Ever tried to explain physics to your child and make it interesting? Phun, writted by a Swedish graduate student, is a free cross-platform (Windows/Mac/Linux) physics simulator and is great way for kids to understand how things work in the physical world.
Explore concepts like friction, elasticity and wind resistace in a very interactive way. You can set up fluid simulations, knock down a house of cards, line up a trail of dominos - the options are endless.
It's so hard to find good software for kids, so we'd love to hear your favourites.
Just when I thought I'd seen everything, along comes
Swinxs, a multi-functional gaming and activity console designed to get your
kids' bodies moving
and their minds active.
Another brilliant concept from the founder of Bugaboo, the Swinxs will
lure your little computer addicts back into the yard for some
good old-fashioned fun, twenty-first century style. It encourages
social interaction with multiple player activities, and comes with
4 RFID wrist tags for communicating with the console.
This sure is a big leap from the old systems. You can download new
games from the Swinxs site via USB cable - age and content categorised games are free from the website!
There will even be a development forum where people can design and
share their very own Swinxs creations.
It's designed to go anywhere - take it to the beach, sit it on the grass at the park, or use it indoors. It gives instructions, referees, and even cheers
the kids on!
The sturdy construction houses
a super long-life battery. I can see my sons adoring this when they
reach the right ages - it's for kids 4+. Oh alright, I'll admit
it...I'm likely to love it too. Isn't having children a great excuse
for acting like a kid?
With sporting and educational applications, Swinxs is
due for release in the Netherlands in mid-April. We'll keep you updated
on a possible Australian release date. Watch the video
below to see
the Swinxs in action.
Knowing your child is safe and out of harm’s way is of paramount concern to parents. In most instances, even when your child wonders off, they are easily found and no harm done. However, if you are in a new environment such as a bustling city, shopping mall, airport or anywhere that is unfamiliar to your child, there is a chance that they may get disorientated and lost or worse.
After years of research a Portuguese company (ironic isn’t it?), Smart Target, have come up with a device that is slightly more 21st century that the old-fashioned toddler leash. Called Kiddo Kidkeeper, it is a simple to use device that consists of a transmitter that attaches to the child and a receiver which is carried by the carer. It works based on the proximity of the child to the receiver using a low frequency. If the child moves outside of the set distance, it will sound an alarm and a visual warning on the receiver only. The set distances can be changed depending on the situation you are in – i.e. a greater distance in a non-congested, relatively safe area, or a shorter setting in, say, a busy shopping mall where visibility is poorer. A great idea for when occasions warrant extra precautions, but you certainly wouldn’t want to start getting too paranoid and make it a permanent fixture.
Most of us look forward to summer nights of entertaining outside, in
the balmy warmth. Every year I neglect to remember those pesky
insects whose bites can ruin a lovely evening. The kids always seem to get bitten at the beach and outside at picnics and BBQ's during summer. This little devise called the Mosquito-Click is about to change the way we treat insect bites here in Australia. This nifty little gadget simply zaps
those itchy bites away and stores neatly on your keyring or in a handbag.
Mosquito-Click gives you a chemical-free way of fixing the damage after it is done.
Before, you simply had to sit out the discomfort if you'd forgotten your repellent. Its made in Italy and only just been released in Australia.
A couple of clicks will neutralise itchy bites from insects including the mosquito, sandfly, midges, also being effective for
some kinds of jellyfish stings. Worth every cent of its tiny $19.95, this device will see you and your family
sailing happily through every outdoor event. It can be used from age 12 months up and is especially worthwhile for people with
allergies to minor bites and stings.
Mosquito-Click is available from K-Mart, some chemists and outdoor shops.
Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there, enjoy time with your families and here is a gadget that might interest you for your new bubs.
Throw away that scrappy old notepad and pencil right now! If trying to remember your baby’s last nap or feed is doing your head in, we have found a product that’s about to bring back some sanity to your sleep deprived life.
Itzbeen - Baby Care Timer is a multi-purpose tool designed by a mum and dad who have been through it all themselves. With a simple, easy to use design, including backlit display, night light and alarm system, you will be reminded of their last nappy change, feed and sleep/awake times. It also has a spare button for additional reminders such as medication etc.
If you needed any further proof that a real mum co-designed this fantastic device, there is also a reminder button for the breast you last fed from. Really, what haven’t they covered? Did I mention how user friendly the design is? Big buttons and simple graphics make it ideal for any parent who is only (just barely) operating on autopilot. Would be an ideal gift for the soon-to-be parents.
