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 three-string Loog Mini acoustic guitar if you've got a little rockstar on your hands! It comes with flashcards to help guide them with chord diagrams *and* access to the Loog guitar app so that they have all the tools they need to live out their musical dreams.
Promising review: "My daughter and I are learning how to play the guitar together. Even if we don't become rock stars the quality time we are spending together is all the justification I needed to make the purchase. The strings are perfect for her little fingers." —JSpriggins
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $98 (available in five colors).
2. A glow-in-the-dark fort-building kit for your little architect in the making. This kit encourages their imagination and lets them build caves, rockets, tunnels — there's really no limit!
Promising review: "Got this for my niece who was 4, and she could play with this for hours. She put her blanket over it, made flags, turned it into a wand, and a bunch of other versatile ways to play. It’s a great buy if you want to keep the kid busy for hours. It’s a bit challenging at times to get it disassembled, but it was super fun for her. Easy to store back in the bag or box." —S. Cheung
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $59.97.
3. A Melissa & Doug loom if your kiddo is more crafty when it comes to the hobbies they decide to try. If they're already wanting to make their own blankets, scarves, or purses, this'll let them be their own designer! Just set it up on the kitchen table, let them weave away, and they might just have a new favorite blankie by the time you're done cooking that pasta.
The loom comes with an oversized wooden needle, craft materials, an illustrated design booklet, and 91 yards of rainbow yarn. Recommended for ages 6+.
Promising review: "My granddaughter loves it. She is 8 years old and had no problem watching a YouTube video and getting started. She is on her third project and can do this without any help. I have purchased other looms that where not as user-friendly and are collecting dust. Great loom, would not hesitate to buy it." —lily
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $25.79.
4. A Skillmatics Search & Find Activity Map that has thousands of reviewers raving about how well it keeps their little ones engaged and entertained. It comes with 12 maps that have repeatable activities to help build your child's observation skills and vocabulary in environments like parks, campsites, and restaurants.
Promising review: "These Search and Find Mats are a hit in my house! This is the second set I've bought. Each scene tells a different story that my 3-year-old points out, and then tells me her own story of what she is looking at. The pictures are very detailed. She searches and finds the objects listed, then circles them with the marker. The mats are very durable, and the marker wipes off easily every time. They are double sided, so, double the fun! These make a great gift! I highly recommend them and will continue to purchase other sets." —Martha Vineyard
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $24.97 (available in 12 styles).
5. This simple magnetic maze because it'll sharpen your child's focus as they move the ball to the finish line *and* help improve motor skills. Plus, it requires concentration and no noise at all. Yep, it's time for some peace and quiet. 😉
Promising review: "Happy with this purchase. It is well-constructed. The balls and several internal pieces are metal (react to the magnet) and it’s all sealed up so nothing can get lost (yeah!). The string is long enough for me (adult hands) to manipulate everything so my kiddo should be just fine. Also, saw a comment about the board not having a goal — first, yes it does: get the balls into the matching slots. Second, I doubt my toddler, preschooler, will care. Overall a good buy and perfect for any diaper/busy bag." —sally
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
6. A 24-piece Melissa & Doug pet vet play set to encourage their empathy for animals. This set comes equipped with everything an aspiring vet could need like a toy stethoscope, thermometer, tweezers, and a cone of shame. Who knows — maybe one day those little plush animals will be real ones!
Promising review: "My 2 1/2-year-old has not stopped playing with this since Christmas morning, definitely a favorite gift. I love the bag for all the storage of small parts! This toy teaches curiosity, compassion, fine motor skills and so much more. I love Melissa & Doug toys and this one does not disappoint. My child is now playing doctor and caring for her animals (and dolls, and everyone else) and asking really great questions as a result. You won't be disappointed in this purchase!" —Kayla Phillips
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $22.49.
7. A super easy-to-follow National Geographic Science Magic Kit for your future Einstein. This comes with 10 fascinating science experiments that'll keep your kiddo (and you!) oooh-ing and ahhh-ing with wonder. Plus, it comes with all the tools you need so that the magic can start as soon as you open the box.
Promising review: "Rather than toys, I love giving gifts that kids can do and explore. I recently gave this set to an awesome 9-year-old, and I’ve been told many times how awesome the set is and how much he’s enjoying it! Recommend!" —T.M.B
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
8. A National Geographic geodes kit — you won't get tired of hearing their curious little gasps as they smash into the rock (while you supervise, of course) to reveal the stunning, intricate textures within.
This science kit includes 10 natural crystal-filled geodes, one pair of safety goggles, three display stands, and one learning guide.
Promising review: "My daughter is 10 and this kept her busy for HOURS! She had so much fun and was excited every time she got a glimpse of what might be inside. A couple of them were pretty cool, while the rest were just white. She didn't care, she loves them all. She was so proud to gift them to her grandparents." —Michelle
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four kit sizes).
9. A crystal growing kit to pique their interest in science by introducing them to one of the most beautiful aspects of it. It even comes with a light board, so they can show off their stunning collection to their friends!
The kit comes with materials to grow crystals in eight colors, four silicone growing chambers, and a light display for five crystals. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Promising review: "Bought for an 8-year-old's birthday gift. Such a hit!! The excitement of making the crystal, watching them grow and the final product makes it a perfect gift. Taking out the seed crystal requires a sharp tool, like a pointy small paring knife and patience. Be careful! This is going to be a go-to gift for me in the future!" —JosieJo
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $24.59+ (available with six crystals or eight crystals).
10. A Leapfrog learning pot if your little one is already becoming your sous chef. With five step-by-step recipes that guide them to making a pretend meal, they will also learn all of the vocabulary, colors, and numbers that an aspiring chef should know.
Promising review: "My 3-year-old grandson has one of these, and when I brought my granddaughter over to his house to play, she immediately fell in love with this toy. I had to buy her one for her 4th birthday and this became her favorite toy at her party. The crockpot talks to the kids, tells them what to put in it and counts with them, and does other activities. For some reason, it captivates the children and they love it." —Laura Zennie
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available in two colors).
11. A Craft-tastic "Make a Fox Friend" craft kit that gives them all the tools to create their very own stuffed animal. They'll learn the basics of sewing, and it even comes with a wardrobe of clothes and accessories for their new little friend and a tote to easily carry all their new crafts from place to place.
Promising review: "This craft was a hit! The fox was very easy to put together and it turned out so cute! You have to make the tutu by tying a bunch of knots but other than that all of the clothes are ready to go and do not require sewing! The fox came with a little fabric bag to conveniently store it for travel. The materials in the craft are good quality and hopefully will last a while. My daughter loved this little cute fox!" —Olivia O.
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four styles).
12. An out-of-this-world planetarium projector if your little astronaut is always asking about the planets and stars. With immersive moving star modes, this'll keep them excited to learn new things about space!
Promising review: "My 9-year-old grandson loved this gift! His parents tell me that they have spent several nights laying on the floor beside him talking about the universe and what they were seeing. It was a great gift that has given him something to think about besides video game characters! Definitely worth the money for this family!" —Gma57
Shipping Info: Expedited 1–2 day shipping options are available at additional cost.
Get it from Walmart for $19.97.
13. A "Role Play Fingerprint Kit" that'll let them pretend to be Harriet the Spy as they put on their secret agent sunglasses and learn how to collect fingerprints around the house. Sorry, parents, no more stealing from their candy stash without them knowing.
Costume set also includes spy glasses, a hat, jacket, and magnifying glass.
Promising review: "My daughter asked for a 'spy kit' for her birthday and this was the best option I could find. The detective uniform was a bit big for her size but she loves wearing it anyway. The spy glasses are cool and allow her to see what's behind her. And she's already used the fingerprint kit to see if her brother was in her room without her permission! She loves it and it made her birthday wish come true. There is a lot of value included in the box and provided hours of fun." —JMS427
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in two styles).
14. A Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot 2.0 activity set so they can start learning how to code — no screen necessary! They can program Botley to follow a sequence of up to 150 steps (they can even code it with interactive games, like Simon Says!). Just wait until they see their little robot battle obstacles and follow courses they've mapped out for it.
Promising review: "I purchased this toy for my daughter who just turned 5. She absolutely loves playing with Botley and the coding is very straightforward and easy for her to understand. She loves that she is able to program different codes to turn Botley into a frog, train, ghost, and more. I love that she is able to learn how to program things in a sequence and use if/then logic when playing. This is a great toy for children who love to learn about technology, and I love that it's a screen-free activity that encourages children to use their thinking cap and imagination during playtime!" —Southern Made Simple
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $58.67.
15. A Fat Brain 2-in-1 musical "Jump 'n Toss" game that helps them practice their hand-eye coordination and teaches them some valuable motor skills. They can either jump over the pole as it spins around (slowly, this isn't American Ninja Warrior), or as a ring toss!
Includes three AAA batteries.
Promising review: "Given to our 4-year-old during her birthday party. Our 8-year-old grandson put it together with a little help from Grandpa. The 4-year-olds to 8-year-olds all had fun running and jumping. I even got asked to play the tossing rings! Fun was had by one and all." —Joann
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $25.95.
16. A "Speak & Spell" electronic game — the perfect retro toy to give your kiddo some sense of '80s nostalgia. The whole fam is sure to get a laugh out of the speech synthesizer reading out words for them to spell!
Includes three AA batteries.
Promising review: "I bought this item for my daughter who has played with my 1980s Speak & Spell so much that it has begun to malfunction. My Speak & Spell is still one of the most memorable toys from my childhood. I played and played with that thing. It is what ultimately taught me how to spell the word 'language' 'lang-u-age' and taught me to challenge my mind with brain games. Now I pick up my daughter's for a round or two just to reminisce. We love it." —Holly McKellop
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $22.80 (also available in an E.T. 40th Anniversary version).
17. A marble run set because there's no better way to practice spatial thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and even teamwork skills than to build a colorful contraption that'll let them watch marbles perfectly race down each bridge, funnel, and tube.
Promising review: "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
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four sizes).
18. Or this Gravity Maze game — perfect for smaller spaces! Just try not to laugh as you see how stumped they are by how the marble manages to weave its way through the puzzle!
The game comes with 60 challenges that range from beginner to expert so it will hold their interest as they work their way up to the trickier ones.
Promising review: "What a great combination of construction, puzzles and games! My 5-year-old and 8-year-old niece were able to challenge themselves to some of the levels (the 8-year-old was was more capable of solving them on her own). The adults also found themselves fixated on playing the different levels as well! It was challenging and fun! We love marble runs and games so this was a perfect fit. This is one of the few games that everyone asks to play and it's perfect when we have guest of kiddos over and keeps everyone busy and engaged for hours!" —Crystal Brown
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $33.99.
19. A DIY robot kit for your little WALL-E fan. This lets them build their very own robot and see it move across their bedroom floor. It's perfect for encouraging an appreciation for STEM early on. Plus, it's solar powered! So no need to make a trip to the store for batteries.
The kit includes 190 pieces, a solar panel, and detailed instructions.
Promising review: "I purchased this as a gift for an 8-year-old boy. He loves to build, loves robotics, dinosaurs, and Godzilla. :) He LOVES this set! He sits for hours on end, which is an amazing accomplishment for any 8-year-old, playing with and building all the different robot toys. And, this isn't just for little boys. A friend's 8-year-old daughter loves them, the 48-year-old parent loves them, and the 75-year-old grandpa loves them. Fun for the whole family!" —MBC
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
20. This 100 Words Book to help develop their vocabulary in English and Spanish with words in categories like colors, animals, food, and more! They'll be bilingual before ya know it. 😉
Promising review: "I bought this for my 18-month-old niece and my 24-month-old nephew, and they both love it! It’s perfect for kids who are just learning to talk. I love how the pages seemed like actual paper almost and not thick plastic. There’s so much in the book that even my 3-year-old thought it was great and wanted to play with it!" —Becca
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in seven versions).
21. A monthly subscription to Little Passports so that your little explorer can travel the world with their mind thanks to these hands-on activities, games, and stories that'll help them learn about science, geography, and culture.
You can choose from five different subscription box themes depending on your kid's age and interests.
Promising review: "My boys love getting their monthly package from Little Passports and tear open the packet as soon as it arrives. My husband and I love to travel and are eager to inspire that love in our children as well—Little Passports has played a big role in that by helping us teach our kids about different sights, foods, animals, and customs across the world." —SHC
Shipping Info: Free shipping on all orders, all subscriptions renew automatically, and you can cancel renewal at any time.
Get it from Little Passports for $24.95+ per month (price varies depending on your subscription model).
22. A toy cash register — a fun way for them to practice their basic math skills while playing a game of pretend grocery shopping with siblings or friends! Ahhh yes, back when grocery shopping didn't require us spending any actual money.
Promising review: "This is another great toy by learning resources. I bought this for my daughter when she was 2. Now 3 she still plays with it daily. She loves punching the numbers in, but her favorite part is the open button that ejects the spring-loaded drawer. I put the coins away until she is older because I fear she will choke on them. She loves the paper money and pretend credit card. I can see her and my son playing with this toy for at least 10 more years. It is very durable. She has dropped it many times and it hasn't skipped a beat. The plastic is high quality. I would definitely buy this product again." —Ecinoderm4u
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $31.99.
23. A National Geographic Volcano Kit because making a volcano is basically the coolest childhood staple. This'll help them create it, paint it, and follow the instructions for the best part...making it erupt!
The volcano kit includes plaster, volcano mold, paints and paintbrush, eruption powder for three eruptions, pop crystals for exciting sounds, two volcanic rock specimens (geode and pumice) and a learning guide with easy-to-follow instructions.
Promising review: "This was awesome! Best purchase I've made in a while, and that's saying a lot since I buy stuff off Amazon like every other day. I set up little activities for my 4-year-old to do during summer and this was a huge hit! It's easy to use, fun and a great learning experience. Four is a little too young, but it was good to learn the importance of being patient and careful while conducting experiments. It comes with enough stuff that you could do the experiment three times with just one set, and it comes with three sets, so that's a lot of eruptions! Great for the price too!—Mel V
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
24. A set of incredibly realistic dinosaur figures with an accompanying sound book for your little Jurassic Park fan. Get ready for lots of cute lil' dino rawwwrs and "Did you know?"s.
This toy set includes 12 dinosaur animal figures and an interactive sound book.
Promising review: "This is by far the best and most educational and fun interactive toy I have purchased for my grandson. He is obsessed... each page we play a game he picks the correct dinosaur according to the pages, then we read the facts and learn how to pronounce each dino name."—Michelle H
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in two styles).
25. A Melissa & Doug activity book so they can develop those handy cognitive and fine motor skills as they snip, snip, snip away and create all kinds of crafts with 20 pre-printed, fun-filled activity pages.
Promising review: "Scissors skills are important both in and of themselves and because it strengthens the hand muscles to be used for learning to write. My 4-year-old LOVES this book. We received it this week and she has used it for a couple of hours each day. Many of the pages are cutting things out and putting them together (four-scoop ice cream cone, pizza with pepperonis, the components to build a house or a car, puzzles). We've used tape or glue to put the components together. This book is interesting enough to have caught the attention of my older children as well, although I make them let her do the cutting. :D Would make a great gift as it is so unique." —Mom of 7
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
26. A sports center for your aspiring MLS or NBA star. This'll let them practice their moves and improve their gross motor skills, and they'll have oh-so-much fun with the LED scoreboard and the 50+ songs, sounds, and phrases the center emits!
Promising Review: "I bought this as a Christmas gift to my 16-month-old grandson. He loves it...we can spend hours kicking the ball or playing basketball. It was definitely his favorite toy and it is great for keeping him busy. It is also educational as it teaches kids how to count and ABCs. I highly recommend this item." —Maurice Horn
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Christmas (see Amazon’s full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $36.25+ (available in two colors).
You might even learn something new as you join your kid for playtime!
