Every year toy makers come up with new ways to harness technology to create toys for kids. Many of these tech toys are featured on this season's Hottest Toys lists, but are they really worth buying? Here's a look at four new products that are making a splash this year.

SMART CYCLE

(From Fisher-Price, www.Fisher-Price.com, $100, for ages 3 to 6, plugs into TV)

Why it's hot:It's a video game system for preschoolers that is played, in part, by riding on a stationary bike that is hooked up to a TV.

Kids sit on the bike and pedal to move around a virtual world presented to them on the television screen. As they pedal, educational activities appear.

Buzzworthy?: Yes and no. It's fun to pedal on a stationary bike and move the handlebars to run over letters, numbers and shapes, but of the seven activities that come with the system, only two of them require you to pedal. So while it is touted as a video game that gets children moving, that is only partially true. The five non-pedaling learning activities are played using a joystick housed on the frame of the bike. Parents, if you are giving this as a present, it takes about 30 minutes to assemble, so you might want to do it beforehand. Add-on software is available at $20 each.

CLICKSTART: MY FIRST COMPUTER

(From LeapFrog, www.leapfrog.com, $49.99, for ages 3 to 6, plugs into TV)

Why it's hot: It creates a computer learning environment for young kids using only a TV.

Young children can learn how to use a computer mouse and keyboard without their sticky fingers ever messing up the family computer. By plugging the "ClickStart" into your TV's A/V ports, the TV turns into a computer monitor. The system comes with its own keyboard/mouse device for kids to use to play the five educational activities.

Buzzworthy?: Yes. The system works well, it's easy to set up and the games are fun. Two of the games even offer two levels of difficulty and the software keeps track of up to three children and saves their work. Plus, add-on software is available for $13.99 each.

But this is a game that creates more "screen time" for preschoolers, something the American Academy of Pediatrics advises should be monitored. They recommend that children over age 2 have no more than one to two hours a day in front of screens, including TV and computer monitors.

EYECLOPS

(From Jakks Pacific, www.EyeClops.com, $49.99, for ages 6 and up, plugs into TV)

Why it's hot: It's a 200 magnification microscope that you plug into your TV.

Shaped like a big plastic bionic eye, EyeClops is simple to fire up after installing five AA batteries and connecting it to your TV's video plug. Kids can see a world they didn't know existed by looking at their skin, their hair, salt, money and even live bugs placed in a special tube.

Buzzworthy?: Yes. The bionic eye has three built-in LED lights, so it illuminates things kids are looking at. Once you figure out how to get it to focus, the possibilities are endless.

EASY LINK INTERNET LAUNCH PAD

(From Fisher-Price, www.fisher-price.com, $24.99, for ages 3 to 7, works with a PC)

Why it's hot: It creates a safe way for young children to play online at designated educational Web sites.

This device plugs into a Windows-based computer via a USB plug. When one of three small plastic figurines (keys) is attached to this device, it immediately launches educational activities from a related Web site. For example, when the Elmo key is plugged into the Launch Pad, games and activities from the www.SesameWorkshop.org Web site appear on the monitor.

Buzzworthy?: Yes. This device allows children to explore kid-oriented Web sites without permitting them to surf the Web or get into any of your adult files. Kids are locked into the site until a parent enters a password to unlock them and the computer. Parents can even set a timer to limit how long kids can play online. Add-on Smart Keys come in two-character packs for $7.

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