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Mama's Product Picks / Technology

Top tech toys for the holidays 2014

Top tech toys for the holidays 2014

This year at Mile High Mamas, we opted to forgo an official toy guide because really, who has time to cut through the clutter to figure out what’s hot and what’s not?

However, since my husband is a technology guy and doesn’t like anything valued under $100, by default, I’ve been browsing a lot of tech websites and there are some pretty awesome products on the market!

GoldieBlox. When I was at the blogging conference BlogHer ’14, I was introduced to GoldieBlox. Created by a mom who wanted to empower girls to love engineering, I loved the mission of the company and now they have launched GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine teaches kids 8+ how to make their own movies. A story + construction kit, Goldie and her gang of friends team up to invent a solution and save the Bloxtown Film Festival from being canceled. Kids learn how to build a zoetrope, a pre-cinema animation device, while learning about illustration and animation. The app is free; $29.99 for the kit. goldieblox

Simon Swipe. Remember the classic Simon game? Well, Simon Swipe is all grown up and is a popular twist on the popular Simon game. As you try to remember colors and paterns with light and sound combinations, the new touch screen technology adds an extra challenge to the game. $26.94. simonKurio Phone. My kiddos are 8 and 10 and, unlike many of their friends, getting a smartphone is not in their immediate future. I would, however, consider getting them a Kurio Phone ($159.99). Unlike most kids’ smartphones (which are barely a step up from tinkertoys), this phone works and plays like an adult phone with a front and rear camera, an Android operating system and other sophisticated features like a GPS that notifies you if your kiddo ventures beyond a geofenced area. There’s also Web filtering, parental controls, emergency features and preloaded, hand-selected apps just for kids.kurio

MiP Robot. Ever since the days of creepy robot Vicki on the TV show Small Wonder, I’ve wanted a robot. And today’s technology is getting closer and closer to delivering. MiP, is the first balancing commercial robot equipped with GestureSense™ technology, bluetooth capability and unrivalled speed and fun. He does up to 50 tricks and there’s an app that enables you to drive, dance, battle, balance. He’s controlled by an iPhone or iPad, or a Galaxy, Droid, HTC and other Android devices. ($99)  mip

AT&T Toys for Grownups. I was at a recent tech showcase for AT&T and was salivating over several of their products on display. I was particularly intrigued with their Goal Zero Solar Charging Kit,($120) which would be perfect for our family camping trips  to charge our devices with the power of the sun. The Braven Rugged Bluetooth Speaker ($99) looked like it had a durable, waterproof exterior for adventures and I actually won the Boom Swimmer Bluetooth Speaker in a raffle (I hope hanging this speaker in our shower will motivate the kiddos to actually look forward to showertime). The Moto 360 Smartwatch ($249) was the hot ticket item and responds to your voice, acts as an activity tracker, works with yourAndroid phone, has mobile notifications, sensors and much more.

Goal Zero Solar Charger

Goal Zero Solar Charger

SmartMat Intelligent Yoga Mat. Do you have a yoga lover in your life? With the advent of Smart technologies and the “internet of things” it was not a matter of “if” the Intelligent Yoga would become a reality but “when.” This mat is pricy ($297 at SmartMat) but for good reason: it is filled with sensors that recognize dozens of the most popular poses and lets you know when you’re aligned and balanced properly as well how we’re you’re doing that pose. Give your loved one a raincheck because they’re being released July 2015 but I’m willing to bet your yogini won’t mind the wait.smartmat

 

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Amber Johnson
Author: Amber Johnson

Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.

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Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.

3 Comments

  1. That yoga mat sounds good but I wonder if it would get annoying to have sensors going off when you’re trying to relax? Would love to test drive it.

  2. I know you didn’t include the regulars like iPads and Kindles because we all know about them but I really want the Kindle Voyage that has a high-resolution e-ink screen, is the thinnest Kindle yet.

  3. The Goal Zero Charging kit is a fantastic gift idea for the outdoor enthusiast! You said it already, it’ll be great for camping trips!

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