What type of microcontrollers are used in kids toys?

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Jess

I've been taking apart some of my daughters broken electronic toys and checking them out to see how they tick and I've found that there are black epoxy dots that are covering microcontrollers on the tiny circuit boards. I'd just like to know what type of microcontrollers are used. I've exhausted every search for microcontrollers used in toys to no avail. I'm looking to control multiple leds with similarly small uCs.
The ic with that black epoxy dot is roughly 1x1 in., it was in the center of an old light up tiara. I'd like to try to keep it really small.

Answer
These are small IC's but probably not uC's.

Have you ever been scarred out of your socks by an electronic toy that suddenly turns on by itself?

Signilda

My kids toys are always turning themselves on and making noises. I hear creepy sounds from behind the couch and coming from the toy box.

Answer
Yes, but the worst are those electronic flush toilets. Those things love to go off at all the wrong moments and scare the beejeebers out of a person.

Actually, my husband was away on business and I made the mistake of watching the movie "The Ring" in our dark theater room alone. On my way upstairs to go to bed I thought I heard a TV coming from my sons' room. If you've ever seen the movie you'll understand why I was scared sh-tless! I turned on every light in the house before opening the door...to discover my daughter had left her Barbie radio in their room under a bunch of toys. The vibration of me coming up the stairs must have jiggled the toys just enough to turn it on.

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How do I entertain a 15 month old all day?

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Jo

I am a stay at home mom and need ideas on how to entertain my son all day now that his is so much more active and curious. He has all kinds of toys ranging from very simple blocks to complicated electronic toys. I play with him off and on during that day and give him alone play time while I'm cleaning. I want to start doing more educational activities with him but I don't know what to do. Is it to early to start doing educational activities other than reading to him? Also what are some fun activities we can do?

Answer
My daughters 18 months and the best thing I ever started doing was flipping her toys around.
I spent a couple days sorting every single toy she had, I made sure the pieces for certain toys were bagged and together with that toy.
Then I split things into "groups". For example she has a full kitchen set with cups, a play kitchen, a shopping cart etc...I packed all those things together.
She has some animals, a barn and a few trucks and cars I grouped
And she also has some dolls, play stroller, blankets, fake diapers, clothing etc..

I swap these groups of toys out once a week :), its amazing how she actually plays with those toys now that theere isnt hundreds to just pick up, throw and walk away from.
Then I spend some one on one time with her and teach her the animals, or have tea partys, we play grocery store etc..

Also dont take for granted the trips to the grocery store, tons of opportunity to learn about shapes, colors, how to say hello to little friends who walk by.

I also really recommend taking your son to some programs offered in your community. Look for open gyms for toddlers, library reading time, pre-school/toddler mommy and me meet ups, tots swimming lessons.
Social interaction is super important and social skills cant be taughter, rather they are "learnt" and the only way to learn the skill is to be exposed. Also kids tend to want to mimic other children, so finding a group with kids a little bit older then your son will model some new skills he might not have yet, or is working on right now.

Get out once a day, even if its just to check the mail, or walk down the street. Getting some fresh air (even if its raining) is so important to their health and burning off some pent up energy is a savour to you as well :).

My daugher LOVES to help me around the house, she's bring me a piece of two of laundry to put in the washer, she helps me sweep, she even puts the cutlery away out of the dishwasher, cleaning u her toys (I try to include her in these things and she loves the immediate praise).

Singing songs is SUCH a great way to learn. Take the classics (like twinkle twinkle little star) but sing your own words as your changing your son or giving him a bath (sing what your doing, the body parts etc..).

You really dont need to buy education toys- theres so much around you to get him involved. Google some home made playdoh recipes, get some paint and do art (finger paintings alot of fun and the textures are great), if you have corn starch add a bit of water to it and let him play (another great texture activity).

Be as verbal as you can in your everyday, the more you do it the more itll just come naturally...the more enthusiam you have to the tone of your voice, the more interest your son will be, its really the simpliest things like WOW we have 3 blocks here , look 1, 2, 3!!!!

What electronics do i have to put out in airport security?

Sophie Pup

will i have to put my hexbug (little kids toy that vibrates...) out on the trays? i want to keep it in my bag, i dont want it to be obvious what i use it for...... not as a kids toy........ itll be embarrassing

Answer
I think its just the larger electronics like laptop, or if somebody happens to bring a game counsel on (like Ps3 or Xbox) I think that hexbug thing doesn't have to be put out, since its small and like a portable electronic.

Just leave it in there and see what happens.

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What was the electronic toy in the late 90's that you could use as a pda and a messenger to talk to others?

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k w

within the same vicinity that had the same device. It was made for kids. not a cellphone or friend link.
not a pager.

Answer
Pager.

What kind of parent do you think the 90's children would make?

Sunshine R

For those born from 1990 to 1996. I was just wondering, because of how kids act today and they things they have now, like my 9 year old cousin, he was born in 2003 (His older twin brothers and I were born in 1994 just months apart). To me, they aren't very disciplined, I Remember everything from late 1995 as my earliest memories. I didn't act that way growing up, I didn't even get Electronic toys until I was like 10 or 11.

I just wanted other peoples views

Answer
Well, I was born in 1995, I'm 17, and I have a 10 month-old son. I agree with you on the differences due to the generations. I'm quiet, respectful to EVERYONE, but my younger siblings (1999 & 2001) are loud, messy, and honestly act like heathens. A lot of people say that I'm a b*t*h whenever I smack my son's hand and say "no," but won't hug him afterwards...HELLLOO! that's how kids got wild in the first place. My son doesn't watch tv, play with any electronics of any kind. This may sound really cruel but kids are constantly plastered to them and they get hooked at such a young age. I want my to not be dependent on computers and such, I'm teaching him to pick up a book like I was taught. Oh and my husband (1992) thinks the same thing about this, we agreed on our parenting.

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How do I wash my sons electronic toys?

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Hunter and

Not just electronic toys, some green works and that's settled. I am talking about those dancing elmo and pooh toys that are material over the electronics. My son got food on one and within hours there was a few ants on it. How do you keep your kids electronic fuzzy toys clean???

Answer
Hi there - I use a baby wipe to clean them off. I thought of using a Clorox wipes, but then I thought they might be too harsh. I have a baby at home so wipes are a need right now. I'll use them to wash their dancing elmo, that jumping doggy thing or anything else that has batteries in it. It washes them pretty good too.

Hope this helps.

Have you ever been scarred out of your socks by an electronic toy that suddenly turns on by itself?

Signilda

My kids toys are always turning themselves on and making noises. I hear creepy sounds from behind the couch and coming from the toy box.

Answer
Yes, but the worst are those electronic flush toilets. Those things love to go off at all the wrong moments and scare the beejeebers out of a person.

Actually, my husband was away on business and I made the mistake of watching the movie "The Ring" in our dark theater room alone. On my way upstairs to go to bed I thought I heard a TV coming from my sons' room. If you've ever seen the movie you'll understand why I was scared sh-tless! I turned on every light in the house before opening the door...to discover my daughter had left her Barbie radio in their room under a bunch of toys. The vibration of me coming up the stairs must have jiggled the toys just enough to turn it on.

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