2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Top Tech Toys for Kids

November 26, 2013

Carolina Parent,

It’s round two of our holiday gift guide. Find digital toys and devices, plus books, DVDs and music for all ages. The editors at Charlotte Parent – and sister publications Piedmont Parent and Carolina Parent – collaborated to pick these items from top toy product lists, parent recommendations and product samples.

AGES 0-4

i-Mat: My Animal World
Let them roll, play and learn on this interactive foam mat that features a full color illustration of animals from around. A simple point with the Voice Pen on the animal word cloud rewards toddlers with an animal sound, a word, music or a foreign language translation. i-Mat My Alphabet and i-Mat Under The Sea also available. Ages 12 months+. $79.99 for Voice Pen and i-Mat.
creativebabyinc.com

ArtSee Studio
For use with an the iPad & App. The case protects the iPad and acts as a holder for the stamps. Download the app to allow your child to effortlessly create new and exciting works of art. Interactive stamps make patterns, animation, music and special effects. $35. Ages 3+.
artseestudio.com

Laugh & Learn Apptivity Creation Center
Snap this sturdy case onto your iPad to create a learning center for baby. The protective case comes with four smart shape stamps that interact with two free downloadable apps. Snap on the play panel to use without the iPad for more hands-on play and learning. Ages 12-24 months. $40.
fisher-price.com

School Zone Little Scholar Tablet
This newly released tablet includes pre-loaded features, including four episodes of a new original children’s video series “Charlie and Company,” 45 educational apps based on core early-learning concepts and skills, 87 fun and upbeat children’s sing-a-long songs and 45 learn-to-read children’s e-books. Ages 3+. $199.
schoolzone.com/little-scholar

Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport
Light up their imaginations with this playset featuring SmartPoint locations that are recognized by Go! Go! Smart Wheels vehicle. As a vehicle rolls over a SmartPoint, it flashes and plays greetings, fun sounds, short tunes and sing-along songs. The tracks can be reconfigured or connected to other Go! Go! Smart Wheels playsets. Ages 1-5 years. $24.99.
vtechkids.com

AGES 5-9

nabi Jr. Nick Jr. Tablet
With nabi Jr., kids can play, read and watch with their favorite Nick Jr. characters. The tablet has 16GB storage, a 5-inch, high-resolution capacitive touch screen, and rotating front and back camera. Available at Target, Best Buy and Sam’s Club. Ages 5+. $139.99.
nick.com

Wild Walls – Shark Encounter
Use the peel ‘n’ stick decals to create an awesome light and sound experience on your child’s wall. Water wave light effects gently fade in and out, illuminating a wall. With real undersea animal sound effects, the synchronized light and sounds bring the scene to life. Shark decal is more than 24 inches long, and the light effect spreads more than 20 square feet. Ages 5+. $29.99.
unclemilton.com

Crayola DigiTools Paint Pack
Add a new creative dimension to your digital art with this set of painting accessories, ideal for an iPad. Paint colorful, eye-catching designs with the digital paintbrush. Create virtual spray-art effects with the digital airbrush. Add instant animated images with the digital stamper, and lay down fun painted patterns, such as like footprints, grass and geometric shapes, with the digital paint roller. Ages 5+. $39.99.
crayola.com

Disney Infinity Starter Pack
The all-new game platform unlocks the freedom to create stories and play experiences starring beloved Disney and Pixar characters. Throughout each story-driven experience, called a Play Set, players solve challenging puzzles, battle enemies and explore iconic locations from famous Disney properties. Playable on all of your favorite game consoles. Ages 10+. $59.99-$74.99. The game currently is unrated by the ESRB.
disney.com/infinity

Solar Rover
Build a unique solar-motorized modules powered completely by the sun, no batteries required. Recycle a soda can and learn how sunlight is converted into energy with a very “green” Solar Rover. Ages 8+. $19.99.
museumtour.com

Children’s Club With Disco
Choose from one of two dance songs, or use the included cable to connect an MP3 player and select a personal favorite that can be played through the sets built-in speakers. Then, switch on the working disco ball and flashing colored lights to get the full club effect. Move around the club on the rotating dance floor, which can also be converted into a board game. Set includes three figures, board game pieces and die, costumes, palm tree, and other accessories. Ages 4-10. $47.99. playmobil.us.
playmobil.us

AGES 10 AND UP

Turtle Beach Ear Force X12 Gaming Headset
Enhance your child’s gaming experience with this headset that features amplified audio, bass boost, microphone monitoring and independent chat volume control. USB-powered and compatible with Xbox 360. All ages. $59.95.
turtlebeach.com

Spy Net Night Vision Infrared Stealth Binoculars
See up to 50 feet in complete darkness using night vision technology that features a dual eye display. Ages 8+. $112.99.
spynethq.com

Minecraft
Voted one of the 2013’s most popular games for teens and tweens by multiple rating organizations, Minecraft is still popular with and appropriate for tweens and teens. Play it via PC, Mac, iOS, Android and Xbox 360. 10+. Prices depend on the hosting device but start at $19.99.
minecraft.net

GoPro HERO3 White Edition
This entry-level, waterproof GoPro features video resolutions up to 1080p30, 5-megapixel photos up to three framers per second, an ultra wide-angle lens and built-in Wi-Fi. It’s 20 percent smaller, 15 percent lighter and 50 percent cheaper than GoPro Black editions. Ages 10+. $199.99.
gopro.com

3-D Mirascope
Create a hologram in seconds by placing an object inside and watching as mirrored optics project an image into a 3-D floating position on top. Ages 8+. $6.99.
shop.toysmith.com

Soul Combat+ Ultimate Active Performance Over-Ear Headphones
Active tweens and teens can enjoy high-quality audio sound while exercising or just hanging out with friends thanks to an antibacterial, breathable and wide-grip headband; Comply premium ear pads (removable for easy cleaning) with body heat activation; and sweat-resistant speaker drivers. Available in blue, black and yellow. 10+. $199. s
soulelectronics.com

Algoriddim’s djay for iPad app
If your tween or teen already has an iPad, Algoriddim’s djay app integrates your child’s music library into a full-featured DJ system through which he can perform live, record mixes on-the-go or enable the Automix mode, which creates a mix for you. All ages. $9.99.
algoriddim.com/djay-ipad

IRISPen Executive 7
This portable highlighting tool scans books, magazines, papers or anything else your child may want to load onto a computer for test prep and project research. Ages 8+. $99.
irislink.com

More Great Gift Ideas for Kids:

2013 Gift Guide: Toys, Games and Dolls