10 Gadgets and Tech Toys for Kids

Our favorite cutting-edge devices aimed at kids as young as three and up to the teen years.

From cell phones to digital audio players and point-and-shoot cameras, teenagers are all about personal electronics. But did you know there is actually a booming market for high-tech accessories, toys and cutting-edge devices aimed at kids as young as three all the way up to the tween and teen years as well? Here we highlight a few great gadgets for the younger set.

1) Erector Spykee Spy Robot, $300

Every kid secretly wants to be a covert op, and what better to spy with than a stealthy robot? The price tag is a little steep, but the Erector Spykee spy robot is fun for the entire family. You and your kids build the robot yourselves, and when he’s up and running, you can control him over the Internet from anywhere in the world. He takes pictures and records video, monitors your home by detecting movement, and even sends photos of intruders to your email account. Kids will enjoy the robot’s more lighthearted features, including listening to digital audio tracks, creating cool lighting effects with fiber-optic and flash lighting and more. The Spykee will automatically go back to his charging dock when it’s time for him to recharge as well. How’s that for artificial intelligence?

2) Lego Technic Off Roader, $120

Every kid loves Legos, and so do most adults. But how do you bridge the gap between the tween years, when kids no longer want to admit they like the building blocks, and adulthood, when you can unabashedly play with the gizmos? Enter Lego’s Technic line, which turns Lego creations into motorized toys and is continually evolving to challenge your child’s imagination. You can’t go wrong with the Technic Off Roader, a burly two-seat all-terrain vehicle. The power functions let your kid adjust ground clearance, operate the front winch or turn on the LED headlights. A V8 engine even has working pistons, ensuring that this rough truck will entertain your budding engineer for hours.

3) Vtech Wall.E Learning Laptop, $30

Straight from the big screen to your kid’s desk, the new Wall.E Learning Laptop from Vtech looks like Disney/Pixar’s latest 3D creation, but offers much more. It features a QWERTY keyboard, moving arm controllers, and an LCD screen. While calling it a laptop is a bit of a stretch, your kids can learn while they are entertained with the 15 different offered activities that help them build logic, game, language and math skills. The robot’s right eye even opens and closes just like in the movie; he winks twice if your child gets a correct answer. Consider it a fun and functional tech toy for your four- or five year-old.

4) Imation Npower iCarly Karaoke System, $99

iCarly, the show that has young girls rushing to launch their own irreverent Web shows, has lent its name to the new iCarly Karaoke System. It features a 5-inch black-and-white monitor that displays lyrics (we would have liked to have seen a color monitor, but c’est la vie), a built-in camera, and an A/V in/out that allows singers to display their performance on a TV. A dual mic input lets two friends sing at once as well, so your girls can rock out in unison.

5) SpongeBob Speakers and Sponge Dock, $40

OK, so this iPod speaker dock is a little creepy, but any fan of the nerdy yellow sponge will dig it. Your child can plug in their digital audio player or computer, and the two eyeball speakers roll around to the music. If you don’t like eyes rolling at you, just stick them back in their foam casing. Of course, for only $40, you won’t get top-notch sound, but your kids won’t know the difference anyway.

6) Fisher-Price Kid-Tough DVD Player, $150

If you’ve ever been on a long flight with a four-year old, you know the value of a portable DVD player and a few select movies. And you also know how easily said player can be destroyed by a spilt sippy cup. Made for those as young as three, Fisher-Price’s new Kid-Tough DVD player is impervious to your child’s slips and spills. It can handle being dropped over and over and is resistant to water, juice, or whatever your little one happens to be drinking. The player also features big buttons that are easy to use and, thankfully, a headphone jack so you don’t have to subjected to episode after episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!

7) Mattel Girl Tech Stylin’ Studio, $60

What girl doesn’t love a good makeover? With Mattel’s new Girl Tech Stylin’ Studio they can conduct their own, sans the messy cosmetics. Just upload a “before” pic or take one with the system’s built-in camera and start the fun by changing your hairstyle, clothes, or makeup—and there are lots of options for each so your kid won’t get bored. An easy-to-use touchpad acts like a mouse and everything is uploaded to your PC through a USB cable. It’s not limited to just the ladies of the family, either: Your child can also give their dad or brother a new look as well.

8) Room Tech BEINGZ Mood Lamp, $43

Hybrid toys – half appliance, half tech toy – are becoming increasingly popular, and the Room Tech BEINGZ mood lamp is no exception. It features various lighting modes so your kids can change their room’s lighting scheme based on their state of mind. Animated lighting effects, such as moving with the music, give the mood lamp added personality. It can even “talk” to other BEINGZ accessories. For example, if you purchase the BEINGZ alarm clock, the mood lamp will go on when the alarm clock sounds.

9) Disney Pix Jr. Digital Camera, $60

If you’ve got kids, you’ve probably experienced their fascination with manhandling things they shouldn’t touch, such as your high-tech gadgets. Phones and digital cameras—with their eye-catching LCD displays—are especially susceptible to your toddler’s every whim. Avoid temper tantrums and allow your youngsters to express their creativity with the Disney Pix Jr. Digital Camera, which has 32MB of RAM and an internal SD card slot. It only has 1.3 megapixels of resolution, but youthful shutterbugs won’t notice. It’s durable and tough, turns on with the touch of any button, and turns off automatically after 30 seconds. Use a USB cable to get your kids’ photos onto your computer.

10) EyeClops Night Vision Goggles, $80

Your kids will love playing spy with the EyeClops Night Vision Goggles. The device lets them see up to 50 feet in total darkness using infrared technology, and fits comfortably over the head, accommodating kids as young as 8 years old. A flip-up eyepiece lets them quickly adjust in case someone turns on the lights as well.