Every parent knows how tough it can be when you’re stuck inside with your kids all. day. long. And by that fourth re-watch of Encanto, you start to realize that their brains will start to melt if you don’t figure out something for them to do.
This is why it’s so critical to make sure your child’s toy collection or playroom is well-stocked with fun diversions that will keep them occupied for plenty of hours so you can focus on other things. A few of our personal favorites to have on hand are this entertaining marble run (it’s also great for STEM learning), this super fun ring toss that gets them off of their duffs, and, of course, the all-time classic puzzles.
Start scrolling and you may never hear the dreaded words “I’m BORED!” again!
Teach Them to Take Turns
Learning to take turns can be hard for younger children that are just starting to understand concepts like sharing. But the Prextex Air Powered Dinosaur Car with Volcano Inflator is a great way to instill this essential life lesson. Little ones will learn to take turns pumping the volcano to inflate the balloon and send the little dino cars running. You’ll get 10 balloons and an easy press button to start the race.
A Marble Run for Endless Fun
If you have slightly older children or tots that aren’t likely to put marbles in their mouths, the Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set is a great interactive toy to keep them busy. Better still, it’s educational. First, they get into STEM learning and engineering as they work to build a fairly complex marble run course made from 150 pieces. Then with 65 glass marbles and 19 different configurations you can build, there’s plenty of space for all the tots to join in the fun. As if that’s not enough, there’s a companion app that regularly updates with new challenges, and you have the option for additional accessory sets that are compatible with this one.
An Aquatic Sensory Toy for Little Hands
Sensory boxes are all the rage. But if you have your heart set on a Montessori-style sensory kit, then the Li’l Gen Water Beads with Fine Motor Skills Toy Set is a great option. Unlike some sensory kits that load the set up with not just water beads but other discoverable toys, this one is pared down. You’ll get 20,000 jumbo water beads along with two scoops, and two pairs of tweezers.
While you’ll need to find a container to house those beads, this is a great toy for boosting hand-eye coordination for toddlers and preschoolers as well as teaching sorting and matching. Just note that planning is required as it can take up to four hours for the beads to reach their full size.
A Pretend Set for Your Little Diva
If you’re a makeup junkie and your mini-me is always clamoring to get their hands on your goods (and destroy your Pat McGrath makeup — we think not!) this fun Click ‘N Play Pretend Cosmetic and Makeup Set is a great alternative. It’s the perfect faux makeup kit with everything a budding beauty needs to look their best. This eight-piece set includes four brushes, lip gloss, eyeshadow, blush, and foundation. It’s ideal for kids ages three and up.
A Soothing Puzzle for Older Kids with Focus
If you’re trying to keep older kids occupied, you can’t go wrong with a puzzle. Assuming you have space, this 1000-piece Blue Kazoo Earth Jigsaw Puzzle is challenging enough to take quite a while to complete, but also offers such a sense of accomplishment once it’s finished. Note that this is a round puzzle and is also available with images of the moon or sun. When complete, this puzzle measures 26.5 inches in diameter.
Extra Balls for a Mini Pit
Let’s face it, toddlers and preschoolers tend to have fairly short attention spans. So, you’re going to need more than a handful of toys to keep them occupied throughout the day. Assuming you happen to have a ball pit on hand — but want it to mimic the fullness of those found at play centers — the Click ‘N Play Ball Pit Balls is a great option. This mesh container holds 200 BPA- and phthalate-free multicolor balls. The large size makes them safe for younger kids but still lots of fun for older children too.
Fun for the Whole Family
Parents or caretakers can take a break from work and quickly set up this fun game. If it’s too frigid to head outside, the Elite Sportz Ring Toss Games is a great solution that works for indoor or outdoor use. This pick is easy to set up and features easy gameplay that even youngsters can quickly master. You’ll get four rope rings, and eight plastic rings along with the wooden peg base and a convenient travel bag.
RC Cars for Little Hands
When you think of remote control cars, you usually think of more advanced options. But if you’ve got toddlers home for the day, you might want to rethink giving them more delicate toys. Instead, this Prextex Two-Pack Cartoon Remote Control Cars set is a great age-appropriate alternative. You’ll get a police car and race car with removable drivers and two remotes that are set on different frequencies so they can race each other. Note that you’ll need five AA batteries for each set as the cars each take three AA batteries and the remotes require two AA batteries.
An Imaginative Building Toy
STEM (or STEAM) is so important these days. As careers in science, technology, engineering, and math continue to be prioritized, helping your child build skills in those niches through imaginative yet educational play is a great way to get them hyped from an early age. This STEM Master Building Toy is designed for kids ages four to eight and comes with 176 pieces that are easy to manage. You’ll like that it also includes a storage case for easy cleanup when your kids tire of this toy. Plus it comes with a book of ideas featuring 42 fun designs for all experience levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Dinosaurs That Teach
Dinosaurs are a fan favorite with all children. But this fun Li’l Gen Interactive Dinosaur Sound Book with realistic dinosaur roars is a great educational toy that gets little imaginations working overtime. You’ll get 12 dinosaur toys that are all seven inches tall. Meanwhile, the book features 12 buttons each with a corresponding dinosaur sound to accompany the toys.
Creative Buildable Rides
You can’t go wrong with building toys, which is why they’re always a go-to for rainy days or any other scenario where spending time outside isn’t realistic. The Brickyard Building Blocks STEM Toys set is a great 164-piece set that comes with a storage box and a book containing tutorial guides to recreate 42 different designs. The vibrant colors will keep youngsters engaged, with a safety rating for children as young as four. We like that it comes with wheels so you can make a variety of cars, planes, and shapes.
Let ‘em Get Dirty with Slime
Depending on who you talk to, slime is either an amazing invention to keep kids occupied, or the bane of any clean freak’s existence. But we’re firmly in the former camp and think that a great DIY slime session is the perfect way to combine education and fun into one setting. While the Discovering DIY Slime Kit is intended for older elementary-aged children, you’ll love that it comes with 52 pieces that include all the necessary ingredients to make a fresh batch of slime along with food coloring, glitter, and accent pieces. Better still, this DIY kit is borax-free, making it a safer choice.
Pretending like Mommy
Kids love to imitate their parents, and the Litti Pritti Princess Toys Little Girls Purses pretend play set is definitely an ode to mommy. This colorful set comes with a purse that can also be worn as a crossbody and is roomy enough to carry everything a mom would need to make it through the day. This includes a car key, keyring, face powder and lipstick, an ID card, three credit cards, a wallet, and of course play money to go in it. And we can’t forget the cell phone either! This set is rated safe for kids ages three and up.
Be a Conductor with These Trains
Train sets just feel like an essential part of any childhood, which is why the Tiny Conductors 12 Wooden Train Cars set is a great option. For younger children who might not be ready for more official picks like Lionel, this is a great starter train set. Along with the 12 brightly colored cars, you’ll also get a bonus crane and four bonus connectors. You’ll like that the cars easily connect to each other thanks to the magnets in the front and back of each piece. And this pick is compatible with the Thomas Wood toy railroad set.
A Cute Practice Pet
If you have a little one that’s been begging for a pet, but you’re not quite sure that they’re ready for the responsibility, the Click ‘N Play Nine-Piece Doll Puppy and Accessories Set is a great way to test the waters. This adorable set is large enough to work as a companion accessory piece for any 18-inch dolls — including American Girl and Gotz dolls. Along with a fluffy pup, you’ll get a cute doggy bed, carrier, leash, bowl with food and treats, a brush, a bone, a ball, and a blanket.
An Unforgettable Card Game
Playing a hand of cards is a common way to pass the time. But have you ever played when the cards were massive? The Prextex Jumbo Playing Cards Deck is an interesting way to breathe new life into classic games like spades, war, hearts, and gin rummy. You’ll get 52 massive cards with four suits and two jokers for a full deck. Each card measures 8.5 by 11 inches in size. And you’ll appreciate that the cards are plastic coated for added durability, which means you can also use them outside.
A Fun Archery Competition
This Click ‘N Play Light Up Bow and Arrow Archery Set is a great way to spend an hour. This fun set features suction cups on the arrows and a target that depicts the points for each concentric circle. The bow measures 24 inches while each of the three arrows is 16 inches long. Kids will build hand-eye coordination while also boosting fine motor skills.
A Battle to End All Battles
If you have a child obsessed with army men but far too young to be playing Call of Duty, the JaxoJoy 200-Piece Army Men Military Set has everything they need to mount an offensive or defensive strategy. These pieces are modeled after the U.S. Army. Along with soldiers, you’ll also get vehicles, boats, and aircraft. And there are army men in different colors, meaning that four or more children can play together and engage in role-playing. Best of all, when playtime is over the pieces can easily be stored in the accompanying plastic bag with a zipper for another day.
Learn a Trick or Two
Some children are just naturally drawn to magic. For that budding magician in your home, the Prextex Kids Magician Costume and Magic Kit is the perfect solution to help them get immersed in the world of deflection. This cute set features a cape, top hat, and magic wand. You’ll also get a training DVD along with essential props like gloves, a rabbit, playing cards, cups and balls, a magic silver coin, as well as a color-changing scarf, and a disappearing scarf. This set is ideal for kids ages three and older.
A Shape-Shifting Dinosaur
Depending on your child’s age, they might be in desperate need of a stress relief toy. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t giggle with delight watching these Pretex Jumbo Slow Rising Dinosaur Squishies change shape as they grip and squeeze them. This fun two-pack comes with a stegosaurus and a T-rex and features a large size and soft texture that’s perfect for children of all ages to grasp. As if that’s not enough, children will love that these two dinos smell like cookies and cake.
A Few Bubbletastic Robot Experiments
Traditionally speaking, you probably shouldn’t blow bubbles in the house as it can pose a serious tripping hazard. But the KangoKids Robot Kit is a fun way to make engineering more accessible for kids as young as eight. You’ll get four different robot experiments that you can build. The set comes with everything you need to build your robots — including a magnetic screwdriver. And you’ll appreciate that each of the four robot projects is properly labeled and packaged with their necessary parts.
An Oversized Classic Dice Game
How about an oversized game of Yardzee? This enlarged version of a classic tabletop dice game is the perfect way to get in a bit of physical activity, as well as improve your child’s math skills. While this Jungle Gym Yardzee game (a twist on Yahtzee) is initially designed for outdoor use, it’s perfect for playing in the living room or basement on chilly days. You’ll get six dice, reusable scorecards, dry erase markers for keeping score, and a bucket with a lid for storage.
Role Play with Baby Dolls
Playing with baby dolls can seem like a rite of passage for children. Let your kids go all out with this Prextex 18-Piece Baby Doll Accessories Set. It’s perfect for dolls that are 12 to 18 inches in height. You’ll get an adorable carrying case that can hold two plates, two sets of utensils, a bib, pacifier, sippy cup, and bottle. But you’ll also get pretend lotion, shampoo, soap, and baby powder along with a washcloth, brush, and training potty.
A Bubbly Tractor
Show us a child who hates bubbles and we’ll be genuinely shocked. This Bump and Go Bubble Blowing Farm Tractor is a fun spin on a classic. It has working lights and emits realistic sounds. And kids will love that this tractor can drive independently. But you can also stop it from driving by removing the wheels. Just remember that you’ll need three AA batteries, which aren’t included — although the 1.5-ounce bottle of bubble solution is.
Get Up Close and Personal with These Binoculars
Kids are naturally curious. So, let them explore the textures and surfaces around the home with these ThinkPeak Binoculars for Kids. They’re perfect for children as young as four and are designed to be shock-resistant, meaning they can stand up to pretty much anything your kids throw their way. Available in six different colors, these foldable binoculars come with a carrying case and neck strap, and an adjustment wheel to bring everything into focus.
A Giant Game of Keepie Uppie
Similar to bubbles, kids adore balloons. So, why not up the ante with these Prextex Giant Balloons? Each balloon can be inflated to a maximum diameter of 36 inches. These massive latex balloons are designed to be strong and can even be inflated with helium if you prefer. Choose from 14 fabulous colors.
Get Their Hands (Pretend) Dirty with a Building Set
There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they finish building their latest creation. The KangoKids Building Toys Set is a fun STEM toy complete with 276 pieces and a kid-safe drill. We like that it comes with a carrying case that can also double as storage and the base for all of your child’s imaginative designs. It also features other tools like a faux screwdriver and additional bits for the drill. Just remember that you’ll need two AA batteries for the drill.
Get Physical with a Sword Fight
Don’t worry, these swords are made from kid-safe foam! But the Click N’ Play Foam Sword Multi-Pack comes with six large 27-inch foam swords to give your children the opportunity to play the role of Captain Hook or other swashbuckling characters from their favorite pirate tales. And, thanks to the larger grip, when your work is done for the day you can also join in.
Have a Little Helper around the Home
This might not be a winner for every home. But for parents of little ones always asking “can I help?” this three-piece Click N’ Play Pretend Play Cleaning Toy Play Set is a great way to encourage younger kids to help keep the home tidy. You’ll get a dustpan, brush, and broom — all designed specifically to fit in little hands.
Get Baking in the Kitchen
Baking projects with kids don’t have to be disasters. And sometimes they simply want to help a bit — but mainly just look cool in their baker’s outfits. The JaxoJoy Complete Kids Cooking and Baking Set is an 11-piece collection that comes with a chef’s costume. Along with the chef’s hat and apron, you’ll also get an oven mitt and potholder, four cookie cutters, a whisk, a rolling pin, and a wooden spoon. And you can check out the included kids’ cookbook for recipes to try.
A Puzzle That Takes Concentration
If you’ve got older kids at home, they’re usually pretty good at keeping themselves occupied. But this truly tricky puzzle is a great way to improve concentration and get them off their screens. The Blue Kazoo Color Triangles Jigsaw Puzzle is a 1000-piece pick that features gradient color triangles. When completed, it measures 20 by 30 inches. And if they’re having a bit of trouble, there’s an included poster to help them through tricky spots.
The Ultimate (Pretend) Food Fest
Playing with pretend food is another staple game for younger children. The JaxoJoy 122-Piece Deluxe Pretend Play Food Set is a great addition if your child already has a play kitchen or food set, but just needs more options. You’ll get everything from fruits and veggies to canned food, and even fan favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, chips, and pretzels. All the pieces are made from BPA-free plastic.
Enjoy a Game of Indoor Corn Hole
Corn hole is usually considered a classic outdoor game, but there’s no reason that you can’t play it inside. While this option doesn’t come with the actual corn hole board, the Prextex 12 Pack Nylon Bean Bags set is a great addition to your existing corn hole set if you have more players and not enough bean bags for everyone. You’ll get 12 beanbags in five different colors: purple, blue, red, green, yellow, and orange.
The King of Bubble Blowers
Looking for a fun and mesmerizing toy for your toddler? Check out the WhizBuilders Bubble Machine! This machine blows giant bubbles and can be used indoors in a basement or living room; just be sure to avoid slick flooring areas. It’s also great for parties and get-togethers, like a block party. The bubble machine is easy to use – just pour the bubble solution into the reservoir, turn it on, and watch the bubbles fly.
Sketch All Day
Did you know that this pack comes with 18 mini doodle pads for your kids to choose from? Kids love these little tablets because they can draw or write on them any way they want. These drawing pads come in a pack of 18, so you will have enough to share with the whole neighborhood.
The Ultimate Bubble Blower
If you’re not against bubble blowing in the house, the BamGo Bubble Gun Blower is guaranteed to provide endless enjoyment for your children. It has a four-wand ring and a trigger that makes operating the gun easy, even for little hands. And the added fan behind the wand ring means that the bubbles will go in multiple directions. This pick comes with a dipping tray and a two-ounce bottle of bubble solution.
Buy and Sell like a Pro
Children absolutely love to pretend, and one fun version of this is playing shop. Especially if you already have a cute food playset, make the role play last longer with the Pretend Play Cash Register. This adorable set has everything your kids need to play grocery store. You’ll get a cash register with a hand scanner, a food basket, a five-piece food set, six paper bills, 15 coins, and one credit card which can be used in the credit card reader. There’s also a working microphone to ask for a price check, and realistic sounds and lights.