23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (2024)

Table of Contents

1. An Uno "Nothin’ But Paper" card game made from fully recyclable materials (for the first time ever). Now kids can get as much enjoyment from helping Mother Earth as they do from dropping a Wild Draw Four card whenever they play. 2. A 12-sided fidget toy (aka a dodecagon) with gears, buttons, a joystick, switch, stress balls, and more for keeping fingers (and more importantly the mind operating those fingers) unstressed and focused. 3. A mini dinosaur terrariumfeaturing quick-grow seeds and adorable dino decor that'll help the kiddos in your life practice responsibility, patience, and nurturing skills (so they can become a future plant parent!). 4. A Lego Dots "Bag Tag" Unicorn for little builders who like to get crafty and adorn their backpacks with their blocky creations. 5. A floating octopus interactive bath toy so little ones can learn all about cephalopods (take that rubber ducky, you're not the one) while practicing some ring toss skills. 6. An eight-pack of pop tube sensory toys for building letters, numbers, or any sorts of shapes creative little minds can come up with while acting as a stress reliever (what with that super satisfying popping sound each tube makes). 7. An eight-pack of Educational Insights playfoam that's squishy and squashy (great for tactile stimulation) and never dries out (meaning it won't become petrified in the carpet, on the couch, or all over kids' clothing. 8. A "Bug Bungalow" insect-catching kit to keep all those creepy crawlies from crawling creepily all over the house as future entomologists get a chance to truly bug out with their backyard findings. 9. A big ol' 5,500-piece bucket of Perler beads for the artsy kids (and the fartsy kids too, so, like all kids) to create their own colorful designs and patterns that adults will fuse together with an iron. Yup, that's how it works. 10. An official Wiffle ball and bat set (just like the kind you find in that box randomly shoved in an aisle at CVS whenever the weather starts to warm up) that will most definitely be used as a light saber at some point. 11. A super-durable foam glider airplane that can soar up to 100-feet when properly tossed. Natural enemies include trees and roofs. Steer clear of those, kid, and it's smooth flying! 12. A 70-piece Plus Plus Triceratops construction puzzle set which can be turned into anything your child can imagine and also be combined with other sets to make even bigger creations. The best part: the pieces don't hurt when you step on them. 13. A set of Learning Resources ABC puzzle cards for learning that alphabet from A to Z. Double bonus: there's only one right answer for each puzzle and the handled box makes for easy cleanup and storage. 14. A Sassy ring stacking set with all of the skills (hand-to-eye, sorting, motor) to pay the bills (and a very reasonable bill at this for under ten bucks). Bonus: the different textured rings also help with teething! 15. A 125-piece Lego Miles Morales Spider-Man in mech armor that does whatever a spider can (in mech armor, I suppose). Comes with a mini Miles fig and a bunch of webs! 16. A three-pack of silicone rainbow push popper fidget toys to help relieve stress and anxiety in kids (and adults too) in a simple, colorful, and satisfying way. 17. A soft rubber bendable sloth figure that bends... very... very... very... slowly. 18. A Melissa & Doug "decorate-your-own" wooden princess wand craft kit for crafty kiddos looking to explore the dark arts. Wait. What? Kidding, it's just a star on a stick to play some make-em-ups! 19. A super-realistic four-pieceSchleich Shiba Inu playsetwhich makes the ideal gift for the little dog-lover in your life who's not quite ready for that real pup yet. Plus, think of the memes you can make with these tiny toys! 20. A 10-pack of Play-Doh that there was no way in hell that you'd ever be able to avoid buying. Fortunately, it's all nontoxic, nonirritating, nonallergenic and the packaging is recyclable. But, yeah, it still smells like Play-Doh. 21. A pack ofCrayola glitter sidewalk chalkfor a little artist looking for some ~pizzazz~ in their favorite medium. Bonus points are award to you, who officially has the sparkliest driveway/sidewalk on the block! 22. Or some WikkiStix, if they prefer an artistic medium they can bend 'n sculpt into whatever their creative heart desires. Plus, these are non-toxic and reusable, so they can create 3D doodles again and again! 23. A Gazillion Bubbles Hurricane Machine which – you guessed it – releases an impressive amount of bubbles for your kids to chase, pop, frolic through – whatever! And by the looks of it, this will be a big hit with your pets, too! Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides! FAQs

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

Updated on Jun 28, 2022

For less than a Hamilton, you can make the kid in your life very happy (for a few minutes at least).

by John MihalyBuzzFeed Staff, by Clara McMahonBuzzFeed Staff

Stock and shipping times can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. So order earlier than you think you need to and be sure to double-check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for when you need it.

1. An Uno "Nothin’ But Paper" card game made from fully recyclable materials (for the first time ever). Now kids can get as much enjoyment from helping Mother Earth as they do from dropping a Wild Draw Four card whenever they play.

Amazon

For ages 7+

Promising review: "Soy-based inks, recycled content paper, no harmful chemicals and no plastic (well, except the Amazon envelope it came in — sadly). Exactly what we wanted for our family to play with!" —Borys & Lindsay

Shipping info:Available onAmazon Primewith two-day shipping, or see Amazon's full shipping informationherefor non-Prime members.

For a larger budget, check out our toys and gifts under $50.

Get it from Amazon for $6.49.

2. A 12-sided fidget toy (aka a dodecagon) with gears, buttons, a joystick, switch, stress balls, and more for keeping fingers (and more importantly the mind operating those fingers) unstressed and focused.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (6)

3. A mini dinosaur terrariumfeaturing quick-grow seeds and adorable dino decor that'll help the kiddos in your life practice responsibility, patience, and nurturing skills (so they can become a future plant parent!).

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

For ages 6–8+

Promising review: "Got this for a young family member and he was so excited over it. Came with many stickers to decorate the plastic egg. The dirt was more than enough, and the colored sand, little pebbles, and colored dinosaurs added to the brightness and fun of this egg. We added half the chia seeds and used the eye dropper to water them, and then put it in a window sill out of everyone’s reach. Within a few days we had a full 'forest' of chia growing behind the dinosaurs. He was so excited to watch it grow and transform the area. Really fun and easy. Great gift idea, easy to put together, low energy project (for the assistant) - all around a real treat." –Adulting101

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (also available in mermaid and unicorn terrariums).

4. A Lego Dots "Bag Tag" Unicorn for little builders who like to get crafty and adorn their backpacks with their blocky creations.

Amazon

For ages 6+

Promising review: "I purchased this as part of a gift for a third-grade girl who loves Lego Dots. She immediately sat down and began creating her keychain masterpiece. It occupied her and she was well pleased with her final result." CBlum

Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, or see Amazon's full shipping information here for non-Prime members.

Get it from Amazon for $15.03.

5. A floating octopus interactive bath toy so little ones can learn all about cephalopods (take that rubber ducky, you're not the one) while practicing some ring toss skills.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (9)

6. An eight-pack of pop tube sensory toys for building letters, numbers, or any sorts of shapes creative little minds can come up with while acting as a stress reliever (what with that super satisfying popping sound each tube makes).

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (10)

7. An eight-pack of Educational Insights playfoam that's squishy and squashy (great for tactile stimulation) and never dries out (meaning it won't become petrified in the carpet, on the couch, or all over kids' clothing.

Amazon

For ages 3+

Promising review: "I have bought this exact set multiple times! my kids adore it! I love all the colors. They are vibrant and fun. Also that when you mix them it doesn't act like Play-Doh and turn one yucky color. It doesn't dry out so it lasts so much longer than other products. I have compared it to many other brands from other stores, and this one seems to be the best quality. It doesn't leave that weird residue that you can never get off no matter how hard you wash. It comes easily out of hair, rugs, fabrics, and kitty's tail. I just throw it in a ziplock bag when they are done with it. I think it is well worth the price." —Sam.Ramon

Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, or see Amazon's full shipping information here for non-Prime members.

Need some more unique gift ideas? Your loved one may enjoy one of these subscriptions for kids.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

8. A "Bug Bungalow" insect-catching kit to keep all those creepy crawlies from crawling creepily all over the house as future entomologists get a chance to truly bug out with their backyard findings.

amazon.com, Amazon

For ages 3+

Comes with a mesh critter case, a container with magnifying lid, a set of tweezers, and a magnifier.

Promising review: "My daughter has been enjoying catching caterpillars in random containers she finds around the house so we got her this set for her birthday. The entire set is very sturdy and fun, the tools are great to have too. The day after she got it, we rescued a fat green parsley worm from the pool and put it in here. The caterpillar quickly formed a chrysalis, but we had no idea what to expect. Sure enough, two weeks later and a beautiful swallowtail emerged! The entire family put down their screens and was oohing and ahhhing. Definitely worth the price! I expect the kids will enjoy catching more bugs and caterpillars with this set for years to come." —Renee P Bosch

Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, or see Amazon's full shipping information here for non-Prime members.

Be sure to also check out these 25 popular toys we found.

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

9. A big ol' 5,500-piece bucket of Perler beads for the artsy kids (and the fartsy kids too, so, like all kids) to create their own colorful designs and patterns that adults will fuse together with an iron. Yup, that's how it works.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (11)

10. An official Wiffle ball and bat set (just like the kind you find in that box randomly shoved in an aisle at CVS whenever the weather starts to warm up) that will most definitely be used as a light saber at some point.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (12)

11. A super-durable foam glider airplane that can soar up to 100-feet when properly tossed. Natural enemies include trees and roofs. Steer clear of those, kid, and it's smooth flying!

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (13)

12. A 70-piece Plus Plus Triceratops construction puzzle set which can be turned into anything your child can imagine and also be combined with other sets to make even bigger creations. The best part: the pieces don't hurt when you step on them.

Amazon

For ages 5+

Promising review: "Easy to travel with. I put these in a ziplock in my purse and pull them out for my 4-year-old at restaurants! They are the perfect entertainment!" —Buntingsnmore

Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 21 different sets).

13. A set of Learning Resources ABC puzzle cards for learning that alphabet from A to Z. Double bonus: there's only one right answer for each puzzle and the handled box makes for easy cleanup and storage.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (14)

14. A Sassy ring stacking set with all of the skills (hand-to-eye, sorting, motor) to pay the bills (and a very reasonable bill at this for under ten bucks). Bonus: the different textured rings also help with teething!

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (15)

15. A 125-piece Lego Miles Morales Spider-Man in mech armor that does whatever a spider can (in mech armor, I suppose). Comes with a mini Miles fig and a bunch of webs!

Amazon

For ages 7+

Promising review: "The price point of these mech builds makes them great to get a bunch and have the kids play with them a bit more rough than some of the other more elaborate Lego sets that shatter when you look at them wrong. We have this one, Thor, Cap, and Iron Man and my young boys will battle them and there will be parts strewn across the living room floor. The consistency of design means they are super easy to rebuild...or will sometimes mix and match." —Patrick McAuliffe

Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with two-day shipping, or see Amazon's full shipping information here for non-Prime members.

Get it from Amazon for $9.97.

16. A three-pack of silicone rainbow push popper fidget toys to help relieve stress and anxiety in kids (and adults too) in a simple, colorful, and satisfying way.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (16)

17. A soft rubber bendable sloth figure that bends... very... very... very... slowly.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (17)

18. A Melissa & Doug "decorate-your-own" wooden princess wand craft kit for crafty kiddos looking to explore the dark arts. Wait. What? Kidding, it's just a star on a stick to play some make-em-ups!

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (18)

19. A super-realistic four-pieceSchleich Shiba Inu playsetwhich makes the ideal gift for the little dog-lover in your life who's not quite ready for that real pup yet. Plus, think of the memes you can make with these tiny toys!

Amazon

For ages 3+

Promising review: "I am a grown woman who, nonetheless, collects figurines of cute animals. I got theShibaInu mother and puppy set. Both figures are adorable and a great addition to my collection. I like the Schleich brand in general because their figurines are fairly realistic and whoever paints them does a competent job. I expect to keep these guys on my display shelf for a long time." —Lauren Votava

Shipping info:Available onAmazon Primewith two-day shipping, or see Amazon's full shipping informationherefor non-Prime members.

Get it from Amazon for $9.32+ (a variety of animals including pigs, wolves, alpacas, lions, bears, and more).

20. A 10-pack of Play-Doh that there was no way in hell that you'd ever be able to avoid buying. Fortunately, it's all nontoxic, nonirritating, nonallergenic and the packaging is recyclable. But, yeah, it still smells like Play-Doh.

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (21)

21. A pack ofCrayola glitter sidewalk chalkfor a little artist looking for some ~pizzazz~ in their favorite medium. Bonus points are award to you, who officially has the sparkliest driveway/sidewalk on the block!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

For ages 3+

Promising review: "This is the chalk of ALL chalks. The glitter is fantastic. I was worried a little it wouldn't spray off. It cleaned up with a breeze. The chalk is the perfect size for little hands, and the pointed tip is perfect. I bought other brand chalk on Amazon, and this is all she'll use. The colors are vibrant and the glitter is beautiful."—Linsy Harrington

Get it from Amazon for $5.69+ (available in three styles).

22. Or some WikkiStix, if they prefer an artistic medium they can bend 'n sculpt into whatever their creative heart desires. Plus, these are non-toxic and reusable, so they can create 3D doodles again and again!

Amazon

For ages 3+

Promising review: "Kept my toddler busy for a long time. Used these on a long haul flight. Great product and easy to use. Sticks come off easily and stick together nicely for any design one wants to make. They are reusable and you will be able to make lots of fun designs with them. Lots of fun. Would have been nice to have more designs included as inspiration. Thankfully these do not get dirty easy. Do not dry up and can be used after being kept in container for a long time." –Nino

Get a set from Amazon for $5.77.

23. A Gazillion Bubbles Hurricane Machine which – you guessed it – releases an impressive amount of bubbles for your kids to chase, pop, frolic through – whatever! And by the looks of it, this will be a big hit with your pets, too!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

For kids of all ages

Promising review: "This little machine performed amazingly at my granddaughter's first birthday party. The kids loved it, and the older kids pretty much operated on their own. Great for pics! Highly recommend." –shopgirl

Get it from Amazon for $6.44 (you can also stock up on some of the bubble soap here).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (28)

23 Kids' Toys And Gifts Under $10 That Might Become Their Favorite Thing To Play With (2024)

FAQs

What do 10 year olds play with? ›

Arts, crafts and music

Crayons, paints, markers, pencils, stencils, art chalk, pastels.
Variety of art paper and sketch pads.
Very complex coloring and design books.
Clay, pottery, plaster of Paris, papier-mache.
Real sewing, knitting, embroidery, crochet, weaving, jewelry making.
Leather work, braiding and basket weaving.

More items...

Tell Me More ›

What would a 10 year old girl want for Christmas? ›

Whether that means a board game suitable for a wide age range, a jewelry organizer she'll use well into her teen years, or a scooter with an adjustable handle to accommodate future growth spurts, find a gift that honors her current interests, but she'll still love years down the line.

What do children like in toys? ›

Dramatic play -

These include blocks, toy cars, trucks, planes, boats, dress-up clothes, ocean, farm, and rainforest animals, insects, dolls, stuffed animals, tool sets, medical kits, doll houses, puppets, props to make a restaurant, store, post office, etc.

Tell Me More ›

What do kids like at 10? ›

Older kids are usually ready for more challenging games, crafts and toys, but they might also start asking for more mature gifts like phones, Taylor Swift merch and even skincare sets.

Explore More ›

What are 8 to 10 year olds interested in? ›

Enjoy group activities and group games that focus on a common interest. Demonstrate growing independence, leading to concern with rules that can lead to bossiness. Use problem-solving, negotiating and compromising skills with peers. Develop interest in long-range projects.

Know More ›

What are things 12 year olds want? ›

It's also helpful to keep their interests in mind. If they're attached to their phones and social media like most pre-teens, tech gifts like a photo printer or ring light are great options. Tween beauty enthusiasts, on the other hand, may enjoy having a fun nail polish kit or a great smelling fragrance.

Find Out More ›

What do 12 year old girls do? ›

Twelve-year-old girls' interests tend to stray more toward sports, art, literature, etc. These things are perceived, in some circles, as being more grown-up. At this age, kids should begin making healthy food choices on their own. However, they sometimes eat a lot of junk food if not controlled.

Learn More Now ›

What is the most sold toy ever? ›

The Top Ten Best Selling Toys of All Time: A Sneak Peek at the Most Popular Playthings of All Time

Rubik's Cube. The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by a Hungarian sculptor and professor named Ernő Rubik. ...
Barbie. ...
Lego. ...
Teddy Bear. ...
Tamagotchi. ...
Star Wars Figures. ...
Yo-Yo.

May 22, 2022

What is the oldest toy? ›

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Kültepe Kaniş-Karum have discovered a 4,000 year old ceramic rattle, which they believe to be the oldest children's toy yet discovered.

Read The Full Story ›

What age for Barbies? ›

The doll, called “My First Barbie,” is specifically created for kids three years old and older, said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls for Mattel. The age range for the original Barbie fashion dolls is for kids 3 and up. “We talk to parents and kids almost every day.

Show Me More ›

Should a 12 year old play with toys? ›

Yes, it is completely normal for 12-year-olds to play with toys. At this age, many children (boys or girls), regardless of gender, engage in toy play. It's a healthy part of development, with no specific age limit for outgrowing toys. Many adults continue to enjoy toys as well.

Get More Info ›

What do parents look for in toys? ›

When checking a toy for a baby or toddler, make sure it's unbreakable and strong enough to withstand chewing. Also, make sure it doesn't have: sharp ends or small parts like eyes, wheels, or buttons that can be pulled loose. small ends that can reach the back of the mouth.

Discover More Details ›

Do 10-year-olds play with toys? ›

Some may even be starting to grow out of toys altogether, showing more interest in reading, listening to music, or doodling in a journal. But we heard from multiple parents of 10-year-olds that stuffed animals and other toys still play an important role in their kids' lives.

What do normal 10-year-olds do? ›

He should be able to use fine motor skills to do more detailed activities such as painting, skateboarding, and dancing. They'll have a lot of endurance and can do things such as riding their bike, running, and playing for longer periods.

Find Out More ›

Is 10 too old to play with toys? ›

We seem to have programmed our children for desk jobs, forgetting that they are in fact, still growing – making the need for play essential. Above all, do not let programs, schools, or afterschool programs convince you that a 10-year-old is too old for play, or that your high school student does not need a break.