| |||
|
Electronics For Kids
Looking for something for a young one in the electronics department? There are lots of choices and plenty of down-sized, simplified adult gadgets that are great gifts for kids of all ages. Here are some general things to keep in mind when shopping.
- Batteries
- If the product runs on batteries
- Some don't use your basic AA batteries, which may pose a problem in the future especially if you live somewhere rural or if the product ever is discontinued.
- Check what others who have purchased the product say about the battery life if possible. That will give you a better idea of how often you will have to replace them.
- Durability
- Young kids tend to play rough with their toys. Make sure that the product you want to buy is built for some rough housing if it is destined to kids under eight. Better yet, only buy kid-friendly electronics that are built kid-tough. Once kids grow up a bit and are mature enough to handle a sophisticated piece of equipment, then consider moving to the next step up.
- If you see the product first hand, examine it to see if there are any flimsy parts that might easily snap off or if there are sharp corners that could poke or scratch.
- Toy vs. Gadget
- There is a difference between toys
. Toys are meant for kids; entertaining, durable and multitasking. They are built to be tossed around a bit, and they will be designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. - Electronics, best left for older children, are not always made with kids in mind. This is important to consider when buying -- especially when you think about cameras
, computers, MP3 players, etc. They should be very intuitive and have a minimal learning curve to make the experience fun and easy for a child. - Cost and Usage
- Consider the product's longevity. Will be thrown out in a year or if it is going to be a piece of electronics meant to last? Gadgets usually break or lose their novelty within a relatively short period of time because they have a "play limitation." Nonetheless, practical electronics can last a child's lifetime, especially those that can be upgraded as the child matures.
- Volume Control
- There is no way to express the importance of having either volume control or an off switch on any electronic toy. This is mostly a concern for toys destined to children under 10.
New in Electronics
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
These flash USB drives |
They are geared towards girls and girls who like to rock it out to tunes from their CD player |
Think virtual Street Fighter without all the blood. Mazu Kan suits allow boys to battle it out -- painlessly. Sensors detect when someone is "hit", which sends a vibration across the chest and decreases the lifespan. He who blocks the most hits is the winner and survivor. |
American Idol All Star Challenge DVD Game Turn Tuesday nights into a talent fest in your own home when you pop in this DVD and relive the excitement of the hit TV show. Battle your way to the top from auditions to the final showcase. |
Listen to music and talk on your phone with any MP3 player |
Top Picks by Age
Infants to Three Year-Olds
When it comes to babies and toddlers, electronic toys are probably the last things you would think of. Nonetheless, there are some good developmental toys for children of this age. Most of all, look for toys that light up, make noise and teach letters and numbers. Other electronic toys that work well for toddlers are ride-on toys. They love the idea of being able to drive their own tiny vehicle.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
1-2-3 Treehouse - V.Smile SmartVille Imaginative Play Playset |
3 to 7 Year-Olds
For those in preschool or kindergarten, it is preferable to look for toys that are educational and that allow a child to use his or her imagination. Excellent choices include interactive learning systems, such as those made by LeapFrog and V.Tech. They help a child work on essential skills such as learning the alphabet, numbers, matching, spelling, reading and how to identify common objects. The majority of these learning systems grow with a child and many have won toy awards. It's no wonder since they are fun, educational and they travel well.
Learning systems are also good for those who have just started school. Of course, be sure to choose the appropriate system based on the manufacturer's age recommendations. Be careful to watch your child's progress -- as the system's activities get easier, you'll need to upgrade to more challenging ones. This helps keep the learning system fun and fresh for the child.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
8 to 11 Year-Olds
Children this age still happy to play with toys since they are not quite at the age where they no longer want to be considered "kids." Indulge them with toys and games that reflect their interests and that help them develop what they are learning in school. Video games are extremely popular for this age group and this is often the time, if any, to give a child their first video game console or handheld gaming device. Consider music-oriented toys at this age, such as electronic keyboards, boomboxes and perhaps even digital music players and speakers for them. Other great options for kids this age are learning laptops (a not-quite laptop that emphasizes learning), RC toys and robots.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Leapfrog FLY Totally Stumped Binary Game |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
12 Years and Up
This is the perfect time to consider giving children gifts that are more "adult-like", such as digital music players, cameras and computers. Avoid expensive electronics and find a happy medium that will be well suited for the child's maturity level. Video games and consoles are ideal for this age group, but be careful choosing these for children who don't belong to you -- talk to the parents first to make sure there is no conflict of interest. Nice electronic musical instruments might be well-suited for the artistically inclined. RC cars and robots are great picks, especially for boys.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
