25 Products That’ll Keep Your Child Entertained

May 06, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Kids are *always* bored when we're tired — but, I'm here with some help.

BuzzFeed Staff

For ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "I was pleasantly surprised with how popular this was! I just bought it as a side gift for a child just because it was cheap and it was a puzzle-type toy. However, this kept both kids and adults immensely entertained for hours. It was challenging for everyone but a fun challenge. I’m purchasing another so we can race each other to finish at the next gathering." —Mrs. Dinkleberg

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

For ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "This tablet has entertained my 4-year-old grandson for hours at a time. He loves that he can erase at will and that the drawings are multicolored. I highly recommend this item for 18 months old and up. I bought a pink one for our 18-month-old granddaughter, and she too is just enthralled with it and the 'power' she has to erase, create, erase, create! They loved them so much, that we bought another set of two different colors so that they would have them at home as well as at 'Grammy's.'" —Kindle Customer Red Heart

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).

For ages 18 months and up.

Promising reviews: "Bought for my 1-year old nephew who needed some learning toys. He enjoys it and the interactive nature of the book. Keeps him entertained and also durable so that's a big plus as a lot of books they’ve given him become chewed or damaged. Highly recommend for an affordable but effective learning toy for young children." —Thomas M.

"Best learning toy ever! My 1-year-old granddaughter absolutely LOVES this toy!!! We have played with it for hours on end. Great product. Well built and sturdy. Luv, luv, luv it!" —Kimberly Conrad

Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available six themes).

For ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "Got these because my niece who is 8 has some and my 1-year-old baby loved them, so I had to get her some. She stayed quiet and occupied for hours with these. I love how the insides have pictures on them and especially love that the heart-shaped one has ABCs on each dot. Not sure if the green part of the pineapple is supposed to be able to be removed but it comes off with ease." —deara

Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.87.

For ages 3 and up.

Includes six double-sided activity mats, one duster cloth, two dry-erase markers, and an achievement certificate.

Promising review: "My daughter loves this product. She just turned four and she is able to do the activities. She feels so proud of herself once she's done. The only part she doesn't like is when she has to erase it but then realizes she gets to do it again after it's erased. The cleanup is easy. We just use a paper towel to wipe it down. We use this product daily now that we’re under a stay at home order." —Kathryn

Get it from Amazon for $24.97+ (available in 12 activities).

For ages 4 and up.

Promising review: "My 2-year-old granddaughter loves stickers! This is a great activity to satisfy children's love for stickers without the mess everywhere and having to purchase copious amounts of stickers. It encourages creativity and imagination. Great for developing fine motor skills when peeling off the small stickers." —Andrea K.

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.05.

For ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "Hello no-mess art! Yes! Both the baby and toddler can safely use this in the car or at home without me having to chase them down in fear they’ll make a mess! It dries in seconds so the fact that it's reusable is awesome. The refillable water paint brush is great and can be changed out with other Melissa & Doug water art and even those water mats Amazon always has on special. We have a few of these and this is always a hit!" —DoublehapaFAM

Get it from Amazon for $5.59+ (available in seven themes and a two-pack).

For ages 18 months and up.

This board has various zippers, snaps, buttons, and strings to help your child learn to tie their shoes and get dressed.

Promising reviews: '"My 1-year-old loves it and it will grow with her with so many different things to master. Super handy for in the car or at other people's houses. Lots to do with no mess." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).

For ages 2 and up.

Promising review: "The kids think it's fun and it's nice because it keeps them learning and entertained without a mess." —Kelli Kassi and Jenni

Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

Promising review: "Great for traveling with a 3- and 4-year-old. It's a great quiet time toy. The puzzles are magnetic and they don't make a big mess." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $7.95+ (available in a two pack).

The Woobles is an Asian-owned small business whose mission is to make crocheting easy and accessible.

This kit might be best for older kids. New to crocheting? Don't worry, kits can be chosen by difficulty level and there are a lot of kits for beginners. And you can get help virtually or over email if you get stuck.

Promising review: "I am a true beginner and found this pattern very easy to follow. I really love the video explanations. Can't wait to make more!" —K.S.

Get it from The Woobles for $25+ (available with or without a crochet hook and in more animals here).

For ages 3 and up.

This kit includes over 25 pieces, stickers, and a case. And, some parts light up and make realistic sounds.

Promising review: "My son adores this toy set. It has a lot of different doctor tools in there so he can be whatever doctor he chooses! They're easy to clean and very sturdy. Pardon me, the dentist is ready for me!" —Cortini

Get it from Amazon for $24.97.

For ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "My grandson absolutely loves it and uses it with his play kitchen. He even serves us the fake food on plates. Keeps him busy." —GINA RODRIGUES

Get it from Amazon for $24.98.

For ages 7 and up.

Players race to match colors and numbers to get rid of all their cards first. There are also special action cards like Wild, Skip, Reverse, and Draw that make the game more challenging. Read full rules to learn how to play.

Promising review: Fun Game. This game is such fun, for all ages. Simple enough for kids, but strategy comes more into play for adults." —Pamela

Get it from Amazon for $6.07+ (available in two variations and one collector box trio).

For ages 3 and up.

I purchased this closet for my daughter because her Barbie clothes were getting out of hand. What I thought was just a solution to a mess, turned out to be a fun activity for her that didn't really require much effort on my part. On the days where I just feel too tired for a physical activity like tag or hide-n-seek, we sit on the couch and play with this. I come up with themes and she dresses up her dolls according to the theme I chose. She'll happily sit and play with this for a long time and even has fashion competitions with all of her dolls. Totally recommend for any parent of a fashionista.

Promising review: "I was afraid this was going to be a cheap reproduction, but it's the real deal - same product in stores. My 4-year-old daughter has played, organized, and presented numerous 'fashion shows' in the four days since receiving this. It holds more clothes/items than I anticipated and securely transports two Barbies and one Chelsea as well. I just wish it came with more hangers or at least I could buy more hangers. They are sturdy and easy for her to handle." —AJ

Get it from Amazon for $19.82.

For ages 3 and up.

This set includes: a toy cash register with sound effects, a mic speaker, pretend grocery items, play money, credit cards, and a food basket.

Promising review: "My 5-year-old really loves this toy! I got this for her a couple of weeks ago and she still enjoys playing with it. She loves how the scanner beeps when she scans items and really loves that the register has a key to lock the drawer. I’ve searched for multiple registers hoping to find a good one that won't break after being used a couple of times. I’m pleased to say this one is still going strong and working just as well as when we first got it. Very pleased with this toy all around!" —Sbux06

Get it from Amazon for $28.99.

For ages 3 and up.

This kit includes a unicorn purse, two eyeshadow palettes, a puff applicator sponge, lipstick, two lipglosses, two nail polishes, blush, and three brushes in various sizes.

Promising review: "My 3-year-old granddaughter is in makeup heaven. Applying her makeup and nail polish kept her busy for hours. She then brought it back home to where she lives and had a makeup party with all her friends. She is totally enthralled with it and it comes off easily before bedtime." —R G

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (also available in a fake makeup version).

For ages 6 and up.

Woodily Toys is a small biz based in San Diego, California that sells wooden toys, puzzles, and crafts.

Promising review: "These mermaids are great and they came with everything needed to paint and finish them." —Jeannie Rittel

Get it from Woodily Toys on Etsy for $16.80 (originally $28; also available in a two-pack).

For ages 8 and up.

You can also collect all 12 puzzle box designs to connect multiple magnetic cubes to build even larger structures and sculptures.

Promising review: "I was hesitant about spending $25 for this toy and even more concerned when it showed up and I saw the size, but this got the award for favorite Christmas gift. Both my 9-year-old and 12-year-old play with it constantly!" —Blair001

Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in 18 designs and a two- or four-pack).

Kinder Krama is a small business that sells handmade quiet books for children.

Promising review: "This book is incredible. The quality is amazing and it shipped quickly. Everything came exactly as I requested and the detail work on the pages is pure perfection. I can't wait to give it to my niece, I know she is going to love it!" —toomey125

Get it from Kinder Krama on Etsy for $92+ (available various colors/styles and book lengths).

For ages 3 and up.

Promising review: "This thing is awesome! My kids were playing with my husband's old gaming steering wheel and it ended up breaking apart a week ago. They were pretty upset because they love pretending to drive so I looked to find another one. There were cheaper options than this one but they were just the plain steering wheel, no buttons or gear shift so I decided to give this one a try. My boys loved it so much that I had to sit with them for hours having them take turns playing so they wouldn't fight over it. I didn't realize there was a little window that shows the car on the road but my 3-year-old LOVES it! He likes to set the timer on the gas gage and when it goes off he lets me know he's pulling into the gas station (there's a little gas station in the window part). Anyway, we loved it so much we bought another one the same afternoon so both boys can drive together." —Brittany

Get it from Amazon for $54.99.

For ages 3 and up.

BTW: Although the lids are sealed with glue, the seller recommends checking the lid often to ensure that it is closed.

Unwrap Creativity is a small business based in Los Angeles thats sells printable coloring pages and activities as well as I Spy jars and discs.

Promising review: "The item is super adorable. Definitely entertained my 4 year old. The seller sends instructions for various ways to play. Very satisfied. If you’re on the fence, just go for it! You won't be disappointed." —summertime8531

Get it from Unwrap Creativity on Etsy for $16.60+ (available in six colors, with or without a item list tag, and in a four-pack).

For 18 months and up.

Promising review: "This car is so easy to work as there are only two buttons. My one-year-old has figured it out and giggles while it soars backward in circles. It's surprisingly off-road-able! It can climb over light blankets and other thin things on the ground. This requires batteries so don't forget them! The bright colors are fun and the music/lights are wonderful. It's a little on the loud side, but bearable. The race car driver makes noise when you click him into place and this makes my son laugh." —Kenneth S. Foord

Get it from Amazon for $18.93.

For ages 3+ and up.

Promising review: "These are fun for kids of all ages. My grandbabies love them because they can hold them in their baby hands. They are brightly colored and flexible. Unlikely to hurt anything. Older kids like them for the noise they make when they are stretched or closing. They create long chains (they attach to each other) and wild twisty things. All in all, a good toy for this grandma to have in her house." —Katy

Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $8.97 (also available in a four-pack or a larger size 5-pack).

Recommend for ages 3 and up.

Rest Nets is a small biz based in Israel started by a mom who created these hammocks as a way to give parents "an extra pair of hands" for entertaining kids.

Promising review: "My 4.5-year daughter loves this swing! We have it installed in a French doorframe and has been very secure. She loves to swing while we are cooking or hanging out. I anticipate it will get so much love over the years. We love having it indoors during the winter since playgrounds aren't as practical. It was one of her favorite Christmas presents." —Chris Wiegand

Get it from Rest Nests on Etsy for $98.60 (originally $116; available in 10 colors).

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.