Family Toy Guide

This year we decided we needed to create a new category focused on toys that are great for multiple ages! So many of these toys fit in all of the age categories, so this guide needed to happen. Many of you also like to shop for big ticket toys that you can give as a family gift. This list includes all of these items and most of our favorite toys can be found on this list!

Shop All Ages:

0-2

2-4

5-7

8-10

Teen

Family

1. Yoto Mini: Kids can listen to audio books by inserting a credit card style card. It’s portable and includes a headphone jack. Excellent screen-free option that promotes a love for learning and there are book cards for all ages. Consider the Yoto monthly membership to save on cards and acessories.

2. PlaySmol Bounce House: This company has figured it out by ditching obnoxious bounce house colors! These are great for indoor and outdoor play! Mel has the rainbow and Mandy has the neutral.

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

3. Picasso Tiles: These blocks are a massive hit for so many ages! If you are wanting a building toy for your family, this is a staple you don’t want to miss out on. These are compatible with Magna Tiles.

4. Sarah's Silks: The classic silk set is a playroom staple and open-toy perfection! Kids can use as dress-ups, incorporate in small-world play, storytelling, building, and more!

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

5. Stapelstein Elements: Finally in the US! Colors are beautiful and they hold up to 396lbs! Kids will love stacking, sorting, creating obstacle courses, water play, balancing, and more! Play inside or outside with these elements.

6. Sensory Tiles: These sensory squares are perfect for floor is lava, obstacle courses, small world play, and more! Babies even love for tummy time! The liquid in the tiles move when pressed. Great MESH toy too.

7. Jumparoo: Fan fav because it gets all the wiggles out! There is no double bounce so kids of all ages can play together! It can be used inside or outside, and they offer some really fun attachments.

8. Airfort: This fort sets up in seconds and is a space saver. There are different colors and designs to pick from and all you need to add is a box fan. Kids enter and exit by lifting up the fort. It stores in a small bag which is awesome!

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! Or, shop on Amazon.

9. LeoMat: Known for their cover patterns and tri-fold technology. We recommend starting with one and investing in the water-proof cover. Our favorite build with the LEO is making climbing mountains with their tri-fold mats.

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

10. The Ultimate Learning Table: The designer of this learning table is the sensory and play-based learning queen. You can customize your table depending on needs. It's water-proof and can be used inside or outside. This company also offers hundreds of sensory table inserts. We love their art easel, portion board, faucet board, science board; honestly, we love everything they offer and wish we owned it all.

11. Modi Modu: This is a magnetic wall decal—and removeable. Kids can even paint and use expo markers on it. We recommend using their magnet sets, magnetic tiles, and clixos on the decal.

12. Grocery Store/Fresh Market: We actually opt for this grocery store over a play kitchen! The grocery store has tons of storage, and many kids can play at once. This toy is able to hold all of our pretend play food sets.

13. Tonie Box: A favorite at Mel’s house and such a great alternative to screens! You purchase the characters separately and the Tonie will play audio books, music, and MORE! One thing that is also great about this toy is that the stories make great gifts so they can be requested instead of lots of small toys from friends and family.

14. Pyramids Blocks: Wooden blocks should be a staple in every toy room. Beautiful colors and different size blocks are perfect for open-ended play. These can be used by littles and big kids.

15. RIWI: 24-massive foam blocks will keep kids building! Create forts, houses, towers, and more! They also sell a play couch cover. All of the foam blocks perfectly fit into the cover which turns it into a play couch.

16. Wonder and Whimsy Play House: Wonder and Whimsy created a play house that can be used in so many ways! Add blocks, peg dolls, cars, pirates, TV characters, clear cubes, silks, princesses, etc. It’s solid wood and beautifully crafted.

17. Stairslide: Who doesn’t want a slide indoor?! You can purchase per slide depending on stairs and thrill level. You can even use these on the couch for toddlers. They nest so it's easy to store in the closet or under a bed.

Use code: TOYTESTING10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase!

18. Story Dream Machine: Nostalgia alert! This story projector plays short stories on the wall. Part of the collection includes the Little Golden book stories. Such a fun toy to add to your nighttime routine. Right now, this toy is hard to find. It was $50 back in September. Don't overpay on Ebay or other sellers. Either wait for them to stock up or don't buy.

19. Acorn: If you want a play couch but don’t have a ton of space, Acorn is great because you can purchase a base and wedge for $150. This gives you the option to add on more later. They offer a wedge instead of triangle.

20. MagnetBlox: These soft, magnetic blocks click together to make planes, cars, forts, and anything your kids can imagine. It’s the perfect STEAM/STEM toy and excellent for ages 2-10.

21. Nugget: Known for their durability and color variety; Nugget offers an incredible play couch! We purchased our first Nugget in 2020 and it has held up to so many forts, obstacles, jumps, and messy kids! We recommend getting two Nuggets! It's the only play couch with a 2-year warranty.

22. Rock Wall: Mel has this climbing wall in her house! You can customize dimensions and select the holds and colors you want. This is great movement toy! We place a Nugget underneath for soft landings.

23. Bilibo: We call it the “turtle shell”! Kids can spin with their Bilibo and even play floor as lava. Love that they come in such fun colors—12 to pick from!

24. Camp Snap: This camera is screen-free, point and click, so kids can be in the moment and not focused on looking at the photos they took or messing with settings. Our kids have loved toting this around to all of our fun activities.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for $5 off your purchase!

25. Doorway Swing: Swing indoors without any hardware! All you need is a door! This set comes with a traditional swing, sensory sling, and trapeze bar. This is an excellent option if you don’t want a permanent indoor swing.

26. Swedish Ladder: This is a 9-in-1 Swedish ladder wall. Kids can climb, slide, swing, hang, and so much more! This is a very permanent feature and does require room! Be sure to check out the dimensions before ordering.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire order! This is MAJOR savings!

27. Monkey Bars: Last Christmas Mel hired a contractor to install these monkey bars from Project Playroom! There are so many colors to pick from and you can install going up the wall or across the ceiling! Mel keeps play couches underneath for a soft fall.

28. Art Frame: What do you do with all the artwork? This frame is awesome because kids can open and display their favorite creation! It also stores all of the other artwork behind it!

29. Superspace: These magnetic panels help your kids engineer creative builds like forts, rocket ships, tunnels, boats, and more! You can purchase add-on pieces like their whiteboard panel. This is an excellent STEM and MESH toy.

30. Skybar: It’s collapsible and adjustable which we love! We get so many messages from people telling us their kids play with this bar all day! It’s perfect for getting all the wiggles out!

31. Play and Away Table: This is a collapsible play table and it’s fully customizable. Mel’s girls love to use for art and sensory play! The backboard is awesome because it can hold all of the supplies and the containers are included.

32. Zipline: Who doesn’t want a zipline in their backyard? Kit comes with everything to install. All you need is two sturdy trees 20-55ft apart. Younger kids can enjoy because you sit on a swing to zip!

33. Splendipity Hammocks: These hammocks are sturdy and so comfy. They are easy to install, and the package comes with all the hardware you need. The inside is soft minky and it can hold up to 135lbs. The designs will elevate any bedroom or toy room!

34. PlayFolies: This building set sparks so much creativity. There are two sets you can pick from! The Casa Azul is beautifully designed, and the Canvas set allows kids to paint and use markers on it. The canvas set can be wiped off for kids to design over and over. This building set can be used as a dollhouse, fort, table, kitchen, easel, and more. Both kits can easily be stored.

35. Sarah's Silks: Our kids love their larger play silks! They get so creative when using them! They have become a staple and are used almost every time the kids are in their toy room. We recommend purchasing a few giants and at least one double silk.

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

36. Indoor Swing: Get an indoor swing and thank us later! All you need is this swing hardware set and your fav swing! This hardware can hold up to 5,000lbs and it’s under $25! Here are some swing options you can pair the hardware with! Trapeze Bar, Saucer Swing, Pod Swing, Sensory Swing.

37. Dough Kits: Happy Life Magic has several staple kits to pick from like their unicorn and construction set. They have killer accessories, and their dough is gorgeous. Dough kits are great for sensory and MESH play. Kids also love to create small world play settings with these kits.

38. Hand Bells: I promise you these bells will get used by the entire family as a family activity! Our favorite thing to do in our extended family setting is turn on the YouTube play along videos. Our mom teaches music education and highly recommends this set.

39. Dog E: We didn’t think we would love but we do! Every robotic dog is one in a million—different colors and features. The app allows you to play with your dog, feed it, take to the spa, and so much more!

40. Couch Swag: Transform your play couch into a farm, coffee shop, ice cream station, lemonade stand, and more. Our kids have been loving using their Nuggets for pretend play with this fun attachment.

0-2 Toy Guide

This age range can often be challenging to shop for because littles are growing and developing so quickly, and we know you want to invest in toys that will stand the test of time. We have developed an amazing list of toys from a variety of brands. These toys will be loved by your kids and grandkids for years to come.

Shop All Ages:

0-2

2-4

5-7

8-10

Teen

Family

1. Play Mat: This is The Play Gym from Lovevery and it checks all the boxes for a baby play mat. This toy is great for newborns all the way up to 18 months and beyond. The quality is excellent and all the sensory elements were perfectly designed.

2. Mini Bilibos: MOLUK toys makes a wide variety of open-ended toys! These mini bilibos are excellent for color sorting, stacking, scooping, and endless adventures.

3. Gear Spinner: This stacking toy from Fat Brain toys always gets played with at our house. The bright colors and spinning mechanism make it an enjoyable sensory experience for every kiddo.

4. MOX balls: This set of 3 silicone balls are great for kids to develop those fine motor skills. They squish, grab, and change shape, making them the perfect introductory toy for open ended play.

5. Sensorial Reef Baby Toy: This sensory toy has it all! We were super impressed by each sensory element attached to this plush toy. It also comes with a strap to easily attach to the stroller or car seat.

6. Winkel Rattle: This baby teething rattle is ideal for little hands. Easy to grab and hold, while delivering a fun and enjoyable jingle for babies. I've also thrown this in the freezer to give my baby a cooling sensation while using it as a teether.

7. Jellycat Lovey: Jellycat makes such quality plush toys! This lovey is one of my babies most prized possessions. The perfect mix of a stuffed animal and blankie.

8. Tulu Spools: Roll them, stack them, nest them, sort them, and combine them with all the other Moluk toys. You can build them into a castle, arrange them into a smile, or even turn them into a modern work of art.

9. Sarah's Silks: These are play silks and they are one of mine and my children's favorite open-ended toys. They are so soft and made out of 100% mulberry silk. We use them to build forts, dress up, and water play.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire order!

10. Ice Cream Rattle and Shake: I love Melissa and Doug toys and this ice cream rattle didn't disappoint. Attach to the stroller or car seat and take for on the go entertainment. Extend the ice cream and watch it rattle and shake its way back into form.

11. Penguin Plushie: This handmade, stuffed penguin is from Cuddle and Kind. It is SO SWEET and the perfect size for little hands. This company also donates 5 meals to kiddos in need for every purchase made.

12. Ball Popper Toy: IT'S TIME TO POP, DROP, AND ROLL: Watch kids' eyes fill with wonder while tracking the 5 colorful balls as they pop up in the air, roll down the ramps, then through the clear tubes and back up again.

13. Baby Lit Books: This company makes our favorite board books. They are high quality, and their stories also mimic classic books that even adults can enjoy. The illustrations are also beautiful and vibrant.

Use code: TOYTESTING15 for 15% off your order!

14. Lumipet Star Belly: This is a sound soother, night light, and white noise machine all in one. It lights up the ceiling with fun and colorful stars and is cry activated!

15. Nugget Couch: I cannot say enough good things about this play couch. It comes in the most beautiful/vibrant colors and gets SO much play time in my home. I also love that this company stands behind quality and offers a 2-year warranty on all of their play couches. We have had our Nuggets for over 4 years and they still look brand new.

16. Memory Stuffy: Hey Kitty Rae is a company we stumbled across this year and we instantly fell in love. The owner makes custom stuffed animals out of fabric from sentimental items! We had her make our kids stuffed animals from our old dresses and they turned out so beautifully. She also makes an assortment of handmade stuffed animals and dolls.

17. Fine Motor Hedgehog: Spike the fine motor hedgehog is an award-winning fine motor skills toy. The pegs store inside the body for easy transportation.

18. The Busy Bunny: This activity toy from Petit Collage is perfect for little hands. Bright colors and several sensory elements make this a winner for the littles. It's also made with organic materials that make it so much safer for mouthing and play.

19. Balloon Cover: This is the best way to allow your kids to play with balloons but keep them SAFE! This is a balloon cover from Sarah's silks. It works by inserting a latex balloon inside and blowing it up to shape.

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

20. Wee Baby Stella: Our favorite soft baby doll, the Wee Baby Stella. She's the perfect size for your L.O. and has the cutest magnetic binky.

21. Whirley Squigz: These are the ideal suction cup toy to entertain your little one on the go. They suction to any smooth surface, making them excellent for the window of an airplane etc. The spinning effect keeps kids coming back for more!

22. Magnetic Animals: These safari animals from SmartMax are magnetic and an excellent tool for fine motor development. My kids have played with for years and they haven't broken apart or lost any of their magnets.

23. Bath Time Subscription Box: Bubbles and Joy is one of our favorite companies and for good reason. They curate the most unique bath time boxes for your kids to enjoy. They have a subscription you can sign up for that gives you a new bath box every month or you can check out their single boxes as well. They also pride themselves on finding clean products which makes my mama heart happy.

24. Sensory Wands: This 4 pack of sensory wands is actually a toy from my own childhood that I loved. Use them for sensory or imaginative play. They are made of quality materials and can be used for years to come.

25. Transparent Building Blocks: These are a fun take on traditional wooden blocks. They are made with both wood and acrylic and perfect to play with in the sun or on a light table.

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

26. Wobble Ball Run: Fat Brain Toys did it again with this fun, weighted ball run. The balls wiggle and roll down this colorful track for loads of toddler fun!

27. Busy Board: This busy board from Le Toy Van is excellent for developing hand eye coordination. Colorful and fun, we know this toy will be a hit this season!

28. Wooden Walker: This is an excellent take on those traditional plastic walking toys. It is made with beautifully crafted wood and comes in the cutest colors. Really a multi functional toy that includes both the walker and blocks.

29. Wooden/Silk Teether: This is a silk and wooden teething ring from Sarah's Silks and is one of our favorite toys to gift for a baby shower. It is perfect for teething littles and the materials are ethically sourced.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your puchase!

30. Ball Drop: This is a unique Montessori toy that will keep your kids coming back for more! This wooden hide and find ball drop is great for developing problem solving skills.

2-4 Toy Guide

2–4 year olds have the cutest developing personalities. You probably feel like your kiddos are really growing into themselves and we want to help you find toys that will match their unique personalities. These toy guides contain tried and true toys that we have put to the test to ensure you're investing in toys that will last for years to come!

Shop All Ages:

0-2

2-4

5-7

8-10

Teen

Family

1. Climbing Dome: Lily and River make the perfect indoor climbing dome for littles. Honestly, my favorite part about this toy is you can easily assemble and disassemble it to store in or out of the way depending on your floor space! It is also made incredibly well and will last for years to come.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS to save yourself 15% at checkout!

2. Downhill Duo: New toy for 2023. These little magnetic racers are so much fun for kids to race. It pairs well with your magnetic blocks sets.

3. Stepping Stones: These stepping stones from Green Elephant Home are a great budget option to a popular favorite. Beautiful, colorful, and perfect for lots of imaginative play.

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

4. Climbing Rocker: This is a favorite of ours from Lily and River. Rock and sway while relaxing or reading a fun book on the padded side or flip it over for climbing and walking fun.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your purchase!

5. Marble Tree: This colorful marble tree is so addicting to play with. The marble sized wooden balls that come with it are great, but if your kiddo is still mouthing then grab their larger set of wooden balls to pair with it. The satisfying clink that this makes will have YOU and your kiddos coming back for more.

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

6. Ice Cream Stand: Melissa and Doug released a new ice cream toy this year and we are obsessed. It is the perfect toy for imaginative play and our kids cannot get enough. We love that they made this set bigger and better, with added treats and several unique features!

7. Wobble/Balance Board: We love that this balance board is perfect for getting the wiggles out. This particular set on Amazon is also amazing because it can be used as a swing as well and comes with everything you need to convert it.

8. Shopping Cart: Look no further for the perfect little sized shopping cart. This is from Melissa and Doug and we love how big and sturdy it is. You could even take this to the store and let your kiddo shop right alongside you.

9. Vet Set: This is a vet set from Melissa and Doug and our kids think giving our family dog a checkup is the best thing ever. (Good thing we have such a patient pup!) They have loaded the kit with excellent accessories.

10. Ball Pit: Lily and River make the only ball pit you need! The base can also be used as a safe space for baby and is padded and so soft. The balls are also crush proof and such good quality!

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your purchase!

11. Wooden Ferris Wheel: This wooden ferris wheel from Petit Collage is well built and includes the sweetest wooden figures to take for a ride. The crank handle is perfect for little hands and is painted with non-toxic paints to ensure the highest safety standards.

12. Wooden Pirate Ship: This is probably the cutest pirate ship we've ever found. It is very well built, a good size, and has lots of moving parts! The pirate flags on the ship also glow in the dark for an added element of surprise.

13. Beauty Kit: Le Toy Van did it again with this wooden beauty kit. These pieces are also painted with water based, non-toxic paint. This set is so darling and even comes with a carrying case to tote around your beauty supplies.

14. Alpha Pops: We love a good learning toy and this one checks all the boxes for us. These pops are beautifully colored and we love that they satisfyingly snap together. You match the uppercase and lowercase letters together and can practice color sorting as well.

15. 3 House Bundle: These wooden play houses are not your ordinary wooden toys. They come with the most beautiful acrylic gems which make them so unique, turning the windows into "stained" glass. Hello Sugarhouse is one of our favorite companies and never disappoints with their quality and creativity in product!

Use code: TOYTESTING10 for 10% off your entire purchase at checkout!

16. Bristle Blocks: These blocks are from Picasso Tiles (our favorite magnetic off brand tiles) and are super affordable on Amazon. This is an excellent STEM toy that also promotes lots of creativity.

17. Wooden Rainbow: We found our favorite wooden rainbow and it is so fun for open ended play. The wood pieces are stained in a light color to enhance their wood grain. Our kids love stacking, building, and using these for ball and marble runs.

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

18. Tilt Scooter: This is one of the best tilt scooters on the market. They have a little higher price point but they have a great warranty, are built to last, and can hold up to 110lbs. Globber scooters are the way to go!

19. Alphabet Acorns: Excellent learning toy that develops skills like color sorting and letter/sound recognition. It helps kids with their visual and tactile learning, and it can be used in small world play.

20. Snap and Learn Counting Sheep: These sheep are great for color sorting and number recognition. Kids can snap the wool on and off, so it also helps with fine motor development. For your child is interested in working on numbers and counting, this is a great fit!

21. Pilot Dashboard: This set is a unique play on a sensory station IMO. There are so many buttons, lights, switches, and interactive elements.

22. Train Briefcase: I got this for my daughter last year when she requested a train set from Santa Claus. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on one because I wasn't super sure she would even be that into it. I love that this one is compact and all the pieces store inside it like a briefcase. I also bought this electric toy train from BRIO to pair with it and she loved that it could tug along the other pieces in the case. (It was compatible with this set.)

23. Tot Tube: This toy is universal and so much fun for our little kids. We love that it can be used for cars, balls and other random objects around the house! If it fits, it goes (or tries)!

24. Travel Activity Kits: These are travel activity kits for kids that include crafts, toys, games, and are curated specifically for the age and interests of your child. They were designed to encourage and promote independent play. We take these for travel in the car or plane, and use them as our quiet bags in church!

25. Sit n Spin: This wooden spinner seat is such a good staple in our toy rooms. It can also hold up to 250lbs which means even the adults can join in on the fun.

26. Gem Sorter: Isn't this thing gorgeous? Our kids think gem sorting is so soothing and so do we! The double-sided, wooden board comes with gems for you to pattern and sort.

Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order!

27. Wee Baby Stella: This is the softest and sweetest little baby doll. It's soft to cuddle and can be paired with a variety of Manhattan Toy accessories. It also comes with a magnetic binky that is fun to pop in and out of babies' mouth.

28. Winnie the Pooh Toy: This is a fun little set from Playmobil. The bees jump out of the honey pots with a little spring when pushed inside. This toy is a great deal and excellent quality. New toy for 2023 and you can pair with the remaining collection.

29. Foam Sword: This is a silk and foam sword from Sarah's Silks. It is covered with 100% silk and is filled with a high density foam so no more dangerous hits! Perfect for imaginative play with your little ones.

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

30. Flower Children: These are wooden flower children from Green Elephant Home. They are beautifully crafted and the perfect take on the traditional peg doll. These are a cute addition to any playhouse.

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

31. The Nugget: This play couch is a fan favorite and for good reason! The nugget is machine washable, comes with a 2 year warranty, and the quality cannot be beat. This play couch is infinitely configurable and comes with 4 foam pieces. Their color options are the absolute best, and they are constantly coming out with new ones. We have both had our Nuggets for over 4 years and they look brand new.

If you find this hidden Easter Egg send us a teddy bear emoji on Instagram for a special surprise!!!