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.
The ultimate puzzle$18.99$19.99
Best tech toys for kids
Kids ages three and under can start to familiarize themselves with the alphabet, numbers and even a different language with this tablet — no Wi-Fi required.
Designed to enhance your child’s memory, coordination and brain skills, this flashing cube makes for a great gift.
“This is a great toy for children. My grandchild fidgets a lot and this occupied his hands and his mind for 30 minutes. It a nice carry-on for children traveling on flights or in cars. I would recommend this mind blowing game,” wrote one Amazon reviewer.
Take sleepovers or family night to the next level with this all-in-one karaoke microphone machine. Many reviewers say their kids love the singing options it provides. “My daughter gets a kick out of the different voice-changing effects. One minute she’s a chipmunk, the next she’s a deep-voiced monster. It adds a layer of silliness that keeps her giggling as she sings,” wrote one reviewer.
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, the app 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.
“I would have nerded out about this as a kid,” admits deputy managing editor, Jess Bender. It comes complete with VR goggles and a fossil dig kit, so children can virtually learn about dinosaurs before completing an excavation of their own.
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.
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.
Like a puzzle but better, this buildable toy ride that also lights up and sings is a great way for them to combine both tech and play. The 589-piece set builds a carousel ride that then sings.
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.
Children can still hit their yearly reading goal by listening to audios of "Charlotte's Web," "The Hungry Caterpillar" and more. Plus, this travel-friendly device can serve as a makeshift sound machine and alarm clock when they're not at home.
One of Shop TODAY’s 2025 Gifts We Love because it can provide bedtime stories with a twist, the makers behind Toniebox worked with various child behavioral experts in designing the upgraded version to ensure that the toy could grow alongside the child that covets it. New features include rounded corners, more kid-intuitive controls, a ring light that delivers cues during game play and smart bedtime and sunrise alarm controls.
Who says you need a proper controller to play video games? This family-friendly system tracks your body movements to engage with their library ranging from Fruit Ninja and Zumba Fitness Party to licensed games from the likes of Bluey, Barbie and Sesame Street.
Virtual pets for kids
If you know a kid who loves sensory play, this popular option allows them to engage with their virtual pet through a squishy that tracks your movement in real time. With 55 characters to unlock within the same toy, you can build all kinds of different friendships with your new e-BFFs.
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 tons of different casing designs from solid colors to retro patterns, gift them the one that matches their personality perfectly.
Similar to Tamagotchi, this toy allows children to take care of an e-pet of their own before they’re ready for the real deal. It responds to touch and movement with an assortment of sounds, plus they can unlock up to 20 different hamster friends to play with.
STEM kits for kids
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.
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.
Help kids get off the screen and into crafting something with their hands... like a new hand! This one can be engineered to grip and pick up items, as well as be flexed or curled like a human hand.
They’ll put it together with long-lasting, durable rubber bands that attach the muscles, tendons and bones.
This coding robot 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.
Toy Insider's STEM 10 list is always loaded with engaging educational toys that deliver hours of fun, and this robotic pet just so happened to move its way to the spotlight this year. With responsive body parts, multiple sensors and three unique play modes, kids are encouraged to explore the fundamentals when it comes to coding at their own pace.
A quality gift for both kids and kids at heart, this kit includes a motor to add to your freshly folded paper airplane so you can pilot it through the skies. It can reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour!
Snap Circuits is a tried and true STEM brand for many families looking to further develop essential problem-solving and logic skills at an early age. This kit has also earned a seal of approval from Kate Biberdorf, better known as Kate the Chemist!
“We got this for our son’s birthday and he loves it. He’s seven so we have given him some oversight and assistance but he’s able to do much of it by himself. Great gift for inspiring creativity and engaging STEM skills,” wrote an Amazon reviewer.
Smart gadgets for kids
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. "A really fun product for the little ones you like to draw because they can draw or scribble on it and then press a button and it goes away and they can start over again. Our three-year-old loves it," wrote one Amazon reviewer.
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.
“I ordered this mini-drone for my 6-year-old son over the summer, and by late fall, the drone is still in the air and my son is still elated,” wrote one of the more than 7,500 reviewers who gave it a five-star rating. They added, “My kid could play with this toy for hours and hours and not get bored.”
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.
“The camera is really cute and the color is fantastic for a young child. My 6-year-old niece was able to hold and take pictures and got so excited when they would print out,” wrote one reviewer about this bestselling instant camera.
Earlier this year, Google debuted a new smartwatch that has plenty of high-tech features that put kids (and their parents) first. With a corresponding data plan, kids can call and message up to 20 people (you can control their contacts), so they can always reach you or other family members when needed. They’ll stay active thanks to the fun games and daily goals that will reward them when they track different kinds of movement.
Book worms of all ages can attest to how much a quality e-reader is a good motivator to read more literature, and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has earned raves from readers across generations. For parents, the ability to adjust reading goals and add books from your account to their library are extra perks to anticipate from the children's version, not to mention the six month membership to Amazon Kids+ included with purchase.
One of this season's hottest gifts is the long anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, which delivers more storage capacity, tons of new games, higher resolution graphics and upgraded Joy-Cons compared to its predecessor. Those who prefer playing with a crowd will be glad to know that it's easier than ever to connect thanks to the included "C' button that allows you to chat through voice control and camera (sold separately).
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best and coolest gifts for tech-savvy kids. We use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 1-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.
