Connected toys are any toys that use Bluetooth, WiFi, or internet connectivity to offer "interactive" features. Think:

Some are genuinely educational and well-designed. Others are data-harvesting nightmares wrapped in cute packaging.

In 2017, the FBI issued a consumer notice warning parents about connected toys. Not to scare you, but to make you aware: these toys can collect your child's name, school, photos, voice recordings, and location data. Some have been hacked. Some sold data to third parties. Some had security so weak that strangers could talk to kids through the toy.

The scariest part? Most parents don't know what data their kid's toys are collecting because nobody reads the 47-page privacy policy written in legal gibberish.

The good news: Not all connected toys are sketchy. Some companies take privacy seriously. You just need to know what to look for.

Most connected toys require an app and account. That means you're handing over:

What to do: Before buying, Google "[toy name] privacy policy" and look for:

If the privacy policy is vague or doesn't exist, hard pass.

Some toys have laughably bad security. There have been cases where:

What to do: Look for toys that:

Remember Furby? Now imagine a $150 "smart" Furby that stops working when the company shuts down its servers. This is the reality of many connected toys. They become expensive paperweights when:

What to do: Favor toys that:

Osmo uses your iPad and physical game pieces to create interactive learning experiences. It teaches coding, math, spelling, and creativity—without being pure screen time. The genius part: kids manipulate real objects, and the iPad camera recognizes them.

Privacy: Osmo collects minimal data and lets you control what's shared. The app works offline for most games.

Cost: $80-$130 for starter kits, but no subscription required.

These are programmable robots that teach real coding concepts. Kids can control them with an app, create obstacle courses, or write code to make them do tricks. It's legitimately educational and actually fun.

Privacy: Sphero doesn't require an account for basic use. Data collection is minimal and clearly disclosed.

Cost: $50-$200 depending on the model.

This is a screen-free audio player for kids. You place a figurine on the box, and it plays stories, songs, or educational content. No WiFi needed after initial setup, no ads, no data harvesting.

Privacy: Minimal data collection. Works entirely offline after setup.

Cost: $100 for the box, $17 per Tonie figure.

If you're considering a smart watch for your kid, Gabb is the least-terrible option. It has GPS, calling, and texting—but no internet browser, social media, or app store. It's designed for safety without the digital rabbit hole.

Privacy: Gabb's whole brand is built on privacy. No ads, no data selling, no third-party tracking.

Cost: $150 for the watch, $15/month for service.

Yes, it has parental controls. Yes, it can answer homework questions and play music. But it's still an always-listening microphone connected to Amazon's data empire. If you use it, turn off voice purchasing and review what data is being stored.

Learn more about Alexa privacy settings

VTech makes a ton of connected toys for young kids—tablets, cameras, smart watches. They've also had massive data breaches that exposed millions of kids' photos and personal information. If you buy VTech, assume their security is questionable and don't upload sensitive data.

Remember My Friend Cayla? She was banned in Germany for being an "illegal espionage device." Any doll with a microphone that connects to the internet should raise red flags. If it can listen, someone else might be listening too.

Ages 3-5: Stick with toys that work offline or have very limited connectivity. Toniebox is great here. Avoid anything with a camera or microphone.

Ages 6-8: Coding toys like Osmo or Sphero are excellent. If you're considering a smart watch, make sure it has zero internet access and only connects to approved contacts.

Ages 9-12: This is when kids start lobbying for Roblox, Minecraft, and their own devices. If you go this route, parental controls are non-negotiable. Check out our guides on Roblox parental controls and Minecraft safety settings.

Ages 13+: Teens will want full smart watches, gaming consoles, and social media. The focus shifts from "should they have this?" to "how do we use this responsibly?" Consider alternatives to smartphones if you're not ready for the full internet in their pocket.

If your kid is old enough to use a connected toy, they're old enough for a basic conversation about privacy:

"This toy connects to the internet, which means it might remember what you say or do. That's how it works. But we need to be careful about what information we share, just like we don't tell strangers our address."

For older kids (8+), you can get more specific:

"When you use this app, the company might collect data about what you play and how you use it. That's how they make money. It's not always bad, but it's important to know it's happening."

The goal isn't to make them paranoid, but to build awareness that digital toys aren't magic—they're products designed by companies with business models.

Connected toys aren't inherently evil. Some are genuinely innovative and educational. But you need to be intentional about what you bring into your home.

Before you buy:

And remember: the best toy is the one your kid actually plays with. A $200 coding robot gathering dust is worse than a $10 pack of LEGOs that sparks hours of creativity.

Need help figuring out if a specific toy is worth it? Ask us anything about connected toys and privacy and we'll give you the real answer.