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22 Toys For Kids On Amazon With Great Reviews That Are Well-Deserved

Amazon

Shopping on Amazon is amazing when you need paper towels, a sports bra, a birthday present for that kid’s party in two days that you forgot about until just now, ground coffee... while having (almost) everything under the sun on one website is helpful, it’s also daunting, like going to an ice cream shop that boasts 55 flavors. Because I know you don’t have time to sift through endless options, I’ve rounded up 22 kids toys on Amazon with awesome reviews. You could use Amazon’s filter feature to only see toys that have received four or more stars from reviewers, but you’d need to carve out a full evening after putting your kids to sleep to do so, because there are literally 400 pages of results.

I know when confronted with thousands of options, I’m either going to get overwhelmed and leave empty-handed, or I’m likely to make a random, impulsive decision (which is exactly how my 6-year-old niece ended up with a stuffed wombat for her birthday). Nerdy fact alert: A 2004 book by Barry Schwartz called The Paradox Of Choice argued that having fewer choices actually makes for a much more pleasant shopping experience for the consumer. I’ve done the sifting for you and rounded up the 22 highly rated toys on Amazon, and best of all, you have plenty of time to Prime before the holidays.

1. Magnet Tiles

Magnet tiles are perfect for budding builders or any child who loves creating new worlds. This set contains 60 tiles, but you can always add more to the collection and build bigger and bigger cities. I've played with these before and they really do stick together and stand-up well, leaving less room for a meltdown over a collapsed tower.

2. Lego City Vehicles

If you routinely hang out with the under 5 years old set, then you probably already know a thing or two about vehicles. You may even find yourself pointing out excavators even when you're alone; that can't just be me, right? The Lego City Heavy Cargo set includes a toy truck with a cab that opens, a flatbed toy trailer, and a helicopter with spinning rotors. Heaven for vehicle-lovers.

3. Little Beatles Set

The special edition toy includes Little People by Fisher Price versions of each Beatle: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The figurines are modeled after the band's iconic Yellow Submarine looks and these toys are the perfect way to start teaching the next generation about influential music of the past. You may even want to buy this as a gift for yourself and keep it in the box; maybe it will be a collector's item someday.

4. Peppa Pig's House

This play house is sure to be any Peppa fan's cup of tea. Instead of just watching the little British pig from afar, your child can enter Peppa's world and play with her. It comes with Peppa Pig, Suzy Sheep, and George figures and it also include play pieces including a washing machine, refrigerator, bunk beds, television set, and a bathtub.

5. Cinderella's Carriage

I love that this LEGO set fuses a classic Disney story with a starter building set. "The simple guide to build and play will help your youngster understand the purpose of the building steps, and grow their confidence for the perfect start to LEGO brick building," according to Amazon. Plus it comes with the cutest Gus Gus and Lucifer the cat figurines.

6. STEM Building Set

This set includes 163 pieces which makes it perfect for playdates or for siblings playing together. Kids can build anything they have their heart set on (dinosaurs! helicopters!) and the toy boosts hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, logical thinking, and problem solving skills. The bolts are screwed in using the accompanying wrench or screwdriver which also helps children learn skills they actually may use later in life (unlike, say, the class in college I took called "severe weather").

7. Interlocking Plastic Disc Set

This is one of my favorite toys, and my nephews love it too. The flower-like petals intersect to form so many cool shapes: you can make a sword, a car, even a tiny pony. The included step-by-step instructions are really helpful, too.

8. A Classic Favorite

This toy still holds up 100 years after it's inception. Perfect for the parent who doesn't want a lot of plastic around, the 111 piece set is made of real maple wood, and comes in a commemorative tin that makes a great storage container. The instructions explain how to make a tall tower, two small houses with a bonfire, and a large cabin, but kids are free to forget the instructions and build whatever they dream up.

9. Wooden Cleaning Set

One of the peculiarities of children is that asking them to clean up can result in meltdown for the ages, however, they love to pretend to clean. Next time your kid sees you sweeping and wants to "help", you'll be happy you have this Melissa & Doug set to give them. It includes a duster, a mop, a broom, and a dustpan. Who knows, maybe this will be a gateway playset.

10. Fidget Toy Set

If your child experiences occasional anxiety or has a hard time focusing, this 22-piece "sensory bundle" is a great toy to keep around. You can give them a new toy when they're having a tough day; the set goes beyond the fidget spinner and includes stress balls, a liquid timer, flip chains and more. I think everyone can benefit from sensory toys; I keep a stress ball (it's pink and shaped like a macaron cookie) on my desk, and I notice that squeezing it helps me relax and focus.

11. A Fun Twist On A Classic Game

This classic card game gets an upgrade with Toy Story characters featured on the cards. The rules stay the same, but there is one special card just for the Toy Story deck: the Duke Caboom Wild Card. The game is fun for the whole family (ages 7 and up) to play together.

12. A Puppet Set

One of the greatest ways to pass a rainy afternoon is to put on a puppet show. You can help your kids make a "stage" (just cut a rectangle out of the upper half of a cardboard box). This set comes with two puppets, a police officer and a firefighter, so two can play at once.

13. A Dozen Eggs

I've tried several times to understand what Hatchimals are, and while I'm still pretty lost, I do know that kids love them. Each of these 12 plastic eggs cracks open to reveal a Hatchimal accessory. Also if your kid loves Easter egg hunts, you can hide the eggs for them to find around the house for an indoor hunt any time of year.

14. A Lego Advent Calendar

Two of the world's greatest things combine to make this LEGO advent calendar. You get to build 24 different presents from this 234-piece set. Plus it includes a sleigh, snow plow tractor, a snowmobile, and seven LEGO City minifigures.

15. A Barbie Baby Doctor

I adored Barbies when I was a kid, but I'm so glad to see how far the dolls have come. Barbie can now be a teacher, a president, an astronaut, and apparently an obstetrician. The doll comes with the tiniest infant dolls, and it's a great reminder to all kids that they can dream big.

16. A Puppy With Accessories

If your kid is begging for a dog and you're just not ready yet, this little puppy may tide them over. The adorable, soft puppy comes with food, a bed, a brush, and toys; and it just so happens it's designed to be the perfect size to pair with American Girl dolls.

17. A Dress Up Set

I I had a dress-up box filled with wacky outfits as a kid (including real lederhosen) so I couldn't make this list without including a costume. Kids will feel like they can really enact another character once they have the right gear. Just be warned that they may ask you next for a truck they can ride around in.

18. A Name Puzzle

This name puzzle will help kids learn the letters in their name and how to spell it. Everyone loves a personalized product, and kids will love showing their puzzle to friends. Just remember to customize it at checkout.

19. A Dinosaur World

This is the gift for the child who can recite every dinosaur's scientific name. The set comes with nine different dinos and a play mat that's made to look like a theme park. The figurines are large, so there's not much risk of a little sibling choking, plus the set folds up small into a portable box for easy clean up.

20. A Transformer

My fiancé asked for a Transformer for his (32nd) birthday this year, so this is a toy that really stands the test of time. In 22 steps, this converts from a robot into a fire truck, and aside from being fun, it's a good toy for training motor skills and for developing patience.

21. Figurines From A Favorite Show

PJ Masks is a favorite among my nephews, but they watch the show in Spanish so I have literally no idea what the premise is except for... kids in pajamas. This collectible figurine pack comes with five characters that are made to look exactly how they do in the show. This one is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and having these toys around may ease the blow when you say, "no more shows today."

22. An Indoor Sandbox

Kinetic sand looks and feels like normal sand, except it can be molded into any shape and it doesn't stick to materials other than itself. This box opens up like a briefcase to reveal ample room to play with the included two pounds of sand. It's really relaxing and soothing for kids (and adults) to shape the sand, then let it flow through their fingers. Plus it can be easily vacuumed up if any spills.

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