10 Tech Gifts for the Kids in your life this Christmas
Entry posted by Rosie Tech in Tech gifts for kids
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10 Tech Gifts for the Kids in Your Life
Alright, it's their turn now! After watching you type away on your phone or laptop for years, why not hand over an age-appropriate device of their own? Let them dive into the tech world in a way that's just right for them.
Alright, let's talk parenting in the digital age. So, your kid's giving you the puppy eyes for a smartphone, but guess what? The American Academy of Pediatrics is all about hands-on learning and social time for the little ones. Now, I get it – you still need something digital to keep track of them, entertain, or distract them while you're adulting elsewhere. No judgement here! In fact, I'll be the 10th person to tell you it's perfectly okay. I've got some gadgets that worked wonders for me and my little ones. Most of these gifts don't need you breathing down their neck, and the ones that do? Solid parental controls got you covered.
Best Headphones
Belkin SoundForm Mini - Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Amazon.com $39.99
The Belkin SoundForm Mini - Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are the perfect sidekick for virtual classes, educational video marathons, or those long rides filled with music vibes. First off, they come in awesome colours that'll make any kiddo smile. Now, what's really cool is that these headphones are tailored to fit those little ears just right. They're not like those grown-up Bluetooth headsets – they're small, light, and those soft cushions? Pure comfort and top-notch audio quality. Need to drown out the noise? No problem. These on-ear wonders offer a stable Bluetooth connection and wireless magic. Plus, if the kiddos prefer plugging in, there's a handy 4-foot 3.5mm cable included. Setting up? A breeze! Touch controls for play/pause, volume, and Bluetooth pairing make it kid's play. And here's the parent-approved feature – a volume cap at 85dB, keeping those audio levels safe.
Oh, and did I mention the built-in microphone? Crystal clear audio for smooth conversations whether it's school, home, or on-the-go. The Belkin SoundForm Mini – making tech life a breeze for the little ones!
Best Music Player for Younger Kids
Yoto Player- £79.99 Amazon UK
Alright, here's the scoop on a parent's puzzle – how to entertain the little ones without screens. Enter the Yoto Player– it's a gem that I personally swear by. This cute little cube is more than meets the eye – it's a wireless speaker that plays stories, podcasts, meditations, and audiobooks triggered by these nifty cards and sensors. Your kiddo pops in a card, and bam, magic happens. Now, our mini-testers loved the Yoto, but let me spill the tea on the downsides. First off, keeping track of those cards is like a never-ending scavenger hunt – found some in random drawers and under the playroom chaos. Sound quality? It's decent, not mind-blowing. Oh, and it's a Wi-Fi needy creature. But hey, if you're on the move, there's 16 gigs of storage for story downloads. Despite the quirks, it's a blast at home and a cool travel buddy.
The Best Watch for Kids
Heading into fall, my youngest joined the ranks of classmates rocking wrist wearables. It's a thing, right? Apple Watches, Gabb watches – you name it. Perfect if your kid's at that in-between stage, where they head out with a friend (sans parent) or stroll to the corner store, but a full-blown phone is a bit much.
This year's Apple Watch SE is the budget-friendly version built for family members. Thanks to Family Setup, I've got School time mode in play (basically a kid's Work Focus), and I can keep a close eye on their contacts. Find My lets me track their whereabouts, and my daughter can buzz me when she's ready to bail from a friend's movie night.
Best Toy
PlayShifu Tacto Chess- $39.99 Amazon.com
PlayShifu Tact Chess- £31.49 Amazon Uk
Alright, let's talk tablet magic for the kiddos! So, if you've got a tablet lying around, there's a bunch of cool systems to turn it into a hands-on play experience. Now, there's Tacto sets for all sorts of interests – dinosaurs, classic board games, coding, lasers, and electronics. But guess what? There's one that's like chess class for the little ones. It transforms your iPad into a chessboard and uses real pieces to teach those tiny minds the moves and strategies. Integrating interactive games like chess into a child's routine on an iPad can be a valuable tool for education and skill development.
A Location Monitor
Jiobit Smart Tag - $129.99 at Amazon
I've put several trackers to the test, and hands down, the Jiobit takes the cake for simplicity and kid-friendliness. Fastening it to your child's clothes is a breeze – just use the flex ring or a spare hair tie. My daughter thought it was small and cute, adding an extra dash of delight. Now, here's the cool part – send them on their adventures, and voila! Check the app on your phone to see your child's real-time movements on a map. We tested the Gen 2, but the newer Gen 3 boasts an even better battery life.
Let's talk security – the Jiobit Smart Tag takes it up a notch. Beyond the usual safety measures like a security chip and data encryption, Jiobit goes the extra mile by burning away part of the circuit board after assembly. So, even if a sneaky hacker somehow got their hands on the monitor, they'd hit a dead end trying to reprogram it. Sure, there's a $17 monthly subscription fee, but here's the kicker – it's commitment-free (though there are other monthly plans with commitments if that's your thing). Kid safety meets tech brilliance!
Best Way to Connect With the World
Nocs Standard Issue 8x25 Binoculars - $95 at Amazon.com
Nocs Standard Issue 8x25 Binoculars - £101.98 at Amazon UK
Let me share a parenting gem with you. One of my absolute favourite tech moments is when it opens up a world of wonder for my kids, whether they're firing questions at Siri about the diet of a cockroach or eagerly spotting constellations in the night sky. And you know what's been a game-changer for us? The Haikubox. Every ping from the app announcing a new bird sets off a race in my house – the kids diving into pictures, tuning into bird songs, cross-referencing with the online database, and grabbing the binoculars for a real-life bird hunt. Now, the Nocs aren't your typical kiddie binoculars; they're compact, durable ultralight wonders designed for adults.The rubberised exterior? It's practically kid-proof, surviving collisions and tugs of war between my little explorers. These binoculars hang on our entryway coat rack, always ready for action, and they've stood the test of time.
The Best Tablet
Apple iPad (2021, 9th Gen)- £285 at Amazon UK
For me it has to be old faithful- the iPad (particularly for FaceTiming distant relatives). The appeal of this device may be heightened for numerous families due to its versatility beyond single-use functionality. My 9-year old daughter now uses the iPad to make Minecraft builds and stop-motion animation videos, and to play games off Apple Arcade. It's also compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil, particularly amazing if your child is anything like mine and likes to doodle. Yes, there's a newer, 10th-gen iPad, but Apple is still selling this model, which is cheaper but just as capable.
The Best Kids Reader
Amazon Kindle Kids (2022)- $152 at Amazon.com
Amazon Kindle Kids (2022)- £104.99 at Amazon UK
I'll admit, my daughter's insatiable appetite for the magic found within the pages of a good book is wonderful (not so much for the ever increasing trips we take to the library). Whether she is engrossed in tales of adventure, mystery, or fantasy, her love for reading is a delightful and defining trait and one i only want to encourage (albeit with a few less trips to the library for me)..
Last year, Amazon released an update to the base Kindle Kids, which comes with 16 gigabytes of storage, a beautiful protective cover, a two-year guarantee, and a year's subscription to basically unlimited books in Amazon Kids+. For an additional $50, you can upgrade to the Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $160. If your child spends over an hour reading daily, the waterproof feature, extended battery life, and faster page-turning response justify the investment, particularly if you frequently download free library books.
Best Tablet for Smaller Kids
Fire HD 10 Pro Kids- £129.99 at Amazon UK
Fire HD Pro Kids- $233 (with keyboard) at Amazon.com
Made for children and loved by parents, this tablet for 6 to 12-year-olds features a 25% faster performance than the previous generation, easy parental controls and a 10.1” 1080p Full HD display. The slim, durable case with built-in stand withstands all their adventures. One of the best things (in my opinion) - You’re in charge—even from a distance. Set screen-time limits, educational goals, block websites, approve app purchases and downloads, and pause the device right from your phone. When we travel, it's easy for me to connect them to Wi-Fi and let them enjoy books, movies, and simple games (an absolute saviour on those longer flights).
A Compact Console
Nintendo Switch Lite- $198 at Amazon.com
Nintendo Switch Lite- £181.99 at Amazon UK
Introducing Nintendo Switch Lite, a version of the Nintendo Switch system that’s optimised for personal, handheld play. Nintendo Switch Lite is a small and light Nintendo Switch system at a great value. With a built-in +Control Pad, and a sleek, unibody design, Nintendo Switch Lite is great for on-the-go gaming.
If your child is ready to step up from playing Minecraft or Roblox on their iPad, the Switch is a fantastic choice. The Switch can be used both as a traditional console connected to the TV and as a portable handheld device, providing flexibility in gaming experiences.
It has a wide range of family-friendly and age-appropriate games suitable for various age groups, ensuring an extensive library of options for kids.
Robust parental control features allow parents to manage screen time, restrict certain content, and monitor their child's gaming activities for a safer gaming experience (a huge win for me).
Hope this helps with Christmas shopping for your kids!
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