30 of the highest-rated toys and gifts from Amazon (most under $50!)

From slipping the colorful coins into the slot to opening the door and letting them spill out to do it all over again, this popular Fisher-Price pick is practically guaranteed to capture their attention. As they play they’ll learn numbers, songs and even some Spanish!

Age: 6 months-3 years

Tiny thrill-seekers will love this kid-powered coaster which will send them (safely) sailing across the backyard. The durable set comes with a high back coaster car and 10.75 feet of track, providing endless opportunities for developing gross motor skills, balance and learning to take turns. The track is made up of three separate pieces which are easy to assemble and take apart for storage (but we don’t think it will be put away too often!)

Age: 2-5 years

This highly-rated game is one of the absolute best for preschoolers. (And fun enough that older kids will want to play too!)  Spin the spinner and use the squeezer to pick up matching acorns. It’s perfect for teaching your littles matching and sorting skills.

Age: 3-7

Toddlers love to help with whatever household chores you are doing. (Of course calling it “help” is a bit of stretch.)  A mop, dust pan and broom just their size allows them to clean alongside you–after all, they’ll be big enough to actually be helpful in no time!

Age: 3-6 years old

Introduce little ones to 100 words in both English and Spanish with Amazon’s #1 best-selling preschool learning toy, the touch activated word book from LeapFrog. They’ll learn colors, animals, mealtime words and more with plenty to explore as they grow.

Age: 18 months-4 years

With over 2k glowing reviews and an impressive 4.9 stars, this is one of the highest-rated pretend play sets available on Amazon. Kids can bake, slice and serve cookies (all while practicing their fine-motor skills!). Our favorite part? Melissa & Doug offer a 100% happiness guarantee so if your child isn’t inspired, they’ll make it right.

Age: 3-5 years old

In our experience, few toys have gotten as much mileage as this popular tea set from Green Toys. It’s spent time in the bath, the sensory bin, and the sandbox, and eventually handed down through at least a few kiddos. Best of all, it’s made from recycled plastic and can even be tossed in the dishwasher when it’s in need of a deep clean.

Age: 2+

Ride on toy meets functional kid hauler with this perennial favorite from Step2. The push-handled car is a great alternative for kids who protest the stroller and comes equipped with a lap belt, cup holders (for both riders and pushers!) and plenty of space for snacks and toys under the hood.

This Little Tikes classic has been around for ages–and we wouldn’t be surprised if some of the original ones are still getting regular use. The wide base keeps little ones safe and balanced as they become more adept at riding while the low profile makes it easy for them to get on and off themselves. It’s perfect for use indoors and out!

Radio Flyer’s EZ Fold 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike is a super versatile stroller-trike hybrid that lets your little one *feel* like they’re in control, though you’ve still got the wheel. It grows with your kiddo up to age five, thanks to the four functional stages, ranging from classic stroller to solo tricycle. We also love the thoughtful features like a UV protection canopy, snack tray and cup holder, three-point harness and a storage basket for all their essentials.

With three drum pads and a cymbal, this tot-sized electric drum set from VTech is one of our favorites from the brand. It plays nine different melodies in a variety of styles as well as offering games to learn numbers and letters. As they tap (ok, more like pound), they’re working on sensory development and having fun!

Age: 2-5 years old

This award-winning best-seller is one of the most ubiquitous baby toys ever. (Seriously, my 18-year-old had one!) Granted, it is one of those light-up, musical toys whose batteries never seem to die, but it’s somehow less annoying than its counterparts. (Maybe that’s the secret to its success.) It plays 10 different melodies and has a volume control that we really appreciate.

Age: 3-36 months

Gund has been making some of the most beloved stuffies for over 125 years–so it’s no surprise they made the cut here. Their raved-about animated plush pup comes to life with a pat, wagging his tail and engages little ones by playing peek-a-boo and singing songs. It’s soft enough to cuddle, but durable enough to last for years to come.

Age: 0+

This trampoline is perfect for kids to burn off a little energy without having to purchase a massive one for the backyard. At 3-feet tall, it won’t take up too much space, and the handle bar helps them bounce away… safely. (Those 25k+ 5-star ratings can attest to its magic!)

Age: 3-6 years old

This xylophone set isn’t one of those toys that’ll get deserted in record time, thanks to the fact that it features more than one way to play. Your kiddo can use the hammer to tap the balls through the holes to create a melody on the xylophone below, or they can slide out the xylophone and pound out a solo.

Age: 1-3 years old

Another top-rated Green Toys pick, the Ferry Boat Bath Toys (made from 100% recycled milk jugs) isn’t just fun, it’s good for the planet as well! It floats steadily, making it the perfect toy for any bath adventure. Plus, it comes with two mini cars to take the fun on-the-go and is even dishwasher safe for easy cleaning!

Age: 3+

If you’ve got multiple kiddos and enough space, Amazon’s top-rated kitchen set for toddlers is one to seriously consider. The action-packed corner design has plenty of space to play and includes an oven, microwave, refrigerator and freezer and even a washing machine to tackle the laundry. The burners and ice maker have realistic lights and sounds that any kid will love and there’s tons of storage for all the accoutrements.

These colorful pop tubes are a great way to learn colors, practice counting, or explore design. Kiddos will love connecting tubes and listening for the closing and opening sounds them make.

Designed for children ages 8+, Snap Circuits are electrical engineering kits for kids that provide a unique opportunity to make their own electric-powered toys and tools. From a flying saucer to a voice-controlled lamp, your child can experiment with over 100 designs, making this a STEM kit that can grow along with your child.

Age: 8 and up

This one is actually fun for the entire family! The game play is simple (it literally takes less than three minutes to learn) and the illustrations are ahhdorable. But be warned. They may look cute but games can get intense quickly. So much yelling. In the good way, of course.

The 3D magnetic building set teaches kids STEM skills as they work to build their own creation. They’ll stay busy for hours imagining endless possibilities.

Age: 3+

This toy is not only entertaining and will keep your child active, but they will be learning about aerodynamics as they experiment with force and trajectory. The dueling set adds an irresistible competitive aspect that kids love.

Age: 5+

Doodle, draw and do it again with this LCD writing tablet. With a stylus or even just their finger, kids can create a temporary masterpiece that erases with a press of the button. It’s awesome for travel or keeping them entertained while out to dinner.

Age: 3+

If you’re searching for the first tablet for your child, or want to take your own phone and device back, the Amazon Fire is an ideal option. With a 2-year-worry-free guarantee, you can rest easy knowing that if they break it, Amazon will replace it for free. Plus, it comes with extensive parental controls and a year subscription to FreeTime Unlimited, full of books, apps, videos and more.

Age: 3-7 years old

Working with most iPad models, this globe is perfect for curious kiddos who are interested in exploring. The orboot Globe + app takes kids on an augmented reality-based journey around the world, encouraging kids to stamp their passport and add stickers along the way.

Age: 4-10 years old

This sensory sand is practically magic—it’s kinetic so it only sticks to itself, not your kid’s hands or your furniture. It feels so fun, perfect for squeezing or putting into molds. Bonus: It never dries out so you don’t have to worry about purchasing more in a few months.

Age: 3+

Can’t seem to escape the digital world? Osmo will turn your little’s iPad into a learning game—that requires no WiFi!—and bring imagination to life. Pair it with the pretend play costume pieces and silicone rings to practice letter forming, create costumes and make magic happen.

Age: 3-5+

Kids will get to mix science and art as they grow their own habitat in this terrarium kit. We love that it glows in the dark at night and the chia and wheat grass seeds grow within a few days. It’s not instant gratification but it’s close!

Age: 6+

Age: 3+

This top-rated set from Crayola provides just about everything your child needs to get creative, including markers, paper, crayons and more. The storage case makes it easy for travel and ensures all of the 140 pieces have a place to go once they’re done playing.

Age: 5+

You can never go wrong with blocks, but this wooden set has a 5 star record with more than 1,800 reviews. Each piece is smooth sanded so you don’t have to worry about splinters and it comes with a wooden tray for storage.

Age: 3-8 years old