Technology has a huge influence on the lives of young kids, including their toys. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by NBC Dallas to show off some toys for the tiny techies on your holiday list.  For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the items below, and for a full rundown of the best toys, and be sure to check out our Top Tech 12 list.


zoomer-chimp_spin-masterZoomer Chimp (Spin Master)

  • With lifelike movements and realistic chimp sounds, Zoomer chimp is the closest kids can get to having their own chimp.
  • Zoomer Chimp can follow you, stand up on his own, and recognize commands through his voice recognition technology.
  • He loves to perform tricks – using voice commands like: “Stand,” “Sit,” “Go Bananas,” “Do a flip,” and more.
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $119.99
  • Available: Walmart, Kmart, Toys “R” Us

kuriosmart_blue_kdinteractive_01Kurio Smart (KD Interactive)

  • Kurio Smart is the first Windows 2-in-1 device built for kids.
  • A perfect first computer, this laptop tablet was designed with young scholars in mind, taking them from homework to play. Combining the best of both productivity and fun, Kurio Smart is a sleek, lightweight and portable price.
  • The 9-inch touch screen tablet includes a detachable keyboard keyboard made for little hands that when closed, doubles as a durable protective case.
  • Kurio Smart comes preloaded with more than 40 apps and games, including Office Mobile and exclusive Kurio Motion body-movement-controlled games that will have kids running, jumping, and even dancing. Kids can also take photos and videos, stream music and videos from Spotify, YouTube Kids, and Netflix, Skype, and stay connected with kid-safe email.
  • Like all Kurio kid tablets, the Smart comes with powerful parental controls to put mom’s and dad’s minds at ease. Microsoft’s Family Safety system allows parents to determine the websites, apps, and games their kids can use to monitor kids’ usage and also set time limits. Special easy-access icons allow parents to set the parental controls right from the Smart home screen.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $169.99

selfie-mic_moose-toysSelfieMic (Moose Toys)

  • Combining the love of selfies with the popular pastime of singing karaoke, the SelfieMic allows you to become a pop star and create your own music videos right from their smartphone. Created by UK-based Worlds Apart, the product features a selfie stick with a working karaoke microphone and ear piece.
  • The device syncs with music app StarMaker. Kids can record their own voice or lip sync to over three million songs, creating music videos which they can share with their friends – no camera crew required! Voice and video effects make you sound and look like a star!
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart

meccano-micronoids_spin-masterMeccano MicroNoids (Spin Master)

  • Bring your robot to life! MicroNoids are personal robots that you build and program! They may be small, but they have a huge personality!
  • Build your MicroNoid a body, and then program how they move — with push button programming MicroNoid can walk, turn, and smash through obstacles.
  • He also interacts with other MicroNoids and even dances when music plays. Also, MicroNoids answer any Yes/no question!
  • Ages: 10+

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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