Halloween Gifts for Kids That Outlast the Sugar Rush

For older kids and collectors, the Squishmallows IT: Welcome to Derry Pennywise is a surprisingly soft $14.99 novelty that’s easy to gift or tuck into a Halloween basket. In our testing, the official license and recognizable design hit the mark for Stephen King fans, though the creepy look may frighten younger children. Availability can be spotty and some buyers report shipping issues when ordering direct, so shop early or from trusted retailers to secure one without headaches.

Looking for a small-but-mighty Halloween mood booster? During our review, we found the 4-inch teeturtle Reversible Bat Plush easy to flip between two distinct expressions, super soft to squeeze, and wonderfully portable for backpacks or car rides. Heads-up: it arrives vacuum-sealed and can look squashed until fluffed, the tiny size may disappoint kids expecting a bigger plush, and to avoid knockoffs we recommend buying from official sellers—still a charming $14.99 fidget friend for expressive play.

This online-exclusive Mimikyu Bundle feels special right out of the box, with 5-in-1 sounds for interactive play and two outfits (hat and bow tie, plus cape and hat) for easy costume swaps. During our review, we saw reports of fulfillment hiccups—some customers received incorrect items or missing sound modules—so double-check your order on arrival and before gifting. The $74.50 price is steep versus non-bundle plush, but for Pokémon fans it’s a collectible that can sell out quickly.

Slip the Halloween Plus Plus Tube into a backpack for creative, screen-free building on the go. During our review, the open-ended, STEM-style pieces encouraged focus and fine-motor practice, and we like that they’re BPA-free and made in a facility powered by renewable energy. With only 70 pieces, bigger builds are limited—pairing two tubes helps—and the small parts can be fiddly enough to warrant adult help. As with all tiny bits, there’s a choking hazard for under-threes, so supervise and store carefully.

Monster High fans will adore Draculaura’s Scary Sweet Birthday look, complete with a balloon, invite, coffin gift box, fan, and bracelet for party-ready storytelling. We found the removable skirt and outfit pieces make quick re-dressing easy, adding variety to play. Note that she cannot stand on her own, so a doll stand helps for display, and some hair may need a wash and restyle out of the box. At $24.84 at Walmart, it’s a festive pick for spooky-season birthdays and beyond.

When you want sensory play without the cleanup dread, Crayola’s Goo All-in-1 Sensory Station delivers. In our testing, the less-mess formula really did avoid sticking to hands, hair, or clothing, and the mixing tray with storage cups, lids, labels, and scoop made pack-up painless. Kids can customize with mix-ins, glitter glue, and washable markers, but supplies include only four goo powders, so they go fast. Small confetti and beads aren’t suited to very young kids, so supervise accordingly.

If your kid loves outdoor art, this Glow in the Dark Rock Painting kit delivers durable river rocks, weather-resistant paint, and a glowing twist that shines at night. During our review, we found the glow effect subtle unless the rocks are 'charged' under bright light, and the paint can be thin—you’ll want multiple coats for vivid designs and to cover misses. Occasional missing components have been reported, but the $18 set is a fun, low-mess Halloween craft that lasts.

For crafty kids, Klutz’s Make Your Own Mini Erasers kept our testers happily focused thanks to vibrant clay colors, a handy shaping tool, and safety-tested eyes that bring characters to life. In our testing, the baking step required careful temperature control—some pieces can melt or turn inconsistent—and finished erasers are more for showcasing than serious erasing, plus the clay amount limits how many you can make. Still, it’s a delightful $21.99 project that rewards patience, supervision, and creativity.

Kids who love spooky science will get a kick out of the Beaker Creatures Monster Glow Lab. In our testing, the durable plastic tools and black light blaster held up to repeat experiments, and the glow-in-the-dark collectible creatures add fun collecting value between sessions. Just know some reactor pods may fizzle out, you’ll likely need to supply extra consumables from the pantry, and the blacklight effects look best in a dark room—still a solid $29.99 pick for Halloween-worthy STEM play.

This hands-on Robotic Hand Kit is a great Halloween-adjacent STEM project—our testers learned basic anatomy and tendon movement while building a lifelike, string-pulled hand that needs no batteries. We found the instructions clear, but assembly can be tricky for younger kids and adult help speeds things up, plus the small parts aren’t suitable for little siblings. Durability varies and some plastic pieces may break with rough play, so gentle handling extends the value of this $25.99 learning kit.

These jittery HEXBUG Nano Nitro critters are instant giggle fuel, racing around floors with autonomous movement that fascinates kids and pets alike. During our review, we appreciated that batteries are included and one Nano glows in the dark for lights-off fun. Performance drops on carpet or uneven surfaces—smooth tile and hardwood are best—and some units have short battery life, so keep spares handy. As with all micro toys, small parts pose a choking hazard for children under 3.

Build, decorate, and then flip the switch—the KiwiCo Light-Up Haunted House comes with LEDs and a battery so it glows the same day. We found the hands-on assembly plus creative decorating reinforces STEM thinking and fine-motor skills, and it’s approachable for kids around 5 with adult guidance. Expect small parts and a fairly petite finished house that’s better for seasonal display than heavy play. If your kid wants ongoing projects, KiwiCo’s subscriptions may suit better than this solid one-off kit.

Marble-run enthusiasts will love how the new stackable Skytrax tiles let you build taller, more compact GraviTrax layouts without eating up floor space. In our testing, the included scoop and hammer add satisfying motion, and compatibility with existing sets makes expansion easy. The smaller Action-Set can feel limited—some booklet builds require extra pieces—and denser stacks can make retrieving stuck marbles tricky. At $49.99, it’s best as an add-on for fans rather than a standalone first set.

Scooby-Doo fans will love gathering the gang for Betrayal at Mystery Mansion, which our experience shows is accessible for kids 8+ and packed with theme. We found the 25 haunts keep scenarios varied, though gameplay can feel chaotic and random at times, and the thinner tiles, tokens, and card clips demand gentle handling to avoid wear or clipping damage. If you’re okay with some spooky silliness, it’s a fun $34.99 family entry into the Betrayal style of cooperative capers.

Horrified: Universal Monsters hits a sweet spot for family game night—our experience shows the rules are simple, the miniatures look fantastic, and each classic monster has a unique way to defeat it. In our testing, solo and two-player sessions can feel too easy unless you dial up the difficulty, and coordination with larger groups takes time and teamwork. Replayability can dip after several plays, but mixing monsters and upping the challenge keeps this $39.99 cooperative creep-fest fresh.

Family game night gets a witchy twist with the Disney Hocus Pocus Board Game, which nails the movie’s vibe with themed components and art. During our review, the cooperative format for 2–6 players and roughly 30-minute playtime made it easy to replay a few rounds. Expect a steeper learning curve on the first go—the rulebook and setup can confuse younger or casual players. Our experience shows a simple rubber band or card box helps the packaging stay shut between sessions.

Calling all aspiring magicians: this Melissa & Doug costume delivers showtime flair with a sequin-accented cape, a hat with a hidden compartment, and a vest pocket for simple tricks. During our review, the included accessories and easy-tricks card helped kids practice performance skills and confidence. Be aware some buyers received missing pieces and the hat can arrive smushed; we found a little reshaping fixes the look, and the rigid plastic wand may be swapped for a softer option. At $26.59, it’s a stage-ready crowd-pleaser.

Costume play is effortless with this soft velour Bat Cape, complete with a hood, big bat ears, and a chest emblem that clearly reads as 'bat' without extra pieces. In our testing, it washed well on gentle, making cleanup after school plays and trick-or-treat runs simple, though the primary size 5–6 won’t fit every child. Our experience shows the $34.99 price buys comfort and durability, but keep it away from open flames due to the flammability warning.

For Toniebox households, the Spidey & His Amazing Friends figure is an easy win: a familiar hero, catchy theme music, and lively songs that invite dancing and sing-alongs. In our testing, the roughly 41-minute runtime fit preschool attention spans well for car rides or quiet time. Keep in mind content can feel repetitive if looped all day, and it requires a Toniebox to play. Households with very young kids or medical-device concerns should note the small parts and embedded magnets.

The Julia Donaldson: Room on the Broom Tonie is a charming, screen-free Halloween treat at $14.99. In our testing, the high-quality narration kept little listeners hooked, and the included song adds replay value for bedtime wind-downs or quick car rides. Note the story runs about 16 minutes, which some may find short for the price, and it requires a separate Toniebox; while some users report battery or charging hiccups with Tonie devices, we found this cozy, repeatable tale still outlasts any candy haul by fostering calm, imaginative listening all year.