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  • 5-7 Holiday Toy Guide

    Ages 5 to 7 is a little trickier age to shop for because these 3 years are FULL of growth. We feel like we did a great job of showcasing a variety of toys that aren't easily outgrown. Shop these guides for a home run holiday experience with your kiddos. Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 8-10 Teen Staple Toys Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories 1. GoTrax Electric Scooter: There are many electric scooters on the market. We have tested this electric scooter and have been thrilled with it. The wheels light up so kids can ride day or night. Speed is 7.5mph and it can go to almost 5 miles before needing a charge. Foot button activation makes it easy for kids to jump on and ride. 2. Calico Critters: How cute are the critters and the many, many accessories. Last year Caroline asked for a Calico Critter set for Christmas. This is the set (Red Roof Cottage Home) we purchased and it has been great. We can easily add furniture and animal sets. She loves setting up her home and using her imagination. 3. Hammock: Want to create a nice relaxing space for your kids? These hammocks from Splendipity are incredible. Installation is so easy and the fabric choices are excellent. Our kids love to read, relax, and listen to audio books in their hammocks. They have a max weight of 135lbs. 4. Tubelox: This is a building and construction set. The pieces are all made of plastic and slide and snap into place. Kids can construct real-life objects like a bike, scooter, plane, desk, fort, chair, wheelbarrow, cart, etc. with Tubelox. Save 10% with our code MM10. 5. Karaoke Mic: Mandy has two of these and her kids LOVE! This mic speaker is loud and it also has bluetooth capability. Her kids love to use the mics to free-style sing or they play karaoke songs on the YouTube TV. 6. Magic Mixies: Magic Mixies sold out last year and we can see why! This is a very unique toy because you use the cauldron and potions to create your Magic Mixie. You follow the potion instructions and when you are done, your Mixie will appear. You can also purchase refill kits. We don't typically love toys that can only be played with a few ways, but this one is so unique and jaw-dropping--kids absolutely love. 7: Hoverboard: This Hoverboard has a chrome paint finish with blue LED lights. It can run up to 3.1 miles on a single charge. Max speed is 6.2 mph and the max weight capacity is 220lbs. Recommend this for ages 4+ depending on coordination and balance. 8: Magnetic Tiles Race Track: Charlie got this magnetic tiles race track last year for Christmas. It has grooves in the tiles so the cars can race around the track. This is a great toy that promotes engineering and problem-solving. We also like to add our other tile sets and construct buildings, homes, and towns around the track. 9: BluTracks Race Track: We can’t stand car tracks that require so many pieces and are usually pre-designed. This 18ft track can be laid out the way you want. Our kids love racing down the stairs or using the window attachment. We love that they can experiment with different track options and use their imagination. The track rolls up for easy storage. 10: PlusPlus: Sometimes its nice to step outside LEGO builds and try something else! If you have a kid who loves to build and create, PlusPlus is a must-have! You can easily free style build or follow some of their recommended builds. PlusPlus comes in one shape (mini puzzle shapes). 11. Brain Flakes: These are such good stem toy and our kids love to build with them. The possibilities with these are endless. They can be configured into so many different shapes because of their unique design. 12. Lite Brite: This is a new and more advanced take on the traditional Lite Brite. It's oval shape and smaller pegs allow for more definition and portability. This would be a perfect project to display on a nightstand or dresser and re create time and time again. 13. Custom Denim Jacket: These jackets are custom designed and the patches are hand-picked! We were blown away when we came across this company in the spring of 2022. What kid doesn't want a custom jacket that highlights their personality and interests? You work closely with the owner to create a jacket that is perfect for your kid. 14. Cuddleez Pillow: Disney has done it again with these perfectly squishy, cuddle pillows. These things are amazingly soft and come in a wide variety of characters. You can snag these at Target in your child's favorite Disney character and make their Christmas morning complete. 15. Rotating Bubble Machine: Any party isn't complete without this rotating bubble machine. Hours of playtime fun! Use for an under the sea adventure or to just get some wiggles out. 16. Aaron's Thinking Putty KIT: Run to Costco for this find under $20! Discover the endless possibilities of Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty! With the Putty Discovery Kit, you'll learn all the different ways to play with putty and fascinating facts about science and nature. With 50 activities, you and your child can spend hours creating new scientific experiments while incorporating sensory play. 17. Dinosaur Eggs: DinoEggs is a fossil digging kit for kids who are curious and ready for discovery! Every dinosaur egg holds a unique dino species to match with an educational flash card. Our kids love using the excavation tools to uncover their mystery dinosaur. 18. Star Projector Night Light: The colorful and unpredictable nebula comes in a variety of color combinations and is decorated with flashing star lights, which can be switched by remote control or buttons. The high-definition starlight galaxy is projected onto the wall and ceiling, making you feel like you are in the vast galaxy. This sweet astronaut is also the perfect decoration in any adventure driven child's room! 19. Instant Print Camera: This instant print camera is so much fun for kids to use. Give them a new sense of independence with taking and developing their own photographs instantly. This specific one comes with accessories and extra printing paper for HOURS of creative fun. 20. Balance Beam: This 4 foot, folding balance beam is made of dense foam and can hold up to 160 lbs. We recommend purchasing 2 sets of these beams to create longer balance activity. Search BALANCE BEAM in the search bar.

  • 8-10 Holiday Toy Guide

    This is always the hardest age group for us to create guides for. The are existing that toy phase, yet that are still kids! This list of toys is unique, educational, and keep your growing kids off screens! Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 Teen Staple Toys Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories 1. Trestle Tracks: Mandy has tried a few marble tracks and this one is the solid winner! It doesn't take up too much floor space, allows kids to build and use their engineering brains, and the pieces are solid. Charlie got this for his birthday and he loves it. Mandy went ahead and threw out her original marble run. Also, comparted to GraviTrax, Trestle Tracks is much more user friendly. 2. Remote Control Truck: Another birthday win with this remote control truck. Mr. Toy Tester did all of the research and found that this "hobby" truck was the best option. It is flexible and can climb but also has the speed kids love. It is also a great size. Kids can easily transport but it isn't too small. 3. Custom Jacket: These jackets are custom designed and the patches are hand-picked! We were blown away when we came across this company in the spring of 2022. What kid doesn't want a custom jacket that highlights their personality and interests? You work closely with the owner to create a jacket that is perfect for your kid. 4. Ninja Station: Who doesn't want an outdoor Ninja set? This set is awesome because it can work for kids all the way up to teens. It's easy to install and has a variety of attachments for the slack line. Charlie and Caroline are obsessed with their kit. We also love that this set is manufactured in the United States. 5. Jewelry Kit: These kits are a great way to keep kids busy! This set comes with 7,200 pieces! It has a great variety of colored clay beads, letters, smiley beads, and other charms. 6: 3D World Puzzle: If your kid wants to try something besides LEGO, these 3D puzzles are super cool! The pieces are numbered and you intersect them to build a 3D creation. We have built the Eiffel Tower, Castle, and World. It's also a cool toy to display in a kid's room. 7: Spring Bots: This is such an awesome STEM toy! You build robots and they are powered by kinetic energy. This kit allows you to build 3 robots. Models include a race car that drives up to 60 feet, a robot that walks up to 20 inches, and a countdown timer that counts down up to 6 minutes. The models are powered by a mainspring, the main device found in old-fashioned clocks. 8: GoTrax Electric Scooter: We love the brand GoTrax! We have found their quality and features to be excellent. GXL V2 is the Gotrax most classic, mature, and reliable electric scooter. It can travel up to 12 miles. Max speed for this scooter is 15.5mph and it can hold up to 220lbs. 9: Pierced Earrings: These earrings come in the cutest designs and colors. We love that the backs screw on so no more losing earrings and backs. They also offer a monthly subscription. This would make for such a fun monthly gift for your kid. All earrings are surgical grade stainless steel, hypoallergenic, lead & nickel free, and 18k gold plated. 10: Snow cone Machine: This is a fun toy/activity that kids can enjoy all year long. Mandy has this one at her house and Charlie and Caroline love! It's easy for kids to load the ice and manually pull down to create yummy, soft ice. This snow cone machine has great review and its's awesome that it's stainless steel. 11. Origami Book: This book comes with everything you need to make fun origami creations. It is filled with 20 different projects and hundreds of papers ready to fold. A unique gift and craft for you pre teen. 12. Razor Scooter: This scooter is so fun to zip around the neighborhood on. We love the retro vibe and color. This is battery powered and can be easily charged and recharged for years to come. This comes with a powerful 24V battery and can reach speeds up to 15mph. ALWYAS use your safety gear! 13. Saving Bank: This award winning educational toy is intended to teach kiddos the value of saving, spending, and organizing their money. Color coded acrylic lids make saving, spending, and sharing a much simpler concept to understand. Highly rated on Amazon. 14. Caboodle: You remember Caboodles right!? This vintage inspired toy is perfect for makeup, toiletries, craft supplies, you name it. Pre teen girls always have knick knacks to store, so give them somewhere to put them. 15. Geode Kit: National Geographic has come out with a really fun geode cracking kit. This kit includes 10 natural, premium geodes, safety goggles, 2 display stands, and a detailed instruction and learning guide. Crack these open and watch the wonder on your kiddos face when they discover the beauty inside. 16. Tumble Track: Due to the variations in thickness and pressures, air tumbling tracks can be bouncy and safe to land on. It is also the best gift for teenagers to practice gymnastics or tumbling. This one on Amazon has tons of good reviews and is a great size for the price. It also includes the air compressor, repair kit, and carrying bag. 17. Sensory Swing: If you can be a little handy, this hanging sensory swing is a blast. This kit comes with everything you need to give your kiddos a unique sensory experience. The price point is excellent and this is a totally unique gift that will blow your kids mind. 18. Penny Board: This 22 inch skateboard is perfect for a beginning skater. We love toys that get our kids moving and outside. We loved this galaxy design but they also come in a variety of colors and patterns. Pick a unique one that fits your child's personality. 19. Jellyfish Lamp: This jellyfish lava lamp is the perfect accessory for any pre teen's room. The best part is they get to put the jellyfish in the lamp and create something that is unique for them. This lamp offers 20 different color changes with a portable remote. 20. Loombot: This is the Loombot from Fat Brain Toys. We love toys that are crafts for this age group. This kit comes with everything you need to become a knitting pro. You can knit hats, scarves, and more with this knitting tool. Just crank and watch the magic happen.

  • Teen Holiday Gift Guide

    We love doing teen guides because most of the items are gifts we want for ourselves! This list does include some more expensive items, but they are quality and tested! Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Staple Toys Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories 1. Segway Scooter: Mandy has two of these at her house! The specs on this Segway ninebot 45 scooter are awesome! Segway Ninebot E45 has a top speed of 18.6 mph, travels up to 28 miles, and accommodate a max load of 220 lbs. Even though this is an adult scooter, Mandy’s 7-year old can operate. It also folds up for easy storage and lights up underneath. It even includes a headlight for night riding. 2: Nintendo Switch OLED: This is the latest Switch model. Mandy has this at her house and it’s something the entire family loves playing together. The switch is great because it’s very portable. We love bringing with us on long car rides and on vacation. There are so many family friendly games everyone can enjoy. 3. Bracelet Kit: Pretty Life Girls has outdone themselves with their DIY bracelet kits. They have curated some amazing kits with beautiful colors and accessories. These are so fun for teens to make for themselves and friends. 4. ZAANA: Want the look of the double piercing but don't want the piercing? These Zanna twists hoops give the look of a double piercing without having to get pierced. Save 10% with CODE: TOYTESTINGSISTERS 5. Heatless Curls: If you have a kid who spends so much time curling, try using these heartless curls! You simply wrap your hair around the soft curler! We were blown away that it works so well! This would make for a fun girls night activity. 6. Needohs: You know we love our Needohs! These mini Needohs come in an 18pk. These are fun because they fit in the palm of your hand. Teens can keep in the car, backpack, purse, etc. They are our favorite fidget toy! 7. Hammock Chair Swing: Our 17-year old sister has a hanging hammock in her room and she loves it! This model is great because it has two cozy cushions and a side pocket hole books, iPad, etc. You can use this inside or outside and it holds up to 300lbs! Love the idea of making a lounge nook in a teens bedroom! 8. Rad Bikes:Say hello to the RadCity 4 High-Step. Mel purchased a Rad Bike this summer. She has a model that allows hers to pull her two girls. This model is great for teens! Rad calls this their winner for all-around e-bike. It works on dirt or pavement. This bike has the power of a 750W motor and can go 45+ miles per charge. 9. DJI Mini Pro3: This drone is on the expensive side but if you have teen who loves drones this is the one to get! The features are incredible! Mandy has this drone and it is used a lot! You can set different cinematic settings and it even records in horizontal or vertical mode. It includes a home feature and obstacle avoidance. 10. Lava Lamp: Mandy’s son, Charlie, has a lava lamp in his room and it’s super soothing! Who had a lava lamp in their room growing up? This model is from the original lava lamp company. It stands at 16.3inches. 11. Kodak Printer: This photo printer is unlike its competitors. You can manually plug any phone in and instantly print high quality photos! The ink is cheaper and lasts longer as well. 12. Adult Swaddle: This adult swaddle is from Goosebumps Shop and is our favorite! They have turned their beloved baby swaddle into adult size and come up with the cutest prints and colors. They always do a killer Black Friday sale! 13. Nail Polish Holder: Say goodbye to spilled polish. This nail polish holder has so many good Amazon reviews and makes painting your nails like a pro that much easier. This gift would be perfect for a "beginning nail tech". 14. LIGHT UP Corn Hole: Corn hole is always a fan favorite, but can be a let down when it gets much too dark to SEE! This corn hole set is affordable and comes with 38 ultra bright LED lights which makes playing into the night a non issue. 15. Portable Speaker: Mel was gifted this portable speaker this year and it goes everywhere with her. She uses it on bike rides, at the park, to take her girls on stroller rides, or just for a fun indoor dance party. It packs a punch and is priced well! 16. Buddha Board: This is the original buddha board and is so relaxing. Using water and a brush the tablet can be transformed into a dissolving work of art. 17. Belt Bag: You've probably heard of the lulu belt bag. The price of that one might not be suitable for your teen (who likely looses everything), but this Amazon dupe is the perfect alternative. We love the cream color but it comes in a variety of colors and looks identical to the lulu one. 18. Ukulele: This gorgeous, wooden ukulele is the perfect gift for a creative teen. Help your child learn a new skill with FREE online lessons included in this link. 19. Neck Fan: This might seem like an odd Christmas gift but it's the gift that gives all summer long! This portable, recharging neck can is the best for a hot summer day. Use it to mow the lawn, play outside, or sit in a hot parade. 30K 5-star Amazon reviews. 20. Paint by Stickers: Did you know paint by stickers is also for teens/adults? Snag this darling travel themed paint by stickers. Select the same numbered sticker and place it accordingly to complete your masterpiece.

  • Staple Playroom Toys: Holiday Edition

    Mel and I have put together 20 staple toys for your toy room! This list is not age specific because most of these items can be enjoyed by littles all the way up to teens! The toys listed below have been a major hit at both our houses--we own all of these toys! If you are looking for group gifts for the family or larger, higher price point items, this is your list. Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories 1. Airfort: This toy gives you a fort within seconds and all you need is a box fan! You don’t have to deal with poles or storing a large fort. This toy folds up in a tiny pouch! Kids just lift the side to enter. It comes in different designs and shapes! Our kids love hosting teddy bear picnics inside or just chilling with blankets and pillows. Save 10% with CODE: TOYTESTINGSISTERS 2. Sarah's Silks: Our favorite play silks are from Sarah’s Silks. They offer beautifully crafted 100% silk play scarves and products perfect for imaginative play. They also come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs. Our kids love to put in the water, play dress-up, build forts, fly in the sky, and create magical paths. If you want to add silks to your playroom, start by purchasing a few of the classic sized silks and either a giant or double silk. 3. Rockwall: If your kids climb the walls, we have the ultimate solution for you! Megalith climbing has made it easy to add a rock wall in your very own home! All you do is buy these individual panels, arrange to your liking, add the holes, and voila! These are self-installed but are super easy. Find the studs in your walls and they will each hold up to 250lbs per panel. This is the perfect toy that keeps your kids active and entertained. 4. Mud kitchen: This is an heirloom toy that will be used for many, many years. It is made of solid wood and the quality is top notch. We highly recommend the WoodNPoppy mud kitchen. Their mud kitchens are made to order and you can select wood type, finish, and accessories. Mud kitchens are excellent for outdoor sensory play. Kids can enjoy making mud pies, planting flowers, cooking with their backyard findings, and so much more. 5. Stairslide: Who doesn’t want to turn their stairs into a massive slide? Stairslide comes in sections so you can pick the length and thrill level you are looking for! They don’t damage your floor and stack for easy storage. This toy can be enjoyed by toddlers and teens! Use our code to save 10%! Mel has 5 slides at her house and Mandy has 4. We use a play couch as a landing pad! CODE: TOYTESTING10 6. Stepping Stones: These colorful stepping stones from National Geographic will get your kid moving and using their imagination. They are soft and easy to balance on. Our kids love to use in ninja stations, obstacle courses, and pretend play. Littles love to stack and jump on and off. These are great to pair with silks and a play couch. 7. Play couch: Mandy has been become addicted to play couches—she owns 4. Play couches are awesome for imaginative play because kids can create forts, castles, obstacle courses, ninja stations, houses, and so much more. There are many play couch companies but we love LeoMat and Nugget. We recommend investing in at least two play couches if you purchase a Nugget. Nuggets won't go on sale and are $229 for a standard color. Because the Leo Mat has tri-fold cushions, start with one before buying two. The Leo Mat is $399. You can purchase from Target or Leo Mat. There are so many unique colors and patterns to pick from. The Leo Mat is featured in the photo. Save 10% with CODE: TOYTESTINGSISTERS 8. Bounce House: PlaySmol has created aesthetically pleasing bounce houses! No more obnoxious colors. They currently have 3 color options: pinks, blues, and neutrals. They offer 6x6 and 8x8. If you have room, we recommend the 8x8. This toy will keep kids busy and bouncing! Add plastic balls for some fun sensory play. Bounces houses are great for indoor and outdoor wiggles! This will save you during the cold winter months. Use CODE: TOYTESTINGSISTERS to save $30. 9. Doorway swing: If you have active kids, the doorway swing is great for getting out all of the energy! It’s awesome because it doesn’t require any hardware for installation. It holds up to 150lbs. Littles can relax in the hammock attachment and big kids can even enjoy too. We recommend purchasing the deluxe kit which includes the swing, trapeze bar, and hammock attachments. 10. Jungle Jumaproo: We know this is a higher price toy that takes up a larger footprint, but we promise it will be used by so many ages. The Jumparoo is a trampoline for inside/outside with bonus features! It includes poles for climbing and hanging and you can even purchase the rope swing! Tons of kids can load onto the Jumparoo and no one is going to get thrown off because of its double bounce feature. This means you can have a toddler jumping the same time as a teen! 11. Dough Kits: These kits from Mac Kids Kit are affordable and will keep your kiddos entertained for hours. The accessories for each themed box turn play time into an imaginative and sensory experience. 12. Ikea Play Kitchen: Every home should have a play kitchen. The Ikea kitchen is a favorite of ours because it is neutral colored, has an interactive top, and is majorly affordable. Just make sure to check for inventory because these often sell out around the holidays. 13. Billibo: The Billibo is an open ended, award winning toy. Our kiddos have nick named it the "turtle shell". It can be used to spin and wobble and can be flipped upside down to create a fun arrangement of stepping stones. The perfect toy to help get out the wiggles. 14. Wooden Rainbow: This toy made our staple toy guide because our kiddos use it in so many ways. It is a toy that will grow with your child. Not to mention, we found the largest, most affordable one on Amazon and we LOVE IT! 15. Yoto Mini: Say hello to the portable story teller. This story telling device uses cards to play hundreds of classic stories. It doesn't require wifi to work and can be used as a bluetooth device. The portability of this makes it perfect for road trips, plane rides, and camping excursions. 16. Spider Swing: A favorite outdoor toy of ours that can be used on a swing set or a tree. Holds up to 700lbs and can fit up to 6 kids! We love to let our kids pile on and swing high together. 17. Kids UTV Ride On: This ride on toy packs a punch. It uses a 24V battery which means more speed, more power, and better battery life. Two kids can ride together and tot around their gear in the trunk. Trust us when we say you want a 24V battery! 18. Nighthawk Rider: This is the most unique battery powered ride on toy we've seen. It looks like a stingray and turns by using a tipping motion. Our kids have hours of fun riding this through the neighborhood. 19. Wooble Board: Another perfect toy to help get all the wiggles out. You can use this toy to rock, wobble, and teeter. You can also use this for an interactive kids yoga session. Open ended toy with lots of playtime possibilities. 20. Zip Line: If you have 2 sturdy trees this is the toy for you! Turn your backyard into an outdoor obstacle course with this zip line from Fofana Ninja. Using slack line technology this toy can be used for even adults under 250lbs.

  • Busy Little Toys

    School is back in session which means there are lots of littles at home with tear filled eyes as they watch their older siblings leave. We have curated the perfect list of toys to turn those frowns upside down. These toys will keep your kiddos entertained and have been tried and tested. Leo Mat : We love play couches and the Leo Mat is new to the market! It has a tri-fold technology which means you get 6 cushions and 2 triangles! Play couches are perfect for open-ended play! We love constructing forts, obstacle courses, ninja stations, mazes, and so much more. You can use code TOYTESTINGSISTERS for a discount at checkout. Yoto player: The yoto mini is a portable story player that kids can operate on their own! It doesn’t require Wi-Fi. Kids love selecting their story cards and inserting them into the yoto. You can use headphones with your yoto for a long car ride. This is a great way to get off the screens and fall in love with audio books. The kids' meditation cards are a fan favorite too. Squigz: Fat Brain Toys make the funnest, silicone building toys perfect for little hands. These suction powered rubber toys can be stuck to almost any service and make for a creative frenzie. Our kiddos like to take these in the car and use them on the car windows. Button and Bug Table Inserts: These table inserts can be used with or without the play table. Purchase the plastic container from your local IKEA and go wild. These inserts can be used as open ended/sensory play in a wide range of learning activities. Designed and developed by an occupational therapist and mom, these are perfect to keep your little one busy. Use code TOYTESTINGSISTERS for 10% off at checkout. Wild Pine Board Sorters: These beautifully crafted, wooden sorting boards are unique and perfect to keep little hands busy. Select a wide range of boards and custom colored gems to create a thrilling fine motor skills activity. Use code TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off. Bilibo: This award-winning, open-ended toy is so versatile and keeps littles engaged as they improve motor skills and balance. The Bilibo can be used inside or outside! Kids love to spin, rock, and balance on their turtle shell—the Bilibo. Doughsie Dough: Dough kits are a great way to keep littles busy enjoying sensory and creative play. Themed kits are awesome because you can select a kit that fits the current interest of your child. The dough accessories are always perfectly curated. Our kids love playing with their dough kits. Homer App: This is our favorite early learning app. Our kids are going to find themselves in front of screens, so why not control the content. This early learning program can be customized to both age and level and adjusts to your child accordingly. Our link gives you a 45 day window to try the app for FREE! https://glnk.io/04kp/toytestingsisters

  • Rab-a-dub-dub Bath Time Toys

    Who doesn't love bath time? We have rounded up our favorite bath toys and products so you can elevate bath time for your kids! You don't need a ton of toys for bath time! Here are a few favorites to keep kids entertained and smelling fresh! There are so many bath toys on the market, always make sure you are selecting items that are BPA-free and can be easily cleaned so mold and mildew don't grow. If bath time is part of your night time ritual, consider investing in a bath subscription package. Our favorite is included in this list. Honeysticks Bath Crayons: Keep the art mess in the tub! Honeystick bath crayons are made of beeswax and soy wax. They are made with 100% natural food grade ingredients. The colors are non-toxic and make for easy cleaning. The jumbo size crayons are great for little hands. Dabble and Dollop Shampoo, Gel, and Conditioner: We have become huge fans of Dabble and Dollop. Their owner created a safe and clean product line for babies and kids. They have gels, whips, and conditioners that smell amazing. The ingredients are natural, vegan, and pure. Ferry Boat and Mini Cars, Green Toys: This bath toy is awesome because it can also get lots of use as an outdoor water toy. It's easy to clean and dishwasher safe. It comes with a ferry and two mini cars. Green Toys has created high-quality toys that last! GloPals: If you don't own GloPals, it's time to make a purchase. You buy these little “pals” and insert the cubes in the back of the character. They are water activated, and light up once they are placed in the water. These are super fun bath toys and your collection of characters can grow with your child. Squigz: These suction cup toys are great for the tub and shower walls. Kids can build squigz creations. Squigz's are also great travel toys. Perfect for airport and car windows. Boon Jellies: Jellies are also suction toys but their ocean vibe is so fun for littles. Kids can stack the jellies and create different scenes. Cloud and Droplet, Ubbi: This set is made of silicone and opens for easily cleaning in the dishwasher. Once open, you can submerge and fill with water! These are great for a sensory table too. Boon Pipes: Bath wall toys are so much fun and this set give your kid the chance to engineer water play. The pipes suction to the walls for easy play set up. Bath Bombs: These bath droplets are from Dabble and Dollop. All ingredients are safe and clean. This set comes with 12 bath bombs with 4 amazing scents (strawberry, tangerine, vanilla, honeydew). Bubbles and Joy: We have fallen in love with Bubbles and Joy bath subscription boxes. They curate unique bath toys and bath products. They select BPA-free and mold safe toys. These boxes make great gifts.

  • Water, Sensory, and Active Outdoor Toys

    It has been so fun being a guest on a few TV stations this month. We love nothing more than sharing our favorite toys with parents, grandparents, and more! Now that it is warm, we spend almost no time in our basement toy rooms anymore. We have moved the toy room outside and we couldn't be happier. When setting up your backyard for summer success, be sure to include toys that use water, promote sensory play, and allow for active movement. We have curated 10 toys that are guaranteed to be an absolute hit and aren't one hit wonders. These toys are also great for a variety of ages and can grow with your family. This list includes items from $5-$169—something for everyone's budget. Play Smol Swimming Pool: Smol inflatable pools are here just in time for summer in a beautiful Tangerine, a hue that’s perfectly muted and still summery. Each pool comes with a perfectly padded bottom, and a pump to blow up with their easy blow valves. This is easy to transport, store, and use. A mini dip on a hot summer day. Spin Copter Original: These Spin Copters quite literally “light up the night”. They can soar to heights over 150ft. These spin copters launch into the sky and run off batteries to create a spinning helicopter of lights and fun. These are perfect to take outside and use on those warm summer nights. Boomabandz: Boomabandz is a brand new toy that is coming in HOT! It is basically a giant human boomerang. Four players stand inside the fabric making a square. You run to the opposite side of your starting point to experience the “boomerang” effect. Because this toy requires you to know your left from your right while running, we recommend it for older kids and teens. Hearth Song Chalk Stencils: These chalk stencils are so fun to use when sidewalk chalk gets a little boring. A pro tip of ours is to wet your chalk before use. Stick the chalk into a bucket of water and the colors will glide a lot more easily and using these stencils will up your chalk art game. Bubble Blasters: These light up bubble blasters are a killer find under $5. You can pick these up at Walmart and watch your kids be amazed with hours of bubble fun. My kids love that they each get their own bubble blaster and they don’t have to worry about dumping out all the bubble solution or wasting their breath trying to blow bubbles. They light up and create a continuous stream of bubbles which makes them fun for both day and night. Nighthawk: This is a 12V electric ride-on toy that is really fun to zoom around the neighborhood in. It can go up to 7mph and uses a tipping action to steer and maneuver. It has a max weight capacity of 110 lbs which means most kiddos can enjoy this thing well into their teens. It is easy to use and so fun to race and zip around outside in. Unicorn Eggs: These are “magical unicorn eggs” but essentially just large water beads. Basically you pour these tiny resin looking beads into a container filled with water and watch them grow magically overnight. In the morning you will have massive water beads that are fun to squish, throw, and use in any type of sensory play. These are great to play withy outside because they can get messy. Bilibo: This is a toy you might be scratching your head about and we understand why. This is an award winning toy designed in Switzerland in conjunction with child development experts. Deceptively simple, elegantly shaped and magically attractive, the Bilibo inspires creative, imaginative, and limitless play. Essentially you can use this for a lot of open ended play. Our favorite use is sitting and spinning on the inside of the Bilibo. You can also use this for sledding, filling with water, playing in the sand, and using it as a stepping stone. Lounge Swing: This swing, designed by Hearth Song Toys, has been enjoyed by toddlers, littles, big kids, teens, and even adults. You can hook this swing to any swing set and get relaxing. It’s curved design is comfy and makes it easy to lounge and relax. It is also very sturdy and holds up to 200lbs of weight. We have really enjoyed “sittervising” our kids in this toy. Fofana Ninja Zip Line: This is probably our “coolest” toy this summer. From Fofana Ninja, this is a must-have if you have two sturdy trees in your backyard between 20-55ft apart. The kit comes with everything you need to protect your trees and easily setup the zipline. This zipline literally transforms your backyard into an adventure park. The zipline can hold up to 250 lbs and can be used by kids and teens. You can also save 10% on your purchase by using our code.(10TOYTESTING) at checkout.

  • Summer Outdoor Toys

    Summer is my favorite season of the year. I love having warm weather and spending late nights playing games and hanging out with family. We have put together 8 our absolute favorite and unique outdoor toys to share with you. If you're looking for ways to keep your kiddos happy and entertained this summer then this is the list for you. We also chose toys that will last and work for a wide variety of children. Have a great summer! Zipline from Fofana Ninja is a must-have if you have two sturdy trees in your backyard that are between 20-55ft apart. The kit comes with everything you need to protect your trees and easily set up the zipline. This zipline literally transforms your backyard into an adventure park. The zipline can hold up to 250lbs and can be used by kids and teens. Save 10% by using our code: 10TOYTESTING. Mud Kitchen from WoodNPoppy is stunning and made of real wood. This is an heirloom toy that will be used for many, many years. Their mud kitchens are made to order and you can select wood type, finish, and accessories. Mud kitchens are excellent for outdoor sensory play. Kids can enjoy making mud pies, planting flowers, cooking with their backyard findings, and so much more. Two Bros Bows is an archery set made for kids! The foam tipped arrows are soft which makes it safe for kids to play with. The quality is excellent and the product design makes it easy for kids to place the arrow in the correct spot to line up and release! Kids can shoot at a target to help improve their accuracy. It is suggested for 6+ but a 5-year old should be able to enjoy it too. Great for the backyard, park, and taking on camping trips. You can purchase locally at Teton Toys. Boomabandz is a brand new toy that’s coming in HOT! It’s a boomerang for humans! Four players stand inside the fabric making a square. You run tun to the opposite side of your starting point and you experience a boomerang effect. Because the toy requires you to know your left and right and know when to run, it’s important to do with older kids. This toy is great for big kids, teens, and adults. Activ Flyer Frisbee is the easiest flyer to both throw and catch. They are also 80% lighter than the standard flying disk which makes them soar farther and faster. These are perfect to add some outdoor fun to a BBQ or outdoor game night. Their unique design makes them easy for even littles to use and catch. Bounce House from PlaySmol is awesome to use outdoors and inside during the colder months. They have designed their bounce houses to be aesthetically pleasing–the blower is even a neutral color. They currently have 3 color options: pinks, blues, and neutrals. They offer 6x6 and 8x8. This toy will keep kids busy and bouncing! Add plastic balls for some fun sensory play. 8-foot Inflatable Dome RockerBouncer from Hearthsong is the perfect addition for backyard play, BBQs, neighborhood parties, birthdays, reunions, and so much more. Kids can roll, tilt, and bounce–it even holds up to 250lbs. There are 6 handles for kids to hold onto for stability. It inflates fast with an electric pump and stores easily in a large rubbermaid. Inflatable Rainbow Landroller from Hearthsong is a blast to roll through the backyard. So many play possibilities: walk, roll, crawl, and somersault from inside. Kids can push each other from the outside and even create forts. If you roll under the shade, you can even relax in the landroller and read a book. It can hold up to 300lbs and easily inflates and deflates with an electric pump.

  • Picks for Indoor and Outdoor Toys

    Mel and some of our cute kids, Caroline and Olina, shared with the viewers of KSL Studio 5 some of our unique picks for indoor/outdoor toys! This segment was really fun for us because we got to bring our little toy testers. The more and more toys we test, the more we are committed to recommending options that can be used for many years/ages. The toys featured on this segment will be a hit for almost any house! View segment Coloring Mat, Creative Cloth Co.: These are reusable coloring mats and are great for an eco friendly coloring experience. They feature a zipper pocket that can hold your washable markers. The smaller size can easily fit into a diaper bag and pulled out at a restaurant to keep your kiddos entertained. We love that these can be washed so easily and get endless use. It’s good for their entertainment and the environment. Save 10% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS. Cottage, Airfort: Airfort is awesome because it blows up in a matter of seconds and stores in a small pouch—no poles or having to designate a large space for this toy. Kids just lift up to enter! So much open-ended fun with the Airfort. All you need is a box fan to start using. The cottage design is unique from the standard circular Airfort. Try using it outside! The fan is going to help kids stay cool too. Stepping Stones, Playzonefit: These are stepping stones from Play Zone Fit. We use these to add variation and playtime fun while making obstacle courses. Another favorite use of these is to play the “floor is lava” game. They are textured and made to last. Tubelox: Kids can construct real-life objects like a bike, scooter, plane, desk, fort, chair, wheelbarrow, cart, etc with Tubelox. We love that this construction set doesn’t include small parts and the finished product can actually be used. If you have toddlers, it’s easy for parents to build the objects and use them with their littles. For older kids, they can build on their own and enjoy playing with the finished product. Save 10% with our code MM10. Wobble board: It’s basically a rocking toy that can be used in a variety of different ways. You can turn it upside down and use it as a bridge or incorporate it into some fun yoga positions. Kids also love to use these as ramps for cars. We like to use this to pretend to surf! Hop on and get rocking. Climbing Wall, Megalith Climbing: Megalith climbing has made it easy to add a rock wall in your very own home! All you do is buy these individual panels, arrange to your liking, add the holes, and voila! These are self-installed but are super easy. Find the studs in your walls and they will each hold up to 250lbs per panel. This is the perfect toy that keeps your kids active and entertained. Doorway Swing, Playzonefit: This door swing from Playzonefit gets an insane amount of use at our homes. It’s great because it doesn’t require any hardware for installation. It’s excellent for active indoor play and helps kids get out their wiggles. It holds up to 150lbs. They even sell a trapeze and hammock attachments. You could even try this outside in a storm door. Resin paintables, CharsJars: These resin paintables from CharsJars are so fun for kids because when they are done creating, they can wash off and start over. Kids can use paint, markers, and these awesome wonderstix chalk crayons. We have the daisy and bug set. With these resin paintables, you can snap a photo of the creation and ditch storing hundreds of pieces of artwork!

  • Backyard Games for the Summer

    If you can't tell by now, we love summer and all it brings! Mel and I love hosting backyard parties and having a few backyard games on hand is a must. A few years ago our brother started making us a few backyard games: cornhole, kan jam, and kubb. This is where our love for outdoor games started. Cornhole can get pretty competitive around here. I love beating Will at a game of cornhole. Many of the games below are great for older kids and can be played as a family. You can also get some couples together for a backyard date night. Jumbo 3-in-1 3 Square, HearthSong: This set is so cool and it can also be used by little kids, not just adults and teens. The 3-in-1 set has everything you need for volleyball, tennis, and badminton. The net is adjustable and can be used as a 3-square or traditional 2-sided net. The components are "jumbo" which brings an extra element of fun to the games. It easily stakes into the ground and comes with a carrying case so you can bring to the park or family party. Giant "Jenga": We love giant outdoor toys and games and this "jenga" set is perfect to keep kids, teens, and adults entertained. Toddlers will even have fun using the blocks as toys. This game grows up to 4ft when playing and has everything you need to keep score and store the game. This set includes 56 pieces and has almost 10,000 reviews on Amazon. Kan Jam: It's competition time with Kan Jam. The goal of the game is to get your frisbee into the other team's kan. The opponent is focused on trying to stop you from getting the frisbee into the kan. This game is easy to set up and can be taken to a BBQ, tailgate, backyard party, etc. Because it does require players to aim and throw, make sure your kids have the motor skills to enjoy this game. Corn Hole, Go Sports: Everyone really needs a cornhole set for their backyard. My favorite activity during the summer nights is to play cornhole with my hubby and kids. My brother made Mel and I corn hole sets a few summers ago and we use them all of the time. It's nice to set up a few games when we are hosting a BBQ. The set we are featuring here has excellent reviews and includes the beanbags and a carrying case. We also love that it's under $100. Race Set, 4Fun: You can't have a family reunion without some sort of obstacle race. This race set is awesome because it comes with everything you need to set up a course. Each set includes 6 games that can be played during the race. Here are the accessories that come with each box. 2 hop sacks, 2 knee walkers, 4 water transfer helmets, 2 nose nudge balls, 4 wooden poles, and 2 three-legged race bands. Bocce Ball Set, GoSports: This is such a great backyard game and can be played by ages 5+. It works best on a flat surface of grass or sand. This can be a 1-1 game or your can form teams and play as a group. Included in the set is a carrying case, 8 bocce balls,1 white pallino ball, and a measuring rope. Kubb: My brother, Kendall, made us each a Kubb set a few years ago. The game is inspired by Vikings and is a tossing game. The goal is to take out the knights and topple the king. Kubb does require strategy and skill. This game is a little bit more advanced but great for teens and adults. This set includes everything you need to learn the game and a carrying case. Ladder Ball, Go Sports: I was introduced to this game back when I lived in Pittsburgh. You throw a rope with two balls on the end and you hope it wraps around one of the ladders. You get points depending on where the rope lands. This is a great game for little kids up to adults. It's one of my favorites to keep around and we love playing any time we are at Will's parent's house. Toss and Catch Ball: Oldie but goodie with the ball catch. The reason this game makes our list is because it can be played by any age and it's extremely portable. This is the perfect game to have around and it's really fun to take camping. Wicket Kick, 4Fun: I am not a huge croquet fan but this game is a blast! You ditch the mallets and use giant, colored balls and kick them through the wire gates. The rules are similar to croquet but it's much more fun for kids and adults to play. I am always stressed when we play croquet because my kids are always waving those huge wooden sticks around. This is a much safer option and fun for everyone!

  • Ultimate Water Toys for Your Backyard

    Mel and I love creating backyard spaces that our kids, friends, and family love spending time enjoying. We both like hosting backyard parties and having a few water toys for everyone to enjoy is a must! There is nothing better than hanging out with your besties, sipping beverages, while your kids play with their friends. Mel and I came up with our top 10 recommended water toys that will keep your kids entertained all summer long! 7ft Mister Monster, HearthSong: If this doesn't scream summer and backyard parties, what does? The 7ft monster mister is huge and perfect for keeping kids cool this summer. We love the bright colors and durability. Water sprays out of the monster's mouth and belly. The legs fill with water which is great because it helps keep the monster stable. It doesn't include a pump, so make sure you have one on hand. If you want to add a water toy to your backyard but aren't ready to commit to a pool or inflatable bounce house, this monster mister is perfect. Jumbo Water Beads: We love water beads but these jumbo water beads make sensory play even more fun! They are great to add to an outdoor water table or mud kitchen. If you haven't used water beads before, you simply put them in a bowl full of water and wait a few hours while they grow. We love pairing a lemon squeezer tool with these. Kids love to put the beads in the squeezer and watch them get smashed. Playsink, Cute Stone: In January I purchased a similar play sink for my kids. I was actually surprised how much they loved the practical play toy. This sink has a few more features than mine and comes highly rated on Amazon. The play sink comes with cutting food, utensils, and table accessories. The play sink circulates running water from the faucet and the pots/pans even release "steam". Your kids will love using this water toy inside or outside. This is the type of toy that will get played with from ages 1-7 and teaches real life skills. Bunch O Balloons: This is the only way to fill balloons. I can't even imagine having to hand tie balloons. Every year we stock up on bunch of balloons. We use them during parties or when friends come over to play! It only takes a few minutes to fill the balloons. You can often find these at Costco. When you see them, grab two packs and you can thank us later. Over the summer these balloons sell out fast at Costco and Amazon. Splash pad, Jasonwell: Over 11,000 Amazon reviews on this splashpad sprinkler. It's 68'' and great for toddlers and little kids. Dogs will also enjoy this toy too! All you need is a garden house to hook up and you can adjust the water pressure with with the spout knob. Some water toys require a lot of set up. We love that the splash pad can be put up quickly and easily stored. You could even turn this splash pad into a sensory water pad by adding some water beads, water tools, and ocean figurines. Mud kitchen, WoodNPoppy: This mud kitchen is an investment, but it's something that will last and get used all of the time. WoodNPoppy lets you select your wood type and finish. You can even customize how many sinks you want and if you would like a water hand pump! This toy is perfect for sensory and imaginative play. The outdoor mud kitchen can be used in so many ways. Plus, it keeps the dirt, water beads, sand, and liquids outside. There are more affordable mud tables on the market for around $150. The downside is they won't last as long due to material quality. If your kids love to explore, create, and spend time outside, this is your mud table! Water table, Step2: I bought this water table in the spring of 2020 because I was desperate to entertain my kids. This is our favorite water table because there is enough space for many kids to play and enjoy at the same time! It comes with a variety of water tools for sensory play. You can even turn this into a sensory table. We love putting water beads in ours and also using it as a car wash station. Inflatable water bounce house, Banzai: Mel and I both have inflatable water bounce houses. Our versions aren't available online anymore but we have a great alternative. Both of our hubbies were skeptical when we first purchased but they have admitted they were wrong! We absolutely love this water toy and it gets used at least once a week. It's great for kids of all ages and an excellent alternative to heading to the pool. Pro Tip! We highly recommend purchasing a water pump. This allows you to circulate the water and pump the water out when finished. If you dump the water on your grass instead of using a pump, it will scorch the grass and ruin your lawn. Water blasters, Max Liquidator: We opt for these water blasters over water guns any day. They are made out of pool noodle material and come in a 6pack. You don't have to have a pool to use them. Fill a few coolers with water and let your kids load them by pulling back the handle. For around $20, these are a steal and an essential to any water fight. Slip n Slide: Last year I hosted a massive backyard party for family and wanted to have a water toy that would be fun for teens and adults too. I purchased my slip n slide from Costco but it is no longer available. This slide is great because it includes the racing bodyboards and is 31ft. This slide has a spray curtain so it keeps the slide wet and littles can even enjoy sitting and running through the water.

  • Outdoor Toys for Your Backyard

    It's starting to warm up in Utah which means we are getting excited about moving our indoor play outside! We love outdoor play because it means fresh air and vitamin D. Just don't forget to keep your favorite sunscreen within reach. Many backyards include the "standard" outdoor toys: trampolines, basketball hoops, and swing sets. The toys listed in this guide are unique and can be enjoyed by many ages! Jumbo Soccer Ball, 4Fun: This giant soccer ball is HUGE! We dig the low price point and that it can be used by many ages. Littles can kick and roll on the ball. Big kids can play soccer and jackpot. Teens can even get a fun game of kickball or dodge ball going! Jumparoo: You know our deep passion for Jungle Jumparoo. This is an indoor and outdoor toy and you can even purchase the water attachment and transform it into a water toy too! Because you can't bounce people off the Jumparoo, you eliminate the injuries that can occur from tramps. We love that it also includes a climbing feature so kids can jump, climb, swing, and cool off! Gazillon Bubble Machine: Thousands of bubbles for kids of all ages. This blower does all the work so you don't have to. Have you ever almost passed out from blowing bubbles? We have.... Don't be caught in that situation again and invest in a bubble blower. You can thank me later. The Swurfer: This is the original stand up surf board swing. These boards totally live up to the hype. Kids love to experience swinging in a whole new way. Master your balance and get a good workout while enjoying this toy. Activ Life Flying Rings: These are the next generation frisbees. This company essentially upgraded the traditional frisbee and here we are. They fly much easier and with more accuracy than ever before. Boomabandz: This toy is brand new this year and is coming in HOT! Made of polyester and spandex this is essentially a child slingshot. Hours of fun running from end to end to see who can handle the speed and resistance of this fun stretchy band. Chalkscapes, HearthSong: These chalk stencils are so fun to use when sidewalk chalk gets a little boring. A pro tip of ours is to wet your chalk before use. Stick the chalk into a bucket of water and the colors will glide a lot more easily and using these stencils will up your chalk art game. Ninja Set, Fofana: Who doesn't want an outdoor Ninja set? This set is awesome because it can work for kids all the way up to teens. It's easy to install and has a variety of attachments for the slack line. Charlie and Caroline are obsessed with their kit. We also love that this set is manufactured in the United States. Outdoor Hammock: Tons of good reviews on Amazon and so much fun to gift an older kiddo who loves to be outdoors. These can be used to hang essentially anywhere the space allows. It also comes in a million different colors and the hanging kit is included. Two Bros Bows: At first Mandy was skeptical that this archery set would really work! Wow, was she wrong! The foam tipped arrows are soft making it safe for kids to play with. The quality is excellent and the product design makes it easy for kids to place the arrow in the correct spot! It is suggested for 6+ but a 5-year old should be able to enjoy too! Rollercoaster: Outdoor rollercoasters are a total blast. Inventory on these types of toys is really low right now. Here is a great, in-stock, option. Rollercoasters are awesome because they really work for ages 1-7! Littles love to ride and big kids love to ride too. Both of us have coasters and can attest that thing purchase will get used. You can even bring it inside for the winter months. Spider Swing: This swing is perfect for a big tree but can be also used on a traditional swing set. Mel's love this and the weight limit is over 700LBS! Endless laughs with lots and lots of friends swinging together on this big spider swing. Tree climbers: These tree climbers are really fun if you're not wanting to do something permanent. They can be wrapped around the tree without any damage. Garden Kit, Kinderific: So much open-ended play can happen with this toy. It include a tote bag, spade, watering can, rake, fork, trowel, and gloves! Love it that it can organized with the tote. This would be such a fun addition to your outdoor sensory play tools! Tea Set, Green Toys: Another awesome toy from Green Toys! This set is perfect to add with a water table or outdoor mud kitchen. It can also be used indoors and is a blast to keep in the bathtub station. The quality is excellent and it's extremely durable. Mud Kitchen: We spent a lot of time trying to find an affordable and functional mud kitchen. Many options on the market are really expensive and we weren't willing to pay the high ticket price. This option is $150 and comes with the features we wanted: cooking space, storage, water tub, and accessories. Mud kitchens are great because so much sensory and creative plan can happen. Think mud, sand, flowers, grass, slime, rice, jello! Big Dig Excavator: If you have a sandbox, dirt, or rocks, or snow this digger is for you! This is great for a backyard or beach! This hands-on toy is awesome because it's great for all seasons, has a 360-degree swivel and 2-handed digging and dumping feature. Large Slide, Little Tykes: This slide is the upgraded version of the indoor one that Little Tykes makes. It is more durable and a little bigger than the traditional red and blue version. This is perfect to add to your outdoor collection. Bounce house, SMOL: These bounce houses by SMOL are esthetically pleasing and deliver hours of fun for you kiddos. SMOL has eliminated the obnoxious colors associated with outdoor toys! These can be used both inside and out. Sandbox: Hours of fun with sand. This is the full sensory experience right in your backyard. Order some sand from your local hardware store and watch your kids go wild. We also love that this one has a cover to protect your little one from the sun.

  • Easter Gift Guide Ages 0-2

    Mel here and this guide was a lot of fun to make. Sometimes it is tricky to figure out what to get your brand new baby or toddler. You want to make holidays "fun" but aren't sure what will spark their interest? I am here to help! As moms, we love making the holidays magical! We go to as many egg hunts as possible, throw an awesome Easter party, visit the Easter bunny, and create as many holiday crafts as possible. Over the past few years, Mandy and I started a tradition where we shop for our Easter basket goodies together. Who doesn't love a GNO with their sister and bestie? These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen Carrot Teether: This cute teether has over 26,000 5 star reviews on Amazon! My 1 year old loves this because it's easy to hold and chew. Jellycat Stuffed Bunny: Isn't this forest green color beautiful? I love that it is unique and the BEST quality. Driddle for Little Matching Eggs: Right now this is my 1 year olds absolute favorite toy to play with. She loves pulling them apart and matching them back together. Driddle for Little Busy Board: This board has everything that your baby likes to get into...this version is just SAFE. Perfect solution to a sticky situation. Peter Rabbit Crinkle Book: This is a toy and a book in one. This Easter themed story would be perfect for your little one. Plus, there is a teether your baby can nibble on. Fat Brain Toys Wobble Stacker: Another favorite of both Mandy and Mel. This gets lots of use and the quality is unmatched. Sarah's Silks Minis: These are the perfect baby and toddler size. We use these in the tub, for dress up, and lots of imaginary play. Lovevery Rolling Rattle: Lovevery is one of Mel's favorite brands. I jumped for joy the minute I realized that Target now carries a variety of their toys. Melissa and Doug Keys and Car Toy: Melissa and Doug is one of our favorite brands because they are built to last. This toy gets lots of playtime and both our houses. Lovevery Ball Drop: This wooden toy can't be beat. It is so highly rated and competitors sell it for double the cost. E is for Easter Book: Babylit books is one of our favorite board book companies. Their illustrations are beautiful and each book is made to last. Use code: TOYTESTING15 for 15% off your purchase. Burts Baby Easter Pajamas: 100% organic cotton baby pajamas. This set is soft and one of our favorite go-to baby pajamas. Black and White Baby Book: Did you know that these books are perfect to stimulate your babies ever growing mind? Wood and Ivy Desert Stacker: These are neutral and beautiful. These can also double as bath toys. Montessori Wobble Stacker: Made by Lovevery, this wooden stacker is a fun take on the typical colorful one you often see. Teething Egg: This teether provides soft vibrations when your baby chews. Highly rated and tested by us! Little Blue Truck Springtime: This is one of my favorite books to read to both of my girls. They love lifting the flaps and the story line captivating. Creative Learning Co. Cup Board: This insert goes in your IKEA trofast table. This is their best seller and is perfect to develop fine motor skills. Custom Chalk Set: Let's Talk Chalk makes some really fun custom chalks. This would be the perfect Easter basket addition. Creative Learning Co. Potion Board: It's fantastic for pouring, mixing, and making all kinds of scientific discoveries.

  • Easter Gift Guide Ages 2-4

    What a fun age this group is! I think this might be my very favorite age to shop for. There are so many good options and the joy and excitement from this age cannot be beat. Holidays are just so much fun when you have cute kiddos to celebrate with. As moms, we love making the holidays magical! We go to as many egg hunts as possible, throw an awesome Easter party, visit the Easter bunny, and create as many holiday crafts as possible. Over the past few years, Mandy and I started a tradition where we shop for our Easter basket goodies together. Who doesn't love a GNO with their sister and bestie? These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen Melissa and Doug Wooden Fruit: Melissa and Doug makes the best quality toys. We love this set because you can cut the pieces which makes it more interactive. Palm Grasp Crayons: These are perfect for little hands and it's just a bonus that they are egg shaped. Air Fort: This is the original Air Fort. Attach to a box fan and you have a giant play fort in seconds. Calico Critter Mini Pals: Calico Critters are one of the toys that get played with a LOT at my house. For whatever reason the mini characters are the ones most coveted. Stella Doll: Manhattan Company is another toy brand that does a great job at making toys that last. This soft doll has a magnetic binky and you can purchase additional accessories. Green Toys Car Hauler: Green toys are made with recyclable materials and are perfect for wet and dry play. Melissa and Doug Cookie Sheet: This cookie sheet is a staple for any toy kitchen set. The velcro cookies are fun to scrape off and serve. Star Belly: These are making a big commotion this year in the toy world. A soft, squishy, stuffed animal that projects stars on the ceiling. How to Catch the Easter Bunny: We love this series of books and they made an Easter one which is lots of fun to read during the Easter season. Easter Pop-It's: Pop it's have been super popular this year, so why not throw a few into their Easter basket!? Water Wow Splash Cards: Use the water paintbrush to reveal the letters and associated characters on these reusable, alphabet flash cards. Montessori Cutting Set: This toy might seem a little out there, but it is actually super useful and quite the rage right now. This kit comes with everything your toddler needs to practice cutting foods safely. Daisy Sunglasses: Add a sweet pair of sunglasses to the edge of your toddlers Easter basket. Functional and cute! Manhattan Toy Company Lamb: One of our favorite stuffed animal brands. This soft, cuddly guy is perfect for Easter. Munchkin Sippy Cup: Our favorite sippy cup, TODDLER sized! Hooded Towel: This is a hooded, microfiber towel/poncho. This is my favorite to take to the splash pad or pool. Karaoke Microphone: Hook this up to a smart device via bluetooth and make all your child's karaoke dreams come true. Mandy has two of these and are an absolute hit. Toddler pajamas: Our favorite pajamas from Amazon. So many good color options. Beach Toys Set: This set is perfect for fun in the sun. We take this to the park and make the perfect sand castles. The bucket is also collabsible which makes it easy to store and go. Writing Tablet: There are a TON of these on the market, but this one is super highly rated on Amazon and the pen is ATTACHED! No more losing the pen that actually makes this toy work. Gazillion Hurricane Bubble Machine: Add your bubble solution to this bubble machine and watch your kids amazement when it produces THOUSANDS of bubbles for them to chase and pop. Piggy Paint: I love these because they are NON TOXIC! My toddler has her hands in her mouth a lot, and this paint is as safe as MUD. Acrylic Peg Board: This acrylic peg board is made by The Creative Learning Company and fits perfectly in your IKEA Trofast table. It can also be used as a light up board by placing some puck lights under the insert. Confetti Eggs: Walmart sells these as cheap as you'll find them. They are biodegradable easter eggs that are filled with confetti that explodes when they are thrown. Don't wait to purchase these. They WILL sell out. E is for Easter Board Book: Babylit sells this darling toddler book. The illustrations are gorgeous and this is the perfect themed alphabet book. Use our code: TOYTESTING15 for 15% off your purchase at checkout. Green Toys Tea Set: Made out of environmentally safe, recycled materials this tea set is so cute and non toxic. Wooden Rainbow: Look no further, we have found the largest, yet most affordable wooden rainbow. This thing is huge and perfect for open ended play. Mod Paint Sticks: Our favorite non messy paint alternative. These are addicting to color with and a favorite of mine to gift for birthday parties. Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Counter: This is one of our TOP TEN toys. It gets so much use and our kids love using the scoop to pick up the ice cream and serve it to their excited customers. Wooden Beehive: Mandy and I were both born and raised in Utah and the beehive is a state symbol of ours. This company does an excellent job at hand making each beautiful piece. Color Reveal Barbies: These come packaged and painted. Add water to your packaging container and watch the dissolvable paint swirl off your new Barbie doll. These are so fun and this smaller size is perfect for Easter. Egg Chalk: Chalk is a staple at Easter and we thought these tie dye egg chalks were perfect to gift. Bathtub Finger Paint: This is bathtub finger paint/soap. You can make fun designs all over the bathtub wall that also serves in washing up your little one. Calico Critter Family: This koala family is one of my most played with toys. I love that the cute little koala sits on her mamas back. Fat Brain Toys Gear Spinner: This toy will get SO MUCH USE. Both my baby and toddler are obsessed with watching the gears spin around as they stack them together. Road Tape: This is so fun to tape on the ground and use as a track for your race cars. Acrylic Neon Letter Set: These are beautiful and great to use while learning letters and playing with your sensory sets. Add them into a bin of rice and go fishing. We have fallen in love with everything from Creative Learning Co. Spill Proof Paint Cups: These are the easiest way to contain the mess that is paint. Pour your washable paint into these cups and watch in amazement as they tip over and don't spill. Color Wonder Pages: These are perfect if you hate cleaning up maker hands. The markers are clear and only work when used on this special paper. Aqua Brush Activity Set: If you're looking for something religious to add to your toddler's Easter basket this year, we found the perfect thing. This is a Book of Mormon themed water book. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS for 20% off your entire purchase!

  • Easter Gift Guide Ages 5-7

    Mandy here and this guide turned out to be my absolute favorite. Now that Charlie is 6, it has been fun to see how has interests in toys have changed. This toy guide is full of active toys to keep your kids busy along with toys that will spark creativity. As moms, we love making the holidays magical! We go to as many egg hunts as possible, throw an awesome Easter party, visit the Easter bunny, and create as many holiday crafts as possible. Over the past few years, Mel and I started a tradition where we shop for our Easter basket goodies together. Who doesn't love a GNO with their sister and bestie? These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen 1. Squishmallow Bunny: Everyone loves Squishmallows. Snag this Easter Bunny before they all sell out. 2. Lumi GloPals: Mel and I are so glad we were introduced to this company. Lumi lights up when she is put in water. GloPals make bath time and sensory play so much better. 3. Decorate Water Bottle: With summer around the corner, a new water bottle is a great addition. This one is awesome because they can customize it with stickers. 4. Maple and Lark Rainbow Light: Reminds us of a Lite Brite but so much better. It's an investment but you get decor and toy all in one. 5. Sticker Art: Currently a fav at my house. Charlie will sit down and do this for a solid hour. He loves that he follows "instructions" and then ends up with an art piece he can display. 6. Dino Eggs: I don't know why kids love breaking open these dino eggs but they do! Grab a tray and some dino egg tools and let them start digging away. 7. Easter Pop Its: Can't go wrong with Pop Its. This set can be split up in Easter Baskets. 8. Hanging Pod: Mel and I both have this and we hang from our Jumparoo. Would also be great to hang in a toy room or bedroom as a mini space to read and relax. 9. Human Organ Board: Over the moon excited about this company! This board has engraved human organs which is perfect for education and fun. The board fits into the Ikea FLISAT table. 10. Balance Board: These are a must. So much creative play and excellent for getting wiggles out. My kids love to incorporate their boards into their obstacles courses. 11. Remote Control Car: This is a 2-sided remote control car with 360-degree rotation. I am snagging this for Charlie. We love to be in the mountains and this is the perfect outdoor toy. 12. Geo Puzzles: LOVE these puzzles. If you have a kiddo who is into geography, the GEO puzzles brand is the best. The pieces aren't too small and it's great for this age group. 13. Globbles: These are sticky but not messy. Six Globbles come in vibrant colors and are great for sticking, stacking, squishing, and slinging. 14. Art Easel: Many art easels take up too much space. This one is great because it is compact. You can either paint on the acrylic surface or add paper. 15. Door Ping Pong: Great alternative to a bulky ping pong table. Its's designed by one of our favorite toy companies, Fat Brain. 16. Blair GloPals: Blair lights up when she is put in water. GloPals make bath time and sensory play so much better. 17. Creative Cloth Co. Washable Mat: A unique selling point for this canvas washable mat is the pocket for holding markers or crayons. You just throw in the wash to clean and you have a fresh canvas. Great toy to bring on trips because it is so compact. 18. Pokemon Binder: This binder is excellent for keeping Pokemon cards organized. Charlie has a similar one and it's easy for him to carry around and trade with friends. 19. Geo Board: Such a creative take on a puzzle. This wooden geo board comes with bands and 30 challenge cards for your kids to follow and create with. 20. Light Up Sandbox: Light up tables can be so expensive. This is a light up sandbox that can also support water. Use the light up table for foam, sand, water, magnetic tiles, dough, and more! 22. Walkie Talkies: Charlie and Caroline love this walkie talkie set. It's great that the set comes with 3 walkie talkies and the colors are so cute. 22. Giant Soccer Ball: This giant soccer ball is huge and so much fun for outdoor play. Would be such an awesome addition to your outdoor toys. 23. PlusPlus: You can easily free-style build or follow some of their recommended builds. PlusPlus comes in one shape (mini puzzle shapes). 24. Zingo: It's like playing Bingo but with some "zing"! The goal is to fill your game board with matching tiles. 25.Slam Cup: The goal is to stack your colored cups depending on which colors appear. This is great or little kids and is fun for adults too. Watch demo here 26. Ninja Zipline: So excited about this company and toy! You can now easily transform your backyard into the playground you want. Save 10% by using our code 10TOYTESTING 27. Easter Lego: Themed Legos are so much fun for the holidays. Snagging this for Charlie because he loves getting new Lego sets. 28. Gem Art: Great for hand-eye coordination and kids will love creating unique diamond art stickers. Both Charlie and Caroline love playing with their Gem Art kits. 29. Doorwing: Fan favorite and currently Caroline's #1 toy! It doesn't require any hardware and it's simple to install. You can even purchase the hammock swing and trapeze bar as attachments. 30. IBricks: These are giant foam, Lego shaped blocks. You can build so many different creations and forts. 31. Nuts About Mutts: At first this reminded me a little of Uno but the creators of the game added more features to make the game much more exciting and fast. Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS 32. Play Make Up: Caroline is a huge makeup fan! I love these makeup sets because they look real. Beware of "real" kid makeup. It can be full of dangerous toxins. 33. Magnetic Board: You simply drag the pen across the magnetic board and the beads pop up! It's actually a great sensory and mediation toy. It keeps you focused and kids love the clicking and mesmerizing pop up beads. 34. Drone Home: This game was a 2021 TOTTY Finalist. The goal of the game is to get your alien to the launch pad and carried away by the drone. If your alien is flown away by the drone, you are the winner! 35. Star Projector: Excellent reviews on Amazon. Love this as a night light alternative. 36. Dough Kit: Dough kits from Wondoughful World are amazing because the accessories the owner sources are top notch! You can continue using the accessories even when the dough gets old. 37. Paint Sticks: We love paint sticks! Kids love more than crayons and they are less messy than markers. The paint sticks are so smooth. 38. Unicorn Pop It Purse: Pop It purses are such a hit! Caroline has one and she loves to carry her play makeup and the purse doubles as a fidget toy. 39. Needoh Globs: These can be hard to find. We recommend checking out Teton Toys if you are local to Utah. This set has 18! Would be so fun to fill in Easter eggs. 40. BluTrack: Such a unique find. This is a massive15 foot race track. You can even attach to a window. I love that there aren't a million pieces.

  • Easter Gift Guide Ages 8-10

    This can be a challenging age range for purchasing toys/games. They aren't teens yet but their interests are definitely maturing. This guide is curated for movement, building, creating, and relaxing. We have found some insanely fun items for Easter! Who wouldn't want to climb on a ninja line or put a trick scooter to use? As moms, we love making the holidays magical! We go to as many egg hunts as possible, throw an awesome Easter party, visit the Easter bunny, and create as many holiday crafts as possible. Over the past few years, Mel and I started a tradition where we shop for our Easter basket goodies together. Who doesn't love a GNO with their sister and bestie? These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen Trick Scooter: This trick scooter is great for the kid who loves to be active and wants an upgrade from a standard scooter. Easter Lego: I am ordering for Charlie. He loves to get holiday themed lego sets. Bunny Squishmallow: This is going to go fast! Don't wait and order asap. KumiKreator: Perfect for a creator. The pre-teens in my neighborhood love to throw bracelet parties with this toy. Fidget Set: Fidget toys are perfect for all kids! This set has a great variety. I love the peas in a pod. 5 Second Rule: This game is hilarious. The goal of the game is to name 3 things within a category in 5 seconds. Clay Kit: This is a fast drying clay set that is great for an artist. Kit comes with fun tools and accessories. Needoh Dohjee: These are new to the Needoh line and are fun for kids to collect all 24! Race Set: Everything you need to run a wacky race set! Six obstacles are included in each set. Love that you have everything you need to run a party race. GraviTrax: If you have a child who loves a challenge and building, this marble run will be a massive hit. Hydro Flask: With summer approaching, adding a new water bottle to the mix is a must. P for Pizza: Match the letters with the categories, then shout out an answer before anyone else. Recommended for 8+. Disco LED Blue Tooth Speaker: Who doesn't want to have a disco party? This bluetooth speaker illuminates with a spinning frenzy of color and light! Squeezy Peezy: This is Mandy's favorite fidget toy. It's filled with tons of water beads. Creatto Lion: Great for a builder. This is a 3D puzzle set that also illuminates when done. The lion is so cute! Aqua Beads: These are so much fun! You place the beads and spray with water. Kids can create so many fun designs. Creatto Heart: This is the heart version of the 3D puzzle. It illuminates when completed. Polish Me Silly: These polishes are unique because they are color changing and also come in unique shades and funky textures. Skateboard: Great beginner skateboard that won't break the bank. Great reviews with a low price point. Fofana Ninja Kit: Ready to give your backyard play area a face lift? This ninja kit is extremely easy to set up and comes with a bunch of ninja accessories. Save 10% by using our code 10TOYTESTING Pineapple Roller Skates: These are a little bit of a splurge but would be so amazing to take to the skate park! Lego Easter Kit: Legos are such a popular toy and this cute easter themed one would be darling to add to a basket. Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza Card Game: This game is basically an upgraded version of "slap jack". You'll get lots of laughs and fun from this game. Tamagotchi Pix: This is the newest version of tamagotchi. It has a camera on the back so you can take pictures with your virtual friend. Smiley Face Slippers: These are all the rage this year! Order a pair for yourself even! Yoda Echo Dot STAND: Most kids have one of these fun echo dots in their room. Use this stand to display it and make it fun! Popcorn Maker: This silicone popcorn maker is easy to wash, store, and use! Make homemade popcorn even easier with this nifty gadget. Did I mention it is dishwasher safe? The Bears and the Bees Game: Grandpa Beck makes lot of incredibly entertaining games. This is a favorite of both Mandy and Mel's. Nerf Gun: This traditional nerf gun is perfect to have an ultimate battle with your kids. #1 best seller in toy foam blasters. EOS lip balm: This is Mel's absolute favorite chapstick. Added bonus that it is shaped like an EGG! Volleyball: What is more fun than getting outside and playing a game of volleyball? How fun is this colorful one? Easter Egg Amazon GC: Having a hard time deciding what to get your TWEENAGER? Order them this Easter gift card and claim your reward. Dash Waffle Maker: This waffle maker produces waffles in the shape of bunnies...need I say more? Instax Camera Film: We know lots of your snagged this camera for you kids for Christmas. Gift them this extra film which is perfect for celebrating and capturing memories for Easter. Stance Socks: This three pack of stance socks is the perfect addition to any Easter basket. Color Changing Light Bulbs: These light bulbs can be controlled by Alexa or a smart device. This would be so fun to pop into your kiddos room. Paint by Sticker ZOO Animal Book: Think paint by numbers but with stickers. These are perfect for MESS free fun. Fidget Pencil Toppers: These pop its are so very addicting and satisfying. Add one to your kids pencils at school. Classic Lego Kit: Legos are fun to build at so many ages. This kit is a perfect place to start if you are new to Legos. Smithsonian Jellyfish Lamp: What a fun and creative night light! This requires you to assemble before use which makes it a bit like a science project.

  • Easter Gift Guide Teens

    We love creating teen gift guides because most of the items we recommend, we want for ourselves! This guide includes games, fidget toys, fashion, beauty, and all things chill. As moms, we love making the holidays magical! We go to as many egg hunts as possible, throw an awesome Easter party, visit the Easter bunny, and create as many holiday crafts as possible. Over the past few years, Mel and I started a tradition where we shop for our Easter basket goodies together. Who doesn't love a GNO with their sister and bestie? These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen 1. Bucket Hats: Obsessed with these patterns from Urban Outfitters! These would look so cute with biker shorts and a graphic tee. Perfect accessory for the warm month ahead. 2. Sunnies: These aviator sunnies from Anthropology are a classic and a must! 3. Cloud slides: Mel and I both have these and we LOVE! They are so comfy and waterproof. 4. Dime Cosmetics: I have been using the works set for over a year. It's clean, affordable, and can be used by all teens. 5. Skull King: This is currently our favorite game as a family! It reminds me of the game huey luey but there is more strategy and twists and turns. Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS. 6. Stance Socks: These are Will's favorite socks and Charlie love them too. There are so many awesome designs to pick from. 7. Disco LED Blue Tooth Speaker: Who doesn't want to have a disco party? This bluetooth speaker illuminates with a spinning frenzy of color and light! 8. Aurora Cloud LED Laser Projector: Zen time anyone? This projects swirling auroras and nebulas into your space, creating a cosmic ambiance. 9. Thread Wallet: These wallets come in fun colors and designs. They are great for holding a license, student ID, and credit card. 10. Wacky Wavy Mini Tube Guy: Your favorite car dealership decor in mini form. It's motorized and fills with air! 11. Sunnies: Love these sunnies from Anthropology because they are large and give a vintage vibe. 12. Speks: This set comes with 12 magnetic pentagons. You can make over 100 combinations. Such a fun fidget toy! 13. Happy Salmon: This is a quick and loud game which makes it a great party game. The goal is to match your cards with other players. 14. Women's Nike Sweatshirt: This color is perfection. Snag before they sell out. 15. Zanna Heart and Stars Studs: This is our favorite jewelry brand. Insanely amazing quality and they are waterproof and tarnish proof. Use code TOYTESTINGSISTERS to save 10% on your order 16. Men's Nike Sweatshirt: Can't go wrong with a this blue sweatshirt with the Nike logo and swoosh design. 17. Dohjees by Needoh: Of course we have a Needoh product on our guide! These dohjees are new and super fun to collect and squeeze. 18. Toilet Light: Where was this when I was growing up? There are multiple color options and a remote. 19. Microfiber Hair Towel: Game-changer for hair! Spray on your product and wrap hair! It reduces static and sucks out the water. 20. Bears and the Bees: The goal is to discard your tiles by matching colors. There is some strategy required but it's also fun to play and chat at the same time. Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS. 21. Diced Cheese: Cheesey dice game you can take anywhere! It's easy to learn and play as a group. 22. Lululemon Crossbody: I have this bag and it's great because it can easily hold my phone, wallet, snacks, and lip gloss. 23. Buddha Board Art Set: This board is excellent for mindfulness and meditation. You can draw or write on the board and it will disappear. 24. Birkenstocks: These are a staple. Waterproof and extremely comfy. 25. World's Smallest Bopit: Perfect, mini entertainment. And yes, it totally works. 26. Caboodle: This retro caboodle is the rage right now. Love the white! 27. Shocktato: It is basically like hot potato but the person holding the potato when the timer ends gets a friendly little SHOCK! 28. Laneige: This is the best lip sleep mask out there! Perfect for boys and girls. 29. Necessaire: I can't live without this. It doesn't have a smell and hydrates so well. 30. TP Blaster: The toilet paper gun transforms the TP into spitballs! 31. Aaron's Thinking Putty: Perfect sensory toy! Great for reducing stress and anxiety. 32. Vinyl Stickers: These are created by the artist Bri Lew. Her work is incredible and you can mix and match an order. 33. Bracelet Kit: Pretty Life Girls curated the most gorgeous clay bracelet kits. Caroline loves her set. 34. Bogg Bag: I am obsessed with my bogg bag! It's great for the pool and easily wipes out. This is the smaller version which is great for teens. 35. Diffuser: Love that is has a remote and it can be set to different colors and times. 36. What's That Sound?: This game requires you to identify the object based on the sounds your teammate makes. 37. Libbies Bracelets: These are made of glass tila beads. You can wear day/night, swim, exercise, etc. 38. Herd Mentality: The goal of this game is to think as a herd. You don't want to be the odd man out! 39. Color Brain: The goal of the game is to guess the color associated with the object everyone is guessing. It has some fun twists to make it more competitive. 40. Super Goop: Best sunscreen! SPF 40 and doesn't feel like a sticky sunscreen. 41. Yoga Mat: Over 50,000 reviews and has a thick comfy mat. Great gift for your teen to help reduce stress. 42. Birkenstocks: These platform birks are a must for teen girls this summer. The white is prefect. These are from Nordstrom Rack.

  • Games to help you beat cabin fever

    Isn't January the LOOOONGEST month ever? Even though my home is loaded with many toys, sometimes it is hard for me to play Barbies or LEGO all day. I bet most moms can relate to this! When the days seem long, I love to break it up with games! This allows me to use my brain and also keeps my kids focused on one task! Games are also a great way of bringing the family together! We love playing games with Charlie and Caroline but we also enjoy a good adult game night. We have worked closely with the Game King to develop a great list of games you need to add to your game closet. If you are new here, we coined Darin Adams as the Game King. Darin hosted a game segment on Studio 5 KSL for 10 years and knows his games better than anyone else. Every game in the post is Game King and Toy Testing Sister approved. These games will help beat that cabin fever that we are all experiencing. Skull King: Over the summer Will was introduced to this game. He quickly got our entire family addicted. Even Caroline (4) can play a modified version. It reminds me of the game huey luey but there is more strategy and twists and turns. This game should be in every game closet! Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS Nuts about Mutts: At first this reminded me a little of Uno but the creators of the game added more features to make the game much more exciting and fast. Everyone is my family (Caroline 4, Charlie 6) can play. Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS Bears and Bees: I have never stayed up late to play games with Will but I couldn't stop playing this game. The goal is to discard your tiles by matching colors. There is some strategy required but it's also fun to play and chat at the same time. Charlie can easily play but Caroline needed a little help from dad. I love how it challenges my kids to look at tile placement options. Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS Watch demo here Color Brain: This is a great group game. I gave this game to my parents for Christmas and they love it. The goal of the game is to guess the color associated with the object everyone is guessing. It has some fun twists to make it more competitive. This game is better for teens because it is a trivia game. Watch demo here Slam Cup: This is a fast game that brings a fun energy to the room. The goal is to stack your colored cups depending on which colors appear. This is great or little kids and is fun for adults too. Watch demo here Happy Salmon: This is a quick and loud game which makes it a great party game. The goal is to match your cards with other players. There are silly actions associated with each card. This game is fast to learn and can easily be taken anywhere. Whozit: This is a hilarious party game. You take turns secretly picking a character from the lineup, then tip off your teammates by rating how well a pair of clues applies to your choice. Would Darth Vader drive an expensive car? This game is recommended for 10+. Gonuts for Donuts: This is a great family game. It's recommended for ages 8+. Players all pick a donut they want by placing one of their number cards face down on the table. Players simultaneously reveal their number. If two or more players have matching numbers, that donut is discarded and no one gets it. What's that Sound?: This game is a hoot! Can you make the sound of a can opener? A sound of an object is made and the goal is to guess the object. There are some pretty funny sounds and this makes for a great party game. Recommended age is 7+. Watch demo here Think N' Sync: The goal of this game is to think alike with your partner. Pick a partner and then, at the same time, shout out an answer to the chosen category. Can you both name the same cereal? This is a teen game! Herd Mentality: I also gave this game to my parents and they really liked it. They even took to Colorado to play with my Grandparents. The goal of this game is to think as a herd. You don't want to be the odd man out! This game is recommended for ages 10+. Watch demo here Just One: This game won the Spiel des Jahres award category in 2019. You work together as a team to discover as many mystery words as possible. All identical clues will be cancelled. Recommended for 8+ but Charlie (6) can play this game. Watch demo here Cobra Paw: This is a quick party game and the goal is to snatch the tiles, spotting the tile with the matching pattern. You must have ninja-like reflexes! This game is for ages 5+. Snip Snap: This is a fast moving dice game and the goal is to be the first to find a match between your dice and the opponents. It is recommended for ages 7+ Zingo: My brother Kendall sent this game to my kids for Christmas. It's like playing Bingo but with some "zing"! The goal is to fill your game boar with matching tiles. I love that they can play alone or Will and I can join in! P for Pizza: I love fast-paced word games even though I am not great at them. In P for Pizza, the goal is to think of words faster than your opponents. Like 'spicy food starting with G'. You then build a pizza slice out of the cards that you win. P for Pizza is a speedy and super fun word game for two players or more, ages 8 and up. This game can be played by Charlie (6) and Caroline could be on a team with someone. Watch demo here Sherlock Express: Sherlock Express is a fast game of deduction where everyone is a suspect! The goal is to find the enemy by finding the suspect by animal type, accessory, and location. This game is suggested for 7+. Watch demo Watch us demo a few of these games! Bears and the Bees Color Brain Slam Cup Sherlock Express What's That Sound? Herd Mentality Just One P for Pizza Sherlock Express

  • Valentine's Gift Guide for Teens

    Teens are easy to please if you get them something they want or that is “trendy”. That might be the biggest challenge with this age group. Mandy and I have put together a unique gift guide that is sure to excite your teenage kids. Don‘t forget, your teens want to feel special on Valentine‘s Day too. Every family celebrates Valentines differently. Mandy and I enjoy curating a small package with a few toys, games, books, and of course candy! Many of these items you won't find at your local Target. We have tried to keep a much lower price point on many of these toys, books, and games. These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen Teens: This age group is fun to shop for because you get to pick out items that you might even like for yourself! We have put together a lot of our favorite items in this gift guide that are really tried and true. Give your teenager one of these fun gifts and you may even earn a big smooch in return! Claw Clips: These clips are all the rage right now. You can use them to keep your hair out of your face in a ton of different ways. These ones we linked have a super strong hinge that keeps the hair in place all day. (We can attest!) This brand carries some of our favorite hair products. Skull King Game: This game is a lot of fun and perfect for large groups. Over 4,000 5 star reviews on Amazon, we can also attest that this game will keep you entertained and busy for a while! Aaron’s Thinking Putty: Even teenagers need a bit of sensory play now and then. These puttys are so much fun to squeeze and squish between your fingers. Our 16 year old sister loves these and the price point is great. Nee doh: This is one of our most addicting sensory additions. This shaggy ball is fun to squeeze and squish. We love using our Nee doh balls as stress balls in the car. Cover your Assets Game: This game is also a really fun one and can be played with 4-6 players. This is another Grandpa Beck’s Game that is highly rated amongst families and kids. Battle each other to the top of the “pig pile”. Shock Potato: We know what you’re thinking…”Why would I ever buy this..?”. We promise you will get endless laughs playing this game. It is basically like hot potato but the person holding the potato when the timer ends gets a friendly little SHOCK! Color Brain Game: This game was highly rated by our “Game King”. This family friendly board game is a color identification trivia game. There is no other game on the market like this one. Fujifilm Instax Camera: Kids love instant gratification and it is a really fun way to accomplish that. Our teen sister displays her Polaroid prints all over her room and even sticks them in the back of her clear phone case. This is a little more of a splurge but how cute is that pink color!? Diamond Studs: These earrings are from one of our absolutely favorite jewelry companies, Zaana. They make really high quality jewelry that will no irritate your skin. These earrings also have screw on backs, which is so nice if you are leaving them in overnight. Use code TOYTESTINGSISTERS to save 10% on your order. Adult Swaddle Blanket: These adult swaddles are actually incredible! The lightweight, stretchy, material is just addicting as it is to babies. Wrap yourself up in this Goosebumps swaddle and enjoy! Bath Bomb: This bath bomb is from Lush. If you have a location near by where you live, you need to go smell all the incredible bath bombs they have there. This one was perfect for Valentine’s Day! Thread Wallet: Mel uses her thread wallet and tries to convert others daily. It keeps things so compact and can easily be clipped onto your keys! No more lost wallet…..or keys! Leopard slides: These are the cutest fuzzy slippers and we are both huge suckers for anything leopard print. These specific ones have a thicker sole which means they should last longer and hold up better over time. Chapstick pack: Burts bees is one of our favorite brands of chapstick. This coconut pear scent is also a favorite at our house. Popcorn Popper: This is a collapsible popcorn maker. Stick the kernels in the bottom of the bowl, place the lid on, microwave for 3 minutes, and you’ll get delicious popcorn every time! We love that this is like a personal bag of popcorn and is WAY healthier than traditional microwave popcorn.

  • Valentine's Gift Guide Ages 8-10

    Who doesn't love spreading a little love? Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to purchase a few items that didn't make the holiday toy list! Every family celebrates Valentines differently. Mel and I enjoy curating a small package with a few toys, games, books, and of course candy! We have put together toy guides with some awesome ideas for you! Many of these items you won't find at your local Target. We have tried to keep a much lower price point on many of these toys, books, and games. These guides include: Ages 0-2 Ages 2-4 Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Teen Ages 8-10 This age group is so much fun for us to curate gifts for because they are almost to that "tween/teen" age but still have that innocence that goes away too fast! We have some awesome toys, games, and must-have items for this age group. Mini Brands: Who would have thought that a tiny SPAM or Hershey's would be such a hit? Mini Brands have become so popular for kids! The brands come in a surprise package so you don't know what you will get! Kids love to collect as many brands as possible. You can even buy a grocery store to display the collection. BUDDHA Board Art Set: This board is excellent for mindfulness and meditation. Your kid can draw or write whatever they want on the board and it will disappear. It's calming to use this Buddha board and it's a great activity for relaxing the mind and letting go. Slam Cup: This is the perfect game for all ages of kids! The goal is to get rid of your cups as fast as possible by stacking them depending on the latest color. Slam Cup is an awesome party game and can be easily transported. Burritos Tortilla Blanket: Who doesn't want to be wrapped up like a burrito? This burrito blanket has almost 50,000 review on Amazon! It's extremely soft and a great size. LEGO BrickHeadz Valentine's Puppy: These BrickHeadz by LEGO are gaining popularity. LEGO has released this darling puppy for the holiday of love! It's a great size and not too difficult to build. This gift is perfect for any LEGO lover. KumiKreator: Why didn't we have the KumiKreator when we were growing up? This kit creates necklace and friendship bracelets. We promise this kit will be a massive attraction by anyone who is at your home! The tweens in Mandy's neighborhood go nuts over it. Teenie Nee Doh: These teenie tiny balls by Schylling Toys are the perfect stress balls! They are small enough that your kids can practically transport anywhere. Nee Doh balls are our absolute favorite sensory/fidget toy brand! It may sound crazy but we have over 30 of these doh filled wonders! Pro Tip! Keep these in the car for your kids and you—constant entertainment. Specks: Who would have thought magnetic building balls could be so addictive? You can transform these mini magnetic balls into almost any creation. They comes with a display board and cutting tool to make separating the balls easier. Charlie and Mandy are addicted. National Geographic Geode Kit: If your kid loves cracking open dinosaur eggs, you need to get the geode kit. You can purchase either 10 or 15 geodes. The kit comes with everything you need to uncover precious geodes. The kit also includes 3 display stands. VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam: What kid doesn't want to make their own videos? The KidiZoom Creator Cam even comes with its own green screen. The software includes green screen animations and photo frames. It is a video camera, but also takes photos. This device is contained which is great because it doesn't connect to WiFi—no accidental video or photo uploads. TENZI: This dice game is a total blast and can be played with large and small groups. It's a perfect party game or great to play as a family. BluTrack: We were over the moon when a follower told us about BluTrack! We immediately knew we had to get our hands on the race track! This BluTrack includes a 15' multi-lane race track! It's very unique because it doesn't connect piece by piece, which is great for storage and ease of use! Mandy's kids simply attach the BluTrack to a window and start racing the cars. The track comes with a suction cup so it can stick to a window. Jellyfish Aquarium: Teton Toys said we had to get this jelly fish aquarium for Charlie. This aquarium is awesome! Your kids can easily set up the aquarium and it's really fun. Once ready, you turn on the switch and you have beautiful, life-like, jellyfish floating around. Aaron's Thinking Putty: Give us all the thinking putty. We even have a hard time putting it down. This thinking putty is great for busy hands and comes in a variety of colors and smells. It stores in a tin and can be kept in the car or a bedroom—great tool for winding down. Just be sure that your child is mature enough to keep it out of the carpet! Giant Pop It: 400 Bubbles: Go big or go home! How long do you think it would take you to pop 400 bubbles? Instead of buying pop it after pop it, purchase this giant pop it. It's going to keep your child entertained. The pop it is perfect quiet activity for the car, church, or while watching TV. Walkie Talkies: Kids love walkie talkies. This set is great because it comes in a 3-pack. They are extremely durable and the radio communication hardware is excellent. Get creative and add these to your camping kit. Take your kids outside and let them have fun exploring and using their walkie talkies to communicate their findings. COMFY Dream Wearable Blanket: These wearable blankets are great for these cold days. The sherpa fabric is super cozy. They can wear watching TV, playing video games, reading books, and even sleeping. These are great for camping and throwing on during cold sporting events. Why? 1,111 Answers to Everything: Books are an awesome item to give for Valentine's Day. If you have a kid who likes to ask questions and wants to know just about everything, this book is for them. The book includes serious and silly facts. Every wonder why islands float?

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