Kid-Tested Toy & Product Review
TR1109 SP1011
Backpacks, Lunch Boxes and Water Bottles! Check out this fun selection of backpacks, water bottles, lunch bags, bento boxes and snack bags that are perfect for school, work or day trips.
Illumination's Minions Boxed Water
https://boxedwaterisbetter.com/pages/lp/minions
The mischievous Minions are the newest icons to adorn Boxed Water cartons. The dynamic duo is teaming up against the evils of single-use plastic, while celebrating Boxed Water's ongoing tree planting efforts (Minions on cartons carry shovels and saplings!) The most sustainable water brand on the market is drawing attention to its continued sustainability efforts, especially as they relate to the brand's tree planting initiatives across the U.S.
Corduroy Square Backpack
$55; www.petiterevery.com
Perfect for school or an adventure day. Your little one will love using this bag to store their essentials and any treasures they find exploring. This square backpack has a textured finish and zipper closure. We love the adorable daydreamer cloud that adorns this backpack to celebrate your little daydreamer.
Tiger Backpack
$46; www.dabbawallabags.com
Designed for preschool and early elementary school children, roomy enough to tote lunch, toys and treasures. Functional details include a sturdy grip handle, wide zipper openings and cushioned, adjustable straps. Three inside mesh pockets and one back pocket help organize gear. Individually-sewn at a woman-owned facility in Taiwan that supports fair labor practices and machine washable.
Care Like Greta Stainless Water Bottle & Sticker Kit
$29.99; KidsCrafts.org
With Greta Thunberg as a role model, inspire the next generation of leaders to make a difference by ditching single-use plastic. This kit includes everything needed to decorate a 21 oz. insulated stainless steel water bottle with uplifting, waterproof stickers.
It's a Good Day Lunch Box
$24.99; Kidscrafts.org
Pack your lunch box with a little girl power. Your girl power lunch bag is the perfect way to show off your favorite quote from a powerful woman. This back-to-school insulated lunch bag makes sure you can bring your lunch with you for a long day of making new friends and learning about the world around you.
Bentgo Kids Lunch Box
$29.99; Bentgo.com
It features five versatile compartments portioned perfectly for a child’s appetite to encourage a healthy and balanced meal. Make meals more fun with a sparkling touch of glitter or a colorful splash of confetti that pair perfectly with these lunch bags and backpacks. Meals are kept fresh and mess-free with the help of separate compartments and a tightly fitting leak-proof lid. Select a variety of foods sure to please any picky eater, and note the 2 kid-friendly latches that are easy for small hands to open and close. Pack this bento-style lunch box in a backpack for school and activities or a tote bag for picnics and trips.
Tritan Drink Bottle
$15.95-$17.95; BBoxBaby.com
Designed for little hands to hold and control; lightweight and super durable. Tritan straw top water bottle keeps kids hydrated at daycare, school, sports and on the go. Easy-flow silicone straw requires minimal pressure for easy drinking. Leakproof when closed and spill-proof when open. The bumper on bottom provides protection from life's knocks.
Spark Style Big Kid Backpack
$30; SkipHop.com
Featuring supercool designs that let little personalities shine. This backpack is the perfect size for school-sized folders, a lunch bag and all the essentials your toddler needs for a busy day. A wide, easy-access opening plus a clear front zip pocket make it a cinch to pack and grab necessities, while the mesh bottle pocket keeps drinks handy. Finished with eye-catching details and cute zipper charms, this is the pack to grab for big adventures.
Daniel Tiger Snack Cup
$8; SkipHop.com
Perfect for toting deee-licious munchies with less mess, this tigertastic snack cup features a flexible no-spill opening, a snap-top lid for freshness and an easy-grip handle for little hands.
Hydaway Camp Bowls
$19.95–$29.95; Myhydaway.com
With a streamlined look and a sturdy stainless steel rim, these bowls are slim, lightweight and easy to use with an ergonomic design and a leak-proof polymer lid. The camp bowls are available in two sizes: 1.5 cups and 4 cups. Each set includes one bowls, one lid, and one matching insulation sleeve.
Nalgene Kids Drink
$16.99; Nalgene.com
12 ounces is the perfect size for lunches and a refill to rehydrate after recess. For the littlest of hydraters, a new suite of whimsical and creative animals make drinking more water fun. A sophisticated and stylish mix of cheetah, leopard and zebra prints in trendy colors go as well with outfits as they do to after school sports practice.
Light + Nine Backpack
$74.99; https://lightplusnine.com
Light as a cloud (in body and soul)! Light+Nine bags are rigorously weight tested to ensure minimal strain on your child's back and maximum support for your child's wellbeing. All Light+Nine products are created using clever compartments and practical features to ensure the bags make school trips, travel and more a breeze. Made with perforated material specifically designed to be embellished with NIMIX. NIMIX patches fit perfectly into these holes with a twist-on cap to secure it in the back. NIMIX come in a variety of fun characters, exciting motifs and artistic letterings to make each bag unique. Each bag comes with a free pre-selected NIMIX.
DC Comics The Flash 17" Laptop Kids Backpack
$14.92; Website: Walmart
Designed with convenience in mind, this backpack has plenty of room for their books and other essentials, there is even a padded laptop pocket. An ideal choice for school, sleepovers or whatever plans they have. The padded, adjustable shoulder straps let them carry with ease.
SuperBreak Plus
$42; Jansport.com
The SuperBreak Plus adds a padded laptop sleeve to an already classic pack. Don’t worry, we’re just making this fan favorite even more functional; the side bottle pocket and straight-cut shoulder straps aren’t going anywhere.
Bluey-themed FUNtainer 12 oz. Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw
$17.99; Thermos.com
Keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours. The double wall stainless steel construction is built to handle drops, dings and assorted roughhousing. Includes an integrated carry handle with soft-touch grip, making it easy for kids to carry with them throughout the day. Help keep germs away with the hygienically covered silicone straw which is removable for easy cleaning.
Snackbox
$11.95; bboxbaby.com
Making snack time easy with our compact two compartment leakproof snack box. Ideal for toddler lunch on the go, snacks for pre-schoolers and nutrition at school. Also handy for after school activity snacking.
Watchitude Adventure Pack
$25; Watchitude.com
Adventure Packs by Watchitude start out very small and compact, super easy to stash away. Then easily un-zip into to a full 18” x 9” x 7” lightweight backpack. The perfect size for a sleepover, overnight trip essentials, school trip or weekend getaway at grandma’s house. Plus, with kiddos in mind, made with premium quality YKK zippers. Each adventure pack from Watchitude also includes a zipper phone pocket—easy for kids to open and close hundreds of times and two stretchy side pockets. The bags are made from very durable light weight rip-stop nylon.
Freezable Playtime Lunch Box
$29.99; Packit.com
Ideal for kids to eat well anywhere, at any time. It is designed for bentos with room for a drink and extra snacks. The buckle handle clip is convenient for travel to and from school, and daycare. The Freezable Playtime Lunch Box is a horizontal lunch box with PackIt's patented EcoFreeze technology: freezable gel built into the walls of the lunch box. The smart design eliminates the need for separate ice packs or gel packs. It's freezable, it's reusable, and it actually cools.
PackIt Lunch Bento
$16.99; Packit.com
Comparable in size to bento boxes, this container includes three removable dividers that wall off thick liquids and solids, letting you separate
sensitive foods and create customized spaces. Peas and potatoes will never have to touch. That's pretty awesome for the picky eaters. Eliminate the need to carry multiple bulky containers by using the dividers to wall off foods. Each streamlined, all-in-one container is designed to fit select PackIt Freezable Bags.
Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth with Straw Lid and Boot
$29.95; HydroFlask.com
This kid’s 12 oz stainless steel water bottle is the perfect insulated bottle for school, family hikes and everyday hydration. The straw cap makes sipping easy, and the double-wall stainless steel construction keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Updated: November 2023
Back to School Supplies
Many kids say the best part of going back to school is shopping for new supplies. These kid-tested, parent-approved products will help kids have a functional and fashionable start to the school year.
Casio Advanced Scientific Calculator
$22.99; Casio.com
Designed for middle school students and beyond, Casio’s new fx-991CW scientific calculator boasts a more seamless user experience, an enhanced display, an improved keypad, and more. Additionally, the fx-991CW will convert solutions and expressions into a QR code that can be scanned from an internet-capable smart device for visualization on ClassPad.net.
LeapPods Max
$49.99; Leapfrog.com
Listen to music, go on audio adventures and have a dance party with these ready-to-play headphones packed with onboard content made just for kids.
So. Many. Planner Stickers
$14.99; Workman.com
With 50 sheets of uniquely themed stickers—including carpools, birthday parties, game days, and more—families can plan ahead for countless responsibilities in a quick and decorative way with So. Many. Planner Stickers. For Busy Parents.
One by Wacom Small
$49.95 ; https://estore.wacom.com/en-us/one-by-wacom-small-ctl472k1a.html
Portable, easy-to-use technology that allows you to draw, edit photos, annotate, take notes, etc. digitally. With a digital pen that has a pen-on-paper feel, it allows you to effortlessly use your PC, Mac, and (most) Chromebooks for a variety of digital learning and creativity. It’s perfect for parents that want to give kids digital artistic enhancements without breaking the bank, and for kids who could use a little extra help with digital learning.
Richard Scarry’s Big Busy Family Calendar
$16.99; Workman.com
Wherever you hang the Big Busy Family Calendar, Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, and the rest of the Busytown gang will delight children and invoke nostalgia in adults. Running a full 17 months, the calendar features ingeniously designed grids with plenty of room for writing down each family member’s daily activities plus extra space for Saturday and Sunday, over 100 stickers, and a drop-down storage pocket for receipts and other papers.
Learn by Sticker Addition and Subtraction
$11.99; Workman
Provides a basic understanding of math and reading concepts in a fun, engaging way, setting a strong foundation for continued learning.
Brain Quest: Learn to Write Letters – Dinosaur
$9.99; Workman.com
Each workbook includes engaging illustrations, practice exercises, and fun activities that provide ample opportunity to master handwriting and experience the joy of learning. Learn to Write is a well-researched introduction to writing for young learners beginning to work on their penmanship and academic skills.
10 Erasable Highligters Frixion-Color Sticks
$9.99; Amazon.com
Highlight, delete, repeat. The frixion erasable highlighter from PILOT contains a thermo-sensitive ink formula that disappears with erasing friction, no wear or tear to your paper. Pack of 10 light pastel color ink highlighters.
G2 Gel Pens
$15.49; Amazon.com
The classic G2 is the United States’ top-selling pen and for good reason – it has smooth, vibrant gel ink in a variety of point sizes and colors, making it perfect for older students taking notes who want to add color to their page, or customize their pen to match their personality. It’s also the longest lasting gel pen – making it a great value.
Colors of Kindness Washable Markers
$1.99; Crayola.com
Colors of Kindness: Colors of Kindness was designed to encourage kids and adults to create with an extra “friendly sentiment.” Whether you are a crayon collector or just want to spread joy - Colors of Kindness provides a colorful way to find a happy place! Kids and parents will love coloring with fanfavorite
Bold & Bright Construction Paper Crayons
$4.49; Crayola.com
For kids looking to expand their drawing horizons on papers light and dark in a classic fashion, the fan-favorite Bright & Bold Construction Paper Crayons allow bold creations in a mess-free way.
Aloha Unicorn Smens Glitter Gel Pens
$9.99; Scentcoinc.com
Includes eight clickable pens that write in colorful glitter gel ink. Each Aloha Unicorn Glitter Gel Smen emits its scent through the grip.
FriXion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Stick Pens
$20.49; Amazon.com
Enjoy bright, vibrant writing with this 16-Pack of PILOT Fruition color sticks fine-point assorted erasable gel-ink pens. For school, office, or home, Fruition color sticks erasable pens takes the stress out of writing - you'll never make a written mistake again, because you can just erase it.
Published: September 2023
These kid-tested, parent-approved educational games and products will help kids start the school year off strong.
National Geographic Microscope Science Lab
$39.99; Amazon.com
Includes a specially designed microscope and complete STEM lab kit. The soft-touch eyepiece is gentle on skin and the large focus knobs are easy for little hands to turn. When focusing, the slide platform moves up and down to help keep the entire microscope more stable and to ensure the specimen remains in the perfect viewing position. The slide storage case integrates into the base of the microscope and a wide-footed base helps keep the microscope firmly in place. Kids can choose from 40x, 100x, or 400x magnification by moving the adjustment lever, and they can switch between an upper light and lower light with the flip of a switch on the back. On top of that, this complete science kit includes all the tools kids need to explore like real scientists, including a pipette, specimen dish, tweezers, a pencil, a lab guide, and instructions.
PLAY-DOH All-in-One Creativity Starter Station
$49.99; Target.com
Flip the kids activity desk between 2 modes for lots to explore. The flat side gives them a great place to explore their creativity on the playmat, while the 3D side lets them imagine all kinds of adventures with the waterfall maker, vehicle, and animal tools. Easy storage and cleanup make this a great kids toy for all that grownups are sure to love too. This table is also great to use for any arts and crafts your little ones get up to.
Human Anatomy Puzzle
$26.99; eeboo.com
Meticulously detailed, each puzzle features original illustrations of the Skeletal, Muscular, Digestive, Nervous, Reproductive and Endocrine Systems. Educational and beautiful, comes with large fold pout informational poster.
Wonder Tree Shape Sorting Clock
$32.99; US.Bababooandfriends.com
The unique sorting and learning clock teaches children much more than just reading the time. The number blocks with their different shapes and colors enable the child to play, sort and recognize relationships. Develops logical thinking and hand-eye coordination. Sorting each individual block of numbers into the appropriate form gives the child a great sense of achievement! The number blocks are provided with magnets, which create another level of experience for the child. The multifunctional sorting clock helps the child to recognize connections in order to further train their cognitive abilities. The sorting and learning clock is an ideal educational game to stimulate social interaction and to promote language skills.
Magic Adventures Microscope
$89.99; Leapfrog.com
Explore tiny worlds and make huge discoveries with a real microscope. Collect your own samples or view 220+ custom BBC images and videos.
Translucent Sort & Count Abacolor
$29.99; MinilandGroup.com
This translucent plastic abacus has a 5 column base and 50 pieces in different colors and shapes. It provides hands-on learning that works on children’ s classification and serialization skills. It comes with transparent activity sheets with increasing difficulty levels, which can be used on light tables. This abacus helps children acquire basic mathematical knowledge and boost their ability to focus and concentrate, while they have fun.
Portable Light Pad
$89.98; Minilandgroup.com
A perfect resource to enhance learning by playing with translucent accessories. It helps children concentrate because it makes them focus on the material that they are playing with. For use in combination with Miniland references that are suitable for light tables.
Disney Junior Draw & Play Desk
$49.99; Amazon.com
A colorful spot to paint or draw, this sturdy art desk with bold Mickey Mouse graphics, an included 10-pack of markers and 4 coloring pages helps inspire creative play. Tons of storage space for the included markers and coloring pages makes tidying up easy. The desk’s built-in bench seat and footrest ensure your little one stays comfy while they play.
My Fun Day
$38; SimplyFun.com
Have a fun day with Tibbar rabbit learning the months of the year, and the days of the week along with the four seasons and telling time. Using the colorful wooden board and the fun activity disks help your child build awareness of the key elements in their daily world.
Time Telling Game
$23.99; eeboo.com
Players move the arms on their own clock faces to show the time described on cards. It is especially good for correlating analog and digital representations of time as well as wording like "half past" and "quarter to." Cards are color coded for the progression of skills in learning to tell time; each color representing time to the hour, the half hour, the quarter hour, in five-minute intervals, or for all sixty minutes. Points are awarded for setting clocks to the correct time, as well as for correcting clocks to the specified time, making playing a reinforcement of time telling skills
Updated: July 2023
Back to School Snacks! Healthy, fun snack ideas to throw in kids' lunch bags!
Beech-Nut Brownies with Hidden Veggies
Beechnut.com
The classic brownies tots love made with veggies and fruit you can’t see or taste. Made with 30% fruit and veggies, 2g of whole grains per serving, made with real peanut butter.
Moon Fruit Snacks
MoonFruitSnacks.com
Naturally sweet and deliciously crunchy, Moon Fruit Snacks are out of this world. With 1/3 cup of whole fruit per serving, the snacks are bursting with flavor and offer an easy, healthy snack choice for families on-the-go. Three delightful flavors include Straw-Bana, Blended Berry Blast, and Apple Cinnamon. Moon Fruit contains no added sugar, no artificial preservatives, no artificial colors, and no artificial flavors.
Aloe Vio Sparkling Aloe Water
www.bevpax.com/aloe-vera-drinks
Aloe water is a great way to stay hydrated, as it contains water and electrolytes that help to replenish fluids lost through sweat and other bodily functions.
Old Trapper Beef Snack Sticks
$15.00 for 15-ounce bag; OldTrapper.com
Packed with flavor and plenty of protein, Old Trapper’s beef snack sticks are the perfect addition to a lunch box or after school snack. Each serving contains only 2 grams of total carbohydrates with 9 grams of protein. Available in Original, Teriyaki, and Jalapeno for a kick of spice.
Dee’s Nuts
GrabDeesNuts.com
Dee's Nuts have a variety of flavors that brings them to the next level - such as Dill Pickle, Hot Sriracha, Cool Ranch, Nanner Pudding and BBQ. Recently they introduced their new flavors; Extra Spicy Ghost Pepper and Hot Cheddah.
Clover the Rainbow Milk with a Splash of Flavor
CloverTheRainbow.com
Organic, lactose free milks have just a splash of flavor and are powered by protein and calcium. It’s all the goodness of milk in three exciting flavors – chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. With no to low added sugar, they’re powerful nutrition for kids and kids at heart.
Once Again Graham Cracker Sandwiches
Onceagainnutbutter.com
Packed with 5g of energy-boosting plant protein per package, the single-serve snacks provide sustenance for kid and adult adventurers alike to power through a trek in the sun. Available in creamy peanut butter and allergy-friendly sunflower varieties, the BFY products are the first and only sandwich crackers to be both certified organic and gluten-free, plus vegan. Individually wrapped and ready to stuff in a backpack, each tasty, small-batch treat is crafted from simple, wholesome ingredients with no added preservatives.
Gimme Seaweed Snacks
https://gimmeseaweed.com
Perfect for all ages and an easy, delicious superfood replacement for high sodium and sugary snacks, Gimme snacks are roasted to crispy perfection, only 25 calories per serving, and full of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, B12 and Vitamin K. Plus they are USDA Organic and non-GMO project verified. So, whether you're on the go to practice, stocking up a college dorm, or a busy mom providing snacks for your preschooler, Gimme is making it easy to incorporate more (sea) veggies into your day-to-day activities during the back to school season.
Roltini Singles with Mozzarella & Prosciutto
www.volpifoods.com
An easy, on-to-go snack of delicious, premium mozzarella wrapped in thinly-sliced prosciutto. Volpi Foods are all made with no artificial ingredients, are slow-aged, have no growth hormones, nitrates or nitrites, and only use Midwest Raised Responsibly pork.
Juicy Juice
JuicyJuice.com
Juicy Juice 100% Juice is an iconic family favorite. Kids love the deliciously juicy flavors, and parents love that their little ones’ beverage is 100% juice, meaning no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no high fructose corn syrup. Juicy Juice 100% juice is available at major retailers nationwide in 6.75 oz. 8-packs of juice boxes, as well as 64oz. family-sized bottles.
Cattaneo Bros. Range 100% Grassfed Beef Jerky
www.cattaneobros.com
Created by a mom on a mission to provide little ones with clean-ingredient foods that offer real nutrition. Available in single strips that pull apart (just like string cheese!), the no-sugar jerky is packed with 16g of protein per serving from sustainably sourced American beef. The handcrafted snack is fun, filling, and easy to enjoy in the car, after school, or anytime tummies start to rumble.
Harvest Snaps Mixed Snack Pack
HarvestSnaps.com
Features single-serve bags of baked veggie snack, including the brand’s best-selling Lightly Salted and Tomato Basil flavors, along with Crunchy Loops Sour Cream and Onion. Each are made with farm-picked green peas or red lentils milled whole in-house as the #1 ingredient to deliver plant protein and a good source of fiber in every serving. They’re also completely free of artificial flavors, preservatives and common allergens.
Path Water
Pathwater.com
A leader in sustainable CPG packaging with the first refillable and 100% recyclable bottled water. PATH’s lineup includes Still, Alkaline, and Sparkling, which come in sturdy, BPA-free 20 or 25 oz aluminum bottles. They recently introduced aluminum caps for their Still and Alkaline bottles and all products have added electrolytes.
Updated: September 2023
College Products & Graduation Ideas
Heading off to college or have a recent graduate? Here are some great products to send with your college student for dorm and apartment living.
Boxer
$288; ShortyLove.com
The boxer is your perfect travel or on the go bag and acts as two bags in one. Use it as a backpack or shoulder bag.
Dream Valley Outlast® Deep Sleep Cooling Comforter
$199.99–$309.99; https://dreamvalleysleep.com/
This comforter uses the Outlast thermal filling to proactively maintain an ideal sleeping temperature throughout the night. The Outlast filling uses phase-changing material (PCM) to proactively absorb and release heat, providing lasting relief from night sweats. Originally developed by NASA, the Outlast material has been used in spacesuits to help protect astronauts from extreme temperature fluctuations in space. Shrouded in a silky-smooth exterior fabric, the Dream Valley Cooling Comforter envelops skin in a soothingly cool feel. The comforter is not only durable and easy to clean, but is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified & FDA listed to be safe for children and pets.
Grade A Notes Milk Carton Note Set
$15; BrassMonkeyGoods.com
It looks like a milk carton, but lift off the top, and you’ll find a block of 500+ tear-off sheets of paper perfect for reminders, doodles, or your to-do list. Includes a 3.5” pencil that stores away in the straw hole when not in use.
Keep Going First Aid Kit
$79.99; Amazon.com
Good things come in complete packages. This large first aid kit has 260 pieces of essential first aid supplies for every ouchie. From burn relief to bandages, you’ll be ready for anything.
REFRESH 01X Rechargeable Personal Desktop Fan
$69.99; Amazon.com
This is a new kind of desktop fan, featuring an intriguing design that melds minimalist forms with purposeful function. Permanent, rechargeable batteries enable up to 17 hours of run time (on low) and re-charge in just 3.5 hours. Its compact size and cordless design allow your student to seamlessly move it all around the dorm room. The toggle-controlled 3-speed settings provide strikingly silent airflow on low, up to a satisfying current of air that you’ll find…refreshing. The REFRESH 01X utilizes an optimized sound signature that will create an enhanced relaxed environment and helps you to focus by masking out environmental distractions.
Right Pack
$65; Jansport.com
Featuring a suede leather bottom for extra durability, a side water bottle pocket, and an internal laptop sleeve. Something about the Right Pack just feels so...right.
Beddley Duvet Cover
From $129; Beddley.com
Most of the time laundry is not high up on a college student’s to-do list and on top of that, the washers and dryers tend to be nowhere near big enough to handle a comforter, meaning bedding never gets washed as often as it should. Feature a 3-sided zipper for easy on and off and are made from the softest cotton. Beddley covers can easily fit into standard washer and dryers and are available in variety of colors.
Cribsi's Eva Solo Wide Toolbox Organizer & Utensil Caddy
$74.95; Cribsi.com
Organize your kitchen utensils with the Eva Solo toolbox organizer and utensil caddy. You can have easy access to your tools in a space-saving easy to carry design. The organizer's wooden carrying handle doubles as a divider for organizing your tools. Use this utensil caddy on your kitchen counter.
Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD
Starting at $79.99; Amazon.com
A compact, pocket-size portable SSD for students on-the-go. The XS2000 delivers lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, giving users enhanced productivity with little interruption. At nearly half the size of a typical portable SSD, XS2000 includes a removable ruggedized sleeve and IP55 rating to withstand water and dust, making it the perfect companion for students whether they go from school to play to passion projects.
The GoSili Reusable Silicone Straw Cup
$32.99 for 2; GoSili.com
GoSili reusable cups are 100% European grade platinum silicone and feature an embedded stainless-steel ring that prevents the cup from collapsing when gripped. Smart, simple design meets amazing functionality! GoSili's patented technology paves the way for a new drinking experience and is the perfect alternative to all the excessive plastic to-go cups that end up in our landfills and oceans.
Big Plans Undated Planner
$24; BrassMonkeyGoods.com
Features a cloth-bound cover with embossed, gold foil artwork. Comes pre-filled with 336 pages of random holidays, trivia, and humor, and includes an attached black satin bookmark to help you pick up where you left off.
The Comfy
$49; TheComfy.com
With one-size-fits-all, several styles, and a sherpa-lined inside. The world’s first of its kind letting you stay warm and cozy whether you’re at home or on the go. The blanket’s huge, one-size-fits-all design combines an ultrasoft microfiber exterior with a luxurious, sherpa-lined interior to make you think a cloud is hugging you.
Field Journal
$59; Lochby.com
The perfect planner, journal, sketchbook. The Field Journal consists of refillable waxed canvas case and a Dot Grid Refill. The refill features fountain pen friendly Tomoe River 68 gsm white paper.
Clorox 2-Tier Electric Steam Sanitizer
$49; Amazon.com
Use it to sanitize kitchen sponges, dish cloths, brushes, reusable water bottles, kitchen utensils and more with steam. It reaches deep into fabrics, cracks and crevices for thorough sanitization, and it only needs 1.4 to 3.4 oz. (40-100 ml) of water to create hot, sanitizing steam. You'll be able to keep your kitchen utensils and cleaning tools sanitized and ready to use — no need to throw away your sponges too soon or use wasteful paper towels to clean up messes.
Clorox Air Purifiers
$149.99; Amazon.com
This large room air purifier will help you protect you from allergens, pet dander, dust, smoke, viruses, bacteria and more. It captures 99.97% of allergens and particulates and reduces viruses and bacteria so you can breathe easier.
Nalgene 32 oz. Wide Mouth Sustain Water Bottle
$16.99; Nalgene.com
All Nalgene bottles are now made with a revolutionary resin powered by new recycling technology that transforms plastic destined for landfills into high-performance BPA/BPS-free bottles. This material is derived from 50% waste plastic (using ISCC certified mass balance), further offsetting the use of fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
ULTRA LITE Crew Socks
$12.99; HeatHolders.com
Keep feet warm on the coldest of days and pull on this pair of twist colored, star patterned, lightweight, crew length Heat Holders® ULTRA LITE™ for women & men, the warmest thermal sock. They work well for California fall and winter.
That's Amazing Bacon Wizard Microwave Cooker
$17.95; Amazon.com
Allows college students to effortlessly cook crispy, perfectly cooked bacon in the microwave. No more grease splatters or messy cleanup—just sizzling bacon ready to fuel their day. This unique gadget will surely make them the envy of their dorm floor.
Kingston Nucleum
$49.99; Amazon.com
:7-in-1 USB hub that helps students to stay powered up. With this single USB-C hub, you can connect up to 7 devices at once and keep your creativity flowing. The Nucleum has you covered whether you want to connect to a larger monitor or need to offload footage. With the Nucleum, you can also power up your MacBook while running your external hard drive and charging an iPhone.
Spa Life Cherry Blossom Shower Caddie 5 Pack Gift Set
$16.99; Amazon.com
Cherry Blossom is known for its rich anti-oxidant levels and soothing properties. Rich in essential fatty acids, it repairs the skins natural barriers to promote a smooth, supple skin.
Vornado Fan
$39.99; Amazon.com
Personal comfort in the form of their signature Vortex Action, 2-speed settings, a full action pivot head for multi-directional airflow, and a 5-year limited warranty. Style. Class. Performance. VFAN Mini - Everything you expect from Vornado, only smaller.
BoxFull Hug in a Box
Starting at $44.95; Sendaboxfull.com
When you can’t be there, BoxFull and their Hug in a Box ensures your loved ones feel your love and warmth anywhere. In addition to the new fuzzy friend with arms outstretched upon opening - each box also comes with a special poem and a customized message. Perfect for parents supporting their stressed college student from across the country, these warm hugs are guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day. Send love and comfort with a box full of hugs.
Air Candy Mongolian Faux Fur Chair
$59.99; Amazon.com
Relax on a cloud of soft ivory color fur. The inflatable chair is a fun, versatile chair that adds style and comfort to your home. 2-in-1 chair design includes a clear chair with an easy to attach faux fur cover. Whether you're working, playing, studying, or just relaxing, the AirCandy BloChair is a lightweight, easy-to-inflate, luxurious addition to any room. You can control the firmness by adjusting the air pressure to the perfect level.
Packable Hammock from Coalatree
$59; Coalatree.com
Enjoy the outdoors wherever you go with this handy hammock. The lightweight, packable hammocks from Coalatree are perfect for anywhere you may venture, be it backpacking through the deep woods or a glamping trip with the gals. It packs into itself so you're always ready for adventure. Two ropes are included with carabiners making it easy to secure your hammock anywhere.
Body by Honeydew
$149.99; honeydewsleep.com
One part hug and one part pillow, you’ll reap the benefits of deeper relaxation, sounder sleep, and proper body alignment while getting your cuddle on.
LectroFan Micro2 Sound Machine + Bluetooth Speaker
$34.95; SoundofSleep.com
Take this all-in-one sleep sound machine and portable Bluetooth speaker with you everywhere you go. Pair it with a smartphone for streaming audio and making calls with the built-in microphone, or select sleep sound mode and enjoy your choice of five digital fan sounds, four variations of white, pink and brown noise, and two ocean surf sounds.
Pure Daily Care Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser
$40; PureDailyCare.com
Create a stress-free environment for studying with this luscious diffuser. It includes seven ambient light modes with two intensity settings for 14 different light combinations. It also includes four timer settings and a convenient auto shutoff feature for low water levels. Made of BPA free plastic with a beautiful printed wood grain design.
Twinkly LED Smart Lights
$99 & up; Twinkly.com
Smartphone controllable and come in strings, festoons, icicles and clusters. They are year round lights featuring more than 16 million colors to select for indoor or outdoor use. Combines colorful RGB LED lights with an impressive variety of levels for brightness, speed, intensity, and color palettes; fully controlled though the Twinkly app on a smartphone.
Updated: April 2024
Products for Tweens and Teens
Products for Tweens and Teens. Check out these games and products that the tween or teen in your life would love.
Pocket Tripod
Starting at $35; Pocket-Tripod.com
Take the perfect photo with this portable, wallet-sized tripod. Aside from photos, it is great for watching videos, Facetime and more. Ultra-portable, it folds down to the thickness of two credit cards. Compatible with any phone or case.
Be-Tween Aloe Skincare
Products start at $17.99; www.be-tween-care.com
Tweens exist in an in-between phase; they’re not babies anymore but not yet adults. That’s why they need to use skincare products that address their needs but aren’t too mature for their skin.Ultimate skincare bundle includes: 1) Aloe Cleansing Ball Face Cleanser- a gentle face cleanser freshens young faces without drying them out, 2) Aloe Moisturizer Face Lotion-perfect for a tween’s changing skin & 3) Aloe Mask Powder. Finally, a skin mask that’s gentle enough for tweens! It locks in moisture and helps acne-prone skin.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES X SHEIN Cartoon Animal Pattern Foldable Shopping Bag
$4.30; us.shein.com
COWABUNGA! Team up with the turtles to bring the ninja power home. Explore the TMNT universe with our trendy kids' clothing & accessories. From iconic logo tees to bold graphic go-tos, we have the ultimate gear to help your little ones embrace their inner ninja.
Air Candy Mongolian Fur Inflatable Chair
$69.99; Poolcandy.net
Whether you're working, playing, or just relaxing, the BloChair Inflatable Chair is a lightweight, easy-to-inflate, luxurious addition to any room! You can control the firmness by adjusting the air pressure to the perfect level. You'll feel like you're floating on air - because you are.
National Geographic Metal Detector- Explorer Series
$49.99; 8+
NationalGeographic.com
With a 7.4" waterproof coil, lightweight design, and multiple detection modes, this is perfect for beginners of all ages. This metal detector is easy to use and perfect for the budding detectorist. Setup is simple and the advanced technology and powerful searching features to make finding treasure fun and easy. Take it to the beach, park, or on a hike and find treasure everywhere you go.
Gel Blasters Starfire XL Glow in the Dark
$99.99; 14+
GelBlaster.com
The Gel Blaster Portal's cutting-edge hit-sensing technology connects real world blaster play with a suite of online games and challenges. Users can practice accuracy, play one of the many built-in games, choose single- or multiplayer game modes, or wirelessly network multiple Portal targets together for the ultimate backyard blaster tag game. With dynamic LED lighting, wireless app connectivity, and USB-C charging, Portal is the ultimate in blaster play for teens, adults and families to get active together.
Troomi Samsung Phone
$179.95 & $19.95/month (no contract required); Troomi.com
Instills a healthy and balanced relationship with technology in children. Start with a locked device with talk and SMS texting only, then easily add device functionality from the easy-to-use parent portal without updating the hardware.When you log into the Parent Portal, you’ll immediately see where your child is—as long as they have their phone with them. Prevents predatory content and bullying, blocks social media and harmful games and provides a safe web browser option.
Glow in the Dark Kids’ Throw Blanket
$13.99; Vudeco.life
Made of extremely soft 100% polyester microfiber which has great quality and durability for long-lasting usage. 10 minutes of exposure to the light source (daylight / fluorescent / lamp) for 3 hours of luminous glow. These blankets for kids with cozy & tender tactile texture bring your kids the most comfort satisfaction.
Libbi Kids Nails
$12; Liberation-nails.com
A new vegan, non-toxic nail polish line kids will rave about. It’s lovingly made in the United States, and safely formulated just for kids. The long-wearing Leaping Bunny-certified collection is 21-free—no toxic ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, carcinogens, and mutagens that are found in too many of todays’ brands. This game-changing nail polish includes four vibrant nail polish colors.
Custom Sprkl Phone Case
$70; TheSprklShop.com
Fully customize your very own phone case. All are handmade with love from Brooklyn to make your day sparkle and feel brighter. Rainbows, smiley faces, sparkles, and glitter round out the offerings. Add a little flair to your everyday items. From pet tags to phone cases, you can’t help but smile when seeing this collection.
Barbie: Be Good To Yourself At-Home Facial Masks
$9.99; Amazon.com
The collection, designed to inspire and empower, plays on pink, a Barbie signature hue. Pink Neon Toning Peel Off Mask is a cleansing refreshing formula with aloe vera, clay and grapefruit peel oil. Pink Chocolate Purifying Clay Mask is as nourishing and delicious as it sounds with cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, cocoa powder and juniper fruit extract, and makes for a super-sweet at-home spa day. Pink Rose Clay Cleansing Mask is a skin softening and refining blend of shea butter, marula oil and pink clay. All the masks are vegan. The masks are packaged in convenient single-serve foil sachets emblazoned with slogans like “You’ve Got This,” “Radiate Friendship” and “Strong Girls Make Waves.”
The Comfy Dream Jr.
$34.99; TheComfy.com
From game nights to lounging around with family, The Comfy is the perfect addition to your child’s wardrobe. The Comfy is here to support you during cool summer nights. With various prints and colors, your kiddos will never want to take it off.
Gaming Mouse Pad
$22.95; EverlastingComfort.net
Create ample space for your keyboard and mouse. Made with memory foam wrist support for added comfort during intense games with a USB-powered, light-up mouse pad with a brightness adjustment. It is waterproof and the breathable micro-texture cloth is easy to clean. Complete with a non-slip rubber bottom that stays put, even during hard mouse and keyboard use in those intensive plays on gaming platforms.
Puttisu Lip Glosses & Lip Crayons
Lip Gloss: $18 & Lip Crayon: $16; Puttisu-usa.com
Moisturize lips with high-gloss, longer-lasting vibrant colors, such as fruity-scented Pink Bubblegum and Red Ruby. Hypoallergenic and moisturizing Butter Lip Crayons with easy-to-use dial sticks, perfect for little hands, in Coco Cherry and Pink Lemonade.
Bleuet Bras
$20–$24; BleuetGirl.com
(Bluu-ay) is a tween and young girl-focused bra brand. Their buttery soft and size-inclusive bras are created sustainably and ethically. All of their scraps get turned into scrunchies, and they only work with manufacturers who offer fair and sustainable wages, reasonable hours and a safe working environment. In addition, all lightly worn and inspected returns in good condition get donated to foster girls lacking bras.
TOSY Flying Disk
$96; FlyingDuo.tosy.com
360-LED powered boomerang and flying disc. Rechargeable, water-resistant and will automatically flash after 10 seconds if the disk is not thrown.
Jot Kids
$29.99; Amazon.com
JOT is a reusable writing tablet that’s perfect for quick lists, reminders, family game nights. Write with the included stylus, a pen cap, pencil or even your fingernail. Push the button on top of the LCD writing tablet to activate Boogie Board’s unique Quick Clear technology and watch the board instantly clear itself. No need for special erasers or paper towels. The bright, durable display and integrated kickstand feature and magnets make this a great writing tablet for all your home organizing needs.
Casio Graphing Calculator FX-9750Glll
$59.99; Casio.com
Casio’s new fx-9750GIII boasts several new exam-friendly capabilities permitted for use on all standardized tests. The fx-9750GIII leverages a new natural display feature, which allows for 2D-templates for fractions, roots and other functions to appear on the screen as they are written in the textbook. Users can create, save, edit and run Python files, as well as import and export these files with streamlined computer connectivity.
Unicorn Lap Desk
$34.99; GoodBanana.com
These kid-first creation stations makes it comfortable to work or play wherever your child's adventures take them. Sized for kids and made with sensory-friendly materials they'll love, each lap desk is an ergonomic upgrade wrapped with a cloud-like touch.
All-in-One Table Tennis Set
$39.95; ProSpin.net
Play anytime, on any table. Complete with a retractable net, 2 high-performance table tennis paddles and three white balls.
Published: April 2024
Family Travel Products
Family Travel Products! Whether you are traveling by plane, train or car, these travel products are sure to make any family trip more enjoyable.
Steamfast Nomad
$29.99; Steamfast.com
Nomad is the slimmest garment steamer you can buy - packing 800 Watts of steam power into a compact shape that fits easily into your luggage. A 7.5-foot power cord, an on-demand steam button, an automatic shutoff, and a removable water tank all combine to make Nomad the perfect travel companion. With a 30 second heat up time and 10 minutes of steam time, you will be ready to hit the town, wrinkle-free in no time.
Explorer Luggage Tag
$12; LazarusArtisanGoods.com
The ideal stocking stuffer for the avid traveler in your life. Crafted to perfection, this timeless luggage tag accommodates a standard business card, ensuring your essential travel information is readily accessible. The sturdy strap with a reliable metal buckle closure guarantees that everything stays securely attached to their beloved luggage throughout their journeys.
BoosterPal
$59; https://humble-bee.com
The BoosterPal might have the whimsical design for kids but the careful and intentional safety features means parents love it too. Two cute characters (a Unicorn and a Dragon) to fit your child’s personality with interactive horn squeeze and wing flaps for maximum entertainment. Enhanced safety design includes ISOFIX latches that hook seat onto the seat below to keep it firmly in place. Convenient release buttons for parents to move car seats between vehicles. Ultra comfy construction so your kids are happy for the whole ride.
Bagito Bamboo Cutlery Set
$15; Bagito.co
A premium reusable cutlery set made from 100% natural and non-coated bamboo. Super smooth and full sized, the set includes: fork, spoon, knife and chopsticks in a durable rPet fabric pouch with velcro closure, and carabiner. The pouch is breathable to help inhibit bacteria.
Clear Packing Cubes Starter Set
$54; EZPacking.com
Perfect for travelers of all ages. They're super structured, totally transparent, and come in fun colors, which can be helpful for color coding if you're packing several family members' items into one checked bag.
Waterproof Electronics Accessories Organizer Bag
$8.99; https://us.patpat.com/product/Waterproof-Electronics-Accessories-Organizer-Bag-408637.html
Keep your cords, chargers, and devices neatly stored and ready for vacation with the help of this PatPat home organizer.
Travel Laundry Bag
$10; EZPacking.com
Reign in the sock orphans and underwear escapees. Separate the clean from the dirty in this travel-sized, foldable laundry bag. Its bright hue makes it easy to spot even in the messiest suitcases.
Go Happy Kids Travel Tray
$37.50; gohappykids.com
Gives kids a clean, contained space to play, create and eat while in the air. The Travel Tray is a 15x11 surface with a raised border and grippy, silicone liner to keep things like crayons from rolling off while offering plenty of space for a cup, toys, coloring books, electronics and more. The ABS plastic surface also functions as a dry erase whiteboard. Easily wipes off for a germ-free surface and comes with a drawstring bag for storing. It weighs only one pound and easily slides into backpacks or carry-ons. The optional adjustable strap helps the tray stay put on plane & train tray tables.
TSA Fingerprint Padlock
$49.99; BenjiLock.com
Stores up to 5 fingerprints for multiple users. Unlocks with your fingerprint or pin code. Fully rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. TSA-accepted Travel Sentry Approved padlock.
TWIST+ World Charging Station
$44.95; TheGrommet.com
Designed to use with Apple MagSafe 1 & 2 adapter, 12W USB Adapter, Apple Portable Power Adapters, World Travel Adapter Kit, Battery Charger, and Airport Express. Charge up to four devices simultaneously. Worldwide compatibility in over 150 countries. Light and compact to be the ultimate travel companion.
Updated: November 2023
Family Road Trip Fun! If you’re traveling by car on your next family vacation, keep the kids entertained between sights and rest stops with these travel games.
Slam Words
$14.95; FoxMind.com
Shake the cup, slam it shut to reveal three letters. Quickly find a word that uses the three letters and pass the cup to the next player who must find a new word, or they are out.
Sketch Pals Doodle Board – Clark the Shark
$19.99 MyBoogieBoard.com
Perfect for clipping on backpacks, lunch boxes or carry-on luggage, and with the push of Clark’s nose, the doodle board instantly clears itself.
Town Maze Magnetic Game
$22.99; www.habausa.com
The colorful balls are trying to find their way home to their matching garage. Help them navigate through the city by dodging roadways that are blocked. Slide the magnetic wand over the plastic cover to guide the spheres along the intersecting tracks. This toy is the perfect travel toy. Bring along in the car, to the doctor's or to a restaurant.
Kanoodle Fusion
$21.99; 7+
EducationalResources.com
Kanoodle takes a colorful twist with this brain-bending, color-mixing puzzle of logic and reasoning!
Spin Flip Puzzle
$14.99; 8+
https://tcgtoys.com
A 360 degree handheld puzzle with 14 concentric rings that spin, flip, twist and slide. Perfect for those who love brain teasers, this double sided puzzle features 6 designs.
echoes: The Microchip (by Ravensburger)
$9.99; 8+
Amazon.com
Use sound clues to unravel the mystery of a ruined futuristic civilization in echoes: The Microchip, the latest story in the echoes audio mystery game series. Previous titles include echoes: The Dancer and echoes: The Cocktail.
Ubongo The Brain Game To Go
$14.95; ThamesandKosmos.com
In this fast-paced, addictive, and easy-to-learn puzzle game, your goal is to fit a set of interlocking tiles perfectly into a specific area. This compact version features 15 colorful plastic tiles, 20 puzzle cards with over 200 puzzles, and a plastic game board that doubles as a durable travel case. Slide in a puzzle card and give your brain a workout. The puzzles get progressively more challenging as you go.
100 Animals Book
$19.99; LeapFrog.com
Six double-sided, interactive pages feature animals from 12 habitats and environments. Three modes teach about animal names, animal sounds and fun facts on each page. Switch the language setting to hear about the animals and listen to songs in either English or Spanish. Fun facts about animals promote early science awareness, making this book a must-have addition to every little learner's library.
Tanoshi Scholar-Kids’ Laptop
$299.99; https://tanoshikidscomputers.com
Features a detachable ergonomic keyboard, pre-loaded apps for distance learning such as Google Docs & Sheets, learn to code apps and the ability to use with or without Internet access.
Plus-Plus Travel Case
$22.99; www.plusplususa.com
Take your Plus-Plus wherever you like to play. Durable, lightweight and ready for action, the travel case includes a white baseplate and 100 mixed color pieces. Start to play right away, or add your own Plus-Plus to make a custom travel mix.
Cocomelon Learning Book
$19.99; Amazon.com
This fun, interactive book has over 50 learning phrases and features three modes of play: music, numbers, and animal sounds. Toddlers, preschoolers, and parents can sing along to “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” while looking at images of JJ with various farm animals. Press any of three colorful buttons to hear numbers, music, or animal sounds. With big buttons, music, and fun sounds, this engaging toy will entertain little ones while teaching valuable core skills, including learning to count, animal sounds, and music.
Honey Hive Thinking Putty
$12; CrazyAarons.com
You’ll “bee” mesmerized by the energetic amber and glistening gold hues of Honey Hive Thinking Putty. The honeycomb sparkles and buzzing bees will make you want to be the beekeeper of this putty. Pull and stretch to see the bees rise in and out of the surface.
Go PoP! Colorio
$14.95; Amazon.com
Go PoP! Colorio is a captivating, soothing, tactile toy and smart bubble popping game. Designed to stimulate your child's senses and develop logic and reasoning skills. Endless creative ways to play.
Big Bubble Pull ‘N Pops
$5.99–$6.99; BlueOrangeGames.com
Pull ’N Pops are the newest fidgeting craze! The Big Bubble Pull ‘N Pops each feature a bubble you pop on one side, and pluck on the other side by pulling the thingy until you hear the POP! These sensory keychain toys are for fidgeters of all ages and are so satisfying, you won’t want to stop the popping! Collect all 5 cute designs: Car, Heart, Narwhal, Cat, Cupcake and attach them to your keys or bags to take them anywhere.
Published: November 2022
Summer is the season of fun, especially for kids!
We’ve compiled the hottest parent-approved and kid-tested toys of the summer! These toys are sure to provide hours of enjoyment and entertainment for your kids..
Click the link here to view the Summer Toys pdf file
File is large. It may take a moment to appear.
Updated: July 2023
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Best New Baby and Toddler Toys
Parents! Check out these cool new toys that every baby or toddler will love.
Match & Learn Cookies:
$24.99; 2+
Amazon.com
Little pastry chefs can pretend to make and bake 26 yummy-looking letter cookies. Press each colorful cookie into the tray to hear letter names, letter sounds, colors and flavors. Listen closely to hear which cookie to bake based on the name of the letter, the sound it makes, the frosting color or its flavor. Find the letter A with red frosting. It’s an apple cookie. Match the correct cookie to the letter-shaped cookie tray cutouts to bake the perfect batch. Celebrate success by pressing the light-up oven button and sing along to a baking song.
Slide-to-Read ABC Flash Cards
$17.99; 3+
LeapFrog.com
Preschoolers can touch the card to explore a letter sound, words that begin with that letter and a silly animal sentence. Slide your finger across the sentences from left to right, fast or slow, to follow along while hearing it read aloud. Hunt for the pictures or words on the card that the tablet asks for and touch the words and pictures to find them. Add music to the mix and touch the A-Z flash cards to add a variety of sound effects to five different melodies. Sing along to two letter songs by pressing the light-up star button. Slide the cards in the back to securely store them, then grab the handle to take it on the go.
Storytime With Sunny
$59.99; 3+
VTechKids.com
Sunny invites participation in 300+ activities with four disks and more than five hours of fairy tales, classic songs, guessing games, a poem creator, silly jokes, tongue twisters, daily routines and much more. Her animated face and movements add emotion and expression to jokes, stories and songs, inviting kids to respond as she asks them what they think. Sunny teaches healthy habits, encouraging good manners, brushing teeth and mindfulness exercises.
Rainbow Learning Lights Mixer
$29.99; 2+
LeapFrog.com
Create your own recipes or follow the instructions on the two double-sided recipe cards. Add counting and colors to the mix. Press the chef’s hat to listen to the mixer’s instructions. Use the red spoon to add flour or add two pieces of butter to the mixing bowl. Little bakers can make more than 40 pretend recipes for cookies, cupcakes, pies and more.
DC Comics The Batman Jack in The Box
$27.50; 6 months+
Kidspreferred.com
A classic, retro toy that has amused babies for decades. An interactive toy for infants with familiar music and a pop-up friend will bring a smile to the baby and parents. This Jack in the Box by Kids Preferred, is surprising, not scary, & plays "Pop Goes the Weasel". This classic toy features The Batman in his signature Bat Suit and is sure to become a permanent part of any child's collection.
Tranquil Turtle
$54.99; All ages
Target.com
A calming night light that projects ocean waves onto the ceiling and plays soothing sounds. Its soft glow and plush material make it a comforting companion for babies and young children at bedtime. The adjustable light and volume allow parents to customize the setting to suit their child. The auto shut-off timer helps create a consistent bedtime routine.
Duplo LEGO Dream Playground
$49.99; 2+
Lego.com
Inspires endless imaginative role play and encourages physical and mental development. Kids climb the rocket, spin on the whale tail merry-go-round then whoosh down the toy slide to play on the swing or get a friend to join them on the seesaw. While exploring all the modern play equipment, preschoolers will learn letters and numbers, hone their motor skills and develop self-expression with this STEM toy.
Bricklettes
$54.99; Bricklettes.com
Each block is a large size, stackable up to 2 feet tall with no deceptively small blocks included. Lightweight and safe for noise-free tumbling, each block can hold up to 150 lbs., featuring a matte, non-slip texture. The neutral colors and realistic patterns reduce overstimulation, and the original white brick pattern is perfectly gender-neutral for the whole family.
My Baking Oven with Magic Cookies
$49.99; 4+
Hape.com
Little bakers can delight with this adorable bakery set, complete with color-changing cookies. The beautifully painted confection set is a great way to introduce little ones to cooking and baking, and comes with one large baking oven, one tray and six deliciously decorated cookies. Simply arrange the cookies on the cookie tray, pop into the oven and watch as the magic purple “baking” light turns the cookies to a richer dark color! Once the timer goes off, the cookies are ready to serve up to the hungriest of guests. The light comes on when the door is opened and timer starts when the door is closed with a “ding” when done.
Hatchimals Alive Hatch-Nursery Playset
$34.99; 3+
Amazon.com
With four water hatch eggs, four accessories and built-in playset you can hatch, play and display them all. Activate the multi hatch by adding water to the cloud, pour it down the rainbow and watch your new Hatchimals magically hatch in the cloud pool. Once you hatch them all, feed them a snack in the kitchen, enjoy playtime upstairs and then put them to sleep in their crib complete with soft blanket.
VTech Bluey Bluey's Keytar
$24.99, 3+
VTechKids.com
Use your imagination to make music using the keyboard or play along with 10 built-in melodies including the Bluey theme song. Make more than piano sounds, too. Transform the keyboard notes to sound like a guitar, Chattermax, Bluey's sister Bingo and more by choosing from 10 instruments and sound effects. You can also hear from Bluey by pressing the button with her picture on it.
Explore the Outdoors! Travel Camper
$59.99; 3+
www.Lakeshorelearning.com
This smooth-rolling travel camper provides a fun-filled journey inside & out! Simply open the roof to explore the exciting spaces inside—from a built-in dinette and kitchen to a comfy overhead bunk & restroom. Then flip down the awning, “fire up” the foldout grill & arrange the chairs around the firepit. It’s the perfect way to keep playtime on a roll.
Toothpick Sleigh
$25; 1+
GUND.com
Toothpick is ready to get in the festive spirit. This 15” bear sports a colorful green, white and red sweater embroidered with smiling snowmen and snowflakes. His slender body, playfully floppy limbs and sweet expression make him perfect to take and cuddle wherever you go.
Magna Tiles Downhill Duo
$69.99, 3+
Target.com
The first fully magnetic racing adventure that’s designed for little hands and big imaginations. Looking for a new way to inspire their creativity, build their motor skills, and support their STEAM learning? Buckle up and imagine the possibilities with new Ramps, Roads, Dashers and Figures.
Disney Junior Minnie Mouse Pet Vet Backpack
$29.99; 3+
Amazon.com
Minnie Mouse fans will love taking care of plush pup Cream Puff with this 8-piece set featuring an 11-inch interactive Cream Puff stuffed animal and a glittery fashion backpack full of pretend play veterinarian tools. Press Cream Puff’s paw to activate lights, puppy sounds, and Minnie Mouse phrases. Her nose lights up when she needs help to feel better.
Tree House Play World
$54.99; 2+
BababooAndFriends.com
https://us.bababooandfriends.com/collections/all-toys/products/spielwelt-baumhaus-adventures-with-bababoo-and-friends
Encourages sensory development, touch, problem solving, fine motor skills, and more. Plus, the innovative PlayTales concept ignites storytelling with fun activities, providing additional learning values such as imaginative play, verbal communication, and socialization between kids and caretakers.
Paw Patrol Aqua Pups Marshall Transforming Dolphin Vehicle
$17.99; 3+
Amazon.com
Suited in his red aqua pups wetsuit and helmet, Marshall is ready for supercharged rescues in the pretend sea. Simply place Marshall in the vehicle cockpit and slide the canopy shut, to engage the wings and dorsal fin, transforming his vehicle into rescue mode. When there’s trouble, load the projectile into the launcher and press the button to launch.
Alphabet Cones
$29.99; 3+
LakeshoreLearning.com
Select a scoop featuring a lowercase letter, then easily snap it onto the cone with the corresponding uppercase letter. It’s a super-sweet way for kids to master letter recognition, matching and sequencing…build fine motor skills…and more.
Sesame Street Elmo’s Learning Letters
$24.99; 2+
Target.com
Press the Elmo button to play Sesame Street phrases that teach kids the alphabet and plays the “Alphabet Song.” Discover 26 removable letters that reveal Sesame Street friends, and then use the letters to practice spelling words while developing fine motor skills. When playtime is over, store the letters back in the bus.
Whale Wilma Babablock
$38.49; 1+
BababooAndFriends.com
https://us.bababooandfriends.com/collections/our-toys/products/babablocks-holzbausteine-wal-wilma
Contains numerous geometric shapes so children can build a wide variety of creative structures. One block has grooved edges which make it more challenging for children to assemble the building blocks. The 26 blocks and a little whale figure add a lively character to the building set. The various shapes, colors and design possibilities stimulate creativity, spark the imagination, and develop motor skills and coordination.
1.2.3 AQUA Water Seesaw with Boat
$24.99; 18 months+
Playobil.us
PLAYMOBIL webshop and Amazon
After an exciting ride on the boat, float over to the island and attach the boat using the mooring ring. Use the boat as a cup and pour water onto the seesaw's red dot, weighing down that side and sending the figure sliding down. The island has a hangout spot where friends can stand while waiting for their turn on the slide.
Cocomelon Learning JJ Doll
$25.99; 18 months+
Amazon.com Amazon
This interactive doll allows children to engage in their own early learning adventures with JJ. Featuring four interactive buttons and over 50 different learning phrases and songs, children will love playing with JJ as he teaches them their ABC’s, 123’s, and colors. Great for developing fine motor skills, encouraging reading and talking, cognitive learning, social emotional skills and creativity through imaginative play.
Explore & More 4-In-1 Grow Along Activity Walker Baby Toy
$60; 6 months+
SkipHop.com. https://www.skiphop.com/skiphop-playtime-and-toys-view-all/V_9J057510.html
Packed with 40-plus play features, songs, sounds, lights and more, this convertible activity walker helps little ones learn and grow with four engaging ways to play: seated, cruising, shopping cart and stroller. Great for encouraging balance, fine motor skills, pretend play and more, it’s a grow-with-baby must-have that delivers tons of learning and fun for years to come.
Silver Lining Cloud Play & Fold Jumper
$140; 4 months+
SkipHop.com. Website: https://www.skiphop.com/skiphop-playtime-and-toys-view-all/V_9M814110.html
Filled with 20-plus developmental activities plus a 360-degree rotating seat so baby can sit, swivel and bounce for maximum exploration. A peekaboo sun rewards baby with colorful lights & fun music, while the clip-on, movable toys encourage development and allow for customized play. When playtime is finished, the baby jumper is easy to fold flat for storage and travel.
Mobo Wobo is a 2 in 1 Rocking Baby Balance Bike
$99.99; 1–3 years
MoboCruisers.com
https://www.mobocruisers.com/products/mobo-wobo-2-in-1-rocking-baby-balance-bike
Helps children reach their 3 milestones: rock, walk, and ride. The rocking teaches your child coordination between hands, arms, legs, and feet. Your child will build strength, balance and confidence. With its innovative base, it can quickly convert back and forth between a rocking toy and riding toy.
Wishbone Cruise Trike 3-in-1
$309.99; 1-4 years
WEB. link to the product listing.
Start with three wheels then convert to a balance bike when you're ready. This is the easy way to learn to ride a bike, no pedals, no stress. Wishbone Cruise is a simply gorgeous balance bike mash-up made from post-consumer recycled plastic and plantation birch.
Squishy Lights Learning Tablet
$16.99; 3 months+
VTechKids.com. Available now at Amazon
This lil' tablet toy teaches first words for animals, colors and shapes along with music and songs. Baby will love the soft, squishable keys that invite little ones to keep pressing to see what happens next, strengthening their little hands while they play. Four piano keys introduce friendly zoo animals and sing-along songs that will keep baby exploring.
Fruit Colors Learning Smoothie
$10.99; 6 months+
VtechKids.com. Amazon,
Learning is delicious with this cute, colorful cup. Swivel the straw to choose from five fruit flavors, and the cup will change color to match—this smoothie is bananas. The straw is also a teething toy for kids to nibble as they listen to fruit-themed sing-along songs and music in reggae, pop, punk rock and country styles. Shake up the toy smoothie cup to hear the bubble beads bounce.
Kiddie Cat Cassette Player
$10.99; 9 – 36 months
VTechKids.com. Amazon,
Bop to the music along with this head-bobbin' kitty to jazz, country and rock-n-roll style melodies and the Alphabet Song. This take-along music toy may remind you of a small, iconic portable tape deck, but this lil' player doesn't need cassettes to play music. The wheels do spin, which babies and toddlers will love to watch. As they press the
Little Tikes Adventure Rocket
$179.99; 3+
LittleTikes.com
So many kids dream of becoming an astronaut, space explorer, astronomer, or rocket scientist when they grow up and now, they don’t have to wait. Children can travel through space, the stars and the planets with this realistic role play rocket ship. There are tons of activities that make exploring the universe fun. Kids can pilot the starship, look through the telescope, fix wires on the exterior maintenance panel or crawl through the escape hatch. And the swivel chair and star viewer screen make it feel like you’re flying through the galaxy, so make a wish and let your dreams soar. With realistic lights & sounds, a control center with a game activity and all the other features, there is so much to do and explore.
Bluey’s Tree Playset
$29.99; 3+
Walmart.com
Kids can climb into Bluey’s world with this imagination-inspiring tree playset that stands an impressive 11 inches tall. The irresistible rope ladder invites Bluey and her friends to climb up the treehouse then slide back down from the other side. At the base of the tree is a seating area, a swing that fits Bluey and other character figures from the popular series, as well as a hammock to relax. Look carefully and find a secret door that opens the top of the tree to reveal a secret fairy hideaway. The playset includes two exclusive figures for fantastical treehouse fun: Flower crown Bluey from the “Rug Island” episode and a whimsical fairy – in a special transparent material that’s based on the “Fairies” episode – plus a table and two chairs for even more creative play.
Updated: December 2023