Christmas tech toys that will engage kids - Consumer Reports

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Electronic toys are expected to be big on kids' Christmas lists this year. But don't think that children have to just sit glued to a screen.

Consumer Reports Shopsmart Magazine found four great tech toys that are loaded with creativity.

Jeffrey is jumping like a tiger, because his monkey told him to! The $40 Leapfrog Leapband features "pets" that give kids activity challenges.

"This tech toy isn't the kind of thing that's going to keep kids sitting and staring at a screen. It gets them up and moving, really active and engaged," said Carol Mangis of Consumer Reports.

The child earns jewels and redeems them for more pets or games.

Crayola's Virtual Design Pro Kit is also $40. It has a colorful array of crayons, markers and stencils and a book full of car or dress designs. The high tech twist? When you scan your drawings into a phone or tablet, they animate. Models walk the runway and cars race through an obstacle course.

The 3Doodler extrudes a thin stream of plastic that dries almost immediately so teens can turn their drawings into 3D creations. The $100 3Doodler comes with 10 colors, but the possibilities are limitless. Extra color packs are $10 each.

One tiny kit from MaKey MaKey is loaded with fun. The wired clips connect to a little circuit board and turn anything that conducts a current, like cucumber slices, into computer keys. You can get MaKey MaKey for the inventor in your house for $50.

Another popular gift this year is going to be tablets just for kids. Consumer Reports is running their tests now, so stay tuned for those results.