Crayola has been diversifying for quite some time now. The Crayon maker initially branched out into other art supplies like Activity poster kits, glue and even modeling clay. But now, Crayola is looking beyond the simple joyeous world of coloring and into HiTech tools and toys for kids.

Their “Total Tools” line features an Audio ruler, which measures in 1/4″ increments and then recites the distance audibly; a staple free stapler, which punches a student’s paper (up to 5 pages) with a small cut tab into the page that is then folded into the slot; erasable highlighters, and even a replacement for scissors which uses a protected blade to slice in a wide variety curves and angles. You can even run with it.

But that’s not all.

With the kids electronics market booming, it only makes sense that Crayola would want to get a piece of the tween electronics pie. To that end, they’ve developed a 1.3 MegaPixel Digital Camera for kids that comes with a “Color Genie Photo Editing Software,” a photo frame making workshop, and even the ability to make your own Puppets. Then there’s the 256MB Windows Media/MP3 Player that also comes with a SD™/MMC Memory Expansion Slot, Blue Backlit LCD Display and Dual Stereo Headphones Jacks, equalizer presets, and even a virtual hard drive. And to get up in time for the Bus, Crayola has their AM/FM Clock Radio that has with Station Presets, an alarm that wakes you with either the radio, alarm buzzer or recorded personalized message. A secondary alarm setting can be made for weekend sleeping in as well, and the blue Backlight LCD display with dimmer control will act as a kind of night light. Replaceable patterns allow kids to customize the front panel.

Prices vary from 7.99 for the audible ruler to about forty bucks for the mp3 player.