From science to art to pretend play, our recommendations will help you pick the perfect toy for the special "big box".
If your Mighty Girl is especially drawn to science, art, robotics, or something entirely different, it might be worth spending a larger portion of the holiday gift budget on one very special present that will allow her to delve deeply into that interest.
In six thematic sections below, we recommend a number of toys perfect for filling the "big box," ranging from large-scale building sets that can be easily shared among siblings to dollhouses that will provide endless opportunities for imaginative play. While more expensive than the average disposable toy, the high-quality nature of these toys also means that they last for years to come — and be there to pass on to younger children in the future.
For more girl-empowering toys of all varieties, check out our 2019 Girl Empowerment Holiday Gift Guide.
Under Construction: Big Building Sets
When a kid is building, there's nothing more frustrating than running out of pieces! With these extra-large sets, kids can really allow their imaginations to run wild.
HABA Basic Building Blocks
HABA Basic Building Blocks
Wooden building blocks are fun for even the youngest kids, and with this extra-large 102-piece starter set, you can be sure that you've got enough blocks to keep them building for years! High-quality wooden blocks like these are designed on a standard unit, so that all of the blocks work seamlessly together for building. In addition to standard squares, rectangles, and triangles, this set also includes inspiring pieces like towers, arches, and X shapes. The high-quality, natural beech wood is beautiful to look at and comfortable in the hand; this will definitely become a heirloom toy.
LEGO Education DUPLO XL Bricks Set
LEGO Education DUPLO XL Bricks Set
Kids who aren't old enough for regular LEGO can still have plenty of building fun! This 560 piece set of DUPLO bricks includes both basic and decorated bricks, several figures, windows, fences, vehicles, and more. The set was designed to allow several kids to play together, making it perfect for families with multiple children or for those who like to have big building playdates. For a smaller set with 160 pieces, check out the Creative DUPLO Brick Set.
Little Tikes Big Waffle Blocks Set
Little Tikes Big Waffle Blocks Set
It's easy to build big ideas with the Little Tikes Waffle Blocks! Eighteen blocks slot together in ways that encourage creative building. The 14 by 14 inch pieces are durable enough to hold up to plenty of serious play, and a variety of cut-outs encourage kids to experiment with different possibilities. Plus, the durable plastic pieces allow her to use them indoors or outdoors, providing plenty of fodder for imaginative play.
Women Who Dared Building Blocks
Women Who Dared Building Blocks
Pay tribute to 32 women who changed the world with this set of heirloom-quality blocks from Uncle Goose! This hand-crafted set features women who made significant contributions to the world, including figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and more. Each block features one woman's name, portrait, quote, and a short explanation of her historical importance. Together, the blocks can be assembled to form the Suffrage Movement slogan Deeds Not Words. They're sturdy enough for play but also make a beautiful display piece and learning tool — and, like all Uncle Goose products, they're made in the USA from sustainable Michigan basswood and non-toxic inks.
LEGO Education DUPLO STEAM Park
LEGO Education DUPLO STEAM Park
Arts and science combine with this set of DUPLO blocks! Preschoolers will construct a STEAM park full of dynamic moving rides, fun games, and scenes using the special selection of LEGO DUPLO bricks. Along the way, they grow their understanding of gears, motion, measurement, and solving problems together in a fun and engaging way. Kids can follow the included inspiration cards, or just let their imagination run wild. This set includes 295 pieces, including both standard bricks and unique accessory pieces like slides, wheels, a cannon that actually "fires," and even fun park-themed items like balloons!
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set
Create beautiful structures with these translucent magnetic tiles! These tiles easily connect to create 2D or 3D shapes and patterns. You'll be amazed at how big kids can build with a little inspiration. This set includes a variety of different shapes to provide plenty of building options, but since all Magna-Tiles sets are compatible, you can also add this set to your existing collection for even more epic builds.
Quadrilla Vertigo Marble Railway
Quadrilla Vertigo Marble Railway
Quadrilla marble run sets are among the best available, and this is the most exciting set yet! The Vertigo includes 134 building pieces, including straightaway rails, spiral funnels, and a seesaw, plus plenty of marbles to run down your enormous track. You can use this set alone or combine it with more Quadrilla sets for even more gigantic marble races. Since it's made of Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, you'll also know that it was sustainably built — and that it's tough enough to be in the family for generations.
LEGO Education Creative Brick Set
LEGO Education Creative Brick Set
This impressive creative brick set provides plenty of colors, sizes, and shapes to prompt building and discovery! With 1,000 bricks included, the set allows children to imagine and create all sorts of figures, objects, and buildings. Children develop fine motor skills while constructing, and the building cards will support and inspire their creativity. Serious LEGO builders will be thrilled to have a wider selection of the 2X4, 2X2, and 1X2 blocks that always seem to run out too soon.
Quadrilla Super Spirals Marble Run
Quadrilla Super Spirals Marble Run
Send marbles spinning with this awesome marble run kit from Hape! The Quadrilla Super Spirals kit comes with 129 pieces to build amazing marble runs, including see saws, spiral twists, and even direction-changing distributor blocks. Will you build a run that towers to the sky? Or one with two tracks where the marbles race to the bottom? This set is also compatible with other Quadrilla sets for truly epic builds.
Keva 200 Maple Planks Set
Keva 200 Maple Planks Set
You'll be amazed at what you can build with these simple planks! KEVA maple planks are perfectly cut, identical construction blocks that stack with surprising stability. Narrow towers can reach all the way to the ceiling! Incredible stability is achieved by cutting the planks with great precision, but since all the pieces the same, no energy is wasted searching for specific shapes or connectors. Young builders will enjoy simply stacking, while older ones will explore the incredible potential of this kit to create elaborate structures.
Magformers 144-Piece Set
Magformers 144-Piece Set
Get into the ultimate magnet-building fun with this enormous set of Magformers building pieces! This unique building system uses magnets embedded in plastic, allowing kids to create 2D and 3D shapes quickly and easily. Since they always attract, the moment any two pieces touch, they connect! This set includes a wide variety of shapes, including several sizes of squares and triangles, pentagons, hexagons, and some fun accessories, including wheels for building vehicles. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can put together some impressive structures with this set.
LEGO Hogwarts Clock Tower
LEGO Hogwarts Clock Tower
Explore the wonders of the Hogwarts Clock Tower with this 922-piece LEGO building set inspired by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! Inside the clock tower, you'll create Dumbledore's office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Icy Ballroom where the moving dance function allows characters to spin and twirl. Eight Yule Ball minifigures are included, including Hermione Granger, Fleur Delacour, and Madame Maxine.
LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V
LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V
Enjoy a building challenge — and a tribute to NASA's Moon missions — with this massive three-foot LEGO model of the NASA Apollo Saturn V rocket! At 1,969 pieces, this set provides a fun building challenge packed with authentic details: it features 3 removable rocket stages, including the S-IVB third stage with the lunar lander and lunar orbiter. With The set includes 3 stands to display the model horizontally, 3 new astronaut micro figures for role-play recreations of the Moon landings, and a booklet about the manned Apollo missions.
LEGO Hogwarts Castle
LEGO Hogwarts Castle
There's so much to discover in this massive Hogwarts Castle set from LEGO! With 6,020 pieces, you'll build a 22” high, 27” wide, and 16” deep model complete with classrooms, the great hall, and even locations like the Chamber of Secrets, the Whomping Willow, and the Hagrid's Hut. 27 microfigures are included, as well as four standard minifigures of Hogwarts' House Founders. For smaller building kits featuring the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, check out the LEGO Hogwarts Great Hall and the LEGO Hogwarts Clock Tower for ages 9 and up.
Big Ideas: Science, Technology, and Robotics Kits
These options are more than just gifts: they're windows into understanding some of the cool science and engineering concepts that kids have only heard about!
Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
This full-featured tablet is perfectly tailored for kids! The new Fire HD 10 has a 10.1” 1080p full HD display and a faster processor than previous models. It comes with 32 GB of internal storage and a battery that provides up to a 12-hour charge life. A 2-year worry-free guarantee ensures you're covered for accidental damage. Plus you get a one-year membership to the FreeTime Unlimited subscription service, with over 15,000 books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games for kids aged 3 to 12.
Kids First Coding and Robotics Kit
Kids First Coding and Robotics Kit
In this kit from Thames & Kosmos, kids as young as four can learn coding principles and skills — no computer required! Kids will build a selection of different model robots, from a fire truck to a mouse to a peanut butter sandwich. Then, they'll lay down physical code cards, drive the robot over them to load the program with the bot's optical scanner, and put the robot on a map grid so it can execute their commands! 30 lessons in six clever stories progress in complexity, covering sequencing, loops, events, conditions, functions, and variables; when they're done, they can create their own robotics adventure!
Junior Inventor Deluxe Scientific Workbench
Junior Inventor Deluxe Scientific Workbench
Little kids can do real science with this Deluxe Scientific Workbench from Hape! This workbench comes with 79 pieces, including everything you need to demonstrate key scientific principles with 15 experiments. Kids can build a Digger, a Zoetrope, a Rotating Light, and more, learning about the secrets of physics as they go. It's sure to inspire plenty of scientific discovery!
Wonder Workshop Dash Robot
Wonder Workshop Dash Robot
This clever little robot can do amazing things — with a little help from you! Dash is a fully-assembled robot that perceivse the world with sensors: she can hear sounds, observe objects, and sense if you are moving them. Using the compatible apps, you can direct Dash to do all sorts of things, learning programming concepts as you go. For even more robot fun, check out the Dot Creativity Kit, which lets you dress up Dash's partner Dot in a variety of costumes before playing some fun games!
Osmo Genius Kit for iPads
Osmo Genius Kit for iPads
Osmo is a unique learning system that allows kids to combine tablet time with actual hand-held pieces, letting kids interact with the app through tactile play. Attach the Osmo base to your tablet and start exploring the included apps and toys, which encourage creative thinking in math, wordplay, art, and problem solving. It's truly the best of both worlds! This version of Osmo works with iPads; there is also an Osmo Genius Kit for Fire Tablets.
Piper Computer Kit 2
Piper Computer Kit 2
Minecraft-crazy kids will love this kit that teaches them how to build their very own real computer! This kit from Piper includes a wooden computer case with a 9" LCD display with 1024x600 resolution and integrated speaker. As you follow the included directions, you'll set it up with a Raspberry Pi 3 Project Board with 1GB RAM and a 1.2Ghz Quad Core CPU, plus gadgets like buttons, switches, LED lights, motion sensors, and more. After the computer is built, use the included SD card full of Minecraft-inspired Story Mode levels and Piper Code projects to explore the full potential of your computer. It's a great way to get kids crafting with technology in real life rather than on a screen.
Unicornbot Building and Coding Kit
Unicornbot Building and Coding Kit
This enchanted unicorn kit has everything you need to create a buildable, codable UnicornBot! The 3D, 360° animated building instructions on the free JIMU app (compatible with devices using iOS 9.0 and up or Android 5.0 and up) will guide you through assembling the 440 parts, including smooth motion servos, a motor, and an RGB light-up horn. Then, you can use the easy-to-learn Blockly coding platform to teach your Unicornbot to move, pick-up objects, recognize colors, and more! It's a fantasy-inspired introduction to the basics of robotics and coding that kids will love. And if she's more of a dragon fan, check out JIMU's Firebot kit which lets you build and code a dragon!
Hobby Rock Tumbler
Hobby Rock Tumbler
Make the gems and minerals you find even more beautiful with this excellent rock tumbler from National Geographic! Suitable for both beginners and advanced hobbyists, this tumbler has an automatic timer so you don't over-tumble your stones, and a tough motor that will last through years of work. A noise-reducing barrel means you can keep it running without disturbing the house! A half pound of stones are included for your first tumble, but it won't be long before you're hunting your own rocks and revealing their beauty, too.
Bring Physics to Life: Sensors Alive Kit
Bring Physics to Life: Sensors Alive Kit
With this innovative game from Thames & Kosmos, kids use real-life sensor data to create a world of fantastic creatures! Connect the base station to your device, then use the sensor pods to collect readings about your environment. Inside the app, creatures appear whose attributes are based on the data: a low temperature reading might result in a creature with long hair to keep warm. As kids play, they gain experience measuring light levels, volumes, and temperatures, making physics come alive! Please note: this app requires a device with Android 4.4.2 or later or iOS 8.1 or later.
Celestron AstroMaster Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Telescope
View both the earth and the stars with this easy to use telescope! The Celestron 21061 Astromaster 70AZ refractor telescope requires no tools to set up, and the tripod comes pre-assembled, so you can start using it right out of the box. It's powerful enough to see cool details like the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn! It's the perfect choice for budding stargazers and astronomers.
Snap Circuits Extreme
Snap Circuits Extreme
Budding electricians and electrical engineers will be thrilled with this enormous set of Snap Circuits, the modular system that lets kids explore electronics with no solder or glue! This giant set includes over 80 pieces and can be used to build more than 750 different projects — and then kids can experiment with the pieces to come up with their own circuits. Once they're done this set, they can delve even deeper with the Snap Circuits Student Electronics Training Program, also for age 8 and up.
littleBits Music Inventor Kit
littleBits Music Inventor Kit
Build and customize your own musical instruments with this kit from littleBits! littleBits are modular electronic components that click together without glue or solder, making them perfect for kids to experiment. In this kit, kids will do 12 activities that teach them how to build high-tech instruments like a synth guitar and air drums. Then, play your instruments in a variety of different ways — and take the apart to invent your own. This kit is also compatible with all other littleBits kits, so the only limit is your imagination!
The Big Engineering Makerspace
The Big Engineering Makerspace
The Big Engineering Makerspace from Thames & Kosmos is part science kit, part inspirational building kit! As kids work their way through the five chapters in the 128-page manual, they'll explore a variety of different physical principles and engineering concepts, including buoyancy, wind power, gears, pneumatics, hydraulics, optics, and much more. The 258 modular pieces build 20 models from the manual, but can also be used for kids to invent their own machines. Best of all, batteries are NOT required, so she can get building right out of the box!
AmScope Biological Microscope
AmScope Biological Microscope
Check out the amazing microscopic world with this microscope that provides amazing quality for the price! This biological microscope offers five magnification settings, 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X and 1000X, and offers LED bottom lumination so you can easily get a good look at your specimens. A sturdy metal framework and a dust cover ensure it holds up to plenty of hard use! Just get yourself some blank slides or a set of prepared slides and get ready to see the world in a whole new way!
Raspberry Pi 3 Ultimate Set
Raspberry Pi 3 Ultimate Set
You can build your own tiny but powerful computer for a fraction of the cost of a pre-built system in a store, thanks to Raspberry Pi! This set includes everything you need to assemble a credit card-sized computer; then, use the included SD card to run New Out Of Box Software (NOOBS) to start learning programming basics. Everything you need, including a case and a power supply, is included in this set; just connect a screen and an input device and you'll be on your way.
Happy Atoms Molecular Modeling Kit
Happy Atoms Molecular Modeling Kit
Explore basic chemical principles with this modeling kit from Thames and Kosmos that uses magnetic bonding sites to represent how atoms join up to become molecules! Fifty atom models representing sixteen elements join together to create thousands of different molecules; scan your models with the included iOS app to learn what molecule you've created, and see how many of the most common ones you can find. It's a hands-on way to learn about the building blocks of chemistry.
Physics Pro Science Kit
Physics Pro Science Kit
With this set you get a truly gigantic physics kit for your budding scientist! Thames and Kosmos's Physics Pro kit covers topics like fluid dynamics, energy, oscillation, hydraulics and pneumatics, and includes over 200 pieces to allow young physicists to explore these principles. By following the guide, you'll build a wind tunnel, pneumatic shocks, and a hydraulic lift, and learn more about how physics directs the technology we use every day.
70mm Refractor Telescope
70mm Refractor Telescope
See the heavens with this high-quality refractor telescope from Solomark! This entry level telescope and astronomy kit is perfect for the budding star-gazer. This telescope comes with two 1.25" eyepieces, K20mm and K9mm, for 20-power and 44-power views. It also has a finderscope to make it easier to spot a particular object you're looking for, and a smartphone eyepiece adapter so you can take exciting pictures of what you see! It all packs inside a special grab-and-go backpack so it's easy to take stargazing on the go.
Arduino Starter Kit
Arduino Starter Kit
Arduino is the perfect way to get young technies creating their own inventions! This open-source electronics platform incorporates easy-to-use hardware and software so kids can learn to create a variety of interesting projects. In this kit, a selection of basic components and a 72-page instruction manual let you learn the basics of Arduino programming. Once you've got the knack, you can buy additional kits and let your imagination run wild! Inventing has never been so simple.
Chemistry C3000 Set
Chemistry C3000 Set
Advancing chemists can really test their stuff with this kit from Thames & Kosmos! This set includes dozens of additional tools and chemicals compared to smaller sets, and the experiments in its 92-page, full-color manual cover key concepts like chemical equations, atomic structures, and the periodic table. The experiments included in this set are perfect as preparation for high school level chemistry or for budding scientists who want to broaden their chemical knowledge.
Nanotechnology Kit
Nanotechnology Kit
The future of technology may be very, very small! Nanomachines are tiny — often only a few atoms wide — but this kit will help teens start learning the basics of nanotechnology, first by discussing size, scale, and orders of magnitude in the International System of Units, then by learning how electromagnetic spectrum, laser light, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy can make machines this small visible. With 41 experiments in the 72-page manual, you'll feel like you have a whole lab in your bedroom.
Big Imaginations: Pretend Play Toys
From detailed pretend play kits to fun play spaces, these toys will kick kids' imaginations into overdrive!
Servin’ Up Fun Food Truck
Servin’ Up Fun Food Truck
Keep your budding entrepreneur busy with this food truck playset from Fisher-Price! Kids can greet customers, prep food on the grill, work the register, and more. As they play, they trigger lively songs, fun phrases, and more. Three Smart Stages settings let this toy grow with your child, so there's no end to the food-prep fun! The set includes 20 removable play elements, including food, drinks, order cards, and more.
My Creative Cookery Club
My Creative Cookery Club
This is the perfect compact kitchen for little would-be chefs! It features a see-through oven door and an enclosed space that can act as a cupboard or a fridge. It also comes with a 30-piece accessory set the includes sliceable vegetables, as well as pots, pans, and utensils. But at only 21 inches long, it's easy to slot into even small play spaces! If you're looking for a larger play kitchen set, check out the Uptown Espresso Kitchen for age 3 - 8 or the fun, bright red Vintage Kitchen for age 2 - 8.
Master Workbench Play Set
Master Workbench Play Set
Calling all budding carpenters! The Master Workbench play set from Hape includes all the tools your would-be builder needs: hammer, saw, screwdriver, wrench, vice, angle, screws, nuts, bolts, gears, links and more. The bench is even height-adjustable so it can grow along with her, and kids will love the bright, cheerful colors. For even more building fun, add Hape's wooden tool box set.
All Season Dollhouse
All Season Dollhouse
Enjoy an expertly crafted, beautifully painted dollhouse that your kids can change with the seasons! The All-Season Dollhouse allows you to rearrange not just the furniture, but also the stairs and even the roof, for hours of novel dollhouse play. And, like all Hape toys, parents will feel good knowing that the wood comes from FSC managed forests and is finished with non-toxic inks and paints.
Uptown Espresso Kitchen
Uptown Espresso Kitchen
Get cooking with this sleek and modern play kitchen from KidKraft! Kids can open the fridge door to pull out food, pop it on the stove or into the microwave to cook, then take care of the cleanup by tucking the washing into the dishwasher. Clever details like a speckled countertop and a chalkboard surface for notes will appeal to kids and encourage pretend play. Just add some play food and cookware for hours of fun.
Playmobil Spirit Riding Free: Lucky's House
Playmobil Spirit Riding Free: Lucky's House
Visit Lucky's home in Miradero with this Playmobil playset based on Spirit Riding Free! This gorgeous house playset offers plenty of space, including Lucky's room with a poster of her mom. Outside, Spirit is waiting for her to join him for their next adventure, while Aunt Cora is inside to welcome Lucky home from school. This set is packed full of accessories that will let kids play out all sorts of imaginative stories!
Schleich Horse Club Riding Center
Schleich Horse Club Riding Center
Run your own stable and take care of your own horses with this set from Schleich! Everything from horses to feed and grooming supplies to the stable and riding arena are included in this set, complete with details like doors and windows that really open and a removable roof. Kids will love imagining plenty of adventures on horseback, while parents will love that the durable plastic construction ensures she'll love it for years.
Large Horse Farm
Large Horse Farm
Get ready for a day on a busy horse farm with this set from Playmobil! This giant set includes everything kids need to care for and show their champion horses. Fenced in paddocks provide a place for the horses to graze, while four stalls provide shelter at night. The set includes lots of fun figures and accessories, including two horses and a foal, barn cats and kittens, saddles, grooming tools, and prize ribbons.
Fort Magic Building Set
Fort Magic Building Set
Build your own unique play space with this versatile 346-piece kit. This set includes 3 different sizes of curved sticks, 4 different sizes of straight sticks, 5 different connector shapes, and 100 fabric clips, giving you plenty of material to build incredible structures! The included manual provides some inspiration, but we're betting in won't be long before she's building her own space.
LEGO Space and Airport Set
LEGO Space and Airport Set
Imagine yourself in aeronautics with this enormous LEGO set. With the 1,176 pieces in this set, you can build satellites, space shuttles, airplanes, helicopters, an airport, and more. Parents and educators, as well as young builders, will appreciate the mix of male and female heads and hair so that women can be equally represented in these careers. Inspiration cards are included, but kids will enjoy having to puzzle out how to replicate what they see — and then playing out scenarios with their creations.
Get Creative: Arts, Crafts, and Music Toys
With a bigger investment in an arts and crafts toy, you can get an awesome easel or a real musical instrument! These gift ideas are sure to delight creative kids.
Art Master Desk
Art Master Desk
This terrific child-sized desk from Step2 provides plenty of storage for the budding artist! Molded-in compartments make it easy to keep different art supplies separate, and kids will love the push-button light that ensures they can see easily as they work. A hinged dry-erase writing surface conceals even more storage underneath! Plus, parents will love the durable construction — and the easy-clean surfaces for when art gets a bit messy.
Art Table With Drying Rack
Art Table With Drying Rack
Give her a space to create with this wooden art table from KidKraft! Everything they need to create their next masterpiece is accounted for on this table, from the paper roll stored under the tabletop to the two paint cups with lids. Storage space on both sides keeps all their supplies organized and close to hand, and the drying rack keeps artwork safe until it's ready to display. Budding artists will love having their own mini art space.
Artist Studio Super Art Table with Paper Roll
Artist Studio Super Art Table with Paper Roll
Sit down to an inspiring craft space with this fun table from Alex Toys! Two matching benches allow multiple kids to work at once, while the paper roll and child-safe paper cutter let kids easily set up a new piece all on their own. Recessed cup holes and a canvas bag provide plenty of storage for all the craft supplies you'll need.
Early Explorer All-in-One Easel
Early Explorer All-in-One Easel
Give your young artist lots of options with this flexible easel from Hape! With a magnetic whiteboard on one side, and easy-erase chalkboard on the other, and a refillable paper roll at the top, kids can paint, draw, and more. Screw-down clamps keep the paper flat while kids work, and the large tray and sealable paint pots keep all your supplies close to hand. Three adjustable height settings ensure kids will use this easel for years.
5-Piece Drum Set
5-Piece Drum Set
This set from Gammon Percussion is a real drum kit, sized for kids! Wood shells in a high-gloss finish make these drums durable and give them a tone kids will love. The set also includes brass hi-hat and crash cymbals, all hardware, and even a set of drumsticks to get you started. And because Gammon manufactures a large line of drums, you can easily get parts to repair — or expand — your kit as your budding drummer learns.
Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack
Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack
Get everything you need to start playing acoustic guitar in this starter pack from Ashthorpe! This set comes with a 38", right-handed basswood guitar, with an easy to hold neck with smooth frets that are comfortable under the fingers, and six steel strings (plus an extra set). Attach the shoulder strap and use the pitch pipe or the digital tuner to get your strings tuned up, then grab a pick and start strumming. When you're done, tuck the guitar safely away in the soft-sided case. Budding musicians will love having their very own guitar!
Instax Mini Camera
Instax Mini Camera
Remember the excitement of watching a Polaroid picture develop in front of your eyes? Kids today can have the same pleasure with the Fujifilm Instax camera! This easy point-and-shoot camera comes in several fun colors and has a simple to understand exposure adjustment, so you can get great shots with minimal practice, then watch the credit card-sized prints appear in moments. Make sure you pick up some extra film too!
PAXCESS Electronic Drum Kit
PAXCESS Electronic Drum Kit
Practice your drumming anywhere with this electronic drum pad that has all the features of a professional drum kit! This set from PAXCESS is powered by a rechargeable battery that gives up to 10 hours of play time, and it can be rolled up so it's easily portable. The touch-sensitive pads give you 1 snare drum, 3 toms, 1 hi-hat, a ride cymbal, and a crash cymbal; two foot pedals allow you to add bass drum sounds, too. There's a built-in speaker for when you want to jam with your friends, but for quiet practice, you can plug headphones into the port and drum away as loud as you please!
Deluxe Painting Set
Deluxe Painting Set
Inspire your budding painter with this massive set of painting tools! This 133-piece set from US Art Supply includes both aluminum and wood easels; acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints; several high-quality brush sets; a sketch pad and painting pads; several professional-quality stretched canvases; and much more. Together, they provide just about everything she'll need to paint and create for hours!
DropMix
DropMix
You can mix music on your own or with friends with this unique music game from Hasbro! Place DropMix cards onto the board, and a song starts to play; add more cards to mix songs in unexpected ways. Sixty cards are included, featuring hit artists like Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino, Disturbed, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Sam Hunt, Sia, The Weeknd, and more. Booster packs of cards are available to add even more songs to your list. Up to four players can participate in three different modes so the music keeps playing all day long!
Get Them Moving: Active Play Toys
It's always worth investing in a toy that will keep kids' bodies busy! These great toys will get them stretching their muscles both indoors and out!
Soft Climb and Crawl Foam Play Set
Soft Climb and Crawl Foam Play Set
Little kids love to climb — so give them a safe place to do it with this Soft Climb and Crawl Foam Playset from ECR4Kids. This indoor playground includes five foam shapes: a ramp, two blocks, a half-cylinder, and a cylinder. The dense foam structure of each lightweight piece keeps kids safe and cozy as they play, while the soft yet colorful covers are durable, easy to clean, and phthalate free. Plus, the bottoms of each piece have a non-slip surface, so you know they'll stay put as she plays. For more soft stacking fun, check out ECR4Kids' Soft Building Blocks too.
Strider Balance Bike
Strider Balance Bike
If your child can walk, they can use a balance bike! This alternative to traditional bikes with training wheels teaches kids balance from the beginning; instead of pedaling, kids push off from the ground with their feet. That way, when they're ready to move up to a regular bike, learning to use the pedals is a breeze! This Strider balance bike offers a mini-seat for toddlers and a standard padded seat for preschoolers, plus adjustable handlebars, so kids can get years of use before they need to move up.
Radio Flyer 500 Car and Track
Radio Flyer 500 Car and Track
Get ready for the races with this versatile car and track set from Radio Flyer! The Radio Flyer 500 set includes a shiny red ride-on car and a six foot long racing track. Pull out the step, climb on the car, and glide down — or ride the car on its own. The racing track doubles as a dual track for toy cars; you can race a friend and see who gets down first! When playtime is done, the base flips upside down and becomes a wheeled storage bin.
Wood Balance Board
Wood Balance Board
Give kids a fun way to wobble, balance, rock, and more with this balance board from Gentle Monster! This 35" long gently curved board is made from natural wood finished with water-based lacquer; it's sturdy enough to hold up to lots of enthusiastic play. It can be a wobble board, a rocker, or a bridge for active play; or, you can use it as a prop tunnel, mountain, or road for imaginative play! Plus, since it can hold over 400 pounds, you don't have to worry she'll outgrow it.
Teeter Totter / Climbing Bridge
Teeter Totter / Climbing Bridge
Enjoy some rocking and rolling fun — or some climbing adventures — with this combination teeter totter and climbing bridge from Simplay! As a teeter totter, up to four riders can play with seat levels that accommodate both toddlers and young kids. Side rail grips give kids a sense of security and stability. Then, flip it over for a 5-step bridge with textured stairs! Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, this flexible toy is sure to be a hit.
Young Explorers Adventure Climber
Young Explorers Adventure Climber
Kids will enjoy hours of outdoor fun and adventure with this truck-shaped climber by SimPlay3! This two-tiered platform offers plenty of spaces to explore both above and below, with a hidden hideaway fort underneath with a steering wheel and a dashboard. Swoop down the slide or see how far you can see from the very top! This set is made in the USA with super durable, double-wall construction that's weather and UV resistant. Plus, parents will love the child-friendly rounded edges and easy grip sides that ensure kids can play safely.
Mini Micro Kickboard Scooter
Mini Micro Kickboard Scooter
Get your kid scooting with the Mini scooter from Micro Kickboard! This three-wheel, low-decked scooter is perfect for preschoolers. The "lean to steer" design allows kids to "surf" the sidewalk, improving balance and coordination. With its light weight, smooth ride, and fun colors, it's sure to be a hit with future speed demons!
Monkey Bar Tower
Monkey Bar Tower
Build an awesome climbing dome — complete with a lookout tower — with a few simple clicks! The durable interlocking tubes in this set are easy to assemble and sturdy, but light, so kids can move it around the yard. The tower tops out at 4 feet high, making it tall enough to be exciting but low enough to be safe. It's sure to keep kids happily clambering for hours.
Junior Kip Bar
Junior Kip Bar
Your budding gymnast can practice skills like kips and back hip circles with this kip bar from Tumbl Trak! The new and improved design of Tumbl Trak's Jr. Kip Bar features a 1-1/2" diameter solid maple bar and two additional cross supports, offering much more stability than other models. The bar adjusts in height and the base is high enough to put a 4" mat underneath for safety. This kip bar is available in a choice of three colors.
Magic Castle Bouncy House
Magic Castle Bouncy House
Kids will bounce all their energy out in this fun inflatable which can be used indoors or out! This improved version of Blast Zone's classic castle inflates in seconds and easily accommodates three bouncing kids at once. The "Safe Slope" slide and 60" high net walls keep kids secure, while the durable floor and reinforced seams ensure it's durable enough for years of bouncing fun.
Flying Turtle Scooter
Flying Turtle Scooter
This kid-powered seated scooter is fun and fast! Originally designed by a retired Boeing engineer in the 1970s, this scooter moves by twisting the handlebars from side to side. In no time, you'll be zipping along any flat surface. Because the seat is so low to the ground, kids find it easy to turn and stop without worrying about taking a spill. A few minutes will show you why this toy has been popular for so many years.
Geometric Dome Climber
Geometric Dome Climber
For years of climbing fun in your own backyard, check out this 10 foot radius dome climber. With sturdy powder-coated steel to prevent rusting and peeling and real rock climbing hand grips, this is a piece of play equipment that will stand the test of time! The top of the dome is 5 feet off the ground, and the spacing of the bars provides plenty of challenge for kids and tweens. And with a 600 pound total weight capacity, you won't have to worry if everyone wants to climb it at once.
Swurfer
Swurfer
Give the classic swing a new twist with the Swurfer! This American-made maple swing lets you "surf" through the air, just like a surfer on waves. Adjustable handles allow people of any height to ride, and the high-strength rope is UV and mildew resistant for use outdoors. It's a great way to build core muscle strength, and many surfers, snow boards, and wakeboarders use it as a practice tool; but it's also just plain fun.
Jump 'n' Dunk Trampoline
Jump 'n' Dunk Trampoline
How do you make a trampoline even more exciting? Add a basketball hoop! This 12 foot trampoline from Skywalker Trampolines has a safe basketball hoop that can be installed inside or outside the safety netting, so kids can either shoot some hoops while they wait their turn to jump, or practice their dunks with a little extra lift! The stay-put safety enclosure ensures that, while shots may fly wild, kids stay where they belong. With a maximum capacity of 200 pounds, even the adults in the family might have to give this one a try.
Balance Board Trainer
Balance Board Trainer
With the Revolution 101 balance board, you can balance, spin, and more — any where, any time! Its compact size and durable construction allow you to simulate the same motions you need to excel at board sports, from surfing to snowboarding, and build core strength, balance, and overall coordination. It's easy enough for beginners to use but provides plenty of challenge for those who want to test their skills. For an added challenge, combine it with your usually weightlifting or calisthenics!
Big Gifts For Little Kids: Baby And Toddler Toys
One big gift can be extra practical when you're buying for younger kids! These baby and toddler toys provide big fun for little kids.
Country Critters Wooden Activity Play Cube
Country Critters Wooden Activity Play Cube
There's so much to explore with this colorful activity cube from Hape! The five sides of this Country Critters play cube include a shape sorter, a rotating maze, a ball roller coaster, a tracking panel, and a brightly-colored, unique floating wire maze. The included pieces are all painted in vibrant colors with large, animated eyes, which are sure to inspire plenty of imaginative fun and help develop fine motor skills.
Laugh & Learn Smart Learning Home
Laugh & Learn Smart Learning Home
This friendly home from Fisher-Price has plenty to teach little ones! With the activities in this playhouse, kids foster imaginative play while learning about numbers, shapes, weather, and more. Music, lights, and sounds encourage exploration for babies, and when they're toddlers, the play kitchen and office encourage pretend play. Three Smart Stages learning levels and four languages ensure that you'll get plenty of use out of this fun home.
Classic Walker Wagon
Classic Walker Wagon
Get your little one toddling with this classic walker wagon from Radio Flyer! It's stable enough to support new walkers, and the front bumper helps protect furniture once your toddler starts roaring around. Most toddlers love fill and spill play, and the large capacity of this walker wagon will let them move their favorite toys wherever they want to go. Plus, parents will love the nostalgic solid wood and bright red paint job.
Tree Top Adventure Activity Center
Tree Top Adventure Activity Center
This wooden activity center is packed full of fascinating things to explore! Four different quadrants provide different activities, including tracks with animal-themed gliders, colorful bead runs, a spring flower, and more. The base provides just the right height for stand-up play, and the unique design looks great in a nursery or playroom.
Up and Down Roller Coaster
Up and Down Roller Coaster
Kids will have a blast with their very own, toddler-sizes roller coaster from Step2. The coaster car has a high back, a handrail, and footrests, so kids will have a secure ride; a recessed retainer well holds the car securely in place while your child mounts up. A little push, and they'll slide down the bumps of the colorful 3-piece track. Then, use the ramp to roll balls, toy cars, and much more. It's perfect for indoor or outdoor use.