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 Dyson Ball toy vacuum that has a working suction that can pick up small pieces of paper and makes realistic sounds so your lil kiddo can feel like they're helping you with life's most mundane chore. It's almost like a real Dyson vacuum, just more kid-friendly and a whole lot cheaper.
Promising review: "Our son, 1.5 years old, is OBSESSED with vacuums and carpet cleaners. He has nearly broken my vacuum a few times because it's a bit too large for him to maneuver. We got him this for Christmas, and it was the only gift he cared about. He wouldn't open any other gifts after getting to it. His sister had to do the rest of them. He has been 'vacuuming' for four days straight. When I vacuum, he follows along side me with it. It is a lot quieter than I expected. The sound doesn't get annoying. I love it! If it ever breaks, I'll buy him another." —Kelsie
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three colors).
2. A splash-proof kids' smartwatch to give them their first taste of technology, without breaking the bank. Sorry bud, it's no Apple Watch but it's the next best thing — it can take videos, pictures, and even selfies with filters. This smartwatch even has an AR "Monster Detector" feature with a motion sensor so they can play exciting challenges!
Promising review: "Got this as a gift for my son’s birthday, he absolutely loved this watch, perfect for a 7-year-old! He loves that he can take pictures of all his friends, play games, and tell time. The screen is a great size , not too big and is an easy touch screen. Amazing watch at an amazing price. Makes him feel super cool!" —s
Get it from Amazon for $27.83+ (available in five colors).
3. A Melissa & Doug interactive wooden dashboard because your youngster isn't quite tall enough to reach the pedals yet. Not to worry, this baby will let them experience driving, without the danger. It has a steering wheel, ignition key, horn, lights, and even a GPS — guaranteed to keep them busy for hours.
It requires three AA batteries, which you can get here!
Promising review: "The best toddler toy. I hesitated on this because of the price but this is truly the best value for any toy I've purchased since my kid was born! Even without the batteries (which it took me a few days to get) it is still a great gift for the little driver in your family. There are so many little details which leaves your child discovering new things over and over. My son hates riding in the car but now, with this little wheel, he's jamming out to his own tunes in the back, honking the horn, and turning on the blinker. My favorite feature is the window pane where kids can actually steer the little car on the moving road with the steering wheel. Again, well worth every penny!" —Deb
Get it from Amazon for $44.99.
4. A purse pet because your little one has been begging for a pet (that you end up taking care of). This adorable purse is almost like a real animal, with sounds, movement, and even the ability to answer yes/no questions! It's a win-win gift — no pet responsibilities for you and a fun, stylish purse for them.
It comes with three AAA batteries but you can get more here!
Promising review: "Got this purse for my niece and she loved it. It is such a cute gift!!! The eyeballs move and everything. Just recommend getting batteries with this gift. You will need them :) But it is a perfect size to put anything in there!" —Kalie
Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available in four styles).
5. An affordable drone for every techy kid that loves flying objects. It moves at three different speeds and has mesmerizing neon lights, but the best part is it's ability to do 360 degree flips in the air.
Promising review: "This mini drone is a really great starter drone for those just starting out or for kiddos. I bought it as a gift for my niece, but I had to take it out and play with it a few times as I've never handled a drone before. I know some people who spend hundreds of dollars on drones. This one — with the bright lights and unique colors — is comparable (on a lesser standard), and looks amazing in the dark! That's what drew me to the drone anyway — the neon blue and green colors! It takes awhile to charge, but the drone itself comes with two batteries, getting you around 10–15 minutes per charge. The controller that comes with it is simple to use. It was a pretty great feeling once I got the hang of the drone and heard those propellers start to whirl as the drone prepared for flight. I believe you can also make the drone flip and do other cool tricks, but I haven't gotten there yet. I definitely think it's a great way for kiddos to learn how to navigate a drone without breaking the bank. Definitely a great beginner drone!" —Tiffany
Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in two styles).
6. An inflatable unicorn ride-on that your adorable children will be galloping on all throughout the year. It's even better than a horseback ride, it's cheaper, AND it's a mythical creature!
Promising reviews: "This was a hit at my 1-year-old niece's birthday party this weekend! She loved it, the adults loved it and the other kids wanted it! It was easy to inflate and fun to watch her bounce around!" —Felisha
"I swear, this is the cutest kid's toy I've ever seen. I bought it for my daughter's 2-year-old birthday gift. I inflated the toy ahead of time and put the unicorn into a gift box. She was so excited when she opened the gift box. Unique style and perfect quality. Sturdy, beautifully made, so easy to set up!! Love it!!" —Susan A Musgrave
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (also available as a cow).
7. A 21-piece Disney princess dress-up trunk so those dreamers of yours and live out their fairytale fantasies. Your kids and their buddies can dress up as Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White — and it'll bring you as much joy as it brings them seeing how adorable they look!
The keepsake storage trunk includes four tops, three skirts, three bracelets, three rings, necklace, sticker sheet, choker, three headbands and a tiara. The costumes fit sizes 4–6x. Recommended for age 3+.
Promising review: "I got this for our 3-year-old granddaughter for Christmas. She loves Disney princesses and playing dress-up, so this was a perfect match. I was surprised, at first, how small the 'trunk' was when I opened the box. It is lightweight and nicely decorated, and it turns out it is just the right size for a child to carry around. Neatly packed inside were four outfits, and they were simple enough that I knew she would be able to put them on herself, changing as her whims dictated. Each princess outfit has two main pieces (a top bodice and a pull on skirt) and there are also some simple headpieces. Our granddaughter loved it and had so much fun being able to change herself (sometimes needed just a little help with the bodices). She entertained us playing each part and singing the appropriate songs to fit the character. Highly recommend this product — she loves it!" —Pamela S
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
8. A National Geographic crystal growing kit that will be both educational and fun for your lil scientist. Plus, it comes with a light display so they'll be able to show it off!
The kit comes with six colors of crystal-growing powder; six clear seed rocks; four real crystal specimens (rose quartz, fluorite, blue calcite, quartz geode); two flexible silicone growing chambers; a light up crystal display base to display your five best crystals, a wooden stirring spoon, magnifying glass, and instructions. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Promising review: "Bought for a 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
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
9. A set of safe-to-chew-on pastel silicone stacking blocks to develop your young one's sense of touch and vision. They're embossed with various shapes, fruits, numbers, and animals that your baby is sure to love!
Promising review: "Pardon if I come across a bit overdramatic about mere children's blocks. First of all, the packaging was gorgeous. The blocks come in a neat and attractive little box. The blocks themselves are sooo cute! The colors are easy on the eyes and have a good mix (greens, pinks, blues, beiges). They are easy to clean and can be used in the bath. They are multifaceted: teething, building, counting, squeaking, floating in the tub, etc. My baby loves them (mainly he just smashes two of them together and laughs). I would recommend these to other mums or even buy them as a gift for another child since they are so well-packaged and high-quality. Okay, enough praise. I think you get it." —Gareth Mayers
Get 12-piece set from Amazon for $17.99.
10. A Gravity Maze game that'll have your children scratching their brains trying to solve each challenge. With 60 challenges to solve, they'll be using spatial reasoning and logic to figure out how to land the marble in the final cube.
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
Get it from Amazon for $27.48
11. A smart as heck 100 Words Book to teach them words in English AND Spanish — they're never too young to be bilingual!
Promising reviews: "Bought this for my daughter for her birthday and everyone is fighting over it at home. It is sooo so worth the money, I will buy all if they come out with different ones. The quality of a toy you’d pay $50 easily for. I expected a little-bitty toy. No, you’ll be surprised. Great gift actually." —Vera b.
"One of the best gifts we bought for our 1-year-old on his first birthday!! This is an amazing electronic book for toddlers or little ones that are learning their first words. It is also something they can continue to learn with as they grow because there are different settings. I couldn’t believe how nice it was for the price. Great buy and very educational/fun!"—slowdown&lookup12
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in five styles).
12. An ice cream slime kit because what kid doesn't love slime nowadays? It comes with the yummiest of scents, different slime textures, and even sprinkles to add on!
The kit comes with everything the kiddos need to make their own slime: glue, 100% safe slime activator, unicorn beads, inks, textures, slime containers, and instructions.
Promising review: "The complete package, all you need, and so much fun! We received this great slime kit and were blown away by how much it had inside! We received the ice cream edition.🍦 Which you can create fluffy butter slimes or just your basic fluffy slime. Super cute and so many add-ins which made this kit so much fun. Came with clear glue, activator, clay, snow powder, scents, colors, foam soap, adorable charms, sprinkles, and even containers to store it in! Not to mention the adorable instruction pamphlet which is very detailed and super colorful. My daughter and I love making slimes and are making them quite regularly lately so this kit was a winner!" —DMEQUEEN
Get it from Amazon for $21.95.
13. A plush personalized name blanket so your lil' baby will be super comfy and cozy during their ZZZs. You and your little one will treasure this for years to come.
Sugar House Swaddles is a small biz based in Salt Lake, Utah that specializes in personalized baby blankets, muslin swaddles, and more.
You can personalize the name and font. Just add your notes in the personalization box or comment section when placing your order.
Promising review: "I’ve ordered several blankets as baby gifts and loved all of them. Super soft, great colors, and I love getting the small one because it’s perfect for the car seat/diaper bag!" —cassidyriden
Get it from Sugar House Swaddles on Etsy for $17+ (available in 42 colors and three sizes).
14. A Crayola light board that'll let your young ones unleash their artistry with its reusable and traceable surface, rather than on the walls.
The set includes an LED light board with removable tracing panel and and six gel markers. Just draw your masterpiece directly on to the light board — the removable back panel makes tracing images a snap. Then turn it on to light up your designs and showcase them in the dark. The board is reusable so you can wipe away old drawings and start all over again.
Promising review: "This light board is awesome!! My 6-year-old loves to draw and absolutely loves this board. The markers nestle into the back of the board for storage which makes this mom happy, board cleans easily with a damp paper towel or wipe. This is a great car activity for traveling. Love the added feature of the removable blackboard for tracing — so fun! Will make a great gift for any art lover!" —Danielle Campbell
Get it from Amazon for $24.94+ (available in two colors).
15. A 60-piece Picasso Tiles set to let your young architects pursue their dreams of designing a colorful building, or rocket ship — anything and everything they're into. These are just like Magna-Tiles, except they're way cheaper and you get a whole lot more for your buck!
Recommended for ages 3+.
Promising review: "Great toy for developing creativity. The magnets have great sticking power. The plastic is high quality. The pieces are designed to encourage excellent creativity. Our 3-year-old grandson spends a long time building structures to park his toy cars, trains and tractor setups. He loves this product. I recommend purchasing two. Your child will make great use of them and will be able to build many more types of structures." —Larry B.
Get a 60-piece set from Amazon for $25.99.
16. A "Make a Fox Friend" kit so they can try their hand at sewing. They can sew, stuff, and dress their new best friend up — it's like going to Build-A-Bear Workshop, for a fraction of the price!
Promising review: "This was a wonderful gift for a little girl. Easy to use, nice quality, great bang for your buck! It came with so many accessories and was fun to make together. Highly recommend" —Crystal Perry
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in bunny, mouse, and koala).
17. A necklace activity set for your jewelry lovers that are obsessed with the ~bling~ and statement pieces. They'll be able to create their own designs with vibrant colored beads and show off their fave characters!
Promising review: "My 3-year-old daughter has been playing with this for hours at a time for days on end. This may be her favorite Christmas gift, even more than her new tricycle. She loved it so much she wanted to wear it to bed, in the bath, and on her first day of back at preschool. (Obviously I would never let her wear this to sleep, just sharing her sentiment and excitement). It’s a great value for what you get." —A. Arroyo
Get it from Amazon for $11.86+ (available in 13 styles).
18. Speaking of accessories, a box of 24 sparkly rings that trumps the ones they keep in dentist offices because your kiddo will be able to wear ALL of them. You can never have too many rings!
Promising review: "I always struggle with buying presents for my great nieces. I bought this for my 4-year-old niece. This was her favorite gift, above all of the expensive toys she received from her parents and grandparents. A few days after Christmas, she sat right next to me on the couch, laying her head against my arm. She said that she got a box of rings and they're at home. And you gave them to me. I got a kiss and she stayed right there for the rest of the night. It was my favorite part of the holidays!" —Edith V.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
19. A machine-washable Tiny Twinkle rainbow apron bib because your tot will just look oh-so-adorable in it! There is such a thing as making a mess but looking stylish while doing it.
Tiny Twinkle is a small biz based in Phoenix, Arizona that prides itself on creating high quality, safe products for babies, children and parents.
Promising review: "I had similar ones but from a more expensive brand that I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money again. These are amazing! Very durable, waterproof, easy to clean and a great price! Goin to buy a few more for arts and crafts." —meghan snyder
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in sizes 6 months–4 years and in 29 styles).
20. A VTech activity cube that has over 33,000 5-star ratings for a very good reason. It has ABC blocks, light up buttons, and so much more that your teeny toddler is going to love toying around with!
Promising review: "Where do I even begin...this toy is a MUST HAVE. Yes, the songs and voices are annoying, and you will find yourself singing the songs in your sleep, but it is worth it. My 6-month-old is obsessed with this toy. It is one of the few toys I can set her on the floor with and do housework without her getting bored and angry. The top side has four buttons (circle, triangle, star, square), each with an animal picture in them (circle-bird, triangle-cow, square-cat, star-dog). They have animal sounds, sing songs, play musical tunes, count to three, play games, etc. My baby hits the buttons over and over again and loves the sound and lights. There is also a spinning cylinder on the top that rattles. There is a side with spinning letter blocks (A, B, C, D) and another side with spinning shapes. There is a side with musical instruments (shakers, drum, cymbal) and a side with a spinning ladybug. The bottom is just blue with letters (not an exciting side). This toy is fun for my baby and is teaching her motor skills and cause and effect. I highly recommend it." —Christina
Get it from Amazon for $18.45+ (available in two styles).
21. A rainbow-colored saucer swing so you can say "we have it at home" when your kid is begging to go to the park. This is even BETTER than the playground because this baby can twirl, fit a number of people, and be hung indoors or outdoors.
BTW, the max weight limit is 220 pounds!
Promising review: "Same quality for half price! bought this and was a little skeptical about its quality since this sells for double on Amazon under different brands. It’s the same quality and size as others. Two big kids fit comfortably and was and awesome gift for my 7- and 10-year-old daughters." —Michael K. Hansen
Get it from Amazon for $41.99+ (available in two sizes).
22. A 360-degree-rotating 3-in-1 LED globe for your Doras and Diegos so they can explore the entire world. Plus it has a constellation map that doubles as a night-light!
Promising review: "Best present. This was a gift for my 9-year-old who has been asking for a globe and also loves astronomy. The globe is a good starter one for any kid, it names all countries, capitals and major cities. We love the fact that can be plugged in and used also as a cool lamp, while you learn about the constellations. It includes a booklet with name of the constellations, descriptions and the best month to be seen, my boy loved this cause he also owns a telescope and this is a great guide. This globe is great for the whole family we all love it. The quality is excellent I would definitely recommend this product." —lvmg
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three sizes).
23. A Fisher-Price kick and play piano that your newborn will love even as they get to the toddler stage! The light-up piano keys, rattles, and more will keep them entertain for hours on end — a gift to you too ;).
Promising review: "My daughter seriously loves this mat. First she was kicking the piano and lying down, now she's 6-months-old and loves to sit up and play the piano. She smiles when the songs play and the songs will get stuck in your head. It has a nice variety of music that is not repetitive. She loves the hanging toys at first; she would try to grab at them, and now it's nice to remove them for her to play with. This toy is so versatile and brings so much joy each day; it's seriously a great deal. One of the best play gyms you'll buy. I had a pricey, less colorful play gym that got no love. Trust me your baby will live the colors and activity that this toy offers." —N. Ford
Get it from Amazon for $39.88+ (available in five colors).
24. A construction-themed folding play set so your kids can play with sand IN the house because kinetic = no mess! It comes with a toy dump truck and crane so they can build towers and a wrecking ball to crush it all. Construct, demolish, repeat — things possibly couldn't get any better.
Promising review: "Purchased the construction set as a Christmas gift. Haven't ever messed with kinetic sand. Found this to be fun for the whole family and a perfect gift for my boy who loves his sandbox but can't use it obviously in the colder months. Good value and a great indoor activity!" —DVo
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.