Kidizoom Digital Camera
Is your kid always begging to use your iPhone to take random pictures of sticks and cars? Then this kid-appropriate camera is the answer to all your prayers. It's sturdy enough to withstand slippery kid fingers and takes real pictures (and videos!) that you can import to your computer. It even has "stickers" and other graphics that kids can add to their pictures, along with some basic games they can play. It's only a 1.3 megapixel camera, though, so don't give this to your kid expecting print-quality snaps.
To buy: Kidizoom Camera, $28
Roominate Amusement Park
The latest from the Stanford engineers behind this innovative STEM product aimed at girls, the 282-piece set comes with walls, columns, wheels, axles, a motor, lights and other fun things like stickers and a tiny screwdriver tool. Once the Ferris wheel and a modified tea-cup ride come together, budding engineers can operate the fun park remotely with an app downloaded to iPhones and Androids.
To buy: Roominate Amusement Park, $50
'Play All Day' Elmo
Toddlers are really busy people and they need someone or something that can keep up with them. Here to the rescue is "Play All Day" Elmo! And most likely will become your baby's new best friend. He has two modes, pre-school and toddler, with a series of games, songs and actions that will keep even the most attention-span-challenged kiddie, engaged and happy.
To buy: Play All Day Elmo, $43
Chi-Chi Chihuahua
Every kid wants a pet. But not every kid is going to get a pet for the holidays, at least a live one! For those who can't bring a real one home, this little chirping puppy could at least fix some of that yearning (not to mention the mom guilt). The puppy is well-built and about the size of your hand. And yes, it walks and barks much like a real dog. Awesome for the kid and a win (if not a little annoying) for mom.
To buy: Chi-Chi Chihuahua, $11
Laser Maze Logic Game
Writing code requires logic skills that are sometimes best developed away from the computer. This Laser Maze Logic Game is a fun tool for doing just that. From the makers of Rush Hour, players use reasoning and planning skills to best any of the 60 beginner- to expert-level challenges. This game can be played alone or with a small group and, in addition to tapping into logic and reasoning, it's a real test for the Holy Grail learning qualities of the moment, grit and persistence.
To buy: Laser Maze Logic Game, $30
Remote Control Ultimate Millennium Falcon Quad
If your kid is as excited about "The Force Awakens" as well, every other kid in America and they are already pretending to fly the Millennium Falcon through missions and beyond, then this drone is what you've been looking for. Sound, lights and hyperdrive? This piece of flying machine has it all.
MORE: Gift Guides for 9-to-12
To buy: Remote Control Ultimate Millennium Falcon Quad, $100
Light-Up Air Power Soccer Disc
Kids will definitely get a kick out of this soccer ball alternative. A battery-operated toy that looks like an oversized air hockey puck, this indoor-outdoor disc lights up as it seemingly floats across flat surfaces. Lined with protective foam around its edges, boys and girls can feel free to kick it across the floor without worrying about disc damage—it playfully bounces off walls, table legs and furniture. And while the toy is lifted by a small cushion of air, it works better on hard floors than on unpredictably bumpy outdoor surfaces.
To buy: Light-Up Air Power Soccer Disc, $17
Smart Wheels Ultimate RC Speedway
This is a toy out of every toddler's dreams. It's a colorful racetrack filled with enough bells and whistles to keep even the most unimpressed little kid occupied for at least 20 minutes (and that's a huge win for Mom and Dad!). The included Smart Car is controlled either by hand for the younger set, or via remote control for the older toddlers. As it drives over certain points on the racetrack, cool features are activated like an elevator that actually moves up and down. Just know head of time: When fully assembled, the track is over 4.5 feet wide, so it will require a lot of floor space.
To buy: Go! Go! Smart Wheel Ultimate RC Speedway, $40
MiP Robot
The young and tech-minded can learn the protocols for getting MiP to perform some pretty amazing tasks by spinning her wheels and waiting for the right colored light to appear. Hand gestures move MiP forward and get her to spin. Kids can also download an app and send commands to MiP to pick up and carry objects, and balance on a plank.
To buy: MiP Robot, $69
Vtech 3 In 1 Learn And Zoom Motor Bike
Vroom vroom! This motorbike is a more than just a little ride, it's a learning device that helps little ones learn balance (the back wheel expand out to be a tricycle if they aren't ready for just two wheels yet) and has a library of music for learning on the go. It's motion-sensitive so the more movement there is, the more songs, games and sounds they'll hear as the burn rubber.
MORE: Gift Guide for Toddlers
To buy: Vtech 3 In 1 Learn And Zoom Motor Bike, $25
Spy Gear Ultimate Night Vision Goggles
Tools for spying are a timeless favorite, and this generation of spy toys have gotten pretty sophisticated. Spy Gear's night vision goggles raise the stakes of late-night hide 'n' seek and make bathroom runs at the camp sight feel like a safe adventure.
To buy: Spy Gear Ultimate Night Vision Goggles, $40
Hexbug Battle Spider—2 Pack
Hexbugs battling robots use infrared lasers and life-sensors to battle each other to the death. The 2-pack (which you should definitely get: one person can operate both at the same time or two people can play together) comes with cardboard plastic castle pieces, which Hexbugs can use to ricochet lasers off of and hit their opponents from odd angles. These battling bugs meet the threshold for adults' fun, too, in case you get recruited into a buggy battle with your kid.
To buy: Hexbug Battle Spider-2 Pack, $40
Chubby Puppies Ultimate Dog Park
Kids who love puppies will enjoy this colorful play space for dogs. Whether they're placing the included Pomeranian in the push-to-ride elevator, helping the pup navigate the slide or ride on the dog bowl merry-go-round, kids will also have fun adding a variety of waddling, panting Chubby Puppies to the mix.
To buy: Chubby Puppies Ultimate Dog Park, $25
Shock Ball Hot Potato Game
Teens are hard to buy for but this toy encourages your kid to get away from a screen (makes mom happy) and feels just ever-so-slightly dangerous (perfect for risk-taking teens). After you turn the baseball-sized blue sphere on with a blue plastic key, the ball sends out mild shocks every 20 seconds or so. You simply toss the ball from one person to another and try not to drop it when it sends out the shock. Sounds easy, right? It's actually pretty challenging, which is why the kids are going to love it. It's basically battery-operated hot potato and as crazy as it sounds it's really fun!
MORE: Gift Guides For Teens
To buy: Dano Shock Ball Hot Potato Game, $16
Hubsan Quadcopter Drone
No doubt the toy genre of the seasons, almost every present pile will include a drone this year. There are tons to chose from and amazingly within even 'small ticket item' price range. This Hubsan Quadcopter drone is operated by an app for your phone and comes with a camera to give the operators a drone's-eye-view of the neighborhood.
To buy: Hubsan Quadcopter drone, $80
