The technological options for kids continue to grow – with smart devices, gaming consoles, drones, and robots available for kids of all ages.
With so many choices to consider, it can be challenging to find the perfect tech gift for your kids! And how can you ensure that tech gifts are safe, educational, and fun all at once?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will look at some of the top cool gadgets and tech gifts for kids in 2023.
Wait – What if I Want a Low-Tech Gift This Year?
Not all gifts have to be tech-related!
There are plenty of fun, low-tech gifts that can bring your kids joy as well. Board games and puzzles are always popular choices for kids, or you can consider a craft or science kit if they love to get creative.
If you want to learn more about some of the best low-tech gift options for kids in 2023, check out our guide here.
What Makes a Gift “Tech”?
The line has blurred in recent years between what is considered a tech gift and what isn’t.
Many items have both tech and traditional elements, such as the increasingly popular smartwatches that allow you to stay connected but also look stylish on your wrist. Other items, like virtual reality headsets, are unmistakably technology-based yet provide a unique experience that allows you to explore new possibilities.
Ultimately, tech gifts are items that utilize some form of technology to enhance the user experience.
In our guide, we’ve looked at gifts that incorporate the latest technology in products that kids as young as three can enjoy. (And we think you’ll enjoy them as well!) We’ve also included gift ideas for a range of budgets so you can find something for everyone in your life.
Let’s dig into our tech gift guide for kids!
Top Tech Gifts for Kids 2023
1. Pixicade Pets VIP: Bring Furry Friends to Life
The Pixicade Pets set lets kids’ creativity shine by drawing pixelated pets and bringing them to life digitally. They can design any type of pet, from a cute dog to a totally made-up magical creature.
As they draw the pet on paper, it will instantly appear on their mobile device screen and can be customized further. Kids can create their own virtual pet universe, blending art and technology seamlessly. It’s a STEM toy that encourages creativity and problem-solving.
Why We Picked the Pixicade Pets VIP
The lines are blurring between virtual and real-world play, and Pixicade Pets VIP is a perfect example of this tech on a kid-friendly level. It’s an intuitive way for kids to express their creativity and interact with technology, making it a great toy that encourages learning while still being fun.
Plus, it lets kids get creative by designing their own virtual pet universe – something they can explore and share with friends!
2. The Miko Mini: An AI-powered Robot Companion with ChatGPT Capabilities
Last year, we highlighted the Miko 3 – a bite-sized robot companion that kids can talk to and bond with. This year, they launched the Miko Mini – a tiny robot packed with features that help bring AI to life in an accessible and kid-friendly way.
Powered by ChatGPT, it can recognize natural language commands from children and respond to them in its own voice – which makes it a great tool for teaching kids how to interact with AI in a safe and engaging way. Plus, it comes with fun games, interactive stories, and more to help bring your child’s imagination to life!
Miko can follow your child around the house on its small, rubberized wheels. The device is made of durable plastic, and the large IPS display helps your child to better interact with the robot. At a much more affordable price point, the Miko Mini is at the top of many family’s lists this year.
Why We Picked Miko Mini
Robots are fun – and they are even more fun when they offer learning nad development opportunities. Miko Mini is designed to offer social engagement and language learning that grows with your child.
It even has the ability to answer questions in its own voice – making it a great tool for teaching kids how to interact with AI in a safe and engaging way. Plus, it comes with fun games, interactive stories, and more to help bring your child’s imagination to life!
3. Lite-Brite Touch: A Classic, Reimagined
Remember those days punching colored pegs into a black background on Lite-Brite? Lite-Brite gets a high-tech upgrade with the Lite-Brite Touch! This classic toy uses light-up buttons instead of pegs to let kids easily create colorful designs.
The buttons change color for cool effects. Kids can also animate their artwork, play games, and save their designs. It brings Lite-Brite into the digital age in a fresh way kids will love. The easy-to-store tablet is great for inspiring creativity and imagination.
Why We Picked the Lite-Brite Touch
The endless possibilities of the Lite-Brite Touch make it a great pick for growing minds. Kids can let their imaginations run wild creating designs, patterns, and stories. The vibrant colors and animations help bring ideas to life.
When it comes to art-inspired fun, this tablet has it all. From simple doodles to intricate illustrations, the Lite-Brite Touch is great for single play time or for families to create together. Plus, the reusable templates and tablet itself make it a great choice for art lovers on-the-go.
4. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: A New and Improved Starter Tablet
Last year we highlighted the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, and now Amazon has upped the ante with a bigger and better version — the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition. This durable, kid-proof tablet is packed with features to delight every curious young mind.
With over 20,000 ad-free books, shows, apps, and games, your kids will have endless entertainment at their fingertips. But you still stay in control – adjust age filters, monitor screen time, and approve new apps – even from afar.
The bright, 1080p HD display makes books, cartoons, and educational apps pop. Faster performance keeps kids engaged longer. And the protective bumper case withstands daily drops and tumbles.
Why We Picked the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition
This tablet is perfect for young kids who want to explore the world of tablets. It’s simple to use and comes with parental controls so you can keep an eye on their activities. Plus, it has plenty of content designed for kids, and you can easily expand the content library with apps, books, and more.
Plus, the kid-proof case helps keep the device safe from falls and drops. With this tablet, kids can learn about the world through engaging content while parents have peace of mind knowing that their kid is safe on the web. It’s a great way to introduce kids to technology in a fun and engaging way.
5. Hatch Rest Smart Sound Machine: Perfect for Sleep Training
Getting enough sleep is essential for kids and adults alike. However getting young children to sleep can be a difficult task. From helping kids learn healthy sleep habits to providing soothing music for them, the Hatch Rest Smart Sound Machine is here to help.
This sleep device is designed to help parents and kids alike sleep better. It has a calming, built-in light that can be dimmed and turned off as needed while the sound machine plays lullabies and natural sounds to help kids drift off to sleep. Plus, you can set up multiple timers for quiet time or bedtime.
With the corresponding Hatch app, you can set various sleep routines, monitor your child’s sleep, and more. Plus, you can create different routines with a variety of colors to encourage good sleep habits.
Why We Picked the Hatch Rest Smart Sound Machine
Not all tech gifts for kids have to be “fun to play with”! This device is perfect for parents who want to teach their children healthy sleep habits. It has a built-in light and sound machine that can be turned off or dimmed, depending on the situation.
Plus, you have different timers for quiet time and bedtime. And with the corresponding app, you can monitor your child’s sleep and create different routines. It’s a great way to help kids learn to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Plus, it’s a fun and interactive tool for parents to use!
6. KidiStar DJ Mixer: For The Beatmaker In Your Home
The KidiStar DJ Mixer is the perfect introductory DJ equipment for aspiring young musicians. With over 2,000 sound combinations, built-in songs, and a voice recorder to add custom vocal tags, kids can mix together fresh beats and share them via Bluetooth.
Budding DJs will love dropping mixes on this player-friendly turntable designed just for them. Create mashups, add sound effects, play songs, and record original sounds with this feature-packed mixer!
Why We Picked the KidiStar DJ Mixer
VTech is known for creating some pretty unique kids tech products, and the KidiStar DJ Mixer is no exception. We love that this mixer has a really intuitive user interface, making it easy for kids to learn how to mix and scratch records without a lot of adult help.
Kids can make their own soundtracks and share them with friends, which encourages creativity, collaboration, and music appreciation! It not only provides hours of fun, but taps into the creative potential of young minds.
Best of all, this mixer is easy to use and won’t break your bank – something we can all get behind these days!
7. 3Doodler Start+ 3D Printing Pen: Bring Drawings to Life
Children love expressing themselves with markers, pens, Crayons, and more. But what if your kids could bring their ideas to life with a 3D pen? That’s what the 3Doodler Start+ 3D Printing Pen is all about!
This pen allows kids to draw in three dimensions, creating whatever they can imagine. It comes with different colors and shapes of plastic strands that can create objects like jewelry or toys.
It has a patented, safe-to-use technology that keeps it from getting too hot. And with the accompanying app, kids can access step-by-step tutorials, giving them even more ideas for their creations.
This is one of the most remarkable devices we’ve seen in the 3D printing market this year and is perfect for helping kids learn about the science behind 3D printing.
Why We Picked the 3Doodler Start+ 3D Printing Pen
If your kids love to make and create, then they’ll love this cool device! It’s perfect for bringing their ideas to life in three dimensions. Plus, it comes with a patented technology that prevents it from getting too hot, so kids can use it safely and without worrying about burning themselves.
It also comes with a companion app that provides step-by-step tutorials, which helps them learn how to use the 3Doodler Start+ Pen. We also included this in our Teen Gift Guide, as this device offers plenty of creative fun for any age. Plus, it’s a great way to give kids an introduction to the world of 3D printing.
8. Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech-5 Mechanical Robot Coding Kit: For The Young Engineer
Watch a kid play Minecraft or Roblox and you know they have a natural curiosity about how things work (and they can make some pretty impressive creations). With the Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech-5 Mechanical Robot Coding Kit, they can turn their creative ideas into a reality.
This hands-on robot coding kit is the perfect STEM gift for kids ages 8-14. Children can program the interactive robot to move forward, backward, spin, and more. As they input different codes and watch the robot react, it teaches important coding and mechanical engineering skills in an engaging, screen-free way. Budding engineers will love programming their own bot!
Why We Picked the Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech-5
The Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech-5 Mechanical Robot Coding Kit takes the “building blocks” of coding and turns them into a real, tangible experience. Kids can learn basic mechanical engineering principles as they work with the robot’s motors, and even adjust the settings to make it move faster or slower.
It’s an excellent way to get kids interested in coding and engineering without relying on a computer or device. Plus, it encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity as they figure out how to program the robot!
Tips on Choosing the Best Gift for Kids
As you can see from our list, there are plenty of products to choose from when it comes to finding the perfect gift for kids. Some give kids the opportunity to explore virtual worlds and play interactive games, while others allow them to create physical objects from the comfort of their own homes.
But how can you choose between the different options? Here are a few tips to help you out:
1. Consider the child’s age and interests.
Different devices and toys work better for different ages, so choose something your child will enjoy using. For instance, does your child love exploring the world of virtual reality, or do they prefer making things with their hands? Knowing their interests can help you narrow down the list of options.
2. Think about safety and security.
It’s essential to choose a safe device or toy for your child to use, so make sure to do your research before making a purchase. Look for products that have been designed with safety in mind, such as those with cool-to-the-touch technology or those that can be used with parental controls.
Similarly, research the various technology powering different devices – such as those with speakers and microphones that could potentially be used to collect user data- and make sure it meets your standards for safety.
3. Look for products that are designed to grow with your child.
Many of the devices and toys on our list are designed to be used as kids get older, so consider choosing something that can grow with them over time. This will ensure that they get plenty of use out of the item and won’t quickly become bored with it.
Tablets and game consoles are a great example of this – many offer features such as parental controls that allow you to tailor the experience for different ages.
4. Know how to set parental controls.
If you’re giving your child access to a device or game that allows them to explore the internet, then it’s essential to know how to set parental controls. This will help keep your child safe by blocking inappropriate content and limiting screen time.
It’s also worth looking into other safety features, such as location tracking, which can let you know where your child is at any given time.
Add Kidslox To Phone and Tablet Gifts
The gifts above are some of the hottest kid-friendly technology in 2023. While each offers something different, they can all help kids learn new skills and explore the world around them.
However, all technology can have unforeseen side effects, and initiate behavioral changes that don’t bring out our best side. That’s why it’s always important to help kids think about what responsible technology use looks like when gifting them tech gifts. If they have phones or tablets, Kidslox is great way to facilitate this conversation and set boundaries on phone use.
Kidslox is an app that helps parents manage their children’s screen time and keep them safe while they’re online. With Kidslox, you can restrict access to certain websites or apps, set time limits for device use, and block inappropriate content from your smartphone. It’s a great way to ensure your child is staying safe and learning valuable digital skills this holiday season!
Learn more about Kidslox online, and check out our library of great guides designed to help your family stay safe year-round. With Kidslox, you can have peace of mind that your kids are learning and exploring in a safe digital environment.
Happy holidays!
