Buzz
1. A 12-sided Fidget Cube Dodecagon, designed to keep hands busy and alleviate stress and anxiety, helping the brain focus better. With both audible and silent sides, it's perfect for the classroom or a meeting room, if you're an adult.
2. A glow-in-the-dark fort building kit, because what's more exciting than constructing a fort? Obviously, creating one that glows in the dark!
3. A Little Tikes Magic Workshop tabletop play set, so aspiring wizards and witches can practice their magical skills without summoning any real-life demons.
4. A Melissa & Doug Blue's Clues wooden mailbox, because if there's one thing that every kid enjoys, it's receiving mail. (You may need to clarify that no actual snails are involved, though).
5. A Play-Doh Kitchen Creations ice cream truck playset, complete with a soft-serve machine, scooping station, and everything a child needs to make vibrant, imaginative desserts. The cash register even makes a fun cha-ching sound! And, of course, it plays the classic ice cream truck jingle too!
6. A Cake-N-Bake Challenge game, which encourages aspiring bakers to "whip up those cakes as quickly as possible." Kids get to ring a bell (they love that part), and the winner gets to don the chef's hat.
7. A KidKraft Ultimate Spaceship wooden play set, towering over four feet tall, perfect for young space adventurers to dive into imaginative cosmic play. Featuring plenty of lights, buttons, and sounds, with the highlight being the galaxy map projector that casts onto the ceiling. "To infinity..."
For children aged 3 and up, requires three AAA batteries.
Promising review: "Assembly was quite easy. My 3-year-old, who is obsessed with all things spaceship (especially Buzz Lightyear), absolutely loves it! The light show is amazing and really inspires pretend play." —Kieren
Available for purchase at Target for $329.99.
8. An interactive Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Little DreamHouse, complete with over 45 songs (extremely catchy!), sound effects, and phrases, a working elevator, and a pool slide. Oh, and there's pizza cooking in the oven! This house has everything you could possibly imagine!
9. A "Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek" game (created by the makers of What Do You Meme?) where players hide a fake talking plastic poop that gives clues about its location.
10. A Hot Wheels Skate Amusement Park playset where kids slip two fingers into tiny shoes and ride an equally tiny skateboard, performing all kinds of stunts. Strange? Sure. Fun? Absolutely.
For ages 5 and up.
Bonus: includes a Tony Hawk skateboard toy!
My son found this toy on YouTube, thanks to a commercial featuring a totally original pop-punk song ("Drop In To Hot Wheels"). It's an earworm, complete with the iconic "Whoa oh oh! Whoa oh oh!" chorus and breakdown, but it’s just a commercial for tiny skateboards that kids put on their figures and race around (it’s like if Blink 182 or Sum 41 had written the song). Honestly, I think the commercial was aimed at me (a long-time Warped Tour attendee) more than my kid. So, we got it. And it’s been a blast, plus it’s the perfect excuse to play some real punk rock for a three-year-old!
Available at Walmart for $36.99.
11. A "Build 'N Race" slot car race track set that works with "all major building block brands," meaning kids can personalize their cars (beyond the included car and truck) as well as parts of the track.
12. A Buddha Board for creating rich, ink-like water-based artwork on a "canvas" that gradually fades as the water evaporates. We might not be art experts, but we can confirm that it’s definitely not messy.
13. An OffBits "StationBit" set with over 200 real metal nuts, bolts, springs, connectors, and stickers, which focuses on "the art of spare parts" in creating unique, buildable robot friends.
Recommended for ages 8+.
Although I couldn't test this with my younger kids (too many small parts), I had a blast building these light blue robots on my own. There’s something special about scrap part robots—they feel more personal and less mechanical. The box also doubles as a "play area" for creative missions, and can be converted back into storage (a win!). Best of all, you can mix different OffBits kits for even bigger, more impressive creations!
Available from OffBits for $47.96.
14. A Connect 4 Spin Game that puts a twist on the classic (align four colored discs vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) by adding the challenge of spinning each column every time you drop a piece. Family game nights just became more exciting, stressful, and tricky—take your pick, or enjoy all three!
15. A Thousand Jr. kids helmet, fully customizable with stickers, is designed to provide a comfortable fit and dependable protection for your child's head over the years. It's not only safe but stylish too, making your little one look cool while they ride. This helmet is certified for biking, roller skating, and skateboarding — basically any wheeled activity that a daring child would enjoy.
16. The GooToobz sensory toy provides a relaxing way to ease stress or anxiety by guiding non-toxic goo (some even sparkly!) through a maze-like tube system, offering a calming, tactile experience.
17. A Animal Planet dino storage head collection is the ultimate way to store a collection of miniature dinosaurs (and their accessories like explorers, trees, vehicles, and tents) in the jaw of a much larger dinosaur for an added thrill.
Recommended for ages 5+.
This set includes 50 pieces.
Customer review: "It holds so many dinosaurs inside! The handle makes it super easy for my son to carry around." —happy50
Available at Target for $22.99.
18. The VTech "Switch and Go" dragon roadhog, a one-touch transforming toy, comes to life with an LCD screen that switches from race car to dragon and features over 50 different sound effects for endless fun.
19. A Make Your Own Puffy Stickers set for those nostalgic about the coolness of puffy stickers — now your kids can design and color their own creations!
20. A 3-in-1 LED globe, constellation map, and night-light that not only teaches kids about the world but also the stars in the sky. And if things get a bit too spooky (or deep), the night-light feature is perfect for comfort!
21. A Craft-tastic "Make a Fox Friend" craft kit that teaches kids basic sewing skills as they create a full wardrobe for a charming little fox plush. No need for extra tools or supplies, making it an excellent all-in-one gift choice!
22. A "magical" CMY cube (cyan, magenta, yellow) that helps kids (and adults) relieve anxiety by twisting and turning the cube to create new color combinations.
CMY Cubes is a woman-owned small business.
How it works: "Rotating the cube changes the perspective from which the frequencies of cyan, magenta, and yellow are viewed, resulting in a unique spectrum of colors specific to each cube.
Promising review: "Everyone was captivated by the cube's colors. My 10-year-old daughter, who loves geeky and artistic things, said it was her favorite gift of all!" —David R.
Available from CMY Cubes for $19.95+ (three sizes available).
23. A card-based Chicken vs Hotdog family action game, where the aim is to toss a suction-cupped chicken or hotdog into the air and get it to stick the landing. There’s plenty more fun, but we’ll leave it to you to discover all the hilarious details!
24. A D&D "Dragons of Stormwreck Isle" starter set designed to introduce newcomers to the legendary world of fantasy roleplaying. Perfect for first-time adventurers and a great option for parents who want to be Dungeon Masters too. And, of course, don’t forget to queue up "In The Garage" by Weezer for the ultimate game night vibes!
25. A wooden toy train with a fun twist – your little one can use the three train cars and 13 blocks to build their own custom train design!
Customer review: "This train is absolutely adorable and perfect for a little girl. The size is just right, with none of the pieces being too small. My 10-month-old loves it, and even my 4-year-old has a blast playing with it! This toy will definitely be one we keep for many years to come." —Tricia Philbin
Available at Target for $18.99 (originally priced at $59.99).
26. A Barbie doll inspired by the Barbie movie, featuring a mini version of Margot Robbie in an adorable outfit — a great addition to any doll collection.
For ages 3 and up.
And although he’s just Ken, you can also get the movie version of him here.
Customer review: "I bought this doll shortly after watching the new Barbie movie with my granddaughter. As one of the original Barbie fans from 1959 when the doll was first released, I wanted to share my love for Barbie with my granddaughter. This doll truly captures Margot Robbie’s likeness in the movie, wearing the same pink gingham dress and accessories with a beautiful smile. She brings a smile to my face every time I see her." —Janners
Available at Walmart for $21.99.
27.A Melissa & Doug Vroom and Zoom driving dashboard featuring exciting moving parts, lights, and sounds, such as a scrolling GPS, a functional horn, a moveable gas tank meter, and a turnable key!
28.A Melissa & Doug tool belt, designed for little hands that love staying busy. This set offers a fantastic opportunity for your little one to explore tinkering — and perhaps even spark an interest in a future STEM career.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Customer review: "Bought this for a 2-year-old along with a tool bench. He hasn’t taken it off for days, playing with it constantly." —Happy Auntie
Get it from Target for $14.79.
29.A nostalgic Lite Brite, bringing back memories for parents and pure joy for kids. With over 200 colorful pegs, they can craft several images — using their creativity or following one of the six included templates.
30.A unique kaleidoscope with a DIY twist that adventurous kids will love — they get to build it themselves!
31.A Disney Princess necklace activity set, the perfect gift for kids who love jewelry and want to craft their own pieces, featuring their favorite princesses from the movies!
32.A two-pack of Playfoam Pals, perfect for slime enthusiasts looking to explore a new tactile activity filled with squishing, stretching, and kneading! Each foam ball hides a cute little animal pal inside for extra fun.
33. A creative flower-building set that sparks imagination, allowing children to arrange petals, leaves, and bases to create their very own vibrant garden. The possibilities are endless as they explore the colorful world of flowers!
34. A National Geographic volcano kit that lets your child dive into the exciting world of tectonic plates, volcanoes, and volcanic rocks. Join them in a hands-on science experiment as they build their own volcano model, paint it, and witness lava erupt in a fun, educational activity!
For kids aged 8 and up.
This kit includes plaster, a mold, paint, a brush, eruption powder, and two volcanic rock samples (geode and pumice).
Customer review: "My daughter and I had a blast with this kit! The included book was educational, explaining the types of volcanoes and the activity. We created the volcano, painted it, and made it erupt using the provided materials. My daughter absolutely loved it." —Cj2021
Available at Target for $11.89.
35. A set of 16 slingshot chickens for some hilarious slingshot action. Shoot them at the ceiling and let them fall, surprising you with their silly antics as they bounce off the surfaces!
36. Just Dance is the perfect game to get everyone up and moving! A fun, interactive way to enjoy some light-hearted competition — who in the family has the best dance moves?
37. Get ready for some intense family fun with the Bop It Extreme. Test your reflexes by bopping, pulling, and twisting it — solo or in a competitive face-off. '90s kids, this was *our* game, and I know you’ll dominate!
38. Unleash the competitive spirit with a classic game of Uno. Simple, fast-paced, and always a good time, Uno is the ultimate family game for endless fun and rivalry.
39. A bubble gun that releases hundreds of bubbles at once, creating an exciting bubble explosion! You won't be able to resist jumping into the fun, and it even has lights to add to the magic!
40. Test your stacking skills with Jenga, the chaotic, thrilling game perfect for family fun. It's a timeless classic — *chef's kiss*.
41. Get ready for a chaotic and hilarious card game night with Throw Throw Burrito. It’s like dodgeball with burritos flying everywhere, and laughter is guaranteed. Ever wanted to throw a burrito? Now’s your chance! Just make sure your fancy vase is out of harm’s way... just in case a burrito comes your way.
42. Two Banzai Bump N Bounce Body Bumpers — think Sock'em Boppers but better! These are perfect for a wild time with the kids (and let’s be honest, you’ll want to try them too). Skip being the regular parent and go for the cool parent vibe instead. You know you wanna have fun with these!
43. The Ultimate Catch Phrase game is a mix of Heads Up and charades, making it perfect for a fun challenge with your teenage child who’s tough to impress. It’s the ultimate way to get everyone laughing and engaged!
44. Bring on the competition with a trivia game where parents face off against kids — Beat the Parents. This fast-paced version of a "who am I" game is the perfect chance for your kids to show off their skills and maybe even beat you! Get ready for a family showdown, baby!
45. Get ready for non-stop laughs with the What Do You Meme Family Edition game. Filled with silly memes and even sillier phrases, it’s the ultimate way to spice up game night and keep everyone in stitches!
46. A three-pack of foam airplane launcher toys that can withstand plenty of rough play and keep soaring through the sky. You can throw them manually or use the launcher to switch between glide mode or loop mode. Plus, they come with built-in LED lights for epic night flights!
An outdoor game called the UpsideDownChallenge (backyard edition), where players wear special goggles that flip their vision upside down. The goal is to complete simple tasks such as jumping through hoops, catching a ball, or racing in a relay. It's a fun game for kids and a humorous throwback to the chaos of college days for adults.
A Little Tykes inflatable hopper ball, which probably reminds you of the one you played with when you were younger. Some toys are timeless for a good reason!
A Little Tikes toddler basketball hoop set, because it's never too early for kids to start learning the basics of basketball! The hoop's height is adjustable between 2.5 and 4 feet.
A high-tech flying orb toy that will keep kids entertained for hours, as they watch it hover or boomerang back to them depending on the angle it’s thrown.
A set of 100 magnetic building tiles, perfect for creating colorful castles, sturdy rocket ships, and imaginative creatures! A fun way to foster creativity, while also providing a visually pleasing addition to your living room.
A pair of kid-sized binoculars for your little adventurer. These are a great way to spark curiosity and a love of learning.
A 17-piece tiny baking set that includes 20 (!!!) recipes, so they can start learning how to bake with you. It's never too early to teach the value of little treats.
A rock painting kit, because creativity can often be found in the most unexpected places — like a rock.
A rechargeable laser tag set that may seem expensive at first, but it quickly pays for itself. No more trips to the mall, overpriced sessions at laser tag arenas, or ordering overpriced chicken fingers for everyone. Instead, enjoy laser tag adventures right at home in the basement on a Friday night — priceless fun.
