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Some of Our Favorite Brain-Boosting Toys for Kids of All Ages
WIRED highlights a range of toys and products intended to encourage children’s creativity, balance, music-making, coding and imaginative play across different ages.
– Orbita MIDI Colour Sequencer: a $458 magnetic, mechanical MIDI sequencer for creating layered music. – Lego Smart Play Pokémon sets: screen-free smart-brick kits with sensors, sounds and NFC tags, from $70. – Active-play options include Stapelstein balance tiles ($299), a Bluetooth dance mat ($19) and Woom’s self-balancing bike for children from nine months ($199). – Tech-focused products include Takway’s AI pet ($149), Looi’s ChatGPT-powered phone robot ($239) and build-it-yourself Kibu headphones with an 85 dB volume limit. – Other creative items include a child-sized Gibson x Loog three-string guitar ($229) and Super Mario Crocs with interchangeable charms ($70).
In short
- WIRED recommends toys blending learning, creativity and movement.
- Prices range from $19 to $458.
- Several products use technology without relying on screens.
Explained simply
Many parents and caregivers seek toys that develop their children's skills—from balance and coordination to creativity and problem-solving—rather than purely entertaining them. The market for such educational toys has grown considerably as parents increasingly think about how play time can support learning and development.
Toy manufacturers and technology companies compete to offer products that appeal to parents who want more than simple playthings. These range from classic building blocks to high-tech gadgets like AI-powered robots and coding kits, with prices varying widely according to complexity and brand.
Publications like WIRED regularly recommend toys to help parents navigate the many available options. Such reviews reflect broader trends in what products claim to benefit children's development across different skills and ages.