It’s that time again: holiday shopping season! Kids are always at the top of the list, and you have a few (or more) to buy something for to put under the tree, we have you covered with some great gifts for kids of all ages.
Top Picks (sponsored & Editor’s Picks)
1. Planet Buddies Turtle Tablet Cushion Stand
Parents probably notice that as their kids engage in more and more screen time, they’re also hunching over to do it, bending their neck in a way that will over time, impact their posture. The Planet Buddies Turtle tablet cushion stand is not just a convenient spot to place the iPad while they watch videos or play games, it can also prevent them from holding it in such an uncomfortable manner. The adorable beanbag-style cushion stand for your tablet is compatible with devices up to 12.9 inches in size. It can also double as a reading pillow in bed or in their lap in the car during a long road trip. It has two pockets to store small items, like a charging cable, and is made from 100% polyester. Get it from Erikson Consumer for $35.
2. Amazfit Balance Smartwatch
There are plenty of kid-specific smartwatches out there, like the Garmin Bounce and Fitbit Ace 2. But when it comes to older kids, they don’t want something for kids. They want a cool smartwatch they can enjoy wearing, and that has features they like. While the Amazfit Balance might bo too much watch for kids who just need the basics, it’s a decent option for older kids. In fact, my 13-year-old has been sporting it for several weeks now and it’s the first smartwatch I have handed over to him that he actively wants to wear. There are a number of things kids will appreciate. First is the generous up to 14-day battery life. There’s also the customizable screen along with detailed health tracking, including data about sleep scores, readiness, and more. He appreciates having something “cool” on his wrist. And I love checking the app from time to time to make sure he’s getting enough good quality sleep and his days are sufficiently active.
3. Lego Fortnite Battle Bus
If there’s a child on your list who’s anywhere from 9-14, chances are they love Fortnite. If they also love Lego, the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus is a gift that will make you the favourite aunt or uncle instantly. At $130, the 954-piece set is a replica of the hot-air balloon marvel from the game. It features rolling wheels, a removable roof, and the iconic blue and yellow balloon. Suitable for builders aged 10+, it includes Slurp Juice, Grappler, Pickaxes, and Slap Juice. Also included are nine Lego Minifigures: Battalion Brawler, Adventure Peely, Brite Bomber, Cuddle Team Leader, Cube Assassin, Trespasser Elite, Drift, Meowscles, and Raven, which can all be seated in the bus to fuel creative role play. My son excitedly built this set and loves it alongside all the other sets in the Lego Fortnite series.
Other Gift Ideas
Spyra SpyraGravity Water Bomb Launcher
For young kids who love a good water fight in the summer, the Spyra SpyraGravity Water Bomb Launcher is the perfect gift to add to their epic collection, or as a first one to start them off for next summer. The high-tech launcher has a multiple water bomb rack so you can unleash several in rapid succession to really get your enemies soaked from as far away as 52 feet. It has an electronic trigger system with a smooth and tactile pull. The four included 100mL bombs are reusable, made from hardcore material that’s simple to refill. It has a multicolour LED display that provides real-time updates so you know when you’re running low on ammunition and battery life so you can crouch down and reload or pause the fight for a recharge break. It recharges easily via USB-C. But you’ll be able to enjoy long sessions with the battery lasting for up to 2,000 shots or about 10 hours of continuous play (with pauses to refill, of course). It comes in red and blue and starts at US$109.
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch
If you want a smartwatch or your child that won’t be distracting and is age-appropriate, the TickTalk 5 is a good option to consider. At US$160, it’s designed for kids but it’s really for parents (Shhh, don’t tell them). How? There’s no access to the internet, games, or social media. But it does have GPS tracking, two-way video calling, encrypted messaging, and 20+ parental controls. It’s waterproof and durable so it can stand up to the rigors of the school day. Why will kids love it? Along with the fun colours and ability to keep in touch from their wrist, it comes with kid-friendly apps like reminders, an activity tracker, and free music streaming.
Apple Watch SE 3 Smartwatch
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that’s more feature rich for older kids, the Apple Watch SE 3 is a fantastic option. It’s a premium smartwatch with impressive features and a few concessions that make it ideal for kids and entry-level users. Most notable when it comes to kids, you can set it up as Apple Watch For Your Kids, pairing it with your phone if they don’t have one yet. That provides the best of both worlds: they get some independence while you don’t have to get them a phone before you think they’re ready. Features like the durable screen will be appreciated for young ones along with quick charging and the option for a 5G cellular plan. Features like Emergency SOS and Check In provide parents with peace of mind, too, along with Find My to locate your child or the missing watch if they forgot it somewhere. They can leverage alarms to wake up in the morning, track activities like school sports, and check on their sleep duration and quality. It starts at $329.
Lego Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village Set
What can you get the Harry Potter loving kid that has everything? One of the latest sets like the Lego Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village will be a delight under the tree. The highly detailed collector’s edition set measures over 21.85 inches high by 14.8 inches wide and 6.18 inches deep and features the Hogsmeade in winter with seven buildings recreated in brick form, including the first-ever Lego versions of Zonko’s Joke Shop and the Hog’s Head pub. The set contains 3,228 pieces and includes 12 minifigures, featuring beloved characters like Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Professor McGonagall, and Aberforth Dumbledore. Built in three sections, there are features like wonky windows, crooked chimneys, and snow-dusted rooftops. All doors open to reveal intricately designed interiors, packed with authentic accessories and references, from Exploding Bon Bons and Butterbeer to Sneakoscopes and a Remembrall. There’s even a portrait of Ariana Dumbledore that opens to a hidden passage. It can connect to other Lego Harry Potter sets as well, like the Lego Diagon Alley and Lego Gringotts Wizarding Bank for both play and display. Grab it for $490.
Disney Lilo & Stitch Lego Sets
If your child loves Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, there are several new Lego sets to get them to celebrate their fandom. The Lego Disney Stitch set (43249) is suitable for ages nine and up and measures eight inches high with 730 total pieces. Builders can create a posable Stitch figure with movable ears, a turning head, and accessories for the display. The set also includes a buildable flower and ice cream cone that Stitch can hold along with his signature Hawaiian shirt. Use the Lego Builder app for 3D model viewing and progress tracking. It sells for $85. Also for ages 9+ is the Lego Disney Lilo and Stitch Beach House (43268) which sells for $140. It consists of a two-level beach house with six rooms, a rooftop observatory, and detailed elements from the movie. The set includes Lilo, Stitch, Nani, David, and Mr. Bubbles minifigures, along with accessories like two surfboards, a record player, a mini guitar, and a brick-built spaceship. There are also Easter eggs and elements for imaginative play and display. The model measures 7 x 13 x 5.5 inches in size and consists of 834 pieces. Finally, there’s the Lego BrickHeadz Stitch (40674) for ages 10+, which sells for just $13. With 152 pieces and measuring over three inches tall, builders can construct a stylized Stitch figure in BrickHeadz form, featuring five distinct shades of blue. The set includes a display baseplate, making it easy to showcase Stitch on a shelf, desk, or collection stand. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer for the Lilo & Stitch fan on your list.
Pinwheel Genesis 4 Kids Smartphone
Pinwheel is one of the best-known makers of kids’ phones and the Genesis 4 is a starter phone for kids who might be just on the cusp of being old enough for their first device but you’re not quite ready to fully dive into a full-featured device. At just $169, it has limited features and everything can be managed from the Caregiver Portal. It blocks unknown contacts, remotely monitors text messages, and checks app safety ratings before kids can download one. There’s no access to social media apps nor any apps made for adults. You can set schedules, locate your child, and test your child’s responsible usage before diving into a higher-end device. This one, however, has some pretty impressive features, including dual 50MP cameras, a 6.7-inch HD+ display, up to three-day battery life, and quad-core processor. You only get 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, but since it’s designed for light, limited use, this should suffice. One of Pinwheel’s latest features designed to kids who split time between households is called Multiple Caregivers, which makes co-parenting simple. The primary parent can grant specific tailored permissions to reduce conflict and eliminate confusion on things like rules, screen time permissions, apps, and phone usage.
All sponsored top picks are recommended by the WiFi HiFi team, All views expressed are our own.