The VTech Color Blast Notebook 80-071200 provides grade-school kids with an entertaining way to learn on the go. The Color Blast Notebook has a sleek, grown-up look, and it offers skill-building activities to help kids learn foreign languages, math, science, reading comprehension, history and more.

The Color Blast Notebook has 80 skill-building activities, and it offers 1,000 facts about various subjects. A built-in progress report keep track of their accomplishments. In addition, a word processor can save up to three files at a time up to 1,000 characters each. The Color Blast Notebook comes with a mouse, a mouse pad and four bonus cartridges with additional activities.

The skill activities are sometimes challenging and often fun. The math component reinforces addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and geometry skills, while the science activities include physical science concepts, tools and measurements, space exploration and more. Some of the computer activities teach typing skills, while others help kids recognize musical notes.

While the Color Blast Notebook has the look of a real laptop, keep in mind that it still has a lightweight toy feel. In addition, while the "screen" appears to be full-size, the only active part is a small LCD display in the center. However, unlike many educational laptop toys, the screen is in color rather than black-and-white. Nevertheless, we'd still prefer a larger LCD screen, especially when you consider that the Color Blast Notebook's target audience is kids ages 6 to 9.

Many children may be using mom or dad's real laptop by the time they reach 6 years old (if not sooner). While not as sophisticated as the real thing, the VTech Color Blast Notebook gives kids a way to explore and learn on their own and on the go. It is available exclusively at Toys 'R Us.


Pros: 80 skill-building activities, includes mouse and mouse pad, four bonus cartridges, color screen
Cons: Small LCD screen, pricey