I am so excited to partner with several amazing toy companies to bring you this year’s Play and Learn Holiday Gift Guide.
Since even before I was a parent, when I purchased a toy for a child, I made sure it had a purpose. For me, a toy has to encourage learning, development and growth in some way otherwise what is the point? Toys and games should stimulate the brain, make kids think and reason and/or spark the imagination. Children learn through play so we have to make sure that play is meaningful! After careful consideration, I have come up with a list of some of my favorite toys that you are sure to LOVE this holiday season. Amazon affiliate links are included to make your gift buying experience easier. Happy Holidays!
Gnome in Your Home Book Set
Spread the power of kindness with the adorable Gnome in Your Home Book Set. It comes with an illustrated hardcover book that tells the story of a group of gnomes that learn they have the gift of kindness to share. At the end of the book are 30 Acts of Kindness Cards including blank cards to create your own. Families can focus on a different act of kindness each week or day. The set also comes with a stuffed toy gnome, Heartley. Kids can snuggle with Heartley and tell him all about their acts of kindness or you can put Heartley in different spots in your home (or classroom) to “catch” your child doing an act of kindness. There are so many possibilities. Gnome in Your Home can be found on Amazon for under $20.
Creative Brainworks B3 Bean Bag Bucketz
I absolutely love this game! We used it all summer at our beach club. The B3 Bean Bag Bucketz is perfect for tailgating, long days at the beach, backyard fun, camping, and so much more. Bucketz has 4 levels of baskets that players can toss the bean bags into. Each level has a point value based on difficulty. There are multiple ways to play, plus you can even come up with your own games. While playing, kids (and adults) build gross motor skills, hand eye coordination, problem solving skills, and math skills. B3 Bean Bag Buckitz can be found on Amazon for under $40.
Bright Stripes Magic Scrunch Pillow
Get crafty with the Magic Scrunch Pillow kit from Bright Stripes! Kids ages 6 and up can create their own pillow using a no-sew weaving method. It’s easy to follow and takes under an hour to create. With this set, kids will not only build a love of art, but they will also enhance visual motor, perceptual reasoning, and problem solving skills. The Magic Scrunch Pillow comes in 4 patterns and can be found on Amazon for under $25.
Infantino Kick ‘n Keys 7-in-1 Musical Piano Activity Gym
This is the perfect gift for a mom-to-be or new mom. This adorable set offers 7 ways to play allowing it to grow with your child (grandchild). Through sensory play, little ones gain very important developmental skills, including cause and effect, hand eye coordination, core strength, visual scanning, and so much more. The Musical Piano Activity Gym can be found on Amazon for under $60.
Yugo Yoga Card Game
Yugo, a fun interactive card game for kids and adults, was created by a Yoga Therapist to help families improve mental and physical health by encouraging movement, mindfulness, relaxation, and balance. It also helps players improve core strength, gross motor skills, flexibility, and body awareness. It is recommended for ages 6 and up and can be played with 2-10 players. Yugo can also be played alone or as a whole group. Just flip the cards over and copy the yoga pose. While playing, kids will learn about kindness, cooperation, self-acceptance, and more. Yugo can be found on Amazon for under $24.
Playmobil Splish Splash Water Park
Playmobil is an iconic toy company known for making adorable toys that encourage endless pretend and imaginary play. Their playsets are bright, colorful, and well-made, making them the perfect choice for your kids. The Splish Splash Water Park, recommended for ages 1.5-4, is a unique spin on a water table that offers hours of sensory play and learning. Place the toys in the water, turn the crank, and see what happens. This fun set encourages kids to engage in cause and effect play which helps build important cognitive skills. While playing, kids will also build fine motor, academic, and language skills. The Splish Splash Water Park can be found on Amazon.
Slackers Ninjaline
Do you have a budding ninja warrior in your house? Then you have to check out the Slackers Ninjaline Kit. We recently tried out the 56’ Original Intro Kit. It came with everything we needed to set up an awesome ninjaline: 3 Ninja fists, 2 steel monkey bars, 2 steel gym rings, 6 grip clips, and 2 traverse rings. All of these accessories are easily attached to a 50 foot long mainline with a 6 foot ratchet strap. This amazing course can be used by kids (and kids at heart) up to 250 pounds. The kit also comes with a drawstring backpack to store all the equipment in. That also means it can be taken with you anywhere for adventures on-the-go. To set up, you will need to attach the line between two healthy, sturdy trees. With 7 accessories to choose from, you can create a new obstacle course each time. There are also additional accessories that can be purchased to add to the Ninjaline. The Ninjaline is perfect for getting kids outside and active this summer. It also helps build gross motor skills while increasing endurance and strength. As kids experience success, they will also develop greater self-confidence. This kit can be found on Amazon and the Borderplay website.
Scenties
This holiday season, make sure to check out Scenties hair accessories. Your kids are going to LOVE them. Who am I kidding? Adults are going to love them too. Why? Because they are SCENTED! How awesome is that? From scrunchies to hair ties to headbands, each one is beautifully scented allowing for a fun sensory experience. Just stretch the band and sniff. Scents include cupcake, bubblegum, strawberry, watermelon, brownie sundae, sour apple, and cotton candy. Hair ties come in packs of 5 and scrunchies come in packs of 2. Which scent do you want to try first?
Moon Pod
Looking for the ultimate bean bag chair? Well I have the one for you! I was looking for something my boys could use for gaming. I was having a hard time until I was introduced to Moon Pod. This super soft and comfortable zero gravity bean bag chair is not only perfect for playing video games but it is great for relaxing, watching television, or even working on your laptop. It comes in a variety of colors and only weighs 12lbs. Moon Pod is on sale now for 25% off on Amazon. Grab it early for the holidays!
Puzzle Face
If you love puzzles, then you are going to LOVE Puzzle Face! This is the most unique puzzle I have ever seen or heard of. This 300-piece puzzle allows you to make an infinite number of faces. Yes, you read that correctly. You can use the pieces over and over again to assemble new puzzles every time you play. Just upload a portrait (or selfie) to the mobile Puzzle Face Image Key app. Once you have the picture aligned perfectly, you can create a key that you will use to create the puzzle. Puzzle Face, which offers endless hours of play, can be purchased for $35.99 on the Puzzle Face website.
Infantino Tower Stackers
If you have been following Mommy University since its conception, then you know how much I LOVE building toys. They offer the ultimate learning through play experience. I believe in introducing building toys to kids as soon as possible which is why I love the Tower Stackers from Infantino. The set comes with 3 different stacking toys (rings, stars, and pegs), all made with bright and colorful objects. While building, kids develop fine motor, perceptual reasoning, spatial awareness, and problem solving skills. This set is perfect for at-home play, but would also be a wonderful addition to any daycare or preschool classroom. Infantino Tower Stackers can be purchased on Amazon for under $17.
SmartGames Dress Code
Dress Code is a unique problem solving game for children ages 4 and up. There are 80 challenges varying in difficulty. For each puzzle, the player has to put together an outfit based on the weather. While playing, children don’t only learn about colors, clothes, weather, and seasons, but they will also build their skills in sequencing, pattern recognition, and spatial orientation. Problem solving and visual perceptual reasoning skills will also be enhanced. SmartGames Dress Code can be found on Amazon for under $25.
SmartMax My First Build and Drive
My First Build and Drive is a unique brain boosting magnetic building toy for children ages 1.5-5. It combines imaginary play with problem solving which helps increase cognitive development. While little ones will have fun playing using cause and effect and pretend play skills, the bigger little ones will have a blast completing one (or all) of the 24 challenges. While building, kids will be introduced to scientific concepts, increase fine and visual motor skills, and enhance perceptual reasoning skills. My First Build and Drive makes for the perfect holiday present. It is under $25 on Amazon.
Wish*Craft Jewelry Sets
I absolutely love the DIY Jewelry sets from Wish*Craft! Each allows kids to make unique and stylish jewelry. The included instruction guide will teach young artists new jewelry making techniques. This is a perfect gift for your budding fashion designer. While creating, kids can build important visual motor, fine motor, spatial awareness, and creativity skills. The Bright Stripes website offers 3 jewelry making kits, and Amazon offers 1 (Marble Moon).
Little Tikes Magic Workshop
I have always been a big fan of Little Tikes. All of their toys offer endless opportunities for learning through play and the Magic Workshop is no exception. This set allows children to step into an imaginary world of potions and magic while building a love of science. While playing, kids will enhance their skills in sequential processing, following directions, fine motor skills, and language skills. The Little Tikes Magic Workshop can be found on Amazon for under $80!
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table
How cool is this toy?! Recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years old, this unique DJ Table offers a multi-sensory play and learning experience. It has 3 learning levels so it grows with your child. In addition to having over 100 songs, sounds, and phrases, this set offers 3 play modes, 12 fine motor activities, and 8 piano keys. Your child will play for hours with the Mix & Learn DJ Table. It can be found on Amazon for under $45.
LeapFrog Build-a-Slice Pizza Cart
I love this set so much! If this was available when my boys were little, I would have bought it in a heartbeat. LeapFrog is a leader in creating incredible brain boosting toys and the Build-a-Slice Pizza Cart is no exception. This is a fun interactive toy that helps enhance development in so many important areas. While playing, kids will learn colors, shapes, and basic math concepts as well as build vocabulary and fine motor skills. This adorable pizza cart is recommended for children ages 3 and up, and it can purchased on Amazon for under $50.
Bright Stripes Candle Critters
Candle Critters from Bright Stripes are unique art sets that allow kids to make an adorable and unique craft that also serves as a night light. Each set comes with a ceramic animal, 3 markers, and an LED tea light. There are 4 options to choose from: Pegasus, fox, bunny, and turtle. Candle Critters are fun and easy crafting activities that can be enjoyed at home, scouts, or school. Then this adorable keepsake can be kept in the child’s room as a night light. Candle Critters can be found on Amazon for under $20.
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit
Melissa & Doug is one of my absolute favorite toy companies. For years, they have offered great quality toys that encourage learning through play. I have recommended many of their toys in the past but this one is probably the most unique. We have all seen and purchased doctor playsets but how about a dentist playset? The Super Smile Dentist Kit is the perfect way to introduce kids to dental health while also getting them ready for a trip to the dentist. For older kids, it allows them to learn more about this wonderful profession. The kit comes with 25 pieces including pretend teeth, retainers, braces, examination tools, toothbrush, and more. It also comes with a dry erase marker so kids can draw “decay” on the teeth and then clean them using the vibrating tool. Even the back 4 teeth wiggle and lift so kids can practice extracting them. This set is recommended for ages 3-6 and can be found on Amazon for under $25.
Speak and Spell
When I was a child, I loved my Speak & Spell because it offered a fun and easy way to learn. I am so excited for the return of this educational toy. Did you know it was the first computerized educational toy to help kids learn to spell? With a variety of challenges and play modes, kids will have a blast learning to spell hundreds of words. With this toy, they will be winning spelling bees in no time! Speak & Spell is recommended for ages 7 and up and can be purchased for under $25 on Amazon.
Bright Stripes Deluxe Picnic Set
Encourage imaginary play with this colorful Deluxe Picnic Set from Bright Stripes. The set comes with 25 pieces, including plates, cups, silverware, napkins, a picnic mat, and felt cookies. Plus, the pieces come in a beautiful picnic basket making the set easy to bring anywhere. This fun set helps children build social, life, and language skills, all while having fun. The Deluxe Picnic Set comes in 2 colors (neutral and pastel), and both are less than $30 on Amazon.
Lite-Brite
When I was a kid, I absolutely LOVED playing with Lite-Brite which is why I am so happy it has returned for my children to enjoy! This new version of Lite-Brite features a bigger screen, brighter pegs and more templates. Once the creation is made, it can be lit up in four different ways. This is a great retro toy that helps build fine and visual motor skills while encouraging an appreciation for art. Lite-Brite comes in a variety of designs, including my boys’ favorite, Stranger Things, and they can be found on Amazon.
Barbie Dreamhouse 2023
If your kids love Barbie, then they will LOVE the 2023 Barbie Dreamhouse. This playset comes with everything you need for hours of pretend play. The house is 3-stories and has a slide. It comes with over 75 pieces including a pool, elevator, swing, furniture, kitchen utensils, and so much more! While playing, kids will build language and social skills. This set is under $150 on Amazon.
Here are some additional toys and playsets that I highly recommend this holiday season:
Monopoly: there are so many fun themed options to choose from!
Squishmallows of all shapes and sizes
Smashers: they are available in a variety of themes and sizes.
Ravensburger Puzzles (especially the Disney ones)
Disney 100: Disney has released a ton of new products to celebrate 100 years of magic.
The Game of Life: it comes in a variety of options.
Beats Noise Cancelling Headphones
Happy Shopping!