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Toys to hold their attention, games to play as a family, and a stress ball you'll want for yourself.

Promising review: "Purchased this for an 8-year-old who loves space and the stars. As an adult, I would almost purchase this for myself. It projects a galaxy on the ceiling of whatever room you are in. It looks great on 10-foot ceilings, but also looks amazing in our room with 30-foot ceilings. The projections are bright but easily allow a child to sleep under it. This gets used every night. The only problem we have had is that the little USB wall wart stopped working, but we were able to use a spare USB wall wart/charger in its place." —KC

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "We ordered this for our 9-year-old daughter, who is really into large, 1,500-piece puzzles right now. She used to do them on her bedroom floor, as we weren't able to keep them on the kitchen table during the week. She loves this puzzle board now, because she can separate her pieces in the four drawers and move it from room to room to work on it. We often do these puzzles in the living room as a family in the evenings. It's nice to be able to pick up the whole thing and move out of the way when we have guests, or need to protect the puzzle from our two little dogs who are much too obliged to make a mess of our work sometimes. I would recommend this to any puzzle enthusiast, or any family that just wanted to keep their puzzles organized and move them around safely." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two sizes and with or without a spinner).

It's recommended for players eight and older.

Promising review: "When my daughter said she wanted this game, I looked at her like she had three heads because I had never heard of it before, so I blindly trusted the 10-year-old and ordered the game. This has seriously been the best money I've spent this year! We love this game and have suckered so many friends into playing with us. It is great for kids and adults. I have even found my husband playing it with some of his buddies! So all in all, just get the game, lose the screen time, and enjoy the fun and laughter with friends." —Tiffany Richardson

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in a Spanish edition).

The set comes with a tiny ice cream canister, dasher, lid with crank, tiny silicone waffle cone molds, tiny waffle cone and bowl shaper, tiny ice cream scoop, tiny spatula, tiny ice cream bowls, cone holder, tiny mixing bowl, tiny mixing spoon, wee-spoons, papercraft ice cream truck and menu board, and foldout recipe sheet. 

Promising reviews: "These are so cute. We loved making tiny ice cream."  —Beth D.

"Our granddaughter loves watching Tiny Kitchen and was thrilled to make these tiny waffle cones and ice cream! They were miniature versions of the real thing!" —Kathy K.

Promising reviews: "We absolutely love these! My son loves them, and honestly, I loved showing him how they work. They also came with a bag, which is a bonus! I wasn’t sure how to store them once they came, haha, but they definitely have some room to learn and grow with these. They can learn to build cars and buildings, or whatever their little heart desires. My one-year-old learned how to use them in no time, and fun for everyone!" —Sasha Deere

"Highly recommend these for affordability and build quality. I actually think the way they are made makes sturdier towers than Magnatiles because they have an outer frame that adds durability to towers. They combine easily with Magnatiles, Connex, Playmags, and other brands. They are very durable. As with most magnet tiles, I would regularly check for cracks and throw them out as you see cracks, but this is true with any brand. I've had sets for 3+ years without cracks, but sometimes they get thrown or walked on with active kids and inevitably do get cracks, so be mindful of that. The play level is amazing. I mean hours of focused play — they can be houses, roads, boats, car garages, etc. When you add a ball run, road pieces, vehicle bases, or put them on the fridge, it just expands even more. Perfect for imagination and modeling distress tolerance and perseverance that brings success. I almost always have these in my travel bag for restaurants, too. I just honestly can't say enough positive things about this brand and magnet tiles in general. We have bought many sets because they allow giant towers with many kids and are a free-play must-have. If you're wondering if it's worth it, there is a reason this is on almost every parent's gift recommendation list — it's an incredible gift!" —LLW

PicassoTiles also makes marble runs, race tracks, and themed sets!

Check out a TikTok of the Needoh in action where one user suggests freezing it for a different sensory experience. 

Promising review: "Bought this for my kid… and then promptly stole it. This little squishy cube is pure serotonin in silicone form. It’s soft, stretchy, and oddly satisfying — like stress relief and bubble wrap had a baby. My daughter loves it for fidgeting; I love it for surviving conference calls and the general chaos of parenting. It’s durable enough to handle constant squeezing, mild aggression, and the occasional “let’s see if it bounces” experiment. Spoiler: it does not bounce gracefully. Verdict: Five stars. Great texture, perfect squish, zero regrets. The only downside? Now I need one in every color so we can stop fighting over it." —Cart Confessions

Promising review: I saw a reel about a Pushpeel and it being a good fidget for those that like to pick at things — it was on sale for Prime days, so I finally bought it, and the moment I showed it to my 10-year-old, she loved it! She is always chewing on the remote and picking or pulling on strings or blankets, nail biting, chewing on straws, or fidgeting with things. She played with this for over an hour and is looking forward to playing with it on long trips in the car, too. My husband even liked using this. Definitely a great fidget for sensory-seeking kiddos! It’s the best fidget I’ve found so far, and I’ve bought fidget rings, calm strips, fidget spinners, bracelets, pop fidgets, and others to help curb my child from chewing and picking. I’m so happy with this, it’s so fun!" —SL

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

The net can attach to any surface up to 75 inches across and 1.75 inches thick, and the set comes with the net, two paddles, and three balls, so you're all set for gameplay!

Promising review: "This set is well-made and adaptable. It fits tables with thin and thick wood (over an inch and a quarter) and is being enjoyed by children and adults alike. When 'investigated' by a 3-year-old, it was strong enough to retain its shape! The portability is extremely useful, and unlike metal screw-on sets the strong smooth plastic ends have not scratched or harmed the table. Glad we ordered it! Also makes a great gift!" —iPad User

The tower is made of 54 blocks and is recommended for ages eight and up.

Promising review: "We bought Jenga for family game nights, and it’s been a huge hit! The wooden blocks are sturdy, smooth, and stack well. My kids love the suspense of pulling out each piece, and even the adults get competitive."It’s easy to set up, doesn’t require batteries, and is perfect for both kids and grown-ups. Great for parties, family bonding, or just a fun night at home. Highly recommend!" —Michelle Castaneda

Get it from Amazon for $12.69+ (available in two sizes and two styles) or a GIANT version for $135.99.

Promising review: "My family LOVES this game. So well made! My 7-year-old, destructive grandsons couldn’t break it and are surprisingly very good at this game. It’s great for kids and adults." —

Promising review: "This is the best thing we have ever bought for my 5-year-old (and me!). I was saving it for Christmas, but decided to bring it out early during a long, rainy weekend. Hours and hours of active fun for kids and adults! She plays it every night, and, only after she has collapsed from exhaustion, asks for her iPad or tv time. We play a lot of the games together, and I am getting quite the workout too! I started doing some of the adult workout games while she is at school and am having a blast. The games are very well made and thought out, and I am impressed with how well it continues to track her even when she moves out of the zone. Great way to be active and have fun, family time when the weather is rough." —gaelhusk

Promising review: "If, like us, you are trying to cut down on screen time, this is the way to go! You will not regret this purchase, and it will give you a bit of peace of mind knowing your kiddos are having fun screen-free time. My toddler loves his Toniebox 2 and to pop on and off the different Tonies he’s collecting. Night time routine has also gotten a lot easier for us as we just transitioned our boy to his room and his big boy bed, he looks forward to popping on his sleep time sheep tonie to start winding down for the night. 10/10 definitely recommend." —Paola Wolfe

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I recently picked up the Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (10696), and it has been a total game-changer in our house! Here's why we love it:

"Top-quality bricks — all 484 pieces are classic Lego — solid, sturdy, and click together perfectly. No flimsy plastic here!"Great variety — with 35 colors, wheels, windows, eyes, and building ideas included, the set sparks creativity (and my kids made everything from race cars to tiny houses)." —MC

Promising review: "OMG buy this for your child or children right now! I am OBSESSED with this, and it’s the absolute perfect gift! Mess-free, keeps the kids entertained, and the quality is immaculate. My daughter has dropped this, and the durability it holds is amazing. She uses it every day. The paper is also thick and doesn’t bleed through." —Ashlee Page

Get it from Amazon for $18.98+ (available in three styles).

Promising review: "The WOWmazing Giant Bubble Kit is such a hit with my kids (and honestly, the adults too!). The wand is easy to use, and the included bubble concentrate makes big, colorful bubbles that float beautifully. The tips and tricks booklet is a fun bonus that helped us get even better results."It’s a great toy for the backyard, park, or parties, and keeps kids entertained for hours. I also love that the bubble solution is made in the USA, which gives me extra confidence in the quality."Overall, this is a fun, well-made outdoor activity set that brings lots of laughter and excitement. Highly recommend for families looking for screen-free fun!" —Jay B

Get it from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in seven styles).

Promising review: "Purchased this for my daughter because she loves dinosaurs! This track is awesome. I wish I had this as a kid. Assembly is easy after you get the hang of it. My daughter plays with it every day. Product is well built, great traction, track is flexible so it fixes in any room, and is fun for all kids and adults. Great gift. (Be careful near hair)." —Francisco Gonzalez

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "The best for creativity. My daughter loves to play with them! She makes all sorts of things with them, and she loves the way they stick together and on things. I love that they are so easy to take off things! So simple yet so dynamic!" —Faith Andersen

The kit comes with materials to grow crystals in eight colors, four silicone growing chambers, and a light display for five crystals. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Promising review: "This kit takes a bit of effort but WOW the results are stunning! I bought this for my 6-year-old daughter for Christmas. We set up the first four crystals per the directions and let them sit for 10 days. We had fun looking each day to see how big they were. After they were done, I removed the crust from the edges of the cup, poured off the liquid, and eased the crystal out of the cup. They came out easily. To get the seed rock out, I used a razor blade, went around the edges and flaked off the crystal growth to expose the edges, then used the corner of the blade to pop the rock out. I was veeeery careful and all four crystals came out intact! It takes patience but totally worth it, the resulting night light is a treasure she will probably keep for life." —Gapeach

Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "I bought a pair of these about a year and a half ago for my daughter, who was not quite two then. Now, at almost three and a half, she loves these binoculars! And so does her little brother, who is almost two. 

"In fact, they fight over them, so I logged on to get another pair for him. They both understand how to use them and love to say what they see when they look through them. We have not been the least bit careful with the binoculars — bringing them onto the beach, leaving them outside on the patio pretty much all the time, dropping them, etc. They're definitely dirty-looking and a little scratched on the plastic, but other than that, they are in great condition. No condensation or cracks on the lenses and no other damage. 

"I like how there's just a little magnification without any adjustment necessary. It's a great first set of binoculars for teaching the concept to young kids. As some other people have noted, the string might concern some. Even though it has the breakaway design, I wasn't comfortable keeping it on, especially since I bought it when my daughter was younger than the recommended age. But I just untied the string and kept it in a safe place in case we want to use it later when she's older. I don't really think it's necessary for a younger child anyway. Overall, I think these binoculars are great, and I highly recommend them." —amoreviaggi

Promising review: "A must-have. My 2-year-old son is obsessed. Always asks to play the 'find you' game LOL. Then we play it and every option on the game he actually thinks really hard then says 'come on mommy' and runs me through the house to find the object. Highly recommended from a mom of four." —Britney bansley

Get it from Amazon for $11.04 (also available in a preschool edition and an outdoor edition).

Promising review: "When I initially purchased this play tent for my daughter when she was just a year old and starting to crawl, I hoped it would provide some fun moments. Little did I know just how much mileage we would get out of it. Fast forward three years, and it's still a beloved fixture in our home. The fact that it has remained an engaging play space for her and her friends is a testament to its quality and enduring appeal. 

I'm delighted it has grown with her, accommodating her changing interests and imaginative adventures. Whether it's serving as a secret hideaway for imaginative play, a cozy reading nook, or a place for her and her friends to gather with their stuffed animals, this play tent has not only provided hours of entertainment but also fostered friendships and cherished childhood memories. It's a purchase I'm truly grateful for, offering both durability and the priceless gift of childhood joy." —Dr. B

Promising review: "Got two of these for twin boys over two years ago. Still, to this day, it’s the only outside toy that gets played with daily. As for the bubbles — not so much!! They dump the bubble liquid out. But they love it as a toy lawnmower. Last year, when we went for walks, they took the lawnmowers every time. They are about to turn three and still play with it daily. Now, they like to take the wheels on and off and 'work on it.' The wheels snap on and off. They love it. It was the best toy purchase ever. From a mom who has wasted so much money on other toys. This one was worth it." —Rachel

Promising review: "I bought this for my son when he was three. Two years later, I’ve returned to write my unbiased review, so you have one to trust. At the time, I bought these on a whim and had no idea what I would unlock. For more than two full years now, these gears have been played with DAILY. Every. Single. Day. They have held up to crashed airplanes, tidal waves hitting sea creatures, and have been catapulted into castles. Very rarely have they been played with, as shown in the product pictures, as my son uses them to build different things every day. Dusty Crophopper (plane), Lightning McQueen (race car), and much more. Our only regret is sometimes we don’t have enough pieces to build an entire fleet. These creations have an entire shelf for display in his bedroom to feature what he builds daily. This toy is durable, open-ended, grows with the child, fits a variety of abilities and ages, and is only limited by imagination. I could not recommend this toy more!" —Traveler

Promising review: "I bought this LCD writing tablet for my toddler, and it’s been such a great purchase! It’s lightweight, easy to use, and mess-free — no paper, no crayons to pick up, and no worrying about walls being drawn on. My child loves doodling on it, and I love that it’s reusable with just the press of a button.

"The screen is bright and clear, and the stylus is the perfect size for little hands. It’s been a lifesaver during car rides, waiting rooms, and quiet playtime at home. Plus, it’s durable enough to handle the occasional drop or rough use.

"Highly recommend this for any parent looking for a fun, screen-free activity that keeps their little one entertained and creative!" —Minerva Hernandez

Get it from Amazon for $13.28+ (available in six colors and four sizes).

Promising review: "A year later, this obstacle course I purchased has proven to be remarkably sturdy and easy to clean. It's incredible to see how creative the children are while playing with it, and they absolutely love it. Although it's a bit on the expensive side, the hours of entertainment it provides make it totally worth the investment. Highly recommend." —Misao

Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $46.58.

Promising review: "These are awesome. I wish I knew about them sooner. Paint without the mess. My daughter is six and uses them almost every day. The paint keeps her occupied for hours. They are fun to use, dry quickly, and come in a wide variety of colors. I will be buying them again." —Alea

Get 12 sticks from Amazon for $8.54+ (available in three color variations and larger pack sizes).

Promising review: "My daughter and I are having a BLAST at all the ways we can play with this toy. I love how it fosters creativity and promotes STEM skills! It's durable, well-built, and will last for many more play dates. Highly recommend!" —Megan Taylor

Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in three sizes). 

The reviews for 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.

Sally Dadisman has been a freelance writer with BuzzFeed Shopping since 2022 and loves researching a little bit of everything while, as a mom of a toddler, constantly looking for ways to solve parenting challenges, refresh corners of her home, and make time for style and self-care.