Credits
The Best Games
Fun ways for the whole family to connect
DESIGNER: DASHA BUROBINA
MANAGING EDITOR: CATRINA YOHAY
CANDACE DAVISON
Candace Davison
WRITERS/EDITORS: Rachel Bowie
Submissions for
the 2025 Happy
SCHOOL DAY Awards
Our winners span the following categories:
PureWow editors gathered submissions throughout the spring and summer, while attending toy fairs and researching new and best-selling products and talking to parents nationwide for their recommendations. From there, we narrowed our list to 100 finalists. We then had families across the country test the products, offering their honest feedback on what they liked—and didn’t—to arrive at the 30 best of the best. The results, broken down by age group, stand out for their value, quality, aesthetics 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.
All too often, the toy that you think will make their year…winds up containing 237 parts that don’t really fit together, immediately get lost and can’t manage to hold your kid’s interest for more than 12 seconds. We’ve been there. And with so many toys and games out there, where do you even begin to find the gem that core memories are made of?! That’s why we scoured the market, having kids across the country vet the hottest new (and tried-and-true) toys and games, so you can know what’s truly worth your time (and money).
The Best Toys & Games
Happy Kid Awards:
You Little Stinker
For a crowd renowned for their 3-minute attention spans, we were amazed at how kids begged to play “just one more round!” of this dice-matching game. It’s fast-paced play, where everyone takes turns putting their dice in Little Stinker’s mouth (aka the silicone shaker) and letting him “spit” them out. Depending on what's face up, you'll gain or lose dice, and the first person to zero comes up smelling like roses. Ages 4+
BUY IT
Monopoly GO!
How do you make Monopoly even better? Condense it to 15 minutes and make the board super portable, so you can sneak in a round wherever you are. That’s essentially what you get with Monopoly GO!, where every player gets a mini board and plays simultaneously
(no waiting for your turn!) as they race to stack four matching-colored landmarks. Flight delays are no sweat when you've got this in your carry-on. Ages 8+
BUY IT
Do You Really Know
Your Family?
Ask your kid what they did at school, and you’ll be met with a shrug. If you really want to know what’s going on (and share a good laugh), bust out this game. You’ll take turns drawing cards and answering trivia questions about your loved ones—“what's my least favorite chore?”—while competing in challenges (like impersonating a relative). Prepare to be surprised by what you learn about each other—and yourself. Ages 8+
BUY IT
the 2024
Best for Little Kids
Best Travel Game
Best Cross-Generational Game
BUY IT
If you thought UNO was dangerously addictive, prepare yourself for UNO Teams. You’ll still match colors, numbers and symbols, but this time, you’re in teams of two—and both of you must get rid of your cards to win.
(If one person goes out, they take half of their partner’s cards and keep going.) It's a great way to get younger kids in on the game; you'll be surprised how quickly they turn into total card sharks. Ages 7+
Best Card Game
UNO Teams
BUY IT
“This game is less gross, more hilarious,” swears Happy Kid Award judge Rachel Bowie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to be the last poop to survive getting flushed in this delightfully absurd board game for up to four players. Expect nonstop giggles as kids uncover the joy of “luck meets strategy,” as Bowie puts it—and some good ol’ fashioned potty humor. Ages 6+
Silliest Strategy Game
Poop Wars
BUY IT
When we polled tweens on their most-wishlisted items, we found the Rubik’s Cube was making a major comeback. This one is part fidget toy—thanks to its squishy nature—part solo game (and 1,000 times better than Solitaire). They won't realize they're boosting their problem-solving skills as they race to match the colors on each side of the cube; you'll appreciate the silence as they focus on beating their best time. Ages 7+
Best Solo Game
Rubik’s Squish Cube
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, 2024,
we accept brands’ tried-and-true bestsellers as well.)
Our submission period runs from May 1, 2025 to August 1, 2025. 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.
Update: The 2024 Happy Kid Awards will be unveiled in three phases: Happy Baby (launching in June), Happy School Days (launching in July) and Happy Kid Awards: The Best Toys and Games (formerly Happy Playtime, launching in November). As a result, we're extending our submissions period:
The Best Games
The Best Baby Toys
The Best Toddler Toys
The Best Toys for Kids 4-7
Best for Commuting
The Best Toys for Kids 8 & Up
BUY IT
In the new parent world, YouTuber Ms. Rachel is a rockstar—and her toy line is just as big of a hit. Babies can practice their grasp and motor skills as they pull stuffed surprises from the soft box, which is covered in fun illustrations that call back to the sing-along series.
Ages 3 months+
Best Sensory Box
Ms. Rachel Surprise Learning Box
BUY IT
Shape sorters are a must-have for little ones; it feels like you’re raising a tiny genius the moment they start figuring out where the triangle or circle goes. But KiwiCo takes the classic to new levels of fun, adding a hidden rocker in the toy, so babies can press a button and watch the shapes pop up, revealing different faces on each block. (It’s a nice way to practice emotions too.)
Ages 6 months+
Best for Spatial Reasoning
KiwiCo Pop-Up Shape Sorter Puzzle
BUY IT
A sound machine that doubles as a stuffy? You better believe it. This bunny plays five customizable sounds for 30+ minutes, including shushing, nature sounds, white noise and a combo of music with gentle yawns (bunny hear, bunny do, perhaps?). Plus, you can remove the electronics and pop it into the washing machine. Its convenience—and cuteness—won over parents, especially when they saw its calming powers in action. Ages 0+
Best for Nighttime
Fisher-Price Soothe
& Settle Bunny
BUY IT
Tummy time is a test of endurance—for both of you—so any distraction that makes those minutes a bit more enjoyable is welcome. That’s where this triangle comes in. The soft toy is reversible, with high-contrast black-and-white imagery for developing eyes on one side, and colorful, ocean-themed sensory toys on the other. It also packs flat, making it great for travel. Ages 0+
Best for Tummy Time
Melissa & Doug Ocean Tummy Time Triangle
BUY IT
Designed for crawlers and walkers alike, this compact playhouse grows with your baby, so you can enjoy it through toddlerhood. Testers loved that it offered tons to do—from push-buttons and shape-sorting to a crawl-through door and pretend mail delivery—without taking up much space. And, since it’s designed with multiple stages of development in mind, older siblings could play alongside their baby sibs.
Ages 6 months+
Best Playhouse
Fisher-Price Laugh &
Learn Ultimate Playhouse
BUY IT
Ring stackers will never go out of style, but PureWow parents and editors love this particular design the most for several reasons: It’s less than $10, there are high-contrast rings (good for eye development!); one of which doubles as a rattle (instant music class!) and the other rings can be teethers (take that, sore gums). Ages 0+
Best Tried-and-True Toy
Sassy Stacks of Circles Ring Stacker
Fun finds for those under one
The Best Baby Toys
buy it
No toy is one size fits all, which is what makes this activity board so cool: You choose six sensory tiles—arranging them in whatever order you want—so it's customized to suit your child's interests. No matter what you choose, you'll be helping them improve their fine motor skills, learn cause-and-effect and just plain be entertained. And it's roughly the size of a tablet, so you can take it anywhere. Ages 1+
Best Travel Toy
Fat Brain Toys Playtab Modular Activity Board
buy it
If your TikTok feed hasn’t been taken over by videos of families raving about this wooden vending machine set, it will be. Kids love stocking the shelves of this battery-free toy, then inserting play money and pressing buttons to watch them drop through the chute. It’s even occupational therapist-approved: one expert told us it's great for boosting social skills, imaginative play and learning sequenced actions. Ages 3+
Most Viral Toy
Melissa & Doug Sort, Stock, Select Vending Machine Play Set
buy it
When it comes to daycare bangers, the “Wheels on the Bus” has got nothing on the chicken dance, and this arm-flapping Elmo proves it. “I can’t believe how much entertainment this has provided our house,” says PureWow Executive Editor Alexia Dellner. “The tunes are catchy, the dancing is so silly and it’s just plain fun.” Stuffed with a recycled polyester filling, Elmo also tells jokes, giggles and clucks. Ages 2+
Best for At-Home Dance Parties
Just Play Sesame Street Chicken Dance Elmo
buy it
Anyone who’s stepped on a LEGO in the middle of the night knows…it’s awful. That’s what makes these squishy, stretchy (yet still stackable!) Jelly Blox so brilliant. The soft, sensory blocks let your child channel their inner builder, and some are filled with super sand, mini stars and foam beads, making them all the more engaging to play with. Ages 2+
Best for Budding Engineers
Goliath Jelly Blox
Stash and Stack
buy it
Ah, the toddler urge to climb on everything. And turn it into a fort. The latest release from Nugget, the Chunk, satisfies that desire without destroying your house. It looks like an ultra-mod storage ottoman, yet it can be used for all kinds of open-ended play, transforming into a rocket ship, boat, reading nook or hideaway. Editors lauded it for its rare blend of practicality and fun. Ages 3+
Editor’s Pick
The Chunk by Nugget
buy it
Baby dolls abound, but what makes Baby Alive's latest so much fun is that toddlers can teach her to crawl, then help her sit up, drink a bottle and play. Kids got a thrill from coaching the doll through skills they've recently mastered themselves. (Just note that if your toddler shrieks with glee, it's likely because he's found the button on the doll's back, which plays a 12-second song that the toy "dances" to.) Ages 3+
Best Doll
Baby Alive Crawl 'n Play Tilly Tinker Doll
Dream gifts for the daycare crowd
The Best Toddler Toys
buy it
Get this: The Gecko Run is a vertical marble run that attaches to windows, doors and walls using nano-adhesive pads that provide a sturdy-yet-temporary hold, so kids can quickly reposition and rebuild tracks as they see fit. (And your walls don’t get damaged in the process.) This means it’s free of the wobbly support structures most marble runs have, causing fewer meltdowns—and messes—as kids play. Win-win. Ages 7+
Best STEM Toy
Gecko Run Deluxe
buy it
Behold, a scooter that’s so much more than a scooter. Sure, your kid can ride around on it, but she can also flip open the back to craft pretend pizzas out of Play-Doh, then zip around and deliver them. There’s even a pretend credit card reader and molds to make fake money too. And, when you’re all done, all of the Play-Doh and accessories fit neatly inside the storage seat. Ages 3+
Best Imaginary Play Toy
Play-Doh Pizza
Delivery Scooter
buy it
If you’re headed to a birthday party and you don’t know what to get, Stomp Rockets are a safe bet. (C’mon, what kid doesn’t want to smash a button with their feet and launch things into the sky?) This space-themed collection will appeal to the planetary-obsessed while encouraging active play, especially as they discover how each spacecraft glides differently—and see who can shoot them the farthest. Ages 5+
Best Outdoor Toy
Stomp Rocket NASA Collection
buy it
Warning: Your kids won’t be the only ones in love with Daisy. Multiple parents told us they coveted it as much as their children did. Why? Not only is she adorable, but she’ll go through downward dog and other poses with you, and has a meditation mode that helps everyone wind down. She also normalizes tooting mid-vinyasa, a guaranteed way to crack kids up. Noisy-toy-wary parents, take note: There’s an off switch. Ages 4+
Best Interactive Toy
FurReal Daisy
the Yoga Goat
buy it
Some crafts only hold a child’s attention for seconds, leaving you with a project to clean up afterward. Foil Fun is refreshingly different. It’s like foil by numbers, where you peel off portions of an image, revealing a sticky backing, then press any color foil onto it. From there, kids can layer on foam stickers and other embellishments to create their own work of art. (Parents loved making these too, BTW!) Ages 4+
Best Mess-Free Art
Skillmatics Foil Fun
buy it
It’s the stepping stone upgrade you didn’t know you needed…until suddenly, your kids are using them everyday and are begging you to take them to grandma’s. Six rainbow, waterproof “stones” and an anchor board come in this set, which can hold 396 pounds apiece. They can be stacked and turned into a chair, but testers used them to build sand castles, fortresses, bathtime islands (they’re buoyant),
stilts and as an obstacle course for
“floor is lava.” Ages 4+
Best Montessori Toy
Staplestein Kids
Rainbow Set
Gifts that spark their creativity (and burn energy)
The Best Toys
for Kids Ages 4 to 7
buy it
Remember the fun of caring for a Tamagotchi? Imagine that, only easier to use—and you can touch it. The palm-sized Bitzee has become a hit with kids for its pulsing LED wand, which casts an image you can “pet” of the creature you care for. And its latest version features 30 Disney characters, from Stitch to Olaf, to collect and play with. One tester summed it up simply: “I can’t handle the cuteness!”
Ages 5+
Buzziest Digital Toy
Bitzee, Disney Edition
buy it
Just because it’s getting dark outside doesn’t mean the fun has to end (unless, of course, it’s dinnertime). This football lights up when it’s thrown or kicked, and it features double LEDs, so it really glows. Consider it a must-have for kids who need to burn off energy in the gloomy days of winter, when the sun sets before 5.
Ages 5+
Best for Athletes
Nightball Glowing
Football
buy it
As your kid awaits their letter to Hogwarts, help them hone their wizarding skills with this mini potions class (because everything's cooler when it's tiny, right?). Each ball features all of the ingredients to make an elixir from the Harry Potter series, from the bone-rebuilding Skele-Gro to appearance-altering Polyjuice potion. When they're done, the potion's UV-based resin hardens, creating a collectible micro toy. Ages 8+
Best for Aspiring Wizards
Make It Mini
Potions Toy
Fresh finds that are cool, not cringe
The Best Toys for Kids Ages 8 and Up
$152 AT POLARN O. PYRET
Rainsuits are the new snowsuits (thanks, climate change!), which is why we consider them an absolute back-to-school essential. This version from Swedish outerwear brand Polarn O. Pyret is best-in-class given it’s not only wind and waterproof—even in a downpour—but will last you more than one season (sizes span four years). Exactly what you need to help your kid stay dry and warm.
Best Rainy Day Gear
Polarn O. Pyret Rainsuit
$2,199 AT RADIO FLYER
This splurge-worthy item is as good for the environment as it is a zippy way to shuttle your kids to school. With a battery range of up to 50 miles and differing wheel sizes for greater stability on the road, this cargo style e-bike can carry passengers between the ages of 5 and 10. (A car seat is required for younger kiddos, but can be easily strapped to the back).
Best Eco-Friendly Ride
Radio Flyer Via E-Bike
$25 at amazon
The bus ride to school can be long. Assuming kids have an MP3 player or another way to cue up some tunes, this pair of headphones from Altec Lansing is totally clutch. We love the attainable price point, as well as the foldable and break-proof design, the noise-canceling capabilities and the volume-limiting option (super important to protect kid’s hearing).
Best for the Bus
Altec Lansing MZX4500 Headphones
the 2024
Fun finds for those under one
the best baby toys
Dream gifts for the daycare crowd
The Best
Toddler Toys
Gifts that spark their creativity
(and burn energy)
The Best Toys
for Kids Ages 4 to 7
Whether by bus, bike or carpool
best for commuting
Check out our previous award winners and our awards guidelines here.
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.
$152 at polarn o. pyret
Rainsuits are the new snowsuits (thanks, climate change!) which is why we consider them an absolute back-to-school essential. This version from Swedish outerwear brand Polarn O. Pyret is best-in-class given it’s not only wind and waterproof—even in a downpour—but will last you more than one season (sizes span four years). Exactly what you need to help your kid stay dry and warm.
Best Rainy Day Gear
Polarn O. Pyret Rainsuit
$2,199 at radio flyer
This splurge-worthy item is as good for the environment as it is a zippy way to shuttle your kids to school. With a battery range of up to 50 miles and differing wheel sizes for greater stability on the road, this cargo style can carry passengers between the ages of 5 and 10. (A car seat is required for younger kiddos, but can be easily strapped to the back).
Best Eco-Friendly Ride
Radio Flyer Via E-Bike
$25 at Amazon
The bus ride to school can be long. Assuming kids have an MP3 player or another way to cue up some tunes, this pair of headphones from Altec Lansing is totally clutch. We love the attainable price point,but the foldable and break-proof design, the noise-canceling capabilities and the volume-limiting option (super important to protect kid’s hearing).
Best for the Bus
Altec Lansing MZX4500 Headphones
(sponsored by Walmart)
Presented by
buy it
This pocket-sized gaming system is small but mighty. Pair it with your TV, and its camera tracks everyone's movements as they "play" games on screen, like Fruit Ninja, bowling or tennis, or kids can fight crime with Miraculous Ladybug or have a playdate with Peppa Pig. In effect, you're the controller, making Nex a great way to get everyone moving—even on a rainy day. (Psst: There's also a workout mode you can enjoy.) Ages 5+
Best New Gaming System
Nex Playground
buy it
Your Swiftie has mastered basic bracelet-making kits; now they’re ready to take things to the next level. This briefcase comes neatly organized with more than 630 gems, two dozen charms and 30+ feet of stretchy cord, among other crafting essentials, as well as a jewelry stand and cards for displaying their creations. Tweens loved the quality and variety of the beads, along with the prospect of launching a side hustle. Ages 6+
Best Craft
Super Smalls
Entrepreneur Kit
buy it
It’s a good thing Speks sells its memory gel balls in a three-pack, because your kid will want one for home, school and long car rides. And you might want to borrow it too. These gel-filled silicone orbs are seriously satisfying to squish—and remarkably durable. (Seriously, as our testers threw, splatted and even stomped on them, they didn’t crack or leak.) Ages 8+
Best Fidget Toy
Speks Gump Memory
Gel Balls
Alexia Dellner
BUY IT
If you thought UNO was dangerously addictive, prepare yourself for UNO Teams. You’ll still match colors, numbers and symbols, but this time, you’re in teams of two—and both of you must get rid of your cards to win. (If one person goes out, they take half of their partner’s cards and keep going.) It's a great way to get younger kids in on the game; you'll be surprised how quickly they turn into total card sharks. Ages 7+
Best Card Game
UNO Teams
BUY IT
“This game is less gross, more hilarious,” swears Happy Kid Award judge Rachel Bowie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to be the last poop to survive getting flushed in this delightfully absurd board game for up to four players. Expect nonstop giggles as kids uncover the joy of “luck meets strategy,” as Bowie puts it—and some good ol’ fashioned potty humor. Ages 6+
Silliest Strategy Game
Poop Wars
BUY IT
When we polled tweens on their most-wishlisted items, we found the Rubik’s Cube was making a major comeback. This one is part fidget toy—thanks to its squishy nature—part solo game (and 1,000 times better than Solitaire). They won't realize they're boosting their problem-solving skills as they race to match the colors on each side of the cube; you'll appreciate the silence as they focus on beating their best time. Ages 7+
Best Solo Game
Rubik’s Squish Cube
buy it
In the new parent world, YouTuber Ms. Rachel is a rockstar—and her toy line is just as big of a hit. Babies can practice their grasp and motor skills as they pull stuffed surprises from the soft box, which is covered in fun illustrations that call back to the sing-along series. Ages 3 months+
Best Sensory Box
Ms. Rachel Surprise Learning Box
buy it
Shape sorters are a must-have for little ones; it feels like you’re raising a tiny genius the moment they start figuring out where the triangle or circle goes. But KiwiCo takes the classic to new levels of fun, adding a hidden rocker in the toy, so babies can press a button and watch the shapes pop up, revealing different faces on each block. (It’s a nice way to practice emotions too.) Ages 6 months+
Best for Spatial Reasoning
KiwiCo Pop-Up Shape Sorter Puzzle
buy it
A sound machine that doubles as a stuffy? You better believe it. This bunny plays five customizable sounds for 30+ minutes, including shushing, nature sounds, white noise and a combo of music with gentle yawns (bunny hear, bunny do, perhaps?). Plus, you can remove the electronics and pop it into the washing machine. Its convenience—and cuteness—won over parents, especially when they saw its calming powers in action. Ages 0+
Best for Nighttime
Fisher-Price Soothe
& Settle Bunny
buy it
Get this: The Gecko Run is a vertical marble run that attaches to windows, doors and walls using nano-adhesive pads that provide a sturdy-yet-temporary hold, so kids can quickly reposition and rebuild tracks as they see fit. (And your walls don’t get damaged in the process.) This means it’s free of the wobbly support structures most marble runs have, causing fewer meltdowns—and messes—as kids play. Win-win. Ages 7+
Best STEM Toy
Gecko Run Deluxe
buy it
Behold, a scooter that’s so much more than a scooter. Sure, your kid can ride around on it, but she can also flip open the back to craft pretend pizzas out of Play-Doh, then zip around and deliver them. There’s even a pretend credit card reader and molds to make fake money too. And, when you’re all done, all of the Play-Doh and accessories fit neatly inside the storage seat. Ages 3+
Best Imaginary Play Toy
Play-Doh Pizza
Delivery Scooter
buy it
If you’re headed to a birthday party and you don’t know what to get, Stomp Rockets are a safe bet. (C’mon, what kid doesn’t want to smash a button with their feet and launch things into the sky?) This space-themed collection will appeal to the planetary-obsessed while encouraging active play, especially as they discover how each spacecraft glides differently—and see who can shoot them the farthest. Ages 5+
Best Outdoor Toy
Stomp Rocket NASA Collection
buy it
Warning: Your kids won’t be the only ones in love with Daisy. Multiple parents told us they coveted it as much as their children did. Why? Not only is she adorable, but she’ll go through downward dog and other poses with you, and has a meditation mode that helps everyone wind down. She also normalizes tooting mid-vinyasa, a guaranteed way to crack kids up. Noisy-toy-wary parents, take note: There’s an off switch. Ages 4+
Best Interactive Toy
FurReal Daisy
the Yoga Goat
buy it
Some crafts only hold a child’s attention for seconds, leaving you with a project to clean up afterward. Foil Fun is refreshingly different. It’s like foil by numbers, where you peel off portions of an image, revealing a sticky backing, then press any color foil onto it. From there, kids can layer on foam stickers and other embellishments to create their own work of art. (Parents loved making these too, BTW!)
Ages 4+
Best Mess-Free Art
Skillmatics Foil Fun
buy it
It’s the stepping stone upgrade you didn’t know you needed…until suddenly, your kids are using them everyday and are begging you to take them to grandma’s. Six rainbow, waterproof “stones” and an anchor board come in this set, which can hold 396 pounds apiece. They can be stacked and turned into a chair, but testers used them to build sand castles, fortresses, bathtime islands (they’re buoyant), stilts and as an obstacle course for
“floor is lava.” Ages 4+
Best Montessori Toy
Staplestein Kids
Rainbow Set
buy it
Get this: The Gecko Run is a vertical marble run that attaches to windows, doors and walls using nano-adhesive pads that provide a sturdy-yet-temporary hold, so kids can quickly reposition and rebuild tracks as they see fit. (And your walls don’t get damaged in the process.) This means it’s free of the wobbly support structures most marble runs have, causing fewer meltdowns—and messes—as kids play. Win-win. Ages 7+
Best STEM Toy
Gecko Run Deluxe
buy it
Behold, a scooter that’s so much more than a scooter. Sure, your kid can ride around on it, but she can also flip open the back to craft pretend pizzas out of Play-Doh, then zip around and deliver them. There’s even a pretend credit card reader and molds to make fake money too. And, when you’re all done, all of the Play-Doh and accessories fit neatly inside the storage seat. Ages 3+
Best Imaginary Play Toy
Play-Doh Pizza
Delivery Scooter
buy it
If you’re headed to a birthday party and you don’t know what to get, Stomp Rockets are a safe bet. (C’mon, what kid doesn’t want to smash a button with their feet and launch things into the sky?) This space-themed collection will appeal to the planetary-obsessed while encouraging active play, especially as they discover how each spacecraft glides differently—and see who can shoot them the farthest. Ages 5+
Best Outdoor Toy
Stomp Rocket NASA Collection
Fresh finds that are cool, not cringe
The Best Toys for
Kids Ages 8 and Up
CANDACE DAVISON