BEST TOYS UNDER $25
Great gifts, great price.
Quality doesn't have to break the bank. We scoured major toy conventions and tested loads of products to find the best toys under $25. Check out our fully independent picks.
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Pull-Along Giraffe
Cubbie Lee Toys
Why We Love It
Adorable wooden giraffe with two feet of string is the perfect companion for new walkers. Cut-out in middle allows littles to grasp and push giraffe along ground.
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Sand Cookie Baking
Melissa & Doug
Why We Love It
A twist on traditional sand toys. Expand beyond castles and seahorse molds by baking sand cookies, lifting them with a spatula, and placing them on baking tray. Encourages pretend play.
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Rainbow Delta Kite
Emmakites
Why We Love It
Let's go fly a kite! Enjoy the breeze with this kite designed with beginners in mind. Easy assembly. Durable. High flying.
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Go Go Gelato!
Blue Orange
Why We Love It
Little shop owners must plan ahead to match their customers' gelato orders by passing scoops between cones. Great beginning logic game with sweet components.
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Paper Bag Puppets
Alex Toys
Why We Love It
This colorful craft is the perfect rainy (or snowy!) day activity. Includes 5 bags and 250+ decorative items. Plenty of room for creativity. Tip: May want to use your own glue.
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Wooden Farm Magnets
Djeco
Why We Love It
Adorable magnets spark creative play and develop gross motor skills as little ones move them around to create farm scenes. Highly durable.
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First Dump Truck
Green Toys
Why We Love It
Time for some serious construction work! This working dumper fuels imaginative play. Made from recycled materials. Durable and easy to clean.
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100-Piece Puzzle
Janod
Why We Love It
High quality puzzle pieces depict a vibrant, whimsical ocean scene. Sturdy packaging. Boosts problem solving and spatial reasoning.
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Fire Chief Costume
Mellisa & Doug
Why We Love It
Cute costume inspires independent and cooperative play. Well-made, durable, and machine washable.
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Color Code
Smart Games
Why We Love It
Tackle 100 challenges of varying difficulty by layering colored tiles. Develops logic and spatial reasoning skills. Bonus: Beautiful materials; small and portable.
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Snuggly Teddy Bear
Gund
Why We Love It
Ultra soft, super cute, 18-inch teddy bear. This Gund plush makes for an adorable nursery decoration and first lovey.
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My First Playhouse
Lego Duplo
Why We Love It
Awesome combination of basic building and pretend play. Pieces encourage discussion of child's daily routine, including a slide for playtime! Perfect size for little hands.
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Eco Crafts Scrapbook
Alex Toys
Why We Love It
This fun and colorful first scrapbook kit comes loaded with stickers, buttons, and other decorative items. A great find for littles who like crafts. Just add pictures!
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Bowling Friends
Mellisa & Doug
Why We Love It
Soft plastic bowling set makes for a great indoor or outdoor toy. Pins are lightweight but sturdy. Little bowlers build motor skills and practice turn-taking.
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Hoot Owl Hoot!
Peaceable Kingdom
Why We Love It
A cooperative matching game. Little ones help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. Promotes turn taking and teamwork. Two levels of play.
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Dinosaurs
Smart Games
Why We Love It
Separate the herbivores and carnivores in this shape-matching puzzle. Builds problem solving and spatial reasoning. 80 challenges give it a good shelf life.
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Kids Frisbee Rings
Activ Flyer
Why We Love It
Lightweight frisbee flies straight. Designed to be easy for kids to throw and catch. Want to get fancy? Try catching on your feet!
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Story Box Circus
Janod
Why We Love It
The circus is in town! Imagination takes (a trapeze) flight with this circus set. Little ringmasters direct circus performers, animals, and equipment to put on the greatest show on Earth.
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Color-a-Cape
Great Pretenders
Why We Love It
A great art project that leads to dramatic play. Plus it's washable, so kids can color it again and again!
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Shapes Bath Toy
Baby Loovi
Why We Love It
Vibrant puzzle / bath toy combo builds motor skills and shape recognition as baby gets older. Pieces stick to the walls or sides of the tub when wet.
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Tumble Trax
Learning Resources
Why We Love It
Easily maneuverable magnetic components make for a unique marble run that's perfect for small spaces. Conducive to independent play and free design.
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Seaplane
Green Toys
Why We Love It
Cool changeup from your typical boat toy. Seaplane floats and has working propeller. Dishwasher safe. Made from recycled materials.
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Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Rose Art
Why We Love It
Little artists alert! Mix powder and water to create colorful sidewalk chalk paint. Includes two foam brushes.
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Gobblet Gobblers
Blue Orange
Why We Love It
A twist on the classic tic-tac-toe game: larger pieces can "gobble" smaller ones! Builds memory and strategic thinking. Quick play.
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Baby Stella
Manhattan Toy Co.
Why We Love It
15-inch, super soft doll with embroidered features, removable clothes and diaper, and a magnetized pacifier. Perfect first doll.
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Lacing Cards
Chronicle Books
Why We Love It
Colorful, durable lacing cards featuring favorite Eric Carle designs help littles build dexterity and focus. Cards are reusable.
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Pull-Back Vehicles
Melissa & Doug K's Kids
Why We Love It
Vroom! Little ones build fine motor skills by pulling vehicles back and watching them race ahead. No worries about crashes, either. It's a lightweight toy with soft fabric.
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Castle Logix
Smart Games
Why We Love It
A beautiful 3D wooden puzzle that promotes problem solving and spatial reasoning. With 48 challenges of varying difficulty, it continues to engage kids as they grow.
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Supermarket
Lego Friends
Why We Love It
Awesome combination of building and pretend play. Fantastically detailed components, including a fruit display, bakery counter, and newspaper stand.
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The Fairy Game
Peaceable Kingdom
Why We Love It
Teamwork! Kids work together to save the garden and defeat Mr. Winter in this beautiful cooperative board game. Directions may seem a bit complex, but it's a fun early strategy game.
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Restaurant Puzzle
Janod
Why We Love It
Excellent quality 208-piece puzzle features a fun, detailed scene that doubles as a hidden picture game. Put the pieces together then find the 51 hidden objects (anyone see the lobster?!).
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Dolphin Bubble Maker
Kidzlane
Why We Love It
Make a little magic with this durable bubble machine. Releases more than 500 bubbles per minute. Easy to fill. Easy to clean. Great for parties, too.
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Fossil Hunter Lottie
Arklu
Why We Love It
Calling all paleontologists! This high quality doll is ready for the dig. Small size convenient for travel. Bonus that Lottie looks like a kid (no makeup, jewelry, or high heels).
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