If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best Headphones
BuddyPhones Cosmos+
Best Music Player for Younger Kids
Yoto Player
Best Music Player for Older Kids
Victrola Re-Spin Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player
The Best Watch for Kids
Apple Watch SE (2022)
No matter how much they’re begging for one, your kid probably doesn’t need a smartphone. The official advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that young children need hands-on social interaction and exploration with peers and caregivers to learn.
That doesn’t mean you don’t need a digital device to locate them, entertain them, or distract them while you’re doing something else. If you need someone to absolve you, let me be the second, fourth, or 10th person to tell you: That’s perfectly OK. Here are a few devices that have worked for me and my children, who are now 6 and 8. Most of these gifts don’t require parental supervision, and the ones that do have good parental controls to limit your kids’ use. Check out our Best Subscription Boxes for Kids guide and Best Tablets for Kids guide for more.
Updated November 2023: We added the BuddyPhones Cosmos+, Yoto Player, Victrola Re-Spin, Amazon Echo Pop Kids, Original Woom 4 bike, Amazon Kindle Kids, Amazon Fire HD 10 Pro Kids, and Luna blanket. We’ve also updated prices and links throughout.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
-
Photograph: BuddyPhones
Best Headphones
BuddyPhones Cosmos+
This year, the best headphones for kids that my family tried were the JBL Jr 460NC for $80. They are limited to under 85 decibels for safety, have active noise-canceling, are moderately priced, and can be used both wirelessly and plugged in. The huge ear cups are so comfortable that my 6-year-old wore them for almost a whole five-hour flight to visit my parents. However, they are currently sold out on JBL’s website, with limited stock from Amazon. If you can find them in a color your kid likes, they’re great.
A comparable pair that is more reliably in stock is the BuddyPhones that WIRED writer Simon Hill recommends in our guide to the Best Headphones for Kids. They have active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and volume limitation, and they are brightly colored, sturdy for travel, and fold into a case. My daughter also has a pair of light-up iClever pink cat ear headphones for $37 that she can wear comfortably for long periods of time and which have held up to the abuses of travel. However, the RGB lights were a bit much on a dark plane, and I had to put my beanie over them to keep other passengers from complaining. The sound quality was also a little tinny, but my daughter didn’t care.
-
Photograph: Yoto
Best Music Player for Younger Kids
Yoto Player
One of the most common queries I get from parents is how to play music or tell stories to young kids without a screen. The Yoto Player (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the most popular solutions a few WIRED parents have tried. This adorable, sturdy, thoughtfully designed little cube is basically a wireless speaker that comes with physical cards and NFC sensors that trigger stories, podcasts, guided meditations, and audiobooks. Your child simply inserts the card into the slot when they want to hear something.
Our children loved the Yoto, but as a parent I found that it has several significant downsides. The first is that it’s so darn hard to keep track of these cards. I’m still finding them in random desk drawers or underfoot in the playroom. The sound quality is just OK, and it needs a Wi-Fi connection to work. However, if you’re planning on traveling with it, there are 16 gigabytes of storage for downloading stories beforehand. Plus, it’s fun and versatile if you’re using it at home. For more options, check out our guide to the Best Kids Speakers.
-
Photograph: Victrola
Best Music Player for Older Kids
Victrola Re-Spin Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player
I never would have believed it until I saw my kids playing records at a friend’s house, but even smaller children can enjoy a little piece of vintage tech. Plus, it’s easy to find Alvin & The Chipmunks on vinyl. As WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu raved last year, this little portable record player is adorable and won’t bankrupt you, nor will it break your heart if your kids mess it up somehow. If you have trouble finding kids’ vinyl at garage sales or your local used record shop, we have some suggestions on where to buy vinyl records.
-
Photograph: Apple
The Best Watch for Kids
Apple Watch SE (2022)
This fall, my daughter entered the third grade. So many kids in her class have wrist wearables, whether it’s an old Apple Watch or a Gabb watch. A watch is a good intermediary step if your child is old enough to have solo playdates or walk to the corner store on their own, but not quite old enough to have a phone.
I set up my old Apple Watch Series 7 for my daughter and the SE for my son; this year’s Watch SE is the relatively affordable version intended for family members. Through Family Setup, I can turn on Schooltime mode (basically a kid’s Work Focus) and closely monitor their contacts. I can also see where they are on Find My, and my daughter can call or text me when she’s ready to be picked up from a neighbor’s movie night. Because of the security risks involved, I would opt to kid-proof a used adult watch rather than buying a dedicated kids’ smartwatch. However, if you don’t have a used one—or you’re not an iPhone household—Xplora’s smartwatch has the fewest security vulnerabilities.
-
Photograph: Amazon
A Great Kids Speaker
Amazon Echo Pop Kids
Earlier this year, Amazon announced this new kids version of its small, affordable desktop speaker, the Echo Pop (7/10, WIRED Review). The Echo Pop Kids has a feature called Explore with Alexa, which draws content from the World Wildlife Fund and AZ Animals for fun, science-based conversations.
I don’t see that much of a difference between Explore with Alexa’s supposedly more conversational answers and the answers that we’ve previously gotten when we ask voice assistants about capybaras and vampire bats. I also find Alexa’s kid-focused morning report to be the most grating firehose of Amazon-based content possible at 7 am. However, when I asked my children if they found their News-O-Matic daily briefing to be irritating, they said they loved it. The Echo Pop Kids is $50, but for $10 more you can get a cute design on the Echo Dot for Kids.
-
Photograph: Playshifu
Best Toy
PlayShifu Tacto Chess
If you have a tablet, there are many systems that help turn the slate into a tactile toy. Osmo is one of our favorites for younger kids, but we also like the PlayShifu Tacto system. There are Tacto sets for kids who like dinosaurs, classic board games, coding, lasers, and electronics, but this one teaches young kids how to play chess. It turns the surface of the iPad into a game board and uses physical pieces to teach your kids moves and strategy. It’s a bit fiddly with the iPad Mini, so we suggest sticking to the full-size iPads.
-
Photograph: JioBit
A Location Monitor
Jiobit Smart Tag
Of all the trackers I’ve tested, the Jiobit is the simplest and easiest to use with kids. You can fasten it to your child’s clothes with a flex ring or a spare hair tie; my kid was delighted by how small and cute it was. Then, send them outside and check the app on your phone to see your child moving around on a map in real time. We tried the Gen 2, but the newer Gen 3 has an improved battery life.
The security protocols on this Smart Tag are stronger than on similar devices. In addition to standard safety precautions like a security chip and data encryption, Jiobit also burns away a part of the circuit board after assembly, so even if a hacker got their hands on the monitor, they wouldn’t be able to reprogram it. It requires a monthly $17 subscription fee, but it’s commitment-free (there are other monthly plans available with a commitment).
-
Photograph: Pottery Barn
Best Backpack
Pottery Barn Kids Rolling Backpack
After seven years of parenting, I’ve learned that there are some gear items you simply cannot skimp on. I tried cheap backpacks from Amazon, but the hardware and fabrics couldn’t endure the abuse of being repeatedly stomped, dragged, and stuffed to the gills. However, this is the third year running that my kids have used the same Pottery Barn backpacks, which have withstood some serious abuse.
The bags come in a huge variety of sizes and patterns, which may increase the odds that your children will like and use them. However, if you’re planning on traveling with your children this holiday season, I recommend the rolling version. Both my 6- and 8-year-olds can roll their own backpacks around the airport when we fly across the country to visit grandparents. That saves me the hassle of carrying two extra backpacks once they get tired somewhere between Concourse C and D.
-
Photograph: Nocs Provisions
Best Way to Connect With the World
Nocs Standard Issue 8×25 Binoculars
Hear me out. Whether they’re asking Siri if dinosaurs can have two heads or trying to spot constellations in the sky, my absolute favorite use of technology is when it connects my kids to the wider, wilder world. One of the best ways we’ve done that is with a Haikubox (9/10, WIRED Recommends). Every time the app pings me with a new bird, my children race to look at pictures of it, listen to its songs, compare it to the online database, and grab the binoculars to see if they can spot it. Like many of the selections here, the Nocs aren’t kid-specific binoculars, but rather compact and durable ultralight adult binoculars.
They’re light and easy enough to manipulate that my 6-year-old can use them without my help. Moreover, the sturdy, rubberized exterior has withstood many collisions and grabbing fights between my children. These hang on the coat rack of our entryway for quick access, and they’ve held up very well. Want a pair for yourself? Check out our Best Binoculars guide for more.
-
Photograph: Woom
Best Kids Bike
Original Woom 4
Biking to and from school is another great way for kids to gain independence, practice following directions, and learn autonomy. My 8-year-old has grown out of several kids’ bikes at this point, including a Guardian bike for $339 that she very much loved. It has a patented SureStop brake system that has only one lever and always stops the rear brake first, so the bike can’t flip. This served her very well from around age 5, when kids are still a little uncoordinated.
However, now she has learned about shifting and going up and down hills, so we’ve graduated to a Woom bike with gears. You can get the 20-inch size with either SRAM shifters or 7-speed MicroShift twist shifters. We have the MicroShift version, and my child has found it easy to operate. The lightweight aluminum frame is just a little sportier than the Guardian, but it’s still forgiving and easy to ride. An unanticipated perk is that because Woom is a child’s brand, ours has never been stolen, unlike the tiny Trek and Specialized bikes my friends bought for their children. I may have just jinxed myself, though.
-
Photograph: Google
A Phone for Kids
Google Pixel 6A
According to my colleague Simon Hill (and basic common sense), the best kids’ phone is an old phone you already have. That means if you’re an Apple family and recently upgraded to the iPhone 15, you can now pass on your old iPhone. Alternatively, you can bump them up to the latest iPhone SE 2022. If you’re an Android family, your kid is lucky because the Pixel 6A is a great Pixel phone.
The 6.1-inch body is smaller than many other smartphones on the market, and you don’t have to worry about your child shattering the plastic body. The AMOLED screen looks great, the battery lasts all day, and it will get around five years of software updates, so you won’t have to replace it anytime soon. We regularly see it dip as low as $299, which is a killer price. Just don’t forget to childproof it before you hand it over.
-
Photograph: Apple
The Best Tablet
Apple iPad (2021, 9th Gen)
Both of my favorite child videophone devices—the Meta Portal Go and the Amazon Glow—have been discontinued. So we’ve reverted to a reliable standby, the iPad, for FaceTiming distant relatives.
The fact that it’s not a single-use device might make it more appealing to many families. My 8-year-old now uses the iPad to make Minecraft builds and stop-motion animation videos, and to play games off Apple Arcade. It’s also compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil, great if your kid likes to doodle, and there’s a whole slew of fun add-ons in our Best iPad Accessories roundup. Yes, there’s a newer, 10th-gen iPad, but Apple is still selling this model, which is cheaper but just as capable.
-
Photograph: Amazon
The Best Kids Reader
Amazon Kindle Kids (2022)
I give up. There’s no book-buying subscription on this planet that can keep pace with my 8-year-old and her addiction to children’s novels about magic school. Last year, Amazon released an update to the base Kindle Kids, which comes with 16 gigabytes of storage, a beautiful protective cover, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a year’s subscription to basically unlimited books in Amazon Kids+.
For an additional $50, you can upgrade to the Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $160. If you have a child who will read for more than an hour a day, the waterproofing, longer battery life, and reduced lag time when turning pages are all worth it, especially if you download free library books. It’s also worth noting that Amazon’s Reading Sidekick feature doesn’t work with the Kindle. If you don’t have a print book, your child will need to read on the Kids+ app or on their Fire tablet. Or you could just gift them your old Kindle and buy yourself an upgrade. Check out our guides to the Best Kindle or the Best Ebook Readers for more.
-
Photograph: Amazon
Best Tablet for Smaller Kids
Fire HD 10 Pro Kids
As senior writer Scott Gilbertson points out in his guide to the Best Amazon Fire Tablet, Amazon recognizes that the word “kid” covers a huge variety of hand sizes and other factors. There are several kid editions of the Fire tablets. The Fire HD 8 for $150 is the best tablet for kids under 5, while older kids will appreciate the bigger screen and slightly more streamlined case of 2023’s Fire HD 10 Pro Kids.
Like the Kindle Kids, the Fire tablets for kids are basically the same as the regular Amazon Fire tablets, except they come with a case, a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a two-year worry-free guarantee. When they were younger, my 6- and 8-year-old very much enjoyed Amazon’s unlimited content. When we traveled, it was easy for me to connect them to Wi-Fi and let them enjoy books, movies, and simple games. However, once my daughter got older and started to want specific software, it became too difficult to whitelist everything, and we switched to the iPad.
-
Photograph: Amazon
Best Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
If you, like many other parents, became involuntarily familiar with Chromebooks during the season of remote learning, you may want to stick with a Chromebook while your child is in school. This laptop/tablet hybrid has a very nice OLED display for this price. Even if the processor isn’t as powerful as Intel Core processors, it should work well enough for ChromeOS. Not sure if this is the right one for you? Check out our Best Chromebooks guide.
-
Photograph: Happy Masks
The Best Mask
Happy Masks Pro Series
To a kid, getting a face mask in their stocking might be the modern-day equivalent of getting a boring pair of socks or a pack of batteries. But nowadays, a great kids’ mask is essential equipment, especially as we head into cold and flu season.
There’s just no other mask my kids like as much as their Happy Masks. In fact, I bought the adult version for myself. They’re comfortable and fit both a 6-year-old and a 8-year-old well. The beaked shape sits off their little faces, and a light membrane filter inside has been independently tested for 99.9 percent filtration of viruses and other particulates, down to 0.3 microns in size. However, the most important part is that they come in a variety of colors and prints, and my children have grown irrationally attached to their unicorn and dinosaur masks. The only problem is that each mask costs $24, so replacing them if they get lost or damaged is a pain.
-
Photograph: Luna
Best Weighted Blanket
Luna
Do you have a child who has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? If you suspect your child has an emotional or mood disorder, please consult a doctor. However, if your child just isn’t getting quite enough rest (or you’re tired of having to make pancakes at 5 am on the weekends), we’ve discovered that a child’s weighted blanket is life-changing. Just a warning—your child has to be able to move out from under the blanket on their own, so it should be under 25 percent of their body weight.
The Luna kids’ weighted blankets come in a wide variety of sizes, prints, and weights. They’re breathable and washable and made of Oeko-Tex certified cotton, which means that they’ve been independently verified to be free from toxic chemicals. My kids fought over the one blanket I bought; they said it was like sleeping while being hugged.
-
Photograph: Nintendo
A Cute Console
Nintendo Switch Lite
Years after it debuted, the Switch is still an incredibly popular console. If your kid is ready to step up from playing Minecraft or Roblox on their iPad, the Switch would make a great first console. They don’t go on sale very often, so you might want to consider this cheaper version, called the Switch Lite (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s small, cute, and fits my 6-year-old’s and 8-year-old’s hands.
The best part about getting a Switch for your kids is that even if they lose interest, you can play on it yourself. My daughter and my spouse play Minecraft together on the Switch, but we have more suggestions here.
