The Hottest Tech Toys for Kids

This small device lets kids compose and play their own music by making and recording a multitude of tuneful sounds. In addition to synth sounds, the second-gen model also can play samples, letting it sound more realistic. Make your own samples to play, too, using the Orba 2's app, as well as create loops of up to 128 bars in length.

Ages 3 to 8

This bunny is a great companion for younger kids. It comes loaded with over 70 entertaining stories, poems, and songs. Parents can also record themselves reading a story or singing a song for their child. The Story Pal comes with a carrying strap and has a headphone jack (headphones aren’t included) and volume control, so it’s truly usable “on the go.” And LeapFrog toys are well made and rugged. Reminder: it uses 3 AA batteries.

Ages 5 and older

We already thought the Sphero programmable robot ball was pretty cool. The Sphero Mini Activity Kit is a less expensive alternative that includes a clear-shelled, drivable Sphero Mini ball with a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and LED lights for 45 minutes of battery life. Also in the kit are accessories for 15 projects kids can build, play with, and even try some simple coding.

Does any child not love dinosaurs? The Abacus Brands Virtual Reality Dinosaurs kit lets kids do their own dino discovery: It offers an interactive DK book and VR goggles, as well as a dig-out T-Rex fossil set with tools. Ages 8 to 12, smartphone required for goggles.

Ages 3 to 10

Imagine a tiny battery-powered boombox that, depending on how you set the two dials on the front, tells your child one of 192 different soothing, mediative stories—it's like having animal story podcasts on direct request, without needing a screen. That’s what My Little Morphée is all about.

Age 6 and older

Turn your tablet computer into an interactive chess board.

All ages

Let kids master the 2x2 algorithm on the GoCube first (with app-based help) before tackling the more complicated 3x3.

All ages

Solving a Rubik's cube isn't easy for most of us, but this cube connects to an app to teach the algorithm and foster competition.

Ages 5 and older

The pod box can hold up to 15 digital pets that you can actually "touch."

Ages 4 and older

The colors cyan, magenta, and yellow combine and captivate in these alluring, infinitely ogle-able sensory cubes.

Age 6 and older

Budding mathletes in the family instantly answer whatever is on the screen to gamify all the math options.

All ages

An inexpensive mic with integrated speaker that works with smartphones or tablets to instantly bring karaoke to any party.

Ages 1 and older

Your smartphone flashlight becomes the projector in this innovative way to ready digital storybooks. This one comes with 4 classic Disney stories.

Ages 3 and older

Kids get 100 pieces in this kit that will introduce them to the world of working cogs and gears.

Ages 10 and older

A STEAM Toy of the Year: Kids who are into real-life space exploration and Legos will appreciate this excellent Mars Rover Perseverance replica, complete with Ingenuity Helicopter.

Ages 5 and up

An inexpensive and immersive way to introduce kids to stargazing, this telescope has a digital camera integrated, plus games.

Ages 8 to 13

A kit full of Bill Nye-style science experiments, bolstered by Nye himself in augmented reality, is the first step for a budding scientist.

Ages 3 to 5

The more basic kit for even smaller geniuses gets kids going on problem-solving and learning phonics. A separate iPad or Fire Tablet is required.

Ages 5 to 7

Story-loving kids will happily dive into this adventure! Osmo uses speech recognition and AI to guide your child through a personalized program, helping to improve their reading skills with support and feedback and adapting along the way. You can choose one of three starting kits, depending on your child's reading level. Kits come with four books; a cancellable $25-per-month subscription brings you four books each month.

LEGO sets are already pretty cool, but this one takes things to a whole different level. Once your kiddo is done constructing the racecar, they can use the accompanying LEGO app (available for smartphones and tablets) to play interactive augmented reality games with it.

Ages 4 to 10

Augment the reality of this globe with a mobile app full of animation and information about the planet

Ages 6 to 10

The excellent Osmo kids turn your iPad, iPhone, or Fire tablet into learning wonderlands; the Genius Starter includes games and Tangram puzzles.

All ages

Have a kid into drawing imaginary pals? Make that image come to life via the Budsies service, turning drawings into stuffies.

Ages 6 and older

The most terrifying toy? Maybe not with the new Troll-like color schemes that help keep these Mogwai-esue, burbling plush creatures in the limelight. The latest also can say about 600 different things.

Ages 1 to 3

To make it clear this is not a real tablet. But it can make jealous littles feel like they’re in on the touch-screen action enjoyed by their siblings and friends.

Got a kid prone to losing things but that you want to be able to reach? The Xplora X6 Play is a watch phone—attached to the wrist, it won’t get lost, but gives you a way to call or message them. Plus it serves as an SOS sender if they have troubles.

Ages 8 and older

There are so many droids here that you are looking for! These versions of R2-D2, a Gonk droid, and more all have robot parts to control via an app.

Age 1 and older with help

Temporary tattoos are fun. Tats that come to life via AR when viewed through an app are Paw-sitively amazing.

Ages 10 and older

The winner of the 2023 ASTRA Play Awards, these hydraulic bots are the Thames & Kosmos answer to Rock-Em Sock-em Robots, but with free-standing, water-powered hydraulics to keep the boxing action alive. Just be ready to piece together 327 parts to make them work.

Age 4 to 11

A Toy of the Year finalist in 2022, this camera for kids comes with a printer built in. Plus kids can play games on the 2.4-inch color screen on the back.

Ages 8 and older

Every kid wants to power up their paper airplanes. This kit can actually do it, providing gyros and propellers that will keep the folded-up flyers afloat longer.