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 Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game if your kiddo is down for a round of their fave game but you're way too tired to play (even though they usually hide in the same spot). You can hide this toy and plop yourself on the couch while your child listens for sounds and clues to find the hiding place.
Promising review: "My 6- and 3-year-olds 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
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
2. A toy cleanup vacuum so you'll never have to endure the pain of stepping on a Lego brick again. This vac will make it wayyy more fun (and faster) for your kiddo to clean up small toys, like blocks or those teeny, tiny Barbie doll accessories. Oh, BTW, it also separates toys from dust and hair!
Promising review: "This works exactly as it’s supposed to. Instead of having to comb through my son’s carpet for each Lego piece, a quick vacuum gets it done quickly and separates out the dirt and dog hair. Looooove it!" —Beth
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $99 (available in two styles).
3. And, a Melissa & Doug wooden cleaning play set that has mini versions of cleaning tools. This set will encourage your child to sweep up a few messes, yet it'll feel like playtime. It includes a mop, broom, dust pan, dust brush, duster, and a stand.
Promising review: "These are just what I needed! I bought these for my 1-year-old and while I know she’s not quite ready to really be cleaning, she really tries to help me when I’m doing it. I figured why not grab her her own set to foster some independence and start helping her momma out lol. The stand is easy as pie to assemble, literally stick it in and go. It’s totally functional as well. We haven’t tried the mop one out for real, but it is absorbent because she’s used it while I was Swiffering. Packaging for this product is great as well." —Danae Baptiste
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $26.99.
4. An I-Spy bag so you can avoid about a dozen "Are we there yet?" questions during your next roadtrip. This sealed bag will keep them entertained because it's filled with rice and hidden treasures for your kid to find. This would even be great at the doctor's office when you arrive on time for your 9 a.m. appointment and yet you're still in the waiting room at 10 a.m. with a bored child.
Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 is a small biz that sells hand stitched items like cards, bags, and coasters.
This bag includes a laminated list of 24 items for you kiddo to search for.
Promising review: "My daughter loves playing with her I Spy bag! She gets so excited finding the items in the bag anf comparing it to the card. Keeps her busy on car rides so that is a plus!" —Jecceka
Shipping Info: Enter your shipping info for an estimated arrival date and cost. Check out Etsy's full shipping info.
Get it from Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 on Etsy for $17.95 (available in various patterns and styles).
5. A sports-themed laundry hamper that lights up to encourage your all-star to actually ~toss~ their dirty clothes in the hamper instead of leaving them all over the floor.
Promising review: "I got this hamper for my 4-year-old son. I thought it would be perfect since it’s the kind you hang on the door and thought it was super cool that it’s a race car that lights up. I was right! My son loved it! For the first time ever, he’s putting away his dirty clothes by trying to shoot his clothes into the hamper; if something touches the car, it starts to light up! It’s been sturdy so far, and there is a zipper on the side that you can use to remove the dirty clothes. Worth the cost!" —Sarah Harrist
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in seven styles).
6. An activity cube with pieces that can't get lost. This five-sided activity center has spinners, beads, farm animals, and puzzles that stay attached to the board. This means lots of play without the mess and no need for a search party to find missing pieces.
Promising review: "No loose parts to get lost! I picked this one because it seemed like there were no small pieces that could come off and get lost. It’s all one big piece, but with a lot of small, moving parts, but they’re all attached permanently. It’s very sturdy, and I also realized after gifting it, is that the large red barn structure on the top acts like a handle: it’s firmly attached, and large enough for an adult hand, so it’s easy to move the toy from place to place around the house. Very pleased." —Ryan Yanashima
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in two versions).
7. Or for older kids, a wooden maze that has an enclosed ball so you'll never have to worry about them losing it and this will keep them entertained and off of their iPad for a bit.
Drapela Woodworks is small business based in Houston, Texas that sells handmade wooden toys, decor, gifts and more.
Promising review: "This maze toy was worth every penny. It was very well made, shipped quickly, and was a big hit with the kids and adults! Highly recommend." —Catrina
Shipping Info: Enter your shipping info for an estimated arrival date and cost. Check out Etsy's full shipping info.
Get it from Drapela Woodworks on Etsy for $39.95+ (originally $53.27+; this maze can be personalized with text at an additional cost).
8. A scavenger hunt because, let's face it, kids are always bored! This game will keep them busy. And there's no need for you to hide a thing — they'll have to look for everyday items like a button, a book, or a stuffed animal.
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
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
9. A Lego figures stand to keep your Lego-obsessed kiddo's fave characters off of the floor. They'll be able to display up to 56 figures and there are special notches to keep them in place.
Focus Laser Lab is a small biz that sells 3D-printed items.
Promising review: "Exactly as described and perfect for my son’s growing Lego collection!" —Rachel
Shipping Info: Enter your shipping info for an estimated arrival date and cost. Check out Etsy's full shipping info.
Get it from Focus Laser Lab on Etsy for $54.
10. A pair of Safari binoculars, designed specifically for kids, so your little explorer can get a close look at nature. With a pair of these, you'll also be able to keep them entertained (without getting up) with an epic game of I-Spy.
Promising review: "My 3.5-year-old loves these! Perfect for toddlers wanting to explore. He uses them for bird watching, plane watching, checking out bugs, just about anything! Great for learning!" —JillS
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $11.24.
11. A doodling mat that doesn't require *real* markers. Your kiddo will be able to tap into their artistic side without leaving stains behind for you to clean up because this mat just requires a marker filled with water! Parents are raving that it's the "most amazing mess-free coloring activity."
This mat just requires water. Simply fill markers provided with water and your child can doodle away — the water activates the colors on the mat.
Promising review: "I bought this for my 2-year-old daughter for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. It's mess-free which is amazing! No more coloring on the walls and furniture and it keeps her occupied for at least an hour. The water markers are easy to use all you have to do is fill it up with water and it's ready to be used. The pad is easy to clean if it gets dirty, all you need is a baby wipe and anything wipes right off. I bought this for my 1-year-old niece as well and she loves it. It's perfect for all ages. Highly recommend!" —Anolivia D.
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five sizes and themes).
12. Or an LCD writing tablet if you need a more compact drawing surface. This tablet doesn't require markers or crayons, because as you draw with the included pen, a rainbow of colors will be revealed.
It's easy to erase images and start all over again, but there's also a lock feature to save images if you don't want to erase them yet.
Promising review: "I bought these for my preschool classroom. The kids love them so much I am buying them for the other classrooms too. They like the colors and how pushing a button makes their artwork disappear. It has a lock feature so they do not accidentally erase their work until they want to. Teachers like the mess-free activity." —Joyce Strain
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it on Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors and two- and four-packs).
13. A wooden geoboard for when your kid says those dreaded words, "I'm bored" — but already had too much screen time. This includes 35 pattern cards to challenge your child to create shapes using rubber bands. And as they become more skilled, they'll be able to move on to the design cards to create more complex figures.
Promising reviews: "This item was exactly what I needed for some of the younger children because handling the rubber bands helps develop their fine motor muscles. It also encourages imagination and creativity and counting. They make designs and love it. For older ages there are cards with designs for them to try and duplicate. Young children can also make shapes and letters thus developing math and literacy skills. This is a sturdy, well-made geoboard." —Kathleen Loden Barbuti
"Bought the geoboard for my 4-year-old grandson who enjoyed making his own pictures and designs. As a retired math teacher, I can tell you that geoboards are great hands on learning tools for children of any age. My seventh-grade students loved when our lessons involved 'playing' with geoboards!" —anne porter
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
14. A VTech activity desk so learning can be fun, instead of frustrating. Parents are raving that it's "easy to put together" and their kids "play with it for hours" — and best of all, it doesn't require any cleanup.
This desk comes with five activity pages, turns into an easel or chalkboard when you flip it over, has over 100 vocabulary words, and 20 activities. It also has an attached telephone and music player that makes sounds.
Promising review: "My 3-year-old daughter got this as a Christmas gift and I love it! She loves it too, especially the music mode. I'm hoping she'll really get more into the learning mode. It has so much to do on it and she's still learning all the buttons. It was wicked easy to set up; you just attach the legs and add batteries and it's ready to go. I like that it comes with two front and back activity cards and that you can purchase more. So far she's been playing with it for over an hour nonstop (which if you have a 3-year-old you know it's awesome as she normally plays with something for 10–15 minutes and then it's on to the next thing). I also love that it can be flipped over to hold paper for drawing or used as a chalkboard. Highly recommend getting this and I actually wish I would have gotten it when she was two. If you're on the fence about getting it, I say go for it. It's not a purchase you'll regret and for all it does its worth the price." —Miranda
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $46.74+ (available in two colors and regular or frustration-free packaging).
15. A math game because it will help your kiddo learn how to count, improve their memory, and help develop fine motor skills — without it feeling like a lesson.
This set incudes flash cards, figurines, numbers, and a scale. Your child will have to match the right number of monkeys or monsters (depending on the set you choose) to the correct number in order for the scale to be balanced, which will help them to associate numbers with the correct amounts.
Promising review: "Very educational and fun. It's probably the best educational game I ever bought for me and my child. It teaches him how to count and how to add numbers. Definitely worth the money and we have fun while playing. He loves this game." —Victoria Alfaro
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two styles).
16. Or, an interactive, story-based math game that connects to your child's tablet to help them learn how to count, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and more. Your kiddo will feel like they're playing a video game while they're actually learning. Reviewers are calling it a "fun way to learn math."
This game includes: one foldable gamepad, one count spike, four arithmetic pieces, and two sets of digits from 0-9.
Promising review: "This product is a wonderful addition to your current tablet! It can be hard finding educational games, but this is perfect. It's engaging and a fun way to learn math! My 5-year-old loves this Plugo Count and my 3-year-old also gets some use out of it! I will absolutely look into getting more Plugo extensions! We used this with their Kindle Fires." —Amazon Customer
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $47.99.
17. A talking microscope for your future scientist that likes to ask a ton of questions. This includes 60 colorful slides and 100 facts and questions narrated by Bindi Irwin, so you can take a break from all the trivia your kiddo tosses your way. They'll learn about plants, animals, and space — just be prepared for them to tell you endless facts over and over again.
Promising review: "Fun and educational talking microscope! This is by far one of the coolest products I’ve ever seen! My 4-year-old loves this talking microscope! Every day while her baby sister naps I spend some quality one-on-one time with her and this was the perfect product for our special time together! She didn’t want to stop looking at all the different slides and I love how each slide has three images and the fact mode shares fun facts about the slide chosen! I love that she was learning new facts while looking at it up closely! She has been having so much fun using it and asks me daily to use her new microscope! This is such a great learning tool in a fun, different way for a 4-year-old and it is a big win in my book especially because it can be used for many, many years! It also includes a quiz mode that we haven’t used yet but it’s nice that it has different modes for older kids. Highly recommend for all preschoolers and older kids!" —JC Mommy
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $30.02.
18. A toy doctor kit so you can turn your living room into a doctor's office when you're working from your couch and need an easy way to entertain your kiddo. Just sit back and pretend to be the patient while your little one gives you a check-up. And, you can also add a few stuffed animals to the game so ~the doc~ will have other patients to take care of when they're done examining you.
For ages 3 and up.
This kit includes over 25 pieces, stickers, and a case. And, some parts light up and make realistic sounds.
Promising review: "My son adores this toy set. It has a lot of different doctor tools in there so he can be whatever doctor he chooses! They're easy to clean and very sturdy. Pardon me, the dentist is ready for me!" —Cortini
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $25.97.
19. An adorable climber set, because your kiddo will get so much use out of this clever multifunctional play set. They'll learn how to climb, grasp, and balance while getting all of their energy out. Then, (when they're exhausted) simply flip it over and add a cushioned pillow to turn it into a rocker. Fingers crossed 🤞 they take a nap so you can finally tackle that load of laundry.
Kidodido is a small business that sells wooden Montessori toys, children's furniture, and nursery decor.
Promising review: "This toy is an amazing purchase! My son is 13-months-old and loves climbing. He immediately climbed to the top of the arch and beamed at his dad and me. The pillow is also super comfortable!" —Katherine Hines
Shipping Info: Enter your shipping info for an estimated arrival date and cost. Check out Etsy's full shipping info.
Get it from Kidodido on Etsy for $80.01+ (originally $127+; available in various sizes and configurations).
20. A toddler busy board that can help develop fine motor skills. And, there's no set up or cleanup required — just unfold to play and fold it to put it away. They'll be able to buckle, zip, and tie to their heart's content. BTW, this board is portable, making it great to keep your child busy during long drives, while traveling, or at the doctor's office.
For ages 18 months and up.
This board has various zippers, snaps, buttons, and strings to help your child learn to tie their shoes and get dressed.
Promising reviews: '"My 1-year-old loves it and it will grow with her with so many different things to master. Super handy for in the car or at other people’s houses. Lots to do with no mess." —Amazon Customer
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors and multi-page versions).
21. An amigurumi crochet kit, because learning a new skill shouldn't be complicated or messy. This set will keep your kiddo busy while you take a break. It comes with step-by-step instructions and everything your child will need to crochet an adorable dinosaur.
The Woobles is an Asian-owned small business whose mission is to make crocheting easy and accessible.
This kit might be best for older kids. New to crocheting? Don't worry, kits can be chosen by difficulty level and there are a lot of kits for beginners. And you can get help virtually or over email if you get stuck.
Promising review: "I am a true beginner and found this pattern very easy to follow. I really love the video explanations. Can’t wait to make more!" —K.S.
Shipping info: Orders can take up to 1–2 weeks to arrive. Free shipping on orders over $50. For more info on shipping, click here.
Get it from The Woobles for $30 (also available in more animals).
22. A pretend supermarket play set that's so compact, you'll be able to play cashier while you're in bed (hey, not judging). The register is small enough to fit on your lap so your little one can bring over items for you to ring up over and over again.
For ages 3 and up.
This set includes: a toy cash register with sound effects, a mic speaker, pretend grocery items, play money, credit cards, and a food basket.
Promising review: "My 5-year-old really loves this toy! I got this for her a couple of weeks ago and she still enjoys playing with it. She loves how the scanner beeps when she scans items and really loves that the register has a key to lock the drawer. I’ve searched for multiple registers hoping to find a good one that won’t break after being used a couple of times. I’m pleased to say this one is still going strong and working just as well as when we first got it. Very pleased with this toy all around!" —Sbux06
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $30.99.
23. A Melissa & Doug interactive wooden dashboard so your tiny racer will be able to pretend to drive around without you having to chase after them. It includes a realistic steering wheel, a scrolling GPS, keys, lights and sounds, and a beeping horn.
For ages 3 and up.
Promising review: "This thing is awesome! My kids were playing with my husband’s old gaming steering wheel and it ended up breaking apart a week ago. They were pretty upset because they love pretending to drive so I looked to find another one. There were cheaper options than this one but they were just the plain steering wheel, no buttons or gear shift so I decided to give this one a try. My boys loved it so much that I had to sit with them for hours having them take turns playing so they wouldn’t fight over it. I didn’t realize there was a little window that shows the car on the road but my 3-year-old LOVES it! He likes to set the timer on the gas gage and when it goes off he lets me know he’s pulling into the gas station (there’s a little gas station in the window part). Anyway, we loved it so much we bought another one the same afternoon so both boys can drive together." —Brittany
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $40.49.
24. A makeup kit, because it's the perfect excuse to shut your eyes and relax while your little makeup artist gets creative and gives you a makeover. Don't worry, if you end up looking like a circus clown 🤡, reviewers say this stuff comes off easily. Plus, it'll keep them out of your makeup!
For ages 3 and up.
This kit includes a unicorn purse, two eyeshadow palettes, a puff applicator sponge, lipstick, two lipglosses, two nail polishes, blush, and three brushes in various sizes.
Promising review: "My 3-year-old granddaughter is in makeup heaven. Applying her makeup and nail polish kept her busy for hours. She then brought it back home to where she lives and had a makeup party with all her friends. She is totally enthralled with it and it comes off easily before bedtime." —R G
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (also available in a fake makeup version).
25. A slide-away storage bag to make cleaning up after playtime a breeze! This bin has a built-in mat for playtime (perfect for building with Legos) and can be closed by pulling on a drawstring — meaning you can scoop up all of the toys on the mat without much work. So when you tell your little one to clean up, they'll be less fussy (and hopefully less Lego bricks to step on).
Promising review: "I really like this for my kid's Duplo Lego bricks but I think it could be used for a lot more than that. I want to get one for my kids train track. The fabric part is really large and would fit the track on it. I found the cleanup is extremely easy; all you do is lift up the fabric and it all goes in the bin. An added bonus, my 2-year-old can dump over the bin and it stays on the fabric part. I also would like to add that I like the fabric on the outside of the bin; it looks durable and good quality." —KFundy
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $64.99 (available in four colors/styles).
26. Plus, a unicorn beanbag cover that actually doubles as sneaky, hidden storage for stuffed animals. Cleaning up that sea of stuffed toys on their bedroom floor will be a breeze because your little one will *want* to put them away to transform this cover into a cozy beanbag chair.
Promising review: "Bought it to help with the mess of plushies all over the place and man it is a space saver. No more messes, and doubles as a seat for my daughter. She drags this everywhere to sit on it or jump. So far is holding the abuse quite well." —Ivan P.
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 25 styles and two sizes).
27. A personalizable toy car storage garage because your little racer won't even realize they're being neat and tidy when you ask them to ~park~ all of their cars after playtime.
Toy Box Addicted is a woman-owned small biz that was created by a mom who was tired of her sons leaving their toy cars everywhere.
Promising review: "My son loves it! Instructions are pretty easy. I got it built in 30minutes. The hardest part was the slide but it’s not rocket science. Helps keep my sons car collection organized and it’s something he enjoys playing with. I recommend the customizing it. It’s worth it." —Ginna Delapena
Shipping Info: Enter your shipping info for an estimated arrival date and cost. Check out Etsy's full shipping info.
Get it from Toy Box Addicted on Etsy for $136.74 (originally $183.32).
28. A 12-sided fidget toy with gears, buttons, a joystick, a switch, stress balls, and more to keep your kiddo entertained no matter where they are. It's small enough to take on planes, long car rides, or just about anywhere they need a distraction.
Promising review: "Bought for my 9-year-old grandson. He loves this thing. He falls asleep with it in his hand, and as soon as he wakes up he’s back at it. Keeps him busy in the car for long trips and when he’s just feeling a little ‘fidgety’. Great purchase." —Debondeweb
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in seven colors).
29. A pair of waterproof wireless earbuds so your child will be able to listen to that song they can't seem to get enough of, over and over without you getting frustrated. The best part? They're wayyy more affordable than AirPods and reviewers say the sound quality is just as good.
Promising reviews: "My 10-year-old purchased these for himself because they were a quality and affordable option. Comes with different size silicone ear pieces, so he could find one that fit well. Sound quality is good and controls are easy to use. Also, really love that these are waterproof and that we can easily clean them and the case. His only complaint is that if he has to adjust it in his ear, he sometimes hits a control and changes a song or turns up the volume, but that’s easy to deal with. These are a good quality ear bud option and great for older child through adult." —Dennis
"I purchased for my 10-year-old son and he loves them. Why buy AirPods when you can save a ton of money and get equal or better quality. I can’t speak on longevity yet but solid built with warranty so believe they will hold up. Fantastic!" —Anthony S.
Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available two styles and in six colors).
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.