How to choose a robot pet for a child
- Start with the age on the box. Robots with small or fragile parts aren't for toddlers. KEYi says Loona isn't suitable for toddlers because of choking-risk parts, even though one Amazon AU listing says 24 months and up.
- Decide if it should go online. Offline toys such as the Really Real Puppy and Furby can't chat with an AI or send anything to the cloud. AI robots such as Miko and Loona need Wi-Fi, an app and a parent account.
- Check for a camera and microphone. Miko and Loona have cameras for video calls, face recognition or remote viewing. Ask where recordings go and whether you can turn the camera off.
- Add up the subscription. Miko's best content sits behind Miko Max; Miko's US site listed it at US$99 a year or US$14.99 a month on 29 October 2026. Check the Australian price in the app before you buy.
- Think about batteries. Battery-powered toys like Furby (4 AA, not included) cost more to run than they look. Rechargeable robots need charging habits a young child may not keep.
- Keep the receipt. Under the Australian Consumer Law, a toy must be of acceptable quality whatever the warranty says. Buying from an Australian retailer makes that easier to enforce.
Buying for a whole family or an older relative? Our best companion robots shortlist covers robot pets and AI companions for adults, and our companion robot guide explains the specs. For a robot that keeps an eye on the family dog instead, see pet camera robots.
Considering the priciest pick? Our Loona review covers what reviewers and owners report.
Deciding between two AI robot pets? Read Loona vs Vector.
Worried about what an AI robot records? Read our companion robot privacy guide.
For a child with disability, see what the rules say in can the NDIS fund a companion robot?
How we researched this
We shortlisted robot pets and robot companions marketed for children and sold in Australia, then compared the maker's age guidance, whether each needs Wi-Fi, an app or an account, cameras and microphones, AI chat features and ongoing costs. Prices and ratings come from Amazon AU and JB Hi-Fi (checked in Chrome on 29 October 2026) and Kmart's website. We cross-checked features with makers' pages and independent reviews linked in each pick. We haven't tested these toys ourselves.
Common questions
What is the best robot pet for a young child?
For under-6s, a simple offline toy such as Little Live Pets My Really Real Puppy ($99 at Kmart, checked 29 October 2026, ages 4+). It responds to touch with 60-plus sounds and has no app, Wi-Fi or camera.
Is Loona safe for kids?
KEYi, Loona's maker, recommends it for ages 6 to 12 and says it isn't suitable for toddlers because of small parts. It has a camera and online AI chat, so set it up with a parent account and read the privacy policy.
Do robot pets for kids need Wi-Fi?
Not all. Furby and Little Live Pets work without Wi-Fi or an app. AI robots such as Miko and Loona need Wi-Fi and an app for their chat and learning features.
Does Miko need a subscription?
No, but the free tier is limited. A Gadgeteer review found most of the worthwhile content sits behind Miko Max, which Miko's US site listed at US$99 a year on 29 October 2026.
Does Furby connect to the internet?
No. The current Furby is voice-activated and responds when you say "Hey Furby" after pressing its heart gem, but it doesn't connect to the internet or an app.
