The Coolest Spy Gear For Kids

Are your kids hitting the crazy preteen spy kid phase? Are they obsessed with everything spy-related and pestering you for toys to enhance their play?

Movie franchises like Spy Kids series have introduced children to a world of spies – created just for them. Spies no longer have to be adults, with all the right gear and gadgets; today kids can be secret agents too.

Spy toys, kits, and books are an ideal way for you to get your kids interested in science and technology but it’s always tough to know where to start. Chances are good that you’ve looked at a few different toys but with so many on the market, it can be hard to know what’s worth it and what’s not, right?

Gag Gifts and Toys: 10 Top Spy Gadgets for Kids 8-13

We’ve sourced ten of the very best spy gadgets and toys for kids, everything from cool spy watches, pens, and costumes to high tech toys like spy cars, tanks, and drones. Every single one is guaranteed to impress even the fussiest little secret agent.

Have a look at the amazing products we found – there’s something for everyone at every budget.

1. Spy Video Cars

A little car that zooms around while recording video is the ideal gift for a spy-crazy kid!

The very first toy company to design a spy video car was Wild Planet. When they launched it for the 2006 Christmas season it was an instant hit and went on win them the 2007 Toy of The Year award at the American International Toy Fair.  By combining a traditional remote control car and a video baby monitor, they created a toy that continues to delight both kids and their parents.

Today there are a huge variety of these spy cars for kids for sale. We’ve checked them out and this is our top choice:

The Spy Video Car from Spy Gear

The Spy Video Car from Spy Gear comes with a built-in live color video in the controller and includes one remote control vehicle. It features real night vision which will allow trainee spies to operate even in the darkest conditions.

Kids will find the Spy Gear Spy Video Car easy to maneuver thanks to the dual toggling controllers and will be able to move it over most surfaces in no time. And don’t worry, this toy is durable enough for most adventures!

The folks from Hacked Gadgets tested this impressive toy out, even taking it apart, and gave it a sterling review – have a look for yourself over at.

2. Controlled Wireless Spy Tanks

If cars aren’t your thing (or you want a studier spy vehicle then check out these spy tanks.

A spy tank is the ideal tool to use for those undercover covert missions and is sure to be a big hit with budding secret agents aged eight and up. These tanks will allow them to gather “evidence” just like their favorite movie spies!

The TRAKR Spy Gear Spy Video

The TRAKR Spy Gear Spy Video can roll quietly across the ground recording sound and video as it goes. Junior spies will love its powerful abilities!

Maneuvering it is easy with the handheld remote, and this toy boasts an impressive color display screen.

There are additional apps (such as Cyborg Vision, Night Vision, and Path Mapper) available to download onto the TRAKR from the Spy Gear Web site and kids can also design custom apps of their own directly from the site.

The i-Spy Tank

The i-Spy Tank has many of the same features however it does not require a remote. Instead, it can be operated using any iPad, iPhone, or iPod.

It has a manually adjustable camera which allows kids to live stream photos and remote video on their device. The i-Spy Tank also features invisible infrared lights which allow it to record even in the darkest conditions.

3. Spy Night Goggles

Watching spy movies is great but kids who enjoy these kinds of stories also want lifelike toys to play with. Younger children might be satisfied with homemade spy scopes made from toilet rolls but older kids are looking for exciting toys with real abilities.

And what could be more exciting than a pair of super-realistic spy goggles that really work? With the Spy Net Ultra Night Vision Goggles, your kids will be able to conduct their very own surveillance missions, any time of the day or night.

Ideal for kids aged eight and up this kid-friendly spy toy allows children to see up to 50 feet in complete darkness and features a recording mode, allowing young spies to get all the evidence they need.

It also features a fun ‘thermal’ – styled filter that mimics the heat vision function often used in movies and video games.

These would be ideal for a camping trip or any night time adventure and would make the perfect accessory for a secret agent Halloween costume.

4. Spy Listening Devices

What would a spy do if they needed to hear a secret conversation? They’d have to find a way to listen to the conversation from a distance so most of the time they would plant a listening device.

Listening devices are fun toys to add to your spy-crazy child’s playtime collection and are guaranteed to keep them entertained for hours on end. Just be careful what you say around the house!

The Hausbell Bionic Ear Electronic Listening Device

The Undercover Girl Secret Listener

6. Spy Walkie Talkies

In the spy business, secret agents must have a way to communicate with each other and pass along vital information. If your kids love nothing more than an afternoon of playing spies, then walkie talkies are sure to be a big hit!

Our top choice is the Spy Gear Video Walkie Talkies

These do not require data or Wi-Fi to use and are simple to activate and start playing with. Kids can communicate up to 160 yards away from each other and stay in contact.

They fold up for easy compact storage and screen protection (because we all know how rough kids can be!).

Retevis RT628 Kids Walkie

The more economical Retevis RT628 Kids Walkie Talkies do not feature a video feed but is a bestseller and your kids will have just as much fun with them. These have an LCD screen which means they can also be used at night.

They are small and lightweight, making them easy for kids to carry around and feature a simple, highly visible talk button which activates the microphone, allowing for long-range radio communication.

6. Spy Drones for Kids

When spies need to get information or do surveillance they often turn to gadgets like drones to help them out.

The idea of controlling a drone is very exciting for young spy fans but often their parents are not sure how long such a toy would last – given the rough treatment it’s bound to endure at the hands of a child.

If your kids have been pestering you for a drone we’ve found one that won’t break the bank and also won’t disintegrate the first time it flies into a wall.

The Holy Stone Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone

Tis spy kids drone is ideal for beginners and features a one-key take-off and landing button. It will automatically hover and can fly at high speeds, which your kids will love. And you don’t need to worry about it getting lost either as this Pocket Quadcopter returns at the touch of a button.

The Potensic A20 Mini Drone is also a great drone for beginners and features many of the same one-touch flying features as the Holy Stone Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone. It has three adjustable speed settings which makes it an ideal gift for either a beginner or a pro.

With dimensions of 3.5 X 3.1 X 1.25 inches (about the width of an iPhone 5), it’s also portable enough to take anywhere.

7. Spy costumes and accessories for kids

Whether it’s for a special themed birthday party, Halloween, or just for the fun of it, kids love to play dress up! And for kids who are obsessed with all things spy-related what costume could be more appropriate than a secret agent?

Dressing up like a spy has never been so easy! Check out these incredible costumes.

The Melissa & Doug Spy Role Play Costume Set includes Includes a high-quality fabric black spy jacket, a hat, rear-view mirrored sunglasses, a secret coded message card, decoder lens, and a spy guide, and is ideal for kids ages five to eight.

The Boys Spy Agent Costume By Dress Up America complete with a polyester trench coat (with attachable belt), secret agent glasses, and a mustache you can see here.

This costume is made from resistant fabric and is machine washable, making it a smart choice for Halloween.

For those kids who can’t get enough of mystery and adventure, a classic costume could also be fun. With the fun shack Children’s Victorian Detective Costume they can dress up like their favorite period detective, complete with a double-peaked deerstalker style hat & long coat with a tartan fabric cape.

8. Spy Glasses for kids

In spy movies for kids, you’ll often find the heroes equipped with all sorts of cutting edge gadgets to help them get the job done. These glasses are often equipped with futuristic features but if you are looking for toys like this then check out this range of spy kid glasses.

These stylish glasses feature high-quality durable frames and have UV Filter Lenses that will also protect kids eyes from the sun, making them practical as well as fun.

Next up on our list are the AGM Kids Night Vision Goggles. These are hard-wearing for long-term play and will allow kids to see up to 25 feet in the dark. These would be ideal for camping trips or nighttime walks, allowing kids to see what’s happening around them.

The design features a nose pad and adjustable elastic bands making them comfortable enough for hours of fun. Your kid probably won’t want to take them off!   

Any spy crazy kid would be delighted to unwrap a pair of special spy glasses.

9. Secret Agent Spy Pens

Secret agents need to be able to send messages to each other without compromising that information, and what could get the job done better than a spy pen? This is an essential tool for any wanna-be secret agent and a great stocking-stuffer idea.

There are quite a few of these types of pens on the market but these two are our top choices:

First up is the Spy Gear Spy Pen Blaster

Next up is the MaleDen Invisible Ink Pen

This super stealthy pen comes with a UV light magic marker which means that writing is invisible – unless viewed under the cap blacklight.

It can be used to write on a variety of surfaces including light and dark paper, skin (contain harmless and flavorless ink), material and much more.

These would make a fun party favor or swag bag treat for a children’s spy party and are suitable for kids aged three and up.

10. Spy Watch

Every young secret agent needs a watch that does more than simply tell the time. Every famous secret agent sports a watch like this!

They need a device with special functions and the Spy Net: Secret Mission Video Watch is packed with these kinds of high tech features.

This spy watch for kids comes with a built-in color video camera and microphone that will allow your child to record video and audio files. It also features a reset button which acts as a fail-safe to make sure that young spies will never lose their secret information.

They can even download video missions from SpyNetHQ.com.

This watch can secretly record up to 20 minutes of video and over four hours of audio.  It comes with a timer function so young agents can place the watch wherever they want to “collect evidence”. It can also store up to 2000 pictures.

This is the ideal gift for kids aged eight and up who love collecting video evidence. They will be able to use their imagination to invent new missions and solve basic logic problems. All in all, this is one powerful spy watch for kids!

Learning and Education: Top 10 Detective and Spy Kits for Kids 8-13

With detective and spy kids your kids can take their imaginary games to a whole new level – and learn science at the same time!

These kits will allow them to learn how real investigators solve mysteries and crimes, using a scientific approach. They will discover how to collect and analyze evidence, use tools like microscopes and can even unlock the mysteries of DNA.

These interactive kits make the ideal gift for young spies and are guaranteed to pique their interests. Many of these can even be used in a home-school setting or the classroom. Here are the best spy kits for real spy kids:

Spy Kits For Real Spy Kids

1.    Microscope and Forensic Accessory Kit 

Does your child want to know everything about everything? Well, this toy can help them enhance and hone their inquisitive nature (and keep them entertained for hours on end).

The My First Lab Whodunnit? Kit comes with a powerful microscope which features two light sources which means it’s actually two microscopes in one! Kids can use it to look at slides and three-D objects.

The kit also includes an Experiment Guide, which allows children to follow clues, collect evidence and solve a variety of mysteries. There’s also a comprehensive 70 Piece Accessory Kit that contains evidence cards, fiber samples, gloves, microscope slides, mini flashlight, crime tape, and everything else a budding investigator needs to get started.

The My First Lab Whodunnit? Kit is ideal for kids aged five and up.

2.    Spy Science Kit

Give your kids the gift of learning science – the fun way!

The Scientific Explorer Crime Catchers Spy Kit will encourage kids to solve two mysterious by following clues based on different fun activities.

With this kit your child can learn how to match fingerprints and decode secret messages; just like a real spy! This would make the ideal gift for children aged between eight and fifteen.

With The Purple Cow Young Detectives, Science Kit kids between the ages of eight and fifteen can learn how to take fingerprints and perform a range of fun different experiments. This exciting kit also includes step-by-step instructions and science lesson plans for homeschooling.

3.    CSI Crime Scene Investigation Activity Kit

Science and fun come together with the Ravensburger CSI Crime Scene Investigation Activity Kit. This science kit is ideal for children aged eight and up.

With this well-stocked kit kids will learn how to collect evidence, just like real spies and investigators; igniting their passion for the scientific world.

This kit will help young investigators understand the world around them while also teaching them how to split hair, analyze tire tracks, and match fingerprints.

With richly illustrated manuals and a kit containing a magnifying glass, measuring tape, tweezers, safety glasses, an ID Badge, fingerprint cards and loads more, they’ll have everything they need to conduct investigations – just like their favorite TV detectives.

4.    Fingerprint Kit

Recommended for kits eight and older the 4M Fingerprint Kit is the ideal present for wanna-be young spies and would also work well as a party favor gift.

With this interactive kit, your child will learn how to find and collect fingerprints just like a real detective on TV! Just imagine how thrilled they will be to show you their very first fingerprint. They’ll probably want to take your prints too!

This kit comes with everything kids will need to get started including fingerprint cards, dusting powder, stamp pad, brush, stickers, and detailed instructions, all stored in a sturdy plastic case. 

5.    Genetics and DNA Kit

Children who take an interest in science might go on to accomplish great things, but it’s our job to provide them with the right toys to fuel their learning.

Do you want your kids to be able to learn the basics of genetics and DNA in a fun, easy-to-understand way?

The Thames & Kosmos Biology Genetics and DNA Kit is ideal for teaching preteens about biological inheritance and how traits are passed down from parents to children.

They’ll even be able to assemble a DNA model to help them visualize these tiny building blocks of life. This kit also includes a 48-page full-color experiment manual and learning guide. This kit would be ideal as a gift or as a learning aid for the classroom.

Spy Books for Kids 

When your kids declare that they are interested in something, it’s the ideal opportunity for you to help them learn. Especially when it comes to reading.

If they love spies you should get them books that will keep them engaged – after all, we know how important it is to read and instilling this love of reading at a young age is sure to yield nothing but positive results.

Check out our full list of the best spy books for kids; here you’ll find spy-themed activity books and novels for children of all ages.

Here you’ll find books like Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Labs (For Grades 6-12), a comprehensive resource which teaches kids life and earth sciences. With this book, they’ll be encouraged to perform simple tests, observe, organize, and record data, and use the information to solve a series of minor crimes.

The Detective Science: 40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activity Book for Kids includes fun and creative activities that will teach children to do things like dust for fingerprints and analyze handwriting.

This book is perfect for beginner spies aged between four and seven.

If you are looking for a book for the classroom or homeschooling the CSI Expert!: Forensic Science for Kids would be a great addition to any grade 5 – 8 learning program.

With this specially designed, comprehensive workbook kids can work individually or in groups to collect evidence and solve crimes in 25 unique activities.

Interesting Facts About Spies

The world of spies has long captured the imagination of kids and grown-ups. The idea of traveling around the world, changing your identity and working with an endless amount of gadgets and resources is thrilling. In our minds, these spies, who are easily able to crack secret codes and disappear without a trace, are almost like superheroes. Superheroes that can blend into the crowd, that is.

With successful movie franchises like Spy Kids heightening the craze, it’s no surprise that kids want to incorporate spy games into their playtime. They want to learn about codes, hidden messages, spy history, and spy gadgets while dressing up as their favorite spies. They want to find spy-themed presents under the Christmas tree and delight their friends with secret-agent style birthday parties. Spies are totally in!

An interest in solving mysteries and using gadgets can be a perfect gateway for learning, but it all starts with choosing the right toys. Hopefully, you found what you were looking for today!

Need something more?  Here are a few fun facts about spies:

# 1 Spies aren’t always human

#2 The first spy satellites blasted their film back to Earth

Long before the days of digital cameras, photographs were produced using film. So when the first spy satellites were sent into orbit the only way for the film rolls to get back to Earth was to eject them periodically from the satellite. As they fell from orbit they would be snatched out of the air by specially designed airplanes. Now that’s impressive.

# 3 Say what now?

American soldiers stationed in the Pacific cleverly used the word “lollapalooza” to pick our Japanese spies in their ranks. Even those secret agents who had extensive English training would mispronounce it as “rorrarooza”, thus blowing their cover.

#4 Roald Dahl was a spy

Famous children’s writer Roald Dahl (author of books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda) served the British government as a spy, sent to gather intelligence from powerful and prominent people in the US.

# 5 Spies toys can help your kids learn

Buying spy toys for your kids can be a wonderful and inviting way for them to learn while being entertained at the same time.

This post contains affiliate links. Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.  Last update on 2020-08-16