Buzz
1. A 100-piece collection of Picasso Tiles, which reviewers claim are not just similar to Magnatiles (priced $80 higher for the same quantity) but also seamlessly integrate with any existing Magnatiles, broadening opportunities for imaginative and educational fun at a fraction of the cost. Like Magnatiles, these will captivate children for hours on end.
Promising review: "I wish I had discovered these earlier! PicassoTiles are *virtually identical* to Magna-tiles but far more budget-friendly. We just got the 100-piece set today — an early birthday present for our almost-four-year-old. We own two sets of Magna-tiles — one with grommets (bought new last year) and one without (purchased secondhand [age unknown]). The PicassoTiles match the weight, size, and magnet strength of MagnaTiles. While they lack metal grommets, the durability of older MagnaTiles assures me these will hold up just as well. Plus, PicassoTiles are more visually appealing to me, as they are slightly more transparent and feature more vibrant colors. They blend perfectly with our existing collection. I can't recommend this product enough. If you're thinking about buying magnetic tiles for your child, go for the largest set possible to maximize play possibilities. Our son has been playing with these nonstop since we got them last year. After adding the new PicassoTile set, he hugged his massive creation and called it his favorite...twice. An amazing toy!" —skater mom
Available on Amazon for $39.99.
2. A Crayola light board that elevates your budding artist's creations to new heights — their artwork deserves to glow, quite literally. The board is also reusable, allowing them to erase old sketches or tracings and start fresh repeatedly (and endlessly).
This set features an LED light board with a detachable tracing panel and six gel markers. Kids can draw directly on the light board, and the removable panel makes tracing images a breeze. Once their artwork is complete, they can illuminate it to display their creations, even in low light.
Promising review: "This light board is fantastic!! My 6-year-old, who loves drawing, is completely obsessed with it. The markers fit neatly into the back for storage, which I appreciate as a parent, and the board is easy to clean with a damp cloth or wipe. It's perfect for keeping kids entertained during car rides. The removable tracing panel is a fun bonus! This would make an excellent gift for any young artist." —Danielle Campbell
Available on Amazon for $32.99.
3. A magnetic shape-shifting puzzle cube perfect for kids who enjoy fidget toys — this one stands out with its ability to transform into over 70 captivating shapes, all thanks to its innovative magnetic design!
You can also gather all 12 puzzle box designs and link multiple magnetic cubes to create even more intricate structures and sculptures.
Promising review: "I was unsure about spending $25 on this toy, especially when it arrived and I saw its size, but it ended up being the favorite Christmas gift. Both my 9-year-old and 12-year-old can't stop playing with it!" —Blair001
Available on Amazon for $25 (comes in 18 designs).
4. A marble run set that helps kids enhance their problem-solving abilities while having an absolute blast watching colorful marbles race through tracks and obstacles.
Promising review: "My 5- and 3-year-olds (and I) have spent countless hours constructing towers and watching marbles zoom down chutes, steps, gears, and spirals — HOURS of fun! They’re still not tired of it! It’s also a great way to learn about the physics of slopes through hands-on play. Plus, it includes plenty of marbles, so losing a few isn’t a big deal." —Joyce Parker
Promising review: "This is an amazing toy that has kept my 4-year-old nephew (and me!) entertained for hours on end. The pieces fit together perfectly, and it’s sturdy enough to stay upright even on carpet. The endless configurations make it endlessly engaging. Highly recommended!" —Becca
Available on Amazon for $47.99 (comes in three styles).
5. A timeless Melissa & Doug ice cream station that’s almost as delightful as the real thing — your little one will love stacking scoops and toppings to create the perfect cone. Time to start building your dream dessert!
The wooden ice cream counter includes eight ice cream scoops, six toppings, two cones, a cup, a scooper, tongs, a wooden spoon, a reusable menu card, and six pretend dollar bills.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic toy for imaginative toddlers. My 3-year-old daughter was instantly captivated by this set! She enjoys stacking the ice cream cones as high as possible and pretending to serve her creations to Mom and Dad. She’s been climbing everything in the house, and we *urgently* needed something to redirect her energy — this has been a lifesaver! She plays with it for HOURS!" —West Family
Available on Amazon for $41.99.
6. A Melissa & Doug interactive wooden dashboard for your little backseat driver. This dashboard is loaded with lifelike features, including a steering wheel, ignition key, a horn that actually beeps, hazard lights, and more. It’s never too early to start preparing for their future driving test!
Promising review: "This toy is fantastic! My kids were using my husband’s old gaming steering wheel, but it broke last week. They were really disappointed because they love pretending to drive, so I searched for a replacement. While there were cheaper options, they only had plain steering wheels without buttons or gear shifts, so I decided to try this one. My boys adored it so much that I spent hours sitting with them, helping them take turns to avoid arguments. I didn’t notice the small window displaying a car on the road, but my 3-year-old is obsessed with it! He sets the timer on the gas gauge and announces when he’s pulling into the gas station (there’s a tiny gas station in the window). We loved it so much that we bought another one the same day so both boys could drive together." —Brittany
Available on Amazon for $44.99.
7. A set of dinosaur egg bath bombs that will turn bathtime into a roaring adventure. Drop the egg into the water, and watch the exterior fizz away, creating colorful bathwater and revealing a hidden dino toy inside! With each bath, their dino collection grows, giving them a mini Jurassic Park to enjoy after tubtime.
Promising review: "My little sister is currently in a phase where she adores bath time and is obsessed with anything related to dinosaurs. I decided to surprise her with these dino bath bombs, and she was thrilled! She even started asking for multiple baths a day. Her favorite part was when the bomb dissolved to reveal a small toy — even though it was simple, she played with it for hours afterward. Most of the colors were great, except for one that looked a bit questionable 😅. This is an ideal gift for kids aged 6 and under!" —ESmoth
Available on Amazon as a pack of nine for $19.99.
8. A top-rated Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes musical toy featuring 10 classical melodies from legendary composers like Mozart and Vivaldi, along with sparkling lights that captivate even the most restless baby.
Promising review: "I absolutely adore this toy! I purchased it before my daughter was born based on its glowing reviews. It’s affordable, and my daughter has been using it since she was a newborn. Whenever she has a meltdown, I pull it out of the diaper bag, and it instantly calms her. :) I’ve even memorized the songs and their order — they’re surprisingly catchy. Unlike other toys, it’s not annoying or overwhelming. I can’t imagine life without it!" —uhhdorkable
Promising review: "The ultimate baby distraction tool! Every parent needs this toy. I bought five and stashed them in different places just in case one went missing. My son has loved it since he was a baby, and it would keep him entertained for hours without crying (a lifesaver for a new mom). At first, I had to press the button for him, but it was easier than swinging him in his car seat. As he grew older, he’d spend entire car rides playing with it. I recommend it to every new parent I know." —NH-Mommy
Available on Amazon for $8.88.
9. An LCD writing tablet that lets kids draw, scribble, erase, and start over — reminiscent of the rainbow scratch paper we all adored as children!
Promising review: "This tablet has kept my 4-year-old grandson entertained for hours on end. He adores the ability to erase whenever he wants and the multicolored drawings. I highly recommend it for kids 18 months and older. I also bought a pink one for my 18-month-old granddaughter, and she’s equally fascinated by the ‘power’ to erase and create repeatedly! They loved them so much that we purchased another set in different colors so they could have them at home and at Grammy’s." —Kindle Customer Red Heart
Available on Amazon for $19.99+ (comes in four colors).
10. Or a scratch paper art set if you prefer a tablet-free option — you’ll be tempted to grab a sheet and relive the nostalgia yourself!
Promising review: "I can’t praise these enough! They’re absolutely amazing and keep my 5-year-old entertained for hours!" —turbo1795
Available on Amazon for $9.99.
11. A Smart Lab human body toy for aspiring doctors and scientists — featuring 21 detachable body parts, including squishy organs, making it the perfect introduction to Human Anatomy 101.
Promising review: "An excellent educational toy. I bought this for my kids (ages 7, 9, and 11) while we were studying the human body in science, and they are completely hooked! They can’t get enough of it and spend hours playing with it. They’ve learned so much just by interacting with the toy and reading the included book." —Jacqueline
Available on Amazon for $31.98.
12. A DIY puffy sticker kit featuring both pre-colored and colorable designs that kids aged 6+ can turn into 3D stickers for decorating. It also includes extra sticker paper for creating your own designs!
Promising review: "This is an amazing craft for my 7-year-old to enjoy independently! It’s simple, user-friendly, and provides hours of entertainment. She loves it so much that I bought another set. I appreciate how this kit allows her to create without needing assistance. While the stickers might seem basic to adults, to a 7-year-old who colors and crafts on her own, it’s pure magic." —Coop
Available on Amazon for $17.86.
13. A National Geographic geodes kit that will captivate young scientists and keep them engaged for hours as they crack open rocks to reveal the stunning crystals hidden inside.
This science kit comes with four natural geodes filled with crystals, a pair of safety goggles, a display stand, and a learning guide.
Promising review: "My 10-year-old daughter was engrossed for HOURS with this! She had a blast and was thrilled every time she caught a glimpse of what might be inside. Some geodes were particularly impressive, while others were plain white. She didn’t mind — she adored them all and was proud to give them as gifts to her grandparents." —Michelle
Available on Amazon for $18.59 (comes in three sizes).
14. A Tetris-inspired wooden puzzle that kids of all ages will love — and honestly, I wouldn’t mind trying it myself. No screens required!
Reviewers say this toy is a hit for all ages, from 3 to 12.
Promising review: "I was genuinely surprised by how much everyone loved this! I bought it as an extra gift for a child because it was affordable and a puzzle-style toy. However, it kept both kids and adults entertained for hours. It was challenging but in a fun way. I’m buying another one so we can race to finish it at our next get-together." —Mrs. Dinkleberg
Available on Amazon for $9.99.
15. A Dyson Ball toy vacuum that actually *has some suction*, so when the little one in your life wants to mimic and "help out" around the house, they’re genuinely contributing to the cleaning. Plus, it’ll keep them occupied for hours!
Promising review: "Our son is completely obsessed with our Dyson (the real one), so we bought this toy Dyson vacuum for his birthday. He’s 2 years old and absolutely loves having his own ‘working’ vacuum cleaner!!! He plays with it for hours every day. He turns it on and off and pushes it around the house just like we do with our real vacuum. I’d definitely buy this again — it was his favorite gift!" —Amazon Customer
Available on Amazon for $24.99+ (comes in three colors).
16. A Snap Circuits kit, a tool-free set designed to give budding engineers hands-on experience with electrical circuits. It includes over 30 electronic components that snap together to create more than 100 functional projects!
The kit includes over 32 electrical components, such as snap wires, slide switches, an alarm circuit, a music integrated circuit, and a speaker. (Each piece is numbered and color-coded for easy identification.) It also comes with a plastic grid and a project manual featuring 101 different electronic projects.
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Adult supervision is advised.
Promising review: "Can I give this six stars? My 6-year-old son didn’t ask for his tablet, video games, or my phone even ONCE today. He ignored a new movie on TV (one he’d been begging to watch) because he was so engrossed in this toy. He spent hours working with his dad, experimenting on his own, and tackling projects with his aunt. I absolutely LOVE this toy!" —SnappinMom
Available on Amazon for $35.99.
17. A flower-building activity set that elevates STEM-based play to a whole new level (get it? stem-based??). Kids can unleash their creativity by constructing imaginative plants and gardens using the vibrant pieces. It’s a fresh twist on traditional block sets!
Promising review: "I purchased this flower garden set as a gift for my 3-year-old daughter. She adores it! She’s always loved playing with blocks, and this unique set has kept her entertained for hours! We highly recommend this product to other parents!" —Ashley Petersen
Available on Amazon for $19.98 (comes in two sizes).
18. A Gravity Maze that challenges kids to think strategically and build paths for a marble to drop into the final cube. It’s both puzzling and satisfying! The game features 60 challenges, ranging from beginner to expert, so they can progress to more difficult levels.
Promising review: "This is an amazing mix of construction, puzzles, and games! My 5-year-old and 8-year-old niece were both able to tackle some of the levels (the 8-year-old managed to solve them independently). Even the adults got hooked on playing through the different challenges! It was both challenging and fun. Since we love marble runs and games, this was a perfect addition. It’s one of the few games everyone asks to play, and it’s ideal for keeping kids entertained for hours when we have guests over!" —Crystal Brown
Available on Amazon for $27.99.
19. A Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! 150-Piece Building Set that offers a unique take on building toys, with interlocking gears that keep kids engaged for hours, both during construction and playtime.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my son when he was 3. Two years later, I’m writing this unbiased review so you can trust it. At the time, I bought these on a whim, not knowing what I was getting into. For over two years now, these gears have been played with EVERY SINGLE DAY. They’ve survived crashed airplanes, tidal waves hitting sea creatures, and being launched into castles. Rarely are they used as shown in the product images; instead, my son builds something new daily — Dusty Crophopper (plane), Lightning McQueen (race car), and more. Our only regret is not having enough pieces for an entire fleet. His creations have a dedicated shelf in his bedroom to showcase his daily builds. This toy is durable, open-ended, grows with the child, suits various ages and skill levels, and is only limited by imagination. I can’t recommend it enough!" —Traveler
Available on Amazon for $39.59.
20. A set of parachute toys that (miraculously) *don’t* tangle when thrown from the top of a staircase repeatedly. Miracles do happen occasionally!
Promising review: "I purchased these for my 4-year-old nephew and 2-year-old niece to enjoy during their visits. They were thrilled right out of the box, tossing them in the air and watching them float down. I was amazed at how long they stayed engaged and the creative ways they played with them — dropping them from the stairs, the couch, and even running with them to make them expand. My niece loved ‘dancing’ and twirling with them. The colors are vibrant, and the toys are well-made. Hours of entertainment and the best $7 I’ve ever spent on a toy!" — hiker0811
Available on Amazon as a pack of four for $8.99.
21. A Melissa & Doug activity book designed to enhance fine motor skills, complete with child-safe scissors to channel their cutting instincts into productive creativity!
Promising review: "Scissor skills are crucial not only for their own sake but also for strengthening hand muscles, which are essential for learning to write. My 4-year-old ADORES this book. We got it this week, and she’s spent hours each day using it. Many pages involve cutting out pieces and assembling them (like a four-scoop ice cream cone, a pizza with toppings, or building a house or car). We’ve used tape or glue to put the pieces together. Even my older kids find it interesting, though I make sure they let her do the cutting. :D It’s such a unique item that it would make a fantastic gift." —Mom of 7
Available on Amazon for $7.99.
22. A flying orb that magically floats or boomerangs back and forth depending on how it’s thrown, all while glowing with colorful lights. Plus, it fully charges in just 20 minutes!
Promising review: "This is absolutely amazing!! My grandkids spend hours outside playing with this!! It’s the best purchase I could’ve made to get them off video games and YouTube and into the fresh air. It’s also great exercise. It works better outdoors than indoors. The battery life isn’t very long, but I bought two, so they just switch them out. So much fun!" —ladybug
Available on Amazon for $28.80 (comes in seven colors).
23. A Craft-tastic "Make a Fox Friend" kit, because they’ll adore their new stuffed animal even more when they make it themselves. They’ll learn basic sewing skills while creating this adorable fox — and it even includes stylish accessories!
Promising review: "This is hands down the best sewing craft project!!! The design is absolutely adorable, and it’s incredibly clever. All the extra pieces included are a total delight. My 7-year-old daughter ADORES it! She managed to do most of it herself, though the purse accessory was a bit tricky…but so worth it :)" —J Fox
Available on Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in mouse, bunny, or koala designs).
24. A solar-powered DIY robot kit that can transform into 12 different types of moving robots, offering two levels of difficulty to help kids develop their engineering skills and enjoy the fruits of their labor!
The kit includes 190 pieces, a solar panel, and detailed instructions.
Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for an 8-year-old boy. He’s passionate about building, robotics, dinosaurs, and Godzilla. :) He absolutely LOVES this set! He spends hours completely absorbed, which is impressive for any 8-year-old, building and playing with the various robot creations. And it’s not just for boys — an 8-year-old girl, her 48-year-old parent, and even her 75-year-old grandpa all enjoy it. Fun for the whole family!" —MBC
Available on Amazon for $32.99.
25. A roll of road tape to spark your child's creativity and help them design the ultimate race track! Forget Rainbow Road — this tape lets kids build their own imaginative courses. Plus, it’s residue-free, so even if the roads end up on walls, they’ll vanish without a trace once playtime ends.
Promising review: "I couldn’t wait to give this tape to a 4-year-old boy, and it didn’t disappoint! It’s lightweight, adheres smoothly to surfaces like tables, and leaves no sticky residue behind. It’s easy to tear for creating sharp turns, and you can use it anywhere in your home without worrying about damage. Such a fun and practical product!" —Courtney S.
Grab a 30-foot roll on Amazon for $9.25 (also available in multipacks).
26. A pack of washable dab and dot markers ideal for young artists to explore their Pointillist talents — minus the chaos of traditional paints and brushes. These markers are specially crafted for tiny hands to hold comfortably!
The kit includes eight dot markers and a free downloadable 101 Easy Dot Marker Activities PDF.
Promising review: "My 4-year-old son has been using these markers for over a year, and it's incredible how much he still enjoys them as much as the day we got them.
I revisited my Amazon order history just to leave this review because I'm blown away by their durability — they still look brand new! We’ve used them for school projects, home crafts, and even Halloween pumpkin decorating. These markers saved me from what could have been a huge mess!" —Sofia Ostrowski
Available on Amazon for $16.99.
27. The LeapFrog 100 Words Book is designed to assist children in learning over 100 everyday words, covering categories like animals, food, colors, and opposites, available in both English and Spanish. Parents have noted that the vibrant colors, interactive buttons, and engaging sounds effectively capture their child's attention.
Positive review: "This might just be the best LeapFrog toy I've ever purchased! It offers a wealth of educational content, including bilingual learning, and has managed to keep my 1-year-old engaged for longer than a minute! In my view, it's an essential toy!" —Megan Hennegan
Positive review: "Our 18-month-old absolutely adores it! The clear pronunciation helps toddlers repeat words easily. It's a must-have toy. 👍" —Zaida
Available on Amazon for $14.29+ (comes in two packaging choices).
28. A Bingo game designed to turn sight word practice into an enjoyable activity (and reduce frustration). Similar to traditional Bingo, this version replaces letters and numbers with 46 frequently-used words, helping children enhance their word recognition and reading abilities.
The set includes 36 playing cards, 264 playing chips, a caller's mat and cards, and a convenient storage box. You can also explore Sight Words Level 2 or other Bingo games focusing on skills like Multiplication and Division, Rhyming, and Colors and Shapes on the brand's Amazon store page.
Positive review: "Our first-grader was struggling with sight words, and I wanted to find a way to motivate her and make learning enjoyable. She absolutely loved this game! We played as a family, and even her 3-year-old sister joined in (we helped her match the words on her Bingo card). This game is a fantastic way to make sight word practice fun! I'm thrilled with this purchase, and I can see it being a great tool for teachers in the classroom too!!" —Jennie
Available on Amazon for $12.99.
29. A pack of Crayola Globbles that promises to keep kids entertained for hours — they love throwing these colorful spheres at walls and ceilings to see them stick and then fall off. Rest assured, reviewers confirm they do not leave any residue behind!
Yes, they can be easily cleaned with soap and water without losing their stickiness, ensuring the fun continues even if they land in a houseplant pot.
Positive review: "I waited two months before writing this review! My 4-year-old daughter plays with these EVERY SINGLE DAY! While they do attract dirt and hair, they are incredibly easy to rinse off, so it's not an issue. We brought these to a family gathering and ended up giving two away because everyone adored them! The recipients were a 12-year-old and my 19-year-old brother. They had a blast throwing them at the ceiling fan and watching them fly across the room, which was hilarious! None of the balls have torn or broken, even though they’ve been handled roughly. I’ll definitely be purchasing more!" —Kindle Customer
Available on Amazon as a pack of six for $10.27.
30. An affordable Pop2Play foldable indoor slide that brings the fun of the playground inside, especially when the weather isn’t ideal. It pops up effortlessly in seconds and folds down flat for easy storage once playtime is over.
The slide can support up to 50 lbs.
Positive review: "I purchased this for my 2-year-old daughter’s birthday, and she absolutely adores it. She’s usually hesitant at the playground, but she took to this slide immediately. It’s incredibly easy to fold and set up — the design is genius. I even watched the 30-second setup video just to make sure I was doing it correctly, lol. My 8-year-old son also tried it, and it held his weight perfectly. Living in an apartment, this slide is a safe and space-saving way for her to climb and play. We love this product!!" —jenna
Available on Amazon for $34.99 (also comes in Barbie, Baby Shark, and Paw Patrol themes).
31. A Crayola Scribble Scrubbie pets set that offers limitless coloring fun — and I truly mean limitless, as these toys can be colored with the included markers, washed clean (thanks to the adorable tub and scrub brush!), and reused over and over again.
The Peculiar Pets set comes with: one dragon, one narwhal, one yeti, one unicorn toy, a sparkly scrub tub, a scrub brush, nine washable markers, a standing play mat, and an instruction sheet.
Positive review: "My daughter is obsessed with coloring, stickers, and drawing, so when I found this before her fourth birthday, I knew she’d love it. It was an absolute hit! It keeps her entertained for hours as she colors, cleans, and re-colors (with just a little help when she needs assistance cleaning and drying). Even my 6-year-old son, who usually isn’t into coloring, joins her sometimes and has fun. The markers are small and thin, perfect for little hands." —a.b.
Available on Amazon for $22.10.
32. A top-selling Little Tikes trampoline that helps kids burn off their boundless energy, without resorting to jumping on your furniture. After an hour or so on this, everyone can enjoy a well-deserved nap!
Positive review: "I have an energetic 3-year-old who has more energy in a single day than I’ve had in my entire life. From dawn to dusk, he’s constantly on the move. Since we don’t have a yard and can’t always visit the playground, we bought this trampoline to help him release some of that energy on indoor days. It’s been a lifesaver for the past eight months! I was initially concerned about it taking up too much space in our living room, but it’s surprisingly compact. It’s wide enough for him to jump comfortably but not so large that it becomes an eyesore or obstacle. Whenever I catch him climbing on the couch or running around wildly, I simply remind him to jump on his trampoline instead. It’s a win-win — he has a safe outlet for his energy, and I don’t have to scold him for jumping where he shouldn’t. He’s about 40 lbs and 40 inches tall, and he’s nowhere near outgrowing it. Assembly was a breeze, and it’s held up incredibly well. It’s never tipped over, and we’ve had no accidents. I’m so grateful we got this because it keeps everyone happy and sane." —Ana
Available on Amazon for $74.99.
33. A talking microscope complete with slides for kids to explore the wonders of nature up close. And hello to learning, as it features Bindi Irwin’s voice to teach them fascinating facts about animals and plants!
The microscope offers narration in three additional languages besides English — you can select from two options: Mandarin/Japanese/Korean or Spanish/French/German.
Positive review: "This is hands down one of the most amazing products I’ve ever come across! My 4-year-old is obsessed with this talking microscope! Every day during her baby sister’s nap, we spend quality time together, and this microscope has been perfect for our bonding moments. She can’t get enough of exploring the slides, and I love that each slide features three images along with fun facts in fact mode. It’s fantastic to see her learning new things while examining everything up close! She’s been having a blast with it and asks me every day to use her microscope. This is such an innovative and engaging learning tool for a 4-year-old, and it’s a huge win in my book, especially since it’s designed to grow with her for years to come. It even includes a quiz mode for older kids, which we haven’t tried yet but is a great feature. Highly recommend this for preschoolers and older children alike!" —JC Mommy
Available on Amazon for $30.49.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
