We couldn’t resist the opportunity to stroll the aisles of Toy Fair this year. Amidst the exhaustive offerings, we found a few that particularly piqued our Executive Mom interest:
   
For the future executive mom (or dad) who wants to have their own PDA-like device…

We thought the Datamax Jr. was a nifty version made just for younger hands (and interests). If you have a kid who has ever coveted your PDA (while you thought you’ll never see that stylus again), this might be the toy for them (complete with light-up stylus… that remains attached). However, while yours may be all about contacts and schedules, the Datamax Jr. functions as a learning toy, with 20 educational based activities in 5 categories – Vocabulary, Logic, Math, Arts, and Games, that seem to range in difficulty. For ages 4 and up.

Datamax Jr. is $24.99, from Kidz Delight

For the budding Donald Trump…

Sure there’s Monopoly. But Portfolio and Portfolio Jr. are new entries that struck us as offering even more compelling lessons via game play. Older kids and adults can build their financial acumen buying stocks, bonds and mutual funds… and contend with real world factors like inflation as they compete to build their personal Portfolio. Meantime, younger kids can get an equally meaningful lesson by aquiring baseball stadiums, lemonade and ice cream companies. There’s trading, banking and even simple puzzle- building involved– yet it’s simple enough for kids as young as 5 to get into the action.

Portfolio jr. is $19.99, Portfolio is $29.99 at playportfoliogame.com
 
For the great conversationalist (or better, for the one who needs a little help)…

There is the Ungame. Presumably named because it is not so much a game, as a game-like way of asking each other questions and thus learning about each other. We tried the Families edition, and thought the 2nd deck of more “serious” cards was a little much, particularly with younger kids… but were surprised at how much fun the first deck was (cute sidebar: to the question, “What would you most want to buy if you got a million dollars?” our 4- year-old paused pensively and replied, “More maple brown sugar oatmeal.”) (Exactly). Another thought: try the Ungame for a corporate outing and gain instant group bonding, without the fancy facilitator.

The Ungame is $19.99 from Talicor
 
For the multi-media buff…

You may already be aware of Scene It?, the DVD game that has caught fire. However, what you may not know is that there are all sorts of new editions emerging that might appeal to the different interests in your household. Jr. Scene It? is geared for ages 8 to Teens, with scenes and images from their favorite movies, TV shows, musicians and athletes. More specifically, there is a new Disney edition (winner of the 2005 Children’s Choice award), a new Harry Potter edition… and for older buffs, a Classic Movies game pack. Because, sometimes games, like movies, are just meant to be fun…

Scene It? Games are $24.99 and up at the sceneitstore.com
 
  
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