The holiday season is a time for family bonding, togetherness, and, of course, the joy of gift-giving! Personally, I can’t stand when someone gives my child an aimless toy that merely adds to the clutter in our home. I prefer “smart toys” that stimulate his intellect or those that can be constructed and then proudly displayed.
According to Mia Thompson, an educator and play advocate who runs the insightful blog toysaretools.com, “Instead of solely engaging with machines that talk, young learners should focus on developing joint attention skills,” she states. “These abilities are crucial for their future success in classrooms, effective communication in meetings, and understanding diverse perspectives.”
Mia further elaborates that effective educational toys should encourage one or more of these critical skills:
- Social icebreakers
- Imaginative play
- Memory enhancement
- Executive functioning (the processes involved in managing oneself and resources to achieve objectives)
- Creative expression
- Scientific reasoning
While “smart toys” often refer to those with advanced technology, I prefer to define them as “toys that enhance intelligence.” Today, there is an abundance of options in STEM, robotics, and computing. Many of these toys might even teach us a thing or two as parents!
Here’s a curated list of the best smart toys for your little ones this holiday season:
Artie 3000
Ideal for Future Geniuses
$62.99 at Amazon
Artie 3000 is a coding robot that empowers kids to create code that he then draws! (Wouldn’t it be great if there were a robot that could just say “clean your room!” and kids would listen?) With pre-programmed designs for beginners and opportunities for advanced coders to create from the ground up, this little innovator is perfect for aspiring techies aged seven and up.
Relay
Best for Parents Hesitant to Introduce Smartphones
$49.99 at Amazon
Relay is a screen-free communication device that functions like a walkie-talkie with nationwide coverage and GPS tracking. (Where was this when I was navigating my teenage years?) A companion app allows you to manage all Relays on your account and monitor their location using GPS. It operates over 4G LTE and WiFi, making it an ideal choice for parents not yet ready to hand their kids a smartphone.
Moving Creations with K’nex
Perfect for Young Builders
$39.99 at Amazon
This set guides budding engineers through nine building projects and eighteen STEM experiments. It includes “Think Bigger” challenges to deepen understanding of scientific principles. Allow your child to delve into the world of pneumatics (air) and hydraulics (water) while you brush up on your physics vocabulary!
Jooki
For the Young Music Enthusiast
$199.99 at Amazon
Jooki is a multifunctional music player for kids that can stream music and stories from your phone or Spotify Premium, play audio files, record, and replay messages. It connects via WiFi and Bluetooth, allowing parents to add their own content too!
Boolean Box
Empowering Future Female Innovators
$159.99 at Amazon
Tailored for girls (who run the world?), the Boolean Box is a DIY computer and electronics kit containing a Raspberry Pi, mouse, keyboard, and all necessary components to ignite coding projects. Suitable for ages eight and up, this kit allows children to create art, games, and even their versions of classic arcade games.
Gumball Machine Maker
For Future Physics Teachers
$27.99 at Amazon
Kids can construct their own gumball machines while learning essential physics concepts. As gumballs travel down the track, they encounter exciting mechanical challenges, ensuring continuous engagement. Plus, the end result is a sweet treat!
Air-Walker
For Aspiring Astronauts
$27.99 at Amazon
Imagine a robot that defies gravity! This four-legged bot uses suction cups and pumps to crawl on smooth vertical surfaces. Your child can build four additional models too, making this hands-on kit a fantastic way to explore engineering and physics concepts.
ABCmouse
For Little Bookworms
Download Available
ABCmouse is a digital learning platform designed for children aged 2-8, enhancing early literacy and math skills. It prepares youngsters for kindergarten and third grade, which are critical developmental milestones. Developed by educators, ABCmouse is a trusted resource used in over 70,000 classrooms and nearly half of U.S. public libraries, making it a reliable choice for parents. For more information on educational resources, check out this post on Home Insemination Kit.
KeySmart
For Teens Embracing Independence
$22.99 at Amazon
This compact key holder is perfect for older kids, capable of holding up to 14 keys and featuring a pocket clip and a bottle opener (for those celebratory sodas). It also includes a Tile tracker so they can keep track of their keys easily!
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In summary, these smart toys are not just fun; they are tools for learning and growth, ensuring that holiday gifts are both enjoyable and beneficial. From coding robots to music players, there’s something to engage every child’s interests while fostering important skills.
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