Buying for the little ones typically means “toys”, but if you’re after a gadget or two, our kids gadget gift guide could be a handy helper.
It might seem a little crazy, but kids and teens can be complex to buy for. While the magic of Santa is expected to make some of those wishlist items magically materialise (if only!), sometimes you might find yourself looking for something a little bit more interesting.
Beyond the basics of dolls and action figures and scooters and such, we’re looking at gadget gifts for kids that grant them a smidgen more independence. It’s that little bit that can inspire them to be more, and believe they have that ounce more respect to do what they want with something new in their lives.
With that in mind, we have a little list of gadgets this holiday season properly suited with kids, pre-teens, and even the odd teen in mind.
Amazon Echo Pop
Price: $79
Want to give your kids a bit of independence? Stick a smart speaker in their room and connect it up with your music service of choice.
In one move, your kids can ask Alexa (or Echo) to play music, and they suddenly have the ability to decide what they’re going to dance to. They can also ask it questions, such as how to spell something or even what a word means.
And, you as a parent can even set up a clever alarm clock that jolts them from bed with your own musical playlist.
Yoto Mini Player
Price: $120
Alternatively, there’s another option for kids and speakers: a portable gadget that is both a speaker and a media player, complete with support for headphones.
The Yoto Mini Player is a curious concept that allows kids to take entertainment to go in a screen-free way. Kids will use cards set up with audiobooks and music, and while there is a small screen, it’s basically there to point out what the kids are doing.
The result is a clever take on portable media for kids, and makes for a similarly independent approach to entertainment for the little ones that works anywhere.
JBL Jr 460NC
Price: $130
If you’re about to head out on a flight with the kids, you might want to consider gifting them the sound of noise cancellation without cords, much like you might do for yourself. But instead of going the adult option wit ha pair of exy headphones, consider a pair made just for kids.
JBL’s Jr range has long provided surprisingly solid value with balanced sound, and the Jr 460NC is the next step in this range, offering acceptable active noise cancellation in a larger style of headphone, with a way to cut the cords and offer a modern kid-friendly approach to listening.
Kobo Clara Colour
Price: $259
Getting your kids to read is clearly an important skill, but getting them to fall in love with the practice is something entirely different.
Rakuten’s Kobo had one of Australia’s first commonly found colour eBook readers in the Libra Colour, complete with colour note-taking. But if you don’t need the notes and just want the colour eReader, consider the Clara Colour, a slightly less expensive model sans note-taking.
The upside to a colour eReader could be found in Australia’s library system. With so many local libraries using Overdrive and Libby, kids with a Kobo can log on and download books to read, including kids colour picture books. It means your kids can borrow books from the local library all without leaving home, and still get the colourful experience they may long for.
Spacetalk Adventurer 2
Price: $349
You’re probably not going to go out of your way to buy your kids an Apple Watch, but if you do want them to stay connected and feel a modicum of independence, consider something that combines the versatility of a phone with the look of a watch.
The Spacetalk Adventurer is an idea from an Australian company, and essentially combines a 4G phone with a GPS tracker, watch, and small camera to let kids and parents communicate without the kids needing a conventional phone.
Possibly the most intriguing aspect is the software side of things, which allows parents to set who contacts their kids and vice versa. It means the kids will get some independence, but won’t just be able to call anyone. And you’ll be able to see where they’re going, too.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Price: $580
If your child is already a bit of a kamikaze and goes out in the surf or skating world, they might be keen to make their own films with an action camera as durable as they seem to think they are. Bring some bandaids and a decent bit of gear, because they may need it.
Our suggestion for this is technically last year’s GoPro, but it’s still a goody. The Hero 12 Black is still a solid option given just how capable it is, and what it misses out on this year, skipping out on the 13’s lens expansions, something kids and teens probably won’t need.
Instead, you’ll be able to save a bit of money on what is arguably similar tech in a properly durable package. Waterproof and shock resistant, the Hero 12 Black is a solid 4K-capable camera with a touchscreen that’s super easy to use.
Apple iPad 10th-gen
Price: from $599
A 10 inch entertainment device capable of being used for so much more, it’s easier to just say the iPad covers pretty much every need a kid might have for a tablet in their lives.
It’s great at movies and TV viewing, but it also has games covered, and plenty of educational options. Kids can read books on the iPad, either through buying them or borrowing them much like they can on the aforementioned Kobo, and they can even learn other skills with educational apps, or even learning to code.
The 10th gen iPad is definitely the one to consider for the moment. While you won’t get the AI features found on this year’s iPad Mini, the fact that it can take a keyboard makes it more than just an entertainer all around.
