Kids ' Entertainment | COVER STORY
THIS IS NOT YOUR CHILDHOOD SANDBOX
One of the most common arguments that technology opponents have when it comes to entertaining children is the loss of multi-sensory experiences , especially of touch . One tech firm is addressing that : iSandBOX .
A Universal Terminal Systems creation launched in 2013 , the company ’ s concept is to merge augmented reality ( AR ) with a traditional sandbox to represent natural textures in 3D , including rivers , oceans , grass , snow , and erupting volcanoes . Children can build all of these simply by moving the sand around in the box and the experience is enhanced with music and various sounds taken from nature .
In the iSandBOX
• A box filled with regular wet beach sand
• A Kinect depth-measurement sensor
• A computer processor
• AR software
• A top-mounted projector that produces the images onto the sand
• Sizes : small ( 3.5x7.2x2.56 ft ., for play areas with limited space ), mini ( 3.8x6.76x3.1 ft ., for up to six children ), and standard ( 5.6x8.2x4.2 ft ., for up to 10 children )
HOW LONG COULD YOU ROCK ?
Dedicated theater lovers will put their time where their mouth is this coming April 21 at The Shops at Willow Bend ( Plano , USA ). The Texas shopping center will host an afternoon Rock-A-Thon in partnership with the NTPA ( North Texas Performing Arts ) Theatre . Picture 10 teams of four relaying each other to rock in a rocking chair for one hour at a time — no tech devices allowed . This will all happen in the center ’ s Macy ’ s Court , where shoppers also can expect to see a DJ and have chances to win prizes .
The Shops at Willow Bend is encouraging its visitors to make a donation to the cause , and all proceeds will fund an NTPA theatre . The Rock-A-Thon will be held from 1pm to 5pm .
NTPA ’ s mission is to develop the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment . The community organization recently moved into its new headquarters at The Shops at Willow Bend . It settled in on the second floor , near Dillard ’ s department store and just off one of the center ’ s parking garages .
AN EXHIBIT FOR KIDS … AND THE YOUNG AT HEART
Elements mall in Hong Kong is currently showing an installation that would make an ideal children ’ s introduction to the arts and the gallery experience . The center is exhibiting the world ’ s longest full Lego bridge , which set a Guinness World Record . Dr . Robin Sham , the AECOM engineering firm ’ s global long space and specialty bridges director , designed it to encompass more than 260,000 Lego bricks . It debuted in London and is now on display at Elements until April 22 .
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