At National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), they unboxed, tested and played with lots of toys. And now, bringing you the best of the toys they love. Here’s a few ideas for the school-age kids and teens on your list.
For more gift inspiration check out the full Gift Guide here.
Gift Ideas for Kids
Disney Doorables Multi Peek Series 10
Behind every door, a surprise is in store. Celebrate Disney’s 100th Anniversary with 80 characters from a century of epic storytelling. Find never-before-featured Doorables and collect all 9 special-edition figures, including a limited-edition Mickey Mouse. $11.99, ages 5+, various retailers.
Squinkies Originals Cupcake Surprize Bake Shop
Designed to look like a fanciful Cupcake when opened, this playset reveals a delightful bake shop. Place the gold coins into the special slot, turn the dial and watch for a surprise capsule to roll out. $34.99, ages 5+, bliptoys.com
Arctic Riders
After a long winter, the animals in the Arctic Circle are excited for Spring. This adorable self-check math game helps kids learn fundamental skills like addition, subtraction, and solving equations as they offer tasty treats to the hungry narwhals. $36, ages 7+, simplyfun.com
Future Fans Football
Introduces the rules of the game in kid-friendly ways. A storybook-led experience for adults and children, the box also includes an activity book, 5 games and toys and 6 unboxing experiences. $59.99, ages 4-10, Futurefans.com
Spirograph Doodle Pad
Create endless designs on the LCD screen using wheels. No paper, no markers, no mess. Includes LCD Doodle Pad with built-in storage area, stylus, 4 stencil wheels and design ideas. $24.99, ages 5+, playmonster.com
Style BAE
Simply peel, stick and style. Each comes with a closet full of seven trendy outfits made from reusable cling stickers. Mix and match tops, bottoms, and shoes to create over 850 looks. $19.99, ages 4+, justplayproducts.com
BBOP Inflatable Buddy Bumper Balls
Step inside and bounce, bop, and bump. Adult assembly and supervision required.$59.99, ages 6+, hearthsong.com
Smithsonian Jellyfish Tank
Watch a bloom of “jellyfish” elegantly swim, as you learn more about these amazing and ancient animals. Included STEM content teaches about these unusual carnivorous creatures that have roamed the seas for more than 500 million years. $24.99, ages 10+, target.com
Pocket-Size Math Flash Cards Bundle
Understand the concept behind the facts and not just rote memorization. Build confidence and creative problem-solving. $44.99, ages 4-12, thinktankscholar.com
Holiday World Baking Bundle
Explore new adventures in your kitchen this holiday season. With these baking kits, you can travel to new culinary destinations in your own home with your little foodies. $84.95, ages 5+, eat2explore.com
Feeling All the Feelings Workbook: A Kids’ Guide to Exploring Emotions
Offers 100+ engaging activities and practices designed to foster emotional awareness and help kids explore feelings. $16.95, ages 6-9, shambhala.com
Story Time Backgammon
Teaches young kids and adults how to play using a story-based approach. No backgammon experience required to learn and play. $39.99, ages 3-10, storytimelearning.com
Bitzee
The digital pet that you can touch and feel. Pets will respond to your tilts, swipes and shakes with adorable sounds and reactions. Will evolve from baby to adult to super Bitzee. Discover unique outfits and games, then use a treat to attract your next pet. $29.99, ages 5+, amazon.com
LuvBug Learning
An emotional growth e-learning platform for kids. Features both games and educational videos curated for developmental learning. $6.99-$10.99/month, ages 4-11, luvbuglearning.com
Bumpas
Weighted plush dolls that hold on to you – hands-free. Their hands form a heart to say “My Heart Is Yours.” Each friend has a unique personality and is soft and cuddly. $39.99, ages 3+, mybumpas.com
Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens
Design Your Own Hoodie
Create your own unique, boutique-quality piece with this innovative, video game-meets-fashion design platform. Features over 500+ premium patches. $49.00, sizes 2-14, supermixstudio.com
Wild Chakra Kids Coloring Book
Features unique, hand drawn images taking your child on a journey of mindfulness activities. $24.44, ages 10+, wildchakrakids.com
Castle Panic Second Edition
Cooperate with friends and family to defend your castle against monsters streaming in from the forest. Slay all the monsters and have at least one tower standing to win. $34.95, ages 8+, firesidegames.com.
Do You Really Know Your Family?
Get ready to compete against your family to see who really knows each other best. Build fun family memories as you learn new things about each other and perform silly challenges together. $24.99, ages 8+, various retailers.
Sky Viper Vector Performance Stunt Plane
Advanced auto flight stabilization makes flying a breeze by automatically compensating for environmental changes like shifting winds. Perform amazing loop and barrel roll stunts with a press of a button. $79.99, ages 12+, sky-viper.com
Cool Maker PopStyle Bracelet Maker
No knots, clasps or cuts. Choose from 170 beads, place them on the elastics and pop the top to reveal your custom bracelet. Make and remake up to 10 bracelets. $24.99, ages 7+, various retailers.
Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst STEM Kit
Ignite curiosity and innovation in your young inventor. With 50+ components and 10 engaging challenges, kids can invent their own unique creations. $65, ages 8-13, tinkeringlabs.com
The Great Big Book of Really Hard Puzzles
Packed with more than 150 of the most difficult puzzles, mazes, word puzzles, logic puzzles and more. $12.99, ages 8-12, various retailers.
Planet Zoo
Build a world for wildlife. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. $49.99, ages 10+, planetzoogames.com
Curling Zone Indoor
No ice, no problem. Choose a curling stone—red or yellow—and hover it on the slick mat. The icy-not-so-icy challenging curling game is great for family game night. $129.99, ages 3+, hearthsong.com