{"id":89,"date":"2022-04-03T14:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/engadget.vip\/?p=89"},"modified":"2022-04-03T14:54:00","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:54:00","slug":"the-best-tech-toys-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/?p=89","title":{"rendered":"The best tech toys for kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It may have been another long year, but the holidays are finally approaching \u2014 and, with supply chain issues plaguing retail, it\u2019s best to get your shopping done sooner rather than later. This year we\u2019re all a little burnt out on screens, so the best gifts for kids are things they can hold. But, since this is Engadget, we\u2019re always looking for that tech angle. This year\u2019s crop of tech toys for kids is mostly grounded in the real world, with a few electronic twists to surprise and delight.<\/p>\n

Miles Morales in Winter Suit Funko Pop<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget \/ Funko<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s always good to grab a few stocking stuffers, and Funko makes figures from what feels like every pop culture property on earth. Around here we\u2019re partial to the video game ones, of course, and what\u2019s more festive than this adorable Spider-Man all dressed up for the cold weather? It\u2019ll look great while also adding a bit of geeky holiday cheer to someone\u2019s bookshelf or desk.<\/p>\n

Buy Miles Morales Funko Pop at Amazon – $11<\/p>\n

Hasbro Lightsaber Forge<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Hasbro<\/figure>\n

For kids who aren\u2019t old enough to build their own lightsaber at Disney\u2019s Galaxy Edge, this kit from Hasbro might be the next best thing. Not only is it way more affordable, but it\u2019s also quite durable, allowing kids and adults alike to reenact their favorite Jedi versus Sith battles with gusto. Best of all, a child can rebuild their lightsaber again and again using different parts, so they can have a customized weapon that fits their mood each day.<\/p>\n

Buy Lightsaber Forge at Walmart – $15<\/p>\n

R2-D2 Tamagotchi<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/figure>\n

Maybe taking care of a small creature was just too stressful for your kid, and you\u2019ve had to console them many a time when the little ghost floating above a tombstone appears. Well, now Tamagotchi has a special astromech droid they can take care of instead, one they have to clean and play a variety of mini-games with. If they don\u2019t take care of little R2, the Jawas will take him away which might still be a bummer but hey, maybe they\u2019ll sell him off to a local moisture farmer with a thirst for adventure.<\/p>\n

Buy R2D2 Tamagotchi at Amazon – $20<\/p>\n

Spin Master Purse Pets<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget \/ Spin Master<\/figure>\n

Kids are cute, but also weird and quirky, so why not get the child in your life something that reflects the more wild side of their personality? Purse Pets are basically living bags that can hold stuff but also blink, purr and even blow kisses at a child when it\u2019s happy. It\u2019s a real eye-catching accessory, one that will have them feeling like they\u2019re on the runway \u2014 especially when you activate the Purse Pet\u2019s runway music.<\/p>\n

Buy Purse Pets at Amazon – $25<\/p>\n

Mattel Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie Doll<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/figure>\n

Barbie first went to space way back in 1965 and, while she\u2019s had plenty of spacesuits over the decades, none have been as realistic as this one. That\u2019s because this one is based on real-life space explorer Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut who was once the record holder for the longest space flight by a woman. Your kids can reenact her various scientific experiments in space with the doll, then cheer on the real-life Cristoforetti next year as she commands ISS Expedition 68.<\/p>\n

Buy Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie Doll at Amazon – $30<\/p>\n

Smart Tech Sound Action Tunnel<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Brio<\/figure>\n

It feels like an unwritten rule that every child has to have one of those wooden train and track sets. Why not spice things up a bit by adding in this tech-enabled station that signals the included train to stop and flash its lights, just like the real thing. If your kid is a railfan you can even use the free Smart Tech Sound app to change the sounds to those from famous systems like London, Paris or Berlin.<\/p>\n

Buy Smart Tech Sound Action Tunnel at Amazon – $45<\/p>\n

Enchanting Hedwig<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/figure>\n

We were all super jealous of Harry Potter when Hagrid presented him with a lovely snowy owl who would become his mail carrier and friend. However, in real life owls can be pretty messy and aren\u2019t as affectionate. So why not get your loved ones this interactive, life-sized replica instead? She loves to be petted and while she can\u2019t fly, she can safeguard letters for you, only releasing them to people who have the secret code.<\/p>\n

Buy Enchanting Hedwig at Amazon – $40<\/p>\n

Got2Glow Fairy Finder<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/figure>\n

The Got2Glow Fairy Finder may look like a slightly fancier mason jar, but it has a special electronic twist. When you open the lid, a fairy will \u201cfly\u201d inside and show up on the front screen. What kind of fairy? It depends on how a child holds the jar and how bright the room is. There are 100 different magical creatures to collect and trade with their friends, so it should keep your kids active and busy for a while.<\/p>\n

Buy Got2Glow Fairy Finder at Amazon – $50<\/p>\n

Hot Wheels Mario Kart Vehicle Pack<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget \/ Mattel<\/figure>\n

Your child may not be old enough to drive a real car, but chances are they\u2019ve taken a few spins around Rainbow Road in Nintendo\u2019s Mario Kart video games. And even if they haven\u2019t, they\u2019ll still enjoy playing with the whimsical vehicles from the series, recreated in 1\/64-scale so they can fit in the palm of a kid\u2019s hand. All the favorites are here, from Mario to Yoshi and even the often-forgotten Waluigi. Some of the karts even include gliders so kids can simulate some of the more treacherous jumps like Peach\u2019s Castle.<\/p>\n

Buy Mario Kart Vehicle Pack at Amazon – $55<\/p>\n

LEGO Adventures with Luigi Starter Course<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/figure>\n

We\u2019ve been a big fan of the Mario LEGO sets since their launch, but now it\u2019s time for his brother to have a little time in the sun. It\u2019s just like having a Super Mario game you can physically build and hold in your hand, complete with platforms, a see-saw and blocks. Luigi will even react to the course thanks to a small LCD screen embedded in his chest, and he\u2019s fully compatible with the other sets so you can build a whole world for him to explore.<\/p>\n

Buy Adventures with Luigi starter set at Amazon – $60<\/p>\n

LEGO Boba Fett\u2019s Starship<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>LEGO<\/figure>\n

You can still call it the Slave I if you want, but the most important thing about this Firespray-31-class spacecraft is who it belongs to: the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, Boba Fett. He even has his own show coming out at the end of December. We know that\u2019s a long time to wait, but your family can at least spend part of that time putting together this 593-piece kit that even includes a tiny minifig Boba and Din Djarin from the Mandalorian<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Buy Boba Fett Starship at Amazon – $50<\/p>\n

Peek-a-Roo<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Spin Master<\/figure>\n

There are toys that laugh, eat, burp and even poop, but there aren\u2019t a lot that give birth. That\u2019s probably because it\u2019s pretty weird, but Spin Master\u2019s Peek-a-Roo also makes it pretty adorable. This plush panda will react to being petted and spoken to by a child and, if the toy is treated well, it produces a tiny baby from the pouch in its stomach. The baby toy will continue to live there once born, popping up whenever its mama is happy.<\/p>\n

Buy Peek-a-Roo at Amazon – $60<\/p>\n

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>LEGO<\/figure>\n

Advent calendars are a great way to get your kid excited for the holidays, but sometimes the little gifts inside aren\u2019t so great. Why not go full-on nerdy with this Star Wars calendar, which has a smattering of tiny sets your kid has to build alongside minifigs of characters like Rey, Luke Skywalker and a holiday-themed Poe Dameron? The kits will hopefully keep them busy so they\u2019re not asking you how many days are left until the big gift-giving occasion.<\/p>\n

Buy LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar at Amazon – $59<\/p>\n

VTech KidiZoom PrintCam<\/h2>\n
<\/figcaption>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/figure>\n

Kids love cameras but, with everything digital these days, there\u2019s a little less tactility, which kids also love. Printcams tend to be too expensive for many adults, never mind children, which makes them a no-go \u2014 until now. The VTech KidiZoom prints photos for as little as a penny, so it\u2019s not a big financial deal when your child takes 100 photos of their feet. Just make sure you keep them stocked up with fresh paper.<\/p>\n

Buy VTech KidiZoom PrintCam at Amazon – $75<\/p>\n

The best laptops and tablets to give as gifts<\/p>\n

Seven tech charities to support this holiday season<\/p>\n

The best smartwatches, fitness trackers and wearables to gift<\/p>\n

Small, affordable gadgets that make great stocking stuffers<\/p>\n

The best gifts for the coffee nerd in your life<\/p>\n

These are the audio gadgets to gift this season<\/p>\n

The books and movies we\u2019re gifting this year<\/p>\n

The best gadgets for your pets<\/p>\n

The best gifts for the creatives in your life<\/p>\n

All the ‘fun’ gifts our grown-up staff would like to receive<\/p>\n

Everything in our gift guide under $100<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It may have been another long year, but the holidays are finally approaching \u2014 and, with supply chain issues plaguing retail, it\u2019s best to get your shopping done sooner rather than later. This year we\u2019re all a little burnt out on screens, so the best gifts for kids are things they can hold. But, since […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[88,104,148,143,92,146,115,65,142,145,139,85,141,144,64,87,147,82,140,90],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=89"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/91"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=89"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=89"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=89"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}