| Marisa LaScala |
Big, expensive and fancy karaoke systems can be a blast for a night out or a big party, but for hanging out with friends or on the go all you need is this small machine. It works with Bluetooth so that they can stream all their favorite songs, and it comes with two microphones. You can also get it in other colors. Ages 4+
If they’re playing games online, listening to music or even video chatting, these headphones are what they need to keep the peace. The ear cups rotate 90 degrees for a more comfortable fit, and the headset mutes when it’s lifted up. Amazon reviewers appreciate the comfort and the durability. No age recommendation given.
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They can take their art projects to the next dimension with this pen which gives them the basics for 3D printing. It lets them control the flow speed for the plastic filament and it also comes with three colors (though you can always get them extras). No age recommendation given.
At this age, if it glows in the dark, they’ll love it. And this means the fun never has to stop because they can see the ball even if they’re playing hoops after dark, thanks to LED lights inside the ball. Ages 8+
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Good Housekeeping Institute testers were drawn into this mystery book, about a lonely girl with a jar of coins — each of which takes her to a different time and place. But are they connected? “I couldn’t predict how it was going to end, and it made me want to keep reading,” one kid tester said. Ages 8 – 12
Tweens, Swifties and non-Swifties alike, are learning the joys of layering bracelets all the way up their wrists. This set gives them 16 new bracelets to work with, in a few different colors with different charms. Kids can mix and match them depending on how the mood strikes. No age recommendation given.
Kids can hold this colorful device in one hand and remix music by adding sound effects, layering tracks and making loops, all by using different hand motions. “My child absolutely loves this,“ one parent tester said. “He’s spent hours playing with it. I love how this toy really lets kids express their creativity.” Ages 8+
Those summer camp days feel like they’re here forever with this friendship bracelet kit. Not only does it come with 20 pre-cut threads (in their own storage drawer, no less), it has a board that holds the bracelet and strands in place while the creation is in progress. (The board even comes in several colors!) You can also use its app to find friendship bracelet patterns and instructions. Ages 8+
Here’s something that’ll get them to hit the showers: Each of these bars of soap has real money inside — anywhere from a five-dollar bill to a hundred-dollar bill. To get it, though, they have to use the soap up! It comes in two scents: cucumber mint and orange peach. No age recommendation given.
You can’t go wrong with multicolored anything at this age — though this light can also be just a solid color if they want, like blue or red. They’ll love having something that represents their name. No age recommendation given.
They’ll learn about electricity and circuits when they use this kit, which lets them make their own works of art with glowing, LED wire. They can use one of five picture templates, or come up with their own creations. When they’re done, they can either hang it from the wall or display it on a wooden stand. Ages 9+
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She can easily throw this cute organizer in her bag for school or family trips to keep all of her jewelry safe. But because of the pretty colors and personalized touch, it’ll also look great in her room. No age recommendation given.
Just because it’s classic doesn’t mean it’s old: This version of Stratego has a new set of battle cards that players can opt to use (or not), and the characters are updated, too — there are even female soldiers. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved working out their logic and strategic skills. “It required you to think really hard because if you didn’t, you would lose,” one tester said. “You can think about new combinations. Every game is different.” Ages 8+
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Who wouldn’t want to cozy up and read, play video games or text and chat in a chair like this? This chair impressed Good Housekeeping Institute testers with its firm fill, but really won over Lab experts with how easy it was to clean the fabric. It comes in several colors and prints and has a handle so you can drag it around. No age recommendation given.
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They are learning how saving and spending work and are probably even getting money in lieu of toys from friends and family. Help them keep their cash safe (and make them think twice before spending it), with this cool electronic piggy bank that works with a special number combination like an ATM. Ages 3+
They’ll have to keep their minds sharp and their observational skills on point to solve the 20 mysteries in this book. Each of them has a science-themed bent, too, so they might pick up facts about how a baker can know if an egg is raw or hard-boiled, or how an animal expert might know if an elephant stampede is coming. If they like it, they can get the other books in the Sleuth & Solve series. Ages 8 – 12
This is a LEGO set for kids who are serious about cars, and if they are, they’ll love building the articulated V8 engine, the realistic door design (a dihedral synchro-helix door system, if you know wha that means) and the steering system. It’ll give car enthusiasts a closer look at how things work under the hood. Ages 10+
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
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