16 must-have gifts to keep young kids engaged and entertained for hours
Tested and loved: These top parent-approved toys captivate kids of many ages and interests, sparking creativity and supporting growth for hours of play
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As parents of young twins, we're always most impressed by toys that not only encourage creativity and exploration in our kids, but that also keep them engaged for long stretches. (Even better if they don't break the bank.) Their playtime gives us parents some time to recharge while still feeling good about how our little ones are using their time. We've put together a list of some of their favorite toys that we've seen in action, most under $50.
These items were a hit from the moment our kiddos got their hands on them, and they're ones that they return to again and again. We recommend these unique gifts any time of year — whether it's Black Friday or you're just on the hunt for a unique gift for baby showers, birthdays or the holidays. Happy kids and hours of fun ahead!
Easy Playhouse - Cardboard House to Decorate and Personalize
This playhouse might look simple, but it was a lifesaver for us on a rainy day. When you open up the box, it just looks like a disassembled cardboard box. Set-up takes only a few minutes — just slide the right notches into the correct slots, and before you know it, you have a fully formed playhouse. One of the most fun parts is that the kids can decorate and personalize it however they want.
We had some crayons and markers on hand for the girls to really go to town. They spent the entire morning — 3 hours straight — coloring the outside, and letting their imaginations run free inside.
It's the perfect size for young kids, and with its dimensions at 34" x 27" x 48", a really flexible adult can fit inside too.
When finished, you can either collapse the house back down to a flat stack of cardboard, or leave it up for the kids to play whenever they want!
My First Science Kit - 100+ Experiments - Doctor Jupiter
Remember how excited we got as kids to see those fun science experiments on Bill Nye the Science Guy? This kit brings those experiments home, with more than 100 different activities to try. Each experiment is a fun and educational way for the kids to spend a few hours. And it's great to do these activities with them, sharing in the fun and talking about the science behind what's happening.
There are plenty of experiments included, so it's a kit you can keep coming back to. The girls have done a few themselves, and we've given this kit as a gift to at least one very excited four-year-old (and her just-as-excited actual-scientist dad). Teacher-tested, kid-approved. The kit comes with safety goggles, but you can make the science lab really come to life with a lab coat or microscope!
31-Key Electronic Piano/Keyboard with Stool and Working Microphone - Costway
As a longtime pianist, it's a given that our kids will learn the piano someday. These toy pianos are a great way to get that interest in music started from a young age. The keys play true to pitch and are small enough for tiny fingers, there are pre-programmed songs, lights to show you which keys to push, and a microphone that really works!
These are light enough for our three-year-olds to pick them up and move them from room to room, but sturdy enough to stand up to hours (and hours) of play. And you can choose from three colors — black, white, or pink!
Dimensions according to Target:
Keyboard: 14'' x 12'' x 21.5'' (L x W x H)
Stool: 9.5" x 10" x 8" (L x W x H)
Height from ground to keyboard surface: 14''
Scissor Skills and Tape Activity Book Set - Melissa & Doug
One day, our kids went to a local museum and came home with a roll of decorative masking tape. We gave them a pair of safety scissors and watched as they spent the rest of the afternoon cutting tape and sticking it on paper and surfaces in different and fun ways.
This activity book set brings all of that together, with scissors and tape included, along with fun activity pages and scenes for them to use. These are perfect to bust out any time you're stuck indoors or need a few minutes to get some things done. And it's from Melissa & Doug — a brand we love. We love supplementing this set with some sticker books, glue sticks and construction paper to give the kids even more options to explore!
MAGNA-TILES Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
These magnetic construction tiles have a cult following among parents who know and are so worth it. They teach the fundamentals of building and reinforce colors and shapes, and are a ton of fun.
Some nights, we’ve found ourselves playing with these tiles on our own even after the kids have gone to bed. This kit is endlessly expandable, with options like forest animals, arctic animals and grand prix, and variations like Micromags — smaller tiles for even more options. Kids will create countless designs and structures, again and again. We love seeing everything they come up with!
Target Toy Shopping Cart
Kids love to do whatever the grown-ups are doing. And we all know the excitement of a Target run! These mini Target shopping carts come with replica groceries. They are very cute and are one of our kids’ favorite toys.
They love pretending to shop for groceries, and lately they’ve been using the carts to haul all of their favorite toys around the house. These carts are a great addition to play kitchens at home or paired with a toy cash register for the ultimate shopping experience. They’re also perfect just on their own. Bring Target home by using boxes and shelves to create your very own dollar section, or let kids shop their closet like it’s the clothing department. Hours of fun with tons of play opportunities.
National Geographic Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab
Another sleeper hit that is easy to transport and can be used virtually anywhere. Perfect for engaging in sensory play, kids love pulling and molding the slime, creating shapes and exploring its changing dimensions.
This is a perfect toy to keep the little ones occupied on a busy weeknight when preparing dinner, and works just as well out at a restaurant to keep busy hands occupied. Keep a jar (or two) in your go bag and a few around the house for easily accessible play whenever it’s needed.
You Come from Love - Children's Book by Adam Motz
Our kids love books about as much as they love toys. We do story time together every single day. We love seeing them excited about reading, learning their letters and memorizing their favorite stories. We especially appreciate stories that teach important lessons, so we keep this one on the shelf next to Sulwe (makes me cry every time) and A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo (cute, funny and inclusive).
I wrote You Come from Love for our twins before they were born, to answer any questions they might have about where they come from. This is a universal story for any family from any background. It offers heartfelt answers about our origins with an important and timeless message — you come from love and love comes from you. Kids love the story and the vibrant, colorful illustrations.
This is a perfect gift for baby showers and those welcoming newborns, and it’s a beautiful book for any family built on love.
SEREED Balance Bike
Our kids have been obsessed with this balance bike from the time they were big enough to hop on. They started out with it when they were one-year-olds, but even as they’ve grown, they still love to find new ways to incorporate it in their play.
It was a great warm-up to their big-kid bikes, and taught them balance and coordination early on. Of course, we recommend using these with a helmet as the kids learn to pick up speed. And you can accessorize with horns or bells, and even decorate the frame and wheels with cool stickers. Their excitement as they get the hang of the bike is truly a joy to watch!
Skip Hop Sparks Backpack
One of the simplest and most versatile toys we’ve seen our kids use in all types of play is timeless — the backpack. From pretend school or shopping play to packing to being able to have all their favorite toys in one spot, backpacks give them more freedom and autonomy in their play. We love State Bags for their size options and durability in everyday use.
For a fun and less expensive option at home, these Skip Hop backpacks are great for us. They come in different sizes, too: Little Kid for those under 48" and Big Kid for 48" and up. There are plenty of fun designs to choose from for boys and girls. Kids love the exciting visuals and how much space they have to hold all their treasures. And for those little ones excited about starting school, these are a great warm-up!
Big Bubble Wands Set - JOYIN
A classic summer activity: BUBBLES. This is a go-to for us whenever the weather allows it, and it’s something the kids ask for all the time.
Quick and easy to set up, and safe to let the kids run wild with. We keep plenty of bubble solution on hand, and we love to play around, finding ways to make the biggest bubbles ever or chase the bubbles before they float away and pop.
We pair these with bubble guns and bubble lawn mowers. Sometimes, we even incorporate a bubble machine to really give the kids a bubble wonderland to dance around in (also great when hosting parties and events). This is one activity that never gets old!
Magic Tracks Mega Set - 2 LED Race Cars and 18 ft. Glow-in-the-dark Track - Ontel
These Magic Tracks really feel like magic! Kids love putting the tracks together and watching their cars zip along. It’s made even more fun by the ability to bend the tracks to make new paths. And this set glows in the dark, always a hit.
We’ve seen kids of all ages spend a ton of time with this set, and it can be expanded with other tracks and cars by the same brand. There’s always something new with this one, so it keeps their interest and makes them want to pick it up again day after day. Be sure to order some AAA batteries, as they’re not included. Get ready for your kids to be off to the races!
Little Tikes Trampoline with Balance Bar
Whenever our kids get on this trampoline, it’s a fascinating display of energy. They bounce and bounce and bounce, seemingly never getting tired.
It’s a great way for them to get their energy out and build lower body strength. And with the balance bar across the top, it adds some stability to reduce the risk of injury. This one is a classic for good reason — kids really do love it.
Step2 Unicorn Roller Coaster
This mini roller coaster has provided our kids hours of fun. It works great indoors and outdoors, and has a maximum weight of 50 pounds, so kids can continue to enjoy it from the time they're first big enough to take a spin, and as they grow.
The unicorn lights up and makes fun noises as the ride goes down the track. And with enough space at the end of the track, the kids can continue rolling right on through. Lately, they've even been taking turns going down backwards! Easy set up and tons of fun.
Mini Micro Deluxe Three-Wheeled Lean-to-Steer Scooter
As with the bikes, kids love these scooters because they can ride fast and explore all on their own. These teach balance and coordination, and are small enough to be accessible to young kids.
There's an adjustable handlebar to accommodate kids from around ages 2 to 5, but these are sturdy enough to hold up to 110 pounds! Beautiful and vibrant colorways give many options to suit kids’ personalities. We let our kids use these inside and outside, making sure they have enough room to roll around safely. Again, helmets are a must.
Our kids love playing scooter races and ask us over and over again to say “Ready, Set, GO!” We bring these along on road trips or when visiting friends and family who have scooters of their own. They're always down to ride.
Toniebox Audio Player
Toniebox is the hot new thing — it's basically the iPod of little-kid world. The innovative and extremely popular toy is a child’s personal jukebox. Different characters magnetically attach to the top of the box, providing several song options and even spoken stories.
Kids move between songs and stories by banging on the side of the padded box. Volume is easily adjustable, and the boxes are durable enough to stand up to hours of play.
Kids can switch between characters as often as they want, with plenty of character options to keep adding on and keep them entertained. One of the best parts for parents — these can be used with headphones, so the songs the kids want to hear on repeat don’t become a headache for parents. With a cute carrying case add-on, these are a non-stop and portable source of delight for music-loving kids.
Proud dads of twin daughters, based in Chicago. Their children's book, You Come from Love, is out now. Find daily updates of their family adventures on TikTok and Instagram! Email/DM for inquiries.
