5 toys your tech-savvy kid will love

Have a budding content creator? Then this kid-specific digital camera is exactly what they need. Available in red or pink glitter, the camera shoots stills, 720p HD video and has simple, on-camera editing tools. String up the included fabric green screen to enable the 20-plus animated backgrounds. Will it be space travel or a trip to the prehistoric era? The camera has a time-lapse feature and a built-in microphone that’s perfect for adding voiceovers, too. Kit includes a tripod-selfie stick, rechargeable battery and USB cord. Parents, you’re at the helm when it comes to transferring footage to the computer.

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam, $80, amazon.ca

Teach kids the excitement of printed black-and-white photos with this camera and printer in one. Flip the lens and strike a pose for a selfie or browse over 100 templates, fun filters and borders. There are even games and a special feature that designs greeting cards. When it’s time to print, the included paper roll spits out up to 80 snaps that can be coloured and decorated.

VTech KidiZoom PrintCam, $94, toysrus.ca

Once you go smartwatch, it’s hard to go back. This kid-geared version of what most adults can’t live without has two cameras for selfies and videos. The flash illuminates the watchface—which can be personalized with photos of 50-plus animated faces—and also acts as a flashlight. Of course, it tells time, but it also includes one- and two-player games for when it’s time to unwind.

VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3, $73, walmart.ca

A kid-friendly segue into a real smartphone, the KidiBuzz 3 runs on Wi-Fi and lets parents set parameters so kids can text, share photos and play games with approved fellow KidiBuzz devices and smartphones enabled with the free KidiCom Chat app. The 5MP camera uses a MagLens and has silly face filters and frames. There are kid-friendly websites to peruse and over 40 interactive and educational games to play, too.

VTech KidiBuzz 3, $125, chapters.indigo.ca

Ready for your closeup? This 2.0-megapixel digital camera with 4X digital zoom, over 40 camera effects and a 1.8-inch screen thinks that you are. Kids will have a ball shooting stills and videos, then applying effects like a voice-changer, kaleidoscope or collager. Don’t fret about ruggedness, either, as this camera is OK to tumble. When not snap-happy, little ones can settle in with four built-in games.

VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix Plus, $52, toysrus.ca