2 weeks Ago
1. A Gears building set with 150 pieces to give those gears already turning in your toddler's head a productive outlet. They can make endless chains and arches, all while supporting those fine motor skills and getting their brains primed with lots of STEM input.
Promising review: " I bought this for my son when he was 3. Two years later, I’ve come back to write my unbiased review so you have one to trust. At the time, I bought these on a whim and had no idea what I would unlock.
For more than two full years now, these gears have been played with DAILY. Every. Single.
Day. They have held up to crashed airplanes, tidal waves hitting sea creatures, and have been catapulted into castles. Very rarely have they been played with as shown on the product pictures, as my son uses them to build different things every day.
Dusty Crophopper (plane), Lightning McQueen (race car), and so much more. Our only regret is sometimes we don’t have enough pieces to build an entire fleet. These creations have an entire shelf for display in his bedroom to feature what he builds each day.
This toy is durable, open ended, grows with the child, fits a variety of abilities and ages, and is only limited by imagination. I could not recommend this toy more! " — Traveler Get it from Amazon for $40.79 .
2. A rechargeable kids' karaoke microphone so your tiny tot's rendition of "Let it Go" and whatever bops we're gonna get from the Moana 2 soundtrack this month are top tier. This comes preloaded with thirty songs, but can also be connected via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet.
Plus, it has four voice effects, so you know those alone will keep them occupied for a good 30 minutes at least. Promising review: " My 5-year-old absolutely loves this. It is her favorite gift that she received for Christmas.
Easy to use, music sound quality is great, microphone quality is great. I ordered the rose gold one and it looks better in person. Volume control is easy to use.
There's slide controls for music volume, mic volume, and voice echo. Easy button controls to skip through songs. Great buy for kids.
" — ARIES Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 13 colors and styles). 3.
A marble run set to keep them (and you!) from losing their marbles with boredom over the long winter break. This set can be built, broken down, and rebuilt, so the possibilities for marble shenanigans are pretty much endless. Promising reviews: " My 5- and 3-year-olds (and me) have spent hours building towers and watching marbles clatter down these chutes, steps, gears and spirals, HOURS! And they’re not bored yet! It’s also educational learning the physics of slopes by experience.
Plus, it comes with enough marbles that losing a few doesn’t matter." — Joyce Parker " This is a really neat toy that has provided literally hours and hours of enjoyment for my 4-year-old nephew (and me!). The pieces fit well together, it is very sturdy and stands up well even on carpet.
There are an infinite number of ways to build these runs, and this toy never gets boring. Highly recommended." — Becca Get a set from Amazon for $34.
99+ (available in four sets). 4. A set of four colorful parachute figurines for outdoor and indoor physics-learning fun! Which of us hasn't spent hours making up dramatic soliloquies as our parachutes crash to the ground? This is a childhood right of passage.
(And an affordable one, thank goodness!) Promising review: " Whoever thought of this design is genius. My 5-year-old loves these and it's his favorite gift among all the other (much more expensive) ones we got for him. The no tangle design is genius.
I can't count how many of the standard string-type ones we have gotten tangled before finding these." — hiker0811 Get a pack of four from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two styles).
5. A for-real John Deere tractor they'll love for the bright colors and high zoomy potential, and you'll love because it gets them outside! This is one of those "remember when" gifts your kids will still talk about decades after receiving it. Promising review: "All of my kids, ages 2–6, love this ride-on tractor! The two year old has the foot pedal down as well as reverse, and they all love the working radio on the tractor.
So far I have yet to remove the safety to let them go in high gear (because of the 2-year-old), but the battery life lasts them two days of play! Compared to our other battery ride on toys , this is great. Although I'm sure it would be a little less if they had access to the high gear. Quality seems fairly good, the only thing I noticed is the trailer is a bit flimsy.
It definitely will not hold much weight as compared to other toy trailers we have, but the kids love it nonetheless. It took me and my 3 eager helpers about an hour to put it together, which I did not think was too bad. Overall, we're very happy with our purchase.
" — CJS Get it from Amazon for $279.99 . 6.
An Air Hogs Super Soft Jump Fury if your jumping bean of a child needs an RC car to match their energy. This one can leap up to nearly two feet in the air with wheels designed to not make a mess of your floors and walls. (Everyone say, "Thank you, Air Hogs.
") Promising review: "This was a Christmas gift in 2021 for my then-4-year-old (now 5) grandson. We played with this car yesterday (Oct. 9) for an hour.
He still loves it and I'm impressed with its durability. If there is a 4- to 5-year-old boy in your life you might be asking, 'Really, it still works?' Oh, it's pretty beat-up but everything still works..
. even the jump function. I'm getting another one for my house this year! " — James J.
Get it from Amazon for $48.99 . 7.
A Hey Hey Relay game that is part board game, part relay race, all family-antics fun! And with a game time of about 15 minutes, this is a box you won't mind your preschooler pulling out again and again. Promising review: "Brought it to a kids birthday party and the adults ended up having more fun! Parents got a little competitive though, LOL." — J.
k. Get it from Amazon for $14.99 .
8. The Nugget foam play couch my kid and I will personally vouch for as standing the test of time. We've had ours since 2022 and *still* turn to it on rainy days, sunny-too-hot days, and all the days in between to make tents, ramps, and lounge seating options for hours of play.
Nugget Comfort is a small biz based in Butner, North Carolina, that specializes in play furniture made out of foam cushions. Promising review: " My 3-year-old and my nearly 5-year-old have played with this thing constantly. Sometimes they are just lounging around on it but mostly it’s part of their adventure play.
It’s been a boat, a castle, a camp, and so much more. They are gonna freak out when they get a second soon." — Tabatha C.
Shipping info: Orders ship free within 1-3 days. Get more info on shipping here . Get it from Nugget Comfort for $249+ (available in 20 colors and styles).
9. OR a mini Nugget that's just like its larger counterpart in construction but is the perfect "mini" size for American Girl dolls, favorite stuffed animals, cars, and action figures. I've got one of these waiting for my Nugget lover under the tree, and I just know it's going to be as much a boon to playtime as the original .
Promising reviews: "This is great fun for our granddaughter. Only 20 months but went straight to playing on it herself and with her baby doll. A great imaginative toy!" — Margaret M.
"All the same fun of a regular sized nugget in miniature form! My three kiddos have LOVED using the mini nugget for all kinds of creative play- stuffed animal beds, ramps for cars, obstacle courses for their action figures- the possibilities have been endless! Hoping additional colors come out so we can buy another one!" — Jessica M. Shipping info: Orders ship free within 1-3 days. Get more info on shipping here .
Get it from Nugget Comfort for $59 (available in five colors). 10. An interactive globe with a talking pen that features the voice of none other than CROCODILE HUNTER PROGENY BINDI IRWIN.
Learn about the planet and wildlife conservation? Crikey, that's a good idea. Promising review: "Purchased this for my 6-year-old grandson who is fascinated with geography , maps etc. He plays with it all the time and is learning a lot.
I was very impressed with the quality and features. I am so very glad I ordered it. It’s his favorite Christmas gift.
It’s fun listening to him tell me facts about different countries and the states. Love that it has states and capitals. Definitely would purchase it again.
" — Kathy L. Cluggish Get it from Amazon for $101.99 .
11. A rechargeable light-up whale sprinkler bath toy to make getting clean a whale of a time. This spurts water from the top and lights up, which is basically the equivalent of a toddler bath party.
Promising reviews: "A bath time favorite. It’s such a fun toy! I love this one because, it doesn’t take batteries, it comes with a charger and takes no time to charge. I have two kids and it gets used twice a night, it stays charged for about a week.
It’s very cute and I haven’t noticed any mold or gunk build up which is great! Quality toy!" — Carolyn Cracchiolo "I have gotten 3 of these! 2 for my kids and one as a gift and let me tell you - they all love this toy. It is so so fun in a pool or bath from babies to toddlers to even 7 year olds. Battery lasts a long time and charging is so easy.
Love this product!" — M M Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in six colors). 12.
A Magna-Tiles set because your kiddos (and you!) don't even know how satisfying it is to click these lil' squares and triangles together to form castles, houses, and roads. This is my go-to gift for preschool birthday parties for a reason: They're fun for everyone. Yes, even the parents! Recommended for ages 3+.
Promising review: " Seriously the best gift we have ever gotten our son. He has these at his preschool and, since Christmas, at home too and he never tires of them. In fact he plays with these almost every day and his creativity astounds me.
He learns so much about how to put things together and his imagination runs wild. He would play with these for hours if he could!! " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (for a 32-piece set) or $114.
95 (for a 100-piece set). 13. A sturdy fort-building kit aka what childhood dreams are made of: With 52 poles and 30 connecting balls, the sky (and gravity) is the limit for what kind of fort your littles can create.
Bonus points that no household furniture has to be sacrificed to this STEM-based game of pretend. A win for every parent who wants their kids to be creative but also for the dining room chairs to stay where they belong. Promising review: " My 4-year-old loves them! I'm running out of room in her play area! I ordered two of the 82-piece sets because she's constantly trying to rearrange our basement furniture so she could build forts.
Took her a bit to figure out how to get the perfect angles out of the connecting balls but she is now a pro. Our basement currently has a large space ship and an igloo shaped fort that she wants to sleep in. We still have pieces left and she insists that I buy more to build bigger.
🤣" — Michael B Wright Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (don't forget to clip the coupon before check-out to get this price). 14.
A battery-free, TikTok famous race track for the game-loving small humans in your life who one day will absolutely rock video games but are too young for Mario Kart *just* yet. No batteries and lots of nobs and levers to move the cars along the track, this kept my four-year-old occupied for a SOLID hour when we first got it. (And he still returns to it weeks later!) The track includes a toy police car, ambulance, fire engine and an attached helicopter.
Promising review: " This toy completely captured the attention of my 4-year-old grand-nephew, right from the get-go. He probably played with it nonstop for the first three hours, and again later in the day. Thankfully, the pieces fit well, the cars run smoothly on the track, and all the motion buttons work well — so far.
Considering how nonstop he plays with it, I'm hoping it will last for a long time. I love that he is so intensely focused and engaged with it for hours; he tries his out-of-the-box schemes to make the track work differently than it was designed to do; and he's using his fine motor skills to test the different adaptations he wants to make. It's a wonderful toy and incredibly engaging.
I only hope it can endure such long playing time!" — Bernie C. Get it from Amazon for $39.99 .
15. A Melissa & Doug activity book with safety scissors included so that your little preschooler can have fun and get ready for kindergarten by perfecting their scissor skills. It basically counts as school, and your kid will be obsessed because who *doesn't* love going at parent-approved paper with a pair of scissors just for the heck of it? Promising reviews: " My 4-year-old can’t stop thanking us for getting this for him.
Such a fun way to start practicing with scissors. Perfect and fun for beginners! I always love Melissa and Doug products." — Lauren "Worth it! This has been great for my 4-year-old.
It really keeps her entertained and she’s learning great scissor skills, safely. " — Jenna H. Get it from Amazon for $5.
49 . 16. And a classic Melissa & Doug ice cream station that'll have your kids screaming for pretend ice cream, no matter the weather outside! With innate counting, motor skills, and that particular childhood nostalgia magic Melissa & Doug put into all their wooden toys, this station is a nuttily perfect addition to the toy lineup.
The wooden ice cream counter comes with eight ice cream scoops, six toppings, two cones, cup, scooper, tongs, wooden spoon, reusable menu card, and six pretend dollar bills. Promising review: " My newly turned 3-year-old daughter instantly fell in love with this set! She loves seeing how high she can stack the ice cream cones and pretending to serve Mom and Dad her creations. She's been obsessed with climbing things around the house and we *desperately* needed a distraction to get her to stop, and this is working so far — she plays with this thing for HOURS! " — West Family Get it from Amazon for $36.
39 . 17. A Strider balance bike about to be your little's favorite gift (seriously, it's one of my favorite kid things we own — inside OR out)! It is light (only about 6 pounds) and can maneuver in even the smallest places.
My 4-year-old LOVES his "motorcycle," and we've gotten hours of fun out of this thing, with so many more to come. Plus, he'll be more than ready when it's time to learn to pedal because this bike taught him the art of bike balancing organically. Psst .
If your kids are younger, you can get this same bike with a rocking base so that your baby can rock as young as 6 MONTHS OLD and keep on rockin' until they're ready to remove the base and scoot on their way! There is also a 14-inch version that can be upgraded with a kit to attach pedals when your kiddo is ready for some big-kid zoomies! Basically this company will grow with you (and the products are strong enough to get handed down to siblings/cousins/friends). I've already committed to buying the 14-inch when my kid outgrows this one, and my sister has called STRONG dibs on the 12-inch for my niece when the time comes. 😂 Promising review: "I don't know what I did without this bike.
I have six children, and I bought this bike for my youngest son. I wish I had gotten one earlier. I'd seen them before but dismissed them and thought, 'Oh, they cost a lot, and would they really use them?' Well, I have gone through useless tricycles and push riders, and nothing compares to this little bike.
My 3-year-old (who is a small 3-year-old) never gets off it. He loves this bike. Inside and outside! He could balance himself by lifting his feet within a week and cruising down hills like nobody's business.
I think I love this bike as much as he does. Best buy of the summer!! " — Mother of 6 Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in eight colors).
18. A Kinetic Sand construction-themed folding play set if you have a big fan of construction on your hands and a big aversion to real sand and construction in your psyche. *raises hand*.
My kiddo actually *just* got this for his birthday and I let him play with it inside on the rug because it is so self-contained and easy to clean up any stray kinetic sand bits that tumble out. The set includes kinetic sand, a dump truck, working crane, wrecking ball, and brick molds. PERFECT for getting a few things done around the house while your little amuses themselves with all manner of construction projects in the meantime.
Promising review: " I bought this for my 3.5-year-old for Christmas and it’s been one of his favorite things to play with! He loves the construction truck and block molds, and the box that opens into a little play area. We have a rule of only allowing him to play with it in the little box provided and on the table, so keeping it clean and together hasn’t been a problem.
" — Michelle Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 19.
A domino chain train that'll do the tough work of setting dominoes up in a neat line for your preschooler. That way, it's just endless, "Watch this!" instead of the dreaded, "Can you set these up for me?" Promising reviews: "Super fun for any toddler from ages 16 months and older. Color and appearance are just as described.
Worth the price!" — Liliana Mihok "I got this for my four year old brother for Christmas and I was his favorite it kept him busy for hours he was able to do it on his own after we helped him the first few times. An additional plus it came in a mesh bag for the dominos unfortunately the train didn’t fit but it was good for keeping the dominos together." — Madysen Get it from Amazon for $24.
99 (available in two colors). 20. A set of Crayola Scribble Scrubbie pets so your little can color on an approved mystical creature surface, have the delight of washing it off in a sparkly tub, and then coloring it again.
Color, rinse, repeat. The Peculiar Pets set includes: one dragon, one narwhal, one yeti, one unicorn toy, one sparkly scrub tub, one scrub brush, nine washable markers, one standing play mat, and an instruction sheet. Promising reviews: " I got this as a gift for my 3-year-old niece for her birthday.
She loved it and played with it more than the rest of her gifts that day! Score for auntie! She's pretty active and enjoys crafts and projects so this was a hit. I'd probably buy more to add to her collection to add some variety on things for her to color and wash. I also liked that this kit came with nine markers.
I do think it was a little expensive but since my niece liked it I guess it made it worth the purchase." — AvidReader1 " Our 5-year-old old crafty kiddo ADORES this. Works exactly as advertised and the markers seem to have a good bit of ink in them.
Only downside will be when the ink does run out. I don’t see anywhere to purchase the markers separately, and it could be regular Crayola markers would wash — just not as well..
.TBD..
. Overall 10/10 would recommend." — B.
McLaughlin Get it from Amazon for $24.95 . 21.
A shockingly cute "Bears Gone Wild" polymer clay kit your kids are going to LOVE for the fun factor of making something this cool but also for having an adorable piece of room decor when they're done! Tangerine is a small biz founded by a mother-daughter duo from Austin, Texas who believe wherever you are is the exact perfect art studio, no matter your age! Why yes, I did just put this and the polar pups in my I'm-in-my-thirties-what-of-it cart. Promising review: "My kiddos love all of these kits! It keeps them busy and creative! Highly recommend!" — Whitney Shipping info: Orders usually ship within 2 days and typically take 2-5 business days to arrive. Find out more about their shipping, here.
Get it from Tangerine for $38 . 22. A Stomp Rocket launcher , because if your preschooler is half as good at stomping their little foot as mine can be, then you might as well put it to good use and watch them launch a rocket halfway to the moon.
(Okay, at least up to 200 feet, which might as well be halfway to the moon in a kiddo's eyes.) Promising review: " My 4-year-old goes wild over this. He’s so loud with excitement, it draws out the neighborhood kids and next thing I know the neighbors are over chatting outside with me while their kids are COMPLETELY occupied playing this thing.
The assembly is EXTREMELY easy. The rockets launch well above my two-story home that I have to make sure it’s not too close so one doesn’t land on the roof. It’s actually fun for the adults as well.
My son loves to watch me really launch one. This is a great outside activity for any boy or girl. You don’t have to chase the kids around and they get plenty of exercise running to get the rockets after they’ve landed.
Fun for everyone. Well worth the 20 bucks I spent on it." — Geno Get a set of four from Amazon for $19.
99 (also available in a six-pack and an option with LED lights). 23. An LCD writing tablet if you're tired of spending a small fortune on construction paper that gets a single mark on it, and then your kid declares it "all done.
" This way, they can make endless creations with no trees being harmed in the process! Promising reviews: " Great for preschoolers. Got this product for my 4-year-old and it was a big hit with her. She carries it everywhere and loves doodling on it all the time.
She laughs while hitting the erase button as it turns the screen blank again. It is lightweight and easy to write or carry, only negative is that the screen is too sensitive to touch as it even catches just any impression including nails. Other than that great product and loads of fun.
" — SP "This has been the best product and my son loves it. He is in preschool and with all the schools being shut down because of the pandemic getting him to sit down and practice writing his name and alphabet has been a challenge. Since this came he will not put it down he thinks it’s the coolest thing.
" — Justin Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors). 24.
A Playper buildable castle play set to get your kid's imagination rumbling and motor skills buzzing! These sets are made with bright-colored spill-resistant pieces designed to withstand any 3-and-up's enthusiastic antics. You and your kiddos will both have fun building the castle and the adorable cast of characters. (And you know you can throw in a few good Monty Python quotes while you play.
For educational purposes, of course.) Playper is a small business committed to fostering a love for learning with sustainable toys. Joy, education, and A+ Earth vibes in toy form? Yes, please.
I'd also like to note that I appreciate their affordability (not just for this list!) because they are dedicated to making their imagination-fuel toys accessible to as many families as possible. Promising reviews: " Can’t believe how sturdy this thing is!!! When I read the description, I didn’t quite understand what it was and assumed it was some cardboard castle..
.so I was a bit nervous about it being too flimsy. I was wrong and worried over nothing! My 4-year-old has visibly become more interested in discovering the quests with numbers and puzzles.
Since he started playing it, he is finding out the combination of challenges has a lot to offer — all there to be discovered just by playing around with it. For a 'paper toy,' I am wholeheartedly, super impressed. A++" — Jee " Just bought it, and she looooves it.
We did two hours without a break! The characters are cute and come with cute stories. I wish you could have seen the smile on her face when she snapped the first character (Snuffles the dragon) together by herself, but she had a great time just popping them out of the sheets they come in out of the box, and that’s not even the fun part. Also, amazing quality — really durable.
" — Kevin M Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . 25.
Some inflatable Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers reviewers promise will bust *your* boredom, too. If I had a nickel for every review that used the word "hilarious," I'd have enough nickels to buy an army of these. Adults and kids alike have a blast turning themselves into human bumper cars.
PSA: Make sure helmets are worn during bump-offs. Promising review: "My grandsons, ages 3 and 5, had so much fun playing with these. They held up well and even though the boys bumped and bounced into each other and the ground several times, they didn’t feel a thing.
It was also very funny to watch!" — Annie Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.79 . 26.
A flower-building activity set (with a storage box) to work your kiddos' motor skills and help their ~flowering~ independence find a fun and colorful outlet for a while. Promising reviews: "My 4-year-old is obsessed! Ordered these because my daughter’s preschool has them and she absolutely loves them! They were delivered on Halloween so this was nice little treat for her to play with while waiting for it to get dark. Such a creative, fun, and imaginative garden set! " — Raquel Dixon "Bought for my 3-year-old granddaughter.
Was unsure if they would keep her occupied. Yes!! This is one of her favorite games and I enjoy playing with her. Develops creativity and lots of skills.
Great gift for little girls. There are a few small parts but by 3 they should be OK and not put things in their mouths. Highly recommend.
" — CJ Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in two sizes). 27.
A Moo Moo Achoo bubble game : Part card game, part BUBBLES. Collect all the clover cards before Moo Moo sneezes to win this lil' game. This looks so ridiculously fun, I can't help but throw it in my cart for my bubble-obsessed fam.
Promising review: "The kids loved playing this game. Works great!!" — John Wiand Get it from Amazon for $19.99 .
28. A very fluffy Furlings interactive plush which — with its wraparound tail, big blinking gaze, and high cuddle factor — is basically like three toys in one! A bargain! I'm fully convinced this could be "the next big holiday toy" since these are brand new to the market and have that creepy-but-weirdly-adorable look that '90s kids might affiliate with Furbys . But UNLIKE the Furby of our youth, these have an off-switch and no moveable beak, which, frankly, I count as a plus.
They are also surprisingly large, which I feel is always a big win for the 21st-century kiddos. Promising review: "Great present or gift! The kids literally fight over who gets to have it." — Joan Get it from Walmart for $34.
98 . 29. Or a cult classic Pretty, Pretty, Princess dress-up board game if you want to ease your younger kids into the beautiful world of family board gaming.
If you didn't have the honor of playing this game in childhood, just know it can get ~shockingly~ but *lovingly* competitive. Note that the box says, "For 5 and up," but lots of reviewers start their kids on this fun spin-based game earlier. The sooner, the better, so you can have them playing all your fave Unstable Games at fam game night in no time! Promising reviews: " This game is exactly as I remember from being a kid, and my 3-year-old daughter loves it! The crown is different from what I remember, but in a good way, as it seems more durable and fits on my adult head.
Other than that, it's a great simple game." — Megan Wolfarth " My almost 3-year-old LOVES this game. Very easy to learn and play.
Just like when I was little!" — Cali Licin Get it from Amazon for $19.49 . 30.
A Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper kids can use to safely (and quietly!) get out some of their go-go energy for less than the admission price to a trampoline park. Promising reviews: "Holy silent jumping Batman! As I write this, my 3-year-old son is happily hopping around the house (wearing his bike helmet) with no sound other than his laughter and joy. My 8-year-old daughter gave it a go and is jealous, so I may have to buy another! I also gave it a try and was surprised at how much air you can get due to the elastic bands that connect the handlebars to the foam base.
The product seems very well made, and the colors are great. " — J. Kerr Get it from Amazon for $11.
10+ (available in 15 colors and styles). 31. And finally, a Hasbro micro Simon game to throw it back to the classic color sequence memory game (curse? blessing?) from our youth.
Promising review: "This is the micro version of Simon! It still does everything that the big version does but it’s more compact and easier to take along with you! It’s fun and entertaining, and it’s a great value for the money! I gave it as a gift, and it has many different levels to play on!" — Susan Ballain Get it from Amazon for $9.84 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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