Giving the gift of Beeps and Boops

November 25, 2024 8:11 AM

Seeking gift ideas for two siblings, age 3 and 5, who LOVE interactive educational toys that talk or play music. (And, perhaps most importantly, the parents approve of noisy electronic gifts, lol).

Their current "noisy toy" favourites include:
Scout Puppy
Talking Globe
Interactive Cash Register
Fridge Phonics
B-Toys Symphony (This was my first "noisy gift" for this family, and it's been a huge hit- strongly recommend for age 2-7. Awesome, absorbing toy that truly teaches musicality!)
Vintage Fisher Price Record Player
Retro toy suggestions are welcome too, the family is fine with secondhand and vintage items and I'm happy to shop eBay. But my own parents hated noisy toys, so I never had any and have no idea what the good ones are!

Educational toys strongly preferred, especially reading, math, science, trivia facts, music, and French.
Budget isn't an issue.
Thanks!

posted by nouvelle-personne to Technology (12 answers total)

How about a keyboard and some hand drums and other percussion instruments along with a microphone? I have grandkids in that age range and they love theirs- that someone else got them. I don't have specific recommendations.
posted by mareli at 8:24 AM on November 25

Simon is pretty retro and it's all about the beeps and boops.
posted by flabdablet at 8:24 AM on November 25 [1 favorite]

BOP IT was always a hit with the little ones back in the day
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 8:34 AM on November 25 [1 favorite]

If you really want to splash out, Blipblox has a line of high quality synthesizers that are ruggedized for children and have intuitive controls. Educational in terms of music theory, sound design, composition etc. Hard to find a better bloopy instrument that is fun and safe for kids that age and will also entertain many adults who are interested in electronic music.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:57 AM on November 25 [2 favorites]

Depending on your budget, I'd take a look at a Yoto Player. Yoto players are a hit in my house with my 5 and 1.5 year old. They are an audio system specifically designed for kids that they can operate via cards and have all sorts of content (music, math, stories, French, etc.)
posted by snowysoul at 9:12 AM on November 25

Along the lines of percussion instruments, maracas, tambourines, and bongos were always a hit at our house when we were kids. Never dared to give them to my nieces and nephews. Not strictly educational, but great for learning how to keep the beat.
posted by drossdragon at 9:13 AM on November 25

Leapfrog pretend computer

We had the blip box and the kids did not take to it.
So if anyone wants to buy one cheap….
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:48 AM on November 25

Adding another answer, the website thekidshouldseethis.com has a gift guide. It used to be organized by age/interest, but now appears to be a tumblr that is not update that frequently. If anyone knows of a similar gift guide that's better organized, I would love to know about it.
posted by drossdragon at 9:59 AM on November 25

VTech is really good at this - especially when it comes to parent-friendly features like variety in the phrases and having an off switch. (Bigger toys tend to also have a softer/louder switch.)
posted by demi-octopus at 11:19 AM on November 25

I got my daughter an inexpensive Casio keyboard that could make a jillion different sounds. She loved it for YEARS.
posted by jcworth at 12:13 PM on November 25 [1 favorite]

Depending on your budget, I'd take a look at a Yoto Player

I got our niece a Yoto Mini in 2022, and it still gets regular use (she's now 7). My sister listens to the Yoto Daily podcasts on it too (they're designed for kids, but are pretty good. They interviewed Elton John a couple weeks ago).
posted by oneirodynia at 3:51 PM on November 25 [1 favorite]

Mod note: [Hey ho, this has been added to our Mefi gifting list update on the sidebar and Best Of blog!]
posted by taz (staff) at 12:27 AM on December 1