The Global Day of Unplugging is the first weekend of March, but it’s never too early to start celebrating! We’ve created a list of 20 analog toys, so parents can swap the screens ahead of the national digital detox.
Removing screens from playtime can create a different space for littles to push their imaginations to the limit, strengthen motor skills, and develop deeper connections with friends and family. Introduce your little ones to (upgraded!) analog play as they craft with a new set of markers, discover their inner spy by building a trip wire, or test their shape and color recognition with a puzzle.
Keep scrolling to find the next top playtime pick, no screens required.
FOREST FRIENDS TOUCH & FEEL PUZZLE
This puzzle features a charming pond scene with 5 forest animals: a turtle, a snail, an owl, a hedgehog, and a goldfish. Each puzzle piece fits into textured wells on the puzzle board.
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RUBIK’S PULSE CUBE
Pulse Cube starts with a fully reflective surface, but it’s hiding a colorful secret. Scramble the Cube before pressing the logo to activate the lights. Colors appear and pulse for one minute before the lights go out. Need more time? Press again to add more time.
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SHARPIE CREATIVE MARKERS 12-PACK
Paint-like ink won't bleed through paper, these smooth, bold colors are the perfect companion to the Coco Wyo coloring books. Suitable for use on paper, metal, wood, ceramic, glass, rock and canvas, the markers dry quickly and are smudge-resistant to keep drawings clean. The contoured grips provide comfort, and the fade-resistant design offers lasting pigment.…
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE BUILDING KIT
With this STEM kit, kids can learn how engines work while building their own. The set includes more than 175 pieces, including pistons, gears, valves, and gears, which rev to life at the press of a button. It also features a learning guide that walks builders through key mechanical and engineering concepts.
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SNAP CIRCUITS SPY KIT
With this kit, kids can go on more than 20 spy missions while learning about the science and engineering behind spy tools and tricks, including how to build motion detectors, use voice changers, discover trip wires, and more.
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MY FIRST PICNIC BASKET
Perfect for a park day, this rolling basket includes pretend picnic goodies, like brie, jam, a pear, and a baguette sandwich, as well as a water-resistant blanket, which all store neatly inside.
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MAGNA-TILES MICROMAGS 26-PIECE HEART TO HEART TRAVEL SET
Featuring glittering tiles, decorative arch windows, and vibrant quarter circles, this travel-friendly set encourages creative storytelling while building fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early STEM concepts. All pieces are compatible with and complementary to all other MAGNA-TILES sets.
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STMT JEWELRY SPINNER
Get ready to bead your heart out with the STMT D.I.Y. Jewelry Spinner! This isn’t just any bead kit — it’s a bracelet-making party waiting to happen. Complete with over 1,000 beads and 30 feet of cording, you can create stacks and stacks of over 40 bracelets. The reusable revolving case makes beading a breeze…
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LEGO EDUCATION MOON MISSION SCIENCE KIT
Launch into lunar learning with this building kit! This 519-piece playset features a spaceship, a rocket launchpad, two astronaut minifigures, and a variety of other-worldly experiments to discover.
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QWIRKLE
Create rows and columns of matching colors and shapes with the brightly colored wood tiles to score points. With straightforward rules and so many tile combinations, Qwirkle is accessible to newcomers and has great replayability. Each game is a fresh challenge.
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MINI RAINBOW SET
Crafted for little hands, the Mini is half the size of the Stapelstein Original. With its vibrant colors, the Mini is perfect for a range of activities, from stacking and balancing to spinning and engaging in first color and number games. Play in water, sand, and snow, and on the go.
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DIY MAGNETIC DRESS-UP PRINCESS KIT
With more than 700 sparkly stickers and rhinestones, kids can design their own pretty dresses. Kids can use more than 30 magnetic dresses and accessories — like tiaras and purses — to dress up the doll and display it anywhere. It includes a foldable studio setup.
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STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE 5.5-INCH FASHION DOLL
This berry-sweet set features a retro, fully articulated Strawberry Shortcake doll, complete with a scrumptious strawberry scent! Inside each box, kids will discover 10 stickers and four mystery accessories, including combs, a strawberry purse, beloved animal friends, cakes, fruit baskets, and more.
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BATTAT FRY N’ FLY FLYING DISC LAUNCHER
Bring action to backyard play with this flying egg disc launcher. Kids load discs on the pig’s chef, then stomp on the pedal to try and catch the eggs that soar into the air.
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ELMER’S GLUE DINOSAUR NIGHT SLIME KIT
This kit includes everything kids need to make dino-mite slimes from scratch, including color-changing glue, glow-in-the-dark glue, regular activator, and a special confetti activator.
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MS. RACHEL MY FIRST LEARNING BUS
Kids can lock the Ms. Rachel figure into the driver's seat to hear multiple sound effects, including the song "Wheels on the Bus." Once the included Herbie figure clicks into the back seat, kids will watch as he goes up and down when the bus moves. Little ones can create new scenarios or replicate situations…
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YOTO PLAYER (3RD GEN.)
Kids insert an audio card into the slot to hear kid-friendly stories and songs. Along with providing screen-free fun, the device doubles as an alarm clock, a sleep sound maker, a night-light, and more.
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ANNIVERSARY EDITION UP & DOWN ROLLER COASTER
Get ready for a joyride! This outdoor playset coaster features 10 feet of colorful roller coaster track, complete with gentle hills for kids to cruise down. The ATV car includes a high-back seat, handrails, and foot rests, so kids will stay safe as they soar through the course.
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DŌTEKI MULTIPLAYER BATTLE PACKS
Use the Doteki battle controllers to connect and create dynamic arenas that shift from side to side as you play. Choose the health key for your challenge level, with 3, 6, or 8 lives to start. Align yourself with one of four elemental factions and battle with exclusive, collectible action figures.
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BANANAGRAMS
Bananagrams, now from Moose Games, is the iconic word-building game that has been driving players bananas for 20 years. The instantly recognizable banana-shaped pouch holds a ”bunch” of 144 lettered tiles. Players, ranging from one to eight, draw between 11 and 21 tiles (depending on the number of players) and work frantically to create words…
