No Guitar Required

Every kid dreams of being a rock star — or at least a winner on Pop Idol — but few parents want to endure the cacophony from their very own Sheryl Crow-in-training. The new HandBand ($90) from KGI Consumer Products offers a cheap alternative.

Using nothing more than a high-tech pair of gloves and a portable, wireless receiver, it lets kids play virtual guitar, keyboards or drums at less-than-earsplitting volume. Each bend of the finger produces a different note; you switch instruments...