The best augmented reality toys to expand your view

Concern over screen time for kids is on the rise, but the mass, hypnotic appeal of Youtube videos like Babyshark is hard to escape. There is a middle of the road compromise for Luddite parents that fear too much pure screen time and old-school toy enthusiasts: augmented reality toys that blend tactile objects with high-tech enhancements. Toys with augmented reality center the play-act around a physical object, which gives kids more structure and boundaries, as opposed to diving in recklessly into the infinite internet pool.

Augmented reality toys benefit from the tech because they are highly educational (hello, WiFi access for a trove of boundless knowledge) and because they’re still based on a physical object, if the power cuts, there is still something to play with—and imagination. Here’s a list of our favorite augmented reality toys for everyone in your life.

Space enthusiasts can hold (quite literally) the moon in their hands with the AstroReality Lunar Pro, a 3D-printed, hand-painted model of the moon. It’s the most precise model of the moon, and with their AR app, one can explore and learn about its craters and dead volcanoes. For those who are more down to earth, there is also a 3D printed model of our home planet available—with augmented reality, one can see migration patterns and landscapes in different time periods.

Take playing doctor to the next level with this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) toy that lets toddlers and older kids heal their fuzzy friend Parker. They can cure his ailments like fever, a stomach bug, and even take his temperature with a special thermometer. With an iPad or iPhone, little doctors can examine his bones and soothe a sore throat.

This high-tech enhancement for a classic study tool lets kids learn about animals by seeing them move in their habitats. Kids can also see what kind of food they eat and hear the sounds that they make.

Made out of soft, durable foam, this cube requires no batteries or chargers and relies on a device for it to come to life. Kids can hold holograms in their hands while playing archaeologist or diving into the inner workings of the human heart.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/best-augmented-reality-toys/

Augmented reality toys to change how you see the world. (Daniel Frank via Unsplash/)

Hold a 3D-printed moon in your hands and explore its surface with an augmented reality app. (Amazon/)

Use your iPad or iPhone to x-ray this teddy bear. (Amazon/)

Colorful animal flashcards come to life. (Amazon/)

An unassuming foam cube can transform with AR. (Amazon/)