The holidays are around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about what to buy for the kids in your life. Gift shopping is easy when they’re toddlers and only want to play with the cardboard boxes the toys come in, but it gets a little more challenging as they grow up. It’s hard to find toys that are unique, age-appropriate and will hold their attention for more than an afternoon. Here, we found 20 of the coolest toys of 2016 that are perfect for elementary-aged kids.
View-Master Deluxe VR Viewer
Here’s the View-Master we know and love from childhood, but with a modern twist. It offers stunning 360-degree environments, and it can even be used with headphones for a fully immersive experience. It’s also smartphone compatible for even more videos, images and games. (Amazon, $40)
Magic School Bus: World Of Germs
A fun and educational kit that allows budding young scientists to experiment with things like growing mold, cultivating bacteria and fungi, testing antibiotics and using yeast to inflate balloons. (Amazon, $20)
Simon Air game
A multiplayer Simon Says game that uses a motion sensor instead of the old-school push-buttons we remember. It also has a two-player mode, so siblings won’t end up fighting over it. (Target, $15)
Air Wars Remote-Control Battle Drones
These remote-controlled and fully rechargeable drones come with 10 “weapons” kids can use to knock each other’s drone out of the sky. They also have three different speed settings, so they’re fun for both beginners and kids who are more advanced in the art of drone warfare. (Toys R Us, $110)
Pokémon Z-Ring Interactive
This vibrating, light-up ring is compatible with the latest Pokémon games on Nintendo 3DS and allows kids to bring their games to life with interactive colors, vibrations and sound effects. (Toys R Us, $30)
Selfie Mic
This fun microphone-meets-selfie stick is one of the year’s hottest toys. It works with a free smartphone app that has over 3 million karaoke songs kids can sing. The app is also updated with new tunes daily. (Toys R Us, $25)
Fantastic Flying Machines model kit
This kit comes with over 150 pieces, including a wind-up propeller, building sticks, straws, nylon and plastic papers, patterned papers and more to help kids of all ages and skill levels engineer their own unique flying machines. (Amazon, $20)
Googly Eyes board game
Googly Eyes is kind of like Pictionary, but players wear zany vision-altering goggles while they draw, so it’s even harder to guess what they’re creating. The goggles help even the playing field, so even older kids and adults won’t have an advantage over the youngest players. (Target, $17)
Little Live Pets puppy
If you can’t get your hands on a Hatchimal, this is the next best thing. The Dream Puppy moves and feels like a real dog without any of the accidents or midnight pee runs. That’s a pet most parents can get behind. (Walmart, $50)
Snap Circuits Arcade
Snap Circuits are a STEM-based toy that lets kids experiment with building over 200 variations of electronic circuits on a printed circuit board. It also helps young kids learn the basics of electricity, engineering and circuitry through interactive lights, sounds and games. (Amazon, $45)
Furby Connect
Furby Connect is a 2016 twist on the classic Furby that allows the toys to connect with users through an app on a smartphone or tablet. The Furby’s eyes can display over 150 unique animations to let kids know what the Furby wants, and the app includes dozens of interactive songs and videos that trigger responses from each Firby friend. (Amazon, $100)
Yeti In My Spaghetti game
Yeti In My Spaghetti is an easy family game that helps kids develop fine motor skills. You place the “noodles” on top of the bowl and balance the yeti on top, then you take turns removing noodles while trying not to let the yeti fall. It’s a quirky addition to family game night that’s fun for all ages. (Amazon, $18)
Spirograph Jr.
Kids 8 and up might appreciate the original Spirograph, but for the younger set, there’s Spirograph Junior. The set includes jumbo-size gears for easy use, a design book, 24 pages of paper and washable markers for kids who think it’d be fun to Spirograph the walls as well. (Fat Brain Toys, $25)
Hatchimals
Hatchimals are the toy of the moment, which means they’re sold out almost everywhere. If you can’t get your hands on one, a Furby Connect or a Little Live Pet is a great alternative. After all, Hatchimals are basically just robotic animals in an egg. (Toys R Us, $70)
Pie Face Showdown
Pie Face Showdown is an exciting and super-competitive sequel to last year’s original hit game, Pie Face. Players sit side by side and press red buttons until the game’s launching arm randomly pies one player in the face. The person who doesn’t get a pie in the face wins, although it’s hard to argue that anyone with a face full of whipped cream is really losing at anything. (Amazon, $25)
Aquabeads
This Aquabeads set lets kid create unique bead art and then set their creations with water. The set includes over 1,200 jeweled and classic beads in 12 different colors, and they can be used to make pictures, jewelry, keychains and anything else kids can imagine. (Amazon, $25)
My Mini Masterpiece Kit
This handy painting kit includes acrylic paints, an adorable miniature canvas and a small wooden easel so your little Picasso can Bob Ross the rainy days away. (Seedling, $9)
Create-your-own-comic-book set
This comic book drawing set comes with markers and pre-formatted blank pages for kids to create their stories. The best part is, once their story is complete, you seal the book in a pre-paid envelope that’s included with the kit, and you receive a professionally bound copy of your child’s book. It’s the perfect gift for a budding young artist and author. (Uncommon Goods, $30)
Pokémon Sun & Moon two-pack
Two of Nintendo’s most anticipated new Pokémon games for young players, now available in a convenient two-pack. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are both compatible with the Nintendo 3DS and rated as suitable for all ages. (Target, $80)
LEGO City Airport
The LEGO City Airport is the perfect gift set for the LEGO enthusiast in your life. With over 670 pieces, it’ll keep kids busy for hours and hours. Plus, it includes six new mini-figures in the form of both male and female jet pilots, stunt pilots, mechanics and airport workers. (Amazon, $90)
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