Best GAMES
To Bring the Whole Fam Together
Our winners span the following categories:
PureWow editors gathered submissions throughout the year, while researching new and best-selling products and talking to parents nationwide for their recommendations. From there, we narrowed our list to 80 finalists. Families across the country tested toys, offering their honest feedback on what they liked—and didn’t—helping us arrive at the 36 best of the best. The winners stand out for their value, quality, innovation and ability to entertain kids for hours on end.
How Our Winners Were Chosen
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Wander any toy aisle and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The colors, the sounds, the sheer options to choose from. You’re searching for a gift that’s thoughtful, fun and won’t break your budget, and in your dream world, it’s something they’ll remember for years to come. (We’ve all been burned by the must-have toy that gets discarded faster than a Christmas tree on Jan. 1st.) That’s where the Happy Kid Awards: Best Toys and Games comes in. We’ve researched the market, talked to parents and had families test the hottest gifts around, uncovering the finds where expectations don’t just meet reality—they exceed it. Here’s what to have on your radar, as well as a few unexpected must-haves to streamline gift-giving, so you can savor every second of the holiday season.
awards
Happy KID
CrunchLabs
Squirrel Dash
Based on Mark Rober’s viral squirrel obstacle courses, this game features up to four players racing to get to the top of Fort Knuts. Along the way, you’ll collect nuts in the fort, but once it gets too full, they'll topple and launch a chain reaction that could have disastrous results—or clear your path to victory. There’s a lesson in kinetic energy here, but let’s be honest: Kids are in it to revel in the chaos. Ages 6+
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Cat Condo
Cornhole
The standard bean bag toss has got nothing on this four-tiered wonder. Every landing awards you a different amount of points, and the set comes with 30 challenge cards to mix up the rules—like Tail End, where you have to toss the cats with your back facing the condo, earning double the points for every shot you make. It makes every round feel like a totally new game. Ages 7+
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Monopoly Deal
No Mercy
While Monopoly Deal turned a 3-hour board game into a fast-paced, travel-friendly card game, No Mercy takes things a step further. “This is a much more ruthless version of the original, which—in my kids’ opinion—is even more fun,” our tester shared. The stakes are higher, because while you’re still racing to be the first to collect three property sets, someone else can steal your entire hand at once. Watch out. Ages 8+
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Best New Board Game
Best for Eye-Hand Coordination
Best Competitive Game
Best GAMES
BEST TOYS FOR KIDS 8+
UNEXPECTED MVPs
BEST BABY TOYS
The Best Toys & Games of 2026
Best TOYS FOR KIDS 4-7
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Danny Go’s YouTube videos have become a parent and teacher favorite for encouraging “brain breaks,” getting kids up and moving for a few minutes. Now, one of his most popular series has been turned into an IRL game, featuring a musical volcano and two modes of play: as a dance game and as an interactive challenge, where the “rock” floor pads, gems and tunnel become an obstacle course. Expect plenty of giggles. Ages 3+
Best Game for Preschoolers
Danny Go!
Lava Adventure Game
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Nex Playground is now a two-time Happy Kid Award winner for two simple reasons: It gets kids moving and the games keep innovating. The $89/year Play Pass subscription features an ever-expanding roster of new games that appeal to all ages, from Bluey: Bust-a-Move to the tween-friendly Dude Perfect Trickshot Challenge. Its camera is surprisingly good at tracking players' movements too. Ages 5+
Best Game for the Whole Family
Nex Playground
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Ergonomically designed and built to accommodate babies up to 29 pounds, this self-rocking design keeps baby happily entertained and takes up practically no room. Once your infant is sitting up and walking unaided, simply turn the fabric seat around and use it as a comfy children’s chair.
Best Bouncer Seat
Baby Björn
Bouncer Bliss
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This freestanding, sustainably made gate can be converted into multiple configurations to suit your space. It’s also portable and easy to take apart and reassemble should you want to move it from the playroom to Grandma’s house. But it was the child-safe (yet parent-friendly) “door” latch that stood out to our testers: simple to open and no fingers pinched.
Best Baby Gate
Harppa Grovi
Playpen
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Our editor and parent testers continually come back to Nanit, not just for its screen clarity, but also for the sleep insights–everything from the number of wake-ups to coughing fits gets tracked. Separate accessories—such as the stand-alone monitor—expand the ways you can use it.
Best Baby Monitor
Nanit Smart Baby
Monitor System
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A 5-minute card game you can play anywhere? Oh, and it has almost no learning curve, getting the whole family involved? It sounds too good to be true, but Gummy Grab delivers. Everyone plays simultaneously, racing to match their cards with the ones on the table by color or number, snatching up faux gummy worms in the process. After three rounds, the player with the most worms wins. Easy, right? Ages 6+
Best Fast-Paced Game
Vango
Gummy Grab
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When is a battery not just a battery? When it's designed with kids' safety top of mind. Energizer® Ultimate Child Shield™ coin lithium batteries have a superior number of child safety features, from the world's only ingestion burn protection and Color Alert technology, to the non-toxic bitter coating and child resistant packaging. As the world's only coin lithium battery to prevent burns if swallowed, this is a must-have to power toys and gifts this season.
Our Pick for Powering Kids' Toys
Energizer® Ultimate Child Shield™ Batteries
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Camp Snap’s Super-8 digital camera looks and feels nostalgic; everyone will be clamoring to try it out, recording memories of the day so it doesn’t all fall on Mom—and she’ll actually appear in the footage this time too. And, instead of recording on your phone, you’re less likely to get distracted by a notification or use up all of your storage space. Plus, it’s easy to upload footage and rechargeable via USB-C.
Best Memory Preserver
Camp Snap CS-8
Digital Video Camera
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We had our reservations about this extendable tape dispenser, but it turned out to be a legitimately easy and useful way to dispense tape fast. Using its expand-and-retract feature, you can dispense up to 18 strips of tape at a time. No more sticking individual bits to the kitchen table as you go (then fighting to scrape them off when they inevitably get stuck).
Shortcut for Wrapping Gifts Faster
Tape Zoomie
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The hallmark of a great gift is one kids can’t wait to open right this second. That’s where the Slice excels, with its ergonomic grip handle and retractable blade that make it effortlessly easy to tear through packages. The blade also features a finger-friendly edge to avoid cutting you (or damaging whatever’s in the box) and it’s made of 100 percent zirconium oxide, making it ultra-durable and rust resistant.
Best for Unboxing
Slice Auto-Retractable
Box Cutter
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While your kids will freak out over this sticker maker—which can utilize AI prompts to really customize your creations—you’ll love its ability to create fun gift tags and even last-minute holiday cards (because hey, sometimes it takes until Dec. 21 to get everyone together for a photo). Best of all, you can create everything using the Cricut Design Space app on your phone, with mail-order-quality results in minutes.
The Ultimate Finishing Touch
Cricut StickerPix + Cut
Essential Bundle
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Psst: Clear, hard-sided pencil cases are about to take over playrooms. And not just for craft supplies. These containers are just the right size to corral all kinds of small toys, from Tonies and Shopkins to Monster Jam Mini trucks and Hot Wheels cars. You can even organize LEGO sets within them, and if that's not enough, they’re great for travel and can be stored vertically on bookshelves.
Best for Organizing Small Toys
Up&Up Hard-Sided Zippered
Pencil Case
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This charming series riffs on Goodnight Moon with a minimal tableau of familiar objects and a gentle rhythm where the reader says goodnight to each item as the sun goes down. In signature Jon Klassen style, there’s plenty of peculiarity and whimsy to spur laughs and tap into baby’s imagination.
Best Bedtime Book
'Your Places' Box Set
by Jon Klassen
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This damage-free design blocks 100 percent of light as it streams in, and the adaptable fit means the curtains accommodate a range of window sizes and are just as easy to hang up as they are to take down (no tools required). Plus, they’re lightweight and packable, so you can take them on the road to keep sleep routines consistent.
Best Blackout Curtains
Otterspace Total Blackout Curtain
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A good night’s sleep is the ultimate mission, and our testers appreciated the Velcro closure on this guy which is silent and designed for minimal disturbances while baby slumbers. They also like how easy it is to take on and off: Zip the bottom, fasten the top—no fancy wrap techniques required.
Best Swaddle
MomCozy Easy
Swaddle Wrap
Take Gift-Giving to the Next Level
Unexpected MVPs
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A steering wheel is an easy way to entertain babies (and toddlers) as you run errands, and what makes this Itzy Ritzy model stand out isn’t just its chic aesthetic; it attaches to strollers, wagons and shopping carts alike, so you can use it wherever you go. It also features three fidget toys on the wheel itself, including a horn with an oh-so-thoughtful parent lock.
3 months+
Best On-the-Go Baby Toy
Itzy Ritzy Bitzy
Driver
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It’s hard to resist anything called a “plumpkin,” especially when its fur is this soft. These stuffed animals have a lightly weighted bottom to maintain their slouchy seated position. The only question you’ll have is, do you choose the sloth, panda, piglet or kitten? 0+ months
Cuddliest New Stuffed Animal
Gund Plumpkins
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Bath time gets a lot more fun once your baby’s outgrown the infant tub and can sit and play—especially when you bust out this set of toys. The pipes, tubes and cogs all suction to the wall, so you can set them up in any configuration and watch your little one delight in pouring in water and watching it travel back into the tub. 12+ months
Most Fun Bath Toy
Boon Pipes, Cogs and Tubes Bath Toy Bundle
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This five-in-one walker has some serious longevity. Bust it out before your kid’s cruising to play with on the floor—the coin box lights up and the produce is detachable—then convert it to a walker when the time comes. As they grow steadier, it can pivot to a stroller to push their dolls and stuffies, or turn it into a shopping cart or pretend store. 6+ months
Coolest New Walker
Skip Hop Farmstand 5-in-1 Grow Along Activity Walker
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Busy boards are a screen-free staple for road trips and flights, and this little sub overdelivers on the fun. It has more than 15 features, from sliding fish and a peek-a-boo flap to a spinning propeller and an extendable periscope. It even comes with activity cards to provide more ways to play, depending on whether you’d like to boost your baby’s fine motor skills or spark creative play. 12+ months
Best Busy Board
National Geographic
Submarine Busy Board
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We love a multi-purpose toy, and this Scoot ‘n Serve truck combines two early childhood favorites. First, it’s a ride-on toy. Then, as your baby gets older, they can pop open the truck and turn it into an ice cream parlor, serving scoops and soft serve. Don’t forget the faux-sprinkle shaker! 12+ months
Sweetest New Ride-On Toy
Little Tikes Sweet Spaces
Ice Cream Scoot 'n Serve
Best Gifts for Kids Under 18 Months
Best Baby Toys
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Combine the cause-and-effect of a race track with the thrill of building your own creations and you’ve got LEGO’s latest hit. The larger Duplo blocks make for frustration-free builds for little hands, and with 111 pieces to choose from, you can take this set in plenty of directions, offering hours of creative play. (This is an especially great pick for toddlers with older siblings, encouraging collaborative play.) Ages 3+
Most Fun Building Blocks
LEGO Duplo 3-in-1 Creative Ramps with Vehicles
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You'll have a hard time getting kids to stop playing with this toy. Our tester raved about how easy it was to put VTech’s Self-Checkout together and, most notably, how it sustained her son's interest. The scanner beeps for any item scanned, so they're not limited to just the included groceries, and as kids get older, they can start to learn counting and basic addition and subtraction, thanks to the built-in calculator. Ages 3+
Best for Pretend Play
VTech Count on Me
Self-Checkout
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Strollers, trikes, balance bikes—what’s worth your garage space? And how quickly will they outgrow each? It’s a dilemma every parent faces, which is why we love Radio Flyer’s Trike to Bike. It starts out as a push trike with footrests, which convert into pedals (while you maintain steering control via the push handle). Remove the handle to turn it into a classic tricycle before transitioning to a balance bike. Ages 18 months+
Coolest Balance Bike
Radio Flyer
Milestone Trike to Bike
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Winter is coming, and you’ll need a way for your toddler to burn energy without climbing up the walls. That’s where this 54-inch-wide bounce house comes in. It gives them enough space to jump without taking over your entire house. Plus, it has a built-in electric blower, so it takes seconds to inflate and deflate. Everyone wins. Ages 3+
Best Energy Burner
Smol Mini Rainbow
Bounce House
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When it comes to toy testing, there are certain toddler faves—farm playsets are one of them. But this isn’t any playset. Yes, it features the voice of Ms. Rachel (which you’ll hear when kids pop the figurines in different spots on the farm), but it also has day and night modes, teaching kids about routines, and it's loaded with fidgets (like a spinning windmill) and surprise-reveals (like a bath that fills with bubbles). Ages 1+
Best New Playset
Ms. Rachel Official My First Learning Farm Playset
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As we researched toys, we kept hearing how much kids love playing birthday party—even if they’re not receiving new gifts. Half the joy is blowing out the candles on a cake, and with this set, they can celebrate every day. They can use the magnetic wand to “light” the candle, making a faux flame appear, then blow it out. It's a fun prop for pretend play that also helps develop hand-eye coordination. Ages 2+
Best New Birthday Gift
Melissa & Doug Birthday Surprise Keepsake Box
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You packed the snacks for the park, but not the bib—shoot. A disposable set of bibs you can tuck straight into the diaper bag is as essential as Water Wipes. And these really work, thanks to the leak-resistant waterproof-backing and fold-out crumb catcher.
Best for Meals Away from Home
Parasol
Disposable Bibs
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Designed for long-term use well beyond the baby stage, this plate comes with a divider that keeps foods separate—the golden rule for dinner, as dispensed by our kids. Still, as baby grows, that very same divider can be easily removed, leaving behind a sleek and modern plate that works well for all manner of meals. The curved sides also make it easy to scoop foods as baby practices with utensils.
Best Dishware
Omie Easy
Scoop Plate
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The genius of this design is that no water is needed. Instead, it uses air to safely warm breastmilk and formula, which takes less time and effort than traditional warmers. To deliver even heat, the device constantly rocks the bottle back and forth; it also works with all types of bottles (glass, silicone, plastic).
Best Bottle Warmer
Baby Brezza Air Swirl Waterless Bottle Warmer
Dream Gifts for the Daycare Crowd
Best Toys for Toddlers
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At first glance, you might dismiss this as another toy truck (albeit one for Paw Patrol fans). But press the light bar and a 2.5-foot-tall inflatable dinosaur pops out. It’s the kind of surprise-and-delight moment that wowed kids and adults in our testing group, and we love that you can also detach the dinosaur for stand-alone play, and the Rocky figurine can clip on to “ride” it. Ages 4+
Most Innovative Toy Truck
'Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie' Megasaurus Dino Vehicle
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For the kid who’s always hoarding your old Amazon boxes “for a craft,” give them the tools to make their wildest dreams a reality. This 126-piece kit includes a set of kid-safe tools, like the brand’s Scrus and Scru-driver, for attaching cardboard pieces meant to move (such as wheels or wings) and a Safe-Saw that’s strong enough to cut through cardboard but has rounded teeth to prevent cuts—or sharp cardboard edges. Ages 5+
Best DIY Toy
Makedo
Discover Kit
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There’s no denying the thrill of unboxing, be it blind bags or Barbie’s Reveal line, and its latest launch may be its most awe-inspiring to date. Kids audibly gasped watching the soccer ball pop open to reveal a standing Barbie, all dressed up and ready to hit the field. So much so, in fact, that they often pop her back in, just to watch it all over again. Ages 5+
Coolest New Doll
Barbie Roll and Reveal
Soccer Player Doll
Gifts that Spark Creativity
Best Toys for Kids 4-7
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This isn’t the Tamagotchi you remember from the ‘90s. Tamagotchi Paradise features a full-color screen and dial on the side you can use to care for your digital pet, but even cooler, you can connect your device to another’s and let the pets play together. You can also raise 50,000 different characters—and employ a sitter to help care for your pet—earning this iteration rave reviews from testers. Ages 8+
Coolest Digital Pet
Tamagotchi
Paradise
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Your kid’s getting into music but is more into Marshmello than the marching band. Time to introduce them to Loops Lab. The Starter Set features a stage and five figurines. As they place them on the board, different beats will play, allowing them to layer, loop and build their own tracks. Expansion packs with different bands (and sounds) are available, allowing them to diversity their sound, from rock to 8-bit jams. Ages 8+
Best Musical Toy
Loops Lab
DJ Set
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Tiny collectibles are everywhere right now, but some of the best ones are kids’ own creations. This kit features easy-to-follow instructions for making up to 15 clay pets. The only time parents need to step in is during their 20-minute bake time. As the clay bakes, kids can assemble the cardstock adoption truck and accessories. “This is the coolest craft I’ve ever done,” our 8-year-old tester exclaimed. Ages 8+
Best Kids' Craft
Klutz Mini Clay World
Pet Adoption Truck
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Rainbow Loom has been the go-to bracelet-making kit for the past few years, thanks to its minimal learning curve (read: Parents don’t wind up doing everything). Now, the brand’s adding a fun twist with its Pop Fluff bands, which are squishier and plushier, resulting in a comfier bracelet you can’t help but squeeze. Ages 8+
Most Fun Bracelet-Making Kit
Rainbow Loom Puff Pop Fluff Bracelet-Making Kit
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Maybe it’s the result of ‘90s kid summer, but what’s old is new again—hacky sacks included. They’ve been trending among Gen Z, and now Gen Alpha wants in on the action. Parents, will you please show them how it’s done? Ages 8+
Best Competitive Toy
Wham-O
Hacky Sack
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Fidget spinners and squishy dumplings are taking a back seat to the latest sensory obsession among kids: Clickeez. As their name implies, these collectible buttons make a satisfying clicking sound when pressed, but what kids really love is the hunt for their favorite characters and trading ultra-rare finds. The cubes snap together, or you can display them on a faux keyboard.
Ages 6+
Hottest New Collectible
Clickeez Series 3
Bubble Pops
Fresh Finds That Are Cool, Not Cringe
Best Toys for Kids 8 and Up
Submissions for the 2027
Happy Kid Awards:
Best Toys & Games
To submit a product for next year’s awards, email happykidawards@purewow.com and include the following information:
Name & short description of the product (2-3 sentences)
Link (if available)
Photos
Pricing/availability
Launch date (While we focus on products launched after August 1, 2026, we accept submissions of brands' tried-and-true bestsellers as well.)
Our toys and games submission period runs from May 1, 2027 to April 3, 2027. There is no cost to enter a product for awards consideration, though we may ask to receive up to three samples to have families test and provide feedback on. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to email our team.
credits
Writer: Candace Davison
Editors: Jillian Quint
Managing Editor: Catrina Yohay
Designer: Paula Boudes
Check out our previous award winners and our awards guidelines here.
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Given that the nursery is an ever-evolving space, we love that peel-and-stick wallpaper allows us to continually freshen it up. Still, Chasing Paper is in a league of its own, made from high quality, self-adhesive poly-woven fabric. Our testers remarked that it’s near-impossible to tell the difference from traditional wallpaper and that it’s truly easy to put up and take down.
Best Wallpaper
Chasing Paper
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
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When it comes to machine-washable rugs, the options from Nestig always seem to maintain their fluff. One tester was amazed that her rug, made from soft and durable organic cotton, appeared brand-new again after a single wash. Yogurt, marker, even a bit of strawberry juice all came out and the rug maintained its shape.
Best Washable Rug
Nestig
Washable Rug
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Corraling the kids’ toys at the end of the night feels like an impossible task. These catch-all bins—made from 100 percent cotton canvas—are pretty, polished and maintain their upright structure, no matter which size you get. One editor shared that her baby loves gripping the handles to flip and empty them “all by himself.” We love that the pom poms add a touch of whimsy.
Best Storage
Pehr Pom-Pom
Basket Bins
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Vending machines and claw machines have been making a comeback—a costly one at that. What’s cooler than playing one at the arcade? Making your own machine. This KiwiCo set provides everything kids need to craft their own turn-key machine (including fun mini eraser prizes, though we’d also recommend stuffing the plastic balls with all those squishies your kids have accumulated). Ages 5+
Most Creative Twist on a Trend
KiwiCo Surprise Prize
Vending Machine
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Kids can’t resist the chance to take care of this tiny hamster, whose cheeks glow when he’s feeling unwell. The kiddie-purse-sized kit comes with vet cards and all kinds of tools and bandages to diagnose and care for the pet. Also, thanks to its compact size, it’s great for taking on the go (and to playdates it shall go—trust us). Ages 4+
Cutest Responsibility-Building Toy
Little Live Pets Ouchies
Vet Kit
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When it comes to compact diversions to get you through waiting rooms, road trips and delayed flights, the Boogie Board writing tablet is a must-have. The ink-free drawing pad lets kids sketch and tic-tac-toe their hearts out, starting anew with the simple press of the fox’s nose. Plus, it easily clips onto backpacks and the tethered stylus can be repositioned for lefties or righties. Ages 3+
Best Travel Toy
Boogie Board Sketch Pals LCD Writing Tablet
BEST TODDLER TOYS
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