Retro, tech toys top requests on kids' 2004 holiday gift lists

Drug Store News, Dec 13, 2004 by Michelle L. Kirsche

However, possibly the biggest trend this season is toys with a technology component.

"Kids are going for what their parents have," said Jordan Kavana, managing director of KGI Consumer Products. Parents, Kavana said, are looking for technology at an affordable price. KGI, whose core market is 9- to 14-year-olds, makes the TeenTech Portable DVD Player with a flip-top, high-resolution 3 1/2-inch screen, built-in speakers with dual headphone outputs, a fully functional remote and a rechargeable battery. Kavana said the $99 suggested retail price also attracts parents, who buy the item for themselves.

"Some of our products look so mature that they are on the fringe. Adults are buying them as an opening price point value," he noted.

Another KGI high-tech gadget that looks like the real thing is the I-Hand Matrix 45K PDA that features an address book, schedule reminder, calculator and memo notepad. Aimed at kids ages 8 years and older, the PDA retails for a suggested price of $24.99.

KGI also is cluing in on the home decorating trend with items made especially for 'tweens like Room Moodz, a line that includes mini-fridges, water dispensers and motion lamps, as well as the Disco Light, which retails for $14.99.

We try to provide items kids can use to customize and make their own environment," Kavana said. "These are items kids see in their parent's home by Homedics, for example. It's the same type of look and feel, but it's made for them."

Another thing that kids love is computers. According to the NPD Group, kids ages 5 to 12 spend an average of 4.2 hours per week playing video games. Educational toys with an electronic component, such as those from Leapfrog or Story Reader, also should fare well.