Find of the Week: Wonderblox for iPad
If you can’t beat them, join them. Tired of your little one reaching for the iPad (very real first world problem) whenever they want entertainment? Well this geek-chic innovation turns the digital device on its head – literally.
In integrating a traditional 3D toy with an iPad, Wonderblox takes the thinking behind blocks out of the proverbial box. The screen becomes an interactive board game with the introduction of a set of custom-designed wooden blocks, nifty box frame/play set for the iPad to sit in, mirror attachment and app, of course.
Kids can then play specially designed games with the blocks, and the mirror device allows the iPad’s front facing camera to see, interact and respond. Games include Once Upon a Woods (spelling), Icy Penguins (matching), and Cool Frog (stacking). Check out the vid here.
Wonderblox, from a company called Stui, is the brainchild of 2 guys who love the toys we grew up with (yes, Rubik’s Cubes, Totem Tennis, Twister and View Masters are now considered vintage), and want to bring the experience of physical toy-play to kids of the cyber-age.
There’s another great story behind this product too; Stui are harnessing the power of crowd funding (incubation space for innovative products and causes) to get their idea up and running with manufacturers. They have almost reached their pledge limit of orders on Kickstarter so that they can go into production. So use your people power and order a set to make this smart idea happen. From US$30 and shipping charges apply.