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 2022.
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 2022, check out our recent 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 2022
1. The Miko 3: An AI-powered Robot Companion
One of the hottest tech toys on the market this year is the Miko. This tiny robot is stuffed with features and works as a helpful assistant, teacher, and buddy. It uses artificial intelligence to recognize your kid’s face and will remember their preferences for games, stories, music, and more. Plus, it’s cute
Best of all, 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. Whether playing together or learning new things, the Miko makes a great companion for any child.
Why We Picked Miko
While technology gifts for kids can be fun, we also believe that they should be educational and engaging.
Miko not only provides entertainment but also encourages kids to learn new things with the help of its AI-based voice recognition technology. Games and fun activities are also included to help children develop their cognitive skills, making Miko a fun – if not a bit more expensive – gift worth the investment.
2. Flycatcher’s smART sketcher® 2.0 Projector: Perfect for Budding Artists
Kids can bring art to life with the smART sketcher® 2.0 Projector. This device projects a variety of fun images onto the surface below, allowing kids to practice their drawing skills. The device also comes with various activities to keep kids busy and engaged, such as tracing pictures and creating their own designs.
Flycatcher’s smART device connects to mobile devices through an innovative app, allowing parents to help their kids create unique pieces of art. The projector’s light source is safe for kids, and the device has a low-heat design, making it safe to use regularly. The system helps kids create art with a step-by-step approach and encourages creativity.
Why We Picked the SmART sketcher® 2.0 Projector
We think that this device is a great way to introduce kids to art and help them build their creative skills. The projector includes fun activities and comes with an app that allows parents to engage with their child’s artistic expression. This device is a great way to help kids develop their artistic skills while having fun simultaneously – without breaking the bank.
3. Osmo Coding Starter Kit: Help Kids Learn to Code
With iPads and tablets appearing everywhere, helping kids engage with the devices at an early age is essential. Osmo’s Coding Starter Kit is a great way to do just that while helping teach responsible device habits.
The Osmo Coding Starter Kit includes an interactive board, coding blocks, and an app – all of which work together to teach kids the basics of coding. Kids learn by placing physical blocks on the board while they see and hear instructions from the accompanying app on the iPad screen.
Throughout various lessons designed for kids as young as 5, kids learn the basics of coding and can create their own apps by dragging blocks together. Kids will enjoy puzzles, music-making, and more while they learn!
Why We Picked the Osmo Coding Kit
This is an ideal STEM toy for young kids, as it helps them develop their problem-solving skills while having fun. The coding kit includes engaging activities and challenges to keep kids motivated throughout the learning process. Plus, this device works on iPad devices, which are becoming increasingly popular in households.
With this device, kids can learn the basics of coding and develop their problem-solving skills at an early age. It’s a great way to engage kids with technology early on and help them prepare for the future.
4. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: An Excellent Starter Tablet
Like our pick above, it’s tough for kids not to engage with tablet devices. To help kids learn how to engage with these devices responsibly, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is an excellent starter tablet.
The device comes with parental controls and a kid-proof case to help keep it safe from falls and drops. Amazon includes age-appropriate content on the device that kids can explore, including educational apps, books, movies, games, and more.
And since it’s an Amazon device, it comes with Alexa built-in, so kids can learn about the world and ask questions. If you want extra protection for your kids, you can add parental controls for web browsing, shopping, and other activities. It’s one of the best options at the price!
Why We Picked the Amazon Fire HD 8 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. But 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. Heromask VR Headset: Best VR Tech for Kids
When Facebook’s parent company Meta bought out the Oculus Rift VR headset, we knew that the future looked suitable for virtual reality. But what about kids? Is there something that’s fun and engaging for them to use that doesn’t break the bank?
Enter the Heromask VR Headset. This device is designed to be used by kids as young as 5 years old and comes with a variety of age-appropriate games. The headset can be connected to any iOS or Android device, and kids can explore virtual worlds and play interactive games.
Plus, the headset is made of a lightweight material to help keep it comfortable for little ones. This is a great option if you are looking for a VR device that gives you control over what your kids can do.
Why We Picked the Heromask VR Headset
Virtual reality is becoming more popular for all ages, and the Heromask VR Headset makes it safe and fun for kids to explore. It’s designed to fit young children as young as 5 years old, so it’s perfect for any kid who is curious about virtual reality and wants to explore the possibilities.
Plus, it comes with plenty of content that is age-appropriate and interactive. The company is always updating the content library, so there are always new experiences for kids to try. With this device, your kids can explore virtual worlds and play interactive games safely and interactively. It’s the perfect tech gift for any kid curious about the VR world.
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.
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 2022. 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!
