We've all been there. The kids want to play with our phone or tablet, but we don't want them smudging our touch screens (or worse) and we don't want them to have free range of every app on them. Fisher-Price has a number of solutions coming out this Fall for just this situation.
The toy company is introducing a new line of cases for iPods, iPhones and iPads that do more than just protect them from small, dirty hands. Combined with downloadable apps, the cases provide the children with educational and fun activities while giving your device extra shielding from rough play. Two cases from the new line caught our eye, in particular.
Imaginext Apptivity Fortress
This case is a fun dungeon adventure aimed at preschoolers. Slip your iPad behind the protective screen, download the app, and hand it to your little one. They can use a Knight action figure to interact with the game as well as a repositionable cannon that comes with the case. They can also activate the iPad's camera to see fantastical creatures in the room with them. Additional figures can be purchased that unlock new games in the app. These figures include an Archer, Wizard and Troll.
The Imaginext Apptivity Fortress is for ages 3-7 and due in Fall 2013 for $50. The extra figurines will retail for $10 each.
Create & Learn Case
This case is aimed at the 3+ crowd and the companion app is full of educational and creative activities. For example, your child can place the A is for Apple alphabet card in front of the iPad's camera and an apple will magically animate on top of the card, reinforcing the word association.
Children can also practice writing letters and words with the stylus attached to the case. The stylus can be positioned for either left or right-handed learners. And for free play, there is a blank canvas activity that allows the children to explore their own creations with a palette of colors and textures.
The Create & Learn Case for iPad is due in the Fall 2013 for $40 and comes in blue and pink. The iPhone/iPod version will retail for $20.
