Children's toys are one of the best things about childhood. Regardless of your age, everyone has a toy that they still remember. Nothing beats the excitement of opening a brand-new toy, and whilst we know that in today’s day, children are spending more and more time with tablets and technology, nothing beats the satisfaction of unboxing and playing with a new Barbie doll, tractor or anything else. The best children’s toys will not only tear your child away from their screens but also help them develop lifelong skills like creativity and managing emotions. Some are even educational, and stylish kids' toys exist too!
Whether it’s a birthday gift, a special occasion or just a well-deserved treat, you cannot go wrong with a good toy. Currently, there are so many toys on the market from so many retailers (even Zara toys are a thing now!), so it can be hard to know what to pick. Whether you are searching for creative, cuddly or more interactive toys, we have got you covered.
Best Children's Toys At A Glance:
Best STEM toy: Connetix Rainbow Creative Pack, £89.95, Harrods
Best toy for kids who are obsessed with devices: Edurino Starter Set, £44.99, Amazon
Best toy for toddler development: Sesame Street Potty Time Elmo
We spoke to a toy expert from Hexbug, Alison Ferguson, who explained: 'Toys aren’t just for playing. From toddlers to teens, children are capable of learning so much, and playtime is a great way to introduce both life skills and cognitive skills – so they’re learning in a way they’ll actually enjoy.'
From critical thinking to decision-making and problem-solving through play, children can learn the skills that will set them up for success while other toys entertain them for hours on end. Shop the best children's toys below.
SHOP: Best Children's Toys 2024
Best STEM toy
www.harrods.com
This comprehensive 100-piece set is a treasure trove of creativity. It provides endless possibilities for children to construct various structures, from towering skyscrapers to intricate mazes. The Rainbow Creative Pack nurtures critical thinking skills and design skills. It's the perfect activity for your child's imagination to flourish.
Pros
- Encourage kids to create
- Endless hours of play
- Non-toxic
- Strong magnets
Cons
- Heavy
Best toy for kids who are obsessed with devices
We know what you are thinking: isn't this going to make kids spend more time on the tablet? And whilst this toy does use your family's smart device. It truly is educational and, most importantly, fun. So if you struggle to get your child away from technology, this is a very happy crossover.
Edurino offers a playful learning experience for children with a selection of fun figurines and unique ergonomic pens, providing access to hours of digital learning content via a free app. Parents and educators appreciate Edurino for making screen time valuable through educational expert-designed content that is both fun and safe for children.
With a selection of four figures that each teach your child new skills. We cannot recommend this toy enough.
Pros
- Educational
- Engaging
- You can build on your child's collection
- Carry case available
Cons
- Requires a smart device
The best kids camera toy
Ever wondered what the world looks like from your little one's eyes? Well, wonder no more! This easy-to-use instant camera allows your child to take their very own photos. We adore this kids' toy because it fosters creativity.
Pros
- Easy for children to use
- Printing is instant
- Wrist strap
- Selfie mode
Cons
- Not the best picture quality
Best educational toy
These Numberblocks playing cards have colourful illustrations of the fun-loving characters from the hit TV series. This deck has a Game Guide with easy-to-understand instructions for six card games that you and your child can get play right away. Our favourite game is I'm Bigger Than You.
Pros
- Good quality
- Multiple easy to understand games (and helpful instructions for parents)
- Beautifully illustrated
- Great for all kids over three
Cons
- We wish it came with a hard carry box
Best toy for learning abstract thinking skills
www.therange.co.uk
Known by most children as 'Baby Yoda', this is one of the hottest toys on the market. 'The Child' is a hard-headed plush toy, that has a soft body that children can cuddle and hold. Star Wars fans will love this toy, which has ten vocal sound effects.
Pros
- Sound effects
- Based on the Star Wars galaxy series
- Cute design
Cons
- Hard head
Suitable from: | 3+ years |
Best play-doh toy
The Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Busy Chef's Restaurant Playset lets kids feel like they're running their very own restaurant. They can create, customise, and share amazing Play-Doh food creations with pretend customers. Kids can use the stampers to make pretend pizza, burgers, pasta, or chicken and press the lever to stamp two pretend foods at one time.
Pros
- Available in five different colours
- Imaginative
- Encouraging sharing
Cons
- We cannot stop the kids from mixing the colours
Suitable from: | 3+ years |
Best toy for toddler development
Potty training can be difficult, to say the least, but we think this is an engaging toy to begin to introducing the toilet. We found that when we used this with our children, they began to show more interest in the potty and it was a great aid to explaining how to listen to your body. This 12-inch-tall giggling huggable Elmo plush is made of soft fabrics and comes dressed in a yellow graphic T-shirt with removable training pants.
Pros
- Interactive
- Educational
- Soft
Cons
- Accessories can get lost
Suitable from: | 18+ months |
Best magnetic toy
Magnéti’Book contains dozens of illustrated magnets, allowing your child to recreate designs based on a template or to create their own scenes or characters from their imagination.
Children can play alone, in pairs, with friends or family. The variety of magnets allows for infinite possibilities.
The best part is the magnets can be neatly stored away within the book.
Pros
- Comes with storage
- Detailed magnets
- Engaging
Cons
- It isn't very interactive
Best Nerf toy
Nerfs have become one of the most popular toys for kids, and this set is the perfect starter kit. The blaster handles have the lowest pull force of any Nerf dart blasters, so it's easy for children to pull back by themselves. We found this essential when choosing the right Nerf products as some blasters require a more substantial pull force, causing an absolute breakdown.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Encourages physical activity
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some of the other Nerf products may be more suitable for children over 10
Suitable from: | 6+ years |
Best Ninja Turtle toy
If, like us, you are obssesed with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie. This pizza delivery van from the movie will definitely will be a hit. Thole gang and even Mater Splinter, can fit in the van. Hit the pizza slice button and the side door swings open, hit the button again and the pizza launcher slides out the side. Press the button on the motorized launcher to fire up to 8 pizzas.
Pros
- Large vehicle
- Easy to assemble
- Seriously fun
Cons
- Ninja Turtles sold seperately
Best retro toy for kids
One of the most iconic toys of the 90s is back, and thankfully, it's a lot less creepy. The new era of the cute, cool, and a little bit weird Furby. This interactive toy features five voice-activated modes and over 600 responses, including lights, sounds, and ten unique songs. Furby also responds to hugs, pats, belly tickles, shaking, and feeding of its pretend Pizza Charm.
Pros
- Furby teaches children positive affirmations.
- Interactive
Cons
- Voice controls can be difficult for some children
Suitable from: | 6+ years |
Best interactive children's toy
www.selfridges.com
Inspired by one of the most celebrated children's movies of the year, The Little Mermaid, this Ariel doll is the perfect companion for your child's magical adventure. She sings and can go underwater, just like in the movie. She is dressed in her stunning story-inspired fabric top, featuring iridescent ruffles and glimmering purple and blue scale designs.
Pros
- On-trend toy
- Interactive
- Can go underwater
Cons
- Takes a little while to dry fully
Suitable from: | 3+ years |
Best Barbie toy
This is the Barbie's dream house of our dreams. Children (and adults alike) can spend hours creating stories and roleplaying. 43 inches tall and 41 inches wide, this dollhouse has three floors and 10 indoor and outdoor living areas. There is even a grass area and pool, which can be moved. Our favourite feature is, by far, the working elevator!
Pros
- Movable and working features
- Colourful
- Adaptable
Cons
- Does not come with any Barbies
Suitable from: | 3+ years |
Best toy for babies
babymori.com
Finding a toy for a one-year-old that isn't garish and doesn't make highly irritating sounds can be a real challenge. This non-toxic toy set by Mori ticks both boxes. The chic pastel colours are great for all nursery decor and engaging for little ones. The smooth edges make it a safe toy for young children to enjoy. Our favourite part is this is a lovely quiet toy that your baby can enjoy.
Pros
- Non-toxic paints
- Soft edges
- Wipe clean
Cons
- May not be engaging for older children
Suitable from: | 12+ months |
Best toy for newborns
www.selfridges.com
Jellycat soft toys gained popularity with parents due to their ultra-soft designs. Whilst there are hundreds of Jellycat designs from turtles to croissants and coffee cups, this sweet bear is our absolute favourite. It's the perfect toy for a newborn and can be kept in their nursery as a feature whilst they sleep.
Pros
- Soft
- Adorable
- Suitable from birth
Cons
- Hand-wash only
Suitable from: | Birth, but due to size do not leave in cots |
Best toy for imaginative play
Toys that encourage cleaning up after themselves? Yes, please. This wooden cleaning set is great for imaginative play, gross monitoring skills, and balance. It encourages not only cleaning but also communication. We love a toy that makes life easier, and whilst we cannot promise this toy is going to turn your little one into a domestic god or goddess, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Can be neatly tidied away with stand
- Usable brushes
Cons
- Some found the stand unsteady
Suitable from: | 3+ years |
Best toy for fine motor skills
www.argos.co.uk
Lego is one of the best ways to encourage fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are essential as they will help your child learn how to write, eat and get dressed. This Lego police set creates a police patrol car with cool rims, wide fenders and ground-gripping tyres. It has 94 pieces and is perfect for encouraging play between children and parents.
Pros
- Great for hand-eye co-ordination
- Helps children learn fine motor skills
- Engaging for parents and children
Cons
- Lots of small parts
Suitable from: | 5+ years |
Best toy for teens
www.currys.co.uk
The rechargeable Gel Blaster SURGE shoots water-based beads or “Gellets” that burst on impact. No more picking up endless bullets or pellets. Each Gellet is all-natural and non-toxic so they're nice and safe for kids and pets.
Pros
- It comes with safety glasses
- Very powerful
- Includes 10,000 Gellets
Cons
- Not recommended for children under 14
Suitable from: | Age 14+ |
Best engaging toy
This remarkable toy brings the iconic character to life with its remote control functionality and transforming capabilities. With the push of a button, Optimus Prime seamlessly shifts from robot mode to vehicle mode, providing endless excitement for fans of all ages. Whether commanding in battle or cruising through imaginary landscapes, this RC Optimus Prime delivers thrilling adventures and imaginative play.
Pros
- Easy to use and navigate
- Stands up by itself
- Robust
Cons
- Head sometimes gets a little stuck
Best gaming toy
www.argos.co.uk
Bluey: The Videogame offers another dimension for fans of the sweet Aussie-based CBeebies cartoon. Dive into a story across 4 interactive episodes, and explore locations your little one will be familiar with from the show, like the Heeler House, Playgrounds, Creek, and a bonus beach spot. You can re-enact your favourite scenes, collect items for your sticker book, unlock outfits, and discover hidden secrets in each location.
Pros
- A great way for children 3 and over to immerse themselves further in Bluey's world
- Multiplayer mode for family and friends
Cons
- You need a console to start with!
FAQs
What's the best way to clean children's toys?
It will depend on the toy and what type of material the toy is made out of. For example, cleaning wooden toys doesn't have to be done as often, as wood naturally has antibacterial properties. However, germs can survive on plastic surfaces for 24 hours and therefore need to be cleaned more regularly — wiping them down with a cloth dipped in hot water and washing up liquid should do the trick (remember, if the toy contains batteries, remove these first).
When it comes to cleaning bath toys, again, these don't need to be done as often as plastic toys and are fine to be rinsed off with some water after bath time. However, give them a deep clean every few months (pop them in the bath with some sterilising tablets) and make sure you allow them to dry properly, to prevent black mould build-up. If you're washing soft toys, the washing machine is usually fine, just make sure to check the toy's label first. Outdoor toys will also need to be cleaned more frequently due to the natural impact of the elements.
Is it safe to buy second-hand toys?
Buying second-hand toys is a great way to save money and is also good for the environment too. Brands that sell second-hand toys include eBay, Preloved, Gumtree, Etsy, Oxfam online and, of course, charity shops. However, there are a few things to consider/look out for when purchasing a second-hand toy, which we outline here in our guide to buying second-hand toys.
Safety Standards: Check if the toy complies with current safety standards. Look for labels indicating that the toy has passed safety tests and meets relevant regulations.
Recall Information: Research if the toy has been recalled. You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website or other relevant authorities in your country for information on recalls.
Cleanliness: Thoroughly clean and sanitize the toy before giving it to a child. Some toys may be washable, while others might need a more careful cleaning process.
Age-Appropriateness: Verify that the toy is suitable for the age of the child who will be playing with it. Check for age recommendations and warnings on the packaging or the toy itself.
Missing Parts: Confirm that all necessary parts and pieces are included. Missing components could affect the safety and functionality of the toy.
Hannah Carroll is a Parenting, Lifestyle and Home Product writer for Grazia, specialising in product testing and reviews. With three children, Hannah loves testing the latest industry products on her own family.