For parents, it’s getting harder to tell the difference between things that are connected to the internet and traditional toys or gadgets Explore our expert-approved guide to smart toys and wearable gadgets.
Smart speakers are becoming increasingly popular in the home. They can check the weather, read your texts, answer questions and set timers. As well as this, some smart speakers can play games, run quizzes, read audiobooks and play sound to children, plus answer questions from the internet.
The most popular smart speakers are:
Every purchase includes 1 year of Amazon Kids+ content. Children can ask Alexa to play music, get help with homework, hear bedtime stories and more. With a dedicated parent dashboard, you can control what your child is engaging with and filter content. Plus, Alexa will automatically give child-friendly responses and filter songs with explicit lyrics, so kids can listen independently
While Google Nest doesn’t have a dedicated children’s speaker like the Echo, the Google Nest allows for parental controls and personalisation. Parents can change everything from the voice children hear to the sort of content Google Nest will respond with.
Delivering screen-free fun, smart speakers can be a great tool for kids to learn new things, explore audiobooks and satiate their curiosity with answers to every question they can ask.
See our Smart Speakers Set up Safe guide for more information.
Smartwatches are like a wearable smartphone, some can take photos, track how many steps you take a day and can even help you track your location. If you’re worried about how much data is being saved about your child, you can usually set it up through a linked smartphone or purchase an offline smartwatch.
With a splash-proof design, motion sensor, pedometer, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch and voice recorder, this watch does almost everything your child could need. Plus it has a Time Master app which helps children learn how to tell the time. It also lets children take photos and videos with its dual cameras, so it’s worth having a conversation about photos and photo sharing safely.
The iTime Smart Watch connects to the ITIME app on IOS and Android devices which features message and call notifications, a step counter, Bluetooth, a sleep monitor and more. You can also receive call and message notifications.
Parents can set goals like cleaning their room and allow kids to earn virtual coins (parents decide how many) from there, parents can choose how the kids can redeem them. There are plenty of preset options such as “go swimming” or “eat out”. Kids will also be rewarded for being active, 60 minutes of daily activity unlocks ‘adventure’ – an educational but fun travel story.
The Tikkers watch offers plenty of interactive features like preloading up to 40 songs for listening with the child-safe headphones provided. There are also four games to play plus a voice recorder and a built-in camera with high-quality image capture and filter option
As AI (artificial intelligence) becomes more affordable, they’re being integrated into a wide range of children’s toys, offering unique interactive experiences. From educational robots to toys that help kids code, to toys that promote language skills, there are plenty to choose from.
Designed by experts in child education and development, Miko grows up alongside kids. Perfect for studying, dancing and built with deep AI learning to better understand your child, Miko comes with built-in profanity filters, age-appropriate content, and culturally neutral suggestions.
Programe endless challenges with 27 obstacle pieces, Botley is an innovative STEM toy that encourages children to explore science, technology, engineering and maths, while having fun.
By lighting up and responding to motion, Sphero Mini offers a range of educational experiences. Drive it, code it and use it in a variety of games, you can connect the Sphero to a range of apps for play or learning.
VR and AR have become increasingly more popular, especially to enhance gaming experiences for children and teens.
If you’re thinking of diving into VR for your family, start with the simpler options. Products like Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR use a smartphone with special apps, and the phone fits right into the headset. If your kids love it, you can consider the more advanced options like:
With the highest resolution on the market, the HTC Vive Pro 2 offers an experience like no other. But, it’s also one of the most expensive options (at over £1000 for the entire kit).
One of the most popular choices on the market, META Quest 2 delivers an incredible gaming experience. However, it does require a META (Facebook) account to function.
Perfect for PlayStation owners, this headset only works when paired with Sony’s PlayStation games. However, it’s had nothing but rave reviews and plenty of kid-friendly games to explore.
When it comes to Augmented Reality (AR), children can track down creatures in their garden or explore stars in the night sky. You don’t even need a headset; you can just use your smartphone. With options like the LEGO AR Studio, you can build virtual Lego sets in your real space. Or the Curiscope AR t-shirt – it brings the human body to life, showing muscles, bones, and organs in amazing detail.
Another popular option is Nintendo’s Mario Kart Live Home Circuit, which turns your Nintendo Switch into a remote-controlled car that races around your room.
See more articles and resources to help children stay safe online.