We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A marble run set so your little one can create their own maze that marbles can roll through. This will keep them interested for a long time and help them *build* their problem-solving skills. It's the perfect activity when you need to keep them busy because your to-do list is a mile long.
Promising reviews: "My 5- and 3-year-olds (and me) have spent hours building towers and watching marbles clatter down these chutes, steps, gears and spirals, HOURS! And they’re not bored yet! It’s also educational learning the physics of slopes by experience. Plus, it comes with enough marbles so that losing a few doesn’t matter." —Joyce Parker
"This is a really neat toy that has provided literally hours and hours of enjoyment for my 4-year-old nephew (and me!). The pieces fit well together, it is very sturdy and stands up well even on carpet. There are an infinite number of ways to build these runs, and this toy never gets boring. Highly recommended." —Becca
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three different quantities).
2. A color-your-own-castle playhouse, because it's the perfect indoor activity that will make your child's imagination run wild, yet doesn't require a lot of effort on your part. Just whip out some crayons and markers and let the fun begin.
3. Or a glow-in-the-dark fort building kit for your soon-to-be architect or engineer. Your little builder can create anything they can think of like a castle or rocket. The best part is when you shut the lights off, their creation will glow.
Promising review: "Got this for my niece who was 4 and she could play this for hours. She put her blanket over it, made flags, turned it into a wand, and bunch of other versatile ways to play. It’s a great buy if you want to keep the kid busy for hours. It’s a bit challenging at times to get it dissembled but it was super fun for her. Easy to store back in the bag or box." —S Cheung
Get it from Amazon for $59.97+ (available in two different styles).
4. An affordable drone, because kids (and adults) are just amazed by these. I won't tell that you basically bought it for yourself and just lend it to your kiddo every once in a while to keep boredom at bay.
Promising review: "Awesome, easy to use and learn drone that entertains me and my 2-year-old for hours. Very steady, fast, and with two long-lasting batteries with two chargers. I bump it into walls. Sometimes drops from 10-plus feet without issues. It goes pretty high outside without issues but I think it's intended as an indoor drone. Very sturdy. Bottom has soft plastic rubber pieces for soft landings and bumpers around blades help protect it. Love it!" —Laura Pena
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two versions).
5. A Gravity Maze game to challenge your little brainiac to use spatial reasoning, planning, and engineering to figure out how to get the ball through the maze and on its target. Sounds super technical, but it's learning that feels like fun.
The game comes with 60 challenges that range from beginner to expert so it will hold their interest as they work their way up to the trickier ones.
Promising review: "What a great combination of construction, puzzles, and games! My 5-year-old and 8-year-old niece were able to challenge themselves to some of the levels (the 8-year-old was was more capable of solving them on her own). The adults also found themselves fixated on playing the different levels as well! It was challenging and fun! We love marble runs and games so this was a perfect fit. This is one of the few games that everyone asks to play and it's perfect when we have guests of kiddos over and keeps everyone busy and engaged for hours!" —Crystal Brown
Get it from Amazon for $33.99.
6. A solar-powered DIY robot kit, a STEM activity where your child can build 12 robots that can move with the power of the sun!
The kit includes 190 pieces, a solar panel, and detailed instructions.
Promising review: "I purchased this as a gift for an 8-year-old boy. He loves to build, loves robotics, dinosaurs, and Godzilla. :) He LOVES this set! He sits for hours on end, which is an amazing accomplishment for any 8-year-old, playing with and building all the different robot toys. A friend's 8-year-old daughter loves them, the 48-year-old parent loves them, and the 75-year-old grandpa loves them. Fun for the whole family!" —MBC
Get it from Amazon for $20.76.
7. A Disney Princess necklace activity set to help your little one stay out of your jewelry box and create their very own one-of-a-kind necklaces. The best part? It's easy to create multiple configurations over and over for hours of fun, so you can finally catch up on your emails.
This set comes with a carrying case, five Disney Princess rubber charms, 150 beads, and four silicone necklaces.
Promising review: "My 3-year-old twins loved it, entertained for hours which is rare. Perfect for teaching coordination, color patterns, encourages creativity. The necklaces are a soft, stretchy material with a safe breakaway clasp but that also stays on well. I wore a necklace for hours around the house and didn't fall off. The beads are cute and a good variety of colors. Overall great project, loads of fun for toddlers." —Lyss
Get it from Amazon for $11.48.
8. A rechargeable bubble machine that'll ~blow away~ any bubble wand in sight. Parents, you will no longer have to huff and puff or lose your breath blowing bubbles again! And, it's a fun activity that'll keep your kiddo busy for a long time.
This bubble maker includes: bubble gun, two bottles of bubble solution, a rechargeable battery, a charger, and a plate to place the bubble solution.
Promising review: "I ordered this for my daughter's birthday and she has always loved bubbles!. So when I found this bubble gun on TikTok, it was a no-brainer. The amount of bubbles that you get out of that is so fun and it lights up. It's easy to use and pretty inexpensive for what we wanted. Even the adults enjoyed it." —Tina
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five colors/styles).
9. A foldable indoor slide, because rain shouldn't ruin your little one's day. This slide will come to the rescue if you need a fun indoor activity when your kiddo is on the verge of crying out "I'm bored!" but the weather — or your massive chore list — isn't ideal for a trip to the park.
Promising review: "I got this for my 2-year-old daughter's birthday and she LOVES it. She is a little nervous on the playground and she took to this right away. It folds down easily and sets up easily — the design is brilliant. It was actually so easy that I watched the 30 second set up video just to be sure I got it right lol. My 8-year-old son got on it too and it held up. We live in an apartment so this is something that she can climb on safely without taking up a ton of space. Love this product!!" —jenna
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four designs).
10. Or a Montessori indoor play gym if you really need your child to play inside while you get some chores done. The best part? Your kiddo won't scorch their bum sliding down one of those overheated metal slides at the park — ouch!
Good Evas Kids is a small biz based in NY that sells wooden children's play sets, climbing walls, and bookshelves.
Promising review: "This product is amazing! I did so much research regarding quality and cost before purchasing one and this was the best one! My baby absolutely loves this! It is very sturdy and strong. It came with everything you need and the website has the instruction videos which made it so easy to follow and put it together. Also, customer service is so quick to respond and very caring! I love that you can adjust the height and angle of the triangle ladder. You can also move around the four products and change it up so you can have different set up which I like!" —teni240
Get it from Good Evas Kids on Etsy for $99+ (originally $198+; available in seven variations and two colors).
11. A wireless karaoke mic so you can say yes to an impromptu concert without having to whip out a heavy karaoke machine and a bunch of wires. Your little singer will be belting out tunes while you catch up on some work.
Promising review: "My 8-year-old daughter loved this birthday gift. The only problem is that my 6-year-old and 12-year-old daughters love it too, so now I have to purchase two more." —Carl Fowler
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 10 colors).
12. An Orbeez Challenge playset with 2,000 beads that soak up water and expand. This set comes with all the necessary tools so your child can satisfy their need to make a (contained) mess! They can roll, shape, and crush the Orbeez for endless sensory fun!
My daughter has been asking for this set for a long time but I was nervous to get it for her because it just seems like a messy toy that will require a lot of cleaning afterwards. She received it as a gift, and I hesitated when it was time to finally open it up. I'm happy to report that not only is this set SO much fun, but if you use the included container, it keeps all the messy stuff contained. And this set will definitely keep your child entertained for a long, long time. We love it.
Promising review: "My son loved the sensory play with these Orbeez rainbow beads — we were both shocked by how large they grew in water! They provided hours of creative play for my 8-year old and eventually he ended up putting them in a glass vase as decoration! He will still pour them out every week for some play time and has enjoyed them in the bath as well — just be sure to properly scoop all the beads out b/c they should not go down the drain! Great gift for kiddos with lots of hands-on play!" —Sara Ahmed
Get a set of from Amazon for $24.67.
13. A fold-away pirate ship, because your child will play with it for hours. It includes a slide, a ladder, a pretend telescope, a steering wheel, and a secret play space underneath. The best part? When folded, it's so compact, it can be stored almost anywhere.
Promising review: "This is so worth it! I looked at the large, bulky plastic play sets for months and they are so expensive and huge! This collapsible play set is the real winner. Both my 1-and-a-half and almost 6-year-old enjoy playing with this! I am impressed with the sturdiness, it doesn’t not shake around while they are climbing on it and holds both my daughters perfectly. It’s a great size for small yards or your living room. We move it between those two places. Definitely recommend. —Amanda
Get it from Amazon for $179.99 (also available in a castle).
14. A roller coaster for kids when you can't make a trip to a theme park but your little thrill-seeker is bored. This can be used indoors or outdoors, so it's great for rain or shine. And, reviewers say it's easy to assemble and to store.
Promising review: "So if you're like me, you've come to the reviews to talk you into or out of buying this. Well no further scrolling is needed. Buy it. Just do it. It's worth every penny I spent on it. My son LOVES it. It's easy to put together and to take apart when you want to move it. Its built really well and shipped faster than expected. It's hours of fun indoors and out." —Mariah Manley
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two style).
15. A two-tier water table that includes so many activities to keep your child busy, you'll actually be able to get some things done. And, you can attach it to a hose for a sprinkler and waterfall effect. It also includes an umbrella for protection from the scorching sun.
Promising review: "Best purchase of summer! This has become my daughter’s favorite toy! She loves playing in the water. Love the attached sprinkler and umbrella to offer shade on hot sunny days." —Crystal Libby
Get it from Amazon for $129.
16. A DIY kaleidoscope kit so your nature lover will be able to collect items while on a walk, at the beach, or in the backyard to create their own pattern. Your kiddo can add leaves, flowers, sea shells, and more inside a magnetic lid. Then, they'll be able to rotate and view objects as they create kaleidoscope images.
Dreamer Kids is a family-owned small biz that sells unique wooden toys for kids.
FYI: This kit requires some assembly and includes 10 plastic flowers.
Promising review: "We love it! We enjoyed the plastic flowers that came with the kit, but had the most fun when we started putting in natural objects —flower petals, tiny ferns. Lots of creative play ahead." —martharich3
Get it from Dreamer Kids on Etsy for $57.78 (originally $57.77; available with custom text or with two quote options).
17. A pack of popping tube sensory toys, because they're wayyy less messy (and not as painful to step on) compared to a ton of tiny Lego bricks. Your child will be able to use them to build shapes, letters, numbers, or anything they can imagine. And, they're simple to pop into place and pull apart.
For ages 3+ and up.
Promising review: "These are fun for kids of all ages. My grandbabies love them because they can hold them in their baby hands. They are brightly colored and flexible. Unlikely to hurt anything. Older kids like them for the noise they make when they are stretched or closing. They create long chains (they attach to each other) and wild twisty things. All in all, a good toy for this grandma to have in her house." —Katy
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $9.97 (also available in a four-pack or a larger size 5-pack).
18. A sensory swing so your tiny acrobat will be able to swing and bounce up and down to channel all of that energy they have after a really good nap. Because they always seem to wake up right when we actually have something to do.
Recommend for ages 3 and up.
Rest Nets is a small biz based in Israel started by a mom who created these hammocks as a way to give parents "an extra pair of hands" for entertaining kids.
Promising review: "My 4.5-year daughter loves this swing! We have it installed in a French doorframe and has been very secure. She loves to swing while we are cooking or hanging out. I anticipate it will get so much love over the years. We love having it indoors during the winter since playgrounds aren't as practical. It was one of her favorite Christmas presents." —Chris Wiegand
Get it from Rest Nests on Etsy for $98.60 (originally $116; available in nine colors).
19. Or a Wiwiurka wooden trapeze bar for your little gymnast, which can be used indoors or outdoors. They'll be able to climb, spin, and swing to their heart's content.
Recommend for ages 3 and up.
Note: Mounting hardware not included.
Wiwiurka is a Mexican woman-owned business located in Tepoztlan, Mexico that creates sustainable children's toys using water-based paints and non-toxic materials that are inspired by Pikler, Montessori, and Waldorf’s educational standards.
Promising review: "My kid won’t get off this trapeze! He loves it and he is getting so much better at his 'tricks' every day. When we ordered it we hopped it would keep him busy but we never imagined how much time he would spend on it. It’s beautiful, high quality and so much fun. I wished I would have had one as a kid." —Montserrat K.
Get it from Wiwiurka for $75 (available in three colors).
20. Search and find activity mats, because they are reusable and entertaining. This set comes with six double-sided mats filled with hidden items your child will be busy trying to find. Use the included dry erase markers to track found items and simply wipe away to start again.
For ages 3 and up.
Includes six double-sided activity mats, one duster cloth, two dry-erase markers, and an achievement certificate.
Promising review: "My daughter loves this product. She just turned four and she is able to do the activities. She feels so proud of herself once she’s done. The only part she doesn’t like is when she has to erase it but then realizes she gets to do it again after it’s erased. The cleanup is easy. We just use a paper towel to wipe it down. We use this product daily now that we’re under a stay at home order." —Kathryn
Get it from Amazon for $24.97+ (available in 12 activities).
21. A toddler busy board that can help develop fine motor skills. And, there's no set up or cleanup required — just unfold to play and fold it up to put it away. They'll be able to buckle, zip, and tie to their heart's content. BTW, this board is portable, making it great to keep your child busy during long drives, flights, or at the doctor's office.
For ages 18 months and up.
This board has various zippers, snaps, buttons, and strings to help your child learn to tie their shoes and get dressed.
Promising reviews: '"My 1-year-old loves it and it will grow with her with so many different things to master. Super handy for in the car or at other people’s houses. Lots to do with no mess." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors and an eight page version).
22. A toy doctor kit so you can turn your living room into a doctor's office when you're working from your couch and need an easy way to entertain your kiddo. Just sit back and pretend to be the patient while your little one gives you a check-up. And, you can also add a few stuffed animals to the game so ~the doc~ will have other patients to take care of when they're done examining you.
For ages 3 and up.
This kit includes over 25 pieces, stickers, and a case. And, some parts light up and make realistic sounds.
Promising review: "My son adores this toy set. It has a lot of different doctor tools in there so he can be whatever doctor he chooses! They're easy to clean and very sturdy. Pardon me, the dentist is ready for me!" —Cortini
Get it from Amazon for $21.97.
23. An adorable climber set, because your kiddo will get so much use out of this clever multifunctional play set. They'll learn how to climb, grasp, and balance while getting all of their energy out. Then, (when they're exhausted) simply flip it over and add a cushioned pillow to turn it into a rocker. Fingers crossed 🤞 they take a nap so you can finally tackle that load of laundry.
Kidodido is a small business that sells wooden Montessori toys, children's furniture, and nursery decor.
Promising review: "This toy is an amazing purchase! My son is 13-months-old and loves climbing. He immediately climbed to the top of the arch and beamed at his dad and me. The pillow is also super comfortable!" —Katherine Hines
Get it from Kidodido on Etsy for $86.36+ (originally $127+; available in various sizes and configurations).
24. A pretend food play set, so your little chef-in-training will be able to ~whip~ up any meal they can imagine. This set includes 122 pieces (!!) so the possibilities are endless for hours of fun. Your kiddo will be busy ~cooking~ for all of their stuffed animals and dolls while you check some tasks off of your list.
For ages 3 and up.
Promising review: "My grandson absolutely loves it and uses it with his play kitchen. He even serves us the fake food on plates. Keeps him busy." —GINA RODRIGUES
Get it from Amazon for $25.95.
25. A shape-shifting puzzle cube, because it will keep your child captivated while they manipulate it into over 70 shapes. It's like origami, but with magnets.
For ages 8 and up.
You can also collect all 12 puzzle box designs to connect multiple magnetic cubes to build even larger structures and sculptures.
Promising review: "I was hesitant about spending $25 for this toy and even more concerned when it showed up and I saw the size, but this got the award for favorite Christmas gift. Both my 9-year-old and 12-year-old play with it constantly!" —Blair001
Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in 22 designs and a two- or four-pack).
Your child with their new karaoke mic:
