Working out what kids want for Christmas can be hard. There are so many options, and the challenge is to find fun tech (or tech-adjacent) gifts that aren’t just more screen time, if that’s something that’s important to you, or something with a screen that won’t smash when the kid gets careless.
If you need Christmas gift ideas, here are a range of great toys, gadgets, subscription services and a few little stocking stuffers for a whole range of age groups. For older giftees, check out these great gadget gift ideas and the perfect gaming gear for Christmas.
Kids tech Christmas gift ideas
Kids Christmas gift ideas for ages 0-4
Lovevery subscription – from $130
There’s no getting around it, the kits from Lovevery are very expensive. They’re high-quality Montessori toys, largely made out of natural fibres like wood and organic cotton, and each kit is perfectly tailored to the age of the child.
When I first started seeing the ads, the price made me do a triple take (a double wasn’t enough), but having used the Play Gym and a few of the newborn kits with my daughter, I can completely see the value in them. They really helped her hit her milestones, and she just seems to react differently to these toys than the plastic ones with blinking lights (which she also loves, but in a different way).
What makes this a tech suggestion is that the subscription also comes with access to the Lovevery App. This has become an invaluable resource in helping me know how to help my daughter during her wake windows, get tips on things I hadn’t even considered, and you can even ask experts questions and learn from the questions of other parents. Along with the Wonder Weeks and Solid Starts apps, the Lovevery app is now an essential part of my “baby manual” app toolkit.
LeapFrog Dance-Around Learning Hound – $54.95
This dancing puppy encourages toddlers nine months and older to get up and dance. The belly lights up and when kids have had enough of dancing with the puppy, they can play red light/green light (on a much more chill level than Squid Game).
All the songs are educational (about letters, colours and numbers), and it’s generally just a cute, good, screen-free time for little kids.
VTech Explore and Discover Roller – $34.95
There comes a time in every parent’s life when they will do anything to get their baby to roll and crawl. That time is around six months in. This Explore and Discover Roller has engaged my daughter to move in tummy time better than almost anything else. While I can now mimic the songs and voice in my sleep, it’s kept her engaged and trying to roll.
LeapFrog Touch & Learn Dinosaur Book – $44.95
This book really showcases the best of what LeapFrog has for little kids. It’s a book with 14 interactive pages, on a base that can read the book to the child, as well as encourage kids to find details in the book (like finding a certain dinosaur that they need to check the pages for).
It gets kids used to the idea that there is information in books, and that looking through the books will help them find what they’re looking for. When they’ve had enough reading, the music button will play three different educational songs.
VTech Moosical Activities Ball Pit – $69
This is a ball pit in the shape of a cow. What more could you want? There are also educational songs and an interactive keyboard built in. But the headline is that it’s a personal ball pit in a cow. I’m just salty they don’t make it in adult sizes.
VTech Sort and Discover Activity Wagon – $59
This is a really smart toy that does a bit of everything. At its core, it’s an activity centre, with beads to move across wires, shapes to match, things to spin, simple mazes, and all the usual activity centre stuff. But it’s also got that Vtech touch of flashing lights, songs, and a weird cockney accent giving encouraging instructions to learn and play.
Plus, it’s a wagon toddlers can use to transport their stuff around. Toddlers love transporting things. It’s one of those gifts that does many things well, so it really justifies the space it takes up in your home.
Toniebox – $199
Tonieboxes are such a smart gift that addresses the concerns of parents, while still giving the kids what they want. They’re soft speakers with a spot on top to place a figure, which then unlocks music, or a story, or (in the case of Creative Tonies) the voice of a distant loved one telling a story. It’s just a great way to allow kids to interact with stories and music without needing a screen. The toys can be played with outside time with the Toniebox, too, bringing the play and experience to a new dimension.
What I think makes it extra special though are those Creative Tonies. For grandparents who live a long way away, getting a Creative Tonie and recording themselves reading a story to their grandchild is such a beautiful way to keep that connection going even when they can’t physically be there.
Kids Christmas gift ideas for ages 5-9
VTech Kidi DJ Drums – $79
Some people will say that this is the ultimate gift to get the children of someone you don’t like. But, as a drummer myself, this is the kind of gift I wish I had when I was a kid. There’s a full (mini) electric drum kit here, and so many possibilities.
For someone who already loves music, or finds themselves tapping all the time, this is a great way to funnel that energy into a proper instrument and build an understanding of how rhythm works. It’s got practice games built in to improve rudiments, it teaches kids about fills, and it allows kids to record snippets of what they produce.
Shimmer ’N’ Sparkle Fashion Bead Jewelry Studio – $40
This isn’t tech, but it is what every Taylor Swift fan wants this year. It’s got everything kids need to make adorable bracelets really easily. They’re also great for adults who want to make beaded bracelets, because the one-step beading gizmo makes it so easy to thread the bracelet.
Squishmallows – $5-$25
This is another thing that isn’t tech, but is so cute I’m hoping my editor won’t notice that fact. (Editor’s note: As an avid collector of plushies, I’ll allow it.)
Squishmallows are just so soft. They’re like hugging a cloud, but without getting wet. They come in so many fun characters, they’re reasonably priced, and they come in a range of sizes to fit any bedroom or budget.
Zhu Zhu Aquarium – $69
This is a bit of a weird one, but I kind of love it. What if you had pet fish you didn’t have to feed, and could “swim” around a track without getting wet, and you never had to drain and clean the aquarium?
This is great on a couple of levels. Firstly, they’re brightly coloured, fun, and there are lots of different ways kids can play with them. And secondly, they might put off you having to get an actual pet for another year. Everybody wins.
Kinder Surprise and Kinder Joy – $2.50
Kinder Surprise and Kinder Joy eggs are the perfect stocking stuffers. They’re a snack and a toy in one, and you can relive your own childhood memories through them. The toys are a bit flasher than when we were kids, but the chocolate tastes the same.
Kinder Surprise has no nuts (may contain traces), whereas Kinder Joy eggs are a little chocolate hazelnut treat you eat with a spoon, with the toy in a little separate compartment. They are delightful.
Lego Ninjago Kai’s Ninja Climber Mech 71812 – $119.99
This Ninjago set is just so much fun. It’s not just a great build, but also great to play with for hours afterwards. It lends itself to so many different play scenarios that I’m really impressed. One of the best Ninjago sets in ages.
Beyblade X Xtreme Battle Set – $99
We’re now at the point where all the toys that millennials wanted as kids are now being given an update and released so millennials can finally buy them for their kids. While this might cause a crisis of our mortality, it’s wonderful, because it means we also get to play with these awesome toys.
Beyblades are even more epic now, there are full leagues built around competing with them, and they’re just even more fun than I remember them being as a kid. The Xtreme Battle Set has everything kids need to get started, and means that the recipient will be the envy of the playground when they roll up to recess ready to battle. A good time will be had by all.
Furby – $79
Furbies are back! And they’re fancier now! They’re now voice-activated and can do dances, put on light shows, copy actions, tell fortunes and generally be a good time. They’ve come a long way since the millennial nightmares they used to be.
Furbies are now what we were originally promised, with just a touch of drag queen flair. Plus, they’re just so gosh darn cute.
Kids Christmas gift ideas for ages 10+
Lego Speed Champions Mercedes AMG G 63 & Mercedes AMG SL 63 – $69.99
To be honest, this is what I want for Christmas. I love the Speed Champion sets (even before the Lego Speed Champions Forza Horizon 4 expansion) because the builds are interesting, there’s a lot of detail, and kids seem to love driving them around. Adults can enjoy the accuracy, while kids can enjoy seeing how they were designed to be built and then going off-book to make their own fun creations.
Animal Crossing Pocket Camp – $9.99
Animal Crossing is one of those classic, chilly “cosy” games that everyone loves. The bonus of Animal Crossing Pocket Camp is that it can be played on a phone, without a console.
Everything is included in the purchase price of the app (no in-app purchases) and kids can roleplay as a manager of a campsite, meeting different adorable campers and playing in the wilderness. Good, wholesome fun.
Lego Horizon Adventures – $99
What I’ve always loved about the Lego video games is that they allow parents to introduce kids to their favourite entertainment franchises in a version that’s on their level. The Horizon games are just spectacular masterpieces on PlayStation 5. The Lego Horizon Adventures game captures the spirit of those prestige games, and makes it so people of all ages and gaming abilities can enjoy them together. It’s fun for the whole family.
LG XBoom Go – $89
Whether you’re looking for a speaker the kids can take camping, or just want one they won’t kill by being rough with it, the LG XBoom Go is a powerhouse. It’s small and rugged to an almost ridiculous degree. It doesn’t go super loud, and the clarity isn’t perfect (a limitation due to its size), it’s a great little speaker for under $100 that can survive almost anything kids might accidentally subject it to.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 – $99.99
Compatible with PC, Mac, Chromebooks, Xboxes, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and mobile, this is such a great gaming headset for younger gamers.
The quality is far better than you’d expect for the price tag. Its microphone is good enough for kids to game with friends and do any other kinds of video calls they might need to do, and the sound quality will give them an edge in their games (and make it so parents and caregivers don’t have to hear those games).
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