Did your children make the nice list this year? Have you made your shopping list? Checked it twice? It’s gift-giving time again, and we’ve done some digging, looking for cool kids’ gifts and gadgets to jump-start your search — or help you find those last few items. These toys will help your kids get creative, improve STEM skills, or just have some old-fashioned fun. Happy shopping!
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PLAYMOBIL Mars Space Station
Blast off in the space station with two astronauts, one robot, a computer, tools, food supplies, space crystals, telescope, video recorder, and other accessories.
$79.99. Ages 6+
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Botzees
Combines construction, coding, and creativity! Robotic kit comes with a free app that has interactive puzzles that teach foundational coding concepts, such as sequencing, looping, and conditional coding, with visual cues.
$99.99. Ages 4+
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Bryan Rollins
People Blocks Working Cars
Magnetic building blocks encourage STEM play. 18-piece set is great for ages 18 months to 4+ years and grows with the child, allowing for stacking, matching, and pattern-building as skills develop.
$34.99. Ages 18 months+
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Bryan Rollins
Shimmer Stars
Use the Shimmer Wand to decorate your Shimmer Stars pet’s fur — and your own hair — with reusable, decorative “shimmers.” Bubble the Puppy is shown above.
$17.99. Ages 4+
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Bryan Rollins
Candylocks
This sweet collection of dolls features soft, long, scented hair. Unwrap a cotton candy cone to reveal your doll and accessories, such as hair clips and bows for styling braids, twists, buns, and ponytails.
$9.99-$19.99. Ages 5+
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Bryan Rollins
Robo Alive Ice Blasting Dragon
Dragon blasts “ice” with flashing blue LED lights. Robotic head movements, walking motions, and a gripping bite bring this dragon to life.
$24.99. Ages 6+
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Dragon Snacks
A mischievous baby dragon ate all of the treasures! Get them back in this game that teaches hand-eye coordination, taking turns, and matching.
$19.99. Ages 4+
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#SNAPSTAR
Includes outfit and accessories, removable hairstyle, green screen and stand (for the perfect pics), and a miniature cell phone. Also a free app to glam up your doll, change her hairstyle, and more. $14.47. Ages 5+
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Bryan Rollins
Boppi the Booty Shakin’ Llama
We laughed so hard at this one! These fantastical creatures dance like no one’s watching, to three fun tunes, with head spins and, yes, booty shakes galore.$19.99. Ages 3+
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Bryan Rollins
Oops Scoops
Players compete to build the tallest ice cream scoop tower on a shaking ice cream cone. Beware — the tower can topple!
$17.99. Ages 4+
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Bryan Rollins
Buddha Board
A modern Etch-A-Sketch, this canvas lets you use water to paint designs that evaporate. Mess-free and a great alternative to screen time that encourages creativity and calm. $13.95/mini. $34.95/original. Ages 5+
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Bryan Rollins
Rise of the Tribes
Players lead their tribes to explore new lands, find resources, and discover new tools to rise to greatness. Choose to build villages, raid neighbors, and maybe even ride a mammoth in this new strategy game. $50. Ages 10+
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Bryan Rollins
Robo Alive Baby Shark
Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo … Bath time comes alive with this swimming robotic shark. An underwater speaker plays the little’s favorite song. Water-activated and 100% waterproof. $14.99. Ages 3+
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Bryan Rollins
We’re Doomed
You have 15 minutes to build an escape rocket and leave this doomed planet. With limited time, it might not be big enough for everyone — you have to work together! Only the most influential survive. $35. Ages 13+
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Bryan Rollins
Carmen Sandiego: ACME's Most Wanted
Inspired by the Netflix show. The infamous lady in red needs your help! Play as Carmen Sandiego as you travel to exotic locations on the hunt for the lost loot. $19.99. Ages 7+
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Bryan Rollins
Dino Smashers Epic Egg
A Jurassic excavation: Open the Epic Egg and use the scratch-and-reveal map to discover clues and dig through dino yolk and sand to find the “fossils” inside.
$24.99. Ages 4+