Photography for preschoolers

Pixlplay turns any smartphone into a kid-friendly camera.

Toy manufacturers are putting the focus back on physical and active gaming by developing "physital" models. The term, a portmanteau of physical and digital, refers to toys that encourage children to get up and perform actions in the real world to interact with the elements in a virtual one. Aside from health and fitness benefits, most of these toys are educational, with some exposing players to the basics of coding and programming as they play.

This is certainly the case for Pixl Toys' Pixlplay, but instead of programming, it is designed to teach children the basics of photography. The toy is specifically made for preschoolers, though it can also be enjoyed by older ones.

The Pixlplay is essentially a very detailed smartphone case reminiscent of a vintage 35mm camera. When a mobile phone is placed inside and connected via a headphone jack, the unit transforms into a kid-friendly camera, complete with moving knobs and working shutters. It is compatible with most Android, Windows and iOS devices with dimensions 142x75x9.5mm.

The toy comes with an accompanying iOS app on which the children can edit their shots with special effects and stickers. For Android and Windows phone users, Pixlplay is also compatible with any existing photo editing apps.

The crowdfunded toy is slated for shipping by March.