Toy Insider Senior Editor/Toy Book Editor-in-Chief James Zahn joined Afternoon Live on KATU in Portland to show off the best toys for kids as they head back to school this fall. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best gifts of the spring and summer seasons, check out our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide.


GECKO RUN MARBLE RUN

The set takes classic marble runs to the next level with creative challenges and pieces that attach to any smooth surface. Kids can create hills and jumps, and even turn corners to create tricks and stunts.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $34.95
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

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MAGNA-TILES SPACE 32-PIECE SET

This space-themed building set includes a shuttle that doubles as a storage container. It comes with an astronaut figure and new microMAGS pieces.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

NUMBERBLOCKS BLOCKZEE BALANCE ACTIVITY SET

Watch Blockzee from Numberblocks move her eyes, arms, and mouth to compare numbers. This balance set features clear, sturdy buckets to hold multiple Numberblocks pieces as kids build their fine motor and math skills through interactive play. Comes with colorful, language-free activity cards to guide little ones.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $35
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

FLIGHT DECK

This set guides kids through building paper airplanes, installing a motor circuit to launch airplanes and flying saucers, creating art on a spinning wheel, levitating objects over a fan with air pressure, and more.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal: 25% off on Amazon Nov. 29-Dec. 2

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

Battery Requirements

Energizer is the official battery partner of The Toy Insider.
  • Type:
  • AA
  • Quantity:
  • 3

AIR TOOBZ

This STEM-based set features a kid-safe turbine that sends foam balls flying through a network of modular tubes and connectors that kids can arrange however they'd like for fun and educational experimentation.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $139.95
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Director of Operations at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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