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The best tech gifts for new moms
Here's a list of the best tech gadgets for new moms, as chosen by Engadget editors.
Gadgets that make great Mother's Day gifts
Here's a list of gadgets that will make great Mother's Day gifts, as chosen by Engadget editors.
Apple adds workouts for new parents to Fitness+
The company is adding seven ten-minute videos for new parents in a series called "Get back to fitness after having a baby."
Willow launches new cord-free smart breast pump at a lower price
The Willow Go is an in-bra, wearable pump with no dangling cords.
Owlet Smart Sock Plus review: An update for the fans
Owlet's Smart Sock Plus can now be used on kids up to five years old, or kids weighing up to 55 pounds.
Must-have gear to make traveling with kids easier
Here's a list of the best travel gear for parents with kids, as chosen by Engadget editors.
Owlet’s latest smart sock is designed to keep tabs on older kids too
Owlet's new Smart Sock Plus tracks kids up to five years old and costs $359.
Google's new safety measures are designed to protect kids on YouTube, Search and more
Google has announced changes to YouTube, Search and its other apps designed to make them safer for kids.
The best high-tech gear for babies
Here's a list of the best high-tech gear for babies, including baby monitors, smart sensors, bottle warmers, toys and more, as chosen by Engadget editors.
The best baby monitors for your home nursery
Here's a list of the best baby monitors for your home nursery, as reviewed by Engadget editors.
The best white noise machines for babies
Engadget editors test out four smart white noise machines intended for the nursery.
Nanit launches a Pro version of its smart baby monitor
It has a slimmer design, and a 1080p camera.
Owlet's new baby smart sock is finicky yet adorable (like my twins)
Owlet's redesigned infant monitor has a lot going for it (and a few flaws).
How to set up a phone or tablet for a child
The days of simply remembering to buy some AA batteries are over. Parents now spend more time in the lead-up to Christmas and birthdays performing system updates and charging controllers than wrapping boxes or installing batteries. But there's another wrinkle in gifting electronics to children that, if you don't get right, will make your life way more difficult than it needs to be: family controls. While it's not for me, or anyone, to dictate your parenting style, I am constantly surprised at how poor a grasp my friends have on their children's electronic lives. Every horror story about a kid racking up hundreds of dollars of in-app purchases is absolutely preventable, and, when used correctly, family plans and controls can serve as a solid way to educate your family on online safety, controlled spending, the power of advertisements and other aspects of digital wellbeing. My family uses iPhones and iPads, so this article will largely focus on those devices, but Google has a similar suite of options for Android, which I'll briefly touch on and link out to for more information.
Technology alone won't make your kids smarter
Ever plop your kids in front of some purportedly educational screen-based thing because you need 15 minutes of peace? Maybe, like me, you say to yourself, "It's 15 minutes. It's an educational app. It's not so bad. I just need to start dinner." There's nothing wrong with this, in theory. As a parent of two small children, I've learned lots of things. One thing that's helped: Kids love media.
The best coding kits for children
If you want to try to get your kid into coding as young as possible, then Cubetto is the best place to start. It's appropriate for children as young as three -- which is largely because it strips the concept of programming down to its absolute basics. Oh, and there are no screens in sight. Cubetto is controlled entirely by putting colorful shapes in a wooden block that sends instructions to a smiley little robot. There are even Adventure Packs available that come with a play mat and a storybook to help put the core concepts in context. READ ON: The best educational coding kits for kids
Use tech to keep your kids organized (since they won't do it themselves)
Gone are the days of trusty Moleskine 18-month planners, scraps of to-do lists and family calendars hanging on the fridge. Full-time jobs and older kids mean more clubs, more appointments, more social life. Making a move to digital organization can take a load off and breathe new life into the family. It's never too early to help children learn to manage their time and be responsible for themselves too (to a point, obviously). It's a skill that will help them on their path through life. And it's surprising how little you need to do to organize family life. Often you have the apps and software on hand -- you just need to rethink how you use them. READ ON: Using tech to keep your kids organized and on task
The best streaming services for kids (that aren't YouTube)
Among the various choices, Cartoon Network is solid option for kid-friendly streaming. While you may need a cable subscription for complete access, there are some full episodes of nostalgia-inducing classics like Powerpuff Girls available as well as new hits like Teen Titans Go!, The Amazing World of Gumball and Steven Universe without a subscription-TV account. Plus, in addition to the Cartoon Network app, there's a truckload of other show- and character-specific apps too, which range from educational games to puzzlers, sticker packs, arcade and more. There are literally dozens of options on top of the main streaming app, so hopefully your older children won't get bored for a while. READ ON: The best alternatives to YouTube kids
How to buy tech for other people's kids (without annoying their parents)
Gift gifting for kids has gotten a lot more complicated over the past two decades or so. Gone are the days when you could just buy a doll or toy truck and know that it would be enjoyed by the child and fairly noncontroversial with the parents. A lot of that recent complication comes from how tech-heavy toys have gotten, from robot kits to drones to AR-enabled playsets. And that's before you even consider video games and consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. When it's your kid it's a little easier: After all, you should know what they like, what they'll take care of and what rules you've set for them. But what about your best friends' kids, your nieces and nephews or young cousins? While there's no silver bullet gift since every kid is different, there are some general guidelines you can follow when purchasing a tech gift for kids, one that won't have the other adults glaring at you or the kids tossing it to the side in favor of something shinier. READ ON: How to buy tech for other people's kids
How to track everything your baby does (and why you should)
When did your baby last eat -- and how much? Has her diaper been changed recently? And did she nap enough today? Knowing the answers to all these questions is essential for every new mom and dad. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to be a data-conscious parent today, including gadgets, apps and some decidedly old-school methods. READ ON: How to track everything your baby does
