Summer’s officially here, which means parents have roughly two months to keep their kids entertained at home and outdoors. As parents we are truly wary of excessive screen time when the kids get bored at home. But it doesn’t mean we should stop using technology to keep them engaged.
Here are some fun toys that have really cool underlying tech behind the play
Virtual Drum Kit – P4,200
You know it’s really great that your kids want to learn a musical instrument – until they start practicing with drums. Drums are perhaps one of the favorite instruments your child wants to learn (the satisfaction of pounding things!) but this can really bring down the quality of peace at home and may also be very embarrassing to your neighbors.
Thankfully, virtual drum kits do exist. First off, they’re more affordable and portable than a regular drum set. This device makes use of spatial recognition algorithms similar to the Nintendo Wii. All you have to do is position the two sensors in front of you, then calibrate the drum sticks to “hit the air” for your tom toms and snare. One of the sensors can be clipped onto your foot to simulate the bass drum movements.
What’s super cool about this setup is that there’s a wireless receiver with a 3.5mm jack, allowing you to connect to wired earphones or a speaker system so your child can practice in peace without bothering the rest of the household, but after they git gud they can plug into the family entertainment system to jam with everyone else.
In this video, we have a look at a real drummer who tests out these virtual drums — it’s more than just a toy but a great way to practice drums when on the go!
Kids LED Microscope – P2,400
When I was a kid I thoroughly enjoyed playing with my bootleg microscope that we got from the toy store. I spent many afternoons breaking off leaves, opening nuts and fruits, and yes, even squishing ants and beetles into the specimen glass so I could have a good look into the microscopic world.
These microscopes have evolved through the years and today we have LED microscopes which are essentially digital cameras with decent zoom functions. Other quality of life improvements include a built-in flash (it’s a backlight stand) and memory card slot to export the photos you take of the specimens.
For portability, the bottom part of the microscope can be detached making the sensor system pocketable or strapped around your neck. The microscope unit is powered by USB charging while the claw dock uses AAA batteries for the backlight.
Laser Gun with Moving Beetle Target – P1,950
Here’s one for kids who’d rather be in a video game than stuck on the couch: a toy laser gun paired with an electronic beetle bot that moves around and dodges your aim like it has a mind of its own.
It’s not just point-and-shoot. The laser gun includes four modes—Pistol, Shotgun, Machine Gun, and Rocket Launcher—each with sound effects and rumble feedback. The beetle target responds when hit and changes direction randomly, forcing kids to adjust their aim and positioning like a real-time strategy game. You can also go full multiplayer with team battle mode and colored indicators.
It’s like COD without the screens: screen-free action with actual movement and coordination involved. Think arcade-style gameplay but with your kids running around the house or yard. The beetle’s rechargeable, while the gun takes AA batteries, so setup is minimal and the chaos is controlled.
Whether your child is an aspiring drummer, budding scientist, or weekend warrior, these tech toys offer a refreshing balance of fun and function. This summer, ditch the endless YouTube loops and get them something that sparks curiosity—and maybe even a little cardio.
