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Buying toys for kids sounds easy until you’re staring at endless options and wondering what they’ll actually play with. The toy aisle seems complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. We rounded up the best gifts for every kind of kid, from little builders and artists to aspiring chefs and backyard athletes. Consider this your shortcut to a very happy holiday.
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These fun magnetic airplanes…
Future pilots and world travelers will love playing with these vibrant magnetic airplanes. Each pack comes with 15 flexible, magnetic pieces that can be snapped together to make jets, helicopters, and other flying machines. The lightweight pieces are easy to take along for play on the go, and the designs can be rebuilt over and over again.
A set of washable markers (because accidents happen)...
Give them some new art supplies without giving yourself a panic attack every time they color outside the lines. These Pip-Squeaks are smaller than traditional markers, making them easier for little hands to grip. The set comes with 25 washable shades and 40 pieces of paper in a plastic case they use anywhere inspiration strikes.
A DIY bling kit…
If they already have expensive taste, let them deck themselves out with this jewelry kit. They can mix colorful beads and charms to create necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories, then wear their creations when they’re done. It’s a fun rainy-day project that gives them something to show off afterward.
A mini vanity they can personalize…
This gift is part craft project, part bedroom decor. The mini vanity comes with more than 200 colorful gems and decorative details, so they can make it look exactly how they want. Once they’re finished crafting, they have a little vanity of their own for displaying tiny treasures and playing dress-up.
This comfy play couch…
Give them a couch they’re actually allowed to climb all over. The Nugget comes with four foam pieces that can be stacked, rearranged, and turned into forts, ramps, and whatever else they come up with. It comes in dozens of pretty prints and colors that brighten any playroom. It’s also machine washable, making it a practical choice for a piece that’s going to see plenty of action.
A classic T-ball set…
For the little slugger who’s ready to start swinging, this Little Tikes set is a fun introduction to baseball. It comes with a plastic bat, balls, and an adjustable tee that can be raised as they grow. At about $15, it’s a budget-friendly gift that gives them a reason to spend more time outside.
A box of big ideas…
This inventor’s box is for the kid who’s always asking how things work. The kit is packed with building materials and project ideas that encourage them to experiment, construct, and come up with their own creations. There’s plenty of room to follow the instructions or completely ignore them and see what happens. It all comes in a case that makes cleaning up a breeze.
A pretend check-up they’ll love…
Let them play dentist without having to make an actual appointment. This 25-piece set comes with an oversized set of pretend teeth, tools for cleaning and examining, a toothbrush, fake toothpaste, and more. They can practice on stuffed animals, siblings, or anyone else willing to open wide. It’s also a cute way to make the real-life dentist feel a little less intimidating.
Their first farmer’s market…
This pretend-play set gives littles their own mini market to run. It comes with 25 pieces of play food along with baskets for sorting everything by color. Kids can practice matching, counting, and recognizing colors while stocking their pretend stand or “shopping” for groceries. They’ll be pros for the real market when the time comes.
Endless art for the fridge…
This spin-art kit takes regular craft time and makes it a lot more exciting. Kids can add paint to the spinning machine and watch as it creates swirls, splatters, and patterns on their paper. They can experiment with different color combinations and see how changing the speed or placement of the paint affects the final design. Every piece turns out a little different, so they’ll never get bored.
A cute excuse to help out with chores…
If they’re always trying to “help” when you’re cleaning, give them a cleaning set of their own. This six-piece wooden set includes a broom, mop, duster, dustpan, brush, and storage stand, all sized for kiddos. Will they clean the entire house? Probably not — but it’s the thought that counts.
This timeless toy…
Lincoln Logs are one of those toys that never really go out of style. This farm set includes 102 wood pieces plus play figures that complete the scene, like a hay bale, farmer, and even an alpaca. It’s a nice change of pace from plastic toys, and something they can keep rebuilding as they get older.
A musical TV remote…
They want the real remote, obviously, but this one is a much better option for tiny hands. It has buttons that trigger lights, music, sounds, and phrases to introduce concepts like colors, greetings, and the alphabet. They get to press every button they see (and you get to keep the actual remote).
A cool set of trucks…
This colorful car carrier comes with six toy cars, so they can load them up, drive them around, and start the whole operation over again. It’s a good pick for a kid who is currently obsessed with anything that has wheels. Plus the cars all neatly nest in the truck, making it easy to keep all the pieces together when they’re done playing.
An outdoor play kitchen and gardening set…
Little chefs will adore this kitchen of their own. Made from pine wood and stainless steel, it comes with all the accessories they need for “cooking,” plus gardening accessories for growing their own ingredients. Set it up in the backyard and let them spend the afternoon whipping up imaginary meals or tending to their own little garden.
The ultimate LEGO starter set…
This classic LEGO set gives toddlers a collection of big, colorful pieces they can use to build houses, cars, robots, and whatever else they can dream up. They can follow an idea, make something unique, or dismantle it and start over five minutes later. When they’re done, everything goes into the toy storage box until the next time they’re ready to play.
These clever magnetic tiles…
Blocks not their thing? This 32-piece set gives them a mix of magnetic shapes they can snap together to build houses, castles, and more. The pieces are easy to connect and pull apart, so even younger kids can experiment with building without getting too frustrated. And once they’ve mastered one creation, they can immediately take it apart and make another.
A screen-free gadget that’ll entertain them for hours…
The Yoto Mini lets kids listen to stories, music, and other audio without a phone or tablet. They simply pop in a Yoto Card and use the player’s chunky controls to choose what they want to hear. It’s compact enough to bring along for car rides and trips, and can last up to 14 hours on a single charge.
The coolest reason to go outside and play…
Trust us — even you will want to play with the Stomp Rocket. Kids step or jump on the launch pad to send foam rockets flying through the air, then run to retrieve them and do it all over again. No batteries or complicated setup required — just make sure there’s enough outdoor space to let the rockets fly.