Most kids are immersed in technology these days. Make sure that the electronic toys, games and gadgets your children use are not only fun but also educational. Check out these top gadgets for kids.
VTech MobiGo
Perfect for young children, the VTech MobiGo Touch Learning System features touchscreen technology that allows your kids to look, listen and touch while playing learning games and activities that teach math, vocabulary, spelling and more. The system features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a durable, colorful design. It comes with one cartridge and is normally priced around $60 at most big-box and toy stores. Additional cartridges are about $20. The MobiGo is geared toward children 3 to 7 years old.
Playskool Alphie
Kids love robots. The Playskool Alphie robot is geared toward preschoolers and features activities for vocabulary development, letter sounds, shape sorting and much more. The robot comes with 30 learning cards to help your little one stay engaged as she learns.
Celestron SkyScout
For kids ages 8 and up, check out the Celestron SkyScout. This educational gadget is like a handheld planetarium. Your child can point the unit at any celestial body in the sky, and click to get information such as its name, history, trivia, mythology and other details. The SkyScout is loaded with the knowledge to identify over 6,000 stars, planets, constellations and more. Originally $400, the Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium is on sale at Amazon for about $250.
Learning laptops
These colorful laptops — perfect for toddlers and preschoolers — resemble the grown-up versions but come preloaded with learning activities and games that teach children about numbers, shapes, colors and much more. Many of these laptops come decked out in themes featuring your child’s favorite characters, TV shows and movies, such as the VTech Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop and the Barbie B-Smart Learning Laptop.
Interactive book systems
Learning to read can be a lot of fun with interactive book systems. VTech, LeapFrog and other companies have created these reading systems that come with books, cartridges and a “pen.” When your child places the pen at different spots throughout the pages, the book is read electronically, or the child can play various games and activities. Each system comes with one or two books, and you can purchase additional books with cartridges for $10 to $20 each.
Firefly mobile phone
These units are real, functional cell phones created just for kids — and for their parents, who can rest easy knowing that their young children can reach them at any time. Low per-minute rates and no long-term contracts allow kids to use these cute, colorful phones to make calls, play games, take photos, listen to music, watch videos and send/receive text messages, while parents monitor their usage and keep costs under control.
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