Valentine's Gift Guide 2024

The love holiday is approaching and we have you covered. We rounded up 30 awesome finds that are proven to be a hit! We kept these items under $30. Growing up, our mom went all-out on holidays so we always channel our inner Rinda!

1. Phone Press: The realistic phone shape with buttons and a screen-like bubble panel piques little ones' interest and encourages imaginative play. Clementine goes nuts every time she sees it. I want her “eating” this one instead of my real phone.

2. Five Crowns: We can’t stop playing this game. It’s our current go-to. It’s suitable for ages 8 and up, making it a great game for families to enjoy together. The simple rules are easy for younger players to grasp, while the strategic elements offer plenty of challenges for adults.

3. Love Spell Potion: Little Larch is known for their water-activated potions and they offer a Love Potion. These potions are our favorite item to pair with water play. The ingredients are all natural and they smell amazing. Warning: You won’t be able to stop buying. 

4. Pop It Push Game: Warning: it's addictive and so relaxing at the same time. Remember the bubble wrap you couldn't resist popping as a kid? Pop Its are like the ultimate, reusable version of that, offering endless tactile satisfaction and a surprisingly fun challenge. Simply press a bubble down, and it pops out with a delightful little snap, then flip it over and start again! Amazon option. Temu option.

5. Silk Balloon Ball Cover: Sarah’s Silks launched a mulberry balloon ball cover for the holiday and it’s gorgeous. The soft silk protects tiny fingers from popping balloons, and if one pops, it stays contained inside, preventing tears and tantrums.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase. 

6. Vday Doh Kit: Doh kits are such a hit, always! They are great for sensory play and an excellent activity to pull out one a kid says they are bored. These kits are from Where The Kids Play! The owner is a mom and power house! We love supporting women-owned companies.

7. Earrings: Pierced has our absolute favorite earrings. Our girls have been wearing for over a year and it's really all they wear. The designs are darling and the flat backs make them really comfy. They are also great for sensitive ears.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 20% off your purchase. 

8. Kendema: Big kids love Kendema and for good reason. The goal is to land the ball on the spike. It requires focus and hand eye coordination. It can be very challenging but insanely rewarding when the ball falls into place.

9. Hair Glitter Gel: We love glitter! Give us all the glitter. Caroline and Olina love it when we add this glitter to their hair. We usually add to a slick back pony or side part. The glitter stays throughout the day and easily washes out.

10. GloPals: Grab a purple or red GloPal for a unique Vday gift.GloPals are adorable, water-activated light-up bath toys that transform bath time into a magical underwater adventure! Each GloPal comes with 6 reusable light-up cubes that activate when placed in water, casting a soft, colorful glow that mesmerizes little ones.

11. Acrylic Blocks and Loose Part Gems: Hello Sugar House is a fan fav and they released a collection for Vday that has us swooning. Our kids use these sets for building castles, integrating into their doll houses, and more.

12. Stardust Needoh: Needoh has released so many different products that provide endless sensory enjoyment. This stardust version gives you a jelly feel when you squeeze it. Comes in from Vday colors and is an excellent stress ball for busy hands. 

13. Heart Purse/Case: Sarah’s Silks has added purses/cases to their collection and we couldn’t hit add to cart fast enough. It’s the perfect size for little hands to carry and fill with all their treasures. It can fit mini silks, small figures, and wooden animals. 

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase.

14. Animal Bath Toys: This set is mold-free and made of silicone. The tops pop on and off so littles can pour. This also allows for them to air dry.  When filled, kids can spray water out of them. These are excellent for the bath, beach, pool, or a sensory table. 

15. Pinball Game: We love the look of vintage toys and this Pinball game from Schylling is giving it to us. Charlie got one just like this for Christmas and was so stoked. We keep it in his room and he can often be found chilling in his bed playing pinball. It is not mini so you can actually play it.

16. Stepping Stones: Green Elephant Home's stepping stones are more than just a way to cross a garden path. They're colorful invitations to explore textures, challenge balance, and spark imaginative play. Made from safe, durable, and eco-friendly materials, these stones come in a variety of colors to suit every child's needs and preferences. These stones can be purchased individually which means now would be a good time to add to, or start, your collection.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase.

17. Scented Piggy Paint: These polishes are perfect for kids and adults alike who want a little extra something from their nail polish. The scents are subtle but delightful, adding a whimsical touch to any look. Plus, you can choose from a variety of fun scents to match your mood or outfit. Not to mention, they are made from clean and safe ingredients which make them perfect for littles.

18. Fruity EOS Chapstick: Forget boring balm! EOS chapstick takes lip care to a whole new level of flavor and fun with their fruity collection. This 4 pack can also easily be broken up between kids and is my go to lip balm as a mom and for my kiddos on the go.

19. Plasma Heart: A heart shaped plasma ball!? Need we say more? This captivating phenomenon harnesses the power of science to bring a touch of otherworldly wonder to your fingertips. Perfect for a science loving kid with a creative imagination!

20. Tonies Characters: Priced at around $18 per character, now is the time to add to that collection! Each Tonie character holds specific audio content within its NFC chip. It could be anything from classic bedtime stories and musical favorites to educational podcasts and language learning programs. My kids current favorite happens to be ELMER which they use for small world play in addition to story time.

21. Scratch Note Cards: Melissa and Doug never disappoint when it comes to unique and innovative toys. These little note cards are the best busy toy to keep kids creative and having fun. Scratch away the black coating to reveal a dazzling rainbow of colors underneath. Each card holds a vibrant surprise waiting to be unveiled!

22. Diamond Art Stickers: From adorable animals to playful patterns, the variety of sticker designs is sure to spark imaginations. Mix and match to create unique combinations or add a touch of personalized bling to anything. Your kids will have endless amounts of fun practicing those fine motor skills while meticulously placing gems.

23. Kids Tumbler: The best part about this kids tumbler cup is that it DOES NOT LEAK! That is a game changer when it comes to an easily accessible water source for your kids. It comes in various fun colors and designs, and keeps drinks cold for up to 18 hours or hot for up to 10 hours. Perfect to take on the go or set out on the kitchen table so you don’t end up filling 100 cups throughout the day.

24. Fingerlings: Tiny monkeys that cling, wink, and sing! Fingerlings are interactive toy critters that wrap around your finger and react to touch and sound with adorable noises and movements. They are soft and currently the “it” toy in my home.

25. Kids Heart Pajamas: My absolute favorite kids pajamas because they are durable, buttery soft, and come in the most beautiful colors and patterns. I also love that they come in a wide variety of sizes which makes it fun to match siblings. This heart set is to die for and perfect for the upcoming holiday.

26. Tattoo Pens: Our kids are gonna color on themselves…so why not give them a safe way to do it! Just draw your designs directly onto skin with the vibrant, non-toxic gel ink. The tattoos last for a few days, then fade naturally with soap and water.

27. Pocket Hug: I got creative with this one and I think it is SO CUTE! This small, heart shaped token can be toted along in a pocket, backpack, or nestled in precious hands to help remind your little one of the love that you share. A unique way to create a tangible source of LOVE!

28. Droplets: These are kid sized bath bombs and they smell incredible! Use them individually or plop a few together in the bath for a cocktail of scented fun. Each bomb releases gentle bubbles and sweet scents, creating a mini spa day for mini heroes. The box also gives you ideas for fruity combos, or let your kids get creative!

29. Portable Karaoke Machine: Have you ever watched your kids belt their little hearts out to karaoke? This activity is fun for the entire family. This set is bluetooth compatible and includes an SD card preloaded with all sorts of fun songs. Highly rated on Amazon and the perfect Valentine's Day surprise.

30. Yoto Cards: The perfect time to continue to add to your story collection. Each of these credit card style cards pairs perfectly with the YOTO or YOTO MINI (my personal favorite). We also store all our story cards in a business card organizer that we love from Amazon.

New 2023 Games for Kids and the Entire Family

We tapped the Game King and asked him to give us a list of the best new games for 2023. We know many of you are looking for games to play with young kids and the entire family.

The first guide focuses on games that can be played with younger kids. The second guide includes games for the entire family. Grab these now for the holidays!

1. Exit the Game Kids: Specially designed for younger kids as an “introduction to deduction.” Follow clues to figure which three animals to pick on your decoder spinning wheel and the turn it over to see if you got the code correct. Ages 4-6, could be played solo with adult guidance, or small group collaboration. (This is NOT like Exit The Game for adults. It is a simple deduction game.)

2. Butts on Things: Kids will love the cheeky nature of butts in so many incarnations. Play your cards in a grid to match the first and last cards to collect the row. Quick playing, ages 8+, 2-4 players.

3. Mantis: Make matching sets by trying to steal these colorful cards from opponents. Use clues to figure out who has the cards you want. Ages 7+, 2-6 players.

4. Boom Boom the Balancing Panda: Place the various pieces of “bamboo” on the panda without bamboo falling or tipping the panda over. Simple game for the youngest ones with balance and dexterity skills. High quality wooden pieces are great. Ages 3+, 1-4 players.

5. Deduckto: Clue meets Guess Who meets Sherlock Express. Fun and fast, you’ll make guesses and eliminate suspects in this funny disguised animal whodunnit. Ages 8+, 2-4 players.

6. Cake-N-Bake Challenge: Simple, easy and great for younger kids. Follow the color-coded layers on your “recipe” card to

build a matching slice of cake in a race against other players. You can even wear the included baker’s hat if you’re first. Ages 4+, 2-6 players.

7. Waffle Topple: This is a fun stacking game where you place waffles, syrup, bacon and more on top of a fork tower. Tricky rules dictate what can be touching or placed where, but don’t topple the waffle tower. Ages 5+, 2-4 players.

1. True Crime Stories: Escape room meets murder party. This is a full-on immersive experience with clues in your case file, but you’ll need to use your group powers (and cell phones) to solve your crime. This can take a while so be prepared. Ages 7+, good for a group game.

2. Butts on Things: Super simple concept that most ages can catch onto quickly. You’ll love the cheeky nature of butts in so many incarnations. Play your cards in a grid to match the first and last cards to collect the row. Ages 8+, 2-4 players.

3. Funky Fungi: Skull King meets Sushi Go. This is a trick taking game, with the added twist that each person gets to pick a card so pick what you might need, but sabotage the people after you. Ages 8+.

4. Deduckto: Clue meets Guess Who meets Sherlock Express. This plays quickly as you make guesses and eliminate suspects in this funny disguised animal whodunnit. Fun and clever graphics. Ages 8+, 2-4 players.

5. Block Party: Create an assigned object, but all you have is small colored blocks and a timer you’re racing against. Can the guesser figure out what you created? And watch for added challenges. Super simple concept everyone can grasp quickly. Ages 6+, 2+ players.

6. You Can't Say Ummm: Can you get your team to guess two random words as you describe them? Sounds easy enough? Oh yeah, you can’t say the word “ummm”. More challenging and funnier than you think, especially with a couple other twists that can get mixed in. All ages, At least 4 players.

7. Waffle Topple: This is a fun stacking game where you place waffles, syrup, bacon and more on top of a fork tower. Tricky rules dictate what can be touching or placed where, so you can get strategic making it harder for other player, but don’t topple the waffle tower.

Ages 5+, 2-4 players.

8. Toil and Troublez: My favorite Grandpa Beck’s card game in years. Push your luck to play cards in a sequence, but don’t get too greedy. Colorful graphics and a simple concept for the whole family. Ages 7+, 2-6 players.

Tried and True Games for Kids and the Entire Family

The Game King is also a grandpa and loves having great games to play with with grandkids! This list contains his tried and true hits that littles will love and adults will enjoy too.

1. Sleeping Queens 2: Play your cards (using simple math skills) to wake up the queens and collect them. Or put your opponents’ queens to sleep. You will fall in love with the charming visuals, and there’s a new sequel game if you’re tired of the first.

Ages 8+ (could be younger), 2-5 players.

2. Pengoloo:  This game teaches numbers, colors and memory skills for younger kids. And it’s based on adorable penguins hatching eggs. The roll of the dice tells you which color eggs to find. Lift the penguin to find that egg and it’s yours. The all-wood pieces are an extra bonus. Ages 4+, 2-4 players.

3. Zimbbos: This circus-themed game doubles as a toy and is a game that appeals to the youngest kids. Build a tower using elephants, balancing bars, and other figures. It also teaches number recognition and problem solving. The all-wood pieces are great quality.

Ages 3+, 1-4 players.

4. Outfoxed: Figure out which fox is on the loose. Eliminate them by using clues. The best part is a genius contraption that lets you reveal special clues until there’s only one fox left. (Seriously, the contraption is the best part.) Ages 4+, 2+ players.

5. Dr. Eureka: Don’t let someone tell you this is a kid’s educational game. For me, it’s a fast-paced race to pour colored balls back and forth in test tubes to match the picture on the card. Don’t touch the balls, just the tubes. And sure, it can be educational, too. (And this translates well for a game for all ages.) Ages 8+, 1-4 players.

6. Paco's Party: Flip over a card to reveal a party. There are four guests and three party items. Figure out which one is missing from the scene and you win the card. If everything is there, it’s time to dance and shout “Paco’s Party.” Ages 4+, 2-6 players.

7. Zingo: Think Bingo meets Tic Tac Toe with some reading skills worked in. This is a great game for early readers and pre-schoolers. And they love playing against parents or grandparents. Ages 4+, 1-6 players.

8. Chickyboom: Remove chickens and other pieces from a precarious perch but make sure it doesn’t get out of balance and topple over. Teaches math-type skills, dexterity and problem solving. The pieces are all high quality wood and the game is solid. Ages 3+, 2-4 players.

9. Concept Kids: You have to get people to guess your animals, so you put markers by certain characteristics on the board. Color, where it lives, what it eats, etc. This is a collaborative game simple enough for some of the younger ones. Ages 4+. 2-12 players.

10. Cake-n-Bake Challenge: Simple, easy and great for younger kids. Follow the color-coded layers on your “recipe” card to build a matching slice of cake in a race against other players. You can even wear the included baker’s hat if you’re first. Ages 4+, 2-6 players.

11. Dragomino: Kind of like an intro to dominoes with a dragon twist. If you can match the pictures on the dominoes, you can reveal a dragon egg and hope it has a baby dragon in it.

Ages 5+, 2-4 players.

12. Sherlock Express: Who committed a crime from the six animals on the cards? Flip over clue cards one by one to eliminate the suspects until there’s just one left. Slap the card and it’s yours. ( I also play this with adults and it holds up well.) Ages 7+, 2-6 players

13. Waffle Topple: This is a fun stacking game where you place waffles, syrup, bacon and more on top of a fork tower. Tricky rules dictate what can be touching or placed where, so you can get strategic making it harder for other player, but don’t topple the waffle tower.

Ages 5+, 2-4 players.

14. Mantis: Make matching sets by trying to steal these colorful cards from opponents. Use clues to figure out who has the cards you want. Ages 7+, 2-6 players.

15. Exit the Game Kids: Specially designed for younger kids as an “introduction to deduction.” Follow clues to figure which three animals to pick on your decoder spinning wheel and the turn it over to see if you got the code correct. Ages 4-6, could be played solo with adult guidance, or small group collaboration. (This is NOT like Exit The Game for adults. It is a simple deduction game.)

1. Just One: I love collaborative games and this is one of the best. One person has to guess a word from the clues everyone submits, but duplicate clues get eliminated so you can’t give the obvious clues. Great for medium sized groups. (More than 15 and it starts to get too much.) Ages 8+, 4+ players.

2. Go Nuts for Donuts: Several donuts are up for grabs, each of them worth different points. Just pick which one you want. But if you picked the same as someone else, no one gets it. It’s strategy and second guessing with some pink glaze and sprinkles. Ages 8+, 2-6 players.

3. Linkee: You are given clues to four different things. But the REAL challenge is figuring out how the four things are linked. You have to silently figure out the first clues, and hope you’re right and then link them. Fun game that fits even for informal settings. Ages 12+, 2-20 players.

4. Think Fast: Currently one of my absolute favorite games. Two teams compete to guess 15 words from a clue. There are three rounds and each round, the clue gets more obscure while the 15 words stay the same. Great for any size group. Ages 8+, 4+ players.

5. Cobra Paw: One of the best “ice breaker” games to just get people drawn in quickly. There are a series of tiles with two icons on each. When you roll the two “icon dice”, race to be the first to snatch the tile that matches. Ages 6+, 2-6 playersiminate suspects in this funny disguised animal whodunnit. Ages 8+, 2-4 players.

6. Dr. Eureka: Don’t let someone tell you this is a kid’s educational game. For me, it’s a fast-paced race to pour colored balls back and forth in test tubes to match the picture on the card. Don’t touch the balls, just the tubes. (Sure, it can be educational, too.) Ages 8+, 1-4 players.

7. Tiki Topple: Nine colorful tiki tokens are stacked on top of each other. You are assigned three and now everyone is fighting to move their tokens up the pole with their action cards while some tikis are getting “toasted” until there are only three left. Ages 10+, 2-4 players.

8. Tenzi: One of my favorite “ice-breaker” games. You have ten dice and have to roll the to get an assigned task: all odds, add up to 47, all the same number, etc. Great way to get some quick energy in your game night (best in a short burst). Ages depending, one set of 10 dice per person.

9. Zillionaire's Road Trip: Monopoly meets auction-like bidding meets Sequence. What are you willing to pay for properties along “roadside Americana”. Get four in a row and you win. This game can go much longer than I like a game to go, but if you’re prepared for that, it’s a fun twist. Ages 8+, 2-5 players.

10. Herd Mentality: It doesn’t matter what the “right” answer is to a question, it just matters what is the most popular. Name a farm animal. What’s your favorite finger? You have to match the “herd” to get a point. Ages 10+, 3+ players.

11. Happy Salmon: Few games get people up and moving like Happy Salmon. Flip your cards over and find someone who has the same card, complete the action described and go to the next card. My stomach hurts every time I play (short bursts of shouting). Ages 6+, 3-8 players.

12. WHOZIT: Clever collaborative game. One person tries to get the rest to decide which celebrity/job is assigned by giving two clues on a sliding scale. You have to work together to reach the end goal in five rounds. Ages 10+, 2+ players.

13. Spot It: Everyone knows this game, but the best way to play it is NOT the traditional way. Everyone takes a card and turns them over at the same time. Find someone you match and then offload your card on them and you’re free. Last person standing is the loser. It’s frantic. Ages 6+, can play with larger groups with this version.

14. Sushi Go: You start with a set of cards, each worth different points based on combinations and sets, but you can only take one and pass the rest on. You’ll get a new set of cards from another player and have to keep building as you go with the leftovers from other players. Fun graphics and a great twist for a game. Ages 8+, 2-5 players.

15. Color Brain: Clever game where you have color coded cards you have to race to put down to match the color question. What are the colors of the Belgium flag? Get your color cards picked in a race against everyone. (There’s a Disney version that is a little too obscure for me.) Ages 12+, 2-20 players.

16. Code Names: Does anyone NOT have this game already? Two teams racing against each other to identify random word cards on a grid. Give clues that connect multiple words so you can find your team’s words first. Ages 12+, 4-12 players.

17. Block Party: Create an assigned object, but all you have is small colored blocks and a timer you’re racing against. Can the guesser figure out what you created? And watch for added challenges. Super simple concept everyone can grasp quickly. Ages 6+, 2+ players

18. So Clover: Identify four clues for what four word pairs have in common with each other. Then scramble the words and add some extra words to see if the rest of the group can figure out what the four original pairs were. Fun collaborative game. Ages 10+, can play in a larger collaborative group (up to 10 players).

19. You Can't Say Umm: Can you get your team to guess two random words as you describe them? Sounds easy enough? Oh yeah, you can’t say the word “ummm”. More challenging and funnier than you think, especially with a couple other twists that can get mixed in.

All ages, At least 4 players.

20. Hues and Cues: Picture a giant color swatch board. You have to give a one word clue to get everyone to figure out exactly which color is the right one. Periwinkle, huckleberry, Barney, plum could all be your clue, but will other players know where to put their marker?

Ages 8+, 3-10 players.