Best AI Toys in 2026: Top Smart Toys for Kids (Expert Picks)

AI toys have gotten a lot more capable—and also a lot more complicated. In 2026, the “best” AI toy isn’t the one with the longest feature list. It’s the one your child actually returns to after the first week, and the one you’re comfortable having in your home (especially if it has a mic and camera).

Below is a practical, parent-friendly shortlist of top smart toys for kids, plus a buying checklist that focuses on the stuff that matters: privacy controls, offline options, subscription traps, and age-appropriate design.

Top AI Toys in 2026 (Quick Picks at a Glance)

These are “expert picks” in the sense that they’re chosen by criteria + supported by reputable roundups and manufacturer specs.

 “AI toy” can mean anything from a coding robot to a talking companion. If you’re buying for a younger child, you’ll want a very different “smart” toy than you’d choose for a tween.

How We Chose These Expert Picks (What Actually Matters in 2026)

A toy can be impressive and still be a bad fit at home. Here’s the filter that keeps this list practical:

1. Replay value > first-day wow
   Does it encourage new play patterns over time (games, creations, challenges), or does it become shelf decor after a weekend?

2. Age-appropriate “smart”
   For younger kids, the best “AI” is often predictable and bounded. For older kids, it’s creative control (coding, building, making projects).

3. Parent sanity: setup, subscriptions, and privacy

• Does it work without a tablet glued to it?

• Are core features locked behind a paywall?

• Is it always listening / always connected—and can you control that?

This last point is not theoretical. Recent reporting and watchdog work have highlighted privacy and safety risks in AI toys—especially around data handling and inappropriate outputs.

What Counts as an “AI Toy” in 2026?

An AI toy is a toy that adapts—to your child’s speech, actions, preferences, or environment—rather than repeating the same scripted responses every time.

In practice, 2026 “AI toys” fall into three buckets:

1) AI companion toys (talk, react, bond)

These are the pet-like or character-like robots that kids treat like a “presence” in the room.

2) Smart coding & STEM toys (build, program, problem-solve)

Less “chat,” more “do.” Often a better fit for screen-time boundaries.

3) AI learning kits (teach concepts like pattern recognition)

Great for older kids, but usually not the best “gift wow” for younger ones.

Best AI Toys by Age

Kids don’t play the same way at every stage—and the “best” AI toy changes fast as attention spans, interests, and independence grow. Use the age guides below to find picks that match what your child can actually enjoy (and what you’ll actually feel good about at home).

Ages 3–5: Keep it simple, bounded, and supervised

Many experts urge caution with AI toys for very young kids, especially because of development and safety concerns.
If you do buy “smart,” look for:

• Short sessions (not open-ended chat)

• Clear parental controls

• A toy that encourages offline play (movement, building, pretend play)

Ages 6–8: The sweet spot for coding robots and guided “smart”

This is where kids love controlling a robot and seeing cause-and-effect.

• Block-based coding toys  can be perfect here

• Companion robots can work too—if you’re comfortable with the connected-device side

Ages 9–12: Go for creation and customization

Older kids want tools, not just reactions.

• Expandable build-and-code kits (mBot-style) tend to last longer

• AI concept kits can be fun if your kid likes “how it works”

Featured Expert Pick: Loona  — A Smart Pet-Style Companion Robot

If your kid constantly asks for a dog—and your household is not ready for the hair, walks, and vet bills—this is the category Loona is trying to solve: the feeling of a pet, without the pet logistics.

Best for

• Kids who love pet-like companionship and interactive games

• Families who want a robot that can be playful and also feel like a “character” at home

What makes Loona an “AI toy”

Loona supports voice-controlled interactions (kids can ask questions and play via voice commands) and includes interactive features like AI-generated visuals.
It’s also positioned as sensor-rich, using 3D ToF and RGB plus motion sensors (accelerometer/gyroscope) to navigate and behave in the world.

Standout play features

• App-enabled games and interactive play modes (examples mentioned include games like “bullfighting,” plus follow-the-leader)

• AR pet feeding and kid-friendly programming using Google Blockly

• Remote monitoring features are highlighted as part of staying “connected” to home

• Family recognition is marketed as a way to avoid leaving anyone out

Parent reality check (the stuff people wish reviews mentioned earlier)

• Battery / charging:  2 hours of continuous play and that Loona can return to the dock to recharge automatically.

• Microphones: The Loona app page lists a 4-microphone array.

• “Using ChatGPT” claim: Loona uses ChatGPT.

Translation: treat it like any other connected smart device in your home. Before it becomes “the new favorite,” take 10 minutes to set it up thoughtfully.

Conclusion

In 2026, the best AI toys aren’t simply the ones that “talk back” the most—they’re the ones that fit your child’s age, your family’s routines, and your comfort level with connected tech. A great smart toy should earn repeat play, encourage curiosity (or creativity), and feel like a net positive in your home—not another device you end up managing.