Two Christmas gifts which are suited to young boys and young girls. Which one is the right one for your child? While one seems to be all educational and the other seems to be more fun, there might be more here than meets the eye.
Well, there’s no denying that Leapfrog’s Tag Reading System has the educational edge. It’s clearly and unequivocally directed straight at teaching kids to read. There’s really few things bigger for a parent than watching their child slowly but surely join the ranks of readers, so that’s a huge issue right there. But what about night vision goggles? Eyeclops’s toy usually have an educational bent to them as well, as evidenced by their Bionic Eye video-microscope toy. By using goggles like these, a child will become familiar with the type of technology it takes to make them, and could even become interested in how they work. So while it definitely doesn’t have the edge that Tag Reading does, the infrared goggles do have a small factor on that front.
Secondly, there’s the fun. Just how does each one rate on plain, simple fun? Tag Reading doesn’t do too badly here, since the stories in the books are always great and feature children’s favorite characters from TV and fairy tales. But can it really compare to the prospect of sneaking around in the dark, being able to see perfectly? Not really… the goggles definitely have it on this side. Add to that the fact that you can pair up several goggles at a time to make group competitions or games and you have our next point, group fun vs solo fun.
The Eyeclops Night Vision Goggles give us one thing that Tag Reading doesn’t… the competition angle. Reading, as fun and great as it is, especially with all the stuff the Tag books provide, is still a solitary pursuit. For playing and sharing with friends, you want something that they can also have and share with you, and between these two, the goggles are it.
In the end, which gift is better for you particular case will depend on your child. Is he or she a people-person, always wanting to be around friends and groups, or is he or she a more solitary type preferring to spend their time with their own toys and dolls? Most young children take strongly to either one or the other. By knowing your child you can make the best decision and the one that will bring them the most happiness this Christmas.
Have a safe and happy Christmas by becoming informed on every gift you buy this year! Simon Schwartz advises on every worthwhile Christmas toy in 2008, including the Tag System at Leapfrog Tag Reading System, and the Eyeclops Goggles at Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles