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Today I’m taking a look at some of the top toy gifts to give to kids this year, and there’s a whole lot to cover, so lets jump right in starting with the Osmo Coding Starter Kit for iPad. This cool toy is recommend for kids ages 5-12 and requires the use of a tablet (not included) to work. It features the fun character called Awbie and a variety of educational games, including three app-based games that teach kids the basics of computer coding and programming. These games are Coding Awbie, Coding Duo, and Coding Jam. Also included in the kit are special character blocks and a collectible game card, along with the stand that holds your iPad. If you want to give your kid(s) a STEM head start, the Osmo Coding Starter Kit is a great way to do it!
Another cool toy is the Roybi Smart Educational Robot. This tiny robot, which is intended for children ages 3-7, teaches kids the basics of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as well as some useful language skills across a variety of common languages. Through games, stories, and songs, Roybi entertains your child while also teaching them valuable lessons. In fact, there are over 500 lessons across 70 distinct categories, and Roybi even knows 70,000 different words that he can help your kids to learn. He’s fun, educational, and he comes with 3 different hats that allow kids to occasionally change up his look. I reviewed Roybi very recently myself. Check out the full details of this little guy right HERE.
The Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe is another toy that I recently reviewed right here on the blog. It too is both fun and educational, and I was really impressed with it. Suitable for kids ages 4-12, this toy works in conjunction with the Orboot App to provide cool augmented reality (AR) games and activities that teach kids all about the exciting world around them. With more than 400 educational opportunities covering six different categories, including culture, cuisine, monuments, inventions, maps, and animals, this globe provides a whole wide world of fun possibilities. But what’s really cool is the way the AR animals, landmarks, and more pop right up off the globe when viewed through the Orboot App. It’s so much fun, kids won’t even realize they’re learning!
Another very cool toy is the WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog. This fun dog moves and behaves just like a real, live pet—right down to his ability to follow kids around (when they wear the special, included smart-band) and play fetch with his ball. CHiP is also highly affectionate, does all kinds of special dog tricks, and helps to teach kids about the responsibility of having their own pet. If your kids have been asking for a dog but either they’re not ready for the responsibility for a living, breathing pet just yet, or you simply prefer to give them all the best aspects of pet ownership without the possibility of finding an unexpected mess on your floor, CHiP is your go-to pup!
If pets aren’t your child’s thing but clever robots are, the same toy manufacturer also has the WowWee MiP Arcade Robot. This robot not only has self-balancing technology, but he can also roll around on his own, has GestureSense Technology that responds to your child’s hand gestures, and he includes the special MIP Arcade App with more than 20 educational games that your child can play and learn from. These “brain training” games test your 6+ child’s memory and reflexes in a way that’s fun, engaging, and will keep them playing for hours. MiP connects to your smart phone via Bluetooth, and his app even includes multiplayer games that are fun for the whole family.
Another extremely popular item this year is the new LEGO Super Mario: Adventures with Mario Starter Course. With 231 pieces of Mario themed fun, this set provides kids and other LEGO and Super Mario enthusiasts the opportunity to build a course for Mario to try and navigate as he does his usual thing—collecting (virtual) gold coins! Featuring built-in LED lights and sounds for the Mario figure himself, as well as 7 special action bricks that allow for Mario to encounter different (though classic) interactions, this LEGO kit is effectively a three-dimensional version of the classic Super Mario video games. If you loved those games as a child, you and your kids will probably both enjoy this set!
Not too long ago I reviewed a classic arcade gaming cabinet from the good folks at Arcade1Up. The one I had was the NBA JAM cabinet, but there are others available as well, like the Arcade1Up X-Men Vs. Street Fighter Arcade Machine with Riser. This particular cabinet features 4 built-in games: X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, X-Men: Children of the Atom, X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse, and Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. The great thing about these gaming cabinets is their retro arcade feel; it’s a very nostalgic thing. You do have to assemble the cabinet yourself, but it doesn’t take all that long, and once it’s built you’ve got yourself one cool retro gaming setup. Imagine the fun you and your gift recipient could have with one of these machines!
For the more artistic types, there’s the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen. If your child doesn’t have a creative bone in their body, I would give a mild recommendation to avoid this one. Luckily, almost all kids are creative and enjoy activities like colouring and painting. The 3Doodler takes that concept to the next level by allowing users (with some artistic ability) to create their own three-dimensional artwork with this large pen that dispenses melty plastic in a variety of different colours. The plastic hardens fast though, so some skill/technique is involved. Just load whichever colour plastic rod you want, give it a minute or two to melt, and begin 3Doodling!
Finally, let’s take a look at the Intelino Smart Train Starter Set. This too is something I have reviewed myself, and it’s probably at least in my top 3 favourite toys on today’s list. And why is that? Well, it is a cool train set after all! It features a track that kids can assemble themselves into a variety of different configurations, 2 train cars that run around the track under the control of the Intelino App, and a world of educational possibilities in the field of coding and programming. And that’s because kids can program their train to perform different actions based on colour-coded tiles that they can install on the track in block coding sequences. It’s a really cool way for kids to learn some important STEM concepts, and I can definitely recommend it from personal experience!
And there you have it—some of this year’s top toys that can be given away as gifts. For more great Toys, Games, & Educational products for kids, visit Best Buy Canada today either in store or online!
I remember sitting with the Sears catalogue making a list and going to see Santa to give it to him. I think a great learning toy/tool is the LeapFrog LeapPad Academy – Green – English I only wish they were bilingual.
I like the Wowwee Chip Robot Dog. Not allowed pets here, but a robt pet would work!
My niece is very inquisitive and I think she would love exploring the Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe – Earth.
We would love to have wow wee robotic dog. Never got a robot so far. So this would definitely bring some joy and entertainment at home during this lockdown!!
I like the Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe as its cool, educational and seems really fun.
I would love the mario lego sets because my kids are huge fans of mario and lego!
I would pick the WowWee MiP Arcade Robot because it looks fun and educational for my grandson.
WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog,like having a pet with no responibility!
The kid in me is going with the Super Mario Lego! I will fight my son for it!
Chip the robotic dog because he is so real for kids and if you have alot of allergies this is the next best thing
I know my 7 year old is most excited about the LEGO Super Mario: Adventures with Mario Starter Course. It combines his love of video games and his love of LEGO into one toy 🙂
I’d love a stand-up video game!!
Ok I love the Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe , I was a Geography nerd in school and would love it if my son adopted some of that. This is a great way to start his enjoyment of all different cultures.
While my gut wants to say the Arcade1Up X-Men Vs. Street Fighter Arcade Machine with Riser (for all my nostalgia and gaming needs), the LEGO Super Mario: Adventures with Mario Starter Course is so wholesome and combines two of my favourite things !
Osmo coding. What a great skill for kids to learn.
I love the LEGO Disney Frozen 2: Enchanted Treehouse because of the imagination it brings for young kids and for the Frozen tie-in
A Ryobi Robot would be great, my kids would be entertained for hours and hours.
Chip the robot dog would be so fun
So many great new toys this year but I would pick the KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen for my daughter because she loves to play in the kitchen.
i would love a Mini Quadcopter Drone with Camera so that i could take photos at the lake and of out cottage lot and stuff
I love Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe for my grand niece. Thanks for a chance.
The Super Mario Lego would be excellant, combines one of my favorite toys of all time and one of my favorite game franchises.
The Wowwee CHiP Robotic Dog would also be a hit in our home. My kids are obsessed with robots and love dogs.
The xmen vs street fighter arcade machine would be amazing because I love the x-men and fighting arcade games
My favorite Toy on this list is the Super Mario LEGO, so much fun, very interactive!
I would really love the WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog for my grandson. My grandson keep asking for a dog for Christmas, but they live in a rented residence and the landlord is not allowing animals.
my favotire toy on the 2020 list is Arcade1Up X-Men Vs. Street Fighter Arcade Machine with Riser. it brings back memories of old days when i was growing up . everyone was at these machines with pockets of quarters to spend the day trying to make a bigger score then each other. great fun.
I think my granddaughter would love the Roybi Smart Educational Robot because she loves learning and is very keen to expand her knowledge
My daughter LOVED her Osmo things. She’s a bit too old for them now, but is reluctant to get rid of them. As such I’d highly recommend them to anyone, both for creativity and for learning!
I really appreciate educational toys for my children, so I like the Osmo Genius Starter Kit.
Lamborghini Veneno Car Radio Remote Control Sport Racing Car RC because I love remote control cars, racing them around and controlling them.
My daughter is at the age where she loves lego and would think LEGO The LEGO Movie 2: Queen Watevra’s ‘So-Not-Evil’ Space Palace by Lego would be the best toy ever.
Anything LEGO is good because it stimulates a child’s imagination and creativity.
Lego because it stimulates creativity and imagination
I love the Osmo Genius Starter Kit because my daughter loves to make games on the computer and this will be a great way for her to expand her learning
I think the WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog is my favourite this year. I know that my daughter would love it as she loves our little dog and I like that it is educational as well as fun!
Wowwee Chip Robot Dog
Winning the WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog. This would be hours of awesome thanks
the Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe because as an adult its still informative for me
My favorite toy is Lego for the endless fun of building anything you choose.
I love the Osmo genius kits + Pizza co + Disney Frozen Super Studio because both of my kids could use it. I love getting them toys that are fun but also educational. The Shifu Globe would also be a hit. My loves travelling and learning about the world.
Our favourite is LEGO. It provides hours of enjoyment for the family.
The Chip Robotic Dog would be neat for my grandson
I love the super Mario lego because lego inspires creativity and imagination and super Mario adds an extra level of fun
I like the Melissa & Doug Chef’s Wooden Modern Play Kitchen in Cloud. When I was little, my Mom bought a similar kitchen set for my sister but my friends and I played the most with it and I would like to get one for my son.
The WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog is adorable, we love dogs and this would make everyone laugh.
My favourite would be Jimu Robot AstroBot Kit. My grandson would have a great time learning to build this and the technology behind it!
Any STEM focus toys are my favourite at Best Buy such as Intelino Smart Train Starter Set.
LEGO Super Mario: Bowser’s Castle because my kids love LEGO
I think the WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog looks pretty cool and i think my granddaughter would love it!
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