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These toys will actually be better to play with than the boxes they come in.

This comes with everything you need to get started on your masterpiece — the paint and spin machine, a splatter guard, eight large cards, eight small cards, four round cards, five bottles of paint, four white crayons, and instructions. 

Promising reviews: "Easy to clean. So far, it's durable. I just recently got this for my granddaughter. Fun for kids and fun for adults, too. Definitely recommend. ✌️" —S.a.m

"This was a birthday present for my 48-year-old son; he and his kids had so much fun with it. They made so many memories together. And laughed while playing with it!!" —Gwen

Promising reviews: "This is the perfect size toy that will grow with your kid. My son (7 months) loves to play with the shapes and shake the box to make noise. We are still learning how to properly use it, but he finds it so fun!" —Logan Magnusson

"I gave this toy to my daughter for her first birthday. It didn't take her long to figure out how to take things in and out. It challenges her mind, it's almost a puzzle to her, and figuring out how things work is already a favorite activity. She absolutely loves this toy! Now, you never know what you'll find inside... That missing binkie? Her favorite teether? An unopened applesauce pouch? The TV remote? Yupp, you'll find it in this cube! We've only been playing with this toy for a couple of weeks now, but it seems quite durable. The bright elastic bands have the perfect amount of stretch. The colored shapes are bright and interesting. They're made of hard plastic with different textures and almost a matte finish. I will probably buy this as a gift for other kids in the future. 10/10 definitely recommend!" —Frankie Garrett

Promising reviews: "These tiles provide endless fun while encouraging creativity. We love using them to build tracks for Hot Wheels and my son builds amazing structures he can use to play with his action figures. 10/10 recommend these tiles for their excellent quality and price!" —Cara

"I wish I had known about these sooner! PicassoTiles are *exactly* like Magna-tiles but way more affordable. We just received the 100 tile set today — an early birthday gift for our soon-to-be-four-year-old. We have two sets of Magna-tiles — one with the grommets (purchased new last year) and one without (purchased second hand, no idea how old they are). The PicassoTiles are the same weight and size as the MagnaTiles and have the same exact magnets. They do not have metal grommets, but the old MagnaTiles are indestructible, so I know that these will be too. And PicassoTiles are much prettier in my opinion, because they are slightly more translucent and have brighter colors. They integrate into the collection seamlessly. I highly recommend this product. And if you are considering buying any kind of magnetic tile toy for your child, I recommend purchasing as large a set as you can for greater play versatility. Our son has played with these all day and night, off and on, every single day since we bought them last year. After integrating the new PicassoTile set, he hugged his enormous structure and declared it his favorite...twice. A wonderful toy!" —skater mom

Promising reviews: "Bought for grandsons 2 and 6. They have so much fun playing with this. Easy to clean and great quality. Even though it has been dropped several times, it is still working perfectly. Never saw this as a game, but quickly gets their attention every time we play. Great winter or rainy day game." —DONNA S Duggins

"This game is HILARIOUS. My kids love playing with it and taking turns hiding it. (8, 6, and 3 years). They all think poop is funny and run around yelling, 'Silly Poopy, where are you?' It keeps them busy for at least half an hour at a time, and they leave me alone. Also? It's pretty durable. I found it outside in my garden in the 20-degree winter weather. I guess my 8-year-old left it out there for a few days. It also gets thrown down the stairs, and Silly Poopy just keeps on giggling and having fun." —Adele

Promising reviews: "Daughter loves this toy! She had a blast taking pictures with it. Just make sure you have extra batteries on hand. Battery life is not the best." —Candace

"First off, this is the cutest and coolest thing ever! Remember, it’s for 6+. If you’re over 20 and find flaws, I think we know how fun you are. It’s adorable! I’ve taken sooo many pictures and taken such good care of it, she's so happy! I’m excited to have this by my side ’til the end of time! 🌈✨ There are other Tamagotchis out there, but none have a camera, which makes the Pix the coolest. 😇💖" —Gabii Webber

Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in three colors and three versions).

It comes with six design templates, including a boat and a unicorn, but your kiddo can obviously use their imagination to create designs of their own! And don't worry, the LED bulbs are designed not to get hot.

Promising reviews: " Oh my gosh, he loves it! It’s durable and the same size as the originals, so it’s small and easy to pack and take with you. He has so much fun with this; it keeps him busy for at least an hour. Easy to use." —toastedpeanut

"Y’all, talk about a throwback gift! I got this for my daughter for Christmas — and within the first day, she and I both played with it for hours! To say it’s her favorite might be an understatement. And it totally takes you back to your childhood. Get it, you won’t regret it!" —Danielle Lavender

This comes with everything you need to create the perfect slime — containers, stirring sticks, jelly cubes, a manual, clay, fishbowl beads, foam balls, inks, glitter, a tool knife set, pearl beads, slime activator, glue, scents, and snow powder. 

Promising reviews: "The Original Stationery Unicorn Slime Kit is a dream come true for kids who love crafting and creativity, designed specifically to enchant girls aged 10-12 with the magic of making their own unicorn-themed slime. This comprehensive kit includes everything needed to create a variety of slimes, from glittery to glow-in-the-dark, ensuring hours of fun and imaginative play. Safe and easy to use, it's an ideal gift for encouraging scientific experimentation and artistic expression in a whimsical and engaging way." —Angela

"This is the best slime kit I’ve come across. I saw it last minute before my daughter’s birthday (11) and thought I’d get it as an add-on to her presents. It turned out to be her favorite gift! Her brother (8) joined in and made slime with her, and she still has enough to make more of all types." —Elizabeth

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "These are fun for kids of all ages. My grandbabies love them because they can hold them in their baby hands. They are brightly colored and flexible. Unlikely to hurt anything. Older kids like them for the noise they make when they are stretched or closing. They create long chains (they attach to each other) and wild, twisty things. All in all, a good toy for this grandma to have in her house." —Katy

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in two sizes and two pack quantities). 

Best for ages 7 and up. It can be played solo or with another person! And if you're looking for similar puzzles of different challenge levels, check out all of the Kanoodle games. 

Promising reviews: "My 10-year-old has several of these Kanoodle sets. This set is a bit different than the original sets. She thought it was fun and did many of these on her own. Good for a child who likes to be challenged!" —JHM

"Oh my gosh!! We bought one for each of the 12 grandkids. They have different games with different levels, all self-contained in their sturdy travel case!! Great, great gift…and they don’t need to 'plug in' to have fun!! Kids from 3–16…Every single one LOVED Kanoodles!!" —Jane M

The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator!

Promising review: "Fantastic product!! My 8-year-old son played outside with them for two solid hours...unplugged...happy as can be! I definitely recommend and will buy again!." —Pxysis

Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in seven styles).

This set includes binoculars, a compass, a butterfly net, a magnifying glass, a backyard exploration critter case, a whistle, tweezers, bug containers, a hat, and a backpack.

Promising reviews: "Oh my goodness I never write reviews but felt compelled to do so after gifting these to my two grandsons, ages 8 and 4. This kept them busy for hours, and seeing them walk around in those little explorer hats was the cutest thing ever. Everything seemed well-made, and hopefully, they will have many more hours of fun with these great kits. Highly recommend!" —L. Lovegood

"The binoculars are of great quality, as well as the awesome flashlight that doesn’t require batteries. It has everything you need for your little explorer. Cute camo hat that fits great. An awesome bag to hold all the items. The magnifying glasses are of great quality. Love that it includes fake bugs to play with. My son loves the small bug container and the larger netted one. He also loves the bug net and the little gripper tool that holds bugs. This could have easily been priced way higher, so it’s a great find for the price!" —Beth 

Promising reviews: "I bought this product for my 3-year-old son, who absolutely loves it. He says they are fun to play with. You can actually see-through the lenses, just like in binoculars. They were reasonably priced, and they are a sturdy product we could get for Christmas for him, and they are a wonderful color!" —Amazon Customer

"These are absolutely the best for preschool-aged children. There is no need for adjustment. You just look into the binoculars and see a clear image. My son used these this past summer for getting a closer look at the hummingbirds at our feeder. We also took these with us on nature walks. He really enjoyed using them, and after a full summer's use, they are still in great shape. Anything that makes a child curious about nature and the environment gets an A+ in my book." —Rachael P.

Promising review: "My almost 5-year-old grandson requested this for his fifth birthday. He was so excited to receive it and couldn't wait to put it together. He spent two hours in his room (which is most unusual for this active child) putting the pieces together. He loves playing with the marble run, and it has entertained him for days. What perfect gift." —Patricia S. Wolbe

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four styles).

It has three speed options, which make it great for progression, as you can make it go faster as you become more skilled. It also has an altitude hold feature, so it'll stay hovering even if you aren't touching the controller, which is great, so it can't just fall out of the sky! 

Promising reviews: "Omg this toy was so much fun! My kids loved it so much. It moves very quickly and at ease. Very lightweight and easy to use. Colorful and fun. Good quality. 💯" —Ginger

"Great starter drone! Got this for my 8-year-old son for Christmas, and he has had so much fun with it! His dad has a drone, and our son always wanted to play with it, but it was extremely fragile, so he didn't get to use it, which is why I bought him his own. It comes with charging cords and an extra battery, so you can play longer than a few minutes, and honestly, by then my son's attention has gone elsewhere, so it's perfect for him. He LOVES the flip option on the controller, and it's easy to use. My husband also gets a kick out of it because this one has options that his does not. I would definitely purchase again!" —Kat

Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "This tablet has entertained my 4-year-old grandson for hours at a time. He loves that he can erase at will and that the drawings are multicolored. I highly recommend this item for 18 months old and up. I bought a pink one for our 18-month-old granddaughter, and she, too, is just enthralled with it and the 'power' she has to erase, create, erase, create! They loved them so much that we bought another set of two different colors so that they would have them at home as well as at 'Grammy's.'" —Kindle Customer Red Heart

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four sizes and six colors).

This comes with 50 sheets of paper, 50 wooden styluses, and four colorful stencils.

Promising review: "I can not give these enough stars! These are the best things ever, they keep my 5-year-old entertained for hours!" —turbo1795

Get a 100-piece set from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in three colors).

I'm gonna go ahead and recommend wearing helmets, too!

Promising reviews: "So so fun! Bought this for my kids and nephews, and it kept them entertained for hours. The kids ranged in age from 3 to 5, and, being all boys, it was a great way to let off steam while staying protected. Such a fun time!" —Christine B

"Absolutely hilarious to watch! I got these for my kids (7 and 8) because I thought it would be a perfect way to blow off steam and get some energy out...It was great! They ran at each other pretty hard, but it didn't pop, and no one got hurt! If your kids do a lot of bickering as mine do...Get these! 😅" —Sky

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $22.99.

Promising reviews: "I ordered these on a whim to include in my son's Easter basket (he is almost 12 and it is tough to find many 'toys' that don't seem too young for him). After reading the product info, I decided to go for it. I had no idea that they would be such a hit with him, his friends, and our entire family. They are really a lot of fun! Of note, though, they are not necessarily meant for much, if any, breeze. They are super light-weight, which is what I like about them, but if you are buying for the beach, make sure they are used on a day with no breeze!" —Bibb McCurdy

"I got these to help my grandson burn off some energy, and we have such a great time with them! They're easy to use and glide so beautifully through the air. We have fun trying different ways to throw and catch them." —phausner

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $14.99.

It can hold up to 250 pounds and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use (though reviewers note that if you use it outside, try to avoid concrete). Flybar is a small business that creates fun toys and activities for kids.

Promising reviews: "My kids are having so much fun with these! They count out loud to see who can do more bounces. They each have their own, so they often use them simultaneously. The toy squeaks as they jump, adding some comic relief for them and us." —Angie Doody

"Our 4-year-old loves this toy! It's really fun for her and great for developing balance and large motor skills. The fact that it burns off some of her boundless energy is an extra plus. There's a built-in squeaker (which kids enjoy and adults learn to block out). Nice that it's an indoor/outdoor toy! Definitely a good value for the money." —L J Wessling

Get it from Amazon for $11.49+ (available in 12 colors).

If you are unfamiliar, Shrinky Dink paper lets you color designs on it that you can then cut out and bake to shrink them down, giving them a stained glass effect that makes them great for keychains, suncatchers, and little trinkets. You'll need some colorful permanent markers to draw up your works of art.

Promising review: "Fun for ALL ages! Recently remembered how fun these were. I have a smaller daughter, so it gave me an excuse to buy these. They're secretly for me — half kidding. These are so simple to use and create great crafts. These will keep your little one's imagination going, occupied, and help practice fine motor skills. I would definitely recommend to ANYONE, not just little humans." —Alex Soper

Get a 25-sheet set from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two quantities). 

The set includes four rechargeable guns, four rechargeable vests, and one charging station. You can play approximately eight games per charge. The cool LCD screens on the vest keep count of how many lives you have, and the vest vibrates when you get shot, aka tagged. Play with up to four teams and eliminate your enemies to win the game. Recommended for ages 8+.

Promising review: "Let’s just say I’m officially the coolest mom in my kids' eyes! We played for hours and ran around the house, and they didn’t even realize they were exercising. They are so easy to set up that my son figured it out immediately. I love the charging station it comes with because there is no need to worry about batteries. no complaints here." —Julie Gutierrez

Promising reviews: "These reusable water balloons were a great buy! My 2-year-old and 4-year-old had so much fun with them! We filled them with water from a pan and then squeezed them out and threw them around! They were very easy to fill, and they closed with magnets with a very secure seal that does not leak at all." —Rivka Simon

"The adults in this house love water balloons but not the mess…plus with toddlers around, it didn’t quite make sense to have water balloons, but we saw a random video on TikTok and HAD to find reusable water balloons to try out. These were the first ones we bought to try out, and WHOA, we were blown away! Super easy for the 2- and 3-year-olds, too, which means more fun for all of us!! Do not think twice or continue with regular water balloons, you’ll waste precious time cleaning up and filling that could be used to make memories." —Taurus

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in six pack sizes). 

My daughter has had this for a few months, and whenever I pull it out for her to play with, it definitely holds her attention thanks to its variety of activities. She specifically loves pushing the button that opens a little mirror. Not gonna lie, this toy is pretty amusing for me, too, when she is off playing by herself, and I wanna give her a little independence. I like the one that spins with the little balls lol.

Promising review: "I cannot express how awesome this toy is and how much entertainment my 15-month-old gets out of it!! I had my eye on it for a while because the price point was in Christmas-present territory for me, but it's absolutely worth it. My son plays with this toy every time we drive somewhere, and it hasn't lost its novelty after about a month, which is a big deal for a toddler toy. He plays with the tiles, he throws the tiles around the car, and bangs on the board, it's just a lot of fun." —Roz Roth

Promising reviews: "I purchased these as silliness for stockings, fully expecting they would maybe get an hour of attention. It is now February: they're all over the house now, and someone is constantly moving them about and fidgeting with them." —SLR

"I bought these as an additional item to keep my kids busy on our long car ride this past summer. They were a hit with our 9-, 12-, and 16-year-olds. I'm not ashamed to admit my husband and I also both enjoyed tinkering with them. There are so many movable parts; they aren't terribly noisy when moved, which is good for quiet, enclosed spaces. For me, personally, I struggle with small noises, so these little fidgets were great." —Shelby B

Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in various colors and pack sizes).

Promising reviews: "I purchased these for my grandchildren, and they play with them for hours. They are 3- and 4-year-olds. We use them to make families or build towers. My grandson likes to knock them down, so it’s such fun, and then I have to pick him up, so it’s a lot of time spent playing with one item. Sometimes our attention spans are short, but this is a great toy for pretend play. Mild colors, and they do not mark up or anything. I love them." —Cheryl

"These are fun and sturdy, solid 'rocks' that are great for open-ended play. There are many sizes and lots of bright colors. If you are stacking them, you do need to be patient — they like to topple over, which can be frustrating for littles. Overall, a great toy!" —MomOfLulu

Pass out all the cards to the players and keep all the stacks face down. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle, while saying "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone races against each other to slap their hand on the central pile of cards. Whoever is last must take the pile of cards and add them to their stack, and the person who runs out of cards first wins! And it's made by a small biz!

Promising review: "The title says it all! You must buy this game if you’re looking to get your kids off their butts, computers, phones, or TV! My children sat for hours, five to be exact, just playing this and laughing. It was a lot of fun for my husband and me to hear them not fighting and doing something together. Loads of fun!! We even loved playing with them!! 🥰🤘" —Melinda Haiden

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in a "ridiculously large" version).

Note: These are designed for 18+ months and up! 

Promising review: "I have had these for a few years now, and my kids love them. They enjoyed them as babies and continue to learn new ways to play with them as they enter preschool. The kids have used this to learn fruits and vegetables, colors, sorting, counting, and now for more imaginative play as they play chef and make soups and meals. I am always impressed by the quality of toys produced by Learning Resources, and their products are worth every penny. These are a phenomenal gift that will receive years of play without any show of wear and tear." —kaBuku

Promising review: "Given to our 4-year-old during her birthday party. Our 8-year-old grandson put it together with a little help from grandpa. The 4-year-olds to 8-year-olds all had fun running and jumping. I even got asked to play the tossing rings! Fun was had by one and all." —Joann

Promising reviews: "I love this item! I have purchased four of these. One for each of my grandchildren and one for my home. I love playing with my grandchildren and this toy. Most importantly, my grandchildren love it." —Cynthia J. Vickery

"I love this product. First, it was so simple and easy to put together. Secondly, it is perfect for a rainy day. If your little one has loads of energy and needs to get it out, but the weather is gloomy outside, this sports center is perfect. Easily fits into any corner, doesn't take up a lot of space, and your little one will enjoy it." —Tisha M. Smith

Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in two colors).

This science kit includes 10 natural crystal-filled geodes, one pair of safety goggles, three display stands, and one learning guide.

Promising review: "My daughter is 10, and this kept her busy for HOURS! She had so much fun and was excited every time she got a glimpse of what might be inside. A couple of them were pretty cool, while the rest were just white. She didn't care, she loves them all. She was so proud to gift them to her grandparents." —Michelle

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).

Includes five Play-Doh colors. If you want additional color options, grab some here!

Promising reviews: "Play-Doh baking is the ultimate party gift keeps the kids entertained for hours and sparks creativity everywhere. Perfect for birthdays, playdates, or just a fun afternoon. Highly recommend if you want happy (and quiet!) kids! Good value." —Sassy in Suburbia

"This is a great Play-Doh set. Super adorable, LOVE how you can fill the pan with 'cake batter,' then lock it into the stove and use the lever to make the cake 'rise.' The kids are thrilled with it. A couple of things to note: Make sure the cake pan is locked into the oven by sliding its lower edge under the notches. After pulling the lever, put it back to its original position BEFORE trying to open the oven door. Don't force it, or it could break. Also, note that the set will need additional Play-Doh if you want to make any color of cake other than pink. It comes with enough pink Play-Doh to make a cake, but not enough of any other color to make one. That wasn't a problem for us, we have PLENTY of Play-Doh..." —Elise

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The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity. 

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Jessica Hall is a freelancer and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer, and is based in Cincinnati, OH where you can find her curating lists on ~a little bit of everything~ (and adding a few things to her own cart in the process).