We’re all budget-constrained this year, but the good news is that when it comes time to give gifts to kids (or the young at heart), you don’t have to empty the bank. This list of our favorite tech, science, and design toys is packed with items under $100, with plenty of reusable accessories so the fun can continue far beyond the holiday season.
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Game Controller
Gamer parents know it can be hard to keep a hobby going when your little one won’t leave you alone. Luckily, this replica of the real controller can keep them occupied and make them feel like part of the action. It’s shaped like an Xbox gamepad and has the same button arrangement as a standard controller, but our favorite part is the Easter egg hidden inside — just enter the Konami code to find it.
Tamagotchi Uni
The Tamagotchi has come a long way since its first model appeared 25 years ago, with the Uni representing the current pinnacle of the brand’s evolution. It still maintains the familiar egg shape and cute creatures inside, but has a number of new features such as a brilliant LCD screen and Wi-Fi connectivity. The creatures can now go online to explore the Tamaverse and make lots of new friends. It also comes with a handy-dandy wristband, which turns the pet into a cute fashion accessory.
Toniebox
The Toniebox is a screen-free audio player that’s very easy to use for even the youngest children thanks to its simple controls. Press the ears to make it louder or slower, and tap the sides to skip or go back a track. To select a programme, children simply hold one of the Tonie figurines up and the programme starts automatically.
This set comes with a basic set of stories and songs to get your child started, but you can add additional toons to your child’s collection, including characters from Disney and Pixar movies, television shows, classic storybooks, and even Marvel Comics.
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Modern House (31153)
LEGO house playsets tend to go in one of two directions – either they’re very kid-friendly, with lots of adorable architecture and plenty of vehicle action, or they’re for adults with a keen attention to detail and the price tag follows suit.
This Creator 3-in-1 set is a model that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. Kids will love that it’s a fantastic house that can be arranged in three different configurations, while adults will love the little hints of contemporary design scattered throughout the furniture and other accessories.
LeapFrog Chat & Count Emoji Phone
Even the youngest kids these days know that a lot of fun can be had with a cell phone, but being the gadget freaks that they are, you might not want to trust them to your real iPhone.
This toy may not have a YouTube app, but it does have simple games that appear on its modest LED screen and the buttons are very easy (and fun) to press. It’s a great item to keep in the car for long drives or to put on the changing table to keep them occupied while you handle their chores.
Magna-Tiles Space 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
Magna-Tiles is a great building toy for kids who are a little tired of LEGOs, as well as parents who are bored of stepping on pointy little bricks.
And this new set is for kids who love outer space, allowing them to build a launch pad from which they can send their own shuttle — a shuttle that also serves as a handy carrying case. This is great for travel, whether you’re just visiting Grandma’s house or heading to Mars.
Wow! Stuff: RealFX Disney Stitch Plush from Lilo & Stitch
Puppets are a great toy, though definitely old fashioned. This RealFX model of Disney’s unmistakable alien has a modern, technological twist – the head is equipped with animatronics, a simpler version of the animatronics you find in theme parks.
All you have to do is insert your hand into the head, and move your fingers to make Stitch’s eyes blink and his mouth open and close. Now, instead of watching the movie for the 100th time, kids can easily create their own scenes at home.