cool prize#

Keeping up with a child's interests can be challenging, especially with new toys constantly hitting the market. When it comes to choosing the perfect birthday or holiday gift (don't forget Easter), you want to find something they'll actually use and not just toss it to the back of their closet. So, where to start?

To find a special gift that your kid (or the kid in your life) will truly love, we took a deep dive into all the trendiest toys, games, books, and art projects. Read on for the best gifts for kids that you can buy online right now, including heated stuffed animals, toddler-sized bicycles, and more.

Editor’s Picks#

This game system connects to your TV and is played without remotes by tracking motion for endless fun for up to four people.

Kids will get a kick out of taking pictures and printing them instantly with this camera—it’s like having their very own Polaroid.

What could be a better activity for the start of summer than a water slide? All you have to do is inflate it and connect it to a garden hose.

This indoor play tent gives kids a fun place to hide out, read, or play—without clashing with your living room decor.

Ages 6 Months–2 Years#

Young minds will enjoy exploring the different features this toy has to offer, including lights and over 20 songs, sounds, and phrases. It can help babies strengthen their motor skills as they grasp the handle, press buttons, and rattle beads, while toddlers will enjoy imaginative play pretending to sip coffee from their very own mug.   

These pretty Danish Hygge stacking cups are non-overstimulating and will keep them busy for hours while helping develop their motor skills and brainpower. It comes in four neutral colors. 

As the weather cools down, this cuddly stuffed animal will keep your kiddo cozy. Each Warmies animal is fully microwavable, scented with real dried French lavender, and weighted for extra coziness. On days when warmth isn’t needed, you can also chill it in the freezer for cooling relief. There are plenty of animal options to choose from, and some animals even come in different colors for a truly personalized gift.

If you have a musical prodigy on your hands, this toy can help them hone their skills. As children pound the colorful balls on the top level with the wooden hammer, they’ll fall onto the xylophone below making music. Kids can also pull out the xylophone from the base to practice hitting keys by themselves and creating their own tunes. 

Turn bath time into an entertaining, educational experience with this bundle from Boon. Toddlers will enjoy scooping and pouring water while bigger kids can connect pieces to create a maze for water to flow through. It includes five pipes, three tubes, and five gears made from BPA-free plastic that can be used individually or as a system. They’re also designed to suction to the bath wall to keep water in the tub rather than on the floor.

Infants and toddlers will learn animal identification, English, Spanish, and life science from the LeapFrog 100 Animals Book. Each of the 12 pages features a different habitat, including a rainforest and desert, and showcases the different animals living there. Simply press a button to hear animal names, their sounds, and fun facts about each one.

Bring the fun with you wherever you go with this packable ball pit made from double-sided vegan leather. It’s available in eight aesthetic colors and sturdy enough to maintain its shape but padded for safe and comfortable play. Its water resistant and wipeable material makes it easy to clean before folding up for compact storage.

Ages 3-5#

Squishmallows are wildly popular among children, and there are so many adorable characters to choose from. This mystery box takes the guesswork out of giving and even adds a surprise element—you don’t know which ones you’ll get until you open the box. This box includes five 5-inch Squishmallows, but there’s also an option for three 8-inch plushies.

Little scientists and curious minds can get an up-close look at some of their favorite animals, plants, and household items with this talking microscope. There are 20 slides and 60 images to observe, plus more than 100 facts in four different languages voiced by wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin. 

Kids can make creations that look almost as good as the real deal with this Kinetic Sand Soft Serve Station. The kit comes with 14 ounces of the magical sand in blue, pink, and white, as well as two ice cream cones, a scoop, and sprinkle grater for them to play with independently or with friends. Because kinetic sand never dries out, it’s able to be used again and again.

For the artist on your list, this easel has everything needed to draw, paint, and create. It comes with a dry-erase board, chalkboard, and locking paper roll holder so children can express themselves in a variety of different mediums. The sturdy wooden frame folds flat for storage and is adjustable, so it can change in height as kids grow.

A modern take on traditional building blocks, Magna-Tiles are made from food-grade, BPA-free plastic and connect using magnets that are strong enough to stick together but easy enough for little ones to pull apart. This beginner kit includes 32 colorful pieces, including two different size squares and three different triangles. 

Even the best little athletes need practice—this Little Tikes T-ball set will help sharpen their skills in their own backyard. Designed with beginners in mind, it helps kids develop hand-eye coordination as they learn to hit the ball off the adjustable tee with an easy-to-grip oversized bat. 

Designed for pre-readers or early readers, Zingo is a fun take on the classic game of Bingo. Instead of numbers and letters, players match pictures from the Zinger to the ones on their cards with the goal of filling every space and, of course, yelling “Zingo!” With simple rules and clear instructions, children will be able to get started right away as they play with friends, siblings, or grown ups.

If your kid is right beside you watching reruns of Guy’s Grocery Games, this prep set will have them creating culinary creations of their own. The 11-piece collection includes five knives, one crinkle cutter, one Y-shaped peeler, a cutting board, and three sandwich cutouts in the shape of a mushroom, bear, and rabbit. 

To keep children engaged without a screen, this audio player has 52 minutes of songs, stories, and educational content. To use, simply place the desired figurine on top of the audio box, and tracks will begin playing automatically. Each figurine—which includes characters from Disney, Dr. Seuss, Pixar, and Paw Patrol—is programmed to play different content.

Building blocks are a classic children’s toy, and for good reason. Kids can practice their shapes, colors, and counting skills while further developing their motor skills as they grasp and stack blocks. This kit comes with 100 solid wood blocks in four different colors and nine shapes to keep little ones entertained for hours. 

Adventurous kids can practice their riding skills on this balance bike. They’ll start with their feet on the ground to help push themselves forward until eventually they’re able to balance and ride for longer periods of time. The bike features 12-inch foam tires for a smooth ride, a steering limiter for added stability, and an adjustable seat to ensure the best fit for your child as they grow. 

Children will develop coordination as they balance and jump from one stone to another. The set includes six stones in assorted colors and are designed to stack together for easy cleanup and storage.

Positively Perfect dolls give children the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the toys they play with. These dolls are designed with multicultural features such as custom-blended skin tones and a variety of hair textures, colors, and styles, all as unique as the children who play with them. Each doll is 18 inches tall and comes with an outfit and mix-and-match accessories.

This tent can be used as a home for their stuffed animals, a reading nook, or a quiet space to daydream. The frame is made from beechwood, and the covering is made from a machine-washable canvas. It’s big enough for multiple children to play inside but small enough that it won’t take up too much room in their bedroom or playroom. To store, it easily folds flat to fit underneath a couch or bed.

This classic book by Dr. Seuss will remind them of all the potential they possess. Kids will love the author’s signature rhymes and colorful illustrations as the story teaches readers about the ups and downs they can expect in life. If you want to make this gift even more special and personalized, write a message inside for your kid to read and cherish for years to come.

Ages 6–9#

If you have a dino lover on your list, this kit from National Geographic will make them feel like a real paleontologist as they dig to uncover fossils. The set includes a T. Rex tooth fossil replica and a genuine dinosaur poop fossil hidden inside a large dirt brick, along with digging tools, a brush, and a learning guide.

Most Lego kits only provide children with enough pieces and instructions to create one project, but this three-in-one kit extends playtime with multiple creations, including a unicorn, seahorse, and peacock. Each character is also able to stand on its own, so kids can proudly display their creations when they’re complete.

Kanoodle is a game of fun and critical thinking. Kids can choose from more than 200 challenges to recreate 2D patterns or 3D shapes using colorful marbles, and when they’re done, everything fits neatly into the carrying case. While it’s recommended for ages seven and up, it’s likely that parents will want to try their hand at the game, as well. 

Game night just got a lot more interesting with this interactive card game by the makers of Exploding Kittens. The object is simple: Collect sets of matching cards to earn points and avoid being hit by an airborne burrito. Yes, you literally get to throw burritos like a dodgeball. The brand also sells expansion kits such as Block Block Burrito to add to the fun.

This magic set gives them everything they need to mesmerize an audience. The kit includes 52 pieces to perform 10 classic magic tricks, such as the disappearing ball, magic coin box, and secret silks. The kit also comes with easy-to-follow instructions to help young magicians quickly master each trick. When the magic show is over, everything fits back into the wooden box for storage.

When rainy days leave kids stuck inside, give them the gift of outdoor play indoors. Unlike traditional soccer balls, this one is made to hover over smooth surfaces when kicked and is surrounded by soft foam bumpers to protect furniture and walls from potential scuffs or damage. What’s more, the flashing LED lights allow for play after dark. 

Instead of using dining chairs and couch cushions to make a fort, kids can stretch their imagination and create unique structures such as igloos, castles, and tunnels with this kit. It includes 44 sticks and 25 connector balls to build with, and once the structure is complete, all it needs is a sheet or throw blanket draped over top to create the ultimate hideaway. Kits can also be combined to make even larger structures.

Give the gift of high-quality sound to the kid who’s always listening to music or watching videos on their devices. These earbuds are designed with volume-limiting features to protect their ears, they’re sweat and water resistant, and they come with five different size options to achieve the most comfortable fit. The case and earbuds are fully charged after just two hours and provide up to five hours of non-stop listening.

Inspire kids to make the world a better place with this nonfiction book from the series “Young Change Makers.” Written by Stacy C. Bauer and illustrated by Emanuela Ntamack, Making a Difference tells the true stories of 12 kids creating change in their communities around the world through their unique passions and talents. It also offers ideas for how readers can make a difference, too.

For the science lover or future astronaut on your list, this dual-function projector brings the beauty of outer space right to their bedroom. You can choose from over 24 high-definition space images, including planets, nebulae, asteroids, and more, as well as a rotating image of the stars to create over 50 different image combinations. Not only is it educational, but it also doubles as a night light with automatic shut-off for after they’ve drifted to sleep. 

With the Pop It! Pro, lights flash in a pattern for players to recreate by popping bubbles before the time runs out. There are 20 levels that progress in difficulty and three play modes including single player, single-player blitz, and multiplayer. A compact toy without any parts and pieces, the Pop It! Pro is easy to take on the go so the fun never has to stop.

All kids need is open space and some tunes to make the most of this interactive toy. Blinking lights lead the way as players practice their moves in three different dance modes, or they can choose from a Simon-Says-style memory game with five difficulty levels. Unlike other dance mats that only play the tunes loaded in the game, the Kidzlane Electronic Dance Mat allows kids to play their own music through Bluetooth connectivity.

Hot Wheels enthusiasts know that racing the little cars is half the fun of collecting them, and this four-lane track allows kids to create new racing experiences over and over again. When kids are done playing, the track easily folds into the carrying case that also holds up to 19 cars. 

Future authors and illustrators can try their hand at creating their own comic book. This kit comes with markers, pre-formatted blank pages, and an instructional guide with tips and examples. Once complete, parents can send their story in the pre-paid envelope for it to be professionally printed and bound. 

Crafty kids can try their hand at felting with this starter kit from Woolbuddy. It comes with colorful wool, felting needles, a foam mat, and thimbles to keep little fingers safe. It also includes an instructional booklet with photos for kids to follow along as they craft six cuddly characters. 

Kids will be mesmerized by this gravity-defying toy. Simply load the special string into the rechargeable device, turn it on, and watch as it flies through the air. The ZipString website even has a Trick Library where kids can learn how to manipulate the string to create fun patterns and games. It comes in five colors and three colorful string loops that kids can switch out depending on their mood. 

The possibilities for play are endless with this activity kit. Using the Sphero Play app, kids can control the mini robotic ball as it moves through mazes or knocks down bowling pins. If they’d rather play games within the app, the robotic ball can also be used as a joystick for easy play on the go. Kids can learn coding basics as they program the ball with different commands. Science, technology, engineering, and math concepts combine to make this an educational and engaging toy.

Ages 10–13#

Three to four adults and kids can compete by gathering and trading resources to expand their settlements across the board. Catan is celebrated for its balance of strategy and chance, making it an exciting and stimulating gift that players will enjoy time and time again.

Nothing beats a fun karaoke session. Encourage them to sing their hearts out. Kids will be delighted with this microphone. It comes with different modes, including an echo mode, and the choice of 15 colors.

You can’t go wrong with the Nintendo Switch. It’s portable and compact so they can keep busy on road trips. Plus, it offers multiplayer functionality and has three play modes, including the TV.

Older kids will appreciate this trendy oversized faux-shearling fleece blanket for the winter. Let them pad around the house, warm and perfectly comfortable. It's hooded, has pockets large enough to fit a book, and comes in 42 patterns. It's vegan and cruelty-free.

Young artists can take their creations to the next level with this 3D printing kit. It comes with three colors of plastic filament, a stylus, and an A/C adapter to get kids designing anything they can imagine. If they need a little extra inspiration, the brand’s website offers tutorials on making animals, game pieces, and action figures. 

This stylish smart watch is available in four colors and features 55 digital and analog faces so they can learn to read a clock. In addition to timekeeping, the watch also has two cameras for kids to take photos and videos, a pedometer for step tracking, and games to keep them entertained.

Take Our Word for It#

This article was written by Christine Winder, a contributing writer for Real Simple with years of experience writing lifestyle content and shopping roundups. For tips on how to choose the best gifts for kids, she also spoke with Chris Byrne, independent toy analyst, researcher, and consultant. Nusrat Sultana, an editor for Real Simple, also contributed to this piece.