Virtual playground

The new View-Master is a lightweight, handheld headset created to offer immersive, educational VR experiences. The device is strapless and features no headphone socket, to discourage children from spending too much time in the digital world, according to Mattel.

Three experience packs including Wildlife, Space and Destinations are available to buy, and can be paired with a smartphone app to create the 360-degree photospheres seen in Google Cardboard’s VR ecosystem.

‘This classic toy gives kids an enhanced experience allowing for play opportunities not yet imagined through new, digitally curated content,’ says Douglas Wadleigh, senior vice-president and global brand general manager at Mattel.