The 90+ Best Toys for Kids to Cure Them of Their Perpetual Boredom

Without a doubt, this is the hottest toy of the year. The Magic Mixies cauldron is arguably impressive. Kids fill the cauldron with water, add secret ingredients to the potion, tap the cauldron, and then it sparkles, smokes, and *poof* creates a plush creature.

It’s hard to get, kind of expensive, and requires extra purchases to use more than once, but having seen this thing in action, I can tell you, it’s super cool — and your kids will absolutely tell you the hype is real with this one.

More: Montessori Toys Perfect for Some Quiet Time

My daughter has played with this toy nonstop for weeks. It’s a jar with a digital face that you basically dance around with and “catch” fairies. There are multiple fairies to catch, and they each have their own possibility.

What we love about this toy is that it takes digital engagement and makes it active. Kids have to move to get to the fairies, and it's still kind of like a video game. It's a win/win.

Chances are, if you have a toddler or a preschooler, they love Bluey. The Aussie sensation now on American television features a family of blue heeler dogs as they go about their daily lives.

Let your children take these characters out of the cartoon world, using their own imaginations as they play with this deluxe home set from the show. It comes with the whole family, their house, a barbecue, and a picnic table.

If your child is hard into their dinosaur phase, this play mat with toy set is absolutely perfect. For under $40, you get a play mat just under 3 square feet, a set of nine “realistic” looking dinosaurs — including T-Rex and triceratops — and a carrying case in which your little one can store their dinos. (Or whatever else they throw in there: Let’s be real with ourselves here.)

I am in my 30s, and this game still slaps. Imagine if the traditional games of the floor is lava, Twister, and 4-square had a baby. That's this game. You're given a variety of colored squares that you can set up indoors or outdoors, and a spinner that corresponds to those colors. Whichever color the spinner lands on, you cannot step on that color. It's exactly as fun as you think.

(Just as fun for adults, but not recommended as a brewery game for obvious vestibular reasons.)

Remember the bottle trend from a few years ago where kids were trying to flip a half-full bottle of water to land on its base? It's like that, with the addition of having a dart element to it. Also, it's way easier to land these darts.

The darts are built with suction cups that stick pretty well to most-surfaces without damaging them. How do I know? My kids landed their darts on my oh, so brand-new television ... and it was fine.

Looking for a toy that will lure your child from your phone for actual hours? Get them an Imaginext transforming tower like this Batbot. My kids had about six full-sized, and we got every penny's worth from them.

And this one? It blows those out of the water. It has Batman sounds, it leans forward and shoots (lightweight, round) discs. It lights up, has a jail cell for the Arkham problem people, and a fully lit cockpit. Your kid will be saving the day and leaving your phone to you so you can doomscroll Twitter.

Got a little future daredevil on your hand? Why not get them one of these very slow (1mph) bumper cars? It's battery-charged and controlled via dual joysticks under each hand.

Just make sure that your child is at least 18 months old, and always strapped in and buckled before setting them loose to annoy the cat and each other. They will have tons of fun, though.

Your future Judy Chicago or Kehinde Wiley could get their start with this light-up drawing board by Crayola. This enchanting coloring toy illuminates your children's artwork, inspiring them to create more and more illustrations. Powered by three AA batteries, this board utilizes washable color gel markers that create bright and bold lines that your kid will absolutely adore.

Squeezy interactive dumplings are a bit reminiscent of Wowwee's Fingerling toys, except these are much cuter. You squeeze their little cheeks, and its little body pops right out of the head, and the eyes move up and down.

We promise it's nowhere near as strange as it sounds. It's positively sweet, and kids are going wild for it. (Mine certainly are.) These are available for preorder right now, shipping the week of Nov. 15. 2021.

Drones for kids are hugely different than their larger, more powerful cousins. These aren't going to take pictures over the Grand Canyon (or your kid's soccer game), but it will let them get the feel of a flying toy without it being dangerous or invasive. This drone is hand-operated, meaning that your child's (flat) hand needs to be beneath it to trigger the sensors to fly. It's a great compromise if your kids are looking for a drone this year.

Open-ended play at its finest. The Step2 Stop and Go Market is a little bit of everything — it's a toll plaza with traffic cones; it's a gas station, a mini mart, and even a street stand complete with chalkboard and cute little barstool. The whole thing is on wheels, giving it a fun, portable feel.

More: Montessori Toys Perfect for Some Quiet Time

Do you have a future Picasso on your hands? Let your child indulge their inner artist and love of cute creatures with the Crayola Scribble Scrubble Cloud Playset.

In the kit your child will get a koala-corn and owl-icorn and a set of special markers, a rainbow slide, and a tub to wash off the creations. It's utterly charming.

This preorder ships the week of Nov. 22, 2021, and the preorder will absolutely sell out. If your child loves CoComelon, this interactive JJ Doll is a must-have. You feed him, he talks back, his stomach gurgles, and he laughs.

Kids bolt to the television like their hair is on fire when they hear the chimes of his show's intro. Take it analog for a while, and it opens new worlds to your little ones.

This toy is almost too real for parents of kids who loved their pacifier, because this doll cries real tears when you take out her binky. (Too soon?)

She makes 10 realistic baby noises and just happens to be all dressed up in a Dalmatian hoodie, with extremely cool pink hair, and highly fashionable overalls.

Gabby's Dollhouse is a wildly popular Netflix series, and this is a two-foot tall replica of her house, complete with lights, elevator, and of course Gabby and her kitty friend, Pandy.

This is a splurge toy for sure. Kindergarten graduation, Christmas, first night of Hanukkah, birthday — a big occasion toy. But, it comes with 15 pieces, all the extras, and it looks just like thee show.

I got to see this toy in action at a toy preview, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Sure, ostensibly I am “buying this for my 10-year-old,” and “it’s for her,” but? It’s Charmander, and he reacts to touch and sound, and he lights up!

This is going to be another sellout, folx, so throw a raspberry and catch it soon.

The most satisfying of the ASMR toys. This set is 4.5 pounds of the gritty goodness, with tons of molds and shapers just begging for your kid to dig through and shape.

(And honestly, once they're in bed, it's pretty therapeutic for parents as well.)

“PJ Masks, we’re on our way. Into the night, to save the day!”

PJ Masks is incredibly popular, and this toy is going to be a huge hit. A submarine launcher, each mask has their own car to propel out into the depths beyond. With three rovers, three action figures, and the squid sub, your kids will go gaga for this one.

We think this is one of the best toys for kids today, not only because it gets kids active and outside but because it's fantastic for kids with lower-body mobility issues. It lets more kids just be kids, having a good time finding puddles to run through.

Radio Flyer is notoriously sturdy, so this ride-on will take its licks and be ready to pass down to another kid.

Yes, you'll hear the squishing and squelching in your sleep, but your kids will be thrilled.

Slime is more popular than ever. This DIY slime has sparkles, beads, balls, and even a fun crystal mystery powder. It's sensory play at its finest.

You never know what you're getting with Loki, but fortunately, you know exactly what to expect with Lego. High-quality, intensely challenging, building fun.

This set is 223 pieces, comes with four minifigures, plus a less-than-mini Hulk, two flyers, and the Avengers' tower. Will Iron Man and Loki make up? Will Hulk smash Loki again? Who knows — it's all up to your kids' imaginations.

It's a pogo stick — reinvented! Even kids with not-so-hot skills can find their balance on this toy. It can be used indoors and outdoors, too, thanks to its foam material. The only thing your kid will have to do is jump and laugh.

Now we know that Grogu prefers the flavor of a fresh, plump, space frog, but this macaron will have to suffice. This nearly 10-inch-tall animatronic toy has over 40 sounds and motions, and he comes with multiple treats that your kids will love to feed him. However, none of them are forbidden froggies.

If your child is itching to pick up a new instrument, but you're not sure if you have the cash to shell out for lessons, bring home this quality keyboard.

It functions just like a regular piano keyboard, but it also features the ability to teach your child new music by connecting to an app. The keys will light up and show your kid how to play songs. It's entertaining and will leave your child with music skills to last a lifetime.

If the skill really takes off, you can also bring home this 88-key piano keyboard that teaches music in the same way.

The cutest fox on the block! This pixie toy lights up and makes noise as a fun little interaction! Kids are loving how easy these are to play with and have hanging out, and parents love how affordable they are. 

What kid wouldn't love a fun dose of science? With this crystal-growing kit, children can run their own science experiments and deepen their appreciation for all things rocks and gems.

The best part? Your kiddo will have an extra special crystal to add to the collection when the experiment is over.

This is not the Barbie head you remember. This is a mermaid unicorn Barbie with 20 different styling accessories including some serious hair bling. The brush and styling wand glide easily through the hair — but if it does get stuck? A pro tip: Human hair conditioner works a treat to untangle Barbie hair.

Your little engineer will be able to unleash their creativity and innovation with this Gravitrax Marble Run. The 122-piece starter set can be assembled in infinite ways. This superior marble-run system combines kinetics, magnets, and design creativity to propel the marbles in different directions.

Your child will be obsessed with finding new ways to put it together. Once they've mastered the starter set, you can purchase extra pieces to create a unique system all their own.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like kinetic sand is going anywhere, anytime soon. The ever-popular toy has some big things happening this year, including awesome play sets like these that your kids are sure to love, and sure to scatter.

“What’s this called?” “Where’s my funny bone?”

Got a body-curious kid? This is the toy they need. Not only is it a fun squishy toy, but it also properly labels each part of the body in plain and simple English. It’s informative and a real riot for kids who are into it.

Plus, it comes with tweezers to get the organs out, which is gross and cool.

Yes, this is the most potentially annoying toy on this list, but it's also one of the most-searched. Kids want this because they see it all over TikTok and YouTube, and it's actually really fun. If it loses its battery occasionally? It happens. 

Your little future mail carrier will be bringing all your Amazon packages right to your door in this USPS ride-on toy, complete with a mailbox. It's run by a rechargeable 12-volt battery and has a maximum speed of 2.5 miles per hour.

This is one of those toys where words almost cannot describe how freaking cool it actually is. You download the Jimu app, and it takes your kid through the entire building process, with tons of different help features if they get stuck.

Once it’s built, it’s ready for your kid to code to teach it to move. It’s a real robot, y’all.

Get ready to launch a rocket straight into the air, all without batteries or the help of NASA. This kid-powered Stomp Rocket shoots foam-tipped rockets up to 200 feet into the air. Whether they're stomping in the backyard or at the park, they will be blown away by how far their rockets will soar.

If your kid is the type who would rather speak in roars than words and would gladly trade in their younger sibling for a baby T-Rex, this toy is for them. With flexible tracks, your tot can create the dino world of their dreams. Complete with two dinosaurs, a car, trees, a door, and a hanging bridge, your little one will get lost in their very own Jurassic World.

Kids are obsessed with Nickelodeon's Baby Shark Big Show, and this toy is based on that series. Your little baby shark can play with this duo in two different ways? They can either dance along as Baby Shark's tail wiggles and wags to the theme song for the show, or they can have William give Baby Shark the "high fin" and listen as fun sounds ensue.  

Imagine the log toys of your childhood, but 100% less frustrating. This building set by Magformers is a wild design, and we love it. It has all of the ease and fun of traditional magnet tiles but with a fun brick and log twist.

I promise this isn't as gross as it sounds. In fact, it's quite a nifty learning experience. It comes with a voucher to have caterpillars shipped right to your door (which is as gross as it sounds) and everything you need to grow some beautiful monarch butterflies. Watch your kids take in the wonder of their transformation while they are truly learning from life in action.

This just in! The latest trendy animals are now the hedgehog and the sloth. That's right, unicorns — while still loved by many — are on their way out, and the sweet and prickly hedgehog is rolling its way on in. Satisfy your little one's love for the spiky creature with this toy that sharpens fine motor skills.

Your toddler will have to utilize the pinching and detailed grabbing motion of the thumb and forefinger to pull out each spike and put it back, which is essential to strengthening their fine motor abilities.

There is a beautiful sort of elation that happens when you put a new Playmobil set in front of your child. It's all imagination and wonder, alight with possibilities. This camping set will have your kids making up stories about the characters and acting them out over and over. It's quality, open-ended, analog play, and it's incredible.

The set comes with an adult, two kids, a cat, a tent, a picnic table, and a ton of other goodies, all for under $30.

We're all trying to be just a little bit better to the planet, and that can start by decreasing the amount of plastic toys we buy our kids.

This cardboard castle lets kids do the work of decorating it, thanks to the coloring-pages exterior. And it should be noted that just because it's cardboard doesn't mean it's not sturdy. Think of all the boxes your kids keep around for months and months just because they've determined it's the perfect theatre/mailbox/veterinary office.

So your kids aren't old enough to create their own Twitch channel, but they watch enough online content that they're desperate to make their own videos? They need this camera.

It comes with the software needed, and your kids can toggle between backgrounds, learn editing skills, and generally become an indie film director in your very own living room. It's a great way to build creativity while learning a valuable skill.

We can all agree the classic Sit 'n Spin is one of the best toys for kids, generation after generation. There's something wildly satisfying to children about this toy, despite its simplicity. The middle of the toy is fixed, with a round, spinning base for children to sit on while propelling themselves with the fixed wheel. Kids adore all the dizzying fun of it, especially trying to stand and walk afterward.

There is a trend in the toy community, and boy, is it satisfying! From slime to Slinkies, kids are totally obsessed with textures, shapes, and things fitting in their place exactly right. This kinetic sand will probably be the most satisfying toy your kids sink their hands into.

Kinetic sand is super cool because it feels wet but is totally dry. It can mold like wet sand on the beach, but it never dries out. Your kids will have hours of fun molding with the six-piece set included with the sand.

Mindful games and tools are a huge trend for 2021, and it's easy to understand why — we are all more harried than ever, even our kids. This game is designed to help kids find their center and focus on the moment. And who knows, it might help us as well.

If you haven't noticed, tie-dye was a big trend that took off during the height of the pandemic. This simple one-step tie-dye kit will get them in on this creative trend.

With bright, vibrant colors, your kiddo can craft one-of-a-kind designs that will last through a few tumbles in the wash.

If having a hand adorned with Fingerlings is on the top of your little one's to-do list, they will absolutely fall in love with this jumbo-sized, interactive Fingerling Plush.

This sweet monkey hugs, kisses, and reacts to touch and sound. It even toots and lets out tiny burps that are actually adorable.

Your baby will feel like they are rollin' with the big kids with their very own smartwatch. With a light-up screen, tunes, and engaging activities, your tot will never want to take their watch off.

This is one of the coolest toys I got to play with this year. This basketball is standard weight and size, but thanks to the addition of super-bright LED lights on the inside, the whole thing glows with a radiant golden light. This is a ton of fun for twilight or nighttime play.

She’s fierce and fabulous, and this L.O.L. Surprise O.M.G. Movie Magic doll comes with two different outfits and 25 different surprises. It’s a part of an entire collection, so your child can build up their whole movie magic crew. Plus, we love the different body types represented in this line.

LED lights for kids is a huge trend that is expanding into all their toys. This astonishingly affordable swing has battery-powered LED lights in the seat that will glow like magic in the dark of the evening.

Know a little aspiring construction worker? They’ll go crazy for this sand-digger seat that levers, pivots, and dumps sand, just like in the working world. Whether on the beach or in the sandbox, they’ll love maneuvering this “heavy-duty” construction tool. Hard hat not included.

Part building block, part origami, part magical screen-distraction device, the Clixo is one of our favorite new toys. Made of flexible, durable plastic paper, the Clixo shapes can be formed into infinite shapes and designs, providing kids hours of stimulating builds.

Board games are a staple for many families and are just a huge win for kids in general. This Disney Funko game is a colossal superstar this year, thanks to its 3D playing board, beautiful design, quick play, and of course, all the Funko figurines used as play pieces. Mickey and friends really shine.

This isn't just a dollhouse — it's an heirloom. This is one of those toys your children will remember playing with for the rest of their lives. It's beautifully built out of sustainable wood, and for under $100, it really can't be beaten as far as durable toys are concerned.

If you have kids, you've seen unboxing videos. You know your kids are obsessed. And frankly, we're obsessed. This interactive toy truck is all of that joy, over and over again.

The box itself works when a key “unlocks the power” of the toy. Then, if you knock on the box once, it will knock back. If you knock twice, the “animal” inside starts to shake. Keep knocking, and the animal escapes, the beast truck roaring from its cage.

Toys have truly evolved from just peeing themselves and talking in a creepy voice.

Kids are naturally interested in their environment. Why not encourage that curiosity with their very own explorer kit? This one comes with binoculars, a flashlight, a fan, and a magnifying glass.

It's all designed for little hands and eyes to use to really observe their surroundings.

If you saw the film, you know just how wonderful and heart-warming The Great Protector Dragon really is. Not only does he have a fierce heart of gold, he is also incredibly powerful and loyal.

This toy is fully moveable, ready to jump in and save the day if needed. And honestly who doesn't want a dragon willing to risk it all because they love you so much?

These toys are deceptively satisfying. No, they don't make the same noise as bubble wrap, but I guarantee if you have one in front of you, you're popping all the bubbles. This toy is a MUST for kids this year and is sure to keep them entertained.

Got a tiny dancer on your hands? One way to get your little one grooving to the beat is by encouraging them to interact with the music. This Dance and Groove Rockit toy from Fisher-Price allows your little one to control the tunes; choosing from ABCs to fun instrumental music. 

Your kid probably has dreams of becoming a crime-fighting superhero like Batman. While that might be a farfetched aspiration, this transforming Batmobile will make them feel like the billionaire vigilante himself.

With spreading wings and easy-to-maneuver wheels, your kid will get hours of play out of this great toy.

Raya and the Last Dragon stole hearts this year, and far and away the favorite characters are Sisu and Tuk Tuk. They are more than just transportation for Raya, they're her friends, and sometimes, they're who get her into trouble. (OK, a lot of times.)

This is a three-piece plush set that simply need to go together. They're truly a pair.

This cube is stickerless, which means no cheating. If your kid is into these kinds of puzzles, this is one of the best out there. It's a toy that's under $10 and provides hours of fun and frustration.

The parenting editor’s son says that “it’s cool because it’s new colors, and because my sister can’t mess with it.” A ringing endorsement if ever there was one.

Yeti In My Spaghetti is a silly and simple game that the entire family can enjoy. Lay the spaghetti strands over the red bowl, and place the Yeti on the top. Each family member will pull out a spaghetti noodle one by one until the Yeti falls into the bowl.

Melissa & Doug teamed up with Paw Patrol to make this adorable wooden rescue crate featuring everyone's favorite fire Dalmatian, Marshall. For under $47, you get 14 wooden pieces that can all be played with and stored inside the fire engine-shaped crate.

Yes, this award-winning game produces an alarming amount of respiratory droplets, but thankfully, this isn't a game you're going to play outside of your home.

It's pretty much impossible not to get some belly laughs every time you play — and kids absolutely love watching their parents struggle to say even the easiest of words. This silly game comes with 10 dental-grade and dishwasher-safe mouthpieces.

Treasure X toys were huge during the 2019 holiday season, and this year, the company has come out with a new version that's expected to be even hotter.

Kids can discover hidden treasures as they navigate 25 levels of action-packed adventure, defeating evil Kraken as the Sea Lord.

Upgrade your little one's dolls living with this uptown, luxury dollhouse. Sure, the dream house is cute, but it's also a detailed high-rise with three levels, five rooms, and two outdoor hangouts.

The sturdy wooden structure will keep this dollhouse standing for years to come — and honestly, it's so stylish that your kid's dolls won't want to move out!

It's a flossing sloth toy. A. Flossing. Sloth. Toy. What is better than that? This cute toy flosses to three different songs, all while blinking its eyes and wiggling its hips. Get the whole family involved for a night of fun and flossing.

Part dodgeball, part board game, all fun. This is competitive burrito tossing at its finest, and your kids will love trying to gain matching cards while flinging soft stuffed plushes at one another. (Remember, no headshots.)

These DOTS are quite the departure from traditional LEGOS, which is a lure to kids who maybe aren’t as much a fan of that aspect of LEGOS. These are more a design-oriented style that has kids arranging the “dots” on pre-made surfaces. This one is a secret cat chest, which for anyone who had a lockable diary in the ’90s and early ’00s, knows — are extremely cool.

If you find yourself singing the theme to Dinosaur Train in your head, or if your kids asks you over and over, “If you were a dinosaur...?“, then this is the toy for your kid. Easy to play with and no batteries required, this 10 piece analog playset from Schleich was an instant hit with our junior testers.

This toy puts all the power in their hands and gives them the room to play with their imagination. The toys are durable rubber and plastic, and trust us — they can really take a beating.

What's this? A genuinely fun math game? We kid you not, this game is actually fun. It helps even the youngest kids learn variables, fractions, and ratios. In the game, it's all about toppings, who has what and who needs what, and you can steal from your opponent. It's pretty classic, really.

Between Jurassic World and Dinosaur Train, my kids are legit obsessed with dinosaurs. This "fossil" kit allows them to be the archeologist, finding and classifying fossils and rocks, all while giving them a little bit of education on the subject.

Even the board game aficionados at Board Game Geek are fans of this game. So while it may be a bit before we get to hit up the national parks in person, this game takes you through some of our most beautiful areas virtually — with competition. If you like Ticket to Ride, you'll love this.

After raising over $1.8 million on Kickstarter, there is an obvious reason why this game already has a loyal following.

The premise of the game is pretty simple: You build a unicorn army, and the first person out of two to eight players to do so is the winner. But the trick is that every player — or friend — can potentially betray you and steal or demolish your unicorn army in order to create theirs first.

The full set of rules can explain how to play in-depth, and an NSFW expansion pack is available — but we promise, it's a magically unstable time!

Desperate to hear the ice cream truck roll around the corner? Don't worry! This LeapFrog Scoop and Learn cart will hold your tot over in the meantime. Your little one can create tasty flavor combinations with the magic scooper and ring up orders on the attached register.

More than just an ice cream cart, your child is reinforcing and learning color sequence, counting abilities, and memory skills. If you're not in the mood for ice cream, the cart comes with order cards to encourage engaging independent play as well.

This wooden toy is every kid's dream come true! Your kid will soon become a natural at ringing up orders and making change. Plus, this toy is nontoxic. Cha-ching!

It's Taco Tuesday, and your little one is the chef. This adorable set of make-believe food comes with everything your little one needs to create the play meal of your dreams.

From a can of pinto beans to a box of yellow rice and 41 pieces in between, your kid will love getting familiar with traditional Latin flavors as they craft delicious pretend meals.

Choo, choo! All aboard! There is something about trains that just manages to capture children's hearts. Your aspiring conductor will love this colorful locomotive and the adorable characters that come with it. As they use the blocks to build the train, your tot can sharpen their number- and color recognition skills.

This uber-soft plush toys are great as toys, as pillows, and as soothing loveys. Chances are that your kid already owns a few of them, so you're not surprised if they show up on your kids wish list for Hanukkah or Christmas (or just in general.)

Kids love to pretend to mow the lawn — which is funny because, as grown-ups, we all seem to hate it. Poor taste aside, this light-up lawn mower will delight children all summer long.

The buzz around baby Yoda from The Mandalorian series has been intense, making this one of the best toys for kids who love Star Wars. If your little one is a baby Yoda fan, they will instantly fall in love with this adorable character plush.

Calico Critters have been around since the '80s when they launched in Japan. Since then, the line of classic characters has expanded, and the playsets (like this grand department store) are coveted by younger children and older kids alike.

Mini sloth! Polly Pockets are just as popular as ever, and with the introduction of the miniature sloth, this Polly Pocket is sure to sell out quickly. Kids love the tiny toys that are easily transportable and work splendidly with one another.

The classic game of Monopoly has a new character, and she is running the show. A twist on the original game, in this version, players are able to buy inventions created by innovative women instead of property.

At the start of the game, women are paid higher money and earn more when they pass go. Filled with pro-female entrepreneurship themes, this might be your child's preferred version of the game.

Your tiny toddler will toddle happily behind this learning walker, and when they get tired of chasing you around with their newfound freedom, they can plop down in front of the toy and play away on the keyboard with the phone or the fancy gears.

It's not high-tech, and that's the beauty of it. It's just enough to really get kids interested without them being in front of a TV or tablet.

Is your kid the next Jim Henson? Why not let them follow their love of theatre and puppets with this interactive dog puppet from WowWee. It licks, it sniffs, it sneezes and nuzzles. Best of all, this timeless toy for kids is under $15.

If you've never played with these beads, then you're missing out. They're super simple beads that you put on a plastic tray in any shape and then use a wand to melt them into permanence. This version is Animal Crossing, which is about as popular as it comes for kids' video games.