These Hot Tech Toys Will Surely Make Your Kids Drool

Yes, it's that most wonderful time of the year again. And even though the air is filled with excitement and cheer, we can't deny that the dreaded Christmas rush also brings fear and apprehension. It's that time of the year where shopping for gifts can be such a stressful thing to do. For instance, how can you be sure that your kid will like that Android-controlled robot more than your preferred circuit board game? So how do you find kid's tech that's inspiring and educational, but entertaining enough to keep them coming back to it? Check out our toy collection below to give you some gift suggestions on what to get for your kid(s).

Axis Drones Aerius ($35)	Coined as the world's smallest quadcopter, the Axis Drones Aerius is about the size of a quarter, with a remote control that's bigger, but still small enough to fit into your pocket. It's a fun, inexpensive toy, and it's an easy recommendation for everyone.
Jimu DIY Robot Buzzbot & Muttbot Robotics Kit ($120)	Here's a robotics kit brimming with snap-together parts and servos that can be transformed into a robot that your child can then program and control via an Android or iOS app. It's billed as a S.T.E.M. toy, and as such, it encourages problem solving and logical thinking. It's also pretty easy to get into and loads of fun. You can put the kit together in several ways, too, and there are visual instructions to help you build the Buzzbot and like-minded Muttbot. Still, the robots require time, patience, and a smartphone, or tablet to program, so this is the best for older kids with adult supervision.
Sphero BB-8 App-enabled Droid ($129+)	For any kids excited by Star Wars: The Force Awakens, what could be better than a branded BB-8 droid that can be remote controlled with an Android or iOS device? This super cute robot rolls around in any direction, with his head floating magnetically on top. The companion app is packed with official Star Wars sound effects and a few different activities, such as the ability to record holographic messages, so you and your kids can have more fun with BB-8.
Hello Barbie ($54.95)	Hello Barbie brings the classic doll squarely into the 21st century. Like Apple's Siri or Amazon's Alexa, Barbie can listen to your voice and react with the appropriate response, almost as if she were alive. Using Wi-Fi and speech recognition technology, Hello Barbie doll can interact uniquely with each child by holding conversations, playing games, sharing stories, and even telling jokes! She's ready to discuss anything in an outfit that blends trendy and techie for a cool look. Push the doll's belt buckle to start a conversation, and release to hear her respond. More than 8,000 lines of recorded content means countless hours of fun!
Mattel View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack ($14)	Virtual reality is starting to take off and it's exciting for every tech person. There are a few headsets that use your smartphone as the screen, but this is the first one we've seen that's specifically aimed at kids. It works with various smartphones, just like Google Cardboard, and there are a number of compatible VR apps and games currently available for Android and iOS. In a nod to the view-masters of yesteryear, Mattel has also included reels that trigger different augmented-reality experiences. You can buy various $15 reel packs, which cover topics such as space and wildlife.
Dino-Lite AM2111 Handheld 0.3 MP Digital Microscope ($99)	It's amazing what you can see with a microscope. Your kids will love collecting samples to examine, and even everyday objects can reveal surprises. This handheld microscope plugs into your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone -- the software supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS -- and shows from 10x up to 220x magnification. There are also four LEDs to illuminate your subject and a plastic stand you can slot it into. You can also use it to capture photographs or video.