The Best Robot Dogs For Kids
Robot dogs are a perfect toy for kids who long for a pet but aren't quite ready for one, or children who simply love learning how electronics work. Their features start small with voice and remote-controlled tricks. As the owner progresses, the dogs can be programmed to complete more complex actions. To help you find the best robot dog for the kids in your life, we've created a list of the top versions on the market today. While gathering products, we asked questions like "What can children learn from this toy?" and "How easy is it to play with, program, and charge?" We were thoroughly impressed by the Yiman version for its durability, adorable style, and long list of learning features. We also loved the Power Your Fun dog for its ability to teach STEM skills like sequencing. And we're confident you'll be able to find your favorite version by simply reading on.
Yiman Remote Control Robot Dog Toy
Time for tricks
This robot dog for kids has all of the fun features you’d expect from a pretend pet. It can work with the included remote or with audio commands, including both voice and clapping sounds. It comes ready to dance to three different songs, and it can also be programmed to perform other tricks — handstands, sit-downs, barks, and more. The materials are durable and nontoxic and the battery is rechargeable, allowing your kiddos to keep playing without any additional costs.
Pros:
- The light-up eyes are a cute, animated feature that really brings the pup to life.
- The battery life is impressively long, letting it go quite a while between charging sessions.
Cons:
- The repetitive songs and phrases can be a bit much for parents sometimes. But the adjustable volume feature really makes this less of a problem than it seems like it would be.
Top Race Robot Dog for Kids
Thinking of you
This robot dog is all about features. It, of course, performs as a pretend pet by performing tricks and sharing plenty of barks. It can also sing, dance, and imitate other types of animals. Its programmable feature lets kids create their own moves as well. Its versatility makes it a perfect gift for kids in the family or friend circle, too.
Pros:
- We were impressed by this robot dog’s durability. Even through the craziest tricks, it never felt like it would break.
- The button controls and voice command options make this puppy accessible to kids of almost any age, as they can play around with the buttons before they understand all that the toy is capable of.
Cons:
- The remote requires two AA batteries, which are not included with your purchase. This adds a little bit to the upfront and upkeep costs of the toy, but the dog being rechargeable ensures it won’t be too much to handle.
Power Your Fun STEM Robo Pet
Sequencing success
Learning through play is so important for kids, and this robot god makes it extra fun with its interactive features and introduction to STEM skills. This pretend pet lets you program its tricks and movements, including sitting, standing, jumping, and more. The work is done through sequencing with electronic “treats.” Aside from the educational factors, the light-up LED eyes and adorable voice are sure to have your child entertained. The battery works well, too, providing 40 minutes of playtime for every 1.5 hours it’s plugged into the wall.
Pros:
- Adventure mode reminded us of having a real puppy, since the robot literally walks around the room doing as it pleases, avoiding obstacles along the way.
- We were impressed by its ability to move on all flooring types, including carpet.
Cons:
- The manufacturer states that this robot dog cannot be charged overnight — only for short periods of time. This can be a bit of a hassle to remember, especially if you regularly charge other toys and devices while your child sleeps.
Dimple Interactive Robot Puppy
ABC and 123
This unique robot dog for kids is absolutely adorable with its Great Dane-like design. It’s also super fun, as it comes with all of the ordinary pretend pet features and then some. It sings, dances, and even teaches your child their numbers and letters in a fun and interactive fashion. The remote control works from an impressive 35 feet away and the rechargeable batteries make for convenient play experiences every time.
Pros:
- We were impressed by the longevity of this product. We can imagine our kids playing with it for a long time.
- It works well on all types of flooring, rough and slippery surfaces included.
Cons:
- The ABC song had a bit of a different rhythm than what we were used to. This didn’t affect how our kids felt about the pet or its ability to teach letters — it was simply a surprise we weren’t expecting.
Fisca RC Robotic Dog
Zoom to the moon
This robot dog for kids is unlike the rest, as it comes with a feature that real dogs don’t have — a jetpack. This may not be very realistic, but it sure adds a lot of fun and pretend play potential for young kids. Aside from the exciting design, the dog sings, dances, and performs the standard doggy tricks. It’s made of safe and smooth plastic and its battery is also rechargeable for convenient, long-lasting use.
Pros:
- This dog can be programmed to complete multistep tasks, which can be an awesome learning experience for older kids.
- The volume control is great for parents, since the voice can be turned down when quieter play is needed.
Cons:
- This robot dog works with a remote, not with your voice. Its included features are still plenty fun and engaging for kids of all ages, though.
How do robot dogs for kids work?
These toys work either by remote, voice control, or both. Some will have buttons or voice commands that correspond to various actions and behaviors, such as barking, sitting, or lighting up.
What age children are these toys best for?
Many of the products on the list above state they’re designed for children between 3 and 7 years old. This age group is capable of controlling the toys and understanding their features and is still interested in both the imaginative and educational play that they provide.
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