35 Best Toys & Gifts for Kids in 2025 - Ages 3-12
Toys they'll actually play with, not just toss aside. From creative play to outdoor fun, these gifts spark imagination and stand up to kid-level use.
The best toys for kids balance fun with engagement. We’ve found toys that don’t just entertain for five minutes—they become favorites that get played with all year long.
Quick Picks: Top 5 Crowd-Pleasers
LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box - $45
900 pieces of open-ended creativity. No instructions needed—just pure imagination.
Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Set - $120
The magnetic building tiles that kids (and parents) become obsessed with. STEM learning disguised as play.
Nintendo Switch Lite - $199
Portable gaming perfect for kids. Huge library of family-friendly games.
Ages 3-5: Preschool Favorites
Play-Doh Ultimate Fun Factory - $25
Classic creative play that never gets old. Includes multiple molds, tools, and colors.
Tonka Steel Classics Mighty Dump Truck - $30
Built like the original—actual steel construction. This truck survives years of sandbox play.
Melissa & Doug Easel - $70
Chalkboard on one side, whiteboard on the other, paper roll in the middle. Art station that grows with them.
Fat Brain Toys Squigz - $30
Silicone suction cup builders that stick to any smooth surface. Great for car trips and bath time.
Ages 6-8: Creative & Active
Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes - $20
Run, jump, and launch planes 100+ feet. Outdoor fun that gets kids moving.
Snap Circuits Jr. - $35
Build working electronic circuits with snap-together parts. 100+ projects teach STEM basics.
Crayola Inspiration Art Case - $30
140 pieces of art supplies in a portable case. Colored pencils, crayons, and markers all organized.
Razor A Kick Scooter - $50
The classic kick scooter. Lightweight, foldable, and built to last through growth spurts.
Ages 9-12: Level Up
LEGO Technic Sets - Starting at $50
More complex builds for kids ready for a challenge. Working mechanisms and realistic details.
National Geographic Science Kits - $35-80
Real science experiments from crystal growing to volcano making. Educational without feeling like homework.
Klutz Book Series - $15-25
Craft and activity books that actually teach skills. From drawing to friendship bracelets.
Board Games for Family Night
Ticket to Ride: First Journey - $35
The kid-friendly version of the popular train game. Simple enough for age 6+, fun for adults too.
Exploding Kittens - $20
Fast-paced, silly card game the whole family loves. Easy to learn, impossible to put down.
Budget Finds Under $20
Kinetic Sand - $15
Sand that never dries out and is oddly satisfying to play with. Mess-free moldable fun.
Hot Wheels 20-Car Pack - $18
Classic die-cast cars that fuel imaginative play. Great for track sets or just cruising around.
Age-Based Quick Guide
| Age | Best Bets |
|---|---|
| 3-5 | Play-Doh, Magna-Tiles, Tonka trucks |
| 6-8 | LEGO Classic, Snap Circuits, Razor scooter |
| 9-12 | LEGO Technic, Nintendo Switch, science kits |
| Any age | Board games, art supplies, Kinetic Sand |