Every year, as the holidays roll around, it begins. Children are thrown into a frenzy over the latest toys and games, and the rest of us are thrown into a frenzy about what to get and where to get it. After all, how would you know if that toy robot is a better buy for your youngster than that motorized go-kart? And even as junior yearns for that gizmo with the flashing lights and incessant music, is it really age-appropriate? The choices are endless, the decisions daunting.
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 toys and games 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 new gaming console just for kids to a toy smartwatch that's actually a camera. We have a quad-copter drone, flying cars, and even a laughing chair.
So read on and add the perfect tech toy to your gift this holiday season. The buying, wrapping, and gifting, however, is up to you.
Mattel Barbie Fashion Design Maker
The Barbie Fashion Design Maker lets you create your own outfits on your PC or tablet, which you can then print out and stick on a specially made Barbie included with the bundle. It will undoubtedly keep any Barbie fan (or adult tech editor) entertained.
Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote Control Flying Car
The Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote Control Flying Car by Mattel brings the wonder of flight to the younger set and does so effortlessly.
LeapFrog LeapTV
The LeapTV is a gaming console that's meant to be used with your TV, but it's aimed specifically for children ages 3 to 8 years old and puts an emphasis on educational gaming. It offers the best of the Sony and Microsoft platforms—with a controller that can be used like a Nintendo Wii controller or Playstation Move, and a motion-sensing camera for Kinect-like play—and adds an intuitive interface that's easy for the younger set to understand and master.
Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition) Starter Pack
Disney Infinity gets a refresh with a new 2.0 version that includes a full roster of new characters from across Disney's extensive media holdings. There are several Marvel superheroes (and a few villains) from Marvel's The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the current Spider-Man cartoon.
Skylanders Trap Team Starter Pack
Skylanders Trap Team brings back Skylanders with a new twist. Set the Skylander toy on the glowing base during the game, and the character appears in the game. Buy more Skylanders toys, and you'll have more characters to use in your adventures; and there are plenty of them.
Wowwee MiP
Wowwee's MiP is a robot with emotions, and it wants to play with you. This lovable robotic buddy will move around, spin-dance to music, and express its own emotions with shouts and groans.
Hasbro Playskool Let's Imagine Elmo
Hasbro Playskool 's Let's Imagine Elmo is meant to teach and spark imagination with three different interactive modes that encourage your child to count, identify sounds, and sing.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair
The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair is an engaging toy with all sorts of physical controls that will prompt a song or sound. In other words, it's big-time toddler fun.
Sky Viper Camera Drone
Take a toy quadcopter and strap a camera on it, and you get the Sky Viper Camera Drone, an even more fun toy quadcopter.
Anki Drive Starter Kit
Anki Drive is a new spin on slot car racing that adds smartphone control, combat, and AI opponents to the formula.
Spin Master Sew Cool Sewing Studio
The Sew Cool Sewing Studio is indeed pretty cool, as long as you come to terms with the fact that it's not a sewing machine, but a felting machine. For its price, the Sew Cool is a good way to see if a kid wants to dip a toe into sewing.
Spin Master Zoomer Dino
Adorable, with a design that's slick and futuristic, the Zoomer Dino is a hot item this holiday season, but parents should be aware that it can be frustrating to master for younger kids.
Spin Master Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Racer
The Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Racer by Spin Master is the kind of toy that seems right out of a child's imagination. A car controlled by a "laser beam" that can go on the ground and the wall, and even on the ceiling? Cool!
Spin Master Air Hogs RC Rollercopter
The Air Hogs RC Rollercopter by Spin Master is meant to take a licking and keep on ticking. Aimed at 8-10 year olds, it's essentially a toy helicopter with an exterior rolling case that's controlled by a remote. It can drive on the ground, roll up walls, and fly into the air, all with nary a scratch to the toy itself.
VTech InnoTab MAX
The InnoTab MAX is a great educational, interactive toy for the 3- to 9-year-old set, and should keep their attention for a spell, while hopefully educating their minds.
VTech Kidizoom SmartWatch
The Kidizoom Smartwatch is actually a camera watch that also happens to tell time. It's fun, easy to use, and has a durable design.
Nerf Cam ECS-12
The Nerf Cam ECS-12 is a unique, fun, and unfortunately expensive Nerf gun. It combines a motorized, semiautomatic action and a Halo assault rifle feel with a camera you can use to capture your targets.
Nerf Combat Creatures TerraDrone
The TerraDrone is a remote-controlled spider robot that shoots Nerf darts. It's an incredibly fun robot that can stomp around your floors and desks and rain foam upon your friends with ease. What more could you want?
Mattel Electronic Football Handheld Retro Video Game
Apparently, what's old is new again. Mattel has brought back the Electronic Football Handheld Retro Video Game. This handheld device keeps it simple but addictive, as you run, kick and move forward or sideways to avoid tacklers.
Razor Crazy Cart
The go-kart has gotten a major upgrade. The Razor Crazy Cart lets you drive, spin, or drift at speeds up to 19 miles per hour. A patented drift system allows the driver to vary the rear caster angle so you can drive and drift forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, and everything in between.
Hexbugs Tony Hawk Circuit Boards Skatepark
The Tony Hawk Circuit Boards Skatepark helps kick your fingerboard skills up a few notches. It's part of a line of motorized remote-control skateboard and ramp sets that let your kids either play in the traditional fingerboard style or use the infrared remote control to maneuver the skateboard.
Lego City High-Speed Passenger Train
Master builders rejoice! The Lego City High-speed Passenger Train is a fun build, plus it comes with an 8-channel, 7-speed infrared remote control to make the train power around the curved tracks.