70 Gifts For Kids We Tested in 2025

We’ve Tested Thousands of Kids Items This Year — Here Are the 70 We’re Giving Our Own Kids This Holiday Season

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Every holiday season, there’s a hot new toy every kid has on their wish list. And while that’s an easy way to please, there are so many healthy and educational gifts on the market that can enrich a child’s life. Toys that teach can be so much more fun for kids, and they don’t even have to feel like they’re learning. According to a study published in 2021, games and toys “contribute significantly to the development of cognitive, motor, psychosocial, emotional, and linguistic skills.”

Many parents are particularly concerned with their children’s screen time. Studies have found that the more time children spend in front of a television, an iPad, or a computer, the less time they spend playing with peers, indirectly increasing the likelihood of developmental delay.

Busy parents want to keep their children entertained, but many aim to ensure that playtime is also healthy and educational. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of healthy gifts for kids — from toys that help build skills to healthy snacks to fill kids’ stockings. Read on for some of the best healthy products for kids we tried out that we think will make great gifts.

For Babies and Toddlers

For the Selective Eater

Haakaa Silicone Yummy Pouch

$24.99 at Amazon

Want to sneak your kids a few more fruits and veggies? “I like to mask the vegetables by pureeing them into sauces, soups, and baked goods,” says Ayala Wegman, MD, pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City. And I do this with my own kids, too, so I guarantee it works. I blend up a green smoothie, and to reduce mess, I serve the smoothie in these Haakaa Reusable Smoothie Pouches.

I recommend getting at least a two-pack (they also come in a one-pack and a four-pack on the Haakaa site), so you can keep one in the refrigerator for later. They come with reusable straws for ease of use for the little ones (but also work great without the straw), and stand upright with a removable top that reveals a wide neck to make fill-up easier. And don’t worry, that top goes on tight enough that toddlers can’t remove it easily. These make great stocking stuffers for tots, and while they might not jump with glee when they first open the gift, it’s one that keeps giving and helps you keep your kids healthy and well fed.

play mat

For the Pre-Walker

Totter + Tumble The Atlas Playmat

Babies don’t need much to enjoy playtime, but it’s important to start with the basics. A good play mat is imperative, and we love that this brand makes it easy to have your baby’s play mat match your aesthetic. You’ll find no foam “ABC” mats here, no cartoon animals — these truly look like an area rug (or runner, depending on what size you select), but they’re super soft and made of memory foam for your child’s comfort while at play.

I tested this mat out with my two sons, and though they are past the baby stage, they still like to roll around and perform their “gymnastics” and “wrestling” feats on this thick, cushiony mat (we tested this as a yoga mat as well). It’s great for parents, too, who are getting on the floor to play with their kids a lot.

For the Kid You Nicknamed ‘Monkey’

Edostory 5-in-1 Pikler Triangle Set

$69.99 at Amazon
Another one of the best purchases I’ve made for my kiddos is a Pikler triangle. While watching your toddler climb its ladder may give you pause at first, you’ll soon enjoy watching your kid build climbing skills and spatial awareness. This Pikler triangle comes with a climbing triangle, where kids can practice climbing the rungs, and you can connect a climbing ramp fit with handholds and footholds. One of the coolest parts is that the back of the board can be used as a sliding board. There’s also a climbing arch as well. We like to set up the whole thing like an obstacle course for our boys.
tune box for kids

For the Kid Who Loves Music and Stories

TonieBox 2

This screen-free audio player might be the most-used toy in your house. The figurines play different stories, songs, and more when placed on top, and there’s one for nearly every character you can think of. The new version has a light for use as a nightlight or a sunrise alarm. “This is definitely the TonieBox to get if you have a younger kid because now it will work for kids as little as a year old,” says editorial director Simone Scully. “This is a great gift for a grandparent to get or parents for their little one if they want to encourage more independent play and listening.”

kids toy

For Younger Kids

Creative-Tonies

If you’ve already got a Tonie Box, the screen-free audio player that uses figurines to play stories and songs, you probably already know that new Tonies are some of the best stocking stuffers you can get for your kids. But Creative-Tonies makes those new Tonies even more special because you can record your little one’s favorite stories and songs, sweet messages and more using the Tonies app, which will then be calibrated with the figurine to play when put on top of the Tonies Box. This is great for kids who want just one more story before bed, but mom and dad are tapped out.

Plus, this is good for their development, too. “Simply reading to your infant and child provides significant neurocognitive benefits,” says Dr. Wegman. “The ritual of reading, including the sound of a parent's voice and the stability of the routine, are all manifold.” Little kids can easily put and change Tonies by themselves, too, and they’ll be thrilled to find a new Tonie with mom or dad’s voice. My kids were shocked when they first played their new Creative-Tonie, and now they love listening to stories read by me any time of day, even if I’m busy doing a bit of work on my laptop.

For the Toddler Who Wants to ‘Help’

Guidecraft Classic Kitchen Helper Toddler Tower

$199.95 at Amazon
This is one of the best purchases I ever made for my family. We use it daily, and it has made cooking and cleaning so much easier for me, and the kids love it. This toddler tower is a safe way for kids to stand counter-height, so that they can help with the cooking, dishwashing, or just enjoy being eye-level while playing. It has an adjustable platform that can be set at 15 inches or 18 inches, a nonslip mat, and netting that unclips on one side, so that kids can get in and out themselves when unclipped, or be secured a little more safely when fastened. One of the best features about this toddler tower is that it folds flat, so you can easily tuck it away when it’s not being used.
Wooden tray puzzle

For the Puzzle Lover

Festive Friends 12 Piece Wooden Tray Puzzle

Breaking out a few new holiday-themed toys are always a big hit in my household to get in the holiday spirit. My nearly four-year-old son isn’t a huge puzzle guy, but this 12-piece one caught his interest, and I think the holiday theme had a lot to do with it. In fact, this is the first puzzle he finished all by himself—and then he did so twice more in the same sitting. It’s marketed for ages 2 and up, but I’d recommend it for ages 3 and up.

For the New Eater

Omie Easy Scoop Plate

$37.95 at Amazon

Not every gift has to be a new toy. There’s plenty that kids and parents alike need as kids grow and a good kids plate is one of those things. And this one is great for babies and kids ages 6 months and up. Omie studied how toddlers eat and set out to make self-feeding easier and less messy. The sides of this plate are meant to help little ones find success using utensils, as they help to guide food onto the spoon rather than off the plate. 

I love that it’s made from plant-based materials, and the silicone dividers are removable, so you can keep foods separate or all on the plate without the dividers. I found it easy to clean with my messy eaters at home, too. Editor Ashley Ziegler gave this a try too with her daughter who has autism spectrum disorder. “She likes to use the standard plate for her big food and then use the divider section as a tray off to the side of her plate and fill it with her snacks,” she says. “Since she doesn't like her food touching, this is an ideal setup.”

bath toy set

For Your Splashy Bathtime Fish

Boon Bundle Baby and Toddler Bath Toy

Learning can happen at bath time, too, with the Boon Bundle. I got this bath toy when my first son was just a baby, and while there are many bath toys I toss in the garbage when they get a little scummy, this is the toy that I take the time to clean off to keep around, even years later. My kids love setting up the pipes to pour water onto the water wheel, and hooking it up to other gears to make the whole thing spin. It’s fun, it’s educational, and my kids never get bored of this bath toy.
puzzle

For the Kid Starting to Put It All Together

Etta Loves X Walala Studio Wooden Puzzle Board

Studies have shown that puzzle play for kids is associated with better performance in spatial tasks.

 So if you’re looking for a great puzzle that your baby can enjoy, we recommend this one. The monochrome helps capture younger babies’ attention, while older babies will love to look at the shapes and feel the different textures of each block. For example, our writer Julia Childs Heyl tested this product out with her 8-month-old son, and while he’s a bit young to figure out the puzzle, he loved the colors and will be able to participate soon enough. “I am actually thinking about purchasing one for a new mom friend of mine,” Heyl says. “It is nice to have toys for older babies on hand. In the early days, I ended up with so much stuff for young babies and he didn't really care about those toys, but now that he's older, I feel like I'm constantly looking for toys to entertain him that he will use throughout the years.”

For the Toddler Who Avoids Brushing

Toothbrush Toys Kids Toothbrush, Chompers the Shark

$19.95 at Amazon
If brushing time is a struggle, or even if it’s not, and you just want to make it more fun, Chompers the Shark is here to save the day. The thick handle makes it easy for little hands to grip and manipulate, and the brush part (with extra-soft bristles) is replaceable. “My son loved the shark handle and was more inclined to seek it out than when I gave him a regular kids toothbrush,” says Scully. “I also like that it comes with a replaceable head, which kinda helps offset its initial price—I'll be able to use this longer.” There are other cute versions available, including a dog, dinosaur, mermaid, and more.

For Backyard Playtime

Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox 2.0

$54.99 at Amazon
$59.99Now 8% Off

You may have played with this classic backyard toy as a kid, and if so, it’ll immediately evoke some nostalgia. Playing in this Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox has been a huge part of our daily life as a family. My boys spend the majority of their outdoor playtime in the sandbox, burying their feet, digging, raking, and playing with toy trucks. This one holds more than 100 pounds of sand, and its molded legs function at seats for up to four children. 

“Playing outside helps connect children to nature, offers them fresh air and sunlight, and also has been shown to prevent myopia (nearsightedness) from developing,” says Wegman. “Unstructured playtime enables creativity to develop and support the engagement of children at school during recess.” A sandbox is a godsend for unstructured and independent play, and for us it’s been one of the best ways to ensure we’re getting enough time outdoors.

kids pajamas

For the Sensitive Kid Who Loves Soft PJs

PatPat Bamboo Baby/Toddler 2-Piece Childlike Animal Print Snug-Fitting Pajamas Set

If your kid needs super soft, ultracomfortable pjs to get a good night’s sleep, look no further than PatPat’s bamboo collection. My younger son is sensitive to tactile sensations, and winter pajamas especially bug him. While I tried this pair on my older son, who isn’t as sensitive, I’m planning to get a pair for my little guy because of how buttery soft they are. They’re made from bamboo viscose, a fabric made from the cellulose pulp of the bamboo plant, which has been found to be a more environmentally-friendly option than many other fabrics.

strawberry snacks

For a Yummy Stocking Stuffer

Fresh Bellies Strawberry Feels Forever

When you’ve got little tots, you might not want to put something super sweet in their stocking, but still, you don’t want them to miss out on a treat. For my little ones, I like this freeze-dried strawberry snack. It’s something I don’t usually pick up, so it’s a bit more special for them to see a new snack on Christmas morning. And during the winter, when strawberries are even more expensive, it’s nice to have some in the house that won’t go bad within a couple of days. They’ve got a hint of balsamic, which brings out more dimensions in the strawberries’ flavor. These are non-GMO, kosher, and have no added sugar, so they’re truly a guilt-free snack.

For Pre-K to Second Grade

stackable penguin wooden balance game

For the Little Kid Who Loves Games

Penguin Stack-Up Wooden Balancing Game

Little kids will love this stacking balance game that challenges their fine motor skills and steady hands. It’s like Jenga without the element of having to remove pieces from the bottom of the tower. My preschooler found the game a bit challenging, but it was fun to watch him develop some new skills. Younger kids like my son can practice by staking the wooden sticks on the penguin’s belly as he lays flat rather than on his head as he stands. It’s meant for ages 4 and older.
personalized name writing board for kids

For the One Learning to Write

inchbug Personalized Handwriting Board

My preschooler is learning to write letters, and he loved learning to write his name with this personalized dry erase board. He was thrilled to use a marker and that we could erase the board and write his name all over again. This board comes in several different themes, from Christmas trees to space to dinos and more.

winter snow boots

For the Kiddo Who Likes Playing Outside in All Weather

Vivobarefoot Tracker Boot AT Pre-School

Got a puddle jumper on your hands, or a kid who just loves playing in the snow? These boots, which are made from recycled materials, will keep their feet dry and warm. These are made to support natural movement, and the soles are made to give natural sensory feedback while also allowing them appropriate grip. “They're a pretty color and adjustable at the top to keep snow or rain out,” says Scully. “They're also waterproof. Both of these are nice features.”

For Indoor Fun Time

Large as Life King Penguin Life-Size Trivia Puzzle

$79.99 at Amazon
This is not just any puzzle. This life-size puzzle mixes the challenge of a jigsaw puzzle with trivia to keep your kid learning in a super fun way. “These are adorable puzzles,” says Scully. “They're big enough pieces that it felt like something he could easily do with minimal assistance from me. But what I loved most is that this is highly educational. On the back of the puzzle are animal facts which will help this puzzle remain interesting to him even as he grows up.” Each piece has a colored dot on the back, so younger ones will have an easier time seeing which pieces go close together. Some of the pieces are animal-shaped to add an extra touch of fun.
advent calendar

For the Kid Who Just Can’t Wait Until Christmas

‘Disney Stitch: Advent Calendar a Storybook Library’

One of the most traditional ways to celebrate the lead-up to Christmas is with an Advent calendar. It really gives kids something to look forward to every day and enjoy that time when they are having such a hard time waiting for the big day. The surprise behind each door of this Advent calendar is a mini paperback book telling an on-theme story about the characters.

“This gift checked two boxes for me,” says editorial director Simone Scully. “I've always been a big reader, as was my mother, but I always worry that I won't pass that same love of reading onto my son so I’m always looking for fun ways to promote story time. Plus, my mom and I also used to always get an advent calendar before the holidays so this advent calendar was a fun way to keep my family tradition alive with my son.”

If Lilo and Stitch is not your kid’s thing, Igloo Books makes this item featuring a whole bunch of other characters, including those from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and Disney Princesses.

Sneakers for preschoolers

For the Kid Who Loves to Be Barefoot

Viviobarefoot Sport III Kids

Some kids just prefer to be barefoot, and these sneakers are the next best thing. They’re made without an insole, bringing kids’ feet closer to the ground, leading to a sensory experience different than what most sneakers provide. “I like that these shoes are made of breathable material, which is ideal for an active kid who runs around a lot,” says Scully. “It's also velcro, so my son could put them on himself easily. His also came in this cool blue-purple color (Aurora) that changed in the light — and he thought that was super cool.”
magnetic tile toys

For the Little Builder Counting Down the Days Until Christmas

34-Piece Magnetic Christmas Advent Calendar Construction Building Set

There’s nothing more exciting than opening the Advent calendar door each December morning before Christmas arrives. Your little builder will love that this Advent calendar includes a magnetic tile piece behind each door to slowly build a Christmas train. “This is a really fun advent calendar,” says Scully. “It comes with a box that sits up like a building with train tracks and then every day you get pieces to slowly build a Christmas train with a conductor, Santa, presents and trees. My son absolutely loved this.” She says it may have been hard for her son to slowly open each surprise, as they did it all at once, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?
Magnetic tile hamster ball

For the Kid Who Builds All Day

Magna-Tiles Hamster Ball Set

“Magna-tiles has come out with a few pet sets this year, and of course my son wants them all,” says Scully. “But the hamster one is particularly fun because it comes with a hamster ball you can put the hamster in and then roll down a slide.” Scully adds that Magna-Tiles sets are great gifts for kids because they inspire creativity and problem solving. “This set is an affordable stocking stuffer or small gift — and it will likely inspire your kids to soon request more and build their own little villages or race tracks like mine does.”
kids bike

For the Kid Who Won’t Sit Still

Woom Go 2

Everyone remembers their first big kid bike — mine was pink, teal, and purple speckled with beads on the spokes that made the most satisfying clicks as I rode — and it’s even a more thrilling experience if that flashy new bike is fit with a bow under the tree this holiday season. The Woom Go 2 is the perfect step for the older toddler (ages 3 to 4 ½) who is ready to graduate from a balance bike, or try out their very first two wheeler. I tested this bike out with my nearly 4-year-old son. While he’s still learning the ropes of pedaling, this gorgeous bike is enough to give him the courage to keep trying. With 14 inch wheels and a lightweight 12 pound 3 ounce frame, little kids are close enough to the ground to feel safe enough to learn to balance while pedaling too.

My son is very excited about it and tells everyone he sees about his new “big kid bike.” He absolutely loves that it has a kickstand like all the bigger kids’ bikes he sees at the park. One thing I was surprised to see was that this has hand brakes as well as back pedal brakes (also known as coaster brakes). Turns out, a lot of the big names in biking recommend children start out learning with hand brakes so that they don’t have to unlearn using a coaster brake.

Plus, this is a great gift for your kids’s health too so it’s worth the expense. Studies show that kids who participate in active transportation, like biking, earlier in life have been found to maintain a healthier weight as they progress throughout childhood, and learning to bike helps children develop new motor skills and further mature their social and emotional development.

yoto player

For the Storytime Lover

Yoto Player, 3rd Generation

I can’t seem to find a parent that doesn’t rave about the Yoto Player. This is a screen-free audio player meant for kids 3 and up. Kids just insert the cards (sold separately) to listen to stories, music, lessons, and more. Kids can listen out loud or with headphones, and the device even has a nightlight, access to kids’ radio, an alarm clock and a “safe to rise” light. “It truly does engage your child,” says Scully. “My son loved being able to pick out his own stories — like Toy Story — and listen to them at night, when he got home from school, or in the car on long road trips.”

Scully says the cards are longer than the recordings for some similar products, and the range of card content is huge: Kids can jam out to The Beatles, listen to audiobook versions of popular movies like Frozen and Encanto, or listen to stories about Daniel Tiger or even listen to a full books like Harry Potter or Charlotte’s Web. There are even books in Spanish or French too. 

“Many of the books are highly educational,” says writer Olivia Campbell, who’s 9-year-old also loves the Yoto Player. “Overall, it's been an invaluable tool to keep my son reading and cultivate a love of books while he gets through this period of feeling like he is a slow reader. We love the light-up images that come up and are different for each chapter.”

For the Future MD

Fisher-Price Medical Kit

$24.05 at Amazon
$27.36Now 12% Off
This is the modern version of the doctor’s kit I grew up playing with, and I loved mine so much as a kid that I had to get this for my two boys. We love that the tools actually work: The stethoscope can actually pick up a bit of a heartbeat since there are holes in the chestpiece where you put it up to the chest, and real tubing that goes to the earpieces, so sound can actually travel to the wearer’s ears; kids can push down the plunger of the syringe; a button flips a device on the thermometer to make it look like it’s reading temperature. And don’t get me started on the bandages — they can snap right on a kid’s arm, and we all know how much kids love bandages.

For the Active Gamer

LeapFrog LeapMove

$69.97 at Amazon

This is the perfect activity for a rainy day when the kids still have a lot of energy to burn. It’s a video game, but it encourages movement during play. “I love that it's age appropriate, and can introduce gaming to young kids,” says Ysolt Usigan, a writer whose 6-year-old daughter had a fun time testing out the LeapFrog LeapMove. The idea is that the player is the controller, and the game responds to their movements, like flapping, jumping, and reaching for virtual objects. “Movement in play allows children the opportunity to achieve important gross motor milestones and expend energy in developmentally appropriate ways,” says Samantha Glickman, PsyD, a child and adolescent psychologist and early childhood specialist at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City.

Not only will your kids be active during play, but they’ll be practicing math, spelling, phonics, and more in a way that makes learning fun. This game is intended for ages 4 through 7, and plays on three learning levels.

For the Kid Who Can’t Stop Talking About Animals

Mini Explorers Animal Habitat Encyclopedia Set

$49.32 at Amazon
$79.99Now 38% Off
Kids who love learning every little fact about animals won’t be able to put these books down. The box set of 4 is great for inquisitive preschoolers, kindergarteners, and older kids who love to learn about the world around them. “I wasn't sure about this: it felt kinda expensive for a set of books about animals for preschoolers and kindergarteners… but my son, who is six, fell in love with these very quickly and spent more time reading through them than he ever has with other animal books I've gotten him,” Scully says. The books are very colorful and visual, while containing a lot of information about animals, their habitats, and more.

For the Kid Who Wants to Try Brushing Their Own Teeth

Brusheez Kids’ Electric Toothbrush Set

$22.99 at Amazon
$29.99Now 23% Off

Make brushing fun with these super cute themed toothbrush sets. These come with more than just the brush: you’ll get an hourglass to help your kiddo brush their teeth for an appropriate amount of time, a cup for rinsing, a cap for the toothbrush, a replacement brush head, and a brushing checklist to help your kid remember to care for their teeth by earning stars with each brush. 

“The toothbrush itself is electric but very gentle so my son didn't mind using it, which has been an issue with other electric toothbrushes we've tried,” Ziegler says. “The toothbrush is also very cute and there are lots of other animals and fun brushes to choose from. My son loved that he got to try out the red dino. If you're looking for an electric toothbrush for your kid, this is a pretty good option.”

alphabet cards

For Fun Learning Literacy

Packadoo Alphabet Cards for Kids: Foodie Edition

Help your kiddos learn the alphabet while getting familiar with healthy foods using these beautiful flash cards. The illustrations are hand-painted, colorful, and attention-catching. They come in a durable, portable box, so they’re ready to travel wherever you’re headed. My older son loved helping teach his younger brother the ABCs, while learning about some of the more obscure foods on these cards himself. They’re recommended for ages 2 and up.
book

For Bedtime Woes

‘Doctor Bedtime’s Sleep Magic: Super Powers’

Got a kid who just doesn’t want to go to bed? Doctor Bedtime’s Sleep Magic: Super Powers, is written by an MD and frames sleep like a magic power — it’s what helps kids grow taller, get the energy for all their favorite activities, and get smarter. It answers the kinds of questions that kids have (at least mine do), like “Why do we have to sleep?” and “Does everyone sleep?” My 4-year-old has always been a tough sleeper, and this offered an easy way to talk to him about why sleep is important. This would make a great gift for anyone who wants to try to convince their kid that sleep is cool, or anyone with a kid who has a lot of questions about their body an what makes it run.

For the AI-Curious

Miko 3

$199 at Amazon
$249Now 20% Off

It seems we can’t escape AI these days, and that goes for toys, too. Kids will have fun playing and learning with Miko, an AI-powered kid-friendly robot, engaging in games, lessons, songs, and more. And the robot is programmed with new things each month and learns as you play, so the toy never gets boring. Parents have full control with an app that lets parents manage security settings, view analytics, and more, and it’s a closed system with enhanced encryption, so your data remains safe. 

“It's a cute product and it seems pretty educational,” says Scully. “For example, it has some math games that my son had fun playing for way longer than I expected. My son loved carrying it around with him and he loved that the robot could move and ‘dance.’” Scully noted that she saw her son’s grades improve after her son received this toy, saying she believes it helped him with his math skills. 

For the Kid Obsessed With Sensory Play

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin

$19.95 at Amazon
$21.79Now 8% Off

My kids can’t go without sand play when it rains, so we have a sandbox for indoors as well — this Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin. They love the construction themed one, though the company has several different other options, such as a beach-themed box, an ice cream shop one, and a dinosaur dig themed option. What’s great about this sensory box is you can pop the lid on top when the kids are done playing to keep messes at bay, and the moldable sand is easily vacuumable when spills do occur.

For the Kid Who Needs a New Set of Lenses

Paw Patrol Sunglasses by Vontelle

$24.99 at Amazon
Protect your little one’s eyes with these Paw Patrol–inspired sunglasses that they’ll fall in love with, and even parents will think are stylish. They come in “Marshall,” “Rubble,” “Skye,” and “Chase.” You can upload your child’s glasses prescription to get them a pair of prescription sunglasses in their favorite pup’s pattern. “My son is a little past the Paw Patrol age but he still really liked the Marshall ones because they had dalmatian print on them and didn't feel overly Paw Patrol branded,” says Scully. “They fit his face nicely and the ThermoPlastic frames held up well when he dropped them or played with them.”
backpack

For the Kid Traveling Near or Far

Simple Modern Fletcher 12L Backpack

Now that kids have been in school for a couple months, you really have a feel for the backpack they’ve been using. If it’s not what you (or your kids) had in mind, this one holds up during those early years when kids are really hard on their backpacks. 

“Some of the backpacks I tried in kindergarten for my son had straps that didn’t hold up (one of his just ripped right off after a few months), while others are so over-engineered that they were heavy before you even add a single thing,” says Scully. “This backpack is light, durable, and has sections and compartments that make sense.” You’ll find a front pocket that’s great for snacks, a small top pocket that can fit money or notes to your little one’s teacher, two side pockets that are perfect for a water bottle and other things, and a buckle that can clip in a lunch box. And of course there’s the main pocket for your kid’s folder and work. 

looney tunes snack box

For the Kid Who Always Needs a Snack

Looney Tunes by B.box Snackbox

This is great for kids who need to bring a separate snack to school, have extracurriculars, or who just can’t be caught without a snack. It holds 1 ¾ cups of food, in two separate sections. One part of the lid is rounded, so this container can fit a whole piece of fruit. “The snack box is the perfect size for a clementine and another snack, like goldfish,” says Scully, who tested this product. This is a great way to incorporate more healthy foods into your kiddo’s diet. Mayo Clinic recommends feeding your preschooler a cup of fruit each day, which is equivalent to one apple, or ½ cup of dried fruit.

For Your Kid Who Works Up a Thirst

Simple Modern Kids Summit Water Bottle

$19.54 at Amazon
$22.99Now 15% Off
Small enough for tiny hands to grip, we love the Simple Modern water bottle because it’s stainless steel, free of BPA-plastic, and keeps drinks cold for a long time. “I added some ice to [my son’s] in the summer and there was still ice that hadn't melted by the end of the day,” says Scully. These come in 14 and 22 ounce sizes, and Scully says she prefers the smaller ones for school, as the larger ones can weigh down a backpack, but are great for extracurriculars and summer camp.
dinosaur box of stuff

For the Kid Obsessed with Dinos

Meemzy Magic When Dinosaurs Roamed The Earth

Kids can have fun setting up dino scenes and engaging in sensory play with this unique and gorgeous sensory box. It comes with two dinosaur figurines, seashells, kinetic sand, molding dough, pipe cleaners, mushroom crystals, leaf-shaped wildflower seed paper, and more. 

“I like that this comes in a nice storage box that everything fits in,” says Scully. “This is important to me when I'm choosing toys for my son because quite honestly, he has SO much stuff, it's hard to stay organized. The items themselves are also very nice: he was particularly into the wooden dinosaurs that came with it and he played with those the longest.” Scully added that her son enjoyed playing with the cookie cutters that came along with the set, and had a lot of fun making little scenes with all the materials. 

Emotions seeker game

For the Kid Figuring Out Their Feelings

Emmers Emotions Seekers Game

Help kids develop empathy and recognize feelings with this fun game for players age 4 and up. Kids will have a blast deciding how people in different scenarios might feel. “I like that it teaches social emotional intelligence,” says Ziegler. “There were a few times playing the game where the game opened up some good conversation between my kids, husband, and me, and that's something I always appreciate—anything that gets my family thinking and talking to each other.”

For Elementary School and Beyond

athletic shoes for active kids

For the Active Kid

Prio Big Kids - Athletic Shoes for Athletic Kids

A wide toe box helps kids’ natural movement by allowing toes to stretch wide, while the sole of these shoes allow the foot to bend and flex more closely to if they were wearing no shoes at all. “I tried these with my six year old son, who, honestly, can be tough to shop for with shoes, says Scully. “But he loved these. We got the salsa red color (and red is his favorite color) so that made him way more willing to try these and he loved them right away.” Scully adds that the shoes are very breathable, comfortable, and lightweight.

For the Kid Who Needs More Motivation

Think Academy PawPal Virtual Pet Alarm

$79.99 at Amazon

This is a super fun way to keep kids on track. “This is more than a kids alarm clock; it's a motivational tool, toy, alarm clock, and planner all wrapped up in one for kids, says Scully, who tried out the Think Academy PawPal Virtual Pet Alarm with her son. “When you first set it up, your child can choose between a cat or a dog as their ‘pet’ — my son chose the cat. Then, as a parent, you set up the app so that you can set alarms for your kid (like morning wake-up alarms) and set up their schedule, which gives your child gentle prompts to do things they need to do.”

Parents can set prompts for doing homework, brushing teeth, bath time, snack time, cleaning up their room, and more, and the clock will continue to remind the child for 1 to 30 minutes. When the task is complete, they check off the task on the touchscreen, which rewards their “pet” and gives them points, in time leveling up their pet and giving access to rewards.

“At first, I wasn't totally sure what to think about this gamification of my child's schedule, but as someone who has tried a whole range of options to get my 6-year-old to do certain tasks each day, from checklists, magnet to-do boards, etc., I have to say that this did motivate him in a way I haven't seen before,” says Scully. “He started carrying the clock around with him and checking off when he did the tasks it asked him to do, without needing the regular prompting we have to give him. He also liked being able to turn off his own alarm clock in the morning.”

geode magnetic fidget set

For the Kid with Fidgety Hands

Speks. Geode Magnetic Fidget Set

Fidget toys are more than just fun. Studies show that fidget toys can improve emotional regulation and help maintain focus.

 You’ll find endless fidgeting fun with Speks. Geode Magnetic Fidget Set, several options available, such as a pyramid shape,  Speks. Geode Magnetic Fidget Set comes in several different options, such as in a pyramid shape or a sphere, as well as 20 different color and material choices.

“Of the Speks fidget toys we were sent, this was my 9-year-old's favorite,” says Campbell. “It is like a smaller, more portable version of Manga-Tiles. They really engaged him for quite a while. It would be a good fidget toy for when it's ok to make a bit of noise and have noticeable hand movements.”

smart watch for kids

For Your Kiddo Gaining Independence

Cosmo Jr Track 5 Kids Smart Watch

Encourage your kids to keep in touch as they start to fly from the nest. This smart watch allows calling and messaging with contacts that parents pre-approve, as well as GPS tracking. Kids will love that they get the option to call and text loved ones and listen to kid-friendly music and podcasts, and parents will love the parental control features and knowing that their kid is safe.

Parents can receive instant alerts if your child leaves designated safety zones set by you. The watch also has an SOS button that the wearer can press in case of emergencies, as well as a focus mode that can be scheduled for school times, which limits interruptions. “The watch is really easy to use,” says writer Jessica Migala, who tested this with one of her children. “I didn't have to teach my 7-year-old how to use it. Of course, kids are tech-minded, so this isn't surprising, but it's really ready-to-go once you get it set up,” she added.

gummies

For a Healthy Gummy Treat

Gruns Superfood Gummies

If you’re looking for an extra stocking stuffer, these super yummy superfood gummies from Gruns will do the trick. “I like that they are pre-split into daily pouches, and the teddy bear shape delighted my two youngest children,” says writer Julia Pelly, who had her kids sample this product. “What I (as a parent) liked best is that the ingredient list is really clean and packed with the superfoods I really would like [in] my kids’ diet.”

These gummies pack 100 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamins for kids, but that’s not all. They also are made with adaptogens, plant compounds that have been shown to help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and promote overall well-being, whole fruits and vegetables, prebiotics, and more.

zoo club

For the One Who Talks Animals Nonstop

MyZooBox Zoology Club

Scully’s son has a strong interest in the world of animals, which is why this subscription box was perfect for him. Each monthly box comes with a different stuffed animal and a book teaching all about that animal, as well as a poster that shows the animal-of-the-month’s anatomy, and a worksheet, a STEAM project, and a themed art project to really drive home the lessons about the animal. Kids will also find a surprise item, a postcard, a sticker, a zoo passport to record what they’ve learned, a themed recipe, and a QR code with printables. 

“My son loves the stuffed animals, of course (he has them all in a net in the corner of his room), but we also like going through the printouts with the anatomy and reading together about the animals,” Scully says. “The recipes are also very fun and usually on theme (for example, one week we had snake pretzels to make). It's very educational, fun, and honestly, a fun activity to do as a family each month.”

kids bike

For Your Kid Who’s Outgrown His First Bike

Guardian 20-Inch Small Bike

Is your kiddo ready to level up? The Guardian 20-inch Small Bike is great for kids who are ready to take off, with or without training wheels. Because it’s bigger than the Woom bike we reviewed (it’s a 20-incher, and best for kids ages 5 to 8), we listed this as Best for Your Kid Who’s Outgrown His First Bike, but it’s a great bike to learn on, too. 

“There's a lot to like about this bike: For one, it's pretty easy to figure out the right sizing for your child,” says Scully. “Not only does the company recommend by age, but it also clearly lists the ideal height for each bike, which made me less worried about whether I was choosing the right bike for my son (especially since this was his first bike).” Scully mentioned the “sure stop” break system is meant to be a bit easier for kids—and to prevent them from having a head-over-handlebar accident. “It also balances out front and rear breaking to help your child stop faster and more steadily,” she says. The bike has hybrid wheels that work both on and off-road, and comes with a kickstand, reflector lights, and all the tools needed for setup.

For the School-Age Foodie

OmieBox

$49.45 at Amazon

Your kid’s lunch will be the envy of the classroom when it’s packed in the OmieBox. Not only is the lunchbox satisfyingly organized, but you can pack hot and cold items together, giving you more lunch options for school days. “I love that it comes with the insulated bowl so I can pack hot or cold items for my daughter's lunch,” says Ziegler after testing the OmieBox. “I also love that there are a couple of customization options. Plus, it's so cute!”

The multiple compartments give the opportunity for several healthy food choices with each lunch, so you’ll be able to fit in fruit, veggies, a sandwich, or some hot food like a soup or pasta. “I love that the OmieBox comes with a handle, a thermos food jar, and multiple compartments, making it kind of a one-stop lunchbox for my son's lunch,” says Scully, who had her son test this as well. “Pasta stays warm in the thermos and his food stays well separated. I also like that the rubber around the edges comes off for easy cleaning.”

rollerblades

For the Kid Ready for a New Set of Wheels

Phoenix G Rollerblade USA

“What kid doesn't want to open something like this?” Ziegler says after testing these rollerblades with her daughter. “My daughter loves them and they're a fun way for her to stay active. Plus, we've had a lot of fun together as I've helped her learn how to skate (I love mom-daughter time like this).” One thing we love about these skates is that they’re size adjustable within four full sizes, so your kid will be able to use them for years to come. Ziegler’s daughter never complained about the fit, and she liked these so much that plans to buy another pair for her other daughter.

For Your Soccer Star

Soccer Bot Toy Soccer Set: Outdoor Play for Kids

$59.99 at Amazon

“This is a fun toy to give a child who really loves soccer and wants a tool to help them practice in between games and weekly team practices,” says Scully, who tested this with her son. “The set comes with a ball, four ‘smart disks’ and a ‘bot’ (which looks like a mini baseball diamond). This set can track your child as they kick, dribble, and control the ball. It will keep track as they score and has three speed settings to help your child work on their footwork and ball control as they practice keeping the ball away from the little robot that scoots around the floor after the ball with them.” This is a game meant to be used indoors in a 5-foot area, perfect for a larger playroom when it’s raining outside or during winter. 

Scully says it was a lot of fun watching her son play against the robot, and that it kept him occupied for quite a bit when they broke this toy out. Players can choose from three speed modes from beginner to advanced, and participate in customizable skill challenges saved on the smart discs, which can be used solo or in multiplayer mode.

book

For the Preteen Girl Going Through Big Changes

‘The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls’

When it comes to talking to your kids about puberty and changing bodies, honesty is the best policy. But there may be some questions kids have a hard time asking. That’s why books can be our best friends. And this one, published by American Girl, has been a hit for almost three decades. I grew up reading it, and if I had preteen girls, you bet this would be in their home library. The book covers everything from hygiene to healthy eating, from peer pressure to periods and beyond, so your girl will be ready for all the challenges that the middle school years bring.
Hiya kids vitamins

Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin

For the Kid Who Needs a Little Extra in Their Diet

Not every kid needs to take vitamins or supplements, but if your pediatrician recommends you look into a supplement for your child, Hiya is a great option for several reasons. The first thing we love is that you can choose from several packaging options that might make taking vitamins more attractive to your kid. There’s a Hot Wheels bottle, a Barbie one, The Lion King theme, and a Disney Princesses one. 

“The first time you order, you get sent the glass, reusable jar that is themed to whatever ‘collection’ you choose,” says Scully, who had her son try these vitamins. “I like that the jar is glass and reusable, it's a nice touch if you want to cut down on microplastic exposure. You're also sent a number of stickers which you can let your child use to decorate this jar. My son really liked the opportunity to decorate the bottle — it made him more willing to try the supplements and he liked that he had leftover stickers to use in his art projects.”

Scully had her son test several of the other vitamin options as well, which are designed to be taken along with the multivitamin. (Your child won’t be getting above the recommended daily allowance of any of the supplements if they take one of each per day.) Scully’s son tried the immune, probiotic, and nighttime supplements, and he liked the multivitamins best.

kid club cooking

For the Young Chef

Pampered Chef Kids Club Subscription

So many skills can be learned while cooking: science, math, life skills, and more. You can spend quality time with your child and encourage them to exercise their cooking skills with this kids’ cooking subscription that delivers every two months. Each box comes with three recipes (which include short math and science lessons), access to a recipe video, a Pampered Chef product to keep for your kitchen, a full-sized pantry item, such as seasoning, and a pin to celebrate your achievements. Your first order comes with an apron, as well. You have the option to sign up for 6 or 12 months. 

“It helped my son have a bit of a better understanding of the science of cooking, what goes into preparing food, and to get an idea of what goes into making ‘healthy’ food,” says Scully. “I like that each box has a theme revolving around whatever tool they send, and I like that your child gets an apron and pin themed to whatever you received so that they can slowly track their progress as they learn new things.” She says that the recipes are easy to follow and that she appreciated the wide variety of types of foods included in the recipes, however, she and her family had to make some adjustments since they eat a vegetarian diet.

bicycle for big kids

For the All-Terrain Biker

Prevelo Alpha Three

If you’re ready to take on the trails, the Prevelo Alpha Three is perfect for kids aged 5 through 9 to use on pavement, dirt paths, and light trails. The tubeless tires make for less flats and better traction during rides, and the body is durable, yet lightweight at 17 pounds. “The bike, for one, is very pretty,” says Scully. “They have three colors and we got the blue, which is a very nice darkish blue with a metallic sheen. My son immediately liked the color and wanted to try it out.” Scully says that it’s easy to find a model that will fit your child’s age and size, but that these bikes aren’t compatible with training wheels, so they’re better for experienced riders.

For All Ages

Waterproof insulated winter parka

For Winter Playdates at the Park

Land’s End Kids Squall Waterproof Insulated Winter Parka

If you’re in a place with cold weather, wrap up an essential like this Land’s End Squall Waterproof Insulated Winter Parka. It’s available in 10 fun shades and comes in sizes from 2-3 all the way up to 18-20—and they offer husky sizes as well. Because they’re a little roomy, growing kids might get two seasons out of this coat. “It also has deep pockets — which pleases my son because he likes to carry a toy or two with him, its waterproof so wearbale in the rain, and it helped shelter him from the wind on Halloween,” says Scully.” My son also likes that it has an interior sleeve extension with a place to slip his thumb.”
stem subscription box

For the Kid Who Takes Learning Seriously

Crunch Labs STEM Subscription Boxes

When you’ve got kids at home, it’s a great idea to load up on indoor activities for the winter. It’s a great idea to make some of those activities educational like Crunch Labs STEM Subscription Boxes. From creating cute dioramas, working on build-it-yourself toys, or programming small robots, kids will be flexing those STEM muscles every time they open a new box. 

“I like that there are boxes/subscriptions for different age groups and interests,” says Ziegler. There’s the Creative Box meant for 6 to 10-year-olds, the Build Box for 8 to 13-year-olds, and the Hack Pack, great for ages 14 and up. “My kids also had a lot of fun with the kits,” Ziegler adds. “They are well made and I like that they come with everything you need to do the project.”

For the Kid Who Gets Tough Tangles

Evereden Happy Hair Trio

$71.10 at Amazon
$79Now 10% Off
With its sweet berry scent and cute, fun packaging, kids won’t mind washing their locks with Evereden hair products. The trio comes with a detangling shampoo, a detangling conditioner, and a leave-in detangling spray. I tried this product out on my two boys, who loved the cute smiley face bottles, and it made their hair silky smooth. The formula delivers plant peptides, hydrating argan oil, and kaolin clay, which is effective at absorbing oil without irritation.

I think this would be best for kids with long locks that risk getting tangled, or who struggle with getting their hair brushed.
kids helmet

For Safety on the Road

Woom Ready Kids' Helmet

Make sure you strap your kiddo in a helmet before they take those first strides on their new bike. Remembering a helmet is perhaps the most important safety precaution to take when riding a bicycle, as studies show that helmet use decreased risk of head and brain injury by 63 to 88 percent for bicyclists of all ages.

Woom Ready Kids’ Helmet comes in sizes extra-small to medium, so even the littlest kids can be protected on the road. It’s easily adjustable with a knob in the back, as well as via removable padding inside. I tried the extra-small on my 22-month-old, and it fit great. He was so proud to wear his first helmet and zoom around on a scooter. We got a size small in red for my older son to match his Woom Go 2 bike, and that was just the right size for him.

hoodie

For the Mini Fashion Lover

Color Labs by Crayola Toddler and Kids Fleece Hoodie

Kids are always growing, that’s why clothes always make a great gift. They can always use the next size up. “These clothes are so soft,” says Ziegler, who tried these out with her two kids. “Even right out of the packaging, they're soft, and they just got softer after washing. These would be really great for lounging or active play when it's chilly outside.”

Kids will love the vibrant colors and the soft and cozy feel. Don’t forget to check out the joggers and tees as well. Ziegler does note that the sizes run on the large size, but that might be a good thing for growing little ones.

For the STEAM-Curious

Tosy Magnet Pyramid

$25.49 at Amazon
$29.99Now 15% Off

If your kiddo loves tinkering and building, why not give Tosy’s Magnet Pyramid a whirl? Ziegler’s kids tried this product out as well, and they really loved finding new ways to arrange the triangular pieces. “I like that it's a toy that requires some thinking,” Ziegler says. “It's not a mindless toy (and it's screen free!). It also seems to be well made. Not to mention, it's fun.” 

Toys that focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) have been shown to help foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in children, which aid in laying the foundation for lifelong learning.

 Kids can play independently or with peers (or with parents too — Ziegler says she could even see herself playing with this when she needs a break through the day). There's a spinner included which helps builders brainstorm new designs.

For a Confidence Boost

7th Compass Positive Affirmation Cards for Kids

$19.99 at Amazon
$29.99Now 33% Off

All kids could use a pep-talk, and that’s where these positive affirmation cards come in. Each deck contains 52 affirmations for kids to read and meditate on, to help promote positive mental health, mood and well-being. They also include ideas for how to use the cards, strategies, and tips for the adults to help kids get the most out of the deck. We love the cards’ minimalistic design and their sturdy box. “[It] goes a step beyond simple affirmations like ‘You are brave’ [and] comes with instructions and tips for caregivers, too,” says writer Riley Blanton.

These are great for the preschool or school-age classroom, too. A study published in 2023 found self-affirmations in educational settings to be effective, improving academic performance and student well-being.

superfood caramel latte for kids

For the Kid Who Has a Taste for Coffee

Kiid Coffee

Is your kid always asking to try your coffee? Maybe they want to feel a little more grown up, and with Kiid Coffee, they will. And you’ll feel comfortable serving this up, because it’s 99.9 percent caffeine free, is packed with vitamins and minerals, and all you have to do is add milk. “I tried this myself, and I was surprised by how much I liked the flavor,” says writer and editor Katie Tuttle. “It tastes like hot chocolate with a bit of coffee flavor mixed in.” She says she recommended it to her sister, who has a kiddo who likes coffee-flavored things.

personalized christmas countdown board

For the Kid Who Keeps Asking “How Many Days Until Christmas?”

inchbug Personalized Christmas Countdown Board

This would be great for kids learning to write their numbers, or just any kid that loves counting down until the big day. You can get it in three different Christmas themes, and personalize it with your family’s last name or the name of your child or children. My preschooler is starting to learn to write numbers, and he loves using the dry erase markers to put the number of the days until Christmas on the board every morning. It’s a great way to get our Christmas excitement out daily.

For the Homebody

Dearfoams Unisex-Child Kids Toddlers Whimsical Animal Critter Washable Slipper

$15.27 at Amazon

It’s hardly the holidays without a new pair of slippers. Your child will be stoked to keep their feet warm all winter long with these cute and cozy slippers, and you can choose from 20 creature options, from foxes, to sharks, to even unicorns and Santa. They’re available in size 5–6 toddler all the way to size 13 for bigger kids. 

Scully’s son tried these slippers out and loved how cute they were. “It's not hard convincing my son to wear these around the house because they come in so many cute animal shapes, Scully says. “He'd probably love it if I got him a few more pairs (which I probably will). They're also machine washable, which is great for kid slippers.”

book club subscription box for kids

For the Voracious Reader in Your Life

Bookroo Book Club for Kids

If you can’t keep up with your kiddo’s appetite for books, a monthly book club might be your best bet. We like Bookroo because they have several age tiers, covering babies through age 12. Kids will love unpacking each month’s box of books, whether you’re in the board book, picture book, or chapter book phase. This is a great way to raise readers who will be excited to finish each book because they know the next one is right there waiting for them.

For Your Kid With Big Feelings

Slumberkins Kin Set

$79.99 at Amazon

Slumberkins are a line of stuffed animals (and so much more) developed by a family therapist and a special education teacher, and focus on emotional learning in ways that kids can understand. Each Kin Set comes with a super soft stuffed animal, a book about that character that hones in on one social-emotional skill or experience, and an affirmation card. There are Kin Sets that focus on grief, self-esteem, conflict resolution, gratitude, stress-relief, and more mental health and wellness topics for kids.

“My son lost his grandmother right after he turned 4, then his dog this last summer,” says Scully, who tested the Sprite Kin for grief. “The Sprite books helped walk him through his feelings: It told him what grief would feel like, and how it would come in waves. It also made sure he knew that whatever his feelings were, they were okay to have, and they talked him through how to say goodbye and accept this new loss.” There are also Kin Sets that focus on self-esteem, conflict resolution, gratitude, stress-relief, and more.

neck pillow

For Your Little Adventurer

Cabeau Evolution Kids Neck Pillow

Got a big trip coming up? Set yourself up for success by encouraging your kid to nap on the plane or in the car with the cabeau Evolution Kids Neck Pillow. This can help make the ride more comfortable for them, and could help ensure they’re in a good mood for activities and fun once you get to your destination. 

“My son tends to sleep on planes and in the car, but he always looks so uncomfortable — he looked way happier and more comfy with this and he actually wanted to use it because it was cute,” says Scully after testing this pillow. “The plushy stuffed animal heads also help wedge their head up too, which seems more comfortable than some of the other pillows I've seen.”

sunscreen

For the Kid Who Likes to Spend All Day Outdoors

Hiya Sunscreen

Sunscreen is important, even in the winter. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher on all exposed skin during the colder months.

That’s why we didn’t want to miss getting a great kids’ sunscreen on this list. “It doesn't have a bunch of harsh chemicals, is mineral-based, applies easily, and stays water resistant for up to 80 minutes,” says Scully, who tested this sunscreen. “It is also sensitive skin friendly; it did not cause my son to get a rash like he has with other sunscreens we’ve tried,” says Scully.

For the Neurodivergent Kid

Morf Fidget Worm Rainbow

$18.99 at Amazon

Stretch, squish, collapse, bend, and contort the Morf Fidget Worm in all types of ways. This satisfying sensory experience is great for the kid who always needs a fidget toy nearby. “I have one daughter with autism and another with ADHD and the way they both gravitated to this thing is truly wild!” Ziegler says. “My daughter with ADHD will just sit there playing with it while she watches TV or reads, and my daughter with autism can just zone out while playing with it. It's such a unique product and I figured it was a toss-up whether or not they'd like it, but I'm honestly blown away with their responses.”

pajamas

For Family Photos

Dreamiere All Spruced Up 2-Piece Pajamas Set

The holiday pajama family photo is a classic, and if you’re looking for new holiday pajamas this year (as in most years, because kids just keep growing), we love how soft and snug these are. “I absolutely would recommend it to a friend looking for quality pajamas,” says Usigan, who had her daughter try these out. “Especially since Christmas pajamas easily sell out at popular merchants, like Target and Old Navy, this one is a great option since they seem to have matching Christmas pajamas for the whole family in stock.”

“I like the product so much, I'm going to buy different sizes for the rest of the family so we can match with Everleigh (my 6-year-old),” she continues. “These can be our annual family Christmas pajamas!”

How We Chose the Best Healthy Gifts for Kids

testing kids gifts
Everyday Health

We tested hundreds of products throughout the year that helped us come up with this list of the best gifts for kids, focusing on educational and healthy products for kids of all age groups. For kids products, specifically, we evaluated these items based on whether our children enjoyed each item, whether they had health and or educational value, and their value for price. We also included items that writers and testers from Everyday Health already have, use, and love.

As a mom of a preschooler and a toddler, I was able to test several products and include products from our everyday life in this list. I’ve always valued running a healthy, safe, and educational household for my boys, so I brought my knowledge of age-appropriate toys and kids’ items into writing this article. I also spoke with three experts from Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, Ayala Wegman, MD, Jacqueline Smith, PsyD, and Samantha Glickman, PsyD, to get more information about healthy play and activity for children.

How important is play to a child's well-being?

“Play is an integral component to children’s health and well-being,” says Wegman. “Not only does play strengthen small and large muscles and bones, it aids in the development of coordination and motor planning skills.”

It also fosters social skills and connection with peers and family, as well as life skills children will need as they get older. According to a study published in 2018, the absence of play along with “safe, stable, and nurturing relationships” can create toxic stress which can hinder executive function and social learning.

This means play is even more important when children are facing adversity.

“Play is more than just fun; it’s brain growth in action,” says Jacqueline Smith, PsyD, a child and adolescent psychologist and early childhood specialist at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City. “Through play, children learn how to negotiate and problem-solve; regulate their emotions; try on different roles; develop relationships and learn concepts; gain mastery and build self-confidence; develop creativity, imagination, and curiosity; and grow empathy and understanding — to name a few. Play is learning and it’s essential for a child’s social, psychological, and emotional well-being. “

What do children gain from active or movement play?

“Movement is a critical part of play for children,” says Wegman. “Unlike sedentary activities, such as gaming, social media scrolling, and tv watching, movement activities increase endorphins, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and condition our muscles and bones.”

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5) should be physically active throughout the day, with a target of three hours of play at all intensities (light, moderate and vigorous) As children get older, it’s suggested that they participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity per day.



Why is it important to focus on toys and play outside of screen time?

“Educational toys, like books, puzzles, and board games help a child focus, practice mindfulness, and open up a world of creativity,” Wegman says. “Screen time is not a dynamic activity. Watching screens, even educational content, is a sedentary and passive process. Children derive much more neurodevelopmental nourishment through interactive play, which encourages dialogue, behavioral modeling, fosters togetherness and improves focus and attentiveness.” While screens do have the potential to enhance education, excessive screen time has been shown to negatively affect much of children’s development, such as sensorimotor development, academic outcomes, cognitive abilities, language development, child-caregiver interaction, and executive functioning. Screen time can also be linked to obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and aggressive behavior.

“Play provides children the opportunity to develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively in ways that passive screen-based entertainment cannot,” Dr. Smith says. “Children learn and strengthen key skills most effectively when they’re engaged in hands-on experiences with real people.”

FAQ

How much outdoor play should kids get every day?

Best practices from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourage preschool-age children to play outdoors two to three times per day. “School-age children should ideally be getting at least 60 minutes of brisk physical activity per day and studies have shown there to be benefit from spending as much of this time as possible outdoors (weather permitting),” says Wegman. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, school-aged children need three hours of outdoor play each day.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children ages 2 to 5 should be limited to about one hour of noneducational screen time per weekday and three hours on weekend days. Children ages 6 and older should also have limited screen time and be encouraged to participate in activities that don’t involve screen time.
“When choosing toys, parents should keep their child’s developmental stage in mind,” says Smith. Parents should assess the skills their child is working on or seems interested in developing, and search for toys that can support that growth. 
“In general, toys that encourage creativity and open-ended play are most beneficial,” Smith says. “While light-up and battery-operated toys can be entertaining, they often offer fewer opportunities for cognitive and emotional development.” Parents can find the balance that works for their home, but should encourage open-ended and pretend play.

Why Trust Everyday Health

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. You can trust our reviews because we do the legwork for you. Read more about why you can trust us.
Nicole Bonaccorso

Nicole Bonaccorso

Author

Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.

Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.

In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.

Ashley Ziegler

Editor

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time writer with extensive experience covering women’s health, babies' and kids' health, mental health, and wellness. Her work has appeared on websites including The Bump, Health, Pregnancy & Newborn, People, Parents, Romper, Scary Mommy, and more.

Before transitioning into her full-time writing career, Ashley worked in the departments of pediatric cardiology and general medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and later at the North Carolina Medical Board. During undergrad, she majored in communications at Purdue University and then earned her master’s degree with a concentration in healthcare management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Ashley lives with her husband and two young daughters in North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, taking barre classes, and catching up on her favorite podcasts.

Simone Scully

Tester

Simone Scully is the editorial director for service commerce and marketplace content at Everyday Health. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a professional health and science journalist, covering topics such as the psychological impacts of living with chronic conditions, nationwide gaps in menopause healthcare, grief, neonatal loss, and the latest wellness trends over her career. Her byline has been published by over 35 publications, including Healthline, Well+Good, InStyle, Psych Central, Romper, Narratively, Nautilus magazine, and more.

Before joining Everyday Health, Simone was an editorial director of health and parenting commerce and service content at Dotdash Meredith. She oversaw a team of editors and writers that published content across nine different sites, including the Verywells, Parents, Health, and Shape. Prior to this, she also worked as an editor at The Weather Channel's Weather.com, Upworthy, theSkimm, and Business Insider. A project Simone oversaw at Weather.com on the health and environmental impacts of global water shortages won several awards in 2020, including the CMA award for Best Series of Articles, an IAC award, and an Eppy award, among others.

Simone received a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, where she focused on science and health long-form reporting and photojournalism. Her master's thesis explored the treatment of prolonged grief disorder following a miscarriage or the loss of a child. She was also awarded the John Horgan Award for Critical Science and Health Journalism at graduation.

Born in Minnesota, Simone lived 14 years in France until she graduated high school, then three years in London to get her bachelor's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She currently lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her husband, son, dog, and cats. When she's not working, you can find her writing fiction or plays, hiking in national parks, or tending to her garden and indoor plants.

Ysolt Usigan

Ysolt Usigan

Tester

Ysolt Usigan is a veteran writer, editor, and commerce journalist with more than a decade of experience creating lifestyle, health, wellness, and shopping content for brands including BestProducts.com, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, WhatToExpect, SheKnows, and RetailMeNot.

Ysolt specializes in product testing and reviews, shopping guides, and service journalism that help readers make smart, confident choices.

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW

Tester

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer. Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health, Parents, Shape, Yahoo, and more.

In her clinical work, Julia specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Identifying as a holistic-minded clinician, Julia views mental health as a relationship between the soul, self, and systemic structures in our lives. Her formative training includes developing mental health programming specifically for Black survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and conducting research on generational trauma within the Black community.

Julia Pelly, MPH

Tester

Julia Pelly began her freelance writing career covering health and parenting topics over 10 years ago after a decade of working with nonprofits focused on children's health. Pelly is a certified lactation counselor (CLC), childbirth educator (The Bradley Method), La Leche League leader, and a doula. She has a master's degree in public health from Tulane University.

Her writing has covered pregnancy and childbirth, early childhood development, lactation, postpartum healthcare, and mental health. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Time, Vox, Parents, Glamour, InStyle, and Today's Parent, among others.

When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her four young children, hiking, swimming, and reading.

Riley Blanton, MS, LMFT, PMH-C

Tester

Riley Blanton, MS, LMFT, PMH-C, is a clinician specializing in reproductive mental health care in Wichita, Kansas, and an experienced freelance health writer. Her articles have covered topics such as mental health, pregnancy, perinatal and postpartum health, abortion care, the foster care system and adoption, women's health, and the care of children with disabilities. Her work has been published in Health, Parents, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Health.

Riley served as the communications director for the Kansas State Chapter of Postpartum Support International, an organization that aims to promote the awareness, education, prevention, and treatment of perinatal mental health issues affecting parents, families, and caregivers and she remains a member of this organization. She is also the founder of the research-based website Postpartum Brain and a private practice, Holding New Therapy, that specializes in perinatal mental health.

She received a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Friends University, where her thesis focused on the relationship stressors that can arise with child-bearing couples. She also received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Old Dominion University.

In her free time, Riley enjoys reading voraciously, baking with rambunctious toddlers, and writing poetry.

Raki Swanson

Tester

Raki Swanson is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer and married mother to two adult children. She has experience covering mental health, fitness, food, and lifestyle topics, as well as significant experience reviewing and testing products for the Marketplace team, including online therapy, fitness gear, and food.

She received a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from St. Cloud University in Minnesota. She has also worked as a business development manager at a Fortune 500 company in Minnesota, and spent several years living in the south of France while growing up, which inspired her love of travel and food.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading, blogging, and enjoying being an empty nester with her husband, two dogs, and tabby cat named Kevin.

Jessica Migala

Tester

Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

Olivia Campbell

Tester

Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Nazi Germany and Made Scientific History. She is a freelance editor at Dotdash Meredith and a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, New York Magazine, Health, Parents, History, and The Guardian, among other outlets.

Campbell received a journalism degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's in science writing from Johns Hopkins University, where she now acts as a thesis advisor. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.

Campbell lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, three children, and two cats.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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Additional Sources