Virtual View-Master

Virtual Views in a Classic Case

• What: View-Master Virtual Reality
• When: 4 years and up
• Why: Virtual reality without all the extra equipment
• Where: Amazon

View-Master has gone three dimensional, and now offers a virtual reality viewer in addition to the beloved classic from my childhood. The new improved View-Master virtual reality viewer requires three elements – the viewer, a smartphone, and an app of your choosing.

I like the explorer series, which transports you to a land of dinosaurs, into outer space, under water, or on a trip through the Smithsonian. With a reasonable price point for the viewer itself, and lots of ways to expand the set, it makes a great gift.

If your kid enjoys Planet Earth or other documentary series, take them to a new level with this virtual experience using your phone. But beware. Bigger folks might vie for the opportunity to take a peek as well. Luckily, most of the experiences are short enough that taking turns is reasonable, and little arms won’t get worn out holding the viewer.