10 Products That’ll Entertain Kids and Parents Alike

Adding a baby to your family didn’t automatically make you a child development expert, and toy research might not be at the top of your list when your daily allotment of personal time (0.2 seconds) rolls around. These ingenious play kits take the stress out of choosing age-appropriate products, and they’re beautiful to boot. ($80+ per kit, Lovevery)

This one isn’t necessarily marketed as a kids’ toy, but kids love it anyway. Fill the little well with water, then use the brush to paint whatever picture, message, or design you’d like…before watching it slowly melt away as the water dries, leaving a blank canvas for you and/or your children to start again. ($37.94, Amazon)

This one’s a good option for traveling, especially if you’ll be staying in a hotel or rental house you don’t want to mess up. But it’s also cool in its own right: The markers — which work on the special “color wonder” paper and leave transparent ink anywhere else — really do feel a bit like magic. ($6.40+, Amazon)

If blocks like these existed when we were kids, we didn’t know about them. You can build houses, castles, cars, and more with these multicolored magnetic tiles. There are plenty of expansion sets to check out (like ones with safari animals and construction tools), but even if you “just” stick to the regular ones, you’ll find your whole family gravitating toward them. ($119.97, Amazon)

Get ready, because this thing is gonna come out at every outdoor BBQ or playdate. And the adults will get sucked in every time. All you have to do is load up a rocket on the launcher, then stomp as hard as you can and…watch it soar. (This version has dueling launchers for the inevitable competition that will ensue.) ($19.99, Amazon)

When it seems like you’ve been stuck inside for 3,495 rainy days in a row, this will make your indoor space feel that much more exciting. Set up an obstacle course or build a mini fort and help those kids get all their energy out. ($147.61, Amazon)

Another one that earns its spot here for utility, if not incredible entertainment value. Any parent who’s dragged their screaming toddler through a doctor’s office will tell you it can get ugly if your little one isn’t prepared. So get to work with this kid-friendly set. Soon enough you’ll be getting regular check-ups from your MD in training. ($17.88, Amazon)

It’s not complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. This card game will have you laughing, imitating animals, and possibly icing your hands after overenthusiastic card-pile slapping. It’ll be a hit at family game nights, even with older kids, and even with you. Really. ($9.84, Amazon)

Not a “toy” per se, but these do have unlimited play potential. Send your kid(s) to the other end of the house and coordinate a secret spy mission…or just use them to request snacks from your cozy spot on the couch. (Bonus: You’ll get a few minutes of personal space, too.) ($38.11, Amazon)

If you’re still recovering from all the sand you accidentally brought home from your last beach vacation, this might not look that appealing. But we’ll stop you right there — it’s really not messy. Unlike regular beach sand, kinetic sand sticks to itself, making it both incredibly satisfying to squelch and build things with, and surprisingly easy to clean up. Pick your favorite color, grab some beach toys, and set everything up in a plastic bin that works for both storage and play. ($11.99+, Amazon)