We’ve all had that experience: You walk into a big box store to grab the essentials … except the little one in our presence is begging to go to the toy aisle. Should you stay or should you go? Those (slightly modified) lyrics from The Clash continue, “If I go, there will be trouble/And if I stay it will be double.” And, if that’s not the truest thing I’ve ever heard about navigating the toy aisle, I don’t know what is.
Toy aisles in stores are not nearly as good as they were when I was a kid, to be honest, so you might as well skip it and head home and check out the toy deals on Amazon. You can do this mostly in peace while spending less and getting delivery straight to your front door. I’ve got best buys for baby (see Nos. 1 and 6), outdoor fun for all ages (check out No. 15) and even water wonders for when the temperature goes up. So, skip the toy aisle and peep this toy list — for your sanity and savings.
Get In The Swing Of Things
Somewhere along the way, kids stopped playing outside, content to stare at an iPhone or Nintendo Switch all day. Break the cycle! These tree swings are so much more than swings with the climbing rope, discs, and platforms. Kids can swing, climb, stand and even hang upside-down in one convenient, easy-to-install package. The included rope allows you to adjust the length so it’s just right.
Burst These Bubbles
No one can say “no” to bubbles. Kids, adults, even pets are enamored with them. This bubble blaster is lightweight and blows up to 100 bubbles each second through four different wands. Each bubble gun comes with a bottle of bubble solution and instructions for making your own refills at home. Keep the fun going with plenty of batteries, too.
Just Keep Swinging
Most babies love swings and this one works both indoors and out to give them some fun and to give you free hands. This one features double-sided cotton canvas fabric, marine-grade rope, and lockable carabiners to ensure that your infant swings securely. You’ll get a lot of use out of this one, too, since it’s rated for babies from six months old to youngsters up to four.
It’s Slime Time
Slime seemed to be everywhere a few years ago and while I don’t see it as much anymore, that doesn’t mean kids have stopped enjoying making ooey-gooey messes. This is the ultimate all-in-one slime kit with 52 pieces including glitter, slime activator, glue, glow-in-the-dark and color-changing powders, beads, food coloring, and more. Sure, they’re going to make a mess but they’re also making memories.
Life’s A Beach
I live at the beach and I want to let you in on a little secret: Beach toys are more expensive here than they are wherever you’re coming from. This 10-piece set is ideal for beach getaways and includes a bucket with handle and cover that doubles as a sifter; castle-shaped cover molds; a rake, shovel, and watering can; and, sand molds in the shape of seahorses, crabs, starfish, and more.
Prehistoric Bathing Beauties
There’s nothing cuter than a tiny tot in a bubble bath with a load of their favorite toys. These prehistoric dinosaur squirt toys are a great addition to their bathtime routine. You’ll get six in a purchase in a variety of colors and dino types like a Tyrannosaurus rex, a Stegosaurus, and whatever that weird red one is that looks like it has its collar popped.
Floor + Darts = Flarts
O.K., listen. Your kids are probably going to have as much fun talking about this game as they are playing it because its name is super close to the word “fart.” Flarts is a floor dart game and I’m guessing it’s not a coincidence that its name sounds like a bodily function that every kid finds funny. Play this one indoors or out.
Hit The Bar
Maybe you’re raising the next generation of Cirque du Soleil performers and don’t even know it; now, how bad do you feel? This trapeze swing bar is a great addition to an existing swing set for less than $35 with easy-grip triangular plastic green rings and a plastic-coated chain for safety. This comes fully assembled so all you have to do is install it and let the good times roll, er, swing.
On The Ball
Why buy a regular soccer ball when you can grab this hover soccer ball? The sports-minded of your brood will appreciate this unique twist on a popular game. Get a kick out of not one, but two air of these balls equipped with flashing LED lights, ideal for dark or low-light rooms or summer nights spent outside. This makes a unique gift idea, too.
Carnival Crew
One of my favorite things to do as a kid was make up games, even with basic gear we had around the house. This three-in-one carnival set will let them do the same, from playing ring toss to throwing bean bags at a target. This set, which is great for birthdays or anytime play, boasts 26 pieces, which is enough to share.
Magnetic Personality
It’s not often you run across a product on Amazon that has a near-perfect five-star review but these magnetic tile building blocks have achieved it. Reviewers continually rave about the quality of these pieces as well as being a great alternative to the more expensive MagnaTile sets. This set includes more than 100 pieces so all you’re limited by is your imagination.
Good, Clean Fun
These water beads look so cool that I want some for myself and I’m 44 years old. But, seriously, these are pretty cool. You’ll get 20,000 beads that expand when exposed to water. They come with two scoops and tweezers and are especially great for early skill development like sorting, matching, and hand-eye coordination. For less than $20, this one is a no-brainer.
Have A Seat
You don’t have to throw out the entire swing set; just replace each piece individually with inexpensive buys like this replacement swing seat. Choose from a variety of colored seats, each with yellow plastic-coated chains. Don’t have a swing set? No sweat. You can also add this to a porch or sturdy tree for an instant playset they’ll gravitate toward.
Jump Around
As House of Pain so eloquently put it, “Jump around!/Jump around!/Jump around!/Jump up, jump up and get down!” And, that could be the marketing slogan for this foam pogo jumper that’ll let them do just that. Great for anyone up to 250 pounds, this has comfortable handles and a squishy base. Plus, it makes a great squeaky sound with every hop.
On The Run
One of my favorite games as a kid was called “Mouse Trap,” and it involved creating an elaborate set-up in an attempt to catch the critter. There’s no critter in this marble run super set but it’s got “elaborate” down to a T. This one has 85 complete see-through pieces in 19 distinct styles, 65 included glass marbles and challenges on an accompanying smartphone app.
A Flying Saucer
You probably look at your kids sometimes like they’re from another planet so buy them their own flying saucer — in swing form, that is. This 40-inch round tree swing can accommodate up to 700 pounds, meaning multiple people can climb on at the same time. Foam handles and thick foam padding add comfort while reinforced stitching means it’s super durable.
Four, Five, Sax
Foster a love of music from an early age by giving your kids access to musical instruments, even if they’re in the form of this toy saxophone. Yeah, you’re probably going to get tired of hearing it and you’re going to think about hiding it way, way back in the back of your closet but just do it, O.K.? A love of music can last a lifetime.
Under Construction
At first glance, this photo could be a real excavator on a job doing what excavators do. Upon closer inspection, this is a remote-controlled excavator and the Cadillac of remote-controlled excavators at that. It’s powered by three independent motors, has a lengthy battery life, a rotating cabin, and off-road capabilities. These come in dump truck and front loader tractor options, too.
Twist And Shout
As I write this, we’ve just passed through Spring Forward weekend and the days are growing longer. That can only mean that summer is right around the corner. Grab them the coolest pool floats of the season right here in designs ranging from the pretzel pictured to popsicles to pizza slices. Easy to inflate and deflate, these are made of durable heavy-duty PVC vinyl material.
Underwater Fun
While we’re on the topic of pool time, this diving toy set at less than $10 is your big summer win wrapped up in a neat and tidy package. Make a big splash with 15 sinking toys like diving rings, balls, jewels, and both fish and octopi. A carrying bag makes it easy to take to the backyard, community pool, or even the beach.
Blast Off
Back on land, little ones will love this toy rocket launcher that legitimately will fire foam rockets up to 150 feet away. Two stunt planes and two rockets are included with your purchase. One reviewer had the most honest review: “My kids absolutely loved playing with this and after about 10 minutes I couldn’t stop [playing] with it also.”
A Chip Off The Old Block
Do kids still play with Legos? If they don’t, they should, and not just so you can step on them in the middle of the night. These peel-and-stick building block baseplates are the perfect foundation for their Lego creations, available for purchase in singles, doubles, or a four-pack. I love the idea pictured above of turning the top of block storage into a giant baseplate for their imagination.
Water World
This trampoline sprinkler attachment turns the simple act of jumping and flipping into a wet and refreshing mess. It can attach to any trampoline shell size and takes only a few minutes from installation to playtime. It’s a great upgrade to your existing trampoline for less than $20.
Tiki Toss
The surfboard edition of the Tiki Toss hook-and-ring game is the addition you’ve been looking for, for your basement, garage, man cave, patio, or anywhere else, thanks to its small size. Quick and easy to install, this ring toss game includes a backboard, low-thread profile hook, eye hook, pass-through ring with string, cord lock, and mounting screws. You’ll be hooked (no pun intended) from your first attempt.
In Limbo
I’ve long since passed the age where playing limbo is a good idea but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy watching others attempt it. This limbo game is certain to get a lot of use — and laughs — indoors or out, whether you’re attending a birthday party or camping outdoors. Raise or lower the limbo pole on the easily adjustable frame thanks to the sturdy balancing clamps.
Curling Iron
You know good and well that you watched the curling event at the Winter Olympics like, “I could do that.” Now you can put your money where your mouth is with this tabletop curling game that includes the rollout mat and eight stones — four orange and four blue. See, I’m not alone: “We bought this for the Olympics and have had so much fun playing it. It stayed on our table for about three weeks before we even put it away!”
That’s The Pits
Ball pits are gross, O.K.? The ones you can take your little to have been breathed on, sneezed on, licked and who knows what else. You can replicate the experience at home with this foldable ball pit and storage bag. The balls aren’t included but they’re available on Amazon, too. Just snag them at this link and you’ll have 200 ready to go.
Shoot Hoops
Hula hoops are certainly old school; the first one was marketed to the public in the late 1950s and they’ve had staying power ever since. That’s probably because people are finding ways to make them new and improved, like this one that features 28 LED lights so it glows in the dark. Well-balanced to account for the necessary batteries, this hoop measures 36 inches in diameter.
Backseat Boredom Buster
This one might be more for you than them, to be honest, but you’ll enjoy hearing them call out license plates, landmarks, and more in this travel scavenger hunt game that’s playing card size. All of those, “Are we there yet?”, comments will vanish because they’ll be sucked into these large-print cards with color illustrations. Hey, maybe you can even close your eyes for five minutes — not if you’re driving, though.
Catch A Train
Train sets have long been a childhood staple and this set of wooden train cars is a great start on a set for your little ones. This is the only train set sold on Amazon that includes a working crane car for picking up cargo. You’ll also get four train track connectors to work on building out your (I mean, his/her) train set.
In The Same Boat
For the ultimate in fun on the water, you’re going to want to get your hands on this remote-controlled boat, which will legitimately fly through the water at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. A 2. 4-GHz remote control with an LCD display shows the signal/power/trim adjustment/left-right throttle switch mode, emergency stop function, and low signal warning that indicates when the remote boat is out of range.
Give My Regards To The Chef
Most little kids love being creative in the kitchen. This complete cooking and baking set includes a darling apron and chef hat along with a glove, whisk, wooden spoon, rolling pin, four cookie cutters, and a bonus cookbook. Both the apron and hat are machine washable for convenience. It’s everything they need to make a mess — I mean, memories — in the kitchen.
Magic Tyke
Big kids and little ones alike love magic and this magic kit lets them learn the tricks of the trade at home. This set includes the requisite magician’s outfit with a top hat, cape, and cane as well as a full array of tricks and instructional video. One reviewer said, “10/10 best purchase I’ve made,” adding that the pieces are great quality and fun to play with.
No Dice
If I said the words “Yardzee” and “Farkle,” what comes to mind? If it’s not outdoor fun, you need to broaden your horizons. This giant wooden game set has six jumbo wooden dice, two large reusable scorecards, a collapsible bucket, and a dry erase marker. (You’ll get instructions, too, of course.) These games are great for crowds and fun for kids of all ages.
Doctor’s Orders
Playing dress-up doesn’t have to be limited to just princess dresses and tiaras. This doctor kit for kids features 11 pieces, including a doctor’s coat, stethoscope, eyeglasses, six boo-boo-aids, boo-boo-aid box, ID badge, and a bonus “Litti Doctor Benny” storybook. Roleplaying is great for kids because it helps them develop communication skills, make sense of real-life situations and explore, investigate and experiment with potential jobs down the road.
Spin And Sprinkle
Nurture their inner scientist with this water lab that does all kinds of interesting things including spins, sprinkles, and double-chain reactions. This gadget attaches to the side of your bathtub with suction cups and includes a test tube container with numbered volume marks and a detachable funnel for filling, pouring, and playing. It’s a great way to boost fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Watermelon Ball
If you’re going to play with a ball in the pool, it should totally be this watermelon ball that can be dribbled, kicked, bounced, and passed from one swimmer to another. Unlike other inflatable toys, these balls must be filled with water. When placed in the water, the ball will sink and then slowly float to the surface for play — no goal, hoop, or net required.