35 cutting-edge tech gifts for kids in 2023

Listen, some of us here at Shop TODAY are parents. We try to give our kids presents that will stimulate their brains and keep them busy for a good chunk of time. Usually, we fail miserably. However, brands are now going all out to deliver tech toys that are sure to dazzle kids of all ages.

Take a blast from the past with tech toys such as a Tamagotchi or a vinyl dance mat similar to the Dance Dance Revolution on which we all loved to bust a move in our childhood. Or, gift them with more educational-based technology, such as an electronic bookmark or a Kindle designed with children in mind.

Whatever their interests, it’s easy to admit that children love tech, so gift them with the gadget that will keep them occupied for hours on end and earn their smiles.

Here are 35 of the hottest gadgets and tech gifts for kids.

Original Tamagotchi

The ’90s called — they want their toys back! The era is officially back and better than ever, not only with fashion trends, but toys as well. All of the toys from your beloved childhood are making a comeback, and what perfect way to indulge in them again than gifting beloved toys like the original Tamagotchi to the children in your life. Available in 44 different casing designs from solid colors to retro patterns, gift them the one that matches their personality perfectly.

Nintendo Lite Switch

A lighter, sleeker version of the Nintendo Switch, this handheld gadget is perfect for long car rides, traveling or on-the-go days. With Bluetooth compatibility, your kids will be able to take their favorite games to go without distracting the entire family. “Got this for my son’s birthday and he loves it! He is able to take it anywhere, and it’s not too bulky,” said one reviewer.

SUNLIN Dance Mat

For the parents who loved Dance Dance Revolution, pass on the fun with this dance mat, which has three different levels for your kiddos to dance their heart out. “I highly recommend this as a gift for children of multiple ages,” said one reviewer of the easy-to-store vinyl mat.

Kindle Kids

For your mini library frequenters or your child who’s constantly packing one too many books on vacation (thus exceeding the carry-on weight limit), gift them with this Kindle, made specifically with children in mind. With the included parent dashboard, you can keep track of how often they’re reading and for how long, set bedtimes and other time constraints, add books to their library, and limit the books they can consume.

Mini Drone Camera for Kids

Different from the remote-control cars that have been gifts in the past, gift them with this kid-friendly and durable drone. Minimal buttons allow for ease with operating, and the option to control with their voice adds to the kid-friendly factor with this tech gadget. Reviewers raved about how this gift is “easy for kids to use and learn” and that the drone is sturdy.

Mark-My-Time Digital Bookmark

If your child loves to read (and if they have to keep track of their progress for school), gift them this digital bookmark that will help keep tabs on how long they’ve been reading. With different modes to set the bookmark on, it can count up or down, depending on the time span they want to read within. “This is very useful for making sure my child gets in the required amount of daily reading,” said one reviewer, adding that “it’s easy to use, durable and fun.”

Fujifilm Instax Mini Polaroid Camera

For the budding photographer who wants to try their hand at taking photos for themselves, gift them this Polaroid camera that prints out film on the spot. They’ll have a keepsake of the memory to cherish forever. Don’t forget to get them a scrapbook so they can have a safe spot to store all of their photos.

VTech KidiZoom PrintCam

A previous Toy Insider Top 20 winner, kids will love snapping pictures with hundreds of fun borders, stickers and filters to choose from.

Virtual Pong

Take a trip into the future with this virtual Ping-Pong game. Hit a simulated light back and forth with an opponent or by yourself. The best part is, you can play this right in the living room, since there are no actual balls involved.

PlayZoom Kids Smartwatch with Headphones

This gift set features a glammed-out smartwatch with matching headphones. Great for kids ages 3 and up, this set offers a swivel camera, MP3 player and 20 learning games.

Force1 UFO 4000 Mini Drone

With over 6,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, this is a gift your kids will not want to put down. It comes equipped with a remote controller and a USB charging cable, so the fun never ends.

JBL JR POP Kids Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Add a pop of color and sound to your child’s life with this highly rated speaker from JBL. It’s completely waterproof and extremely durable. The strap on the speaker is perfectly sized for little hands, too.

Winning Fingers Electronic Memory & Brain Game

Designed to enhance your child’s memory, coordination and brain skills, this flashing cube makes for a great gift. Amazon shoppers love it, too: More than 5,800 people gave it five stars.

Educational Insights Artie 3000 The Coding Robot

This educational robot makes for a great STEM gift. Kids simply design and program the code, and Artie takes the coding and draws accordingly. Artie comes with four washable markers, a start guide and activity cards.

Kidz Delight Infini First 2 in 1 Tablet

Designed for kids ages two and up, little ones will love mimicking the work-from-home lifestyle with their very own computer. It can be used as a standalone tablet or with an attachable keyboard. A great tool for teaching your child about numbers, colors and animals.

Redbox Teach Tech Mech-5 Programmable Mechanical Robot Coding Kit

This is another great STEM-focused gift idea. Kids have to program the robot to move forward, backward, right, left, spin and pause. Ideal for kids ages 8 to 14.

LOL Surprise Wireless Earbuds

If they’re obsessed with L.O.L. Surprise!, look no further for the perfect gift. Your child will love jamming out with these fashionable earbuds that have 3D stereo sound and 25 hours of battery life.

Obuby Toys Walkie Talkies

Walkie-talkies are always a fun gift idea, and this pair with more than 11,000 five-star Amazon reviews are loved and trusted by shoppers all over the globe. It’s also a great way to keep in contact with your children as they play outside!

LEYAOYAO LCD Writing Tablet

This LCD drawing and writing tablet is a great gift for the tiny artist. Let their imagination run wild without interruption, as this tablet can be reused up to 100,000 times.

Bestselling tech gifts for kids

PlayShifu Plugo Count

With over 3,300 five-star reviews on Amazon, this STEM gaming kit will keep your child playing (and learning, shhh!) for hours. It’s recommended for kids ages 4 to 10 and features various story-based math games.

Osmo Creative Game Kit

You’ll have to let your child borrow your iPad for this game system, but we promise it’ll be worth it when you see how happy it makes them. The Creative Set combines technology, creativity and problem-solving to create magical (and customized) animated adventures.

Intelino Smart Train

Kids of all ages will love this modern take on the classic train set. Built using smart technology, these toy trains are controlled with a mobile app and comes with 40 color snap tiles designed to control its steering and speed.

littleBits Electronic Music Inventor Kit

Party like a rock star with this next-level toy. You build it yourself and then customize how you want to play it. Best of all, as with Legos, the system is modular, meaning you can redo it as much as you want.

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch

This smart watch is made for kids! They can take video and selfies, learn to tell time and feel like a grown-up.

Best electronic and tech gifts for kids

Kano Disney Frozen 2 Coding Kit

This toy combines coding and entertainment with “Frozen”-themed fun! Kids can build Elsa’s ice palace, throw snowballs and play with the beloved characters. No prior coding experience needed!

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Caveat: Skip this if you’re not into your kids taking over your living space. But if you are, this game is a winner. It’s lively, vibrant and totally engaging — plus, it can be played in solo or multiplayer modes on the Nintendo Switch.

Thames & Kosmos Amazing Tightrope Walking Gyrobot Science Kit

You’re never too young to learn about physics! This toy lets you learn about the science behind gyroscopes with eight experiences and a cool robot capable of walking a tightrope.

FurReal Lil’ Wilds Owlen The Owl

This interactive owl comes to life with over 60 sound-and-motion combinations.

Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst

This kit is the perfect introduction to engineering — kids can build and rebuild endless variations of robot creations. The set includes over 50 parts and 10 challenge cards to help with inspiration!

BOTZEES AR Coding Robot for Kids

Kids can program this fun-loving robot to dance, drum, light up and more with the easy-to-use companion app. The robot also comes with 30 interactive augmented reality puzzles for even more fun and learning!

My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope

Kids love looking at things close up, and the grosser the item, the better. This microscope is sturdy, it’s easy to use, and just wait until your kid can see a dead bug up close. Score!

LittleBits Hall of Fame Night Light Starter Kit

Why buy a night-light when your kiddo can build his or her own? Yes, this is one cool (and practical) toy.

smART Pixelator

The smART Pixelator allows kids to pixelate any design and build 2D and 3D projects by using Bluetooth connectivity, easy-to-follow lights and a variety of creativity tools.

Owleez

At first glance I wasn’t sure this would be a winner. But one of our writers’ 8-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son loved teaching this itty-bitty owl to fly.

4M Kidzlabs Anti Gravity Magnetic Levitation Science Kit

Kids will learn about magnetic forces from this interactive science kit that involves exciting hands-on experiments. Kids will get to float a pencil, levitate a screw and more!