Acceptance from friends and self-esteem are very important to this age group. Toys also begin to seem less interesting to children of this age. Complex construction toys, board games, strategic puzzles, science toys, and activity kits are the best choices. Active and physical play should be an area of focus through team and group sports. Social and intellectual skills are refined through board, electronic, and card games.
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Toy Description
Four plastic boards fit together to make a gridded gameboard. Three sizes of plastic sticks snap into the grid, while players can keep their score using the pegs along the board’s perimeter.
B...Read more
Encourage math skills with this engaging, competitive game based on geometry! Great for all ages.
Bloxel Builder is a free app that allows for the creation of personalized video games. Everything from the layout to the background to the characters and enemies can be designed in pixelated glory.
...Read more
Create your own video games! Most everything can be done with just the free app, but most kids seem to really enjoy the physical gamekit.
Each toy stands about 8 inches tall. Internal parts are covered in fabric and some stuffing, but due to the inner workings, the toy is not a true "stuffed animal." Unlike traditional mechanical pl...Read more
Still cute, but issues have arisen over decreased quality.
A microphone attached to a selfie-stick is used to record karaoke style videos on a smartphone. An included earpiece connects to the microphone.
Any headphones can be used with the mic if the includ...Read more
Record music videos with yourself or friends. Easy to use, but the app may need more time to earn tokens than users initially thought.
Dimensions: Approximately 3 inches tall X 4 inches long X 2.5 inches wide.
Box includes Cozmo robot, charger, 3 interactive Power Cubes, and Read more
Curious, sassy, and incredibly engaging, this little robot will melt your heart in unexpected ways.
Hatchimals arrive inside a colorful egg, and start to hatch once they have received enough input from their owner.
Eggs are about 10 inches tall.
2 AA batteries are included. More will event...Read more
With no app or other device needed, Hatchimals break out of their shell to become interactive pets that grow through three different stages.
The newest model of Hasbro’s Trouble. Can be played with two to four players. Because this game requires a lot of counting, the minimum age recommendation is five years old. There are a total of sixte...Read more
A very cheap version of an old favorite. Read on to see our link to a better version that is just like the beloved vintage classic.
Plastic construction set that allows for more ‘real looking’ buildings and structures. Black pieces are often used as the roofing sections, with blue and clear pieces acting as the walls and win...Read more
Build tall, strong towers with overhangs and bridges. Beloved for decades, this amazing construction set brand is soon to be gone.
A gameboard with sections to add in player names is the basis for this card-drawing game of comparing friends to objects.
Play
Set-up is done by putting the names of eight p...Read more
Is your friend more of a fridge or a blender? Ask similar questions about the player, and see which answers arise. The most popular answer wins.
Children can test their knowledge with this collection of four different categories- riddles, conundrums, mysteries, and picture puzzles. An updated version of the classic Mind Trap game made twenty years a...Read more
Kids can challenge themselves with this newer, updated version of the classic Mind Trap Brain Teaser board game.
Game includes 200 Cranium cards, 10-sided die, tub of clay, 1-Minute timer, 2 pawn movers, notepad, gameboard, and instructions.
Break into two teams, then take turns c...Read more
The family game pits two teams against each other in tests of both mental and physical skills. Perfect for groups with varying skill levels and talents!
Clear plastic encases the skeleton and organs of a Gummi Bear. Kit includes 41 pieces to put together.
Dimensions: 8 ½ X 4 X 5 inches
Assemble the bones ...Read more
The skeleton and major organs of a Gummi Bear. Now you know.
Comes in a box with all the parts of the scooter including wheels and metal scooter parts. Does not require batteries.
To propel the Xcelerator scooter, the ...Read more
This toy is no longer being made by the company. Read on for our recommendations and alternatives.
The Knex Launcher Building Set comes with 22 models and works well for children who want to challenge themselves and their minds.
In the box come 22 different models, a...Read more
Replaced by K'nex's newer version, this model is no longer produced.
For soccer fans young and old, LEGO’s Soccer Championship Challenge allows players to build their own, personalized soccer field and play the game in a foosball-like style.
PlayRead more
Unfortunately, this toy is no longer being produced. We are still looking for the best alternative.
Made of a synthetic stuffing-like material, these fluffy balls feel remarkably similar to real snowballs, but without the numbing cold.
Their texture is difficult to describe. Soft like a ball of co...Read more
You're never too old to enjoy an indoor snow fight. These puffballs are soft enough to bounce off TVs, and dense enough to be throwable. Crunches like snow, too.
A plastic body encases beautifully clear glass lenses. The lenses are made of two different types of glass to help cut down on the chromatic aberration which occurs with cheaply made telescopes. Chromatic a...Read more
With a little bit of assembly, the whole family can share the wonders of the night sky.
This educational grade microscope has entirely glass optics, up to a 400X magnification, and lights sources from above and below. The light sources allow it to be used as a compound microscope as well as a ...Read more
Suitable for younger children and teens, the glass optics give a clear picture. We're working hard to finish our review for this toy.
Set of 5 pellets, each 2 inches or larger. Pellets arrives heat treated, and wrapped in foil. Leave the foil on until ready to dissect.
Pellets have been heat treated and sanitized.
A bone c...Read more
Dig through the owl puke to find tiny bones! A totally safe and sanitary science experiment.
Make a number of beautifully colored crystals! The blue, red, and white seed powder can be mixed to achieve crystals that are red, pink, purple, blue, light blue, or clear.
The kit contains 3 bags o...Read more
Grow lovely crystals in red, clear, or blue. Not really educational, this kit is more about making pretty decorations.
Kit includes materials needed for 18 geologically focused experiments.
Carefully following the instructions, kids and adults can work together to complete all the proje...Read more
More than just a pretty face, this kit focuses on teaching about the rock cycle as well as how crystals are formed.
200 identically sized pine planks.
Includes a project idea booklet.
Build structures by balancing and stacking the planks. If the situations calls for it, prete...Read more
Pine or maple planks can be balanced and stacked while exploring engineering fundamentals such as proportion and structural integrity.
Plastic cat-shaped pieces must be placed so that they are completely within the grid shown on the puzzle card.
Game includes 48 puzzle cards, 12 cat pieces, 1 travel case, and instructions.
Kitty faces purr-suade kids to try their paws at this challenging puzzle.
Internal organs and skeleton pieces are put together to create a model shark. Kit includes 20 parts, display stand and pegs, and an instruction booklet.
All the pieces ...Read more
Striking to look at and fun to put together, this entire series of models holds up pretty well once completed.
Assemble the parts to create a clicking pie thrower. The “pie” is either the included sponge, wetted, or whipped or shaving cream. We prefer whipped cream. It’s tastier and doesn’t b...Read more
Suspense. Anticipation. Pie in the face. This game took the world by storm in 2015 with its simple charm and appeal to groups.
Kit contains over 60 pieces, including snap wires, a slide switch, a microphone, capacitors, a fan propeller, a resistor, a buzzer and other pieces, an assembly pegboard, and 74 page illustrated instruction...Read more
So cool! Build 300 circuit configurations by snapping the pieces into place. Sparks curiosity in any kid who enjoys logical thinking and puzzles.
A high density polyethelene board is curved on the bottom with grip tape on top. Comes in many different colors.
Dimensions: 25.5 X 11.25 X 0.5 inches
Best for children over 4 ft tall. For s...Read more
Find your center with the balance board that can be used on any flat surface. Indoors or outdoors, this improves coordination and body awareness.
Kit contains 139 temporary tattoos, 4 tattoo markers (pink, blue, green, purple), 1 metallic silver marker, and 58 rhinestone accents.
Not a lot to say with this one. P...Read more
Remember gel-pens? This kit comes with temporary tattoo outlines that can be colored in with the neon markers. A huge hit at parties.
Over 1,200 tiny plastic beads can be arranged and set into colorful creations. Just spray some water on the finished design, let ‘em dry, and enjoy the new bead art.
This set come with portabl...Read more
Like Fuse beads, but with water instead of heat. Best for older children, as bead placement takes some patience and steady hands.
Kit that transforms untapped energy found from bacteria tucked away in the soil into small amounts of electricity.
The Explore App can be used to measure the speed of the blinking LED light. The bli...Read more
Remember making a potato battery? This uses mud, and doesn't leave a nasty stain on your bookshelf. An all around winner!
This 3-in-1 model kit creates three different dinosaurs, each with light up eyes. Each dino is mostly green in color, with gray, brown, and yellow highlights.
Kit contains 731 pieces and instruction...Read more
3-in-1 kit makes a Stegosaurus (our favorite), a T-Rex, and a Pterodactyl, each taking about 2 hours to complete.
55 pieces of connectable and interchangeable parts that can be used to build a free-from dragon, serpent, or other creature.
Pieces include eyes, wings, heads, legs, foam fire, and large ‘body...Read more
Dragons, sea serpents, wyverns, and more! Arrange the pieces to make a fierce friend, gentle guardian, or a desk buddy. The pieces hold together well, usually.
Toys Description
Board game includes die, 4 timers, 22 Consonant, 6 Vowel, 40 Action, and 5 Steal cards. Instructions are also included.
For 2-6 players or teams.
The goal is t...Read more
Make sentences with words starting with the letters on the chosen cards, but think quick. You're playing against the clock.
Kit comes with all materials needed to create a carnivorous bog garden. Plastic base and dome lid keep the plants humid, while the peat moss planting material holds moisture similar to the bogs these plants...Read more
These feisty flesh-eaters may take up to 5 years to reach maturity, making this kit a lesson in patience.
Small, brightly colored plastic pieces fit into the grid-like board. The board is part of the case, so the entire game can be stored easily. The puzzles increase in their difficulty.
Each piece has ...Read more
Fit the pieces into the grid to complete the puzzle! A fun challenge for ages 6-100.
Wooden pieces that interlock together to create buildings, fences, and other structures. Set comes with 699 pieces, including roofing slats, roof supports, chimneys, and logs of various lengths. All p...Read more
Stack the logs together to make a rustic town, or one mega-structure.
54 rectangles made of hard wood stack up to form a tower. A thin cardboard sleeve is included to help set up the tower. Instructions are also included.
Use the stacking...Read more
Take blocks from below to stack on top without destroying the tower. Great for all ages and any sized group.
Made of 98% natural sand and 2% polymers, this product is non-toxic, gluten-free, and non-staining. The texture is similar to that of damp beach sand. It flows apart when pressed between the fingers, but ho...Read more
Holds a shape like the perfect beach sand but also flows over itself like lava. A soothing tactile experience.
Game set comes with two cases. Each case has 5 plastic ships and white and red plastic pegs.
A classic game of strategy, each player tries to sink all five of their opp...Read more
The classic game of search and destroy. Those who remember older versions may be disappointed in the current quality.
Hard plastic blaster with trigger function and priming slide. The drum holds six foam darts and flips open for quick reloading. There are two color variations, one that is mostly blue with white and orange ...Read more
Rapidly unleash 6 foam darts up to 75 ft! Even with imperfect accuracy, this blaster is beloved by users.
Apples to Apples consist of two types of cards: green cards are printed with a description while red cards are printed with a noun. The number of cards in the box depends on the edition. The box shown here ...Read more
A hilarious game of word association. Great for groups of all ages!
The kit includes the loom, metal hook, a bag of 600+ assorted rubber bands, and instructions. Other kits may contain a completely plastic hook. The loom is made of clear hard-plastic and is reported to be q...Read more
Make bracelets, charms, and more with colorful rubber bands. Now with a durable metal hook.
Made of wood, this toy comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, making it easy to cater to the needs and desires of the individual. Some versions are brittle while some are very flexible, ...Read more
No, really, sticks are great. Kids love sticks.
A game of balance, Suspend uses metal rods to hang on the elevated game stand. The game includes 24 rubber tipped, color-coded metal rods, each color having its own pattern of notches or bends. Also i...Read more
This balancing act is great for single or group play!
This basic playset comes with 607 pieces, including bricks of various sizes. 4 wheels, 2 eye pieces, and other unusual pieces. A booklet showing how to make various shapes like animals, people, and some veh...Read more
Lots of unusual shapes, but not so many plain blocks. Great for adding to an existing collection.
Plastic gears can be used to draw designs and patterns on a chosen drawing surface. Aside from the round gears, this set also includes 4 shaped gears, such as the triangle gear and the cross gear.
S...Read more
Use the gears to draw simple or complex geometric shapes.
Square-shaped sidewalk chalks come in 48 different colors. Cardboard box can be used for storage, and displays the color names on top.
Find a sidewalk. Chalk it up! Alt...Read more
Sidewalk chalk in bright, bold, Crayola colors. Also good for chalkboards.
Plastic pieces snap together to create a structure that lights up when placed on the sound-activated base. Set includes 27 laser pegs, 191 tinted construction bricks, base, and instructions. Laser pegs cont...Read more
Build a T-Rex that lights up in a rainbow of colors! This is a great toy for adults who want to help out with construction.
Hard plastic soaker carries 2.4L (84oz) of water when completely full and fires with a pump action. The soaker switches between Distance, Scatter, and Flood mode by twisting the nozzle. Distance mode has th...Read more
A basic Super Soaker that gets the job done while holding 2.4L. Though if you're looking for a 90s throw-back, you might want to pass.
Contained within an 8 inch clear plastic sphere lies over 20 feet of twisting, turning maze track and a small metal ball.
A plastic stand is also included, to hold the sphere when not in use.
Getting a tiny ball around a plastic maze has never been so challenging, or so addicting.
The set comes with one game board, instruction set, game notebook, and 16 wooden animals. The game notebook gives layout directions for 60 different puzzles, increasing in difficult as the puzzles are comp...Read more
These wonderfully smart safari stumpers will have children working their brain overtime!