27 Gifts From Fat Brain Toys That'll Keep Kids Busy
A set of Air Toobz, which can be configured in new ways each time so your little builders never get bored. This is one of those toys that you can't wait to get your own hands on...but obviously after bedtime so you don't have to share.
This set comes with 20 colorful EVA foam balls, 6 transparent 12-inch tubes, 6 transparent orange corner tubes, 1 T-tube, 1 silicone funnel, 12 easy-fit connectors, 1 fan unit, and a charging cable.Promising review: "This was purchased for my grandson for Christmas. When he opened it and started to play, his younger brother wanted to play also. The two of them have played with it every single day so far. They love it. I love that they love it! I would definitely recommend this toy to others." —Debra CrooksPrice: $159.95
An excavator toy for the kiddo who likes to go outside and get a little dirty. That dirt pile in your backyard you dream about turning into a lovely garden? Yeah, it can wait another year.
Promising review: "My son and daughter (4 and 6) both love this excavator. It's used almost daily in their play to pick up items (blocks, Magna-Tiles, Legos, etc). We like that it doesn't have batteries so it can be used outdoors (mud and snow) and be washed — all the more fun!" —JanePrice: $30.95
An outdoor adventure kit to inspire a sense of wonder. You might just be raising the next generation of naturalists.
Promising review: "I gave the deluxe outdoor explorer kit to my 3-year-old granddaughter, who was delighted. She wore the vest and hat the rest of the day and put them on again the next day. She went on a successful hunt for bugs outside and studied a captive with the magnifying glass before freeing it. She was fascinated with the binoculars, especially when using them reversed to make things smaller. I did apologize to her parents for the whistle, but she was not as taken with it and left off using it after a few toots. The kit should be fun and useful for quite some time. Highly recommended!" —William WilsonPrice: $24.95
A marble run that's safe for littles who might not be ready for the bigger sets that you used to have as a child. There is something so satisfying about the sound it makes as the shapes and balls run down the track, right?
Promising review: "Very sturdy, easy to play with one or several children, keeps their attention with the various balls and shapes that roll down the track. Child can play with it on their own and it keeps them entertained. Can help to teach colors with the different colored balls and teach shapes with the different shapes." —L WESTPrice: $59.95
A Stomp Rockets set because it's important to a) get your space cadets outside and b) give them an out-of-this-world good time.
Promising review: "The PERFECT toy! It engages the child in pyhysical activity and it creates such excitement and satisfaction when the rocket takes off. And it provides an educational opportunity too — I had a great time explaining how air pressure works. An excellent toy in every way. It is fun to play with alone and even more fun to play with among friends taking turns, or have two and see whose rocket flies highest." —Erica BellPrice: $16.95
A fun water game, just like the ones you used to play with as a kid. (At the dentist's office, right?!) There's something about this toy that's passed the test of time...and maybe you'll FINALLY get those rings on the dolphin's nose.
Promising review: "What started out as a purchase for my daughter has turned into a toy that the family will play with. It is a nostalgic toy for the adults in the house, bringing back memories of playing with similar water toys growing up. If it is sitting around, it will get played with by anyone. The kids like the challenge of trying to get the balls into the holders." —CHAD R MILLERPrice: $9.95 (available in two designs)
A kid-size wheelbarrow, which is a surprisingly fun AND practical gift for your outdoor yard work days. Even if you don't technically "need" your grass clippings moved from one part of the yard to the other...you do.
Promising review: "Our nephew (4) LOVES the wheelbarrow! From the moment he saw it, he's been running around the house collecting items. It will be even better when it's warm enough to use it outside." —cLAIR MEEHANPrice: $34.95
A Putt-n-Play wooden golf set for all the mini McIlroys and small Schefflers out there. This set comes with five wooden obstacles that make for some great practice before they get to hit the links for real. Next stop, The Masters Tournament.
Promising review: "This set is sturdy and well-made. Perfect for younger kids learning hand-eye coordination. Really gets them interested in playing outside and golfing just like dad!" —Emily BessPrice: $37.95
A 2-in-1 musical jump 'n' toss, which is a total two-fer...and both ways to use it are super fun. Connect the bars to the ladybug's back and jump over them with the music. Or, stick the bars into the top of the ladybug for a spinning ring toss. One thing's for sure — your little lovebug's are going to bug out over this.
Promising review: "Our 5-year-old granddaughter loves the musical jump 'n' toss. Only grandchild on both sides of the family and received several gifts, BUT this one was by far her favorite all day. Kept her active, too, without involving grandparents or parents in her play." —Elaine MagnussonPrice: $26.95
A tea party set for two that you can lay out and then maybe — just maybe — enjoy your own real cup of tea uninterrupted.
Promising review: "The girls love this tea set. It's durable, yet pretty. They haul it around and have little parties all over the house. So much imagination; so much fun! I wish these existed when I was a kid." —Holly HardenPrice: $24.95
A six-piece toy cleaning set, which you know will occupy them for a bit because cleaning the house for real takes some serious time! But really, there's nothing cuter than a little kiddo learning how to sweep up a mess (and it's good practice).
Promising review: "Our little one was very interested in our adult cleaning supplies, so we got him this set for Christmas. He absolutely loves it and is excited to help us clean every day. Hopefully he is this excited about chores when he's a big kid!" —Rosalyn FloresPrice: $22.45
A My Auto Shop engine builder set that will make your little mechanic's eyes light up. There are 62 parts to "fix" and take apart, so they get a hands-on approach to figuring out how things work. This is great for fine motor and problem solving...and for developing skills that will be super helpful later in life!
Promising review: "This is just the toy that a little one needs to inspire their interest in taking things apart and putting them back together. Purchased this for my grandnephew who loves cars (or anything with an engine and wheels) and his mom says he just won't quit playing with it!" —THOMAS MAYERPrice: $84.95
A Klutz Cat's Cradle book, which can entertain older kiddos for hours and hours on end with nothing but a piece of string and some really great instructions. (Turns out, kids don't need much!) The Klutz books played a big part in my childhood and I can't wait to share this with my own kids.
Promising review: "My kids love this product! And it's just like what I remember from when I was little. Easy to follow instructions and endless opportunities for play!" —D KroenckePrice: $12.95
An AeroDisk Max game that's basically like bouncing a ball back and forth with hand trampolines. Sounds like a good time!
Promising review: "I bought this for my son's fifth birthday. He loves it! The disks are light and easy to handle. The ball is interesting and not so bouncy as to make the game too hard. He loves that the disks can be used as frisbees as well. The best part is that my 9- and 8-year-old sons really love it as well. They played ancient Greek Olympics by throwing the disks in a discus throw out in the backyard and spent a few hours this evening bouncing it back and forth in the side yard. I love that everyone can find their own way to play with it. It seems to be holding up well, but we'll have to use it more to see." —Justine DresslerPrice: $32.95
A wooden kitchen with accessories, lights, and sounds — which we all know is one of the absolute GOATS of independent childhood play. Could this be the start of an amazing career as a chef? Or maybe just the beginning of the end of you having to cook every family meal? Fingers crossed!
Promising review: "This set is made of very high-quality materials, and I imagine it will stand for years to come. My 2-year-old son is in love with his kitchen and pretending to cook. He pretends to wash dishes, use the microwave, make coffee, and use the oven. There are fun nobs, buttons, and even an overhead light. The set comes with some melamine plates, cups, small wooden spoons, and spatulas. It is absolutely adorable, and I am so impressed with the quality of the product for the price. An excellent gift!" —Linda RaduPrice: $119.95
A Melissa & Doug paint with water set for the little creatives who love to paint and the tired grownups who don't love to clean up after them. This is the perfect compromise!
Promising review: "My great granddaughter spends a lot of time with this paint book. She enjoys seeing the various colors appear." —Barbara KornburgerPrice: $8.95
A set of Zoo-Ominoes that will take your little some time to set up (more time for you to enjoy your coffee!) and lead to some pretty cute giggles and screams when they fall. The domino effect here? You'll probably end up joining in on the fun.
Promising review: "Bought for my 3-year-old, and my 6-year-old is also getting in on the fun! They've both been playing with these daily. It's so fun to get toys they can both enjoy." —Alison WeberPrice: $29.95
A Peg a Pattern toy with 10 different patterns to choose from, so they can get creative with color and use those fine motor skills. A toy that's good for quiet time and focus? You've got it pegged.
Promising review: "I've bought this gift twice, for a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old. Both loved following the patterns and also the option of creating their own patterns! I would purchase it again!" —Ginni WalshPrice: $19.95
A Zing Ball game that's a real, well, ball! Pull the handles apart to send the ball toward your opponent. The goal? To see who can keep going the longest! The kids will build up their stamina and you will get more and more time to yourself.
Promising review: "We loved this. I bought it for my 7-year-old as a toy she could play with when she had friends over, and the whole family loved it! Mom and Dad played it together. Mom and grandma. Everyone. We laughed so much. I want to buy more to keep in my gift closet." —Lauren ZitoPrice: $9.95
A standing easel and chalkboard to get the mini Monets and petite Picassos creating in no time. Looks like your fridge is about to get some new art!
Promising review: "Great gift for 2-year-old grandchildren. Promotes creativity, small motor development, conversational skills, vocabulary enrichment, and provides interactive activities with parents. They will enjoy this easel for years to come." —Felicia GagePrice: $79.95
A set of eight percussion instruments, which will definitely get you some peace, but definitely not some quiet. But listen...as soon as you get your first concert, you'll see that it's worth it!
Promising review: "We are very happy with this musical set! It's very high quality and just wonderful! It far transcends the usual commercial-made plastic or even wooden toys. Thank you so much, Fat Brain Toys!" —Lee BudkaPrice: $34.95
A 100-piece set of Magna-Tiles, the fantastic building system that will get used over and over and over again. Pro tip: Commit to one building toy type and then just keep adding to it! It will still feel new to your crew and clean up will be MUCH easier.
Promising review: "Magna-Tiles are colorful, fun, and encourage creativity. I purchased a 100-piece set of tiles for three grandsons, ages 3 and 5-year-old twins. They often run out of tiles before they can finish what they want to make, so I recently purchased another 100-piece set. I know they will have many more hours of creative fun!!" —Diana SpreckerPrice: $125.99
A ladybug's garden memory game to encourage concentration in kiddos, so you can focus on the important stuff: Watching your little one grown and learn.
Promising review: "Both the 2-year-old and the 6-year-old like playing with it. It'll be a great toy for both of them for years to come. Pieces are very sturdy. Colors are nice and bright. There are enough templates to keep the game interesting for years to come." —Danielle LumPrice: $24.95
A My Town block set that includes the 35-piece jigsaw puzzle and wooden blocks so your budding civil engineer or city planner can go to, well, to town on it.
Promising review: "Very imaginative and fun. Can be played simply now and expanded as the children grow up." —Arlene HellerPrice: $29.95
A doctor kit, which has everything from a stethoscope (that makes heartbeat sounds) to a very cool X-ray set. It's pretty much a mobile medical unit because as soon as the office "closes" they can pack all the pieces in the snap case for another day.
Promising review: "This set has been a hot commodity at my house, even among children who already had a comparable doctor's kit. The beating stethoscope and the X-rays make it a game changer. The kids LOVE it!" —ErinPrice: $39.95
A View Master toy because it's an absolute ICON and comes with three 3D image reels: age of dinosaurs, marine life, safari adventures. This how we used to keep ourselves occupied before screens and it still works!
Promising review: "It has been a great joy to see my little one enjoy clicking through these images and they provide a great starting point to talk about the different kinds of animals. We are getting lots of good and fun use of this toy." —MTPrice: $20.95
A Wimzle, the super sensory toy of every baby's dreams. Their eyes will fill with wonder — and you'll wonder how you're ever supposed to get anything done with a baby so cute to watch.
Promising review: "Such a great toy for little hands and minds to explore! Well-made." —AmyPrice: $21.95
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Buzz Feed
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27 Gifts From Fat Brain Toys That'll Keep Kids Busy
A set of Air Toobz, which can be configured in new ways each time so your little builders never get bored. This is one of those toys that you can't wait to get your own hands obviously after bedtime so you don't have to share. This set comes with 20 colorful EVA foam balls, 6 transparent 12-inch tubes, 6 transparent orange corner tubes, 1 T-tube, 1 silicone funnel, 12 easy-fit connectors, 1 fan unit, and a charging review: "This was purchased for my grandson for Christmas. When he opened it and started to play, his younger brother wanted to play also. The two of them have played with it every single day so far. They love it. I love that they love it! I would definitely recommend this toy to others." —Debra CrooksPrice: $159.95 An excavator toy for the kiddo who likes to go outside and get a little dirty. That dirt pile in your backyard you dream about turning into a lovely garden? Yeah, it can wait another year. Promising review: "My son and daughter (4 and 6) both love this excavator. It's used almost daily in their play to pick up items (blocks, Magna-Tiles, Legos, etc). We like that it doesn't have batteries so it can be used outdoors (mud and snow) and be washed — all the more fun!" —JanePrice: $30.95 An outdoor adventure kit to inspire a sense of wonder. You might just be raising the next generation of naturalists. Promising review: "I gave the deluxe outdoor explorer kit to my 3-year-old granddaughter, who was delighted. She wore the vest and hat the rest of the day and put them on again the next day. She went on a successful hunt for bugs outside and studied a captive with the magnifying glass before freeing it. She was fascinated with the binoculars, especially when using them reversed to make things smaller. I did apologize to her parents for the whistle, but she was not as taken with it and left off using it after a few toots. The kit should be fun and useful for quite some time. Highly recommended!" —William WilsonPrice: $24.95 A marble run that's safe for littles who might not be ready for the bigger sets that you used to have as a child. There is something so satisfying about the sound it makes as the shapes and balls run down the track, right? Promising review: "Very sturdy, easy to play with one or several children, keeps their attention with the various balls and shapes that roll down the track. Child can play with it on their own and it keeps them entertained. Can help to teach colors with the different colored balls and teach shapes with the different shapes." —L WESTPrice: $59.95 A Stomp Rockets set because it's important to a) get your space cadets outside and b) give them an out-of-this-world good time. Promising review: "The PERFECT toy! It engages the child in pyhysical activity and it creates such excitement and satisfaction when the rocket takes off. And it provides an educational opportunity too — I had a great time explaining how air pressure works. An excellent toy in every way. It is fun to play with alone and even more fun to play with among friends taking turns, or have two and see whose rocket flies highest." —Erica BellPrice: $16.95 A fun water game, just like the ones you used to play with as a kid. (At the dentist's office, right?!) There's something about this toy that's passed the test of maybe you'll FINALLY get those rings on the dolphin's nose. Promising review: "What started out as a purchase for my daughter has turned into a toy that the family will play with. It is a nostalgic toy for the adults in the house, bringing back memories of playing with similar water toys growing up. If it is sitting around, it will get played with by anyone. The kids like the challenge of trying to get the balls into the holders." —CHAD R MILLERPrice: $9.95 (available in two designs) A kid-size wheelbarrow, which is a surprisingly fun AND practical gift for your outdoor yard work days. Even if you don't technically "need" your grass clippings moved from one part of the yard to the do. Promising review: "Our nephew (4) LOVES the wheelbarrow! From the moment he saw it, he's been running around the house collecting items. It will be even better when it's warm enough to use it outside." —cLAIR MEEHANPrice: $34.95 A Putt-n-Play wooden golf set for all the mini McIlroys and small Schefflers out there. This set comes with five wooden obstacles that make for some great practice before they get to hit the links for real. Next stop, The Masters Tournament. Promising review: "This set is sturdy and well-made. Perfect for younger kids learning hand-eye coordination. Really gets them interested in playing outside and golfing just like dad!" —Emily BessPrice: $37.95 A 2-in-1 musical jump 'n' toss, which is a total both ways to use it are super fun. Connect the bars to the ladybug's back and jump over them with the music. Or, stick the bars into the top of the ladybug for a spinning ring toss. One thing's for sure — your little lovebug's are going to bug out over this. Promising review: "Our 5-year-old granddaughter loves the musical jump 'n' toss. Only grandchild on both sides of the family and received several gifts, BUT this one was by far her favorite all day. Kept her active, too, without involving grandparents or parents in her play." —Elaine MagnussonPrice: $26.95 A tea party set for two that you can lay out and then maybe — just maybe — enjoy your own real cup of tea uninterrupted. Promising review: "The girls love this tea set. It's durable, yet pretty. They haul it around and have little parties all over the house. So much imagination; so much fun! I wish these existed when I was a kid." —Holly HardenPrice: $24.95 A six-piece toy cleaning set, which you know will occupy them for a bit because cleaning the house for real takes some serious time! But really, there's nothing cuter than a little kiddo learning how to sweep up a mess (and it's good practice). Promising review: "Our little one was very interested in our adult cleaning supplies, so we got him this set for Christmas. He absolutely loves it and is excited to help us clean every day. Hopefully he is this excited about chores when he's a big kid!" —Rosalyn FloresPrice: $22.45 A My Auto Shop engine builder set that will make your little mechanic's eyes light up. There are 62 parts to "fix" and take apart, so they get a hands-on approach to figuring out how things work. This is great for fine motor and problem for developing skills that will be super helpful later in life! Promising review: "This is just the toy that a little one needs to inspire their interest in taking things apart and putting them back together. Purchased this for my grandnephew who loves cars (or anything with an engine and wheels) and his mom says he just won't quit playing with it!" —THOMAS MAYERPrice: $84.95 A Klutz Cat's Cradle book, which can entertain older kiddos for hours and hours on end with nothing but a piece of string and some really great instructions. (Turns out, kids don't need much!) The Klutz books played a big part in my childhood and I can't wait to share this with my own kids. Promising review: "My kids love this product! And it's just like what I remember from when I was little. Easy to follow instructions and endless opportunities for play!" —D KroenckePrice: $12.95 An AeroDisk Max game that's basically like bouncing a ball back and forth with hand trampolines. Sounds like a good time! Promising review: "I bought this for my son's fifth birthday. He loves it! The disks are light and easy to handle. The ball is interesting and not so bouncy as to make the game too hard. He loves that the disks can be used as frisbees as well. The best part is that my 9- and 8-year-old sons really love it as well. They played ancient Greek Olympics by throwing the disks in a discus throw out in the backyard and spent a few hours this evening bouncing it back and forth in the side yard. I love that everyone can find their own way to play with it. It seems to be holding up well, but we'll have to use it more to see." —Justine DresslerPrice: $32.95 A wooden kitchen with accessories, lights, and sounds — which we all know is one of the absolute GOATS of independent childhood play. Could this be the start of an amazing career as a chef? Or maybe just the beginning of the end of you having to cook every family meal? Fingers crossed! Promising review: "This set is made of very high-quality materials, and I imagine it will stand for years to come. My 2-year-old son is in love with his kitchen and pretending to cook. He pretends to wash dishes, use the microwave, make coffee, and use the oven. There are fun nobs, buttons, and even an overhead light. The set comes with some melamine plates, cups, small wooden spoons, and spatulas. It is absolutely adorable, and I am so impressed with the quality of the product for the price. An excellent gift!" —Linda RaduPrice: $119.95 A Melissa & Doug paint with water set for the little creatives who love to paint and the tired grownups who don't love to clean up after them. This is the perfect compromise! Promising review: "My great granddaughter spends a lot of time with this paint book. She enjoys seeing the various colors appear." —Barbara KornburgerPrice: $8.95 A set of Zoo-Ominoes that will take your little some time to set up (more time for you to enjoy your coffee!) and lead to some pretty cute giggles and screams when they fall. The domino effect here? You'll probably end up joining in on the fun. Promising review: "Bought for my 3-year-old, and my 6-year-old is also getting in on the fun! They've both been playing with these daily. It's so fun to get toys they can both enjoy." —Alison WeberPrice: $29.95 A Peg a Pattern toy with 10 different patterns to choose from, so they can get creative with color and use those fine motor skills. A toy that's good for quiet time and focus? You've got it pegged. Promising review: "I've bought this gift twice, for a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old. Both loved following the patterns and also the option of creating their own patterns! I would purchase it again!" —Ginni WalshPrice: $19.95 A Zing Ball game that's a real, well, ball! Pull the handles apart to send the ball toward your opponent. The goal? To see who can keep going the longest! The kids will build up their stamina and you will get more and more time to yourself. Promising review: "We loved this. I bought it for my 7-year-old as a toy she could play with when she had friends over, and the whole family loved it! Mom and Dad played it together. Mom and grandma. Everyone. We laughed so much. I want to buy more to keep in my gift closet." —Lauren ZitoPrice: $9.95 A standing easel and chalkboard to get the mini Monets and petite Picassos creating in no time. Looks like your fridge is about to get some new art! Promising review: "Great gift for 2-year-old grandchildren. Promotes creativity, small motor development, conversational skills, vocabulary enrichment, and provides interactive activities with parents. They will enjoy this easel for years to come." —Felicia GagePrice: $79.95 A set of eight percussion instruments, which will definitely get you some peace, but definitely not some quiet. But soon as you get your first concert, you'll see that it's worth it! Promising review: "We are very happy with this musical set! It's very high quality and just wonderful! It far transcends the usual commercial-made plastic or even wooden toys. Thank you so much, Fat Brain Toys!" —Lee BudkaPrice: $34.95 A 100-piece set of Magna-Tiles, the fantastic building system that will get used over and over and over again. Pro tip: Commit to one building toy type and then just keep adding to it! It will still feel new to your crew and clean up will be MUCH easier. Promising review: "Magna-Tiles are colorful, fun, and encourage creativity. I purchased a 100-piece set of tiles for three grandsons, ages 3 and 5-year-old twins. They often run out of tiles before they can finish what they want to make, so I recently purchased another 100-piece set. I know they will have many more hours of creative fun!!" —Diana SpreckerPrice: $125.99 A ladybug's garden memory game to encourage concentration in kiddos, so you can focus on the important stuff: Watching your little one grown and learn. Promising review: "Both the 2-year-old and the 6-year-old like playing with it. It'll be a great toy for both of them for years to come. Pieces are very sturdy. Colors are nice and bright. There are enough templates to keep the game interesting for years to come." —Danielle LumPrice: $24.95 A My Town block set that includes the 35-piece jigsaw puzzle and wooden blocks so your budding civil engineer or city planner can go to, well, to town on it. Promising review: "Very imaginative and fun. Can be played simply now and expanded as the children grow up." —Arlene HellerPrice: $29.95 A doctor kit, which has everything from a stethoscope (that makes heartbeat sounds) to a very cool X-ray set. It's pretty much a mobile medical unit because as soon as the office "closes" they can pack all the pieces in the snap case for another day. Promising review: "This set has been a hot commodity at my house, even among children who already had a comparable doctor's kit. The beating stethoscope and the X-rays make it a game changer. The kids LOVE it!" —ErinPrice: $39.95 A View Master toy because it's an absolute ICON and comes with three 3D image reels: age of dinosaurs, marine life, safari adventures. This how we used to keep ourselves occupied before screens and it still works! Promising review: "It has been a great joy to see my little one enjoy clicking through these images and they provide a great starting point to talk about the different kinds of animals. We are getting lots of good and fun use of this toy." —MTPrice: $20.95 A Wimzle, the super sensory toy of every baby's dreams. Their eyes will fill with wonder — and you'll wonder how you're ever supposed to get anything done with a baby so cute to watch. Promising review: "Such a great toy for little hands and minds to explore! Well-made." —AmyPrice: $21.95
