If you don’t have kids or any young ones in the family, it can be hard to decide what toys and games to give your friend’s kids. You want to choose a gift that both the kid and the parents will love, especially because your friends have to live with and potentially clean up whatever choice you make.
We’ve selected 20 toys, divided by age category, to make your shopping a little easier. These toys — perfect for babies, toddlers, grade school kids, and tweens —have some kind of educational or developmental value and won’t make a huge mess in your best friend’s living room. You’ll also have fun playing with these toys and games when you visit your friend and their family next!
Kids ages 0-2
PEEK-A-BOO BERRY TAKE-ALONG TOY
Little hands can explore sensory fun with ombre crinkle leaves and smooth ribbon tabs. This berry features a peek-a-boo mirror and a food-safe silicone ring. It clips easily onto a stroller, diaper bag, or car seat.
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GROWING GREENHOUSE COLOR AND NUMBER PLAYSET
Kids can practice color and counting skills as they sort, match, and count the flower petals and identify the numbered pistils. Everything stores inside the greenhouse for on-the-go play. Also includes a working watering can and an activity guide.
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DISNEY STITCH AND ANGEL BABY TOYS
Introduce babies to Stitch and Angel with the baby toys in this collection. The lineup includes a Stitch Sensory Blanky and Angel Sensory Blanky, both of which feature crinkling texture and a BPA-free teether; a 15-inch plush version of Angel that stands up on its own; a snuggly Stitch blanky that features a plush Stitch…
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FISHER-PRICE ROLY-POLY PANDA PLAY MAT
This play mat features a crinkle toy, mirror, and tummy time panel. The mat is machine washable with toys removed and is made from 90% post-consumer recycled plastics.
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BABY GUND SUSTAINABLY SOFT PLUSH
Sourced from 100% recycled materials, each of these plush friends is crafted with recycled plush and fill and comes in sustainable packaging. Choose from Roise Bunny, Clove Bear, and Bay Puppy.
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Kids ages 3-4
BLUEY FIRETRUCK
This truck playset features a built-in extension ladder that fits the Bingo figure at the top and spins in all directions; a retractable fire hose; a themed sticker sheet; and fire girl Bingo, Bluey, and Bob Bilby figures.
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SESAME STREET ‘ROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Kids can roll their favorite Sesame Street friends down the twisty, curvy chutes of this multi-level playset, place the three balls at the top, then push the yellow button to release them one by one. With each press of the button, Elmo will say silly phrases or sing "Here We Go Loopty-Loo." Surprises pop up…
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SCRIBBLE SCRUBBIE JUMBO PETS WILBUR
Show off your creativity with this jumbo-size, poseable Scribble Scrubbie pet. Kids can use the included washable markers to color in the French bulldog, then rinse off their designs and use the scrub brush for a clean canvas for new creations.
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HONEY BEE ACRES DRESS UP PALS
Each posable flocked figure wears a brightly colored costume that is removable for fun fashion play. These friends love to dress up: Misty dreams of being a doctor, while Shadow pretends to be a chef and Calvin, a fireman. Lulu shares her best pirate moooves with superhero Pippa, while Leo the dino roars when Willow…
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SKETCH PALS DOODLE BOARD AXOLOTL & DRAGON
Kids can draw with the stylus or their finger, then press the animal's nose to clear the board and start again. Each animal board features the tethered stylus and clips to backpacks or car seats for screen-free entertainment on the go.
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Kids ages 5-7
BARBIE 65TH ANNIVERSARY CAREERS DOLLS
Pop Star Barbie | Source: Mattel
Vet Barbie | Source: Mattel
Astronaut Barbie | Source: Mattel
Mattel is celebrating three of Barbie's iconic careers with this new collection of dolls! This lineup includes a vet, an astronaut, and a pop star. Each Barbie is ready for work and comes with plenty of accessories to get the job done.
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FLOWER POWER CARE BEAR
This 14-inch Flower Power Care Bear plushie is here to show us how to "go green!" Made from recycled materials, the Flower Power Bear plush has been designed with the earth in mind while still maintaining the soft snuggable plush feel that this brand is known for.
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MAX DINO ADVENTURE T-REX ATTACK
Kids will construct a prehistoric world by building a dinosaur, a radar dish, and a truck with easy-to-follow instructions. MAX Bricks are compatible with leading brick brands and come in a storage egg.
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FURBY FURBLETS FIERCE & FABULOUS 2-PACK
May-May and Greenie-Meanie both feature 45 tunes and phrases unique to their personality. May-May is sunny and cheerful, while Greenie-Meanie is funny and wicked. They come with backpack clips and kids can enjoy them together or separate them and share with a friend.
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WAFFLES VS PANCAKES
It’s a breakfast battle this holiday season with Waffles vs. Pancakes! Players choose a side, grab a spatula, and put on a blindfold. Then players race to fill their plate with waffles or pancakes! Collect bonus Food Fighter Cards, and avoid the Totally Toast Card! It’s a fan-flipping-tastic battle packed with fun for the whole…
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Kids ages 8 and up
PICKLEBALL BLAST
Pickleball Blast puts a new spin on the sport with a board game-size tabletop court and a net with an attached Screamin’ Pickle launcher. Using the thumb-powered pickleball paddles, players send the Pickle play piece soaring and try to flip the pickle lids at the other end of the court.
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TEETURTLE PLUSHIE TOTE BAGS
These TeeTurtle plushies have a secret tote bag hiding inside. Open the velcro storage pouch on the bottom of the plushie to find a matching printed bag.
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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM MONOPOLY
This righteously cool edition of the Monopoly game is inspired by the film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Play as one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to take down the evil mutants and save New York City from their very not rad mutant-y powers. Players earn points by collecting pizza, buying property, and…
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FRUITY BEAUTY COSMETICS VENDING MACHINE
This vending machine includes five drink-shaped, fruit-scented lip gloss containers that await dispensing. The flavors are peach-, blueberry-, watermelon-, or grape-scented. Kids will pull the tab to release the drink of choice, then continue to reveal two extra surprise treats in hidden compartments.
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THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY
Players must respond to the prompt card’s scenario with the intensity of their crazy, silly answer matching a provided secret number. Players can work together to put the absurd answers in correct numerical order based on scales like “tastiest to grossest,” “cutest to scariest,” and more.
