I’m not “toy”ing with you or trying to run “game”; all I’ve got are the best toys and games on sale right now at Amazon. I know, I know, you’re still thinking about “fun size Snickers” and tiny boxes of Milk Duds for trick or treat. But, let me ask you: What’s so “fun” about the world’s smallest Snickers bar? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. I’ve never been a huge fan of Halloween, probably because I was a child of the 1980s and struggled with breathing through those awful plastic masks with that elastic string that would snap you right in the face before the night was over.
Christmas, though? Christmas I can get behind. I love nothing more than finding just the right presents for the people I love and showering them with tokens of my affection Christmas morning. There’s something about buying toys, though, that makes the whole thing even more exciting. And, that’s what this list is all about: Toys and games the little ones in your house will squeal with delight upon opening. I’ve got superheroes in the house, gifts for the budding artists and musicians, and the usual suspects (Barbie, Play-Doh and some Disney princesses in an odd setting). Get your shopping started early right here.
38% OFF! A Hero Haul
They watch their favorite superheroes on TV and at the movies; now they can create their own stories with this set of five-inch Marvel favorites. They’ll get everyone’s favorite, Captain America, along with Spider-Man, Black Panther, Hulk, and Iron Spider. Each of these can be posed with four points of articulation — head, arms, wrists and legs. It’s the power of the Marvel universe right in the palm of their hand (and for 38% off).
46% OFF! Use Your (Coco)Melon
Cocomelon is enjoying a moment right now and, according to my mom friends who have kids in that age range, it’s never, ever going away. This sing-and-learn laptop toy uses lights, sounds, music, and more than 60 phrases to encourage children to learn their letters, numbers, shapes and animals. All of it’s themed with little ones’ favorite Cocomelon characters. Right now, you can grab it for 46% off.
30% OFF! Connect The Dots
I guess I was a nerdy kid who turned into a nerdy adult because I loved things like this LEGO Dots set then (and, if I’m being honest, now, too). This customizable craft kit comes with 228 pieces, which include five flat bag tags in different colors and two sizes, plus lots of lettered and colored tiles. For a limited time, it’s available for 30% off.
51% OFF! In A Barbie World
Barbie just makes me tired. She’s been an astronaut, a doctor and now an animal center rescue owner in addition to keeping her dream house tidy and her convertible clean? Phew. This set includes a two-level care station, which is connected to a tree, and eight animal patients to care for. Barbie toys never seem to go on sale either but right now, this is 51% off.
30% OFF! Support Your Little Genius
Kids seem to be learning more and faster than ever before and that’s probably due, in large part, to the plethora of electronic devices in society now. This Little Genius Starter Kit works in tandem with either a Fire tablet or an iPad and comes with six educational games for kids ages three to five. Take 30% off during Prime’s Early Access Sale.
32% OFF! Sorry, Not Sorry
Can I let you in on a little secret? Disney’s Villains are my favorite. Maybe it’s because I like to pull for the underdog; maybe it’s because I’m secretly an evil queen. Either way, I’m about to buy this Villains-themed edition of the classic Sorry! for myself (while it’s 32% off). Move around the board as Ursula, Jafar, Scar or Maleficent in this Amazon exclusive board game.
Mallow Out
There are very few surprises in life anymore. For example, most people know their baby’s gender months before he or she is actually born. A lot of kids have a pretty good idea of what’s under the tree. But, this Squishmallows mystery box is an opportunity to truly surprise them (and yourself). They’ll get an assortment of five five-inch critters in this box.
55% OFF! A Budding Genius
The “genius” thing to do would be to buy this starter kit that has both Fire and iPad editions while it’s 55% off. This STEM toy is for kids ages six to 10 and comes equipped with five game apps and physical play pieces for Tangram, Numbers, Words and more. And, hey, they don’t have to know they’re learning; all they know is they’re having fun.
35% OFF! Princesses In Candyland
Disney’s princesses get around, don’t they? The ball, a tower, under water … I mean, these are busy ladies. Now, they’re taking on the classic board game Candyland with Cinderella, Rapunzel and Ariel game pieces to mark around the board. Colorful cards guide your princess toward the castle. Like Sorry!, this is also an Amazon exclusive and is 35% off for a limited time.
33% OFF! A Play-Doh Party
I would sit down right now and play with this Play-Doh Fun Factory deluxe set that includes six colors and more than 30 tools for open-ended creative fun (for 33% off). Be honest: How many of you would open a can just to get a dose of that familiar Play-Doh smell? One reviewer said, “Play-Doh is timeless! Great way for little ones to create and explore for hours.”
41% Pony Up
I prefer the My Little Pony figures from my youth. There were no smizes nor mohawks but I enjoyed them just the same. These figurines have been updated for a new generation and include Sunny Starscout, Princess Pipp Petals, Izzy Moonbow, Zipp Storm and Hitch Trailblazer for a great buy at 41% off. With these, you can pose their arms, legs and heads (which is an improvement from my childhood).
Let’s Go For A Ride
With the price of gasoline, I might have to snag one of these Ride ride-on toys from Amazon for myself. It’s a great option for one-year-olds with both stationary and scooter modes.
48% OFF! Oh, Baby
If you have a little one in your house, the odds are good they’ve asked “for a baby” for Christmas. (Hopefully, they meant a pretend baby and not a sibling. I can’t help you out with the latter.) This Baby Alive bunny sleepover set comes with the 12-inch doll and all of her sleepover essentials. This Amazon exclusive is a great deal right now at nearly half off.
18% OFF! Cat Around
First sign you’re old: You have to look up what a “PJ Masks” is. (Turns out, it’s based on a cartoon about regular kids who turn into superheroes at night.) This fun toy is packed with more than 20 lights and sounds and Hero ID, which recognizes Hero ID-compatible PJ Masks action figures as heroes or villains.
69% OFF! Chase A Rainbow
This is the best deal on our list, a full 69% off. Give your little note writer, artist or doodler this rainbow scratch book kit, which starts out as black paper and reveals a rainbow of images below. This kit includes a two-pack of rainbow pads, multiple stencils and styluses and more. This is a great on-the-go toy to keep kids entertained in the backseat.
42% OFF! Tickle The Ivories
I’ve been playing the piano since I was three years old (the product of a music teacher mom) and I’ve never regretted it. In fact, the only people I ever hear share regrets about instruments are those who gave them up. This toddler piano toy is equipped with 31 keys and a host of other features like instrument sounds, accompaniment styles, rhythm lights, guide modes, demo songs, karaoke, external MP3 and more. Right now, it’s 42% off.
62% OFF! A Race To The Finish Line
Kids need to “play” more, don’t you think? Toys like this 100-piece magnetic building block toy set come with two race cars that help children focus, pay attention and utilize their imaginations. They can build the race track design using various shapes and pieces to create the structural design required to keep the cars running in loops. Right now, this is 62% off, coming in right at $60 (instead of $160).
30% OFF Easel Like Sunday Morning
Easels have unlimited uses. From chalk paintings to whiteboard drawings, they’re a source for endless hours of creativity. This easel set is 30% off right now and has some great features including a 360-degree design, drawing accessories and an eraser and an easel “top” that can be removed for fun on the go. And, hey, after the kids go to bed, you can use it to play Pictionary with the neighbors.
Less Than $40! Trucking Along
Little kids who love trucks are going to lose it over this set, which features plenty of wheeled vehicles packed inside of — you guessed it — a larger wheeled vehicle. This toddler truck set comes with a playmat and a bundle of vehicles that can be tucked into the transport carrier. It’s a bestseller on Amazon and a great buy to boot at less than $40.
22% OFF! Dino Drive
Dinosaurs may have died off years and years (and years) ago but our collective obsession with them continues. This dinosaur truck toy is larger than life with eight dino figures, an activity play mat and dinosaur eggs (not the edible kind from my childhood). This set is 22% off and is certain to delight the little nature or history lover in your house.
31% OFF! Walkie Like You Talkie
Walkie-talkies are the perfect adventure toy for your little explorer. This set has clear sound, key lock function, adjustable volume and an ergonomic design that’s easy for little hands to hold and carry. Parents can even get in on the action with real-time monitoring by keeping one unit and giving the other to a child. This set is 31% off right now and comes in seven different colors.
48% OFF! Flower Power
Maybe I could actually keep from killing these flowers, which come in a toddler-sized garden they can build, sort and organize. And, right now, you can snag this on Amazon for 48% off. Kids can learn about the various parts of a flower while coming up with their own creations. When it’s time to put things away, it all stores neatly in a green carry box.