With the spy gadgets for kids we have been reviewing, our kids are really getting the feel (and fun!) of being a spy. Abby loves her Project MC² Ultimate Spy Bag, which allows her to lift fingerprints and create distractions in style, but it's the SpyNet gadgets from JAKKS Pacific that allow the kids to really get into role-playing by using high-tech spyware!
We were sent the SpyNet Eyeclops TV Microscope and SpyNet Touch Video Watch to review, and we are really impressed with the quality of both gadgets, which are being sold at a really reasonable price too.
JAKKS Pacific has a really impressive spy gadgets range - SpyNet that can really make children feel like they are James Bond or Ethan Hunt (Mission Impossible)! The gadgets have the looks, feels like the real deal (quality), and the range covers from message sending and investigations gear, to stun gun (harmless pretend play of course). You can find majority of the products here.
We had lots of fun exploring with the SpyNet Eyeclops, although we were a bit worried that we might find tiny crawling mites haha. We also cringed at seeing how our skin looks like under a 200x zoom, eeek!
It takes a bit of exploring with the SpyNet Touch Video Watch to understand all the features, but once you've checked them out with the help of the detailed instruction sheet, there is a lot of fun to be had, as it does a lot more than just recording videos and taking pictures!
SpyNet Eyeclops TV Microscope (RRP £49.99, suitable for 6+) comes with Magnification Unit (can magnify objects by 200x) that's attached to a Power Supply unit with a power switch and video cable, viewing tube and dish, and an instruction leaflet. You'll need 5 x AA batteries.
To use, simply plug the Eyeclops into the TV's video input slot, change it to the correct channel and turn the power supply on.
I really like it that there is a switch on the power supply unit so we can cut off the power without unplugging the cable. It'll be great if there is one for laptops or other bigger gadgets that comes with a power supply as well.
| Top to bottom, left to right: Leaf, ribbon, skin (with tiny hair) and fingerprint Organza like material, hair (a bunch and a strand), pajama top and purple sugar candy |
Pressing the magnification unit into the object or lifting it off slightly from it can change the focus as well as it's so sensitive. It can tire your arm by trying to keep still in mid air, but this doesn't dampen the kids excitement at all! As soon as it's working, the kids were excitedly chittering about what to look at:
"Oh let's look at my hair!"
"Let's look at Clay's skin!"
"What about this sweetie!"
while worrying about finding little bugs on our skin and surroundings. Luckily we haven't found any or it'll be a big problem for us!
The instruction leaflet also comes with a lot of ideas of what children can look at, including things around them, from outdoors and treasures like coins and notes!
Having the Spynet Spyclops allow us to bring treasure hunt to another level. I can write tiny messages somewhere that can only be seen properly with the Spyclops!
SpyNet Touch Video Watch (RRP £49.99, suitable for 6+) is rechargable and comes with a USB dongle and instruction booklet. The watch has a touch screen, can take over 2000 photos, over 20 minutes of videos and record over 3 hours of audio.
The watch is very wearable (not too chunky), with fantastic quality for a gadget toy. The screen is bright, touch screen is responsive, and on top of allowing kids to record audio, film videos and take pictures, it also has a Spy training feature which is super fun!
| A functional watch that tells the date and time too! |
| Camera located on the top of the watch making it possible to spy on someone discreetly! |
| Spy Training |
Lie Detector
The Lie Detector works by recording someone's general stress level first, allowing it then to detect changes. We were telling it that the weather is lovely when it's actually really cloudy, and it immediately spotted that we were lying! We then told the truth and it recorded that too!
It is a really impressive feature, especially because it's pretty accurate, which takes the spy watch to another level!
Bug detector:
This is quite a funny feature to be included, but again we are really impressed with its accuracy! It basically scans the room for bugs and spy equipment. I'm not sure how it works, but it definitely think that there are bugs (or hamsters?!) in the hamster cage! Scanning another corner of the room results to no bugs detected.
The scanning image makes the watch super cool while it's doing it!
SpyNet Hacker and Defense are 2 mini games the kids can play on the SpyNet Touch Watch, which are great for training the kids' patience, which is one of the very important Spy skill! And it really is fun to play with too.
We like both the SpyNet Spyclops and SpyNet Touch Watch. The Spyclops allow the kids to fully explore/ investigate what they can't see, making it a brilliant educational toy to have, while having the Spy role-play fun!
We do prefer the SpyNet Touch Watch over the Spyclops a little, because for the same value, you can take the watch out with you, and it has a lot of fun features.
As a toy for RRP £49.99 each, I think they are absolutely value for money. I honestly think they are more like proper electronics/ gadgets than a toy for role-play! We are really happy with them and will certainly make a lot of use from them.
If you haven't bought all your presents yet, or are still seeking something special, whether they like playing Spy or not, the SpyNet Touch Watch and Spyclops are definitely worth considering.
