12 of the coolest educational tech toys for kids | Tech Gift Guide

by | Dec 6, 2016 | Holiday Tech Gifts | 116 comments

12 of the coolest educational tech toys for kids | Tech Gift Guide

Yay! We’re so happy to be back with our annualĀ Cool Mom TechĀ Holiday Tech Gift Guide, all fresh and new for 2016. And to kick it off, we’ve got the coolest educational tech toys for kids of all ages.

Whether you’re shopping for a curious preschooler or a teen who loves STEM, we’ve got 12 ideas that will keep your favoriteĀ kidsĀ busy, happy, and learning.

Of course, itĀ wouldnā€™t be a Cool Mom Tech guide without a fab giveaway. This yearā€™s fantastic prize: A brand new iPad Air 2 and designer case!

Because with so many awesome tech toysĀ for the kids here, we had to offerĀ something up justĀ for you too, right? Unless you want to share. But that’s totallyĀ up to you.

There has been no compensation for inclusion in our guide; all items are selected by our editorial team.Ā This post may contain affiliate links that help support our team at no cost to you so thank you!

Educational Tech Toys for Younger Kids

Cubetto

This clever toy teaches young kids the concepts of coding, even before they know how to read. No screens required, either. Along with this cute little robot, you’ll get maps, stories and more, all of which will keep kids engaged without the glowing light of an LED screen — or your cellular data.

littleBits Rule Your Room Kit

Our own kids adore littleBits kits and so do we, since they give curious kids so many ways to create their own super cool inventions through circuitry. Their new Rule Your Room Kit gives kids the tools they need to make all sorts of gadgets out of stuff they might have sitting in their room. Hmm, we wonder what our tweens could make out of piles of laundry and potato chip bags?

Code-a-pillar

For a fun, hands-on tech toy that’s perfect for preschoolers, the new Fisher-Price Code-a-pillar is a great choice. We featured it when it first launched earlier this year, and since then, so many parents of littles have let us know that it’s been a sound investment. Kids will be exposed to the most basic concepts of coding by rearranging the noise-making sections, then watching how their choices affect the way their caterpillar moves.

 

Educational Tech Toys for OlderĀ Kids, Tweens + Teens

Osmo Coding Toys

There’s no shortage of fun things you can do with Osmo, one of our favorite educational tools since its launch, because they keep creating fantastic additions you can use with your existing Osmo. Kids as young as kindergarten all the way through middle school will learn STEM concepts like coding with the hands-on experience of playing with real blocks, taking the learning beyond what they get from typical screen time.

Cubelets

Kids absolutely loveĀ building their own robot, airplane, and more with Cubelets, magnetic blocks from Mod Robotics Studio that can be manipulated and controlled via aĀ companion app. If you’ve got LEGO lovers, or kids who love building with their hands and want to take it to the next level, this is a tech toy they’ll adore, whether you start with the set of 6 or splurge on the 12-pack.

Wonder Workshop Robots

If there’s a tech toy our kids keep coming back to over and over again, it’s the adorable Wonder Workshop Robots, Dot and Dash, which grows with them. These little guys teach kids of all ages about coding, engineering, and more. You can buy them either together or separately — though we think you get more out of the pair — then program them for progressively harder, more complex tasks as your kids get older, whether it’s delivering snacks, shooting catapults, knocking down LEGO towers, or bothering siblings. Ha.

Parrot Minidrones

Ttons of kids and adults are obsessed with Parrot’s truly top-notch minidrones. There’s a good selection so you can find the perfect holiday gift for kids, tweens, teens, and even adults who want to try their hand at flying a drone and putting the laws of physics to the test. How much paper can the Mambo Minidrone grasp at once? How high can the Swing Minidrone go in a set number of seconds? All you need are plenty of batteries and the optional Flypad controller or just use your smartphone. From there, it’s super easy to get all of the Parrot Minidrnes unboxed and in the air — and get your kids playing outside. Yes, even when it’s cold out.

Bitsbox Deluxe Box

WeĀ were introduced to Bitsbox as aĀ Spawned podcast sponsor, and since then, our kids have been creating their own apps thanks to the cool super cards that come in each subscription box, designed to teach your kids how to code. The Deluxe Box comes with cool activities, stickers, an “Apper Keeper” and more, all packaged for gift giving with the first one shipped right to your lucky recipient in time for the holidays.

Sphero andĀ Sphero SPRK+ Edition

Also a top pick in ourĀ splurge gifts for kids,Ā the newĀ evolution of last year’s hot Sphero robot is again arguably the hottest tech toy of the year.Ā That said, if Ā you want an option that’s evermore educational, check out the Sphero SPRK Edition which is designed to teach coding. Because your kid’s own input is required to get it moving.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Written by Cool Mom Team

We spend our time looking for cool stuff, fun finds, and helpful info just for you. Hope this one fits the bill.
Bio
Twitter
Instagram

116 Comments

  1. Whitney on December 7, 2016 at 7:29 am

    I ā¤ļøCool mom tech and I am a subscriber!

  2. Deb PateRson on December 7, 2016 at 7:31 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  3. Alison on December 7, 2016 at 7:59 am

    Of COURSE I’m already a subscriber. Some interesting options here!

  4. Veronica on December 7, 2016 at 7:59 am

    I am a long time subscriber. Thank you for making shopping and research fun!

  5. Andrea saenz on December 7, 2016 at 8:55 am

    I’m a cool mom tech subscriber & love the gift guides !

  6. Aimee on December 7, 2016 at 8:56 am

    I am a subscriber.

  7. Jessica on December 7, 2016 at 9:41 am

    I’m a subscriber and FB and Twitter follower

  8. Heather Nayak on December 7, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    subscriber

  9. Kimmy Ripley on December 7, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    I am a subscriber and I tweeted (motherofpearl81)

  10. Kris on December 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    I am a subscriber & I absolutely love Cool Mom Tech!

  11. Sarah on December 7, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    I’m a subscriber!

  12. mere on December 7, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    I’m a subscriber!

  13. Laura on December 8, 2016 at 11:17 am

    I’m a subscriber

  14. Kara on December 8, 2016 at 10:32 pm

    I’m a LONG time subscriber! Love you guys!

  15. sara on December 9, 2016 at 8:13 am

    I am a subscriber:)

  16. lgc on December 9, 2016 at 8:30 am

    I’m a subscriber.

  17. SONIA MARINI on December 9, 2016 at 8:33 am

    I’m a subscriber

  18. Jessica on December 9, 2016 at 8:36 am

    I’m a happy subscriber!

  19. Mary on December 9, 2016 at 8:37 am

    I am a subscriber! Love these gift guides!

  20. Christie on December 9, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Long time subscriber. Love all of the great tips.

  21. Robin on December 9, 2016 at 8:48 am

    I am a Cool Mom Tech subscriber….

  22. Freya Hurwitz on December 9, 2016 at 9:00 am

    I am a long time subscriber

  23. stacy on December 9, 2016 at 9:03 am

    I’m a subscriber and love all things Cool Mom!

  24. Jessica @peekAbaby on December 9, 2016 at 9:03 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  28. yvette severn on December 9, 2016 at 9:20 am

    I am a subscriber and glad I am!

  29. Jennifer S on December 9, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Love this list!

  30. jennifer minetree on December 9, 2016 at 9:59 am

    I am a long term subscriber, thank you!

  31. Jennifer Schmitt on December 9, 2016 at 10:32 am

    I’m a cool mom subscriber! šŸ™‚

  32. Trish on December 9, 2016 at 11:13 am

    I’m a subscriber! Absolutely love your gift guides!!

  33. Helen on December 9, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Subscribed.

  34. Sandra l. on December 9, 2016 at 11:51 am

    I’m already an email subscriber.

  35. Michelle O'malley on December 9, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    I am a subscriber

  36. leigh kozak on December 9, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    subscriber! cool giveaway !

  37. Cheryl Weiland on December 9, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Great suggestions!! I’m a subscriber.

  38. Audry on December 9, 2016 at 1:47 pm

    I’m a subscriber!

  39. Sara B. on December 9, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    I’m a subscriber

  40. Tricia LaRue on December 9, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    Subscribed

  41. April DePietto on December 9, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    I love cool mom !! I’m already a subscriber!!

  42. Jennifer Hendrix on December 9, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    I love Cool Mom Tech! Such great info. I am a subscriber.

  43. AMR on December 9, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    I am a happy subscriber already!

  44. Kelly D on December 9, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    I Subscribe to Cool Mom Tech.

  45. May on December 10, 2016 at 8:14 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  46. Shelley on December 10, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    I’m a subscriber. Merry Christmas!

  47. Jennifer Streun on December 11, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    I ama subscriber!

  48. Stephanie Phelps on December 12, 2016 at 8:06 am

    I Subscribe to your daily email updates.

  49. Natalie Streeter on December 12, 2016 at 8:18 am

    Love cool mom tech and have been a subscriber for a while! ?

  50. Meagan on December 12, 2016 at 8:19 am

    I’m a subscriber and have been for ages. Love your content!

  51. Erinn on December 12, 2016 at 8:25 am

    I AMA subscriber!!!

  52. Amanda on December 12, 2016 at 8:32 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  53. Laura Baumgartner on December 12, 2016 at 8:39 am

    I am a subscriber!

  54. Natasha on December 12, 2016 at 8:42 am

    I am a Cool Mom Tech subscriber.

  55. SaRah on December 12, 2016 at 8:43 am

    I am a subscriber (and a religious Spawned podcast listener)!

  56. Sergio on December 12, 2016 at 8:45 am

    I am a subscriber

  57. Michelle M on December 12, 2016 at 8:51 am

    I am already a subscriber.

  58. Ann on December 12, 2016 at 9:18 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  59. Jenn S on December 12, 2016 at 9:28 am

    i’m already a subscriber! <3

  60. Jolie F on December 12, 2016 at 9:37 am

    I am a subscriber and love it! Thanks for all your great ideas!

  61. Holly Noel Garrigus on December 12, 2016 at 9:55 am

    I am a subscriber, thanks for the opportunity to win!

  62. Jenn on December 12, 2016 at 10:04 am

    I’m a subscriber! Good stuff!

  63. Meri Harper on December 12, 2016 at 10:29 am

    I subscribe

  64. Franziska on December 12, 2016 at 10:46 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  65. Amy Farley on December 12, 2016 at 10:49 am

    i’m a subscriber!

  66. kelly on December 12, 2016 at 10:51 am

    I’ve been a subscriber for a long time!

  67. kelly on December 12, 2016 at 10:52 am

    yep I’m a subscriber!

  68. Sarah on December 12, 2016 at 11:07 am

    I love Cool Mom Tech’s gift guides-they never disappoint! I rely on them for great gift ideas for my kids as well for family members. Thank you! I’m happy to be a long-term subscriber!

  69. Carly on December 12, 2016 at 11:15 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  70. Denise White on December 12, 2016 at 11:25 am

    I’m already subscribed–love Cool Mom

  72. R. Alvira on December 12, 2016 at 11:26 am

    Thank you for this great info & the opportunity! Happy Holidays!
    (I am a subscriber.)

  73. Erica Cullmann on December 12, 2016 at 11:27 am

    I am a subscriber!

  74. Sharon on December 12, 2016 at 11:33 am

    I am a subscriber for a long time ?

  75. Mona on December 12, 2016 at 11:44 am

    I’m a long time subscriber!

  76. Deb on December 12, 2016 at 11:56 am

    Iā€™m a subscriber!

  77. Jamie on December 12, 2016 at 11:57 am

    I’m a subscriber. Thanks for the great finds you share with us!

  78. Lindsay on December 12, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    Subscriber!

  79. Heather Medley on December 12, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    I am subscribers and a follower x2… love it! — like a lot

  80. Gloria Collett on December 12, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    I’m a subscriber

  81. Lara Cohen on December 12, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    I’m a subscriber!

  82. Jennifer Jepson on December 12, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    I am a subscriber already… I love all the cool products you share… my family has enjoyed the fruits of your labor!!!! Happy Holidays! We could really really use a new Ipad for my techie homeschooler with cp!

  83. MARIA on December 12, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Already a subscriber! šŸ™‚

  84. Kristina on December 12, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    I’m a subscriber šŸ™‚

  85. Jodee on December 12, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    I am a subscriber and found your post by following the link in your newsletter.

  86. Lisa O on December 12, 2016 at 11:24 pm

    I’ve been a long time subscriber!

  87. Amanda on December 12, 2016 at 11:54 pm

    I’ve been a subscriber for years!! Love you gals! xo

  88. Sarah murdoch on December 13, 2016 at 2:20 am

    I’m a subscriber and love your site and emails!

  89. Jen lavine on December 13, 2016 at 9:29 am

    I’m a subscriber and love it!

  90. Martha on December 13, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    Hello! I’m a subscriber! Thanks for the chance to win!

  91. Janine on December 13, 2016 at 11:02 pm

    I rely on Cool Mom Tech to keep in the know…I’m a subscriber for sure!!

  92. Jamesie m on December 14, 2016 at 1:30 am

    I’m a subscriber!

  93. Jennifer Szeto on December 14, 2016 at 6:07 am

    A devoted subscriber – love all your content!

  94. Stephanie mullis on December 14, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Thank you for ALL your gift guides! Love them! I am a subscriber!

  95. Nicole owler on December 14, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    I’m a subscriber ?

  96. Ann on December 15, 2016 at 8:40 am

    Subscriber šŸ™‚

  97. Stacy Bissell on December 15, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    I am a subscriber! You ladies rock! Thank you!

  98. TIffany A. on December 15, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    I am a subscriber and I love love the gift guides!

  99. Stephanie on December 18, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    I’m a subscriber! Thanks for all the tips over the years!

  100. Christina c. on December 18, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    I’m a subscriber!

  101. Angela Hendricks on December 18, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    I am a subscriber

  102. Christie on December 19, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I subscribe to Cool Mom Tech, and I love it! Thank you for what you do!

  103. Tabathia B on December 20, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Email subscriber

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  104. Barbara on December 20, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Im a subscriber!

  105. Brandy on December 20, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    I love your tech guides. I’m a subscriber. fosterbrandy@msn.com

  107. Alicia on December 20, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    I’m a subscriber!!

  108. Gretchen on December 20, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    I am already a subscriber!

  109. Leslie on December 20, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    I’m already a subscriber. Thanks!

  110. Anya on December 20, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    I am a subscriber and liked the toy reviews

  111. Jasmine Bab on December 20, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    I am a subscriber!

  112. Anna on December 20, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Also a subscriber šŸ™‚

  113. Asoni on December 21, 2016 at 7:11 am

    A subscriber and loving it!

  114. Tarah Manning on December 22, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    I am a subscriber!

  115. Kasie on December 26, 2016 at 3:18 am

    I’m a long time subscriber !