Christmas gift guide: tech for kids

Many children across the UK will have asked Santa for a phone or tablet this Christmas. And for some, it’s the first piece of tech to call their own. Are they ready? More importantly, are you ready? As parents or carers, it’s a big decision to make. So, we’ve put together some tips, and a Christmas gift guide to take the stress away from Santa.

Today, children are requesting ‘must-have’ tech from a very young age. It’s a tricky decision, and one that only you can make… But we’re here to help.

If your child has some independence and is used to spending time away from the home, having their own phone may put your mind at rest while they’re out and about. Tracking apps like Life360 and FamiSafe will monitor their location; and of course, you can call and text whenever you need each other.

There are obvious concerns when it comes children having the internet in the palm of their hands. Staying safe online is paramount, and there are numerous parental controls designed to make this possible. You may want to restrict access to certain apps, and make sure you have parental controls activated. Google Family Link for Android and OurPact for iPhone will have all the settings and features you need.

Remember, it isn’t just apps and games that need monitoring. Chats and messages can get out of hand too, so always keep an eye on the WhatsApp groups.

Facebook, Instagram and TikTok aren’t recommended for under 13-year-olds. So, bear this in mind when you’re helping your child set up their phone. All children mature at different rates, and peer pressure can sometimes come into play – so, set out your family rules from the start.

If you have a spare phone at home, you could start them off with one of our SIM only plans. But it won’t cut the mustard if they’ve put a shiny new phone at the top of their Christmas list. Just remember to add Three insurance to the checkout for extra peace of mind!

The Honor Magic5 Lite 5G is on offer this Christmas, so it’s available on a 24-month plan from only £13 a month with 15GB of data. With 256GB of storage it can hold loads of photos and videos, and the 16MP front camera is perfect for shareable selfies. In fact, the camera tech on all Honor phones is really impressive.

The Google Pixel 7a has a great battery life, and amazing photo and video quality. It also has a 90Hz refresh rate, which gives a smoother viewing and gaming experience. It's easy to take amazing pictures in low light, fix blurry photos, or remove distractions with a few taps in Google Photos. And it comes with a 13MP front camera for those all-important selfies.

If you can stretch the budget, it might be worth checking out the new Google Pixel 8 series which came out this year. Whichever model you go for, a Google phone is bound to be a winner!

We’ve got plenty of tablet deals for you. You can save £304 and get 3 months free with a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra 24-month plan. So, you won’t start paying for it until March 2024. You can’t go wrong with a Samsung device and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a brilliant buy. Whether it’s for schoolwork or play, this tablet gives the ultimate power, productivity and play. It has a stunning 14.6in display and an enhanced S Pen for making notes or getting creative.

If iPhone is top of their list the iPhone SE (2022) is the most affordable option for kids. And it has all the amazing features you’d expect from Apple, including an impressive camera, fast, powerful A15 Bionic chip, and a bright screen for gaming and watching YouTube. It’s also a compact size, and perfect for smaller hands. We recommend a tough case and screen protector – the Skech iPhone SE 2022 and 2020 Protection 360 Bundle Pack is only £25 and gives you the ultimate peace of mind.

If you have young children to buy for, the durability of the phone will be a priority for you. Nokia C02 is built for durability. And with a large, removable 3000mAh battery your kids can enjoy all-day streaming and scrolling (if you let them!) without the need to charge up.

From cases and screen protectors, to headphones and waterproof speakers – we’ve got an incredible Christmas 3-for-2 offer on accessories. That’s 3 presents sorted at once! Or why pop one under the tree for yourself? We love the PopSockets PopGrip Slide Stretch, which is a non-sticky version of the popular phone grip, so you can take it off whenever you like.

Or how about the JLab JBuds True Wireless earbuds for music lovers? They’ll get 36 hours of playtime with a single charge. These bluetooth earbuds also come with Be Aware Mode, which lets outside noises in so you know what’s going on around you. This may help to keep your kids alert if they’re listening to music on the move.

We also love the Kreafunk aBOOM Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It’s down from £69 to £49 this Christmas, and also included in our 3-for-2 offer. It gives a crisp sound, and up to 20 hours of playtime. It looks really stylish too.

If you’d rather invest in a Pay As You Go phone, we’ve got lots of options for less than £100. Like the Nokia 2720 Flip for £72. This one has big buttons and is super simple to use.

And if you’re planning on gifting a second-hand phone, why not pop our free Pay As You Go SIM under the tree? They’ll have access to our great value Data Packs, and all the benefits of being with Three. With our Winter Data Deal you can currently get 50% extra data when you set up auto-renew.

Or how about the Xiaomi Redmi 9AT for £96. It’s a great entry level addition to the popular Redmi range. With a large 6.53in display which is perfect for gaming, watching films, or reading – thanks to a dedicated reading mode. Why not check out the full range of Xiaomi phones.

If you’ve got an older child that wants to use data all the time, a Pay Monthly phone plan with unlimited data may be the best option. Then you’ll be sure to make their Christmas wish come true!