The holiday season is a time for family, togetherness, and, of course, gifts! As a parent, there’s nothing more frustrating than receiving mindless toys that add to the clutter. Instead, I prefer ‘smart toys’ that engage my child’s mind or something they can build and proudly display afterwards.
According to Mia Thompson, a parenting expert and creator of the insightful blog toysaretools.com, “Early learners should develop joint attention skills rather than just focusing on gadgets that talk back. These skills are crucial for effective learning in a classroom and for navigating social interactions.” Thompson emphasizes that effective educational toys serve various purposes, such as:
- Icebreakers for social settings
- Encouraging imaginative play
- Enhancing memory
- Developing executive functioning skills
- Fostering artistic expression
- Promoting scientific thinking
When I refer to “smart toys,” I mean not just tech-savvy options but also toys that contribute to cognitive development. The market is flooded with STEM, robotics, and coding kits that even us parents can learn from! Here’s a curated list of the top smart toys to consider for your child this holiday season:
1. Artie 3000
Best for Aspiring Coders
Price: $62.99 at Amazon
Artie 3000 is a coding robot that allows kids to create code that he translates into drawings. While I wish there was a robot that could say, “clean your room!” and have kids obey, this robot is designed for ages seven and up and has a variety of pre-set designs to get started.
2. Relay
Best for Parents Hesitant About Smartphones
Price: $49.99 at Amazon
Relay is a smart, screen-free device that functions like a walkie-talkie and includes GPS tracking. It operates over 4G LTE and WiFi, making it a great alternative to a smartphone for kids.
3. Moving Creations with K’nex
Best for Young Engineers
Price: $39.99 at Amazon
This kit guides budding builders through nine different builds and 18 STEM experiments, encouraging exploration of pneumatic and hydraulic principles.
4. Jooki
Best for Young Music Enthusiasts
Price: $199.99 at Amazon
Jooki is a versatile music player that streams music and stories from various sources, allowing kids to play audio files and record messages.
5. Boolean Box
Best for Future Tech Innovators
Price: $159.99 at Amazon
Targeted towards girls (and boys too!), this DIY computer kit includes a Raspberry Pi and all necessary components for coding projects.
6. Gumball Machine Maker
Best for Future Physicists
Price: $27.99 at Amazon
Kids can build their own gumball machines while learning physics concepts. Each segment teaches different mechanical physics lessons, making learning fun.
7. Air-Walker
Best for Future Astronauts
Price: $27.99 at Amazon
This four-legged robot uses suction cups to crawl on smooth surfaces. Kids can also build four additional models, making it a hands-on way to grasp engineering concepts.
8. ABCmouse
Best for Book Lovers
Download at ABCmouse
This digital learning platform, suitable for ages 2-8, helps accelerate early literacy and math skills.
9. KeySmart
Best for Teenagers
Price: $22.99 at Amazon
This compact key holder is perfect for older kids and includes a Tile for tracking keys, making it a practical gift for budding teens.
As we recommend these fantastic options, you can trust that they will not only entertain but also educate and inspire your child.
In summary, this holiday season, consider choosing smart toys that stimulate creativity and critical thinking. These options will not only keep your kids engaged but also provide valuable learning experiences.
Keyphrase: Smart Toys for Kids
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