Forget Black Friday — the holiday shopping season has already begun. Before Halloween had passed, stores started lining their windows with decorations and sale signs to entice you with sweet deals. Your children’s Christmas wishes will no doubt be ringing in your ears until every package has been unwrapped on the big day.
One request your kids might have is for new tech — a popular gift category for many kids. But with so many products out there, it can be hard to know exactly what to get them. This article will explore some ideas for tech gifts you can get your kids this holiday season.
1. A Gaming Console
It’s impossible to compile a list like this one without including gaming consoles. Video games are more popular than ever, with kids and adults alike. Every year, consoles become more powerful and more capable of generating experiences unthinkable just 10 years ago. Games are also highly social nowadays, and it’s likely your child has friends they want to play games with online.
Some games are exclusive to certain consoles, so make sure you know what games your child wants to play before making the purchase. It’s true that developers are releasing more cross-platform games these days, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The big three console brands are Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo, each with its own machine. If your child doesn’t know what console the game they want to play is on, Google it. Alternatively, ask them what consoles their friends have. It’s a good bet that they’ll want to play on the same one as their friends.
2. A Smart Watch
The permeation of tech into everyday life doesn’t only affect adults. Kids are getting smart phones and other devices at earlier and earlier ages every year. However, some kids may not be ready to handle the responsibility that a standard smart phone brings. Parents are right to fear unfettered access to social media and the internet — there’s tons of online content that’s not fit for young eyes.
At the same time, connected devices enable you to stay in touch with your child, giving you peace of mind. One solution is to buy your child a device specifically designed for kids.
A kids phone watch provides calling and texting capabilities along with other cool features like step counting. But it forgoes access to the internet, so you don’t have to worry about inappropriate content. It’s a great gift for older children and tweens, as it can give them a sense of agency while still keeping them safe.
3. An E-Reader
If your child loves reading books, an e-reader is simply the perfect Christmas gift for them. E-readers give your child access to potentially thousands of books at the touch of a button. With their anytime, anywhere capabilities, they’re a great way to help your child continue reading throughout their life.
E-readers also make great family gifts in general. They give your family something to bond over together. If you get e-readers for your family, everyone can take turns making book recommendations. A family book club is a great way to help your family stay engaged with each other, sharing opinions and ideas and growing together. E-readers are an easy way to make that possibility a reality.
4. Wireless Headphones
Throughout every culture and time period, people have loved making and listening to music. Nowadays, music is more available than ever for people to find and enjoy. Discovering their particular taste in music is one way your child can develop a sense of their own identity and personality. That’s why it’s important to make sure they have a rich yet safe listening experience.
Wireless headphone technology has made strides in the last decade, and products for the kid demographic are no exception. Kids headphones are designed to help protect your child’s budding eardrums as they develop. Such headphones limit the volume levels they are able to emit. With a pair of these headphones, your kids can scratch their music itch without getting their ears scratched in the process.
5. Coding Kits
As the world becomes increasingly digital, so too does the demand for technological fluency. Coding is one of the primary ways that people are able to learn about the digital world. It’s a skill that’s increasingly being taught in schools around the country and the globe. Building a coding skill set will allow your child to better understand their world and increase their earning potential in the future.
Companies have taken to developing coding kits specifically designed for kids. These kits serve as an on ramp to help children learn this challenging but increasingly crucial skill. The problems presented in these kits are a blast to play with. Your child may have so much fun learning to code that they might not even be aware they’re learning.
Merry Techmas
There are many more amazing tech products on the market that would make great gifts for kids. These are just a few that are safe bets for putting a smile on your child’s face Christmas morning. Just make sure to do the necessary research so you’ll get the versions and brands that will please them most.
