The 9 Best Electronics for Kids of 2023

Best Overall

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

4.6

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If you buy only one electronic device for your child, you might want to make it the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet. This popular, affordable tablet comes in a tough, rubberized case (in a choice of pink, purple, or blue) that might withstand toddler (or tween) tantrums. The interface is extremely kid-friendly, though admittedly not as slick as some of its competitors, but it does include a web browser and can even run apps like Zoom if your kid needs to jump on a class meeting for virtual learning.

Each purchase also includes a year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+, with more than 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, audiobooks, and content from sites like PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, and Disney. Once the year is up, you'll have to pay monthly for the service, but you can cancel anytime. If you want to go beyond Amazon Kids+, the Fire 7 Kids Tablet has 16 gigabytes of storage, and you can opt to add even more with a microSD memory card.

This pick also transitions easily from toddlers to teens with easy-to-use parental controls for little ones and plenty of apps, music, and book options for high schoolers. The Fire 7 Kids is perfect for road trips; just be sure to download shows and movies in case Wi-Fi isn't available, and keep the charging cord on hand because the battery is said to drain quickly.

Price at time of publish: $110

_{Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 1.0 inches | Power: Micro USB | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Best for Toddlers

Fisher-Price Linkimals Play Together Panda

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With this plush, chatty bear, Fisher-Price proves that electronic toys for toddlers can be both cuddly and high-tech. The Linkimals Play Together Panda has a light-up belly with a huge button that makes it easy for little ones to operate independently. With just a press, they'll hear about numbers, shapes, and even tips for good manners, as well as plenty of songs and giggles. While most users report the button works well, some indicate occasional unresponsiveness.

In addition to offering comfort and opportunities for learning, this educational toy is resistant to daily messes. Parents can remove the electronic components to machine-wash the soft outer layer. If your little one has multiple Linkimals creatures or if a friend has another toy from the series, you can set them up to interact for even more fun.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Dimensions: 3.54 x 7.48 x 11.02 inches | Power: AA batteries | Recommended Age: 9 months and up}

Best for Preschoolers

LeapFrog My Own Leaptop

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Toddlers and preschoolers often love to imitate their parents and caregivers. It's one of the ways they learn more about the world around them. The LeapFrog My Own Leaptop is a colorful, rugged laptop toy that lets them do that in a big way.

While the screen doesn't light up and this learning laptop lacks a port for headphones, this device includes four learning modes: alphabet, messages, games, and music. In alphabet mode, kids will learn a specific letter, its sound, and some words that start with it. Other fun features include animal trivia games, email messages from Scout (LeapFrog's main character), and 16 different songs and melodies.

Price at time of publish: $28

_{Dimensions: 1.45 x 9 x 7 inches | Power: AA batteries | Recommended Age: 2 years and up}

Best Tablet

PBS Kids Educational Playtime Tablet

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If you and your kids enjoy PBS programming, you may want to consider the PBS Kids Educational Playtime Tablet. It's an affordable, PBS-produced device that comes preloaded with the channel's games, videos, and songs, as well as apps for teaching reading, math, and more.

It has a 7-inch touchscreen, front and back cameras, 16 gigabytes of storage, and an Android operating system that's easy for even little fingers to navigate. As the parent, you can completely customize the experience before handing it over, including managing parental controls. It's also linked up with Google Play for you to add other apps that your kids love. While the battery life isn't the longest-lasting, and some report Wi-Fi issues and slow app loading, the sturdy aqua-blue silicone case will help protect it from the bumps and blows that are sure to come.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 2.79 x 10.43 x 5.59 inches | Power: USB | Recommended Age: Not listed}

Best STEM

LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox

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If you keep hearing the words "LEGO Robotics" but aren't quite sure what the fuss is about, this LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is a great introduction to the concept. The kit introduces kids to coding and other STEM concepts they can use to create five different machines, from a classic-looking robot that talks and dances to a guitar with sound effects.

To use it, you need to download the company's free app, which has an easy-to-grasp coding interface that teaches kids about concepts such as loops and variables. The app is regularly updated, so even after your child has built all the possible combinations, they'll be able to find new challenges and even interact with friends who are also using it. This learning kit is feature-packed, but it's best for introducing older kids to STEM concepts.

Price at time of publish: $289

_{Dimensions: 21.26 x 11.1 x 3.58 inches | Power: AAA batteries | Recommended Age: 7 years and up}

Best for Gaming

Nintendo Switch

4.5

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There's a reason why the Nintendo Switch hybrid gaming system—which can be either attached to a television or used handheld—is so popular it often sells out. Kids and adults can choose from more than 5,000 games, including family favorites like Mario Kart, Just Dance, and the ever-addictive Animal Crossing. Parents can easily keep an eye on their kids' gaming habits with the intuitive settings that allow them to set time limits and block them from downloading content that isn't age-appropriate.

While the initial investment is costlier than some other educational gadgets, the Switch can also help your young ones stay in touch with family members and cousins who live several states away. You can set it up for remote play and hold a multiplayer Super Smash Bros. tournament with just a few clicks.

Price at time of publish: $300

_{Dimensions: 14 x 8 x 3.5 inches | Power: USB-C | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Best Educational

LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe

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LeapFrog has given the classic bookshelf globe a fun 21st-century update with its Magic Adventure Globe. This interactive toy features a digital stylus and a three-inch screen that shows BBC videos about different destinations. The three-dimensional globe shape also helps them understand the planet's geography more concretely than simply looking at flat or even 3D maps online.

This globe helps kids learn and experience different languages, cultures, animals, and habitats while playing three interactive games. Although the globe comes with more than five hours of BBC videos, if you want more content, you need to purchase additional adventure packs to keep the learning going. These options include subjects like ancient civilizations and dinosaurs.

Price at time of publish: $90

_{Dimensions: 11.06 x 10.24 x 14.09 inches | Power: AA batteries | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

Best Wearable

Fitbit Ace 2

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If you're hoping to help your children understand the connection between staying active and feeling good, the Fitbit Ace 2 does exactly that. While some parents report issues with band faultiness, this kid-friendly version of the popular adult tracker comes in a few bright colors and is swim-proof (up to 50 meters). Kids can also customize their animated clock face and avatar.

The dashboard includes two views. The Kid view shows only their step stats and earned badges, while the Parent view details specific activities and enables them to approve or reject Fitbit friend requests. Like the adult Fitbit, this one also includes optional hourly reminders to move and sleep tracking, which might encourage your child to keep active throughout the day and turn in early for better numbers.

Price at time of publish: $119

_{Dimensions: 1.18 x 3.94 x 8.94 inches | Power: USB | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}