Domestic Violence/Battered Women, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), The Autism Society, MitoAction, Epilepsy Foundation, The Children's Heart Foundation, SPD Foundation, NORD/Global Genes and spreading autism ACCEPTANCE. She can be wickedly funny/witty - okay, sarcastic (in a good way of course) forever keeping us on our toes! But we love her ... anyway. She is a *dandelion mom*: beautiful, strong and resilient. Twitter: @OneAppyMama Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneAPPYMama
9 Comments
Denise Taylor-Dennis
I like that you can choose an age range.
Debnmike Moretti
I love this!! It will entertain my three year old in an academic way. Just brilliant!
Jennifer B
I like that it makes my child’s idevice more cuddly.
Christina
cute way to have fun with the educational apps
Megan C
I love that they encourage creative play and come with accessories! I’ve seen other iPod/iPhone plush toys but none that really seemed engaging in that manner. Very cool!!
Kelly benavidez
Looks so fun for little kids!
Jenni Chiu @ MommyNaniBooboo
At this point in time, my favorite feature would be the teeth brushing. We are having a heck of a time with my almost three year old.
Amy N
I like the touch toys that go with it. I also like that the stuffed animal has a face when a device is not inserted.
Megan C
Yay! Just saw I won earlier today, so excited! THANK YOU!!!