To prepare you for the Christmas season we searched and compiled a list of ultimate toys that will make sure to grab children’s attention for a long time. And although toys don’t need a lot of technology to be fun, but we firmly believe that a good toy with a good tech idea behind might spark an interest for science and engineering that can ultimately become a long lasting passion.
So here is a short list of great 2017 tech gadgets for kids, from action cams to coding robots, a list that has something for everyone.
Anki Cozmo
Dubbed “one of the smartest robots of them all” Cozmo is a tiny tiny robot, with a distinct personality and character. It “learns” and “grows” during the play time, but also it “reacts” and display “emotions”. For example, when Cozmo wins, he does a little celebration, when you win, he gets frustrated and can pout a bit. Yes, Cozmo might be a little on the expensive side, but there is the “Wow factor” and the unmentioned “cuteness”. Kids are going to love him, although most likely they will need to be supervised during the play. In any event, adults will likely get just as much enjoyment from this delightful, and sometimes cantankerous little robot. There are so many little things that will be a joy to discover on your own. Cozmo does have the makings to be a real entertaining robot companion. Just wait until he looks up at you and says your name.
3Doodler
3D printing is still one of the coolest, most sci-fi concepts we can’t believe casually exists in the real world today. This 3Doodler is a handheld device that let you draw colorful, flexible plastic into new shapes, essentially “3D printing by hand”. One of the 3Doodler’s strengths is that there’s a considerable library of projects and kits available, with more coming constantly from the forever growing community.
Zoomy Handheld Digital Microscope
The Zoomy Handheld Digital Microscope provides a new interactive and smart way of learning to your children. Compact enough to fit into the hands of a child, this device can easily be operated with one hand. As a result, children can use the other hand to manipulate the object that is under observation. The egg-like shape of this microscope is another plus, as children will love to interact with this device on a consistent basis. This microscope has the ability to magnify an object up to 35-53 times of its original size. You can change the magnification by rotating the top of this device. Then there is a button situated on top to take pictures or make videos. You can charge it at your laptop, or other devices via USB, so there is no need to spend extra money on batteries.
Mattel View-Master Virtual Reality
Last year, Mattel rebooted the classic View-Master toy as an affordable virtual reality headset, with support for Google Cardboard apps and compatibility with a wide range of different smartphones. It works with various smartphones and there are a number of compatible VR apps and games currently available for Android and iOS. In a nod to the view-masters of yesteryear, Mattel has also included reels that trigger different augmented-reality experiences. You can buy various $15 reel packs, which cover topics such as space and wildlife.
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2
Robust plastic versions of grownup tech have been around for a while. But kids seem to always know when their toy thing isn’t quite as good as Mum’s real one. However, this range of Kidizoom smartwatches from Vtech matches robustness with some genuinely innovative features. This is a youngster friendly watch with features like games, voice change, a touch screen and built in camera. You can customise the face of the watch with preset faces or using the camera. It will help children learn the time while also having fun. All these are a lot of fun and make for great gifts. Although they have been around for a while, these new versions add better screens, more interactions and essentially make them feel like the real thing that grownups use.
Sources:
Techadvisor: Best tech gifts for kids 2017
PCmag: The Hottest Tech Toys for Kids
Mirror: Best tech toys for Christmas 2017