Coolest Electronic Gadgets for Kids
Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
Looking for some of the latest and greatest electronic gadgets for your tech-loving kid? If you're looking for gift ideas, these tech gadgets range from educational toys to devices made for budding coders, photographers, and inventors. Here are 15 of our favorite and the coolest electronic gadgets for kids available.
More: The Best Tablets for Kids in 2020
Our Top Picks
- Best All-Around Tech Gift: Osmo Creative Starter Kit
- Best Tech Toy for Kids Who Like to Wear their Gadgets: VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2
- Best Gadget for Children Who Like to Be Read To: Huohuotu Alilo Big Bunny G7WIFI
- Best Gadget for Little Kids and Pre-School: Animal Island Learning Adventure
- Best Gadget for Kids Who Want to be a Spy: SpyX Night Mission Goggles
- Best Gadget for Tweens who Want to Record and Sing: Fifine USB Recording Microphone
- Safest Gadget for Parents Worried About Screen Time: Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera
- Best Gadget for Kids who are all about Video Games: Nintendo Switch
- Best STEM Gadget for Kids: Sphero Mini
- Best Gadget for Older Kids: LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander
- Best Gadget for Kids Who Like to Make Music: Sphero Specdrums
- Best Gadget for Kids Who Like Coding: Learning Resources Code & Go Coding Robot Mouse
- Best Gadget for Kids Who Love to Read: Kindle Kids
- Best Gadget for Parents on a Budget: Holy Stone Mini Drone
- Best Waterproof Gadget for Kids: OurLife Waterproof Action Camera
What to Consider When Purchasing Gadgets for Kids
Kids and technology is pretty controversial, and for good reason. So that you're making an informed and proactive choice, here are five important things to consider when purchasing gadgets for kids:
- Is it educational in any way?
- Is it age-appropriate?
- Does it include parental controls?
- Will I need to buy anything extra for it to work?
- Will my kid actually use it?
How We Chose Our Favorites
We used a range of expert factors when considering what our favorite gadgets are for kids. When researching, we considered the most important aspects, including consulting real parents and tech advisors. We also looked into its quality in:
- Learning resource
- Reliability
- Pricing
- Good reviews
- Best-sellers and award-winners
Best All Around Tech Gift
Osmo has plenty of amazing tech products designed just for kids and education. The Osmo Creative Starter Kit is for kids who love to draw, learn science (early physics!), and play interactive games. The kids interact with hand held pieces that come to "life" through the iPad. No Wi-Fi? No problem. The games don't require it, so it's easy to take on trips.
Ages 5-10
“I bought this for my niece who loves drawing and sketching. Kudos to Osmo for thinking it through. Note to parents, please play with your kids for the first time; your commentary on activities can really help the kids use it better.”
Best Tech Toy for Kids Who Like to Wear their Gadgets
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 is a colorful and educational smartwatch for kids who like to wear their gadgets. Your child can have a wearable tech gadget that is not only touch screen time-teller, but is splash-proof, takes photos, and records videos and voices.
Ages: 3-9
“If you're looking for a fantastic gift for a kid who doesn't really play with toys, look no further! ... He has his choice of gaming, photography, sound effects, voice changer and MORE! This is great, and although it doesn't have access to the Internet directly, a quick plug into a tablet or desk/laptop and you can download more games, and transfer your pics and vids to that device. This also helps kids learn how to tell time and use the calculator app to improve math skills.”
Best Gadget for Children Who Like to Be Read To
“The Alilo Big Bunny G7WIFI Early Education Toy is one versatile bunny and is for parents of babies to very young children who like to have stories read to them. It's a night light, mp3 player, storyteller, and recorder all in one. Babies enjoy the soft lights and sounds, and young children enjoy listening to the nursery rhymes and stories and playing with the recorder features.”
Ages: 0-5
“I gave this to my grandson for his second birthday, along with some downloadable Raffi and Peter, Paul, and Mommy music that his mom put on it, for me! He loves it - The head changes colors and is soft. My grandson will set it up close to him, while he plays with his cars. He sings along with the music. It is easy for him to turn on and off. I am pleased with this MP3-player. “
Best Gadget for Little Kids and Pre-School
Looking for an educational toy that's won the Mom's Choice Award for toddlers and young kids? The Animal Island Learning Adventure isn't your typical tech toy or video game system. It's ad-free, worry-free, subscription-free and has high-quality educational content developed by educators. It says it's good for ages 12 months and up, but since there are phonics games, it could easily work for children in pre-school and kindergarten.
Ages: 1 year and up
“With 2 preschooler boys at home, I have been researching the options for home schooling and educational programs. I wanted something that would add value besides the reading, projects and art we already do. The aila seemed like a good combination between songs, letters, numbers, art and storytelling in a beautiful setting. I decided to get it and so far the boys absolutely love it.”
Best Gadget for Kids Who Want to be a Spy
Want to spy on your enemies in the dark? The SpyX Night Mission Goggles is an award-winning tech toy for the kid interested in spies and playing night games. The twin LED light beams give vision up to 25 feet away in the dark, making your junior agent feel like a James Bond, Jr.
Ages: 6 and up
“Santa brought these for my six-year-old this Christmas. HOURS of fun. She loves them and thinks she hot stuff because she can see in the dark. They are very well made (my daughter is VERY rough on her toys) and she thinks she is the world's greatest spy detective. Warning: I opened my eyes around 4:30 am and my daughter was standing there wearing these. I almost had a heart attack…”
Best Gadget for Tweens who Want to Record and Sing
Although this could be used in some capacity for kids of all ages, the Fifine USB Recording Microphone is a great gift for a tween or teen musician, streamer or gamer. Take your music, podcasts, or voice recording for YouTube to the next level, or use it for gaming instead of uncomfortable headphones.
Ages: 12+
“If you are looking for a solid desktop microphone then look no further, this mic is an excellent entry-level mic for streamers and gamers. It easily compares with mics that are much more expensive with its build quality and audio quality.”
Best Gadget for Parents Worried About Screen Time
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera is a modern-day camera with old-school appeal for kids who love to take photos and parents who are tired of screen time. Take selfies and pictures of friends, family, and pets. Use some pictures for DIY craft activities or school projects. It produces cute little film prints (about 3 inches) instantly. Don't forget the film!
Ages: 12+
“I love these little cameras! I have gifted two of them already to some friends, and they are equally as in love with them!”
Best Gadget for Kids who are all about Video Games
The popular Nintendo Switch is a #1 Bestseller on Amazon for kids and grownups who love their video games. The Switch can fit any type of gaming lifestyle, transforming from home console to a handheld device in a snap. For multiplayer gaming, it needs to connect to wi-fi and up to 8 consoles can be connected.
Ages: 6+
“I love my Switch, this console really brings me back to my childhood, there is something about it that recaptured that magic I felt playing my Super Nintendo and even the GameCube.”
Best STEM Gadget for Kids
The Sphero Mini is an app-enabled programmable robot ball that is hailed as a super cool STEM toy for kids. It's the size of a ping-pong ball, but is packed with plenty of fun interactions such as a gyroscope, colorful LED lights, games, and STEM activities. The box includes tiny traffic cones and bowling pins to create an obstacle course for kids who want to actually play with their robot. Want something bigger? Try the Sphero SPRK+.
Ages: 8 and up
“The perfect size makes it easily transportable for on the go fun! From the fun of building courses and playing “hide and seek” possibilities are endless. It’s not only a toy but it’s a game! I love the different ways you can control it; tilt, slingshot, face drive, and much more!”
Best Gadget for Older Kids
Here's a triple whammy for the Star Wars-loving, tech-kid in your life: a LEGO set that allows kids to not only build famous Star Wars droids but teaches them coding and problem-solving skills. The LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander introduces kids to basic engineering and robotics while using an app and Bluetooth-controlled move hub to get these droids on 40 missions!
Ages: 8 and up
“Same superb quality as the original Lego Boost set, but with Star Wars. The design of the droids is nothing short of impressive and my son loves it.”
Best Gadget for Kids Who Like to Make Music
Do you have a music lover who is also interested in making some of their own? The Sphero Specdrums, cleverly named, is an app-enabled musical ring toy that's more than just a toy. This is when the art of music and technology come together. The rings are connected to an app on your smartphone, and when you tap on a certain color, a different sound is made whether it's in loops, beats, instruments or a funny sound. The app records that sounds, and when you press play it playback the music you've created.
Ages 6 and up
“Got this for my son for Christmas and he loves it. Can connect to phones and devices etc and don't have to use the mat provided to make music. You can tap on anything and it makes a sound depending on the colour.”
Best Gadget for Kids Who Like Coding
Coding isn't just for big kids. Learning Resources has created a code and go robot mouse kit that is for the budding coder and STEM-lover. Kids learn to program a blue mouse with two different speeds and maze grids, walls, tunnels and even a cheese wedge.
Ages 4 and up
“This activity set introduces the idea of solving a problem with a well-thought-out, step-by-step approach. And kids will enjoy doing it because it is just fun.”
Best Gadget for Kids Who Love to Read
The Kindle Kids is just that - a Kindle designed specifically for kids so they can also enjoy electronic books wherever they go. This is a black and white Kindle (10th Generation) with 1 year of Amazon Kids+. It also includes a cover of choice, such as rainbow birds or an illustrated space station. Love Harry Potter? Perfect! The Amazon Kids+ includes the complete Harry Potter series and the first book from other popular series.
Ages 5 and up
“As a parent, I love this, because I don't have to worry that my kids are reading something I don't want them reading. I can see what they're doing and for how long. And if I ever feel bored myself (if only), I can use my PIN and exit the kid mode. At this point, it becomes a "regular" Kindle and I can read what I want to read.”
Best Gadget for Kids on a Budget
The Holy Stone Mini Drone is a nano quadcopter for kids who are interested in drones. Three batteries allow for 21 minutes of flight time total and a remote control so your child can have fun doing 3D flips and epic landings. It has the ability to hover and the remote control uses a small throttle stick for easier control, which also builds on their fine motor skills.
Ages 7 and up
“This little drone is amazing. Although still a beginner, I have two other mini/micro drones, but this is easily the best of the three.”
Best Waterproof Gadget for Kids
This waterproof kids action camera is for kids who like to take pictures while swimming in pools and clear water, and for those who spend time on boats. Plenty of kids use these for snorkeling and other outdoor adventures that involves, well, getting WET.
Ages 4-15 years
“A family vacation "must have" for the preschooler that wants to use the camera all of the time. The buttons are easy to push and memorize functions and everything you need to charge and operate it is in the box, including the memory card that comes installed.The rubberized case has handles that are perfect for little hands and it comes with a nice little lanyard so your child can hang it around their neck. Most importantly, it takes real pictures and that's the reward and practice element.”
