What gadgets to choose children and teenagers as New Year presents?

Modern gadgets are a desirable gift for most children and teenagers - however, as well as for many adults. But what gadgets are really worth giving to the younger generation? Here, of course, it is important to consider the age and interests of the child or teenager and what goals such a gift will pursue.

The editors of NEWS.am Tech offer you some tips that can simplify the choice of gadgets for children and teenagers:

1. For younger children (3-7 years old)

Tablets for children

• Why? Such devices have games and applications for development and leisure of children.
• Recommendations:
  • Amazon Fire Kids Edition: A durable tablet with parental control and educational content.
  • LeapFrog LeapPad: Focused on learning with a wide range of applications.

Interactive educational toys

• Why? Develop creativity, critical thinking and STEM skills.
• Examples:
  • Osmo Starter Kit: A combination of physical and digital play to explore math and drawing.
  • Fisher-Price Smart Stages Tablet: Teaches basic letters, numbers, and sounds.

Smartwatches for kids

• Why? For safety and easy communication.
• Recommendations:
  • Garmin Bounce: With activity tracking and parent-child communication features.
  • VTech Kidizoom DX3: With games, a camera, and time management.

2. For Teens (8-12)

Laptops or Chromebooks

• Why? For homework and online learning.
• Recommendations:
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 1: A budget laptop for schoolwork.
  • Acer Chromebook Spin 311: Compact and durable with Chrome OS.

Coding Kits and STEM Toys

• Why? Develops an interest in coding and engineering.
• Examples:
  • Kano PC: For building a computer and learning to code.
  • LEGO Mindstorms: Lets you build and program robots.

Gaming Consoles

• Why? For fun, social, and educational gaming.
• Recommendations:
  • Nintendo Switch Lite: Portable and compact.
  • Xbox Series S: Affordable console for casual gaming.

Smartphones (entry-level)

• Why? For teaching responsibility and socializing.
• Recommendations:
  • iPhone SE: Affordable yet powerful.
  • Samsung Galaxy A14: A solid Android smartphone.

3. For older teens (13-18)

Performance Laptops

• Why? For studying, gaming, and creativity.
• Recommendations:
  • MacBook Air M1: Powerful and lightweight laptop.
  • Dell XPS 13: Versatile and powerful.

Noise-canceling headphones

• Why? For improved concentration and comfort while studying.
• Recommendations:
  • Sony WH-1000XM5: Premium noise cancellation.
  • JBL Tune 760NC: Budget-friendly.

Coding and Robotics Kits

• Why? Deepen your programming and electronics skills.
• Examples:
  • Raspberry Pi 400: For creating projects and learning to code.
  • Arduino Starter Kit: For working with electronics and programming.

Smartphones and Accessories

• Why? For communication, learning, and entertainment.
• Recommendations:
  • Premium Options: iPhone 13, Samsung Galaxy S22.
  • Useful Accessories: PopSocket, Cases.

Fitness Trackers and Wearables

• Why? For staying active and healthy.
• Recommendations:
  • Apple Watch SE: A multi-functional gadget.
  • Fitbit Charge 5: For tracking your physical activity.

What to consider when choosing gadgets?

• Parental Controls: Make sure the device allows you to monitor usage.
• Durability: Choose gadgets that are durable, as children and teenagers are usually not very careful with devices.
• Educational value: Give preference to devices that contribute to the learning and development of the child or teenager.