I have a confession. I’m a little bit addicted to this year’s top tech toys for kids. And by a “little bit,” I really mean: “completely and totally and it might be time for an intervention.” This year, the best of the bunch lands smack-dab in the center of the modern toy-trifecta, blending the best of online activity with real hands-on play. Here are my very favorites:

Activision Skylanders Trap Team

A few years ago nobody knew what “Skylanders” were, but it took all of about one hot second for these colorful figurines to become one of the best-selling brands for kids nationwide. Kids collect the Skylanders action figures, set them on the glowing portal, and watch as the character magically appears in the Skylanders video game. It basically brings toys to life … or life to toys. Either way, it’s super cool.

Skylanders Trap Team ($74.99) is the fourth installment of the fantastical franchise, and the first to work with a tablet. You trap villains in the “Traptanium” and then use them to help you fight against the evil Kaos. This is an insanely fun toy/game and my daughter literally has to pry the controller from my cold, cramped hands. I just love this new game, and chances are both you and your kids will too. And since it’s on a tablet, parents, you can have the TV back. Bonus.

Osmo

Let’s be honest, even your youngest kids spend as much time on a tablet as you do, so you might as well combine the digital games they love with real puzzle pieces, word games, and drawings that build skills they can use for life. Osmo ($79) lets you do just that. Just slide your tablet into the Osmo base unit, snap the reflector onto the camera, and watch as the games they play with their hands appear magically on the tablet screen. Sure, it’s kind of like tricking them into playing with real toys for a change, but there’s no harm in that, right?

Sony PlayStation 4

Gaming bundles are great deals right now, and this one is one of my favorites. The PlayStation 4 Limited Edition Destiny Bundle in Glacier White ($449) combines the most powerful game console currently available, with a #1 best-selling game. Add to that a whole bunch of extras like multiplayer maps, strike missions and exclusive content, and you have a tough-to-beat deal.

Legos

Legos have come a long way since the days when they were just a bucket of brightly colored blocks. LEGO Technic sets (starting at $39) let kids create some amazingly intricate wheeled thingamajiggy’s, complete with moving parts, and they bring a tablet along for the ride. Every Technic set includes a digital build guide with 3D models of every single brick, showing where it goes and how to place it perfectly. It turns the actual building into a game itself, and it’s the perfect gift for the creative kid on your list.

Building isn’t just for boys, and GoldieBlox turns those tired old gender roles completely on their head. GoldieBlox kits encourage young girls to build, experiment and create all kinds of amazing things. The Movie Machine kit ($29) is my favorite — it teaches kids how to shoot their own movie using the GoldieBlox tablet app. They can draw their own animations and merge it all into their very own short film.

LeapTV

Kids of all ages love video games, but most parents worry their youngsters will turn into tuned out little thumb-twitchers who forget to get off the couch for days at a time. LeapFrog’s LeapTV is a game system ($149) specifically made for kids ages 3 to 8 that’s leading the charge on another major new trend of toys that focus on physical activity and healthy lifestyle. With this game, kids engage in a bunch of fun, active games such as Disney adventures, super hero crime fighting, sports and dance.

Last fall, I went to LeapFrog Enterprises‘ Emeryville, Calif., headquarters to get a rare, behind-the-curtain glimpse into how this particular toy and the LeapBand (more about it below), were made and molded, in large part by the brutally honest feedback of preschool product testers. The result of this painstaking attention to what’s actually important for kids is a tech toy that really does keep them off the couch and moving. The LeapTV controller is super easy to use and fits even the smallest hands, and you don’t need to worry about “mature” games sneaking in under the radar, as all of the LeapTV’s games are approved for young players.

Razer Scooter

I know you normally think of those aluminum kick scooters when you think of Razor, but the electric models are really where it’s at. The E200 ($199) — or E300 ($399) if you need some additional stability and muscle — are perfect for quick trips to the corner store or your kids’ short zip over to a friend’s house without wasting precious gas. They can hit speeds of up to 15 mph and can speed along for up to 40 minutes before needing a recharge. And don’t kid yourself, they’re just plain fun to ride, too. Of all the gadgets that come through our home throughout the year, this is my own daughter’s favorite. Just be sure to get your kids a helmet for this one, as a new study shows scooters leading the toy-injury pack.

Tablet

There’s no getting around it: Kids absolutely love tablets. The games, the touchscreen and the compact design makes them super addictive, but sometimes they’re a little too intense. There are several kid-friendly tablet options out there that are easy on the eyes and the wallet. There’s the VTech InnoTab ($59) for the very young, the Nabi Jr.($99) for the preteens, and the Kindle HD Kids Edition ($149) for the ones old enough to be trusted online.

Toymail Mailmen

Ok, I confess: This one is partly for your kids and partly for you, the parents. The Toymail Mailmen ($59) are super cute, super durable characters your kids can play with all day long, but they have a secret. These quirky toys are actually Wi-Fi walkie talkies that you can use to check in with your youngsters wherever in the house — or world — they might be. The adult can use an app on their smartphone, and kids get the message through the toy right away. It’s a pretty sweet way to keep in touch and the kids can even reply right from the toy itself.

Bands for kids

Kids love to mimic everything their parents are doing, and since smartwatches and fitness bands are about to take over your own wrist it’s only a matter of time before the same happens to your children. The Leapfrog Leap Band ($29) is all about activity, and encourages kids to get up and play in an active way, and the VTech Kidizoom smartwatch ($49) is a durable wrist gadget with built-in games, a voice recorder and even a camera. Wait a second, that thing is more impressive than my watch!

With this many great gadgets made with kids in mind your biggest challenge might be trying to keep from buying something for yourself. Don’t worry, if the temptation is too much you’re secret is safe with me.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech contributor and host of USA TODAY’s digital video show TECH NOW. E-mail her attechcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferJolly.

Tags: best kids gadgets, christmas, gifts, holidays, kids

Posted in Connected Kids, Great Gadgets, TechNow