The ultimate toy gift guide: Experts pick for every age and stage

Check out the best gifts for kids of all ages, with picks at every price point.

September 24, 2025, 9:19 AM
Shop gift ideas for kids, recommended by toy experts
Shop gift ideas for kids, recommended by toy experts
ABC News Photo Illustration, amazon, adobe stock

The best toy for kids should ideally meet in the middle of exploration and fun.

With the holidays right around the corner, you might be trying to figure out what the top trending toys are.

That's why we tapped industry experts Mandy and Mel, also known on Instagram as the Toy Testing Sisters, to share their top tips and picks to help make your life easier while shopping.

Tip 1: Quality over quantity

The sisters said it is better to purchase four to five quality items than 10+ toys that will get used a few times and eventually end up in the trash.

"The more toys your kids have, the less they will actually play with them. This is why we are huge fans of finding toys that promote open-ended play and can grow with your kid!" they said.

Tip 2: Buy family toys

When it comes to buying "family" toys, the Toy Testing Sisters said to think of things like sensory swings, AirToobz, audio players and building toys.

If you are worried about the investment, know that the toys can be used by many different age groups and should last for years.

Tip 3: Listen to the experts

"We have tested and tried thousands of toys," the sisters said. "This year, our guides will have hundreds of amazing selections. We monitor and share toy deals from Prime Day, Black Friday, and daily deals."

Scroll on to shop some of their top toy recommendations by age group.

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Family toys

Amazon

Fat Brain Toys The Original Air Toobz

  • $159.95
  • Amazon
Amazon

YOTO Player

  • $109.99
  • Amazon
Amazon

Marlowe & Co Indoor Outdoor Double Layer Cotton Sensory Compression Swing

  • $89.99
  • Amazon
Amazon

Makedo Explore

  • $27.50
  • Amazon
Amazon

Double-Sided Magnetic Drawing Board

  • $109.99
  • Amazon

0-2 years

Lovevery

The Babbler Play Kit

  • $138.00
  • Lovevery
7% off
Amazon

Fat Brain Toys Spill Again Indoor Play Ball

  • $49.99
  • $54.12
  • Amazon
Amazon

Disney Wooden Toys 4-Piece Figure Set

  • $16.75
  • Amazon
47% off
Amazon

Melissa & Doug GO Tots Wooden Barnyard Tumble

  • $19.99
  • $37.99
  • Amazon
14% off
Amazon

Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo

  • $29.95
  • $34.95
  • Amazon

2-4 years

9% off
Amazon

Razor Rollie DLX

  • $59.99
  • $65.99
  • Amazon
20% off
Amazon

LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box Building Set

  • $23.99
  • $29.99
  • Amazon
7% off
Amazon

BRIO World Disney Princess Castle Set

https://amzn.to/3InZF9H
  • $147.60
  • $159.99
  • Amazon
Amazon

Toniebox 1 Audio Player Starter Set

  • $159.99
  • $0.00
  • Amazon
31% off
Amazon

Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Wooden Magnetic Puzzle Play Activity Set

  • $17.00
  • $24.99
  • Amazon

5-7 years

Uncommon Goods

Little Photographer Kids Digital Camera

  • $70.00
  • Uncommon Goods
Amazon

Yeti in My Spaghetti Board Game

  • $9.88
  • Amazon
KiwiCo

Chemistry Play Lab

  • $49.95
  • KiwiCo
Amazon
  • $59.99
  • Amazon
Maisonette

Stapelstein Rainbow Set, Classic

  • $269.00
  • Maisonette

8-10 years

Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

  • $65.99
  • Amazon
25% off
Amazon

Skillmatics Foil Fun

  • $19.97
  • $26.97
  • Amazon
Amazon

Smartivity DIY Pinball Machine

  • $38.99
  • Amazon
14% off
Walmart

Spy Labs: Forensic Investigation Kit

  • $34.95
  • $40.99
  • Walmart
12% off
Amazon

MrBeast Lab Swarms Mega Lab 12 Pk

  • $19.99
  • $22.90
  • Amazon

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