Thinking about holiday tech gifts for the kids? Or just looking for some great educational gifts this holiday season? I’m sharing some of my favorite Kohl’s technology picks #Yes2Tech Thanks to Kohl’s for partnering with me on this post.
This holiday season Kayla is nearly seven. Which feels crazy to say because I still vividly remember wrapping gifts for her first Christmas. There was holiday music on repeat and the world’s biggest smile on my face knowing I would get to share the same magical feelings of the spirit of the season with her that my own mother had shared with me.
Six years later I’m delighted to say that Kayla has grown into a jingle bells singing, hot chocolate loving little girl. I mean big kid. She is constantly reminding me that she is not a little girl, she is a BIG KID. Noted.
My big kid is now in first grade at a Mandarin immersion school and has weekly homework which requires a computer. Whoa. My how times have changed. I’ve been letting her use mine to do this homework each week knowing that it’s not a long term solution. She desperately wants some independence and the ability to do things on her own. I desperately want to keep the laptop that I depend on to run my business in one piece. Therefore this holiday season I knew my top priority would be to give her a basic computer to call her own.
So I went on a one stop shopping spree at Kohl’s. Why Kohl’s? Because they have a surprising technology selection including items like Chromebooks (which are perfect for grade school aged children!) they have an AMAZING no hassle return policy as well as a huge selection of high end toys and games online that goes far beyond what you see in stores. So without further ado, here is what I picked for Kayla.
Of course I started with that Chromebook which was just under $300 and seemed like the perfect first computer for surfing the web, learning how to use email and came with a built in camera and microphone.
Next I thought a pair of fun headphones would be nice to have, especially since Kayla’s room is quite close to her little brother’s and we’ve had the same pair since I took her to Australia at less than 3 years old and much Dora watching was needed to survive a 16 hour flight. Kohl’s has a nice selection of character head phones. I had a hard time choosing between the Littlest Pet Shop ones and the Shopkins ones since Kayla is VERY into both. They are perfect for holiday travel and seem very comfy.
Then because it’s physically impossible for me to resist a toy section even if it’s an online toy section I found a few fun toys that are shhhhhh E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N-A-L. This lab set is just too cute and perfect since Kayla is constantly trying to create her own experiments, coloring water, sticking things in the freezer, the whole nine yards. You can’t imagine the things I’ve found in the freezer lately…
Keeping along that same theme, I’ve heard so many great things about Snap Circuits and thought we were overdue for a set of them. This is the Junior set which seems about right for a 6-8 year old. At the risk of sounding like the world’s biggest dork and about 100 years old, I used to design my own circuits in second and third grade and was obsessed with it. So secretly and not so secretly I hope my little girl…I mean BIG KID (darn it!) embraces her inner scientist. Plus apparently it’s cool these days!
Last but definitely not least, I picked out something for us to enjoy as a family – Classic Monopoly. There are some things that are better left as they once were and I think Monopoly is one of them. Skip the electronic versions and go for the classic one which teaches math, strategy and most importantly how to be a good sport! We’re still working on the last one…
And while we’re admitting personal weaknesses, mine is withholding gifts. I’m TERRIBLE at it because the little kid inside of me just wants to give them right away and let the recipient enjoy them. So for my own laptop’s sake and because I couldn’t help it I let Kayla have the laptop early. Now she’s able to do that online homework and has discovered that YouTube has Littlest Pet Shop and Shopkins videos. Oh boy! But I have to admit, we’ve had a blast together checking it out.
Whether you’re starting your holiday shopping or getting close to finishing (go you!) Kohl’s is definitely worth visiting this holiday season. They’ve got everything from cute pajamas for the littles to a toy section you wouldn’t believe to the best FitBits so you and your spouse can battle each other for steps. Seriously, I even scored this buffalo plaid shirt there which has quickly become one of my favorite this fall.
