Browse links
US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Now even *parents* can get psyched about a snow day.
Promising review: "These things are so fun! My daughter loves them. They don't lose their stickiness but you will, after some time, start finding them stuck to the bottom of your shoes and to the dog. But I highly recommend — great sensory product and a different change from play dough and kinetic sand." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $6.99.
The 20-piece kit provides tools to help kids find their innner scientist.
Promising review: "This science kit is perfect for my son. I got it for his birthday and we've been having so much fun doing the experiments. It came with nearly all of the supplies except for simple things you have in your home like baking flour and water. Other kits I've bought have required so many other items that we didn't have but this one is so easy to use. He loves using the test tubes, dropper, and measuring out the components with the scoopers. He said it makes him feel like a real scientist. His 4-year-old sister likes doing experiments too. This is the best kit to buy for a young child. So easy for them AND for you." —Steve
Promising review: "Such a fun kit! Had some leaking problems so I had to take it apart right away to add more clay to seal it better, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. My 4-year-old son loved making these and made one as part of a holiday present to give his teacher. She thought it was touching." —Meg
Get it from Hammacher Schlemmer for $119.95.
The kit is from Karina Garcia, a YouTuber known for her DIY slime videos. It comes with the materials to make three bath bombs.
Get it from Target for $19.99.
Get a pack of ten from Amazon for $7.99.
Idle hands are the devil's playthings so fill 'em with water beads. These little balls start small, but get big when left in water.
Get a pack of 20,000 from Amazon for $6.99.
The rules to Pie Face are simple: Put your head in the mask, spin the wheel, turn the handles as many times as the wheel commands, and if you get hit with the pie, you lose (or maybe win?). It's a much safer (and tastier) version of Russian roulette.
Promising review: "My nephew has been asking for this for several months. Such a silly game but the kids love it and it's fun for the adults too." —jp85
Get it from Amazon for $13.
Promising review: "Super fun to use on the snow. Purchased for our 10-year-old but the whole family loved it. Held up a few hours until it finally popped. Maybe the kids hit a rock or a branch. Who knows. All I know is we all loved it and will be purchasing another this year for our snow trip." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five animals).
Promising review: "I am truly baffled. When my sister-in-law told me to buy my nephew cleaning supplies, I thought we may have a potential child labor crime happening, but she said he likes to help clean the house. So I hop on Amazon and find this toy cleaning set.
A week later I show up to his birthday party with the now wrapped cleaning supplies in hand. Guys, I felt like I was walking into the lion's den where tons of judgey parents would see that I bought my nephew a mop, broom and duster. The shame!!! It came time to open presents and my nephew opens the big box, exposing that instead of dressing like a cowboy or spaceman or soldier, he would instead be playing janitor. The parents remained silent but their eyes spoke loud and clear...
And then the weirdest thing happened. My nephew took out the broom, squealed with joy and immediately began furiously sweeping in a fit of baby happiness. One by one, kids dropped the Nerf guns and toy cars to pick up the duster and mop. WTF is happening. From pauper to prince, I strutted like a peacock, basking in the glow of having 'the best gift at the party'." —Matthew B.
Get it from Amazon for $26.99.
Promising review: "We gave this to our grandson for Christmas. He loves it. It's a really fun launcher that works great." —Jan
Get it from Hammacher Schlemmer for $34.95.
Promising review: "We love, love, love our snowball makers. We'll be ordering more so that our kids will quit fighting over them. They make PERFECT snowballs and they're super easy for kids to use. I'm curious to see if they work in the sand at the beach this summer. :)" —C. Parker
Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.99.
Want to add some color to their creations? Paint on a little watercolor and knead it in.
Get two pounds from Amazon for $17.72 or Walmart for $19.97.
Not sure how many you need? Use this calculator to help.
Get a bag of 200 from Amazon for $30.43.
Promising review: "Overall, I was pleased with this product. I’m a teacher and I’m always looking for affordable rewards for my amazing kiddos. They loved the slime. It smells nice and has a little bit of sparkle that everyone really liked. My only issue with the product was that one of the little containers leaked a little during shipping and another one had some dirt in it. The company that sells this slime contacted me shortly after I received the product and asked me how everything was. I emailed them about the two slimes and they responded right away. Not only did they apologize for the slime, but they fixed everything." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.99.
Get a pack of 80 from Amazon for $14.99.
You'll have little Bran the Builders hard at work in no time.
Get it from Hammacher Schlemmer for $9.95.
The kit comes with 100 straws, 100 connectors, and an instruction manual. The connectors fit on standard size straws.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
It comes with 100 balloons, pump, and guide.
Promising review: "Great kit! My 9-year-old daughter practiced and practiced but has stopped playing with it claiming that it's impossible to do so I left this review with a three-star rating because I was frustrated that my daughter had given up. That's when the UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED I GOT A PERSONALIZED EMAIL FROM THE SELLER OFFERING TO HELP HER LEARN TO USE THIS KIT. The seller provided a lot of great information including the link to a video that would help and also volunteered *his* time to help my daughter so she would love this kit. THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have ever received after purchasing a product. My daughter has a whole new excitement about making these balloons." —Shellabrated
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
They're perfect for children who love to both create and destroy.
Get a pack of 1,000 from Amazon for $39.99.
Kids can drop balls down the spiral tube, turn the ferris wheels, pour water into the funnel, and squeeze the squirt toys. Instead of water, you can add snow for extra fun. Just set up a tarp to prevent spillage. With over 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon, you can't go wrong.
Promising review: "We sent this to our 2-year-old granddaughter for her birthday. It was a huge hit. She plays with it all the time. I could not believe the quality for the price. I would definitely recommend this for any child — especially one who enjoys playing in the water. I think she will find it an interesting toy for several years. Also a good toy to interact and play with her. Can't say enough good things about it." —B.L.S.
Get the brown bear or the panda for $29.99 from Target.
Promising review: "I bought this for my 6-year-old grandson. He loves it! I used construction paper to stick it to and made roadways for his little cars. Since it's on the paper he can play with it on a nice day, outside on our picnic table, or on his bedroom floor or any place there's room for all the construction paper. His friends have been over to play and they love it too." —Eli Davey
Get it from Amazon for $13.01.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.