top of page

Search

47 items found for ""

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Toys You Didn't Know You Need

    Today we got to share with the viewers of Good Things Utah some of our favorite tried and true toys that many parents and grandparents don't know about. We love all of these items because they aren't one hit wonders and can grow with the child. These toys can also be enjoyed by a variety of ages. 1. Stairslide: This toy is so unique and gets used by all ages. It turns an ordinary set of stairs into a literal stair slide. Stairslide is damage-free for your stairs, can be used on hardwood and carpeted stairs, and nests together for easy storage. It's also really easy to assemble and disassemble. You can also adjust the thrill level by creating a high or low impact slide. This toy will keep your kids entertained for HOURS. Mandy’s 6 year old can set this up without any help. You can save 10% on a Stairslide by using the code TOYTESTING10. 2. Creative Learning Co.: If you are into sensory and open-ended-play, these toys are for you. All of their products fit inside an IKEA Trofast bin. We love that you don’t need a large area to create an incredible play space. Here are some of our favs from their product line. Pro Tip! Check your local IKEA and see if they have the FLISAT table in stock. If they do, grab two! These don't stay in stock. If they are out of stock in your area, sign up for an in-stock reminder. Art easel: The board has pre-drilled holes for markers or colored pencils. It also includes placement for paint containers. The acrylic easel can be painted on directly or paper can be added and two kids can create at the same time. The coloring book paper we love to use on the easel is from Red Butterfly art. Potion board: Excellent for science experiments and filling with sensory materials. Cup board: Fill with paint, rice, small pieces, beans, and liquid. The little scoop is great for transferring dry material and the droppers are perfect for liquid. 3. GloPals: These are really fun to use in a sensory table or in the bath. 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. 4. Sarah’s Silks: Don’t ask us how many we have! These silks are beautiful and can be used in so many ways! They also come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs. Our kids love to put in the water, play dress-up, build forts, and fly in the sky. 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. 5. BluTrack: 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. My kids love racing down the stairs or using the window attachment. I love that they can experiment with different track options and use their imagination. The track rolls up for easy storage. 6. Airfort: This fort 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 Airfort. There are so many designs to pick from. Mel has pink and I have the starry night fort.

bottom of page