IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

From screen-free story tellers to virtual pets, these tech gifts are sure to keep children engaged and entertained

You might want to add these to your shopping list!
Getty Images
/ Source: TODAY

Tech toys for kids | Smart gadgets for kids

Listen, some of us here at Shop TODAY are parents. We try to give our kids presents that will stimulate their brains and keep them busy for a good chunk of time. Usually, we fail miserably. However, brands are now going all out to deliver tech that are sure to dazzle kids of all ages.

Take a blast from the past with tech toys such as a Tamagotchi or a vinyl dance mat similar to the Dance Dance Revolution on which we all loved to bust a move in our childhood. Or, gift them with more educational-based technology, such as an electronic bookmark or a Kindle designed with children in mind.

Whatever their interests, it's easy to admit that children love tech, so gift them with the gadget that will keep them occupied for hours on end and earn their smiles.

Tech toys for kids

LittleBits Hall of Fame Night Light Starter Kit


Why buy a night light when your kiddo can build his or her own? Yes, this is one cool (and practical) toy.

4M Kidzlabs Anti Gravity Magnetic Levitation Science Kit


Kids will learn about magnetic forces from this interactive science kit that involves exciting hands-on experiments. Kids will get to float a pencil, levitate a screw and more!

Original Tamagotchi


The '90s called — they want their toys back! The era is officially back and better than ever, not only with fashion trends, but toys as well. All of the toys from your beloved childhood are making a comeback, and what perfect way to indulge in them again than gifting beloved toys like the original Tamagotchi to the children in your life. Available in 45 different casing designs from solid colors to retro patterns, gift them the one that matches their personality perfectly.

Pixicade Pets VIP


Blending classic artistry with video design, kids can draw their own pixelated pet (or come up with a completely new creature entirely!) and have them come to life on their smartphone or tablet.

Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet and Case

The Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer, as well as Walmart, predicted this being one of this season’s hottest holiday toys during the 3rd Hour of TODAY, and it’s already proving to being a bestseller this season. Your little techie can swipe, shake, tilt and touch their pocket-sized digital pet, all while watching them grow up before their eyes.

Obuby Toys Walkie Talkies


Walkie-talkies are always a fun gift idea, and this pair with more than 11,000 verified five-star Amazon ratings are loved and trusted by shoppers all over the globe. It's also a great way to keep in contact with your children as they play outside!

Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech-5 Mechanical Robot Coding Kit

This is a great STEM-focused gift idea for budding engineers. Ideal for kids ages 8 to 14, they have to program the robot to move forward, backward, right, left, spin and pause.

Educational Insights Artie 3000 The Coding Robot

This educational robot makes for a great STEM gift. Kids simply design and program the code, and Artie takes the coding and draws accordingly. Artie comes with four washable markers, a start guide and activity cards.

Dribbleup Smart Basketball

If they're looking to sharpen their skills on the court, gift them with this basketball that also connects to any tablet or phone via the app. When practicing drills in the app, it displays a side-by-side screen so that shows the instruction video as well as a video of themselves, if they're more of a visual learner.

Winning Fingers Electronic Memory & Brain Game

Designed to enhance your child’s memory, coordination and brain skills, this flashing cube makes for a great gift. Amazon shoppers love it, too: More than 6,100 verified reviewers gave it five stars.

Osmo Creative Game Kit

You’ll have to let your child borrow your iPad for this game system, but we promise it’ll be worth it when you see how happy it makes them. The Creative Starter Kit combines technology, creativity and problem-solving to create magical (and customized) animated adventures.

PlayShifu Plugo Count

With over 2,200 verified five-star ratings on Amazon, this STEM gaming kit will keep your child playing (and learning, shhh!) for hours. It’s recommended for kids ages 4 to 10 and features various story-based math games.

KiwiCo Kinetic Light-Up Speaker Kit

Maybe you've been a fan of KiwiCo since becoming a parent, but if you're not familiar, the brand offers toys, building kits and play sets that encourage learning and development for everyone from newborns to those earning their drivers license.

If music is their jam, they can build their own set of speakers, which they can then play music from via Bluetooth.

Dance Mat

For the parents who loved Dance Dance Revolution, pass on the fun with this dance mat, which has three different levels for your kiddos to dance their heart out. “I highly recommend this as a gift for children of multiple ages,” said one reviewer of the easy-to-store vinyl mat.

VTech KidiStar DJ Mixer


Every budding DJ needs a quality turntable to properly spin their tunes. Equip your fave little music lover with this VTech pick with over 2,000 sound combinations, 15 included songs and the option to record a custom vocal tag to drop on their final product. It also has Bluetooth capabilities so they can easily share their sure-to-be viral mash-up.

Abacus Brands Virtual Reality Animals!

Making an appearance on Toy Insider's STEM 10 list this year, this VR activity set immerses kids in over 40 ferocious interactive experiences in various environments around the globe. Once they're done roaming with lions, tigers and bears (amongst other wildlife!), they can learn more about the animals they saw in the accompanying book.

Virtual Pong

Take a trip into the future with this virtual Ping-Pong game. Hit a simulated light back and forth with an opponent or by yourself. The best part is, you can play this right in the living room, since there are no actual balls involved.

Uncommon Goods Magic Multi-Lingual Reading Wand

With three different languages to choose from (Spanish, French and Mandarin), children ages three and older can learn a new language with the help of this magic wand.

With included booklets that cover basics such as numbers, letters, basic phrases and more, simply tap the wand on a word and it reads aloud both the second language and the English version.

Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst

This kit is the perfect introduction to engineering — kids can build and rebuild endless variations of robot creations. The set includes over 50 parts and 10 challenge cards to help with inspiration!

Mintid Dog-E Interactive Robot Dog

Also appearing on several hot holiday toy lists this season is this precious little robot dog. Despite its lack in fur, it’s just as charming as a real pup. It even has its own unique personality courtesy of the “minting process” it undergoes as soon as it’s unwrapped.

3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen


Previously described as "good old-fashioned fun but the 2022 way" by Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach, this high-tech 3D pen will have them doodling to their heart's content thanks to thoughtful features like multiple speed controls and enhanced durability.

Intelino Smart Train

Kids of all ages will love this modern take on the classic train set. Built using smart technology, these toy trains are controlled with a mobile app and comes with 40 color snap tiles designed to control its steering and speed.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit


Caveat: Skip this if you're not into your kids taking over your living space. But if you are, this game is a winner. It's lively, vibrant and totally engaging — plus, it can be played in solo or multiplayer modes on the Nintendo Switch.

Tonies Starter Bundle

One of Shop TODAY's Gifts We Love because it can provide "bedtime stories with a twist," this screen-free device allows children to hear stories from their favorite characters, such as Chase from Paw Patrol, Disney Princesses, Pixar favorites and more.

With a number of different attachments to place on top, Tonies can tell up to seven hours worth of stories off of a single charge and can even be taken on-the-go, for road trips and holiday travels.

Nintendo Lite Switch


A lighter, sleeker version of the Nintendo Switch, this handheld gadget is perfect for long car rides, traveling or on-the-go days. With Bluetooth compatibility, your kids will be able to take their favorite games to go without distracting the entire family. "Got this for my son's birthday and he loves it! He is able to take it anywhere, and it’s not too bulky," said one reviewer.

Smart gadgets for kids

Mark-My-Time Digital Bookmark


If your child loves to read (and if they have to keep track of their progress for school), gift them this digital bookmark that will help keep tabs on how long they've been reading. With different modes to set the bookmark on, it can count up or down, depending on the time span they want to read within. "This is very useful for making sure my child gets in the required amount of daily reading," said one reviewer, adding that "it's easy to use, durable and fun."

LCD Writing Tablet


This LCD drawing and writing tablet is a great gift for the tiny artist. Let their imagination run wild without interruption, as this tablet can be reused up to 100,000 times, according to the brand.

Amazon Kids Echo Pop

A new device from Amazon meant for children, this gadget is a smart speaker designed for children ages three to 12. With a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+ with your purchase, they'll unlock access to Audible books, games, a way to schedule morning routines and more.

Plus, kids can ask Alexa questions, request songs and listen to bedtime stories.

PlayZoom Kids Smartwatch with Headphones


This gift set features a glammed-out smartwatch with matching headphones. Great for kids ages 3 and up, this set offers a swivel camera, MP3 player and 20 learning games.

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch

This smartwatch is made for kids! They can take video and selfies, learn to tell time and feel like a grown-up.

Kidz Delight Infini First 2-in-1 Tablet

Designed for kids ages 2 and up, little ones will love mimicking the work-from-home lifestyle with their very own computer. It can be used as a standalone tablet or with an attachable keyboard. A great tool for teaching your child about numbers, colors and animals.

Mini Drone Camera for Kids

Different from the remote-control cars that have been gifts in the past, gift them with this kid-friendly, durable drone. Minimal buttons allow for ease with operating and the option to control with their voice adds to the kid-friendly factor with this tech gadget. Reviewers raved about how this gift is “easy for kids to use and learn” and that the drone is sturdy.

VTech KidiZoom PrintCam

A previous Toy Insider Top 20 winner, kids will love snapping pictures with hundreds of fun borders, stickers and filters to choose from.

Kindle Kids


For your mini library frequenters or your child who's constantly packing one too many books on vacation, gift them with this Kindle, made specifically with children in mind. With the included parent dashboard, you can keep track of how often they're reading and for how long, set bedtimes and other time constraints, add books to their library and limit the books they can consume.