10 of the best tech gifts for kids of 2021 – USA TODAY

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If you’re shopping for kiddos who wish they could have their own iPhone for Christmas, you can still snag them some pretty awesome presents without spending hundreds on an expensive piece of tech. There are other cool gadgets out there that will satisfy their need for all things electronic—and that are designed for little hands.
To help you pick out the perfect toys and devices, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best tech gifts for kids of all ages below. Some of our top choices include the popular Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, the Nintendo Switch Lite every kid wants and the must-have Pixicade kit that allows them to create their own video games.
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Get your little ones their own Echo Dot with this kids version of Amazon’s popular smart speaker. Available in either a tiger or panda design, the tiny Dot has a bunch of child-friendly features—it can read stories, help kids with their math homework, set bedtime alarms and call pre-approved family or friends. And don’t worry, you can set a number of parental controls to ensure your child is using their speaker safely and securely.
Get the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids Edition from Amazon for $34.99
The Nintendo Switch has been very hard to come by over the last year. Fortunately, you can still scoop up its more portable counterpart—the Nintendo Switch Lite—at many retailers. It’s perfect for kids thanks to its durable design and cheerful colors. With access to thousands of games at their fingertips, they’ll stay entertained for hours.
Get the Nintendo Switch Lite from Amazon for $199.99
Reviewed’s parenting editor, Anna Lane, is a big fan of the Yoto Player—but more importantly, so are her kids. The white cube is a digital storytelling device, which can read children novels or short stories, host singalongs or lead educational activities. It’s easy for kids to control themselves and is a great alternative to more screen time. Anna says it’s the only thing that competes with a tablet in her household.
Get the Yoto Kids Audio Player from Amazon for $109.98
If your kids don’t yet have their own tablet, they’ll love unwrapping the Amazon Fire Kids Edition on Christmas morning. Our experts dubbed it the best tablet for kids you can buy this year. Available in bright blue, pink and purple, it’s easy for kids to navigate and it comes pre-loaded with more than 13,000 apps, games, books, videos and other activities. Plus, it has an impressively long battery life.
Get the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition from Amazon for $89.99
Looking for the perfect pair of headphones for the kiddos on your list? Our experts tested a bunch of popular headphones for kids and found the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet headphones to be the best. They’re volume-limited—so your child won’t destroy their hearing—and offer noise cancellation along with a comfortable fit and hassle-free wireless design.
Get the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones from Amazon for $119
Your kid has been begging for an Apple Watch, but you aren’t about to shell out hundreds of dollars on something they’re liable to break in a day. Satisfy their wish for a smart watch, however, with this Spider-man version from HSN. It looks similar to an Apple Watch—but with a fun superhero design—and they can use it to do everything from play games to take selfies.
Get the Spider-man Interactive Smart Watch from HSN for $38.18
Part stuffed animal, part interactive toy, the Purrble is one of the year’s hottest toys—and for good reason. Using seven sensors, it’s designed to calm and soothe your child as they snuggle with it. It has a life-like heartbeat that slows down as your kid holds and pets it, which in turn relieves their stress, as well. It’s great for any little one who feels overwhelmed or needs help managing their emotions.
Get the Purrble Calming Toy Companion from Amazon for $49.99
Turn your child into a video game designer this holiday with the Pixicade Mobile Game Maker. It’s just what it sounds like—it allows them to draw their own games and then animate them to bring them to life. Armed with washable markers and two beefy sketchpads, they’ll love choosing their characters, scenery, obstacles and more.
Get the Pixicade Mobile Game Maker from Amazon for $24.99
Osmo is a STEM toy that parents and kids alike will enjoy. In testing, our experts loved how easy it is to use and how “amazingly fun” it is. It’s also educational—through games, physical coding blocks and interactive activities, kids will learn the basics of how to code and program. Bonus: The brand will replace any lost or damaged blocks for free within 90 days of purchase.
Get the Osmo Coding Starter Kit from Amazon for $69.99
What kid wouldn’t love getting their very own drone? This mini one from Amazon costs less than $40 and has more than 3,500 glowing reviews from parents who say their children are obsessed with the high-tech toy. It comes with an easy-to-use remote control so the drone can race through the air and perform fun stunts mid-flight. It also has colorful LED lights for night flying and propeller guards for safe play.
Get the Force1 UFO 4000 Mini Drone from Amazon for $39.95
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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