Spring is finally here! And there’s lots of fun to be had. We found great, new toys for the new season. For those who celebrate Easter (April 5), your baskets may be overflowing with fun and all at reasonable prices. Or, if you’re just looking to add a little novelty–and a lot of fun–to your spring break, we’ve got you covered!
From games for the whole family (including some very silly ones) to best friends to cuddle with, to action-packed vehicles, and amazing crafts, we’re seeing more and more traditional play, inter-generational play, and activities to promote social interaction…and lots of laughter.
As always, we love to talk about a well-balanced toy box. Like a good diet, it has a mix of activities that allow for different kinds of interaction among players but also time to be on one’s own and perhaps even discover, and maybe even master, a new skill.
We like to say that the best play has three important functions. It allows people to have new experiences, expand their imaginations, and express themselves. Here’s a collection of toys that we think are going to be
Active Play
There’s nothing like getting moving to welcome the new season. The great thing is about these toys is that you don’t have to have special skill or even dexterity; you just have to move around. And if you develop some mastery as you go along, so much the better.
Fart Yoga from Golden Bear Toys
For ages 4 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
Get ready to laugh out loud with Sammy the Sloth as you get moving and maybe mindful. Strap the adorable Sammy figure to your body and then follow the prompts on the cards to engage in a variety of simple yoga movements. BUT, you want to be sure are careful because if you move too fast, Sammy lets out a fart sound. (Anyone who’s ever been active knows how that can happen!) Yes, it’s ridiculous, but it prompted hilarious responses from everyone we played with. The player who gets the least number of farts wins. Silly as it is, this is actually a great way to get players in touch with their bodies as they move and stretch and pay attention to how the body works. The age grading is for 4 and up, but we think the whole family can get into the fun. It’s not a “stretch” to say that this toy can be more than just fun and games.
Spinballs from Fun in Motion Toys
For ages 6 years and up.
$34.99
Where to Buy
We are having a blast with these…and we’re not very good yet, but, wow, is it fun to learn. Spinballs are based on Maori Poi balls. Essentially, they’re balls on strings that you can do tricks with. What makes these different–and special–is that they’re soft (Yes, you may clonk yourself as you’re learning. So that’s a good thing.) and they are rechargeable with LED lights that can create all kinds of color trails as you get good at it. In fact, there are 22 different light and color variations. They’re easy to set up and get playing. The instructions and video instructions are very clear. Plus, as you get into it, you’ll want to visit their YouTube channel for tutorials that will help you build your skills in a concrete way. Like a yo-yo, it’s fun from the first time you pick these up, but the more you play and practice, the better you’ll get.
Monster Jam Mini Jams Crash n’ Crumble Jungle Playset from Spin Master
For ages 3 years and up.
$21.99
Where to Buy
These mini vehicles provide monster-sized fun. The compact set is easy to assemble and works with Monster Jams Mini Jams. The set comes with two exclusive 1:87-scale Mini Jams vehicles, Dragon and El Toro Loco, which feature epic gem-themed designs and fierce Monster Jam styling. Do you have the power to guide your Mini Jam to reveal the hidden gold deep in the jungle? Load the car in the launcher, give it a smash, and see if you have the power. Then…make your escape. This is the kind of play kids like doing again and again as they try to to achieve their best, bashing results. Other highly collectible Mini Jams are sold separately. By the way, the picture doesn’t do this toy justice. It’s interactive, action-packed, and the kids we played with loved the challenge and the (controlled) mayhem!
Danny Go! Color Beat Drumsticks from Just Play
For ages 3-7 years.
$19.99
Where to Buy
Danny Go is the action-packed YouTube series that gets kids up, moving, and playing in all kinds of active ways. These drumsticks are just like the ones used non the series, and they have colorful LED lights, 3 different songs, and 16 sound effects that are controlled by buttons on the handles and manipulated by drumming. For little ones who love the way Danny gets them up and moving on his show, these are a just about perfect, and while some DIY versions have been made with pool noodles, these are the real deal…or close enough. Want to burn off a little energy? These are the way to do it. We think that like the show they’ silly enough and fun enough to keep kids up and air drumming. If the grownups wants to take a break from the lights and sounds, we get it. But kids are loving this, and watching them experiment and discover while they bounce around and laugh out loud is a treat all in itself.
Games for Everyone!
We have been so happy to see how the games category has been expanding in recent years. For family entertainment, to a great way to spend an evening, or to make new friends, there’s nothing like a great game. We’ve always thought that the essential components of good games are that they should be easy to play right out of the box, different depending on who is playing, and challenging enough that people want to play them again…and share them. That said, we’re very happy to share these with you. Let the games begin!
Hurry Up Chicken Butt from Exploding Kittens
For ages 4 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
This game is a much fun to play as it is to say its name. Start the clucking chicken timer. Shake it, and reveal one of the activities on the card. Do it, and pass the chicken. But don’t get caught holding the chicken when the timer goes off of your lose that round.
We love the silliness, which we think anyone can get into…especially if playing with kids who love to laugh.
We also love how this game came about. It was developed by the company founder with his 4-year-old daughter. Together they came up with a game that will appeal to all ages…and the idea for a whole line of Kitten Games.
Exploding Pigeon from Exploding Kittens
For ages 7 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
How do you follow a chicken? Why, with a pigeon, of course. The next silly race game from Exploding Kittens is for slightly older players. Divide into teams, and set out the world cards. Start the pigeon, and you have to do one of six challenges; you’ll need the word cards for some of them. Start the timer, shake the pigeon, and see what you have to do. When you’re successful , pass the pigeon to the other team. But act fast! You don’t want to be caught when the pigeon “explodes.” From drawing to charades, to easy physical challenges, different challenges take different amounts of time, so that timer is not your friend. We like this as a slightly older game than Hurry Up Chicken Butt, and everyone will have a blast playing it. Pro-tip: Take your time when drawing with the dry erase marker on the pigeon. You may want to go fast, but it can be slippery.
Pencil Nose from Play Monster Games
For ages 8 years and up.
$25.99
Where to Buy
The nose knows. Or does it? This ridiculous drawing game challenges players to sketch objects on a screen…using only their schnozz. Here’s how it works. Pick a card. Put on the glasses with a dry erase marker attached, and try to draw…with just your nose. You’ll look ridiculous, but that’s the point. However, it’s harder to draw when you’re giggling. It’s actually a bit easier than it sounds, to tell the truth, but don’t expect any kind of artistry. The game comes with the erasable drawing board, two pencil nose glasses, eraser, object cards, and instructions. It’s one of the only times that we thought being nosey was a good thing. Note: The game is now being sold by Play Monster, but some packages may say Fat Brain toys.
Jump In From Smart Toys & Games
For ages 7 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
Every bunny is going to love this solo a single-player logic puzzle that includes 60 progressive puzzles to challenge and develop creative and analytical thinking. Set up each puzzle, then guide rabbits to their burrows by hopping over mushrooms and navigating sliding foxes. With challenges ranging from beginner to expert, play can help develop and reinforce spatial reasoning, planning, and problem solving–all in a totally adorable travel-friendly game board.
Volley Shot from Fat Brain Toys
For ages 8 years and up.
$39.99
Where to Buy
We kind of have a thing for classic, wood table games. This one is really cool. Volley Shot challenges players to keep the volley going. Use the paddles to keep the ball up in the air as it goes from side to side. Miss, and your opponent scores a point. First player to 10 points wins. We had a blast with this, and it has a bit of a learning curve. You have to hit it just right to send the ball to your opponent, and you have to have pretty good reflexes to send it back. It’s one of those where you want to keep playing again and again.
Yubibo from Kess
For ages 6 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy Starting in April
You’ve got to hand it to Kess, literally. The company has adapted a very popular Japanese pub and coffee shop game into a challenging skill game for players around the world. It’s a cooperative dexterity party game as players try to balance sticks between their fingers without dropping them, following card prompts. With one hand staying in place to keep the sticks steady and the other drawing the next card, the challenge builds quickly, creating hilarious teamwork moments and testing everyone’s hand-eye coordination. Think you’re getting good at it? Step up the challenge by balancing colored balls on your stick structures. And come up with even bigger challenges.
Classics, Collectibles, Crafts & Characters
After all that excitement, you may want to dial it back a little bit. We wouldn’t blame you! Honestly, though, as we talk about the balanced toy box, kids are looking for a variety of play experiences. So, here are a few new things that we think are pretty great.
Disney Stitch Many Moods Angel Plush from Just Play
For ages 3 years and up.
$44.99
Where to Buy: Amazon or Walmart
Following up on the runaway success of Stitch from Lilo & Stitch meet Angel. As the story goes, she’s also an experiment gone wrong, and she become an international singing sensation and Stitch’s love interest (or “boojiboo”). In the story she goes from a meanie to a sweetie, from sassy to savior, and now kids can bring all these many moods to life in this adorable interactive plush toy. She has LCD screen eyes that have a lot of, shall we say, character, and she’s programmed with more than 50 sounds and phrases. Scratch her head, rub her belly, jiggle, tilt, shake her upside down, or rock her to sleep to activate silly phrases, sound effects, and animated eye reactions. Honestly, we love how these characters that start out as bad turn out sweet, and Angel is just the latest, and it plays well.
The Baby-sitters Club Friendship Crafts from Klutz
For ages 8 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
Crafting is one of the hottest categories in toys and play right now, and this book based on the iconic The Baby-Sitters Club series is a great way to celebrate creativity and connection. This is an inspired book and activity set that’s beautiful and full of fun. Just like the best friends of the BSC, you can show you care with a creative, thoughtful gift using the ideas and craft supplies in this book. There are 10 projects to make, each with super-clear instructions and illustrations to help you out every step of the way. Cut and fold the BSC fortune teller to find out which character matches YOUR style best. Then use the included multi-colored beads and floss (6 colors in all) to make Stacey’s Braided Bracelet (if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly project) or Dawn’s Name Bracelet (if you’re up for a challenge). Color in shrink charms to make Claudia’s Friendship Pins, make Mary Anne’s Personalized Pencil, and cut out Mallory’s Collage Bookmarks and Jessi’s Mini Books. Then fold and gift your projects in Kristy’s Mini Kid-Kits! You’ll find an exclusive letter from Ann M. Martin to inspire your crafty creativity, and even more ideas to make gifts that spread kindness.
Wings of Fire Folded Flyers from Klutz
For ages 8 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
This is one I would have spent hours with as a kid. I was fascinated by paper airplanes and all kinds of things you could make that would fly. This absolutely beautiful book was inspired by the bestselling Wings of Fire series. You can make 10 papercraft projects can soar, glide, and race each other. Follow the illustrated, step-by-step instructions with the premium punch-out art to assemble your flyer, including six full-sized dragons and four adorable dragonets. You’ll find tons of expert tips to help get the most out of your dragons, plus facts about some of your favorite dragons like Glory, Tsunami, Sunny, and many more! Sail on!
Playmobil Icon Cars from Playmobil
For ages 5 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
For any car-crazy kid (or grownup for that matter), these are some of the coolest toys on wheels we’ve seen this year! Plaumobil has interpreted the design of some of the most iconic cards into a playful line of collectibles. (They’re fun to play with, too.) The range includes legendary models like the Volkswagen T1 Camper, Ferrari 250 GTO, Ford F-150 Raptor, and Porsche Carrera GT! Each vehicle showcases an eye-catching design with meticulous detail, including a stylish Playmobil driver to put behind the wheel. Playmobil has done an excellent job of marrying a toy sensibility with a collector’s desire for something new and different. Kids get a car! Adults get a car! You get the idea.
Squish-a-longs Pokémon Center Playsets from Jazwares
For ages 6 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
It may be hard to believe that Pokémon is thirty years old this year! But this phenomenal group of characters is as delightful and popular as ever. The Squish-a-longs versions are adorable 1-inch-tall characters, and they’re right at home in the highly detailed Pokémon Center. The set includes figures of Pikachu, Chansey, Marill, and Snorlax, and includes a flippable screen for Chansey to expertly heal your Pokémon Mini-Squish. Plus there are a lot of cute accessories, and the whole set folds up into a size that makes it easy to “carry them all.” Additional Squish-a-lLongs are sold separately.
Bldr Care Bears Grumpy Bear from Jazwares
For ages 8 years and up.
$29.99
Where to Buy
We’ve always been a bit partial to Grumpy Bear. Yes, he’s an outlier in the world of unrelenting cheerfulness of the Care Bears, but at the same time he represents the range of feelings kids actually feel. Plus, we don’t know anyone who can look at this and not smile. The bear may be a bit grumpy, but you’ll feel a lot more cheerful. At least that’s the way we think it works. This construction system includes 419 pieces that allows you to build a posable Grumpy Bear, and his bright blue color will cheer up any room. And as much as we like this little guy, we also like the great value for a playlet. Oh, and there are others in the line for you to collect as well. By the way, this took us about 2 hours and 15 minutes to assemble. The directions are clear. We definitely recommend taking the numbered bags in order per the instructions. Younger kids may need some assistance.
…And We’re Just Getting Started
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be adding to this list, so check back often!
DISCLOSURE: PURCHASE LINKS ARE TO PLACES THAT HAD IN-STOCK AVAILABILITY AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THE TOY GUY DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY COMMISSION OR FEES IF YOU PURCHASE THROUGH THOSE LINKS. WE DEFINITELY RECOMMEND SHOPPING AROUND. PRICES LISTED HERE ARE MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICES. IN SOME CASES, PRICES MAY VARY.
Product photos provided by manufacturers, other © Christopher Byrne