Tech the Halls with all the coolest gadgets … Fa la la la la, la la la la! Every week leading up to Christmas, we’ve featured some of the top tech gifts of the season – Week 1 for the home and Week 2 family-friendly. Now, it’s here – our third and final week … and we’ve saved the best for last – KID-FRIENDLY! We’re giving away some fun, techie prizes, so check out the contest details below the article and enter by noon on December 21, 2020.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Echo Glow, Nintendo Switch, and an Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet: 

Echo Glow

At just $29.99, it’s a multicolor smart lamp for kids, adding color and fun lighting while they play or listen to music. A globe about 4” in diameter, the Echo Glow doesn’t take up much space, and really, ages 3 to 93 would certainly find reasons to enjoy one. The device doesn’t come with a microphone or speakers, so you’ll change colors and brightness with your voice using another Alexa device – consider the Echo Dot for Kids (on sale for $39.99; regularly $59.99) with built-in parental controls (buy the Echo Dot and Glow together – on sale for $49.99; regularly $89.98) – or control it with a simple tap. From bold colors to a soft, calming glow, kids can change the look of their space with just the right light, have fun with dynamic modes like color flow, campfire, siren, firetruck, and underwater, and try holiday modes – starting with Christmas! They can even ask Alexa to start a dance party for a music and light show. The Echo Glow’s “Rainbow Timer” helps kids stay on track as they see the colors of the rainbow change – perfect for getting ready in the morning, going to bed, or any routine. Speaking of routines, even family routines such as counting down to dinnertime or setting a reading timer become wonderfully fun and colorful – and helpful. How about easing into the day or out of a nap with a light that gradually gets brighter until it’s time to wake up? These are just a few features of the Echo Glow. One of our favorite reviews is, “The cat discovered the tap feature and is really into it.”   

Shop Echo Glow on Amazon

Nintendo Switch

We’ll look at two kid-friendly options:  The Nintendo Switch ($299.99) and the Nintendo Switch Lite ($199.99). The main difference (besides price) is that the Switch can be played in TV, tabletop, and handheld mode, while the Switch Lite is handheld mode only. The Nintendo Switch is compatible with all Nintendo games and comes with “Joy-Con” controllers with HD Rumble and IR Motion Camera. It comes with a Nintendo Switch dock and HDMI cable allowing video output to a TV. The Switch Lite is a little smaller, lighter, and can play the games in the Nintendo Switch library that support handheld mode. We like that it comes in four colors – yellow, gray, turquoise, and coral. The Nintendo Switch family is home to exclusive games from franchises like “Super Smash Bros.,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Mario Kart,” plus great games from other developers – with more added every week. In fact, there are more than 2,000 games … and counting. One reviewer says, “Great size – perfect for travel, commutes, or kids,” and another, “You still get those lovely, iconic Nintendo sounds.”

Visit Nintendo.com

Fire HD 10 Kids Edition

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition tablet is a capable device that packs a vibrant 10-inch display, dual cameras, and a bevy of kid-friendly content, including books, shows, and educational apps. Most importantly, the tablet comes with a sturdy construction, 12-hour battery, a two-year warranty, and an extensive set of parental controls (allowing parents to choose what content their child sees, create educational goals, and set time limits by activity). Parents will also like the kid-proof case. If it breaks, return it, and it will be replaced for free. The case comes in blue, pink, or purple. The Fire HD 10 Tablet is $199.99 or the two-pack is on sale for $299.98 (regularly $399.98). You can also get a smaller screen at a lower price point. The 7-inch is $99.99 and the 8-inch is $139.99. Included in this price is one year of Amazon Kids+ which gives kids access to over 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, Audible books, and educational content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more. All Amazon Kids+ content is hand-curated and age-appropriate. After the first year, this subscription will automatically renew every month, starting at $2.99 per month; you may cancel at any time. Parents can add content to kids’ profiles to give them access to more apps like Netflix, Minecraft, or Zoom. With this device, kids can stream through Wi-Fi or view downloaded content on–the–go with 32 GB of internal storage and up to 12 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching video, and listening to music. For additional storage, a microSD card for up to 512 GB can be added. One reviewer lists, “Great case; the warranty is worth the purchase!!!!; the option to download content so that when you are without Wi-Fi it still works well with no data usage; Amazon Kids+ has lots of options for entertainment.”

Shop Fire Tablets on Amazon

We hope these suggestions have been helpful and have given you some good ideas as you search for those perfect gifts now and even into the new year of 2021. “Teching the Halls” can bring color, fun, and joyful smiles – just like “Decking the Halls” can. From all of us at SKT, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

SKT Internet Pricing

Contest Rules & Eligibility

This contest has ended.

Contest Rules & Details

• Ends December 21 at noon
• Three winners will be randomly selected and announced on December 22 on Facebook
• Prizes: Echo speaker, Amazon Fire tablet, and Chromebook laptop
• Must be an SKT customer 18 years or older with an account in good standing
• Primary residence must be at the service address
• SKT employees and members of their household are not eligible to win

Entry options include:

• Facebook: A Tech the Halls Giveaway post will be added to SKT’s Facebook page weekly leading up to Christmas, for a total of three (3) posts. Get up to one (1) entry per week by commenting as directed on each post.
• Website Form: Fill out the form on each Tech the Halls Gift Guide for up to three (3) entries. By submitting the form, you agree to be signed up for SKT’s monthly newsletter.
• 3-Month Speed Bump: Sign up for a free 3-month speed bump and get three (3) entries. Only for eligible SKT customers.

3-Month Free Speed Bump Rules

Qualified SKT Internet customers may receive a bump up to the next available internet package, free for three months. Open to residential and business service addresses. To qualify, the customer account must be in good standing and be eligible for a higher speed. Customers who have received a free speed bump in the last 12 months are not eligible. SKT reserves the right to determine eligibility.

Excludes customers in Belle Plaine, rural Mulvane, Peck, and the Lake Waltanna and Beaver Creek neighborhoods.