Computers-Plus

It’s that time of year again, and the early birds out there have already started their holiday shopping. But if you’re a tech geek and you’ve been fretting over what to get – because let’s face it, no normal toy will pass muster in a respectable techie house – then read on, because we’ve got the best gadgets for your kids (and maybe for yourself) this holiday season. From dolls that connect to the internet to cars that race on the ceiling to moving items like a Jedi with only your mind, you’ll be sure to find something you love.

1. Fisher Price 3-in-1 Smart Sports

Wish you had a Wii that was a little more… well…kid friendly? Yes, it is possible, as setting up CDs and navigating menus can be tough on younger children. With this plug-and-play game from Fisher Price you’ll be able to teach your kids colors, words and numbers while they swing away playing baseball, tennis or golf. The materials are all made out of soft foam and setup is easy. It’s not just a game, it’s edutainment!

2. Jakks TV Games Motion: Star Wars

Ok, if the above wasn’t techie enough for you, how about the Star Wars equivalent? With Jakks TV Games Motion: Star Wars the controller’s movement (and hence your child’s movement) controls the game, keeping things exciting. It’s plug-and-play so setup is a breeze, and the Star Wars action (over 20 missions) is sure to keep your kid – and just maybe, you too? – entertained for a while.

3. Rubik’s Touchcube

This one may be for the parents, but the more ambitious among you can try this out on your kids as well. This is a modern update to the classic Rubik’s Cube (remember, that thing you got so mad at you threw it into a wall in 1979?), giving it an accelerometer and touch sensitive functions so that instead of turning the cube, you simply swipe your finger across to rotate it. And don’t worry – there are “hint” and “solve” buttons in case you get stuck.

4. Spin Master Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser

RC cars are cool and always have been, but they always had one crushing limitation – they were bound by the laws of gravity. Not anymore, with the Spin Master Air Hogs Zero Gravity easily climbing up walls and onto ceilings (don’t worry, it won’t track). And yup, you read the title correctly – the car is guided by a genuine laser. The tech points keep piling up!

5. Mattel’s Mindflex Game

Ever wanted a game that was sure to exercise your child’s brain power? Mindflex does exactly that, but in a way you won’t believe. Simply attach the included headset, and by doing nothing more than concentrating really hard you (we mean, your child) will be able to move a foam ball around a specially designed obstacle course.

6. Uncle Milton’s Star Wars The Force Trainer

We don’t think there’s a device out there that won’t benefit from being converted to a Star Wars theme. With The Force Trainer, Yoda takes you on an adventure from Padawan to Jedi, where you use nothing but your mind to power a fan and lift a ping pong ball to various heights in sequences so complex only Yoda himself could devise them.

7. Hi-Tec Sketch Art

This one will be fun for the parents as well, if for no other reason than nostalgia. The Hi-Tec Sketch Art pad is essentially a Lite Brite set for the 21st century, replacing the old bulbs with miniature LEDs. The LEDs are placed into a conductive foam pad to create whatever designs you like.

8. Mattel Dora Links Doll

Yes, dolls are wonderful toys for children, but where is the techie to find joy in such a simple contraption? Mattel has found a way, and this Dora has the ability to change her eye color, jewelry color, even hair length simply by plugging her into your computer. Once plugged in, your child will also be able to go on one of several interactive adventures with Dora. Now, that’s our kind of doll.

9. Hasbro FurReal Lulu My Cuddlin’ Kitty

If you’re looking for fake animal toys there is rarely only one option (Zhu Zhu Hamsters have been flying off the shelves), but the Hasbro FurReal Kitty gets points from us for being as realistic as it is cute. Pet Lulu in various ways and she will move or purr accordingly, and she is soft enough to cuddle with as the name suggests.

10. UCreate Music

This ingenious toy is simple enough for the youngsters but complex enough to grab the attention of music aficionados of all ages. Record samples of music or even your own voice, which can then be looped, sped up or slowed down and stored with the internal storage (up to two and a half minutes). You can upload your songs online and download new songs from the program’s website, too.

11. Crayola Beginnings Color-Me-A-Song

This musical toy is targeted at a younger crowd – toddlers – but it makes pretty cool use of technology to encourage creativity. The toy plays music that speeds up and slows down based upon the pace in which your child scribbles, allowing him or her to create original music. Better still for musical parents, the music can be played in any of four styles (rock, salsa, swing and country), so your child can learn the difference.

12. EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles V2

You know tech has come a long way when fully functional infrared goggles are children’s toys – although this may be affordable fun for adults too, as these cost far less than your standard adult pair. It should be able to give you up to 50 feet of lightless infrared vision. What techie home is complete without one?

13. EyeClops BioniCam

Another entry here from EyeClops, this one is a combination digital camera and microscope. Featuring a color LCD and magnification up to 400x, this device will let you or your child explore the world around you in some pretty serious depth. Once you’ve found something interesting, take a picture or video of it and then upload it via USB stick or watch it on a TV.

14. Disney Ultimate Buzz Lightyear Robot

Nothing says “I love technology” more than a walking, talking, programmable robot, and this toy turns one of Disney’s lovable characters from Toy Story into just that. With 7 motors, 3 sensors and over 100 sayings recorded by Tim Allen himself, Buzz can respond to voice commands and move realistically. With a 15 function remote, you can also program and record a sequence of movements for Buzz at will.

15. Lego Toys (various)

These items aren’t toys in and of themselves – they’re toys because of what they’re made of. Digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players, alarm clocks and even boomboxes made safe and fun (they are stackable!) due to their child-friendly Lego encasement. This is fun for adults and children alike, and could be a great way to introduce your child to technology. Or it could just be a great way to relive your own childhood.

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