“Can I just get five minutes to myself?!” Raise your hand if you’ve said that — or at least thought it — in the past 24 hours. Having children is rewarding but it’s also so time-consuming. There are meals to prepare (that they’ll refuse to eat), clothes to wash (even though they’ll want to wear the same shirt over and over) and chores to do (it’s always those $&!# chores). Getting five minutes to yourself? Almost unheard of … even if you’re trying to sneak off to the bathroom to sneak a square of chocolate. (Yeah, I know your dirty tricks.)
That’s why this list is important. No, not important — crucial. Because, while the title says it’s about your kids, deep down, it’s really all about you. The toys and gadgets on this list were carefully selected with you in mind … because I know you’re tired and the need to keep kids entertained is relentless. Let them build, play pretend, create, dive, hover, even walkie-talkie. Buy some of these and buy yourself some time — literally.
The Right Foundation
Kids with big imaginations will spend hours constructing their own homes and neighborhoods with this brick-building play mat as the base. Double-sided with one side for small blocks and one side for large blocks, it’s plenty long at 32 inches and made from premium silicone for rollability, foldability and flexibility. Pair two side by side for their own kingdom or take it on the go.
It’s Tool Time
Boys and their toys … or, wait! Boys OR girls and their toys. Both are bound to enjoy this tool belt set so they can get to work on “projects” around the house. This set includes a tool belt and a variety of gear including rulers, pliers, a screwdriver, hammer, wrench, saw, hard hat and a real working tape measure. They’ll love playing pretend with this set.
Hello, Dolly
Do you have a Brownie in your house? I’m not talking about that delicious chocolatey treat but rather a Girl Scout Brownie, one of those troop members in the second or third grade. This Brownie costume fits American Girl-sized dolls and she’ll love having a “twin” to do things with. The set includes a shirt, skirt, vest, socks and sneakers.
Can You See What I See?
The little explorers in your house will go crazy for their own set of binoculars and this kid-friendly option really works. Compact and easy to use, these were constructed with kids in mind including a shockproof rubber coating and non-slip grip for little hands. They’ll really be able to check out insects, plants and animals while they’re checking out the great outdoors.
Let Them Tell Tall Tales
This may be my not-so-secret item on this list because I adore the creativity behind it. This board game is called Tall Tales and has 28 story cards and 64 game pieces to let them do just that. This is a non-competitive game (so no fighting!) that offers infinite storytelling possibilities by choosing cards and pieces or randomly grabbing them and then using your imagination.
Let’s Play Hookey
When have kids never loved throwing things? This ring toss game is the perfect addition to their bedroom, game room, covered porch or man cave where they toss rubber rings into metal hooks with built-in scoring. Two colors of rings let them compete with all the fun of darts and no sharp objects. A convenient carrying bag is included for gaming on the go.
Stand by Me
You can’t beat a good wooden toy for longevity and durability. This wooden farmers’ market stand is just adorable with its striped awning, produce bins, fake food and a cash register. A chalkboard even lets them display the current “specials.” A shopping bag lets the customer grab their favorite finds. Made from all-natural wood and non-toxic paint, this is a generational piece you’ll want to pass down.
A Tyke on a Bike
I spent a lot of time on a bike as a kid and I loved every minute of it. This doll bicycle set lets them take their favorite friend along, complete with a dolly bicycle seat and a helmet (for safety, obviously). This set fits an American Girl-sized doll and comes with decals so your little cyclist can decorate it to fit their personality.
A Swing and a Hit
Swings sure have come a long way since I was a kid. Our swings were hard and metal and seemed like they were designed for our ultimate destruction. This tree net swing is awesome because it can hold up to 220 pounds, has a steel frame with foam safety padding and comes complete with everything you need to hang it.
A Pool Party
You’ll obviously need to supervise little ones in the pool but this 15-pack of diving toys has unlimited play potential when swimming alone isn’t enough to entertain them. You’ll get diving rings, funny-faced octopi, toy balls, fish and jewels, all in a carrying bag so you can take them to the pool if you don’t have your own. Let them sink, then grab them to rack up the points.
Fit for a Princess
Dress a kid up and they’ll have it torn apart in minutes; give a kid dress-up supplies and you won’t see them for hours. (That’s a more modern take on the “teach a man to fish” philosophy.) This 25-piece dress-up set lets them mix and match the shimmer shirts and skirts with colorful jewelry accessories. They enjoy playing pretend and staging their own fashion shows.
Fresh Coat of Paint
If you’ve got a budding artist on your hands, they’ll enjoy painting their own dinosaurs in this craft set that includes 12 acrylic paints and 12 dinosaurs in two sizes. An included manual offers facts about dinosaurs and details on how to mix paint to achieve other colors. If they have a meltdown over a mistake, simply wash the dino off if the paint hasn’t dried for a total do-over.
By the Yard
Listen, if you’re going to buy them something, maybe it should be something that could help you out … say, with your yard. These kid-sized garden tools are a great choice if you’re someone who enjoys spending time outside yourself so you can supervise their flower planting or simply digging in the dirt. This set includes a rake, leaf rake, shovel, and hoe with real wood handles and steel blades.
Know the Drill
Kids love to take things apart and put them back together and this take-apart fire truck toy comes with a working drill that allows them to do just that. This comes with an easy step-by-step guide, two firefighter accessories, two drills and other car parts. The best part of this is that it’s more than just fun; it actually helps kids develop coordination, creativity, puzzle-solving and patience.
Jump Around
When you’re thinking “fun,” don’t forget some of the old-school toys of our own childhoods. This foam pogo jumper will have them bouncing like Tigger (preferably outside), but thanks to its soft, cushiony base, they can use it inside, too, without damaging your floors. This pogo jumper has squeakers and flashing lights to make it even more fun to play with.
Mic Drop
Britney Spears was just eleven years old when she appeared on the TV show “Star Search” so it’s entirely possible you have a budding pop sensation sleeping right upstairs. This Kidz Bop-branded microphone lets them sing along to thousands of videos on the YouTube channel as well as apps on your devices like Spotify or Apple Music. It’s equipped with acoustic speakers and four voice-changing effects.
Laser Focused
I don’t know whether this is good or bad but this laser tag set will bring all the boys (and girls) to your yard … so they can play four-player laser tag with these guns and targets. These guns have a 130-ft. range with kid-safe infrared lasers and four firing modes that can be used indoors or out. These run on AA batteries.
Hold the Fort
I don’t care how old you are — building a fort is always fun. Of course, my forts were always indoors and involved furniture and blankets. This 120-piece set includes 75 sticks, 23 blue balls, and 22 green balls that snap together easily to make a cave, tent, rocket, castle, house, pirate ship … the sky’s the limit. It comes with a storage bag that makes it easily portable to move around.
On the Fly
If you buy your kiddos a drone, they’re going to freak. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get one (and then worry about them breaking it). This flying ball-shaped drone can simply be thrown into the air to get it started and its lightweight, flexible body makes it able to withstand crashes with propellers that are concealed inside the cage. Recharge it quickly via USB for 25 minutes for more flight time.
The Write Stuff
Even in my 40s, I still find myself mindlessly doodling … usually when I’m in a meeting or on the phone. This LCD writing tablet and doodle board give them 10 inches of space to write, draw or color without wasting paper or cleaning up messy paints. The tablet uses pressure-sensitive technology and has an eraser button that clears the screen entirely in one second. I love the portability of it (perfect for car rides) and the six-month battery life.
Walk It like I Talk It
Kids love electronic gadgets, particularly gadgets that have adult-sized versions, too. (Why do you think they’re always asking to use your phone?) These kid-sized walkie-talkies work just like their more expensive counterparts for less than $30. You’ll get a set of two (for the walkie and the talkie) with clear call alerts, crisp audio and adjustable volume, housed in bright, fun colors.
Nailed It
I can attest that doing your own nails at home can sometimes take hours. (But, hey, it’s cheaper and less time-consuming than traveling to a salon.) This nail studio book gives them the tools to create their own nail art with 60 pages of instructions, practice polish in six colors, a two-sided custom dotting tool and more than 250 stick-on stencils.
(Super)hero Worship
The Marvel Universe just keeps rolling and I don’t know many kids who aren’t into it. This Marvel-themed set includes three Marvel figures and vehicles: Spider-Man, Captain America, and Iron Man. They’ll spend hours flying and racing around the house with these, attempting daring escapes and bold rescues. One reviewer summed it up: “… a really cool set of toys and a really great price.”
Get Keyed Up
Maybe they’re not ready for piano lessons but they are ready for a little introduction to the world of musical ability. This piano learning kit works with smartphones and tablets and includes the keyboard, three musical pops and a foldable gamepad. They’ll learn more than 50 songs including favorite rhymes, jingles and carols while also having hours of musical fun.
Just Plane Fun
Toys don’t have to be complicated for kids to enjoy them, which I think we sometimes forget. They’ll have hours of fun floating their own LED light foam glider planes through the air. This two-pack of planes has two flight modes and can be assembled in a matter of minutes. These are lightweight, impact-resistant and won’t hurt kids or pets if they hit them inadvertently.
Keys to the Castle
Is there anything on this list more precious than this princess castle? It’s the perfect spot for reading a book, coloring, playing house or even hosting a tea party. This tent comes with bonus LED fairy lights and is made with polyester taffeta that’ll stand up to wear and tear. I love how all of the sides can be opened and closed.
Take a Picture
Get them started on their selfie game early with their very own digital camera, made just for smaller hands. It’s no slouch-on features, though, even for less than $40: HD lenses, 1080p video recording, burst, and time shooting, filter effects and stickers. It even comes with a 32gb card to store thousands of photos. A built-in rechargeable battery gives them three hours of playtime.
Dance Card
Dancing is a great way to burn off some energy — wink, wink. This dance pad has LED lights, adjustable volume controls, built-in music and three levels of challenges with increasing difficulty. The underside of the mat has non-slip material to avoid accidents and the top can be easily wiped clean. This also rolls up to store out of sight when not in use.
Battle Royale
It’s bey battling for your tiniest bae with 10 spinning tops and three launchers housed inside a portable storage box. One reviewer, who gave it as a present, said, “This gift was definitely a hit. He got so excited when he realized what it was.” Multiple launchers and plenty of tops give more than one kid an opportunity to play.
A Line in the Sand
They’ll never want to go inside with this three-in-one sand and water table sitting outside. Remove the table top to reveal plastic activity bins that turn this picnic set into a sand or water table with an adjustable umbrella that helps provide some shade. This table is made from real wood and should last for years both for meals and for playtime.
Watch This
A smartwatch doesn’t seem like something that could be played with for hours but, um, you have a smartwatch … how much time do you spend messing with it or other electronic gadgets? This kid’s smartwatch comes with 16 functions including a camera, MP3 player, video player, pedometer, recording, games, alarm clock, clock, stopwatch, calendar, countdown, clock answers, photo album, flashlight, and water reminder. It’s equal parts fun and functional.
Maze Runner
I’m not going to lie, I kind of want this gravity maze for myself. This combination logic game, marble run, and STEM toy has 60 challenges that maneuver from beginner to expert, a game grid, nine towers, one target and three marbles. Don’t believe me? This reviewer said, “This is a great toy for an only child whose parents can’t entertain the child every minute.” Point = made.
Stack the Deck
Jenga has been around since the 1980s but the traditional version might not be quite as exciting for little ones as this animal-themed version. It comes with 51 colorful animal blocks, 24 cartoon cards, one die, and instructions. These blocks are made from natural hardwood and non-toxic, water-based paint but, best of all, they’ll stimulate your kid’s thinking and give them a new twist on a classic game.
A Secret Garden
Why are kids obsessed with unicorns? Why are all of us so obsessed with unicorns? This is a unique spin on a popular trend, a terrarium kit that lets them create their own mini-ecosystem in any way they want. They’ll do everything here from painting the figurines to nurturing their garden to cultivating their own tiny unicorn habitat. This kit has everything you need from the terrarium dome and paint to glitter and fairy lights.
Unsung Heroes
We’ve already talked about dress-up options for the princess set but what about the superheroes? (And, there’s always room for superheroes.) This dress-up set includes four capes, eight superhero patterns, and eight superhero masks so they can mimic their favorite onscreen personalities. These are suitable for kids ages three to 12 and have easy open and close Velcro tabs for convenience.
Playing House
I’m not going to tell you how long I played with a dollhouse but it was much longer than my parents really wanted me to. But, hey! It was fun. This dollhouse is four stories of fun and comes with everything they need to start playing including furniture, dolls and accessories. Go small with just four rooms or go big with 11 (and a slide!).
It’s Slime Time
The popularity of slime may have waned a little over the past year or two but there are still plenty of kids who enjoy it — and the messes they can create. This kit includes 50 different slime supplies all in one box including 18 beautiful colors of crystal slime, 12 types of glitter, various foam beads, fishbowl beads and more.