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.
Tea Set
Green Toys
Why We Love It
Durable, lightweight tea set for four encourages pretend play. Made from recycled materials. Dishwasher safe.
Rat-a-Tat Cat
Gamewright
Why We Love It
Players compete for the lowest score in this comical card game that builds memory and basic math skills. An all-time Red Jellies favorite.
Sand Ice Cream Set
Melissa & Doug
Why We Love It
A twist on traditional sand toys. Set up your own beach ice cream shop. Scoop ice cream and add sprinkles to the cones. Encourages pretend play.
Peacock Embroidery Kit
Hape
Why We Love It
Practice basic sewing with this all-in-one embroidery kit. Builds dexterity, focus, and color pattern recognition.
Chef Costume
Melissa & Doug
Why We Love It
Cute costume inspires independent and cooperative pretend play. Well-made, durable, and machine washable.
Colorful Bath Squirters
Ubbi
Why We Love It
The great white whale of bath toys: a squirter without the mold (thanks to easy twist-off tops). Littles can mix and match, squirt, and scoop water.
Farm Stacking Cubes
Djeco
Why We Love It
Traditional nesting blocks combined with animal figures to boost motor skills and inspire creative play. Stack the blocks then match the animals to their house.
Stargazer Lottie
Arklu
Why We Love It
Calling all astronauts! This high quality doll is ready for stargazing. Small size convenient for travel. Bonus that she looks like a kid (no makeup, jewelry, or high heels).
Mini Band Instruments
kilofly
Why We Love It
Kids create and experiment with sound with this multi-piece set. Enough instruments for kids to enjoy together. Includes bag for easy storage.
Little Red Riding Hood
Smart Games
Why We Love It
Use puzzle pieces to build Little Red Riding Hood a path to Grandma's house. Second level of play incorporates the Big Bad Wolf. Builds spatial reasoning and problem solving skills.
Little People Camper
Fisher-Price
Why We Love It
Sturdy playset with two kids and many cute critters encourages pretend play. Many songs and sounds (and an on-off switch if you prefer quiet!). Closes for easy storage and transport.
Space Explorers Puzzle
Crocodile Creek
Why We Love It
Space fans will love the whimsical artwork. This 72-piece puzzle is sturdy with nice-sized pieces.
Garage & Car Wash
Melissa & Doug
Why We Love It
Small size and great combo of parking garage plus car wash. Engaging features like a working elevator, garage with doors, and roller and dryer strips. Easy carry handle.
Match It! Words
Learning Journey Int'l
Why We Love It
Self-correcting puzzle introduces littles to spelling and reading with kid-friendly images. Boosts letter recognition.
Sand Play Set
Green Toys
Why We Love It
This set is all about quality basics. A durable bucket, shovel, rake, and sand mold to get architects creating. Eco friendly. Made in the USA.
Race to the Treasure!
Peaceable Kingdom
Why We Love It
A cooperative game in which all players work together to build a path and beat the ogre to the treasure. Excellent for spatial reasoning, strategy, and team play.
Great Vehicles Ferry
Lego City
Why We Love It
Cool captain's deck and gate that opens and closes to let cars onto the ferry. Great combination of building and pretend play. Note: Ferry doesn't actually float.
Find It! Dino Puzzle
Learning Journey Int'l
Why We Love It
Large, cheerful puzzle for dinosaur fans. Includes a word- and object-recognition game that provides opportunities to interact and discuss puzzle elements.
Rattle & Teething Set
Yookidoo
Why We Love It
With a crinkly pirate's hat, interesting stripe pattern, and (pleasantly!) musical parrot, this rattle and teething set is stimulating and engaging.
Chunky Farm Puzzle
Cubbie Lee Toys
Why We Love It
Well-made, attractive wooden puzzle. Practice animal recognition as your little one positions the pieces, building eye-hand coordination.
Stack & Pour Buckets
Skip Hop
Why We Love It
Great for bath or beach! Cute buckets have three different sprinkle designs to engage kids' attention. Small enough for little hands and easily stackable.
Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel
Educational Insights
Why We Love It
Beautiful graphics and cool squirrel mechanism. Develops fine motor skill and turn-taking. Word to the wise: Amend rules so wind doesn't blow all the acorns away.
Confetti Jump Rope
Just Jump It
Why We Love It
Let's get jumping! This high quality rope is an excellent weight and length. Comes in a variety of colors. Order two to introduce double dutch.
Personalized Frame
Gifted Oak
Why We Love It
Beautiful wooden frame engraved with new baby's name and birth stats. Perfect for a birth announcement or newborn photo.
Submarine
Green Toys
Why We Love It
Working propeller. Great scoop-and-pour function. Seaworthy vessel is made from 100% recycled materials. Dishwasher safe. Opens for easy cleaning.
IQ Puzzler Pro
Smart Games
Why We Love It
Compact, portable, single-player brain teaser that boosts logic and spatial reasoning. 2D and 3D puzzles. 120 challenges.
Garden Build & Spin
Learning Resources
Why We Love It
Attach gears and characters to board then see the cause-and-effect of turning the handle. All pieces mix-and-match. Great introduction to gears.
City Rescue Rug
Melissa & Doug
Why We Love It
Toddlers to the rescue! Littles can steer the four rescue vehicles around town on this adorable play rug. Rug has anti-skid backing. Machine washable.
Toy Truck & Animals
Cubbie Lee Toys
Why We Love It
Load up those animals - pretend play ahead! Well made and carefully sanded to create smooth surfaces.
Inspiration Art Case
Crayola
Why We Love It
Unleash little ones' creativity with this 140-piece Crayola set. Includes crayons, colored pencils, markers, and paper.
Hisss
Gamewright
Why We Love It
Draw cards and match colors to complete the most snakes. Boosts matching, spatial logic, and turn-taking. Great first game.
Ice Cream Truck
Lego Juniors
Why We Love It
Great combination of building and pretend play. With 136 pieces, it's a challenging but not overwhelming build. Includes two figures and cute ice cream products.
Stegosaurus Mosaic
Hape
Why We Love It
Use colorful wooden circles to create an adorable dinosaur. Excellent rainy day craft. Builds eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.