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After Christmas 2025: The Toys They Actually Kept Playing With
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items We all know the "Christmas morning hype," but which toys didn't end up in the bottom of the toy box by New Year's? This list features the 2025 favorites that are still getting daily use in our house, from screen-free audio to the best creative buildi...
Sections
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The "Daily Use" Winners (Ages 3-7)
Screen-Free Favorites
High-Energy "Indoor Burn" Toys
STEM & Building (Big Kid Favorites)
The "Daily Use" Winners (Ages 3-7)
We all know the 'Christmas morning hype,' but these are the toys that didn't end up at the bottom of the toy box by New Year’s Eve. These picks have high engagement and durability, proving they are worth the shelf space. From interactive playsets to ...
This has been the absolute MVP for my 5-year-old this year! It’s so much more than a basic toy; it’s a Light Art Station that really helps with her fine motor skills and artistic confidence.
What we love most is that she can trace the included discs ...
Discovery Kids Doodle Projector Light Art Station for Children, Unisex
My 8-year-old is back in her doll era, and these Bratz dolls are the reason why! She loves the detailed fashion and accessories that come with the 2026 series. They’ve sparked so much imaginative play, from setting up 'runways' to creating elaborate ...
Bratz x Hello Kitty Yasmin Sanrio Fashion Doll with Accessories
If your child has Yasmin, adding Dylan is a must! My 8-year-old loves setting them up together—it really expands the storytelling part of her play. Dylan's style is always on point, and he comes with great quality clothes that are easy for kids to sw...
Bratz Original Fashion Doll Dylan: Collectible Boy Figure with Accessories
This camera has been such a fun addition to our daily routine! My 8-year-old loves taking 'candid' photos of her Bratz dolls and her 5-year-old sister. It’s incredibly easy for her to use—the automatic exposure means her photos actually turn out clea...
Fujifilm instax mini 12 Camera - Lilac Purple
This Heart Glow Barney is the star of my 5-year-old's daily routine! It’s an interactive plush from the new Barney's World series that literally lights up with love.
When she interacts with him, his heart glows, and he sings iconic songs and says swe...
Fisher-Price Heart Glow Barney Plush Toy with Music & Lights
The new Furby is so much more than the toy we remember! It’s become a talkative, light-up robotic pet that my 5-year-old absolutely adores.
What makes it a 'daily use' winner is how it responds to her. She loves the 'dance party' mode and how its ear...
Furby Coral Interactive Plush Toy
Screen-Free Favorites
After a long winter break, the 'tablet fatigue' is real. This section is dedicated to the toys that keep little minds busy without a glowing screen. These are my go-to recommendations for quiet time, independent play, and travel. They spark imaginati...
This Super Slice Cake set is a total powerhouse for keeping my kids engaged without a screen in sight! Unlike standard sets, this one focuses on the 'slicing' and 'serving' aspect, which my 5 and 8-year-olds find so satisfying.
They love playing 'bak...
Play-Doh Super Slice Cake Playset, Christmas Gifts for Kids'
Since my 8-year-old is so into fashion with her Bratz dolls, this set was a natural win! It’s the perfect screen-free way for her to actually be the designer.
She spends so much time using the specialized Play-Doh tools and molds to create custom 'fa...
Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show Playset, Christmas Gifts for Kids'
I love having this smaller Play-Doh Barbie set on hand! While the big runway set is great for home, this more affordable version is our go-to for quick creative sessions.
It’s the perfect 'entry-level' set if you want to see if your child likes the B...
Play-Doh Barbie Ruffles and Bows Designer Doll Set, Christmas Gifts for Kids'
If I could only pick one toy to keep my 5 and 8-year-olds busy without a screen, it would be this yellow LEGO box. My 8-year-old loves following the ideas in the booklet to build vehicles, while my 5-year-old just loves sorting the colors and buildin...
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box Building Toys for Creative Play, Kids Creative Kit 10696
This is the ultimate 'indoor beach day' toy! My 8-year-old loves the challenge of building a massive, multi-tiered fortress using the bridges and towers, while my 5-year-old finds it incredibly satisfying just to squish and mold the sand.
The best pa...
Kinetic Sand Beach Castle Playset
High-Energy "Indoor Burn" Toys
When it’s too cold or rainy to head to the park, these toys are absolute lifesavers for burning off that extra energy indoors. These picks encourage movement, balance, and active play right in your living room. They’re durable enough for rough play b...
If you have a long hallway or an open floor plan, you need a Wiggle Car. It’s the one toy that my 5 and 8-year-olds never outgrow. I love that it’s completely silent (no annoying motor sounds!) and doesn't require batteries. They have 'races' from th...
Hey! Play! Zigzag Ride-On Vehicle
If you thought the classic wiggle car was a hit, the electric version is a total game-changer. My kids call it their 'race car.' It has a slow-start feature, so it doesn't jerk forward, which gave me peace of mind for my 5-year-old.
The Bluetooth spe...
45W 2-in-1 Electric Wiggle & Swing Car for Kids – 2 Speeds, LED Flashing Wheels, Anti-Rollover, Pedal & Rechargeable Battery, Ages 3+ (170 lbs Max)
If you have high-energy kids, a solid tumbling mat is a game-changer for indoor days! My 5 and 8-year-olds use this daily—it's where my oldest practices her cartwheels and where my youngest just rolls around to burn off steam.
I specifically love the...
Antsy Pants Multi-Use Original Tumble Mat Soft Play Equipment - Original
STEM & Building (Big Kid Favorites)
Shopping for older kids (ages 8-12) can be tricky, but these kits and sets are the ones that actually got finished! This section features 2025’s best STEM toys—focusing on robots, creative building, and 'cool' projects that bridge the gap between pla...
If your kids love building palaces for their dolls, this is the set to get! Unlike the standard kits, the Castle DLX comes with specialized pieces like spiral staircases, a working drawbridge, and even glittery tiles.
It’s been a fantastic way to wat...
MAGNA-TILES Castle DLX: 48-Piece Magnetic Building Set for Creative Thinking & Engineering Skills
This was the absolute highlight of our winter break! My 8-year-old felt like a total engineer putting the Arcade Lab together. It was a great way to teach her about how circuits and mechanics work without it feeling like a 'school lesson.'
The best p...
Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits Arcade