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Kids! What's wrong with the kids today? Kids! Who can understand any of the toys that they use to play. Nerf guns, Star Wars, Skateboards, LEGOs!
Actually, we do understand toys for the youngest kids and adults (kids at heart), and we've rounded up the best our favorite toys that they'll find fun to play with or education (and they won't even know they're learning. Shhh!). Here's our list.
This article is brought to you in association with Verizon.
Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition
The top tablet for the little ones in your life
Look, there’s no getting around it: kids are going to want their parents’ tablet at some point. So, you may as well just give them one that was designed for them in the first place, and few do that better than Amazon. The Fire 7 for Kids sports an HD touchscreen that can last for up to 8 hours, all wrapped within a rubberized, ‘Kid-Proof’ case. Plus, one free year of Amazon’s FreeTime service grants kids access to 15,000 popular pieces of digital entertainment. Finally, the tablet is backed by a two-year, worry-free guarantee that replaces the tablet if one is broken.
NERF Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K Blaster
Our hands-down favorite toy in the office right now
NERF blasters have come a long way since we were kids, and the Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K is the crème de la crème of the new-school line. With 100 rounds included, anyone who gets the Nemesis can engage in an all-out turf war without worrying about getting caught without projectiles.
LEGO Star Wars BB-8
Everyone's favorite new Droid you made with your bare hands
If you have a LEGO and Star Wars fan in your life, this is the model you need to give them. The faithfully reproduced BB-8 is not only intricately designed, but the LEGO droid also features a swiveling head and extendable welding torch (pretend, of course).
LEGO Star Wars VIII First Order Star Destroyer
Build Supreme Leader Snoke’s sweet space ride
This insane LEGO set might actually outdo that Millennium Falcon set that released earlier this year, with a whopping 1,400-plus pieces including mini figures for Snoke himself and a few lackeys. When complete, the set sports a working elevator piece that lifts the First Order leader into his chamber, as well as panels that open for easy play inside the. The thing even has firing stud shooters that look like proton torpedoes. This is going to be on the wish lists of old and young fans alike.
Super Mario Odyssey Amiibo Set
Three fun ways to enhance your game experience
To celebrate the release of Super Mario Odyssey for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo release a three-pack of new amiibo figurines that not only look sweet, but will make your game sweeter, too. Mario, Princess Peach and Bowser are all gussied up for the very wedding that Mario’s looking to stop in the adventures of the latest Nintendo Switch game. Use these amiibo figurines in the game, and you’ll get free hints for where to find the game’s countless Power Moons. A collector’s item with both form and function? We’re so here for it.
Star Wars Jedi Challenges
This is the ultimate Jedi simulator
For a pittance in comparison to most VR headsets, Lenovo has worked with Disney to create a smartphone-based, augmented reality visor that will make anyone that knows what ‘Holo Chess’ is squeal with glee this holiday season. Using your iPhone or Android phone and the included lightsaber module, you can fight like a Jedi knight against all sorts of Sith Lords while still seeing your immediate surroundings. Use the lightsaber module to command armies in a real-time war strategy game, and there’s a full version of Holo Chess inside – no, seriously!
LEGO Ideas Women of NASA
NASA grounds itself in some reality
Nancy Grace Roman. Margaret Hamilton. Sally Ride. Mae Jemison. These pioneering women of space and science are featured in the hugely popular LEGO Ideas Women of NASA set, which includes three different builds to represent each woman’s area of expertise.
Rusty Rivets Botasaur
Be the best dinosaur building since John Hammond
Rusty’s faithful pal Botasaur can stomp around your home thanks to this kit. Don’t worry - he’s friendly. With a simple build, flashing eyes and the ability to transform into a dino-on-wheels, Botasaur spells hours of creative play.
littleBits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit
New-age tech company meets age-old Star Wars character
We don’t throw “iconic” around lightly, but there’s no arguing R2-D2 is the most iconic droid to ever wheel around the galaxy. And, now you can build your very own with the littleBits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit. You can even enhance this little bot with a free companion app containing 16 "missions" for kids to teach their Artoo new skills. At just $99 on Amazon, this is the droid you are looking for.
Kano Computer Kit
The perfect first built your own computer kit
You don’t need to be an engineer to build a computer. In fact, you don’t even need to be a grown up thanks to the Kano Computer Kit. The kit comes complete with a Raspberry Pi, wireless keyboard, and speaker. Once assembled, kids can start coding. Talk about a 21st century toy.
Acton Blink Lite
Instantly the coolest kid on the block
Kids and teens under 130lbs. can get in on the electric skateboarding action, too, thanks to their version own version of the Acton Blink: the appropriately named Blink Lite. It can go up to five miles on a single charge, include built-in LED safety lights and weighs just 7.7lbs. It's definitely among the coolest kids gifts you can buy this holiday season.