Kids' toys adapt for tablets, smartphones

Make room in the toy box for the iPad and iPhone.

Crayola allows tots to doodle on the iPad using its iMarker, just as they would a crayon on a coloring book. Tweens are able to belt out their favorite Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez tunes on a Disney microphone that turns the tablet into a karaoke machine. And technology accessories company Griffin enables teens to fly its toy helicopter by using the iPhone as a remote control.

This holiday season toy makers have turned Apple Inc.'s pricey tablet and smartphone into playthings for kids. They figure that in this weak economy parents will be willing to splurge on toys for their children that use devices they already have -- or want -- themselves.

That the iPad and iPhone have infiltrated the $22-billion toy market this season is no surprise. Smartphones and tablets -- particularly Apple products -- are more popular than ever with people of all ages. This year Apple is expected to double the number of iPhones sold to 90.6 million worldwide, according to research firm Gartner, while the number of iPads sold is expected to triple to 46.7 million.

Apple products have a certain "cool factor" with kids that toy companies, which can make up to half of their revenue during the holidays, are hoping to tap into.

In fact, the iPad and iPhone are among the most coveted electronics this holiday season among kids. About 44 percent of 6- to 12-year-olds want the iPad this year, according to a survey by research firm Nielsen. The iPod touch came in the No. 2 spot with 30 percent, followed by the iPhone at 27 percent.

Other toy makers also have gotten into the game:

Mattel Inc.'s Fisher-Price unit is selling the Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case, aimed at babies, for $15. The case locks the iPhone into a colorful, easy to grab case that looks like a big round rattle. The case stops babies from making unwanted calls and protects the iPhone from something else: drool. Parents can open up three free apps that play music, read words aloud and count numbers. The company plans to release an iPad version of the case this spring.

In addition to its karaoke microphone, Disney is offering "Appmates," created with Canadian toy maker Spin Master. Using a free app, kids can "drive" a $12.99 toy car on different courses by moving the car across the iPad screen.

Analysts say these toys are just the beginning of a new niche for toy makers; they expect even more offerings next year.