Hottest tech-toy gifts to give kids for Christmas
Tech for children can be educational and entertaining. Here are some of the hot gifts this season.
Now that Thanksgiving has given way to Black Friday, the nation’s focus shifts from food to holiday-gift shopping, and what to buy the kids and grandkids.
Tech will be the hot gift again for the young crowd this Christmas, with Xbox and app-loaded learning tablets among the favorites. See the top eight tech toys on this year’s Christmas list.
1
Xbox One
The whole family will enjoy this game system. Connect your
cable or satellite box and you can watch TV on it. Enjoy movies and games on the Blu-ray player. Talk to friends
over Skype on the
TV. Find your favorite entertainment easily through the voiceactivation feature. Play games using the
controller’s more than 40 technical and design innovations. $500.
Where to buy:
Various stores, including big-box stores, mass merchandisers and online.
2
Tabeo e2 tablet
With 30 pre-loaded learning apps, entertainment and
games, Tabeo e2 tablet is sure to delight a young grade-schooler. Many more are available through the Tabeo app
store.
Designed by Toys “R” Us, this 8-inch tablet comes with parental controls and a high
impact screen. It’s
available in colors including pink and silver. From $129.
Where to buy:
Toys “R” Us,
toysrus.com.
3
Romo
creature Romo that is a lives digital in an iOS device (iPhone 4, 4S,
5, 5S, 5C and fifth generation iPod touch).
It explores the world around it on a roving docking base. Innovative,
entertaining and
educational, it can be trained to follow a face and to make faces. It also helps kids get excited
about science,
technology, engineering and math as soon as they can read. $150 (iOS device not included).
You don’t have to be
a kid to like Romo. He’s
fun for all ages.
Where to buy:
Brookstone,
brookstone.com.
4
LittleBits
LittleBits take Lego and building blocks to a new level. These modular
magnetized electronic pieces can be fit together to create all sorts of projects.
The LittleBits Base Kit,
$99, is a great
introduction to creating circuits in seconds. It contains 10 modules, one 9V battery and a
project booklet with
step-by-step instructions for eight creations. Hundreds of additional base-kit projects are available online. One
project is a doorbell for a bedroom.
Premium kits, $149, and Deluxe kits, $199, also are available.
Designed for ages 8 and
older.
Where to buy:
amazon.com, littlebits.cc.
5
“Despicable Me 2” Talking Dave
We loved Dave in the “Despicable Me” movies. Now he comes to life as an 9-inch figure
that talks. A Toys “R”
Us exclusive, Dave says more than 30 Minion phrases and talks back when you talk to him. He can even tell when you
raise your voice. Press his chin and he changes his facial expression; press it twice, and he will sing. Designed for ages 4-12
(but adults will like him, too). Requires four AA batteries (not included). Collector’s edition, $60.
Where to buy:
Toys “R” Us,
toysrus.com.
6
Big Hugs Elmo
Elmo is always a big hit, and this year is no different. Big Hugs Elmo
not only gives hugs, he sings a lullaby, says 50 phrases and becomes sleepy when he’s laid down. He’s designed for
kids ages 18 months to
4 years. He operates on four 1.5V AA alkaline batteries, which aren’t included. $50.
Where to buy:
Toy stores and online.
7
Iron Man Arc Reactor Lab
Kids can create their own arc reactors, just like Tony which Stark’s, is for ages with 6 this and kit,
older. Mix and match power chips to create 24 variations as well as different light and sound
reactions. The kit, which
is from Uncle Milton, also comes with an educational poster about Iron Man and science. Requires three AAA
batteries (not included).
$30.
Where to buy:
Toy stores, amazon.com,
unclemilton.com.
8
HMDX JAM Plus wireless speaker
Teens will love the sound of this wireless speaker, which works
with Bluetooth-enabled
devices up to 30 feet away. It also has a line-in for connecting non-Bluetooth devices
and can be paired with
another JAM Plus speaker for true stereo sound. It’s available in a variety of colors and comes with a
rechargeable battery.
$60.
Where to buy:
Variety of retailers,
including Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, hmdxaudio.com.