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- 8-10 Toy Guide
This can be a hard age to shop for because kids are opting for screens and their days are filled with school and extracurricular activities. We have rounded up some awesome finds that your big kids will love doing. Everything from brain games to a 3D printer! Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Family 1. 3D Printer: An insane amount of research went into finding a 3D printer with an interface for kids. Toy Box created a 3D printer that is simple for kids to print their own toys. Kids can pick from thousands of toys. Simply select the toy, insert printer food, and hit print. Prints can take 5 min to several hours depending on complexity. 2. Swords: These swords are for older kids because they are heavy! We recommend 7+. You can purchase a single sword or buy a few a swap around the components. You can even customize your own sword. Our kids love changing the blade, cross guard, and handle. Kids will love using these for active and pretend play. 3. Tubelox: This is a life-size building and construction set. Your kid can build an airplane, lemonade stand, car, and then actually play with it. You do need to be able to follow build instructions and snap the connectors in place. Younger kids can play and enjoy this toy too, but we recommend 7+. Use code: MM10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 4. Geo Puzzles: These puzzles are Charlie's (8) favorite puzzle set. The set comes with 6 puzzles (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, USA and Canada, and World). Each puzzle has over 50 pieces and they are perfect for helping learn about continents and countries. 5. Super Blocks: This is a pattern matching brain game with thousands of challenges. The goal of the game is to cover the lit bubbles with the appropriate colored pieces. Great game to develop critical thinking and problem solving. 6. AirToobz: New toy for 2023 and a toy award finalist. This toy includes tubes, connectors, kid-safe wind turbine, and foam balls. Kids can engineer and create so many different designs. Lasts about 1hr before it needs to be charged again. Excellent STEM and MESH toy! Drives kids to problem solve and engineer different solutions. 7.White Silks: This Spring we got our kids white silks that they could custom dye! If you have a kid who loves to create, this is the perfect craft activity. All you need is a few bowls, food coloring, and your silks. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 8. Beblox: Step aside LEGO. We love Beblox because kids can build so many different objects and animals and then actually play with them. We hate telling our kids to gently set down their build, so it doesn't get ruined. Beblox solves this problem. We recommend starting with the 500 piece set. This is slotted for 8-10 but kids 5+ will love. 9. Trestle Tracks: It's hard to find a solid marble run that won't tip. This set from Fat Brain is a modular 73 -piece marble set and it is sturdy. Trestle Tracks is an awesome open-ended toy that challenges kids to engineer and get creative. 10. Combo Game Table: This game table is the perfect size and doesn't break the bank. It includes foosball, air hockey, shuffleboard, pool, ping pong, chess, checkers, and backgammon. Assembly is standard and it's simple to switch between the different boards. 11. Smart Four: This is a 3D, AI 4 in a row game! You can either play against the robot or a friend/family member. There are different levels of difficulty too. Great game for keeping kids off screens and engaged. Excellent for pattern recognition and strategic planning–STEM and MESH toy. 12. Ninja Obstacle Course: Want to keep kids moving? This ninja obstacle course will do just that. It sets up quickly and all you need is two sturdy trees. The kit includes 11 accessories for your obstacle course–climbing rope ladder, spinning wheel, ninja slider, monkey bars, gymnastics rings, and more! This isn't an easy course–we recommend 8+. 13. Couch Converter: Give your play couch a makeover with the couch converter. All you need is the thick piece of a play couch. This kit includes the armchair cover and 3 foam pieces (backrest and arm rests). Older kids can use to play video games, lounge, read, and more. It's large and super comfy. 14. Clixo Ocean Creatures: This set is a toy finalist and new for 2023. The Ocean set glows in the dark and kids can make really cool ocean creatures. Kids can also do free-style builds! All you do is click the magnet pieces together. We love that they stack and store easily. This is a great toy to keep in the car or take on a trip. It also pairs well with the Modi Modu wall decal. 15. My Figures Pirate Island: Another new toy for 2023 and toy finalist. Playmobil launched this awesome pirate set. Kids can assemble the pirate island and then customize all of the figures. There are over thousand combinations by mixing heads, arms, bodies, and legs. 16. Gel Blaster: Addicting toy alert and make sure you get a few. Gel balls (orbeez) are loaded into the blaster. It comes with a target and protective eye gear. Older kids and teens are loving these blasters. Less painful than paintball. 17. Putt-A-About: Great for golf lovers. This mat features 3 holes and 2 sand trap cut outs. It rolls out easily and can be stored in a closet or under a bed. 18. Hey Clay: They only way to do clay! Set includes air dry clay (15 cans) and sculpting tool. You get access to the Hey Clay app so kids can follow sculpting videos. Hey Clay offers many kits, so if your kid isn't into the forest animal theme, select another option. 19: Adventure Globe: There are many interactive globes out there and this is our fav. We have used it for over 4 years, and it still works great. There are many different features like BBC videos, information about countries, continents, and animals. Don't get a globe that requires an iPad because it won't get used. 20: DIY Jewlery: PrettyLife makes the most beautiful jewelry kits. Their themes are perfectly curated. The kit includes everything you need to make about 6 bracelets. This is a great activity to do when your kid needs to relax or has friends over. 21. Blinger: Hair accessories are all the rage right now. The blinger kit comes with 75 gems and the tool to gem your hair. The gems stay in place and you can even bling other hair accessories. 22. Snow cone Machine: Who doesn't want a snow cone machine? Kids love a snow cone all year long. Machine is easy for kids to use and its durable. It includes reusable cones but be sure to purchase syrups and extra paper cones. 23. Pierced Earrings: Hands-down the best earrings for toddlers, big kids, and teens! They offer screw backs for their earrings and their hoops include the option to add charms. Our favorite thing is their monthly subscription package. Caroline and Olina check the mail regularly to see if their Pierced package came. Did we mention they are hypoallergenic and perfect for sensitive ears!? Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 20% off your purchase! 24. GooGames: This toy JUST hit Amazon but we were lucky enough to get to test it before it hit the market. Essentially it is a screen free sensory game that incorporates a satisfying squish. Compact and mess-free, GooGames is a must-have for on-the-go fun! Whether on a road trip, plane, or waiting during errands, it's entertainment right in your pocket! 25. Crazy Cart: This is a kid-powered go-kart, not electric. It's adjustable with different length settings. Kids will love drifting and spinning all over the driveway! Weight limit is 150lbs and we recommend for 5+. 26. Botley: Excellent STEM and MESH toy for early robot programming and coding. There is a remote programmer and 40 coding cards to play with. It includes other fun accessories like face masks and obstacle course pieces. 27. Puzzle Board: Charlie loves puzzles but it stresses me out when puzzles cover my dining room table. This puzzle board supports a 1,500 piece puzzle and has 6 drawers to store pieces. It is very easy to move the puzzle board around. 28. Bumpas: Weighted plushies are an incredible way for kids to recover. Bumpas actually give your kid a hug. You will be hearing more about toys that help kids with emotional recovery. Bumpas is the perfect toy to help calm and relax your kid. 29. Baby Cakes: Baking is a great creative outlet. This cake pop maker makes 9 cake pops. This is a fun alternative to the mini waffle machines that have been popular. 30. Clip-In Extensions: Girlie Locks help you creatively elevate your look. They offer clip-in extensions in different colors, patterns, and textures. The clip-ins come in synthetic and ethically sourced human hair. These are slotted for 8-10, but great for ages 3+!
- 2-4 Toy Guide
2–4 year olds have the cutest developing personalities. You probably feel like your kiddos are really growing into themselves and we want to help you find toys that will match their unique personalities. These toy guides contain tried and true toys that we have put to the test to ensure you're investing in toys that will last for years to come! Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Family 1. Climbing Dome: Lily and River make the perfect indoor climbing dome for littles. Honestly, my favorite part about this toy is you can easily assemble and disassemble it to store in or out of the way depending on your floor space! It is also made incredibly well and will last for years to come. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS to save yourself 15% at checkout! 2. Downhill Duo: New toy for 2023. These little magnetic racers are so much fun for kids to race. It pairs well with your magnetic blocks sets. 3. Stepping Stones: These stepping stones from Green Elephant Home are a great budget option to a popular favorite. Beautiful, colorful, and perfect for lots of imaginative play. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 4. Climbing Rocker: This is a favorite of ours from Lily and River. Rock and sway while relaxing or reading a fun book on the padded side or flip it over for climbing and walking fun. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your purchase! 5. Marble Tree: This colorful marble tree is so addicting to play with. The marble sized wooden balls that come with it are great, but if your kiddo is still mouthing then grab their larger set of wooden balls to pair with it. The satisfying clink that this makes will have YOU and your kiddos coming back for more. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 6. Ice Cream Stand: Melissa and Doug released a new ice cream toy this year and we are obsessed. It is the perfect toy for imaginative play and our kids cannot get enough. We love that they made this set bigger and better, with added treats and several unique features! 7. Wobble/Balance Board: We love that this balance board is perfect for getting the wiggles out. This particular set on Amazon is also amazing because it can be used as a swing as well and comes with everything you need to convert it. 8. Shopping Cart: Look no further for the perfect little sized shopping cart. This is from Melissa and Doug and we love how big and sturdy it is. You could even take this to the store and let your kiddo shop right alongside you. 9. Vet Set: This is a vet set from Melissa and Doug and our kids think giving our family dog a checkup is the best thing ever. (Good thing we have such a patient pup!) They have loaded the kit with excellent accessories. 10. Ball Pit: Lily and River make the only ball pit you need! The base can also be used as a safe space for baby and is padded and so soft. The balls are also crush proof and such good quality! Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your purchase! 11. Wooden Ferris Wheel: This wooden ferris wheel from Petit Collage is well built and includes the sweetest wooden figures to take for a ride. The crank handle is perfect for little hands and is painted with non-toxic paints to ensure the highest safety standards. 12. Wooden Pirate Ship: This is probably the cutest pirate ship we've ever found. It is very well built, a good size, and has lots of moving parts! The pirate flags on the ship also glow in the dark for an added element of surprise. 13. Beauty Kit: Le Toy Van did it again with this wooden beauty kit. These pieces are also painted with water based, non-toxic paint. This set is so darling and even comes with a carrying case to tote around your beauty supplies. 14. Alpha Pops: We love a good learning toy and this one checks all the boxes for us. These pops are beautifully colored and we love that they satisfyingly snap together. You match the uppercase and lowercase letters together and can practice color sorting as well. 15. 3 House Bundle: These wooden play houses are not your ordinary wooden toys. They come with the most beautiful acrylic gems which make them so unique, turning the windows into "stained" glass. Hello Sugarhouse is one of our favorite companies and never disappoints with their quality and creativity in product! Use code: TOYTESTING10 for 10% off your entire purchase at checkout! 16. Bristle Blocks: These blocks are from Picasso Tiles (our favorite magnetic off brand tiles) and are super affordable on Amazon. This is an excellent STEM toy that also promotes lots of creativity. 17. Wooden Rainbow: We found our favorite wooden rainbow and it is so fun for open ended play. The wood pieces are stained in a light color to enhance their wood grain. Our kids love stacking, building, and using these for ball and marble runs. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 18. Tilt Scooter: This is one of the best tilt scooters on the market. They have a little higher price point but they have a great warranty, are built to last, and can hold up to 110lbs. Globber scooters are the way to go! 19. Alphabet Acorns: Excellent learning toy that develops skills like color sorting and letter/sound recognition. It helps kids with their visual and tactile learning, and it can be used in small world play. 20. Snap and Learn Counting Sheep: These sheep are great for color sorting and number recognition. Kids can snap the wool on and off, so it also helps with fine motor development. For your child is interested in working on numbers and counting, this is a great fit! 21. Pilot Dashboard: This set is a unique play on a sensory station IMO. There are so many buttons, lights, switches, and interactive elements. 22. Train Briefcase: I got this for my daughter last year when she requested a train set from Santa Claus. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on one because I wasn't super sure she would even be that into it. I love that this one is compact and all the pieces store inside it like a briefcase. I also bought this electric toy train from BRIO to pair with it and she loved that it could tug along the other pieces in the case. (It was compatible with this set.) 23. Tot Tube: This toy is universal and so much fun for our little kids. We love that it can be used for cars, balls and other random objects around the house! If it fits, it goes (or tries)! 24. Travel Activity Kits: These are travel activity kits for kids that include crafts, toys, games, and are curated specifically for the age and interests of your child. They were designed to encourage and promote independent play. We take these for travel in the car or plane, and use them as our quiet bags in church! 25. Sit n Spin: This wooden spinner seat is such a good staple in our toy rooms. It can also hold up to 250lbs which means even the adults can join in on the fun. 26. Gem Sorter: Isn't this thing gorgeous? Our kids think gem sorting is so soothing and so do we! The double-sided, wooden board comes with gems for you to pattern and sort. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order! 27. Wee Baby Stella: This is the softest and sweetest little baby doll. It's soft to cuddle and can be paired with a variety of Manhattan Toy accessories. It also comes with a magnetic binky that is fun to pop in and out of babies' mouth. 28. Winnie the Pooh Toy: This is a fun little set from Playmobil. The bees jump out of the honey pots with a little spring when pushed inside. This toy is a great deal and excellent quality. New toy for 2023 and you can pair with the remaining collection. 29. Foam Sword: This is a silk and foam sword from Sarah's Silks. It is covered with 100% silk and is filled with a high density foam so no more dangerous hits! Perfect for imaginative play with your little ones. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase! 30. Flower Children: These are wooden flower children from Green Elephant Home. They are beautifully crafted and the perfect take on the traditional peg doll. These are a cute addition to any playhouse. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase! 31. The Nugget: This play couch is a fan favorite and for good reason! The nugget is machine washable, comes with a 2 year warranty, and the quality cannot be beat. This play couch is infinitely configurable and comes with 4 foam pieces. Their color options are the absolute best, and they are constantly coming out with new ones. We have both had our Nuggets for over 4 years and they look brand new. If you find this hidden Easter Egg send us a teddy bear emoji on Instagram for a special surprise!!!
- 0-2 Toy Guide
This age range can often be challenging to shop for because littles are growing and developing so quickly, and we know you want to invest in toys that will stand the test of time. We have developed an amazing list of toys from a variety of brands. These toys will be loved by your kids and grandkids for years to come. Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Family 1. Play Mat: This is The Play Gym from Lovevery and it checks all the boxes for a baby play mat. This toy is great for newborns all the way up to 18 months and beyond. The quality is excellent and all the sensory elements were perfectly designed. 2. Mini Bilibos: MOLUK toys makes a wide variety of open-ended toys! These mini bilibos are excellent for color sorting, stacking, scooping, and endless adventures. 3. Gear Spinner: This stacking toy from Fat Brain toys always gets played with at our house. The bright colors and spinning mechanism make it an enjoyable sensory experience for every kiddo. 4. MOX balls: This set of 3 silicone balls are great for kids to develop those fine motor skills. They squish, grab, and change shape, making them the perfect introductory toy for open ended play. 5. Sensorial Reef Baby Toy: This sensory toy has it all! We were super impressed by each sensory element attached to this plush toy. It also comes with a strap to easily attach to the stroller or car seat. 6. Winkel Rattle: This baby teething rattle is ideal for little hands. Easy to grab and hold, while delivering a fun and enjoyable jingle for babies. I've also thrown this in the freezer to give my baby a cooling sensation while using it as a teether. 7. Jellycat Lovey: Jellycat makes such quality plush toys! This lovey is one of my babies most prized possessions. The perfect mix of a stuffed animal and blankie. 8. Tulu Spools: Roll them, stack them, nest them, sort them, and combine them with all the other Moluk toys. You can build them into a castle, arrange them into a smile, or even turn them into a modern work of art. 9. Sarah's Silks: These are play silks and they are one of mine and my children's favorite open-ended toys. They are so soft and made out of 100% mulberry silk. We use them to build forts, dress up, and water play. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire order! 10. Ice Cream Rattle and Shake: I love Melissa and Doug toys and this ice cream rattle didn't disappoint. Attach to the stroller or car seat and take for on the go entertainment. Extend the ice cream and watch it rattle and shake its way back into form. 11. Penguin Plushie: This handmade, stuffed penguin is from Cuddle and Kind. It is SO SWEET and the perfect size for little hands. This company also donates 5 meals to kiddos in need for every purchase made. 12. Ball Popper Toy: IT'S TIME TO POP, DROP, AND ROLL: Watch kids' eyes fill with wonder while tracking the 5 colorful balls as they pop up in the air, roll down the ramps, then through the clear tubes and back up again. 13. Baby Lit Books: This company makes our favorite board books. They are high quality, and their stories also mimic classic books that even adults can enjoy. The illustrations are also beautiful and vibrant. Use code: TOYTESTING15 for 15% off your order! 14. Lumipet Star Belly: This is a sound soother, night light, and white noise machine all in one. It lights up the ceiling with fun and colorful stars and is cry activated! 15. Nugget Couch: I cannot say enough good things about this play couch. It comes in the most beautiful/vibrant colors and gets SO much play time in my home. I also love that this company stands behind quality and offers a 2-year warranty on all of their play couches. We have had our Nuggets for over 4 years and they still look brand new. 16. Memory Stuffy: Hey Kitty Rae is a company we stumbled across this year and we instantly fell in love. The owner makes custom stuffed animals out of fabric from sentimental items! We had her make our kids stuffed animals from our old dresses and they turned out so beautifully. She also makes an assortment of handmade stuffed animals and dolls. 17. Fine Motor Hedgehog: Spike the fine motor hedgehog is an award-winning fine motor skills toy. The pegs store inside the body for easy transportation. 18. The Busy Bunny: This activity toy from Petit Collage is perfect for little hands. Bright colors and several sensory elements make this a winner for the littles. It's also made with organic materials that make it so much safer for mouthing and play. 19. Balloon Cover: This is the best way to allow your kids to play with balloons but keep them SAFE! This is a balloon cover from Sarah's silks. It works by inserting a latex balloon inside and blowing it up to shape. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 20. Wee Baby Stella: Our favorite soft baby doll, the Wee Baby Stella. She's the perfect size for your L.O. and has the cutest magnetic binky. 21. Whirley Squigz: These are the ideal suction cup toy to entertain your little one on the go. They suction to any smooth surface, making them excellent for the window of an airplane etc. The spinning effect keeps kids coming back for more! 22. Magnetic Animals: These safari animals from SmartMax are magnetic and an excellent tool for fine motor development. My kids have played with for years and they haven't broken apart or lost any of their magnets. 23. Bath Time Subscription Box: Bubbles and Joy is one of our favorite companies and for good reason. They curate the most unique bath time boxes for your kids to enjoy. They have a subscription you can sign up for that gives you a new bath box every month or you can check out their single boxes as well. They also pride themselves on finding clean products which makes my mama heart happy. 24. Sensory Wands: This 4 pack of sensory wands is actually a toy from my own childhood that I loved. Use them for sensory or imaginative play. They are made of quality materials and can be used for years to come. 25. Transparent Building Blocks: These are a fun take on traditional wooden blocks. They are made with both wood and acrylic and perfect to play with in the sun or on a light table. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 26. Wobble Ball Run: Fat Brain Toys did it again with this fun, weighted ball run. The balls wiggle and roll down this colorful track for loads of toddler fun! 27. Busy Board: This busy board from Le Toy Van is excellent for developing hand eye coordination. Colorful and fun, we know this toy will be a hit this season! 28. Wooden Walker: This is an excellent take on those traditional plastic walking toys. It is made with beautifully crafted wood and comes in the cutest colors. Really a multi functional toy that includes both the walker and blocks. 29. Wooden/Silk Teether: This is a silk and wooden teething ring from Sarah's Silks and is one of our favorite toys to gift for a baby shower. It is perfect for teething littles and the materials are ethically sourced. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your puchase! 30. Ball Drop: This is a unique Montessori toy that will keep your kids coming back for more! This wooden hide and find ball drop is great for developing problem solving skills.
- Teen Gift Guide
Teen guides are fun for us because we get to feature sensory toys, beauty, fashion, and games! Many of these items are great for the hubby or YOU! Be sure to watch for our game guide. It will include great options for older kids and teens. Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Family 1. Hulken Bag: This bag is awesome for hauling! It has wheels and collapses easily! Perfect bag for teens to carry gear, clothes, and more! Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 2. Perfect Putter: If your teen loves golf, the perfect putter is awesome! It helps you line up your put and easily folds away to store. Charlie (8) and Mandy’s hubby use every day! 3. Nice Cube: One of our favorite sensory toys because of its incredible texture! This is new from Schylling--maker of the Needoh. They are really soothing, and you will find yourself stealing from your teen. 4. Just Ingredients: These clean and safe facial products were created as an alternative to the hormone altering alternatives out there. JI products smell amazing and work! We are big favs of their deodorant, serum, and scrub. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 5. Get Out Pass: Not sure what to get your teen? Consider the Get Out Pass! It’s full of activities like amusement parks, arcades, pottery painting activities, swimming, and more! Check the website and see if they have it in your state. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout to save! 6. Mixhers: Trust us, these aren't just for girls! Mixhers has so many unique and healthy drinks to pick from! We recommend HerPower, HerGreens, and HerHydration for teens! They are packed full of nutrients and a great alternative to soda and energy drinks. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 15% off your purchase! 7. Boomabandz: We call it the giggle machine and human catapult. This is such a fun toy that keeps kids moving! Teens, adults, and big kids will love! You play by running the opposite direction of your partner. 8. Gumdrop: The texture and swishingness makes it a hit!! These gets fought over at our houses! The Gum Drop and Nice Cube are our fav fidget toys right now. 9. Bonded Jewlery: Temporary jewelry is fun and sentimental! Check out Bonded first! They don’t have a location near you, find a similar company. Most companies offer bracelets, necklaces, and anklets. 10. Jadyn Backpack: It seems like everyone has the Lululemon belt bag! Here is a fun alternative. The pattern is darling and it even has an internal water bottle holder. This is great for teens to take to the gym, extra-curricular activities, and use as their main bag. 11. Super Slide: The Giiker Super Slide is a brain-teaser game with over 500 challenges. Our teen sister immediately took this from us when we tried it out! We later found out our other sister had stolen from her–major hit! 12. Electric Scooter: Scooter brands matter and GoTrax is proven. This specific scooter has great specs. It can go up to 20mph and the battery can last up to 25 miles. Max weight is 264lbs. 13. Roasting Stick: These sticks turn biscuit dough into biscuit cups that can be filled with pudding, whipped cream, savory meat, candy, and more. It’s such a unique camping accessory. 14. Water Coloring Books: There’s something about these watercolor books that truly relaxes you—it’s peaceful. The book is made up of landscape and adventure line drawings. Even though this is listed in the teen guide, kids 5+ will love. Our kids have spent hours and hours enjoying these books. 15. Pickle Ball Set: This is a great set for kids to take to the court. It comes with four paddles, four balls, and a carrying case. We also love the fun colors. 16. Luxury Hair Towel: Such fun designs and these hair towels dry hair fast. They are larger than a typical drying hair towel which makes these great for longer hair. 17. DIY Bracelet Set: PrettyLife is known for their beautifully designed bracelet sets. You can’t get these curated options anywhere else. Our girls love making jewelry for friends and each other. Use code: TTS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase! 18. Hoverball: The flying orb ball is the ultimate performer of incredible flight tricks. It zooms straight through the air, does cool boomerang flights, hovers magically on your hand, and executes 90° turning flying. 19. Hair Accessories: These best hair clips and accessories! Linking some of our favs! Their lay flat clips are a game-changer and we love the braid cuffs. Also, snag some slick back ponies and GRWM headband. 20. Perfume Sampler: We love DIME because they offer clean and beautiful products. This perfume sampler is fun because your teen can decide which scent they like most. These are unisex perfumes, so they are great for everyone! Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase!
- 5-7 Toy Guide
We love that kiddos this age are still into imaginative toys and play. Let them stay little as long as possible! We have rounded up some really quality toys that your kids are sure to love. Trust us when we say that these toys are going to last and be used for years to come. Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Family 1. Cinnamon Roll Kit: This new line from Fat Brain Toys is so much fun for imaginative play. Great for ages 3-7. The storage kit also doubles as the oven. So many amazing textures for sensory play. 2. Dentist Set: This is the dentist set from Melissa and Doug. We love how much fun our kiddos have using this kit to pretend they are visiting the dentist themselves. It also comes with life size teeth that you can use to practice scrubbing cavities away. 3. Beauty Salon Vanity: There are many makeup/salon sets out there. This one is great because it includes makeup and hair tools. Everything fits into the vanity, making it portable and organized. 4. Wooden Pirates: This pirate set is from Green Elephant Home and is impressive in size and quality. Each piece is hand carved and painted. Sometimes you don't want to fill your home with just action figures. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS for 10% off your entire purchase at checkout. 5. Barber Kit: This is the cutest barber kit and our kids have been loving it. We have never seen a pretend set quite like this and it is a favorite in both our homes. Made with quality materials and great for imaginative play. 6. Calico Critters: My kids think these flocked figures are so cute and I have to agree. They are perfect for small world play and they really are great quality. This penguin set might just be under our Christmas tree this year. 7. Sorting Bears: Driddle for Little has a great sorting bear set that we both own and use. The color sorting and counting activities you can do with this set are endless. The pricing on this product is excellent as well. 8. Brain Flakes: This building toy is one our kids always enjoy. We love that it comes with a building manual loaded with several creative build ideas. This toy also great for color and number sorting. 9. Plus Plus Puzzle: This puzzle by number set is a unique take on the traditional Plus Plus and is new this year. Free building with Plus Plus is great, but we love that this gives you the option to do a flat lay puzzle with the pieces as well. 10. Magnetic Dollhouse: This dollhouse is modular AND magnetic! The Adventure Dollhouse is a modular dollhouse that gives children the flexibility to explore and use their imaginations with rooms that are easy to arrange in endless layouts. The simple and modern design looks beautiful while encouraging creativity. 11. Translucent Shapes: These geometric, translucent shapes, from Learning Resources, are perfect for building fun objects on a light table or just by themselves. A great option for open-ended, learning play! 12. Magnetic Race Track: This is a favorite set of ours from Picasso Tiles. Your kids will enjoy building the racetrack and racing the battery powered cars together. A perfect STEM toy for your little engineer. 13. Blutrack: This is our favorite racing track and for good reason! It easily rolls up to store and is ONE PIECE! You don't have to worry about losing hot wheels tracks and having to throw away the entire set. Such a good quality toy that will last you forever! You can also hang it on the wall with a command hook or use the suction cup to stick to a smooth surface. 14. Custom Clicques: These are hand crafted, magnetic peg dolls from Europe and we think they would be the perfect replacement to Christmas ornaments. You can customize each doll with their name, skin, hair color, and clothing color. These dolls are beautiful, heirloom quality toys. 15. Castle Blocks: These colored castle blocks are the perfect base to enjoy endless building creations. They are perfect to pair with peg dolls for small world play. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase! 16. Lucite Cubes: Another fan favorite from Green Elephant Home. Did I mention these are the perfect building toy and so fun to use on a light table or in the sun. They are beautiful and reflective and a great price! Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase! 17. Squinkies Cupcake Dispenser: This toy has made a comeback and for good reason. The small squishy figures are so much fun to pop open from this cupcake vending machine. This is a great Amazon find! 18. Brio Train Set: Brio is known for their train sets. It has a higher price point, but you are paying for quality. There are many trains, kits, and add-ons to pick from. We are featuring their best seller because it comes with everything you need to get your kid engineering. 19. Foil Fun Stickers: Trust us when we tell you this will keep your kids entertained for a LONG TIME! This is a DIY foil sticker kit. Watch your kids use their creativity and imagination to create some beautiful, handmade, foam stickers. 20. Washable Color and Play Mat: Our good friend Kate designed these incredible coloring mats that can be used and RE used forever. Fill them up with color and then just simply toss them into the washing machine. They will look brand new and be ready for more play. 21. Safari Animals Set: This set of play animal figures is the BEST dupe for another very popular/pricy toy animal brand. This particular set comes with 20 figures, and each are beautifully painted to be hyper realistic. 22. Tivi Tray: This is a craft tray from Tivi Tray and we can honestly say our kids use them almost daily. They come in a hard plastic or silicone option and make cleaning up arts and crafts messes a breeze. Also check out their collection of Tivi Mats! Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS for 10% off at checkout! 23. Brain Teaser Game: This brain teaser logic puzzle comes with a reference book which has different levels of challenges. It helps children develop creative problem solving skills, and is a fun hands-on activity. A colorful and fun game to keep your kiddos brains active and engaged. 24. Cleaning Kit: This is a FULLY FUNCTIONING cleaning set from Fat Brain Toys. Can I tell you this kit is actually my favorite thing we own right now! My kids will literally fight at who gets to clean the windows. 25. Nighthawk: Probably our most 'viral' toy! This 12V ride on vehicle is perfect to zoom around the neighborhood. Our kids always get asked about it and it's a great size and maneuvers well. 26. Desk Set: Class is in session! On the outside of the portable school desk are a magnetic blackboard, two built-in utensil cups, and a stand for the learning cards. Open it up and you'll find a magnetic whiteboard, two lidded storage spaces, plus plenty of supplies including chalk, magnetic letters and numbers, magnetic tangram shapes, sight word cards, math cards, and more. 27. Doodle Handwriting Book: We found this small business on Amazon and love the products they have to offer. These writing books help develop handwriting skills in a fun and creative way! Perfect to put in a quiet bag or to work on at home. 28. Potion Play: Little Larch products are clean and beautifully made. All you need to do is add water and your kids will experience a fun, bubbling reaction. 29. Zingo: This is the ADD ON pack for the traditional Zingo Game that introduces your kids to sight words. We love the game Zingo and love that it now has expansion packs to use. This game is one of the most played in our homes. 30. REAL Makeup Kit: I've been on the hunt for a safe and clean makeup kit for my girls. I was tired of them using really crappy, and toxic products on their precious faces. This makeup was made in the USA with pure minerals and ZERO talc.
- Outdoor Toy Guide 2023
It's time to grab those toys and head OUTSIDE! We cannot get enough of this warm weather and we love soaking up all the vitamin D with our kiddos. We have curated 5 outdoor toy guides that are worth the hype. Each toy gets the Toy Testing Sisters stamp of approval. 1. Giant Splash Pad: This 11 foot splash pad will keep your kiddos cool all summer long. Great reviews and you can purchase from Costco which means if you have any issues they will take it back and replace it, no questions asked. 2. Bazooka Bubble Blaster: This has been all over the internet lately and for good reason. It is a fun bubble blaster that is great for all kiddos. 3. S'more Maker: This electric s'more kit from Amazon has so many good reviews and doesn't need FIRE to work! Perfect for summer nights outdoors. 4. Corn Hole: We love this corn hole set from Go Sports. The carrying case makes it super easy to transport and store. 5. Find & Seek Card Game: This indoor or outdoor card game is perfect for ages 3+ and is great for the whole family. Such a unique version of hide and seek to take outdoors. 6. Butterfly Garden: We have used this kit every year with our kiddos and each year they love it just as much. You get to watch the entire life cycle of the butterfly and release them into the wild. Such a fun/unique outdoor toy. 7. Walkie Talkies: So many 5 star Amazon reviews, we couldn't pass these up. Kids have so much fun using these with friends, or leave one home with a parent and get in touch with your kiddos while they explore the outdoors independently. 8. Skipidipi Ball: This is a new take on a very classic toy. This ball is soft and the rope makes it a lot less painful to hit against your ankle (we've been there). 9. Inflatable Pool: We couldn't get over this classic design from Target. Mini dip has hit the scene and taken over the last few years. Enjoy your mini pool in style. 10. Giant Jenga: Our family got this set last year and had a ton of fun with it. Building and knocking over the 5ft tower was so fun. This set is quality and will last years. 11. Glide Chrome Hoverboard with Bluetooth: This hoverboard is rugged! It’s awesome because it has Bluetooth and lights up! We recommend for 5+. Always make sure your kids wear a helmet when riding. Charlie loves to use his apple watch and connect it to the Bluetooth! He can cruise and jam at the same time. 12. Bullseye Balance Ball Inflatable Platform: We love when a toy is great for many ages! You can select your thrill level by balancing on the platform or jumping and climbing on the inflatable ball. It inflates in minutes and you can easily store in a Rubbermaid. (Search keyword: BULLSEYE) 13. Kids Electric Scooter: There are many scooters on the market! This is durable and has great stats. We recommend ages 4-8. It can go up to 3 miles between charges and has a speed of 6mph. 14. Wingman Frisbee: You can throw this up to 130ft! It's soft, flexible, and has cool designs to pick from. Easily keep in your car or beach bag for ready to use fun! 15. 3-in-1 Adjustable 3 Square: This is a super-sized 3-square and it's a blast for the entire family! If includes favs like volleyball, bad mitten, and tennis! It’s easy to set up and take down! This is a family fav at Mandy's house. (Search: 3-in-1 Adjustable 3 Square) 16. Pump and Splash Shady Oasis: So much entertainment packed into this activity center. Kids will love all of the different water centers and they can stay cool with the canopy! Toddlers and big kids will enjoy all of the water fun! 17. Airlyft: You probably haven’t seen this outdoor toy before! The airlyft can glide up to 100ft by throwing in the air. Either throw like a football or by it’s tail. We recommend 6+. 18. Handmade Mud Table: This is a collapsible mud table and you can actually use inside or outside! What’s great about this company is you can customize your table! Pick the size, accessories, and counter space requirements. We haven't see any other mud tables like this on the market. 19. Moon Shoes: Did you have these growing up? If not, think of moon shoes as mini trampolines on your feet. You can easily lose balance so make sure to wear a helmet. 20. Spyder Swing: Great for a swing set or tree! It can hold multiple kids and has a weight capacity of 600lbs! Luella and Olina love using this swing on their swing set or install some ceiling hooks and take it inside. 21.Wonderwave: Ride the wave by rocking back and forth! It can be enjoyed by 4 friends and the weight capacity is 500lbs. Love that you can rock or relax on this toy! (Search keyword: WONDERWAVE) 22. Big Wheel Scooter: This scooter from Walmart is the best for big kids and adults. It holds up to 220 lbs. and is perfect to zip around the neighborhood. Plus the price is KILLER! 23. Frisbee: One of our favorite frisbees from Amazon is on sale and is perfect to throw in the car and take to the park. It is lightweight and SOARS. 24. Erasable Book: Doodle books for outside are so much fun. Kids can use for scavenger hunts, bird/tree/and flower categorizing, and creating art. This chalk is dust-less wipes off. 25. Gel Blaster: These gel blasters are all the rage. Just make sure that you play in an area where little kids aren't around. Because it uses gel balls, there is a choking risk. Always wear protective eye gear too. 26. Excavator Ride On: This toy is perfect for any little construction worker. Sit and steer your bucket into dirt, sand, or rocks. So many good reviews and so much fun. 27. Jungle Jumparoo SPRINKLER Attachment: Turret Sprinkler with 5 Water Patterns is a great add-on option for the Jungle Jumparoo! This is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. 28. Jungle Jumparoo: This toy is on our staple list and for good reason. It is the perfect indoor or outdoor toy and can be used for SO many ages. Add the sprinkler attachment on top and this toy is sure to thrill this summer. 29. Swurfer Swing: Any kid or adult can use this swing and surf away. A very unique and fun take on the traditional swing. 30. Bijou Build Mainstay: We Swoon over this one! This tepee is beautiful. It sets up in less than one hour and is full collapsible. It can be used as a jungle gym and lounge. It even comes with solar lights. (Search: Bijou Build Mainstay) 31. Electric Scooter: This electric scooter from Razor has so many great reviews and is perfect for teens or even adults. Holds up to 220 lbs. and has great battery life. As you can see, it's designed to mimic the look of the traditional Razor scooter. 32. Boomabandz: Every time we bring this toy around people stop us and ask where it came from. It's essentially a stretchy slingshot and we always end up laughing and having a great time maneuvering from side to side. 33. Dune Buggy: Who wouldn't have a blast riding this? It can go up to 9mph and can hold a charge up to 40min. It has a weight capacity of 120 lbs. It's recommended for ages 8+ but Mandy's nephew who is 4 can handle it! 34. Moon Ball: This is addictive! Not sure what it is, but the sensory experience of throwing and catching is awesome! It comes in a bunch of fun colors too. Because it is made of zero gravity foam, it bounces really high. 35. Bubble Blaster: Most bubble guns are junk! This one is under $5 and has a great life expectancy. 36. Quick Switch Bow: You can fire up to 250ft with this bow. It comes with two bungees for rapid fire. It's recommend for 14+ but Charlie (7) had no problem using. 37. Refillable Water Balloons: These recently hit the market and they are awesome! You fill with water and the magnetic ring keeps it closed until it impacts something. 38. Balance Bike: We love this toddler balance bike. This is perfect for little kiddos just learning how to balance and steer. This one from Amazon has so many great reviews and can be used from ages 12-24 months. 39. Ultimate Learning Center: We love everything from Creative Learning Co. and this is their latest product! Ashely, the founder, designed a learning table and it can be used indoors and outdoors! This table is great for water, sand, mud, and all sensory play. 40. Climbing Wave: It's unique because most climbers are dome shaped. This one is a fun challenge because it offers more vertical climbing space. 41. Water Doll: Most dolls aren't designed for the water but this one is! It can be used in the pool, ocean, lake, and bath! It also has a soft body which is unique. It dries easily too. 42. Rocking Hammock: This massive 2-in-1 kids' hammock rocker has more than enough space for two kids to rock back and forth in giant wave-like motions. It's awesome for rocking or lounging and can hold up to 300lbs. (Search keyword: ROCKING HAMMOCK) 43. Inflatable Water Slide: We promise that investing in a water inflatable will be a massive hit and it will keep your kids entertained all summer long. Mandy purchased her first H20GO slide 3 years ago and it has been enjoyed by so many kids! This slide includes a blower! 44. Outdoor Zip Line: This zip line kit from Fofana Ninja turns two sturdy trees into a zip line adventure. Bring it to the park or install in your backyard for hours of outdoor fun. 45. Mud Kitchen: This mud kitchen from Wood n Poppy will last your family for YEARS and your kids will play with it non stop. Higher price point, but we think the quality is unmatched. 46. Play Smol Bounce House: We love this toy and the quality! Bring it outside and your kids will have fun bouncing the days away. Use our code TOYTESTINGSISTERS for $30 off your purchase at checkout. 47. Watering Can Set: We love anything from Green Toys but this set is perfect for a little gardener who loves to be outside. 48. Nighthawk: Anytime we share about this toys we get flooded with messages. It is such a unique ride on toy and so much fun for the littles to zip around the neighborhood on. You balance by tilting side to side. We recommend ages 3-11. 49. Inflatable Water Slide: We aren't huge fans of water slides that don't inflate. We find that they end up trashing the lawn and usually rip. This one is awesome because the price point is as much as an inflatable water zone and it includes a blower. 50. Rain Showers Splash Tub: Water tables are so awesome for summer. Especially for kids 1-4. Step2 recently designed a new line of toys under their signature collection and their water table got a beautiful upgrade. We love the metal basin design and faux wood. It is a Target exclusive. 51 Fox Tail: This foxtail is perfect for outdoor, open field play. Throw it in your beach bag or park bag and watch your kiddos play catch together in a fun and unique way. 52. Critter Catcher: What kid doesn't love catching bugs and getting messy? This critter catcher is perfect to temporarily store those outdoor critters. 53. Roller Coaster: This roller coaster is so much fun for little kids to gain a little independence and enjoy a thrilling ride. Built out of a strong plastic material this outdoor toy has lasted us both years. 54. Outdoor Tea Set: This tea set is from Green Toys and is the best quality and is perfect for indoor or outdoor play. The set is easy to clean and built to last. 55. Globber Scooter: This 3 wheel scooter is our favorite if you're looking for something that is going to LAST. Our kids have used these for 5+ years and they can be handed down. We love these tilt scooters and know you will too.
- Eggcellent Easter Guides for 2023
With Easter quickly approaching, we wanted to offer you some NON candy ideas to fill your little one's baskets this year. All of these toys are tried and true and get the Toy Testing Sisters stamp of approval. We tried to stick with items under the $25 price range and love selecting a few to add to our kids baskets that won't break the first day and will be used throughout the year. "Hoppy" Shopping! Cuddle and Kind Minis: Worth the splurge and the minis are great for small hands to love and cuddle. This new line includes so many animals to pick from. Spinner by Fat Brain: Whenever we go to a party, this is the item we always grab! It’s a hit for babies up to 3 year olds! Kids love watching the discs spin down! Puzzle by Lovevery: This simple puzzle is great for fine motor skills and the knobs make it easy for them to grab. Rainbow: Silicon stackers are great because littles love to put in their mouth! They can chew and enjoy stacking! Mini Silks by Sarah's Silks: Sarah’s silks offers mini silks! We love to put in a tissue box so they can pull out! They are also great to keep in the car seat! Dimpl Popper by Fat Brain Toys: Another fan fav here! This is great to keep in the diaper bag and car! Littles love to press the dimples and the colors are bright! Bunny by Jelly Cat: If you are looking for the softest stuffy, jelly cat is the only company we have found! Perfect size for babies too! Grab this one fast! The bunnies won’t last. Innybin by Fat Brain Toys: This shape sorter is a hit! Littles can push and pull the shakes out of the box. The stretchy bands offer some resistance but fun at the same time. Beaded Raindrops by Hape: We love this rattle from Hape. Your baby will be mesmerized watching the beads go back and forth. Soft Fruit Basket by Melissa and Doug: Great for throwing, sucking, and playing! This set it excellent for babies because they can squish and easily pick up. Baby Stella Doll: We are constantly recommending this soft baby doll. She has a magnetic pacifier which our kids LOVE and you can purchase accessories for her to go along. Manhattan Toy Rattle: This baby rattle is a favorite of all of our kids. It is easy to grasp and can be thrown in the freezer for a teething baby. Amazon PJ's: These Amazon Pajamas cannot be beat! The quality is unreal for the price. The fabric is a buttery smooth, stretchy material that doesn't wrinkle or fade. You'll thank us for these! Comes in sizes 6mo-12yr. Beach Toys: These toys can be used at the splash pad, pool, or the beach. We love the collapsable bucket for easy storage. Jelly Sucker Toys: These toys are so addicting to use. They stick to any smooth surface and are the perfect size for little ones to grab. Aqua Brush by Kanga Toys: We love these religious themed “water wow” books! This one is the New Testament. These are great for church, car, and travel! Calico Critters: Our girls love their Calico Critters! This bunny set is perfect for Easter! Calico Critters are great for so many “doll house” set ups! Princess Art Kit by Melissa and Doug: This draw and create art set is awesome because the case keeps everything contained! It includes a white board, supplies, magnets, and a booklet with how to draw and learning games. Rainbow Playsilk by Sarah's Silks: If you don’t have silks, now is the time! They are perfect for dress-up and imaginative/open-ended play! There are so many sizes, colors, and designs to pick from. Baby Stella by Manhattan Toys: Baby Stella is the perfect starter doll! She she is soft and the magnetic binky is a win! This line of dolls is awesome because they have darling clothing and accessories. Makeup by Plan Toys: Mess-free makeup for the win! This set is darling and excdellent for pretend makeup play on kids, dolls, and stuffed animals. Zingo: Our favorite family game for littles! This is one of our favs because everyone can play! It’s like bingo with a zing—it will be a hit. Watering Can by Green Toys: Spring is coming so get ready for some dirt digging and mud play! This garden set from Green Toys is excellent quality and perfect for exploring fun! Egg Puzzle by Driddle for Little: These color and shape sorting eggs are great for fine motor skills, color recognition, and shape identification. They come in a cute egg carton too! You can also cook these up in the play kitchen! Easter Book by Babylit: Babylit has the cutest alphabet Easter book! This is great for learning letters and it’s all associated with Easter. Stuffies from Cuddle and Kind: Yes, they are worth the splurge! Caroline sleeps with her two stuffies every night! They are beautifully crafted and will be loved! Dough from MackidsKit: This dough is bright and excellent for sensory play! We love this dough shop because of the quality and long-lasting shelf-life. Hedgehog by Learning Resources: Littles can learn their 50 first words while improving fine motor skills. This is one of our favorite educational toys. Alphabet Tracing Board by Creative Learning Co: If you love inserts, this letter insert is awesome for practicing letter tracing! You can do so many fun activities like incorporating color, small world objects, and books! Chalk Crayons: These are our favorite art medium! They don’t leave chalk residue and can be used on pretty much any art surface! Swords by Formidable Toys: I never thought sword fighting would be such a good workout! These swords are beyond cool and mix movement and imaginative play! You can even customize the different pieces of your sword. Save 10% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS Paint by Stickers: These sticker books are always a fan favorite! They are great for keeping kids busy and perfect for church and trips! Lava Lamp: Lava lamps have made their comeback! We love the rainbow design with this one but there are tons of color options out there! These also make for great nightlights! Tech Deck: Another toy come back with tech deck. Charlie loves using these and they are perfect for older boys. It’s also a great fidget toy to keep hands busy. The Magnificent Book of Dangerous Animals: Charlie’s grandparents gave him this book for Vday! It’s an easy read and includes really cool facts about the most dangerous animals on earth. Car Puzzle by Ravensburger: We have tested many of these 3D puzzles! They are awesome because you can display when finished! If your kid loves to build, this is a fun challenge. 3D Pen: Your kids can create 3D art with this pen! It includes the filament and a stencil book! Kids can get so creative with this and the price point is low! Skull King by Grandpa Becks: This game is a little advanced but it’s no a total blast! We would recommend for kid’s 7+! If you have a kid who loves strategy, they can start playing at a younger age. Save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS Pod swing: Create a lounge space in your kid’s room with a pod swing! Kids can read, relax, and do homework in their swing. Kraken by Hex Bug: This remote controlled hex bug is creepy but so soothing at the same time! It crawls across the floor with ease and charges easily! NFL Flags: Charlie has become a huge NFL fan. He used these flags in so many ways—conferences, rankings, and games. These are perfect for any sports fan. Two Bros Bows: This bow set is awesome because the arrows shoot far and are soft! You do need strength to shoot so we recommend 5+! This is a great outdoor toy and something we always grab for bday parties! Paper Airplanes: Who doesn’t love a good paper airplane? Santa brought this to Charlie and it was put to good use! This set comes with folding instructions for creating some cool planes! Brain Teaser Logic by LittleAge: This brain teaser puzzle is a blast and can grow with your kids. We would recommend the beginner level start at age 5. The goal of the puzzle is to create the images from the object puzzle pieces provided. Coloring with Clay by Faber Castell: Clay is always a hit and this set is cool because it includes the sensory experience of clay. The kit includes animal canvases and all the clay you need to create your artwork! Live Butterfly Garden: This butterfly garden contains live caterpillars for your little one to watch and help grow. It comes with everything you need to help them thrive, and even instructions to help with the release process. We have used this kit and love it! Water bottle: These water bottles are the off brand of the Stanley cups but we like them MORE! They keep water cold and the stainless steel material is easy to clean and safe for kids to drink from. Smiley Slippers: These slippers are a total hit for the "big" kids! They are comfortable and more than cute. Pierced Co. Earrings: This company makes our FAVORITE earrings. They have screw on backs which means they can be slept in and worn all day and night. They are also perfect for sensitive ears. Use code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS at checkout for 20% offf your purchase! Letter Tracer: These tracers are fun and addictive. Let your kids practice letters or use play-doh to fill in the impressions. Telephone Bag: This bag literally turns your cellphone into a portable phone! It includes a plug that can be connected to a phone which means you can actually take calls right from the BAG. Aaron's Thinking Putty: This putty is our favorite and for good reason. It has the best texture, scents, and the quality is great. This 4 pack would be perfect to buy and split up into multiple baskets. Brain Flakes: 500 brain flakes to keep your kids building and creating. These are the perfect stem toy that can be used all the way into adulthood. Thready Box: This is a sewing subscription box that we have fallen in love with. It includes everything you need to complete basic sewing crafts at home. This kit comes in both a kid and teen version. Brain Teaser Game: Mandy has a 5 and 7 yr old that play this game non stop. It is essentially a matching/puzzle game. They cannot get enough of it, and the quality is excellent. Hatching Unicorn: Over 11K 5 star reviews on Amazon. This is a unicorn hatching toy that you submerge in water and watch come to life before your very eyes. Piggie Paints Nail Polish: The only nail polish you should use! It's as clean and safe as mud. You won't be worried about any of the ingredients and it smells DELICIOUS. Unicorn Horn Chalk: No kid is too big for chalk, especially UNICORN chalk. This 3 pack is so cute and gives you a chance to help get your kids outside. Necklace Kit: This kit from Melissa and Doug comes with everything you need to make multiple necklace creations. The strings have a hard tip which makes lacing the beads a breeze. The "Stuff" Bag: This toiletry bag is a "dupe" for the Lucky Clover brand but for a fraction of the cost. The quality is excellent and it's the prefect item for loose toys, pencils, or makeup. Bath Toys: Playmobil launched a line of bath toys and we are dying! They are so cute and can come apart for and easy wash. Peter Rabbit Tonies: If you own a Tonie Box then this toy is for you! The perfect story for Easter has to be Peter Rabbit. Bubble Blaster: This bubble blaster is from Walmart and we LOVE it. Load it up with whatever bubble solution you have lying around the house and your kids will go crazy having "bubble wars". Tilt Scooter: This scooter is the BEST gift for littles. The tilting motion is a lot easier for them to master than the traditional turn scooter. This one from Amazon doesn't break the bank and has gone through all of our kids. Shark Helmet: We know safety comes first but why not make it fun? This shark helmet has tons of good reviews and is just SO CUTE! The exact one pictured is out of stock so we linked a similar one that might even be cooler. Teeter POPper Rocker: This toy is similar to the wobble board but makes the funnest popping noises as it suctions on and off the ground. It does need to be used on a smooth surface but is so much fun. Spin Copter: These toys are small but mighty. They can soar up to 150 ft. and have a built in LED light that makes them even more fun to use at night. Spot It: If you haven't tried out this game it's not too late. It is an all time favorite of our families and is easy for every member of the family to play. Lacing Cards: This lace and trace set from Melissa and Doug is the perfect toy to work on hand eye coordination and all those fine motor skills. Watch your kids be instantly mesmerized by this simple toy. Animal TOOBs: These figurings come in these plastic tubes and can be easily taken on the go or used in a sensory table. We love the quality and size from Safari LDT. Wonder Stix: Our favorite art medium. These chalk sticks can be used almost anywhere! They are washable and glide so easily for the perfect application. Star Skytail: This skytail is from Sarah's Silks which means the quality cannot be beat. Made out of 100% mulberry silk it is soft, beautiful, and so much fun to throw. Amazon PJ's: These Amazon Pajamas cannot be beat! The quality is unreal for the price. The fabric is a buttery smooth, stretchy material that doesn't wrinkle or fade. You'll thank us for these! Comes in sizes 6mo-12yr. Wee Baby Fella Doll: This baby doll is so soft and perfect for any future mommy or daddy! The magnetic binky makes it so entertaining for kids to snap on and off the mouth. Suction Toys: These are a knock off squigz but still so good! They come in a mini egg which makes them the perfect toy for Easter.
- Ultimate St. Patrick's Day Toy Gift Guide
We love celebrating St. Patrick's Day in our homes. Growing up, our mother went all out for holidays. For St. Patrick's Day, the leprechauns would come to our house and cause mischief. They would turn the water green, hang our underwear from the ceiling, and leave chocolate gold pieces and skittles in odd areas. Now that we have littles, our mom plans a leprechaun hunt every year. We head to the fields and start looking. She typically throws rainbow candy and gold pieces in the area for the kids to find while they are searching for the leprechauns. We have added onto these fun traditions by having our kids make leprechaun traps. Our kids get creative and have made some unique traps with Legos and magnetic tiles. They also go on a hunt to find the leprechaun's pot of gold. When they find the pot, it's filled with candy and green/rainbow themed games and toys. Mel and I have spent hours and hours curating some awesome gift ideas to add to your pot of gold! St.Patrick's Day Toy Gift Guide 1. Rainbow Stacker: Great for babies working on hand eye coordination. Plus, Melissa and Doug quality is excellent. 2. Clay Beads Bracelet Making Kit: This kit comes with a huge selection of colors and it prefect for making bracelets for friends and family. 3. Sarah's Silks Rainbow Giant Playsilk: Huge favorite at our house. Kids can get super creative with a rainbow playsilk. 4. Rainbow Pop It Purse :Such a fun idea to incorporate a pop it with a kids purse. Entertainment on the go! 5. Stacking Crayons: Set comes with 12 stacking crayons, each crayon has 12 colors. 6. Super Needoh: You know we can't stop collecting. Grab neon green. If you are local to Utah, head to Teton Toys to purchase and save 10% when you say you're following us. 7. Berenstain Bears' St. Patrick's Day: Classic book for enjoying the St. Patrick's Day season. 8. How to Catch a Leprechaun: The guide book for catching those tricky leprechauns. 9. Speks Mini Magnets in Rainbow: We love our speks set. You could even tell your kids they are mini leprechaun legos. 10. Rainbow Unicorn Squishmallow: We all know these are all the rage. Absolutely, obsessed with the rainbow hair! 11. Pipa Glo Pal: Spice up bath time with Go Pals. Green Pipa is perfect for a St. Patty's bath. 12. Classic Green Lego: Quick set that is great for kids getting started with LEGO. Ages 4+. 13. St. Patrick's Day Pop It: Add this Shamrock pop it to your fidget collection. 14. Rainbow Unicorn Stuffed Animal Set: Caroline got this set for Valentine's Day. The rainbow purse is full of small unicorn stuffies. 15. Rainbow Xylophone: Let your little make beautiful music with the rainbow xylophone. 16. Driddle for Little Rainbow Counting Bears: We own these counting bears and they are an excellent color recognition and math learning toy. 17. Rainbow dough and sensory kit: This kit is full of all things rainbow fun! Perfect for the holiday and sensory play. 18. Green Kids Purse: Caroline would go nuts to get this green kids purse. So fun for holding makeup, snacks, and small toys. 19. Chalk Crayons: Our favorite art medium right here! They work on pretty much any surface and don't leave residue. Perfect for creating rainbow art. 20. Rainbow Gummy Lab Kit: Make your own gummies with this rainbow gummy lab. The leprechauns left this last year for Charlie and Caroline. 21. Green Toys Recycling Truck: Perfect green toy for the truck/car lover. The brand Green Toys is also eco-friendly. 22. Maple + Lark Basket Bundle: This company is known for their rainbow baskets. The primary color set is a perfect bundle to start with. 23. Goosebumps Shop ADULT Swaddle: Imagine a baby swaddle...but ADULT SIZED! Use code MOBILE15 for 15% off your order! 24. 40 Crayola Washable Markers: Love that this set comes with 40 markers. Your kids will enjoy creating art with so many color options. 25. Rainbow slippers: Perfect gift to surprise a teen on St. Patricks Day! Big kids like being spoiled too. 26. Rainbow Sunglasses: Level up your toddler's look with these rainbow sunnies—obsessed. 27. Melting Rainbow Bath Bomb: These bath bombs start out white and leave a trail of rainbow as they melt in the warm bath. 28. Sarah's Silks Rainbow Streamer: This rainbow streamer is so fun to twirl around the room. 29. Lush Rainbow Bath Bomb: If you aren't buying Lush are you even living? Their rainbow bath bomb/bar smells amazing. Rainbow Sunglasses Level up your toddler's look with these rainbow sunnies—obsessed.
- Valentine's Day Toy Guide
We are big believers of quality of quantity. Also, we want the items entering your home to have purpose and not just end up in the trash. We have curated an awesome list of toys for you to create a cute V-day set up or Love basket for your kids. This guide is not age or gender specific. We selected items that are a good fit for multiple ages and interests. Butterfly Fairy Play Silk by Sarah's Silks: We are dead with this new printed Sarah's Silk. It's $14 and excellent for so much open-ended play. Love Potion by Little Lark: Let your little create some potion fun! Our kids love these potions. Perfect for indoor sensory play during these colder months and a pouch is $12. GloPals sold by Bubbles and Joy: These are water activated squares that turn bath time into a blast. You can even add to a sensory water table. Grab for $10. Red Creator Lego: Perfect size for a small LEGO build. Mandy's has this set and it's a great starter LEGO for little kids. Price is $13 on Amazon. Butterfly Steamer by Sarah's Silks: Your kids will love spinning and twirling with this purple steamer! It's $14 and will get tons of use. Paintable Chalk by Let's Talk Chalk: If you kid loves art, this is a fun project for them. This kit comes with everything you need to paint your own chalk for $6. Jewelry Kit by Melissa and Doug: The size of these beads makes it easy for younger kids to create without help from parents. You can snag for $15 from Amazon. Valentine's Day Fine Motor Board by Creative Learning Co: This versitile fine motor board is filled with fun accessories and unique ways to play. It's $50 but the amount of use you get out of this toy is incredible. Hello Sugar House V-Day Bundle: If you don’t have a Sugarhouse yet, and you love the pinks and purples, this is the bundle you’ll want to snag! $70 and the quality is unbeatable. Pink Twirl Dress by Little Adventure Dress-Ups: These are our favorite dress-ups. They wash so well and are comfy for kids. This doubles and a dress and dress-up for $35. Gumball Machine Tray by Three Letter Words by Katie: This resin gum ball machine is $30 and would make the perfect addition for a fun sensory play station. Valentine Earrings by Pierced Co.: Our favorite earrings right here! They have twist-on backs and they won't hurt your kid's ears. Save 20% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS. This includes subscriptions too. Chrystal Needoh by Schylling: Love these for your older kid. They are the perfect fidget toy for $16. Voss Arch Sword by Formidable Toys: These foam swords are insane! You can customize your sword and get creative by switching out the grip, cross guard, and blade. This one is $55 but the quality is excellent and this will get used. Resin Paintables by CharsJars: Perfect for paint for chalk crayons. When kids are done, just wash and start over. You get 6 different objects for $35. Floral Scented Dough by MACkidskit: How beautiful are these floral doughs? These smell amazing and the quality is great. You can snag these for $19. Affirmation Hearts by CharsJars: Perfect hearts to add to your sensory play set up. So many unique ways to play with these. They are priced at $30 which is a steal. Love Potion Board by Creative Learning Co.: Every kid loves potion play and this insert is themed for a love potion holiday. When V-day is over, you can continue to use for potion and wet play. This insert is $55. Jixelz by Fat Brain Toys: These love robots are really fun! You can build directly onto a pattern. We would recommend at least 6+ for this one and make sure your kid likes to focus on these types of builds. Grab for $10. Affirmation Fries by Three Letter Words by Katie: These would be so cute on a desk or vanity. This set is $25. Red Dragon Cloak by Little Adventure Dress-Ups: Like we mentioned before, this is our favorite dress-up company. This is priced at $33 and they have so many options. Jewelry Kit by Pretty Life Girls: These sister duo makes the cutest DIY sets. We have this set at love! It's only $20. They have so many options on their site. Bubble Whoosh sold by Bubbles and Joy: Make bath time fun, colorful, and smell amazing! This product is safe and it's $17. Magnetic Valentine Sensory Tray by Kailey Belle Designs: These magnetic sensory trays are great for keeping kids busy! We loved the Christmas trays they did. Price point is great too at $15. Purple Aaron's Thinking Putty: This isn't slime but can cause problems if its smashed into carpet so we recommend supervising! Putty is excellent for soothing and relaxing. Perfect for teens! Price is $15.
- 2022 Stocking Stuffers for the Holidays
This year we had the best time working with Teton Toys to develop an incredible list of stocking stuffer ideas for your kids. Stocking stuffers are a fun addition, but sometimes we can find ourselves running to the dollar store or Target dollar section and filling with items that will just end up in the trash. We love our list because these items are tested and will actually get used. 80% of the toys on this list are below $25 and can be purchased at Teton Toys. Remember, when you shop at Teton Toys, you save 10% if you mention Toy Testing Sisters. Instead of buying a bunch of stocking stuffer items, find a few on this list and call it good! We promise this will make the de-junking process after the holidays so much easier. If you haven't checked out our holiday toys guides, see below for easy access! Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teens Staple Toys Sensory Inserts and Accessories Temporary Tattoos by Melissa and Doug Tenzi Earrings from Pierced and Co. Stuffed animals by Cuddle and Kind Kinetic Sand Resin Letters by Three Letter Words by Katie Needoh Globs Pokemon Cards Aaron's Thinking Putty Space felt pack by Leo Mat Tangle Dough by Doughsie Dough PlusPlus Tila Bead Bracelets by Libbies Bracelets Sensory Balls by Fat Brain Toys Magic Mixies Mixlings Aqua Beads Dino by Schleich Classic Mini Lego Color Reveal Barbie Calico Critters Bears and Bees by Grandpa Beck Games (save 15% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS) Play Foam Water Wow by Melissa and Doug Magnetic Tablet 3D Puzzle by Ravensburger Sensory Rings by Fat Brain Toys Magnetic Building by Clixo Acrylic Blocks by Hello Sugar House Tech Deck
- 0-2 Holiday Toy Guide
This age range can often be challenging to shop for because littles are growing and developing so quickly. We have developed an amazing list of toys from a variety of brands. These toys will be loved by your kids and grandkids. Shop All Ages: 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teen Staple Toys Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories 1. Cuddle and Kind: We know these stuffies are on the investment side, but they are heirloom pieces. Mel and I both have Cuddle and Kind at our home. They come in two sizes with different animal options. They are made in Peru with 100% cotton yarn. 2. Soft Fruit Basket: This fruit basket set is from Hape Toys! Its a great gift for 0-2 because babies and squish and hold the soft fruit. As your little one grows, it's perfect for pretend play. We love the quality and how realistic this set is. 3. Wooden Square Clutch: We want to point out that this clutch from Plan Toys is made from rubberwood and non-toxic paint and toys. Your little one is going to want to explore by putting this in its mouth. The clutching toy can be squished more as children develop grasping and clutching strength. 4. Pound and Tap Bench with Xylophone: Hape has designed this amazing, award-winning dual-use4 musical instrument. Littles can explore different notes and sounds by letting the balls fall on the keys or slide out the xylophone to create their own unique sound with a wooden mallet. 5. Wautomobile Cars: These wooden toys care are made of wood and the middle is filled with brightly colored water. These are so fun for littles to race and see how the colors change with light and movement. 6. Wooden Knob Puzzle: This 3-piece puzzle by Driddle for Little is excellent for shape/color placement and fine motor skills. The magnets on the back make it easy for the pieces to slide into place. 7. InnyBin Baby: Fat Brain has done it again with this toy. It's great for color and shape recognition. The shapes are also textured which is great for sensory play. Littles will love pushing the objects through the elastic bands. 8. Baby Rainbow: This beautifully crafted and painted peg and bowl set is perfection. It's by Taylored Toys. We love finding small businesses selling amazing toys. Littles can grasp pegs and place in matching bowls. This toy is great for fine motor skills and imaginative play. 9. 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. 10. Tobbles Neo: We love this toy at our house! It's by Fat Brain Toys. Littles can balance, stack, spin, the spheres in a variety of angles. This toy is great for motor skills and problem solving. 11. Magnetic Animals: These are the most entertaining, child safe, magnetic toys our kids have. They separate into three piece which is fun for kids to use by pulling apart and re assembling the safari animals. Great for fine motor development as well. 12. Stacking Rainbow Pyramid: This toy is open ended and unique. Solid wooden frames with insert colored acrylic windows. They can be stacked, used on a light table, or placed in front of a sunny window for a unique colorful experience. 13. Sarah's Silks: Silks are of our favorite baby toys because they offer so many play options. The mulberry silk is so soft and the colors are eye catching and beautiful. These can be used for tummy time, dress-up, blankies, and more! 14. Fine Motor Hedgehog: Spike the fine motor hedgehog is an award winning fine motor skills toy. The pegs store inside the body for easy transportation. 15. Chunky Rainbow Blocks: Hello Sugarhouse is new to the toy scene this year, but have created something gorgeous and unique. These chunky blocks can be used for years. This larger size is perfect for little hands and grips. You can use code TOYTESTING10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order! 16. Silicone Stacking Rings: These star shaped staking rings are made of food grade silicone, which make them the prefect teether and toy combo. Multi use toys are great for littles and will get lots of use. 17. Rocket Ball Stacker: This toy, made by Hape, is quality and lots of fun. The battery powered fan blows balls through the stacked tower. Kids love stacking and watching their tower topple over time and time again. 18. Suction Cups: These suction cup toys made by Fat Brain Toys are perfect for bath time and play time. Our kids love to stick these on any smooth surface and listen to the noise they make when they are pulled off. 19. Balance Stepping Stones: These are so much fun for kids to practice balance and coordination. Place them on the ground and let your little one hop from turtle to turtle. This set also includes a game to add even more fun! 20. Wee Baby Stella: Our favorite soft baby doll, the Wee Baby Stella. She's the perfect size for your L.O. and has the funnest magnetic binky that sticks to her mouth. They also come with lots of accessories that can be added.
- 2-4 Holiday Toy Guide
Our favorite list to curate is for ages 2-4. This stage of life is filled with so much growth, exploration, and learning. The toys we have selected for this age group promote imaginative play, movement, and development. We hope your littles love these toys as much as our kids do! Shop All Ages: 0-2 5-7 8-10 Teen Staple Toys Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories 1. Baby Care Station: If you have a little who loves taking care of babies, this is your toy! It has a feeding, sleeping, and bathing/changing station. We love that it has so much storage so you can keep all of the baby accessories easily contained. There aren't many great baby care stations out there that include all of these elements. 2: Squigz: These are suction cups that can stick to almost any surface. Our kids love to stick on the mirror, windows, car windows, and sensory table. They make a fun popping sound for littles and they love sticking them together to make different creations. Squigz are made by Fat Brain Toys! 3. Rainbow Race Track: We love this rainbow race track because it easily snaps together. So, if you lose a piece, no big deal. Your kids can set up their race track and add their vehicles and watch them zoom. This track glows in the dark which is really fun for kids. Price point is excellent on this toy and it will make a big impact. 4: Wooden Arches and Tunnels: This is the perfect open-ended toy! Kids can incorporate with blocks and builds, train/car set ups, calico critters, and so much more. Having a few open-ended toys in your home allows kids to get creative and use their imaginations. This set is by Guide Craft. 5: Sarah's Silks Dress Ups: Sarah's Silks has created a large variety of silk dress ups and toys. We love this cape, crown, and soft sword set. If you have a kid who enjoys dress ups, grabbing a few items from Sarah's Silks will be a win. They offer wands, fairy wings, flower crowns, and so much more. 6: Jungle Animals Magna-Tiles: Magna-Tiles recently released these awesome animal themed kits. These would be great to pair with a light table or acrylic table insert. Some of our favorite animal sets include Safari, Artic, Farm, Dino, and Forest. These are perfect for littles because they get to build while including animals with play. 7: Grocery Store: Mandy has this in her toy room and the kids love. Melissa and Doug has done it again with this set. Kids can shop, scan items, ring up customers, and fill grocery bags. Because the grocery store has so many shelves and storage options, its great for holding all of your play food. 8: Ice Cream Counter: Fan favorite at both our homes! This toy is by Melissa and Doug. The ice cream counter is the perfect size for littles. They love to take orders and serve up creations from the menu or their imaginations. The quality of this toy is excellent and it will hold up. 9: Gem Sorting Boards: These beautiful sorting boards and gems are by Wild Pine Kids. Even though we have this toy slotted for the 2-4 age group, older kids can really enjoy too. Mandy's son, Charlie, who is 7 loves playing with rocket ship. These boards spark imaginative play and are also a soothing and calming toy. Save 15% with CODE: TOYTESTINGSISTERS 10: Train Set: If you aren't familiar with Brio trains, they are truly the best. They have so many different sets and add-on accessories. Train sets are a great gift because parents and grandparents can start off with a starter set and purchase different elements for upcoming birthdays and holidays. The set shown here is an excellent starter set. If you are local to Utah, visit Teton Toys and see the entire Brio collection. 11. Star Belly: These sweet stuffed animals come in a variety of characters and use light and projection to make any dark surface light up like the night sky. Projects glowing stars and shapes in 6 calming colors. 12. Magnet Tiles: These are the BEST knock off brand of magnetic building tiles we have ever found. They are far more affordable than the competitor but just as good. Find them on Amazon! This is the most played with toy at Mel's house. 13. Adventure Camper: Our kids recently got this toy and LOVE it. They prep the food and make deliveries from the window. It's also fun for them to pretend to drive it around the town. High quality and built to last from Step 2. This is from their signature collection of a more neutral color palate. 14. Cloud Swing: 25-Inch Colorful Inflatable Round Cloud Swing from Hearth Song Toys. The cover on this toy is soft and the colors coordinate well together. We have this hanging inside on our indoor swing hooks. Indoor or out, this toy is a winner. 15. LumiPets: This is the sweetest, softest night light to add to any toddlers room. It can change color by tapping and is soft enough to cuddle. It is USB rechargeable and also comes with a color changing remote. It also comes in a variety of characters to fit your child's interests. 16. Chasing Fireflies: This is such a fun and unique toy! These battery powered, plastic fireflies light up and are used to play hide and seek. Kids run about searching for the next firefly to add to their team jar and capture the magic of fireflies with their own two hands. My 2 and 4 year old play with this toy non-stop and have fun hiding and seeking for each color. 17. Pizza Station: Melissa and Doug make some of our favorite toys. They are quality and always crafted very well. This toy pizza kitchen is no exception. Our kids love adding toppings and playing pretend with this kit. 18. Rainbow Blocks: These heirloom quality blocks, made by Hello Sugar House, are beautiful and so unique. The acrylic tiles can be added as windows to create a unique colorful experience. More of an investment piece, but will be used by your kids for years. You can use our code TOYTESTING10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order! 19. 2 in 1 Tricycle: Hearthsong did such a good job of combining both a standard tricycle and a balance bike into one piece. It can be easily converted and used by a variety of ages. It also folds to store and can be carried by a handle on the seat. 20. Princess Dress-Up: The most gorgeous dress up we've come across. Our kids fight over this dress constantly because it really makes them feel like an actual princess. From our favorite boutique in Bountiful, UT. Over The Moon Boutique. Sign up for their email subscription to get 10% off your first purchase!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Our Favorite Inserts and Accessories: Holiday Edition
You may have noticed that we didn't include our favorite inserts and accessories on our holiday toy guides. We decided we need a separate guide because all of these goodies can be enjoyed by so many ages! If you haven't invested in a sensory table and plastic bins, we recommend the the following: -Ikea (often out of stock) -Creative Learning Co. (should be fully stocked Q1 2023) -Button and Bug Shop All Ages: 0-2 2-4 5-7 8-10 Teens Staple Toys 1. Art Easel: We love our art easel from Creative Learning Co. This insert has so much functionality. It includes pre-drilled holes for markers and has spots for paint containers. The acrylic is so fun for kids to paint on. Since it’s double-sided, two kids can enjoy at the same time. Mandy’s kids even put the boards flat on the table and paint or use chalk crayons on them. 2. Wooden Montessori Kit: Every sensory table needs a set of wooden bowls, lids, plates, and spoons. Kids will use these when playing with a variety of filler mediums. We love using wooden sets with rice, beans, corn, chickpeas, and sand. 3. Acrylic Letters: Acrylic letters are so much fun to use on a light board or to hide in a sensory table and let kids dig out. This set is from Creative Learning Co. You can create so many fun activities with acrylic letters. 4. Potion board: This potion insert from Creative Learning Co is a best seller and fan favorite for us! Kids love to pour their potions with these fun test tubes! We love filling with vinegar and baking soda! We even use food coloring and our kids go nuts! This insert is a must-have! 5. Potions: Little Lark makes potion creation easy with their pre-made potions. The potions are bio-degradable and are themed with positive affirmations! These potions are a total blast and don’t include artificial dyes or fragrances. 6. Cup board: If you can’t tell by now, we love Creative Learning Co! Thir cupboard is perfect for so many activities! Cups can hold small parts, tools, accessories, art supplies, dough, and so much more! If you are new to inserts, start with the potion and cup board. 7. Dough Kit: Dough just got a facelift! Mac Kids Kits has developed amazing dough themed kits! We love dough kits because they combine sensory and imaginative play. We were blown away with the perfectly curated accessories selected for each themed kit. 8. Resin Letter: CharsJars creates incredible resin toys! We are always blown away with what she comes up with! We highly recommend grabbing her resin letter set! Be sure to give her a follow because she is continually releasing new resin products! 9. Dough: Throw out Play Doh and get yourself some Doughsie Dough! These doughs are all natural and are amazing to the touch. Doughs are perfect for sensory play! Stock up on these! We promise you won’t be disappointed. 10. Resin Learning Kit: This sensory learning box is from Busy Littles! It includes so many different resin pieces, upper and lower case letters, numbers, shapes, learning cards, etc. There are so many ways you can use this learning box. 11. Pom Pom Push: This pom pom push, from Button and Bug, is my 2-year old's favorite sensory insert. Buy a bag of poms from your local craft store and watch in amazement as your little one size sorts with this acrylic board. 12. Kinetic Sand: Kinetic sand is one of our favorite sensory fillers. It's a little messy but easy to vacuum up and keep stored. It doesn't dry out like play-doh which means it lasts a lot longer! 13. Market Sensory Kit: Busy Littles has created an awesome market sensory kit that includes fruits, veggies, market cards, and accessories. This is a great kit to use in sensory play! 14. Letter Board: Pair your resin letters with this wooden letter board from the, Creative Learning Company. Perfect way to introduce your child to the alphabet in a unique and memorable way. 15. Mirror Board Insert: This mirrored insert is actually really unique! It can also be used for a wide variety of ages. Use it for tummy time with your little one on the ground, then use it as reflection and matching practice with your older child. This insert is from Creative Learning Co. 16. GIANT water beads: Our kids think this giant water beads are pure magic. You place them in water and they grow into giant, jelly, jiggling water beads. They bounce and are fun to touch. We recommend playing with these outside. 17. Assorted Poms: We love pom poms as a sensory medium. They can be used to sort colors, sizes, and are soft to the touch. Grab a bag of these at your local craft store or on Amazon! 18. Dream Sand: We have just recently been introduced to dream sand and it's addicting. It's like a soft, gritty, sand that is easy to mold and shape. Grab a few of these from Target and save them for your child's stocking this year. 19. Assorted Charms: These are slime charms from Amazon that our kiddos love to add into any sensory medium. We use this in rice, beans, confetti, play-doh, you name it. You can also buy different themed charms which is fun for the holidays. 20. Fine Motor Skills Tool Set: This is the perfect tool set to get started with sensory play. You can also use a variety of tools you already have at your home. Scoops, measuring cups, and spoons, make the perfect tools for sensory play.
- 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.
- How to Organize Your Toy Room
Christmas is over which means we are all in organization mode. This can often feel overwhelming if we don't take the time to map out a plan and review the product we might need to help create the space we desire. We recently appeared on Studio 5 KSL to share our toy organization tips with viewers. As you know, Mel and I have many, many toys! Since I do have an insane amount, I have created centers within my play room. For example, I have a movement zone where my kids bounce on their Jumparoo, build forts with their Nuggets, and set up some pretty awesome obstacle courses. I have other centers for building, dress ups, and even pretend play. This helps bring order to my play room. I also regularly rotate my toys! I keep about 30% of my toys in my storage room. I rotate my toys often—this makes old toys feel new and keeps my toy room uncluttered. Recently, I have tried adding more of a Montessori feel to my play room. I love the concept of open shelving because it reduces the amount of toys available, promotes independence, and helps children understand what to do when they are done playing with their toys. I recently took one of my cubed storage units and removed all of the baskets. I placed individual toys in the shelf. It has been interesting to see how much more use these toys are getting. My kids can easily see what's available and put away their toys when they want to do something else. Here are links to some of our favorite toy organizing products! Game pouches: Game boxes take up so much space! These pouches are perfect for storing games and eliminating clutter. These also make transporting games so much easier. Forward-facing bookshelf: We love these types of bookshelves because you can put out a few books for your kids to select from and they can easily see the options available. Montessori inspired shelf: This self is beautiful and is by Inspired Montessori Learning. Using a shelf like this simplifies how many toys your kids have access to and promotes independence. Dress Up Rack: Using an adjustable clothing rack is great for dress ups! Pick 5-6 of your kids favorite items and hang. You can then store the rest of your dress ups in storage and rotate every month. "Shoe" storage bins: If your kids have LEGO sets, it can he hard to know how to store them. These bins are from Walmart and cost just over $1. They are perfect for stacking and storing LEGO sets and instructions. Lego storage drawers: These are great for storing classic LEGO. Its easy or the kids to pull out the drawers and you can store the bricks by brick type. PRO tip! Don't store by color, keep them sorted by brick type. Lazy Susan: I have two of these in my play room. One is used for a building station where I have placed PlusPlus, Brain Flakes, and Stacking Stones. The other one holds Caroline's baby products for her baby doll station. These are great because it keeps small items together and allows for simple categories. Stuffed animal bins: Who doesn't have 1M stuffed animals at their house? One way you can store these darling stuffies is stackable storage bind! Your kids can swap the ones they want access to and if you are feeling crafty, simply add hardware and hang out the walls. Clear looker bins: These clear looker bins are great to place in cubed organizers. Your kids can easily see what toys are in the bin. You won't need a label for any of your bins if you are using these clear options. My goal is to swap out all of my bins for these! Hinged stacking clear containers: These are actually intended to hold sweaters but they are great to store larger toys. I love that this container has a lid because it keeps out dust and other toys. These containers can also be stacked. Stackable clear drawers: I use these for my learning toys! They are technically for storing shoes but they work great for small items. I keep our counting bears and math cubes in these. My kids can easily pull out the drawers and it's awesome that they stack too.