Many of this year’s hottest toys have vital educational benefits, one of which is technology. While some think phones and tablets are the way to go, many toys on the market encourage tech literacy and awareness.
Kids can learn to navigate the modern world while playing with tech toys. These toys encourage creativity, develop critical thinking skills, and improve problem-solving abilities. As a bonus, these toys can spark an interest in coding, animation, engineering, and more.
We’ve compiled 16 toys designed to introduce kids to the wonders of technology. Take a ‘byte’ of this list to see what gadgets and gizmos will interest the kids in your life.
HUE ANIMATION STUDIO
Kids can make their own movies with this complete Stop-Motion Animation Kit, which includes the HUE HD USB camera with an integrated microphone, user-friendly stop-motion software (Windows- and Mac OS-compatible), a 64-page full-color animation book, a mini stage with a background, printable activities, and sound effects.
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PLAI: POE THE AI STORY BEAR
Kids can design their own bedtime stories with this cuddly-looking bear. This teddy safely uses artificial intelligence platforms to create unique stories from ideas that kids or caregivers input into a companion app.
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PIXICADE INSTANT GAME MAKER
Draw characters and levels, snap a picture of your creation, and start playing your very own video game. Includes five washable markers and a 108-page game design book.
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SKY VIPER NOVA FX LIGHT DISPLAY DRONE
Kids can make their own light shows with this indoor and outdoor drone, which features one-touch stunts and 24 LED lights that create more than 25 light patterns.
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NICKELODEON KART RACER R/Cs
Characters and vehicles are based on the racing video game “Nickelodeon Kart Racers.” Race as your favorite Nickelodeon characters! Options include Spongebob in the Boatmobile, Leonardo (TMNT) in the Party Wagon, and Michelangelo (TMNT) in the Channel Six News Wagon. The 2.4 GHz radio control means that you can have up to 16 racers play…
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KAI: THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROBOT
Kids can build an app-enabled robot that can react to gestures and sounds, and program its face display to show expressions and scrolling messages. The robot can walk on six legs and rotate its upper body 360 degrees. 10+
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BILL NYE CHEMISTRY LAB VR
Join Bill Nye “The Science Guy” to learn about the properties of matter, chemical reactions, pH levels, and more with the included lab equipment, 40-page book, VR goggles, and companion app.
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FLIGHT DECK
This set guides kids through building paper airplanes, installing a motor circuit to launch airplanes and flying saucers, creating art on a spinning wheel, levitating objects over a fan with air pressure, and more.
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RUBIK’S CONNECTED X
Puzzlers can connect the cube to a phone via Bluetooth to start tracking their speed and solve times. Use the app to interact, play, and challenge others to Rubik’s battles.
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BD101 FPV Drone
This drone features a 120-degree adjustable HD camera that captures a broad scope of vision. It has real-time first-person view transmission, so users can connect a smartphone to see exactly what the drone sees and capture areial photos or video. The beginner-friendly drone can perform 360-degree flips and features auto take off and landing buttons,…
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DISNEY BLUETOOTH STORYTELLER WITH EZ LINK TECHNOLOGY
Connect to your preferred streaming service and store a customizable playlist of popular Disney stories (app required). The color changing night light will illuminate your room while you enjoy bedtime stories inspired by popular Disney characters.
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TERACUBE THRIVE
This "safe smartphone" option features an easy-to-use parent app for app approvals, time limits, and remote usage monitoring. With this device, kids can only contact parent-approved numbers with advanced spam protection for unknown callers, and safe-search and filters block harmful and inappropriate content. It also features built-in location tracking and customizable routines.
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RUKUSFX PRO
This updated version of the motion-controlled, music-remixing RUKUSfx device has new features and comes preloaded with more than 240 music tracks and sound effects. Kids can unlock additional editing tools and games with the RUKUSfx PRO Studio app.
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PYXEL A CODER’S BEST FRIEND
Kids can use a tablet to code Pyxel to perform tricks, make sounds, and more. Pyxel and its companion app will help kids learn the basics of two coding languages: Blockly and Python.
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MINTID DOG-E
Each Dog-E has a combination of lights, sounds, and personality traits that makes it unique. Kids can train Dog-E to do tricks, track its needs, and unlock more interactive play with the app.
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SPACE ROVER DELUXE CODING ACTIVITY SET
With simple push-button coding, kids can code their space rover through customizable mazes and coding challenges. Comes with a coding rover, an astronaut, a flag, space rocks and obstacles, maze tiles, and coding cards.
