V.Smile Cyber Pocket

The new V.Smile Cyber Pocket is a handheld gaming device with a conveniently bulky design and oversize control buttons — a nice feature for kids not yet ready to master the more-precise controls of a Nintendo DS. The flip-up screen displays decent color graphics; and a "writing pad," with a connected stylus is for letter and word games. While there are a variety of game "Smartridges" compatible with the Cyber Pocket (Cinderella, Dora, Spider Man, and Kung Fu Panda, to name a few featured characters), and the system offers a high-level of engagement for the player, the educational aspect is more an afterthought than its best feature. If you're shopping for a good gaming experience, and not necessarily educational enrichment, the Cyber Pocket is a great lower-price alternative to the DS, especially for younger kids.

Age: 5+
Retail Price: $54.26
Available at: amazon.com

Create-A-Story

Designed for kids who haven't started reading on their own, the Create-A-Story introduces concepts like characters, settings, objects, actions, and how they come together to tell a tale. When closed, the device looks like a kid's laptop, with a handle for carrying. Once kids open it, they can place a Create-A-Story booklet on its console, and use the stylus to explore their story options. For instance: They can choose Tigger from a cast of characters, make him bounce instead of walk, and decide he should run into Winnie the Pooh along the way. Once all the elements are in place, the console plugs into a TV, and plays out the children's customized plot as an animated short. When unplugged, the story will be read aloud. There is also the Read-A-Story function: a booklet that teaches kids to sound out words in a traditional way, a feature which saves the novelty of Create-A-Story from wearing off too quickly.

Age: 3-5
Retail Price: $39.99
Available at: multiple sellers

My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet

My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet are the most huggable "tech" toys of the lot. The plush puppies have a small hard drive in their bellies, which is accessed through a Velcro enclosure on their backs. You connect Scout or Violet to your computer via a USB port, enter your grandchild's name into their memory (they'll incorporate the name when they talk), choose songs, and customize the toys' talking points. The educational content is for early learners — six months and older — so Scout and Violet mainly cover basics like counting from one to ten, colors, food, and friendly conversation. These pups score extra points for being reasonably priced; they have some of the cutest faces we've seen on stuffed animals, and their voices are ridiculously sweet.

Additional note: LeapFrog voluntarily recalled early versions of My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet when it was discovered that young children could remove the decals on the toys' paws — a potential choking hazard. While shopping for Scout or Violet, opt for the version with embroidery, not decals, on the paws.

Age: 0+
Retail Price: $20
Available at: multiple sellers

Text and Learn

Meant for kids ages 3 and older, the Text and Learn doesn't delight with color and pictures the way most electronic toys and games for this age group often do. The Text and Learn is a neat-looking device. It's shaped a lot like a BlackBerry, has a compact design, and a basic, two-tone display screen. Most of the activities involve letters and words, but the best play- value comes from the "messages"  that the new LeapFrog canine character, Scout, sends. The pup tells your grandchild things like, "We're out of puppy biscuits!" Kids also like to pretend they're using it as a real phone, just like grandma and grandpa.

While the Text and Learn's introduction to letters is a clear benefit, and the QWERTY keyboard offers a good introduction to typing, this probably isn't the type of learning toy a 3-year-old will love instantly. We'd recommend it for a slightly older child, with an already-established fondness for gadgets.

Age: 3+
Retail Price: $19.02
Available at: multiple sellers