25 Best Toys and Gifts for Kids in 2025

Botley 2.0 Coding Robot is an engaging way for kids aged 3-5 to dive into screen-free STEM play! This adorable robot teaches programming basics, making learning fun and accessible. However, during our review, some users experienced Botley intermittently ceasing to respond, causing frustration. To avoid interfering signals when using multiple robots, ensure some spacing. Overall, Botley opens a world of educational play, though attention to technical details is key.

ThinkFun Gravity Maze delivers a brain-boosting experience with 60 increasing challenges that captivate children aged 6-8. Ideal for developing problem-solving skills, the durable materials ensure long-lasting fun. In our experience, younger users sometimes struggled with precise piece alignment, necessitating a bit of adult help. Despite this, the educational value and interactive design make it a rewarding gift for encouraging critical thinking.

The LEGO SPIKE Prime Set is a powerhouse of creative STEM learning for kids aged 9-12. With over 500 vibrant components, it encourages innovative building and coding. However, our review highlighted the need for an expansion set to fully explore the possibilities, as the core set alone has its limitations. Despite storage challenges, this kit inspires young builders and programmers to dive into engineering and technology in actionable ways.

Squigz offers a delightful twist on building toys, promoting creative play and motor skills for kids aged 3-5. Their suction-cup design sticks to most surfaces, sparking new levels of imaginative construction. Reviewers noted the need for frequent cleaning due to dust and hair attraction, and their creations might not hold for extended periods. Despite being on the pricier side, Squigz are cherished for their versatility and fun appeal.

Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit combines the charm of physical play with digital learning, great for boosting early literacy and numeracy in kids aged 3-5. It transforms tablets into magical learning environments, though some technical hiccups may occur with the reflector. Additionally, activities may feel exhausted relatively quickly, yet it delivers a unique approach to foundational skills development. Perfect for screen-learning fusion, sparking creative explorations.

The See & Spell by Melissa & Doug offers hands-on educational fun, crafted from durable wooden materials that promise longevity. Our experience shows it effectively helps young learners with letter recognition and vocabulary as they piece together colorful illustrated words. While some sets have issues with missing or duplicate boards and chipped paint on letters, the overall quality and educational value make it a worthwhile addition to creative play for ages 3 to 5.

The LeapFrog Smart Globe is an enthralling educational gift for budding explorers interested in geography, animals, and culture. Its interactive features, including a stylus that enhances the learning experience, leave young minds curious and engaged. Despite some issues with app connectivity and operational speed during our review, its lightweight design makes it easy for little hands to spin and explore. Despite its complexities, it creates a captivating global adventure for kids.

With Tiny Science by SmartLab Toys, embark on on-the-go science adventures through its compact design and informative 48-page activity book. We found its conveniently sized package ideal for field experimentation, albeit with a few reports of missing pieces. While the balance scale may not provide precise measurements, this kit is an excellent introduction to the scientific world, fitting perfectly in backpacks for curious minds aged 6 to 8 ready to explore STEM concepts.

The Code-a-pillar Right Turn Segment keeps the coding journey alive for inquisitive minds, emphasizing problem-solving and sequential thinking. From our experience, its durable design and easy connectivity ensure long-lasting play. Although it can be quite loud, lacking volume control, and needs ample space to function, its interactive and educative essence keeps coding fun prominent for children aged 3-5. It inspires curiosity in young learners eager to explore programming.

The Melissa & Doug Abacus is a classic wooden learning tool that captivates young minds with its colorful beads and hands-on play approach. Designed for ages 3 to 5, it's perfect for sparking early mathematical thinking. While some parents noted that bead movement could be a bit stiff for younger kids, its sturdy construction promises longevity. In our experience, this abacus is a delightful, screen-free way to explore basic counting and arithmetic concepts.

Ignite scientific curiosity with the National Geographic Science Magic Kit, an engaging educational gift for kids aged 6-8. Combining exciting STEM experiments with easy-to-follow instructions, it promises hours of educational fun. Some liquid ingredients might spill without proper sealing, so supervision is recommended, but the joy of discovery outweighs the cleanup. In our review, its hands-on approach truly made science magical, an excellent pick for curious young scientists.

CraftLab Woodland Animals Sewing Kit is perfect for introducing kids aged 6-8 to the art of sewing, fostering creativity with pre-cut felt shapes and clear instructions. While the materials are top-notch, keep in mind some children might need guidance due to the kit’s intricate nature. The needle quality could be improved, but this kit still provides a delightful sewing introduction, encouraging hand-eye coordination and creativity.

Unleash boundless creativity with the Super Art Set! This 80-piece ensemble, recommended for ages 3-5, includes everything young artists need, from markers to watercolors. Despite some reports of fragile markers and loose paintpieces, its value shines through in its diversity and travel-ready design. We found it especially fantastic for on-the-go creativity, encouraging imaginative play and artistic ventures wherever inspiration strikes.

The Kids Drawing Stencils Set is a treasure trove for budding artists aged 3-5, providing diverse stencils and art supplies that fire up creativity. Complete with a sturdy carrying case for travel, we found some stencil sizes less ideal for younger children’s tracing skills. Pencils could offer higher quality, but they suffice for vibrant creations. Despite this, it’s an encompassing package for creative expression, providing hours of artistic enjoyment.

The Crayola Tracing Pad is your child's portable art studio, perfect for unleashing creativity anywhere. In our testing, the bright LED drawing surface illuminated even under dim lighting, allowing clear visibility for the 100+ traceable images included. Although it's lightweight and easy to carry, be prepared to purchase batteries separately. Some users mentioned dealing with tricky battery compartment screws, but the imaginative potential it offers makes this pad a worthwhile investment.

Ignite a world of creativity with the Pop Stick Art Kit by ALEX Toys! This kit comes with everything needed for delightful popsicle stick crafts, helping kids develop fine motor skills with its easy, pictorial instructions. Although additional glue might be required for more secure stickiness, in our review, these projects remained a favorite way to meld fun and learning together. Just be ready to lend a hand with smaller parts.

Dive into creative endeavors with the Crayola Super Art Kit, a comprehensive set perfect for budding artists aged 5 and up. It boasts a delightful mix of crayons, markers, and colored pencils, all housed in a robust, reusable storage container. Although some noted the box could be more size-efficient, its durability ensures long-term use. Our tests found it to be a fantastic gateway to creative play, making it an ideal gift for young art enthusiasts.

Unleash creativity with the ALEX Toys My Giant Busy Box, a brilliant collection of 16 craft projects that inspire young imaginers. Geared towards ages 3 to 5, it offers a diverse range of activities. We found some materials, like clay, might need a bit of refreshing, and the instructions could be more detailed. However, its expansive potential for creativity makes it a compelling choice for sparking artistic exploration in little ones.

Ready to scoot into fun? The Micro Maxi LED Scooter is a standout in its class, featuring a lean-to-steer design that boosts balance and coordination. Our testing shows its adjustable T-bar grows with your child, making it a lasting choice for kids aged 6-8. Motion-activated LED wheels add a dazzling element to rides. Just be mindful of the 110-pound weight limit, which could curtail use for older or heavier children.

NERF Agility Blaster is an exciting entry into the realm of backyard battles, offering an affordable way to enhance outdoor fun. With its 6-dart rotating drum and reliable shooting accuracy, it's perfect for kids aged 6-8. While the priming mechanism requires some finesse, and slam-fire isn't supported, our experience showed it's easy to use and a surefire hit for energetic play. The ideal choice for thrilling Nerf adventures on a budget!

Fuel the imagination with the Little Tikes Cozy Pumper, perfect for fans of ride-on toys! Its fun, weatherproof buttons generate sounds that enhance pretend play. While its lightweight design may occasionally lead to toppling, we found it a charming addition for outdoor pretend stations. Note the absence of a credit card accessory means kids may create their own. This playful addition encourages role play and social fun during any ride-on adventure.

Meet the KaeKid Interactive Robot Toy, a durable companion perfect for sparking creativity in kids aged 3-5. We found its robust design and long battery life reliable for extended play. While the robot's touch response occasionally missed the mark and it can topple when reversing, it remains easy and fun for kids to use. It's a delightful introduction to robotics that encourages imaginative play despite its minor hiccups.

Watch time transform into adventure with the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3, a multifunctional tool masking as a play companion. With dual cameras and learning games, we've seen it spark creativity and curiosity in kids aged 4 to 12. Despite its bulkiness on smaller wrists, this smartwatch offers both entertainment and educational activities, though variability in camera quality was an area for improvement. Finding the right balance between fun and learning makes this watch a favorite.

Let your child get hands-on with the Sphero Mini Robot Ball, an exciting blend of tech and fun that introduces them to coding. The various driving modes kept our young testers engaged, aligning seamlessly with educational exploration. With its small size, this robot may be easy to misplace, and the battery life isn't lengthy, yet its playful introduction to tech skills is highly effective. It's portable, interactive, and an ideal gift for budding tech enthusiasts.