Natasha Dzurny of Jersey City, New Jersey is the inventor of Technochic. It’s a line of do-it-yourself tech-craft kits that come with basic craft and electronic parts that kids use to create and design wearable light-up creations including Flashy Flowers, Blinky Bow Ties and Circuit Sentiments. Toy design is a balancing act, where to be successful over multiple uses the toy must engage as well as entertain. That’s why “interactivity” is such a crucial watchword for a successful toy. Interactivity and engagement is also why the Toy Box had the insight to bring kids in to judge. Notice that Toy Box host Eric Stonestreet always calls the kids down from their judging chairs to play with the inventions — and it’s only then that the toys get the real interactivity test. The business site Quartz once hit upon the formula perfectly: “The best toys focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toys can do.”
Techochic aims for that kind of interactivity and invention, so it’s got a good starting place. Now can it deliver on execution the way these tough kid judges demand? On her website, Technochic kits sell for $24.99. The Flashy Flowers Kit, for example, comes with 42 pre cut paper flowers; 10 LEDs; 10 batteries; and 10 brooch pins and of course instructions. The only other thing you’ll need (besides your imagination) is some clear tape. Each flower should take less than 10 minutes to make. Also be sure to check out her cool line of DIY Light-Up Pop-Up Greeting Cards ($11.99). The Toy Box airs Sundays at 7pm on ABC.
