AppAdvice’s ultimate accessory gift guide for kids
The holiday season is definitely in full swing, and today we’re continuing our gift guide series. While earlier this week we highlighted 11 accessory ideas for any iPhone owner, we’re turning our focus today on kids. Here are 10 perfect options for any younger iPhone or iPad user.
A modern Gumby
Speck iGuy for the iPad mini, $29.95
While Apple may be focusing on making the iPad line more suited for work, the iPad mini is still a perfect tablet choice for children at play. One of my favorite cases for the smaller tablet is Speck’s iGuy. Able to fit any generation of the mini, the case is made with soft and flexible foam that provides protection for the tablet. And the cartoon-like arms are definitely fun to play with and adjust.
You can purchase the case now for $29.95, and there are three different color options – red, green, or purple.
In a galaxy far, far away
Sphero BB-8, $149.95
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for a while, pretty much everyone is waiting for the new “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” film to hit theaters later this month. One of the new droids taking center stage in the film is the cute BB-8. And parents can bring the fun home with BB-8 by Sphero. Thanks to the companion iOS app, users can guide the droid around their home. With an adaptive personality, the droid’s unique attitude and interactions change as your child interacts with it. It even responds and reacts to your specific voice. If that wasn’t fun enough, kids (and parents) can even record virtual holographic videos just like in the Star Wars universe. The built-in battery can go for more than an hour of play before needing to recharge.
It retails for $149.95 and can be purchased now.
Say goodbye to wires
LilGadgets Untangled Pro Children’s Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, $49.95
Throw together kids and wires of any variety, and most of the time you’ll end up with one tangled mess. But there are even wireless Bluetooth headphones made for littler ears. The LilGadgets option is made for children 4-years-old and up. The ear pads and headband have been specifically designed for kids and featured a soft breathable mesh material. A built-in battery can provide up to 12 hours of audio and 180 hours in standby. A regular headphone cable is included so your kids can still use them even if the battery runs out.
You can purchase the headphones for $49.95 and select from one of six different colors.
Making that long car ride a bit easier
TFY Kids Car Headrest Mount Holder for iPad Air 2, $28
Another perfect companion for that long car ride this holiday season, this option from TFY Kids combines a car headrest mount and case system for the iPad Air 2. The case’s large corners make it easy for kids to handle. And when it is time to mount the tablet, the adjustable straps should fit pretty much any headrest. All buttons and ports remain accessible.
Available in blue, black, and green, the system costs $28.
Wacky wordplay
Tiggly Words, $24.48
The latest interactive toy from Tiggly is all about the word play. Released earlier this year, Tiggly Words is designed for children 4 to 8 years old. The set offers five vowel toys to help learn words and a number of other language skills. And there’s no need for batteries, Bluetooth, or a wireless connection to use the toys, which are compatible with fun, free apps like Tiggly Submarine, Tiggly Story Maker, and Tiggly Doctor.
And arriving on the App Store late last month, the words are also compatible with the new Sesame Street Alphabet Kitchen app. Kids are transported to Cookie Monster’s special kitchen to build words by combining different letter sounds. The words can be decorated and even fed to the dessert loving monster. The toys can be used like actual cookie cutters so kids can stamp them on the screen to help make treats. The app can be purchased for $2.99 and even used without the toys.
You can purchase the set now for $24.48. A soft carrying bag is also included so you can help keep track of everything.
Kid-friendly virtual reality
View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack, $29.95
Even kids can enjoy virtual reality on an iPhone with this View-Master Starter Pack. Instead of just simple cardboard, the headset can provide a safe and secure place for any modern iPhone. A preview reel included with the pack gives users a sample of the separate experience packs with interesting topics covering space, destinations, and wildlife. As a nice touch, the system is also compatible with any Google Cardboard VR app for the iPhone, so even adults can take advantage of content.
The pack can be purchased now for $29.95. The additional experience packs are $14.95 each.
Opening up a new world
Wonder Workshop Dash and Dot Robot Pack, $199.95
What’s better than kids, iOS devices, and robots? Wonder Workshop combines all three with the fun Dash and Dot Robot system. The robotic pair, along with a number of apps, are designed to help teach kids the principles of coding and computer science. And the system became even better with the new Wonder app that landed in October. Designed for kids 8 and up, There are more than 300 challenges in the app that allow kids to teach and guide the robots. They can travel through the African Grasslands, Arctic Wilderness, and even Outer Space to find new ideas for the robotic pair.
Using the app, kids can do things like turn Dot into a trumpet, Pong arcade, or a Magic 8Ball. Dash, thanks to his wheels, can morph into a ferocious lion, dodge asteroids in space, and even play a game of Marco Polo with kids. The robots can even interact with each other.
You can snag a complete Dash and Dot Robot Pack for $199.95. There are a number of other accessories you can purchase to add new functionality to the robots. And if you’re interested in trying out the system, the smaller Dot robot can now be purchased separately for $49.99.
Furry friends
Sago Mini Plush Gift Pack, $39.99
You’re probably familiar with at least one app from the popular Sago Mini series, especially if you have younger children. So far, 16 different apps have been released including the popular Sago Mini Monsters, Sago Mini Friends, and the recent Sago Mini Superhero. All of the apps are perfect for kids as there are no rules or competition and each can be played without access to the Internet. But now when iPad time is over, kids can still enjoy the fun and cuddly characters with the Sago Mini Plush Gift Pack. Kids can play with a plush version of Harvey the Dog, Jinja the Cat, Robin the Bird, and Jack the Rabbit in a fun and reusable box that can be decorated and colored.
It can be purchased for $39.99.
Over land, sea, and air
Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack, $74.95
And yes, just like adults, there are times kids just want to sit down and have a fun with a great game. With the introduction of the revamped fourth-generation Apple TV, we’ve seen a number of games usually reserved for console systems arrive for iOS devices. One of those is Skylanders Superchargers. The latest in the popular saga, gamers can embark on a wild new adventure where they can fly, drive, and drive through Skylands with three different and unique vehicle types. Superchargers are used to change vehicle parts to improve power and performance. Along with fun mini-games, players can compete in fun multiplayer combat races.
The pack retails for $74.95. It includes a gameplay controller, two SuperChargers toys, and one vehicle. As a nice touch, the game can be played on the iPhone, iPad, and fourth-generation Apple TV.
A world of color
Mozbii Stylus Pen, $80
While the Apple Pencil might be the ultimate stylus for adults, the Mozbii is a bit different. It’s a stylus with a big surprise. Kids can use it to explore their world, scan a color, and then use it to draw in one of four different companion apps including a coloring book and more. Able to identify more than 65,000 different colors, the flexible neck can bend to accommodate any surface. It can also stick to any magnetic surface, which is great for storage. It can be recharged with a simple magnetic charging head.
Available in five different colors, the stylus can be purchased now for $80.
