It's that time of year, people. That time of year when children are thrown into a frenzy about the latest tech toys being rolled out, and parents are thrown into a frenzy about what to get and where to get them. After all, how would you know if that toy tablet is a better buy for your youngster than that hugging monster? And even as junior yearns for that gizmo with the flashing lights and incessant music, is it really appropriate for their age? The choices are endless, the decisions fraught.
Don't worry, we've got you covered. PCMag has braved the store aisles and shopping sites for you. We've winnowed down the crop to the hottest tech toys this year. Some were released over the summer and fall, while others were rolled out specifically for the holiday season. Our picks run the gamut, from a toy baby monkey to pricey gaming consoles. We have robot dogs, kid-friendly tablets, and even a toy projector. To make things even easier, we've included the recommended age range provided by the manufacturer, where possible.
So read on and add the perfect tech toy to your gift this holiday season. The wrapping, however, is up to you.
We'd also love to know which tech toys we featured have made it to your Christmas list. Take our poll at the end to let us know.
Find more of the best deals on electronics and other gifts in our Best Deals Today section.
LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra
Ages 3 to 7 years
With its Wi-Fi capability, rechargeable battery, and bigger, higher-resolution screen, the LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra is a great toy tablet for playing and learning.
$149.99MSRP
VTech InnoTab 3S
Ages 3 to 7 years
With its improved controls, increased storage and bundled rechargeable batteries, the VTech InnoTab 3S is an attractive tablet for those who bought the previous iterations. But the laggy performance frustrates, and its addition of a MicroSD card slot (rather than the SD slot of old) is a head scratcher.
$99.99MSRP
GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine
Ages 4 to 9 years
Goldiblox and the Spinning Machine is one of two construction toys specifically aimed at young girls to encourage an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The bundle comprises of a book and a construction set. In this particular story, readers need to help Goldie build a belt drive machine to spin all her friends.
$29.99MSRP
Air Hogs Elite Helix X4
Ages 12 to 15 years
Spin Master is taking its Air Hogs Elite Helix series to untold heights with the new Air Hogs Elite Helix X4. The advanced remote control aircraft promises the next level of flight control for young, aspiring pilots everywhere.
$89.99MSRP
Air Hogs AtmoSPHERE
Ages 8 to 13 years
Flight takes on a new shape with the Air Hogs AtmoSPHERE. As its name suggests, the new flyer from Spin Master trades typical toy airplane designs for a unique, spherical form.
$24.99MSRP
Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker Bow
Ages 8 years and up
This holiday season, Nerf is introducing a more stylish member of its kid-safe projectile weapons family with the Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker Bow. By fully pulling back the drawstring, the 25-inch wide Heartbreaker Bow can accurately fire tried-and-true Nerf darts at targets up to 75 feet away.
$19.99MSRP
LeapFrog My Pal Scout and Violet
Ages 6 months to 3 years
Real dogs are all well and good, and they might teach kids about responsibility or whatever, but how about a loving dog that learns about their young owners while teaching them too? That's what LeapFrog is promising with its LeapFrog My Pal Scout and Violet interactive plush toys.
$34.99MSRP
Baby Alive Real Surprises Baby
Ages 3 years and up
If babies were more predictable, raising them might be easier, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun. Now, little kids can experience the constant surprises of child-rearing this holiday season with the new Baby Alive Real Surprises Baby.
$56.99MSRP
Zoomer
Ages 5 years and up
Zoomer, a robot dog from Spin Master, is a fun, sturdy and adorable toy. This voice-activated pup has a big personality that's expressed through a seemingly limitless litany of tricks and routines.
$99.99MSRP
Nerf N-Sports Cyber Hoop Set
Ages 8 years and up
The Nerf N-Sports Cyber Hoop Set takes an old concept and updates it so you can reuse that iPhone 4 or 4th generation iPod Touch you have lying about. It's a slam-dunk for electronically savvy kids and adults, and is a great choice for the reserve gift game at your holiday party.
$19.99MSRP
Furby Boom
Ages 6 years and up
It's deja vu all over again. Hasbro's new Furby Boom melds all the interactivity of previous Furby models with pet management and collecting games.
$64.99MSRP
FurReal Friends Cuddles My Giggly Monkey Pet
Ages 4 and up
Cuddles My Giggly Monkey pet is a robot pet that resembles a baby monkey. She can move her mouth when you feed her with her banana-shaped bottle and responds with giggles and sounds when you cuddle her or tickle her.
$74.99MSRP
Playskool Show Cam 2-in-1 Digital Camera and Projector
Ages 3 years and up
With the Playskool Show Cam 2-in-1 Digital Camera and Projector, kids will get a kick out of taking photos and being able to instantly show them to an audience.
$59.99MSRP
Flutterbye Flying Fairy
Ages 5 to 9 years
The Flutterbye Flying Fairy is essentially an indoor toy helicopter with a plastic fairy body. Guide them using only your hand as they (theoretically) dance across the sky. The fairy is supposed to rise as you lift your hand and help her fly. Read our review for more details.
$34.99MSRP
Big Hugs Elmo
Ages 18 months to 4 years
Big Hugs Elmo is good at his job (i.e., hugging), but he's more than a one-trick pony, offering up ways to keep imaginations active and helping kids get to sleep once Elmo has tuckered them out.
$49MSRP
Hasbro Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven
Ages 5 to 8 years
The new Hasbro Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven updates the light-bulb-powered classic with a sealed-in heating element and a gender-neutral, black and silver design (the traditional pink color scheme is also available).
$44.99MSRP
Jakks Pacific Spy Net Ultra Vision Goggles
Ages 8 to 15 years
The Jakks Pacific Spy Net Ultra Vision Goggles are reasonably priced, functional infrared goggles. They let you see in the dark, watch people with various fun video filters, and record anything you see with a built-in camera.
$60.49MSRP
LEGO Mindstorms EV3
Ages 10 to 15 years
The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robotics kit is the newest, best, and most accessible way to teach your kids or yourself how to build and program robots.
$349.99MSRP
Nintendo 2DS
Ages 5 to 9 years
The Nintendo 2DS is an affordable, accessible, and feature-filled game system you can safely give to your kids. If you have a young kid or a tight budget, it's your best choice.
$129.99MSRP
Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4)
$349.99MSRP
Microsoft Xbox One
$499.99MSRP
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