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.
1. A marble run set that provides endless possibilities to build creative structures — all while developing their problem-solving skills. They'll be ~ah-mazed~ at the results when the marbles roll through the mazes they create.
2. A Craft-tastic "Make a Fox Friend" kit that comes with everything budding crafters need to make an adorable fox stuffie along with glam accessories (while learning basic sewing skills!). They'll especially love changing their foxy friend's outfits over and over.
3. A classic Melissa & Doug ice cream station, which has *served* up many delicious opportunities for pretend play for my daughter, who takes the whole business of setting up shop, asking "what kind of ice cream do you want?" and creating a variety of cones and sundaes so adorably seriously.
4. A wooden puzzle equivalent to playing Tetris but in tactile form that'll ~exercise their brain~ without any screen time.
5. An affordable drone probably because most kids have been begging for one for months. This will *propel* you to instant fave status.
6. A sight word Bingo game if you've ever asked yourself, "How do I take the frustration out of learning sight words and make it FUN?" then this game is for you.
7. A set of Crayola Scribble Scrubbie pets that can be reused over and over again (unlike one-and-done sets). This will keep budding artists busy coloring the cute pets, scrubbing them, and coloring all over again.
8. A Dyson Ball toy vacuum with realistic sounds and pretty decent-working suction that'll make little helpers want to clean the house nonstop. But hey, who's complaining?
9. A set of Lego St. Bernards so next time your kids ask for a pet, you can give them these to build.
10. An LCD writing tablet that'll encourage future Einsteins to practice their numbers and letters. Added bonus: They might even consider trading their iPad for this cool gadget.
11. A Melissa & Doug activity book with a pair of safe scissors to channel their (*cough* destructive) energy into a creative activity that'll put their fine motor skills to the test.
12. Otrio, a twist on the classic tic-tac-toe that'll become a game night favorite with all ages — from your 8-year-old nephew to Grandpa Joe.
13. A 100 Words Book that'll interact with budding scholars and help build their vocabulary in English and Spanish.
14. A solar-powered DIY robot kit so young STEM enthusiasts can get the *gears* in their head turning as they build 12 different types of moving robots.
15. A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game that'll have the whole family in tears from *belly laughing* so hard.
16. A Disney Princess necklace activity set with more than 30,000 5-star reviews (!!!) that'll *charm* any little diva.
17. A flower-building activity set — a STEM-based toy (literally and figuratively) to make the imagination of horticultural enthusiasts blossom while creating bouquets and gardens.
18. A Lego set so your kids can spend their afternoon building a double-decker bus instead of arguing over the iPad.
19. A rainbow-colored saucer swing guaranteed to add swirling pops of color and become your toddler or teen's fave ~hangout~.
20. A remote control stunt car that'll zip its way into any thrill seeker's heart with 360 degree spins and ability to maneuver through any situation — carpet, hardwood, grass, dirt, or gravel (even obstacles!).
21. Banzai Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers so adults can referee (or participate in!) impromptu battles in the yard or living room that'll elicit nonstop silliness and laughs.
22. A 360-degree-rotating three-in-one LED globe, constellation map, and night-light that'll make it possible to explore the world and star gaze from the bedroom. And, the night-light emits a celestial glow that even 8-year-olds will love.
23. A National Geographic geodes kit that'll blow any junior geologist's mind and give them an excuse to smash rocks with a hammer.
24. A giant bubble wands kit to keep kids and grown-ups *mesmerized* thanks to the two-handle wand that makes the most ~ginormous bubbles~ they've ever seen.
25. A construction-themed folding play set that comes with kinetic sand, a dump truck toy, and a working crane with wrecking ball and bucket attachments so they can dig, build, and crush to their heart's content without making a colossal mess indoors.
26. A large castle tent with sheer drapes and starry lights for an enchanting hideaway that'll impress even the most hard-to-impress princess on your list.
27. And just in case you don’t already own it, a Magna-Tiles set because studies have shown it'll hold any kid's attention wayyyy longer than most toys. JK, but seriously, any parent who has bought this cool building set will attest that it's worth.every.penny.
28. A "Bouncy Pals" hopping toy for the mini-me who has LOTS of endless energy — this inflatable but sturdy toy will keep them bouncing around the house instead of on top of the couch.
Promising review: "It was super easy to inflate, came with an extra 'plug,' and is cute enough to give a T-rex a cavity. The material is VERY sturdy…reminds me of what you would make an inflatable raft with…really tough! My granddaughter loves it, even just to sit on and watch TV. The cover is easy to clean (by hand, allow to air dry) and not difficult to put back on and zip. I’m pretty sure it will be around for a long time!!!" —Athena L.Stallman
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two styles).
29. A glow-in-the-dark fort-building kit that'll put the blanket forts you built as a kid to shame. It'll also encourage kids' imaginations to run wild.
The set comes with 53 rods and 28 spheres. It's recommended for kids 4 and up.
Promising review: "Great gift for kids of all ages. My 8-year-old loved getting this for Christmas! She played with it all day while more expensive gifts sat under the tree...LOL. We built so many different structures and most of them she did on her own. Will probably buy a second one to expand her designs and creative thinking. I recommend highly!" —awalker
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
30. A pack of parachute toys they'll love tossing from the second floor and watching float down over and over without pestering an adult to help them untangle them — a win for everyone!
Promising review: "I bought these for my 4-year-old nephew and 2-year-old niece for when they come to visit. Right out of the box, they were excited and loved tossing them up in the air and watching them fall. I was amazed as to how long it kept their interest and the different ways they played with them. They dropped them off the stair landing, off the couch, in the yard and held them behind them to expand as they ran. My niece liked 'dancing' with them and twirling it around. Good colors and very well made. Hours of fun and the best $7 I ever spent on a toy!" —hiker0811
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $8.99.
31. Silly Poopy's Hide and Seek because it's exactly what it sounds like, and it sounds pretty darn fun already. Take turns hiding this rainbow-colored gadget around the house — it'll shout clues, eventually playing a song when it's finally found. Now who's ready for another round?!
Relatable is a small business that sells card games/toys, plushies, and pool floats.
Promising review: "My 6- and 3-year-old are OBSESSED. They play for an hour at least! Played with daily since we got it. When it’s my turn to hide, I make it tricky enough that I can actually be productive until it’s my turn again." —Cara Lentz
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
32. A miniature baking set with a 48-page recipe book for the junior pâtissier so they can make teeny tiny versions of real dishes and learn all about food science without the usual big kitchen messes.
The set comes with a storage tin, rolling pin, wee knife, pizza/dough cutter, mixing spoon, three wee spoons, mixing bowl, pizza/pie pan, pie server, sheet pan, silicone cake and cupcake molds, two silicone finger mitts, and a 48-page recipe book.
Promising review: "My 9-year-old daughter LOVES this — OK more like is obsessed with this! Everything holds up and is durable. The recipes are so simple to follow. She takes over the kitchen and does everything by herself. Cooks things in the toaster oven. She makes us delicious cinnamon rolls, apple pies, pizzas…everything! Everything is written and geared to have a child be able to do it. We have told all her friends, and now they all have this, too! The kids on the street all come to our house just so they can tiny bake! Every kid needs one of these!" —Summer
Get it from Amazon for $27.83.
33. A set of satisfying tempera paint sticks for transforming craft time from a big hassle into a regular source of fun. These easy-to-hold pens deliver all the rich, creamy color they'd expect from regular paint, but without the risk of spills and other major messes, since they're washable and dry in just 90 seconds!
34. An at-home scavenger hunt so when winter weather prevents that (vital) energy-burning trip to the park, you and your tot will still have a fun and engaging way to play, as they track down objects commonly found around the house.
Mollybee Kids is a family-run small business creating high-quality toys that promote learning, staying active, and most importantly, fun!
Promising review: "A must-have. My 2-year-old son is obsessed. Always asks to play the 'find you' game, LOL. Then we play it, and every option on the game, he actually thinks really hard, then says, 'Come on mommy,' and runs me through the house to find the object. Highly recommended from a mom of four." —Britney bansley
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
35. A set of Globbles so they can join the legions of TikTokers already loving this stress-relieving fidget toy. These colorful balls are not just fun to squeeze and stretch, but they also stick to pretty much any flat surface without leaving behind messy residue.
Promising review: "A huge hit with my children. We bought them for one child with autism, and he’s obsessed with these. Christmas morning has been pure joy for him playing with these, and all of us joined in on the fun. They are not exploding on us nor are they 'peeling' our ceiling paint or plaster off. Overall, I would absolutely buy these again and recommend them to anyone else. Especially anyone who has a special needs child or child with sensory issues."—SamSurgany
Get a set of six from Amazon for $10.69 (also available in a pack of 16).
36. An easy-to-use Melissa & Doug wooden weaving loom that shows kids that hard work can turn into some pretty awesome things. With this, they'll be encouraged to tap into their artistic side to create their own bags, room decor, and (probably) lots and lots of pet hats. So cute!
For ages 6+ and includes an adjustable wooden loom, oversized wooden needle, craft materials, illustrated design booklet, and 91 yards of rainbow yarn!
Promising review: "My 7 year old grandson had learned in school about “knitting” on a simple wooden dowel setup. He was obsessed with making scarves. We saw this for Christmas and thought he’d enjoy doing larger projects too. Plus this on is upright and has a wooden needle to thread threw the loom. It does supply some yarn and we also purchased some extra wool for him. Let me just say all his stuffed animals and his sisters now have scarves! He just loved it, and it kept him busy for hours. A great manual dexterity activity too. GiGi for the win 🤓." —Suzie Q. Jones
Get it from Amazon for $30.99.
37. A pack of bright, laminated learning flash cards because they cover just about everything from ABCs and 123s to animals, shapes, and colors. Your little one is about to turn into a little Einstein after a few play sessions with these!
Promising review: "My 2 year old mastered the her numbers, alphabet, colors, shapes, and identifies all animals and objects on the cards. When I first received the cards I thought they may be a little too advanced for her age (18mo old at the time), but I was dead wrong! After about a month and a half of using the flashcards, she mastered them! We usually “play” with the flashcards for only about 10 minutes before her bedtime.
This is a great tool in the early developmental stages for any toddler. I’m excited to get her the next card set. Material = durable, same as a normal deck of cards. Size = a little bigger than your typical deck of cards. Fits nicely in pocket or purse, great for keeping toddlers busy while traveling. Overall = A+." —M. Abdallah
Get a pack of 58 cards from Amazon for $13.99+ (also available in a baby version).
38. A Paint By Sticker kids book that helps craft time be a tad less messy with no paint on walls (...or clothes or furniture) and still be a really fun time for little ones because, hello, stickers!! This method of art helps them learn numbers and problem solving skills, too!
For ages 5+.
Promising reviews: "Bought this for my daughter's to share on the air plane. It kept them busy the whole time. That's a win for me. Plus the pictures came out so cute when they were finished. It's a yes for me." —Brittany Alexander
Get it from Amazon for $8.95 (also available in Zoo Animals, Outer Space, and more).
39. A Melissa & Doug wooden cleaning play set with adorable mini versions of all the essential cleaning tools. It'll teach your kiddo to clean up after themselves while making it feel like playtime! Honestly... this is really a gift for you.
Set includes a mop, broom, dust pan, dust brush, duster, and a stand.
Promising review: "My niece loves to clean so she walks around the house with this sweeping and telling everyone she’s busy. This was her favorite Christmas gift! Love Melissa & Doug brand - they keep children busy and away from screen time." —Allison K. Hughes
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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