If you're noticing your child is playing on the iPad a little too much and you're worried about their screen time, you might have already looked for analog toys that will keep them just as entertained. With so many options on digital and physical shelves, it's hard to figure out which ones are actually worth buying.
In our ever-growing coverage of toys, Shop TODAY has spoken with toy experts and child development experts for guidance. We've also tapped our own editors for recommendations and they've all recommended quite a few fun and interactive toys that all have one thing in common — no screens!
Help kids learn to be creative and imaginative on their own with these entertaining, screen-free toys below.
Best screen-free toys, recommended by editors
Stay with us on this one. Deputy managing editor Jess Bender says, "This has been an extremely effective playset for building my nephew’s imagination skills, especially since he’s a huge WWE fan. He loves creating new storylines for his favorite wrestlers, all culminating in one final epic matchup in the ring."
Encourage imaginative play with this wooden ice cream counter from Melissa & Doug. It comes with eight scoops of different “ice cream” flavors, six toppings, cones, a cup, utensils, a menu card and play money. Commerce Studios Senior Production Manager Becca Delman says, “It’s such a simple toy [and] great for smaller playrooms. [It] keeps my kids entertained for over an hour.”
Bring books to life with this “Story Dream Machine” from Little Tikes. This Dr. Seuss starter set comes with three “books” that they can insert into the machine and project onto the wall, giving story time an entirely new look. It helps little ones follow along easily and work on their word recognition skills. Commerce Studios Senior Producer Arielle Prince is also a fan of this for its nostalgia factor.
Magna-Tiles have been a team favorite at Shop TODAY for years. Kids will love getting creative and building (and rebuilding) castles and towers straight from their own imagination. Former NBC photo editor Vivian Le even says she used to play with these with her little brother.
A former Gifts We Love winner, this set of magnetic building pieces will keep kids engaged in STEM play for hours on end. It's also a favorite of Prince's little ones.
This little box opens up a world of learning and creativity. It can play audiobooks, music, podcasts and stories. With over 1,000 possible cards, they can use this as they grow. Bender has gifted this to her nephew and is excited to hear what he thinks.
Several editors of fans of Stapelstein — which literally translates from German into "stepping stones" — for its modular pieces that kids can use for several different styles of play. "I kid you not, these are the best best best for activity and no TV," raves Delman.
Another popular toy in recent years is the Toniebox. It plays audio, reads them stories and helps them learn while playing.
Social media video producer Anita Chomenko has tested this toy and says, “Tonies boxes are popular with my friends who have little ones or babies on the way. What’s great about them is that you can get characters for different age ranges, so they grow with your child. It’s a great way to keep them engaged without screens. The Tonies box 2 is a new launch and provides even more options by working with ToniePlay to have screen-free games.”
Best screen-free toys under $15
Marie Conti, senior director of community and events for the American Montessori Society, previously told us that this game is a good classic to engage 6-year-olds because “children at this age are typically very social and aware of rules and fairness.”
Let’s take a trip back to the ‘90s, where Furbies are all the rage and on everyone’s Christmas list. In the present day, Furbies are still just as popular and now even more interactive with music, phrases and sounds.
A classic toy they'll love. A Rubik's cube is a great way for them to learn how to use problem-solving skills. With 43 quintillion possible configurations, they'll learn how pieces move through space, how rotations affect position and orientation and how to plan several steps ahead (like in Chess or Checkers).
Are they curious about the kitchen or always hanging around your feet while you cook? Instead of keeping them at bay with an iPad, have them get involved in the cooking process. This simmer and stir set has color-changing foods to help them learn about different food groups.
Give them the tools to embark on their own safari with these binoculars, which offer three times magnification and are durable enough to withstand drops and scratches. When they’re equipped with these, they can discover everything, near or far.
For the sticky sludge lovers, this kit includes everything they need to have an epic slime playdate. It comes with two different types of glue and a fluffy activator. It is also a winner in our very own Gifts We Love awards.
Appeal to their sensory and motor skills with this barnyard set. It lets them roll, tumble and stack the people and animals on the farm. One reviewer notes how entertaining the toy is for her son saying, “A lot of his toys he outgrows fast but he is still entertained by this one.”
Just like Furby, this little guy may look familiar — it's Stretch Armstrong! Once you hand them this toy, they'll love how stretchy the arms are and be amazed at just how far it can go.
Best screen-free toys under $25
If they tend to fidget or squirm, this little toy can help occupy their hands. It also doubles as a pen, so if they are learning to write, it is a great thing to have handy when they need a brain break.
Gui Gui’s slime is not your average slime — it comes with a unique scent and accessories like glitter, beads and more. It was also previously featured on Amazon’s Toys We Love list.
If they love to be outside, have them try this two-in-one toy. Combining a pogo stick and a skateboard, this great fun toy has hundreds of five-star ratings on Amazon.
If they are all about touch and textures, then they'll love this sensory kit that comes stocked with slime, putty, sand and more. It will teach them to experiment with different materials and see what they can make.
If you want them to play screen-free, they should try this tablet from Crayola that is clean, fun and easy to use. It engages their fine motor skills, helping them create art and learn to draw.
Best screen-free toys under $50
Let them doodle their days away with this foldable mat that uses water to create their drawings. It also comes with stencils to help teach them how to write. And best of all — it is mess-free!
If they are always looking for new rocks or bringing home pieces of nature, they'll love this. This rock and mineral kit from National Geographic includes over 300 genuine samples, letting them make new discoveries.
These little suction cup toys may look ordinary, but they are great fun for both indoor and outdoor play. Kids can connect multiple Squigzs and then pull them apart — and the sound they make is sure to elicit endless giggles. Plus, they stick to virtually any surface, so they can be used at bath and play time.
This talking microscope teaches them about science and takes them everywhere from outer space and to nature. With over 15 slides to look at, the microscope's fun is narrated by Bindi Irwin, Wildlife Warrior. So, needless to say, they are in great hands.
Upgrade their next playdate with this Gifts We Love Winner that lets them bring their fashion dreams to life. They can customize their own charm bracelet within a few easy steps.
Elbo Books uses your child's interests to create a personalized activity book they won't want to put down. Even beyond the activities, you can upload pictures of your child and their sidekicks (pets, toys, friends or anyone else) to customize the look of the characters throughout the book. One reviewer said, "It's really nice to see them engaged in something that isn't a screen."
This mega science lab comes with over 130 experiments that help it live up to its name. There’s earth science, chemistry and even some experiences that double as magic tricks. “It’s educational, but still fun and keeps him engaged in the present moment instead of being on video games and the internet all day,” wrote one reviewer.
Calling all parents who are currently obsessed with Robert Irwin. Get your kid to become a fan, too, with this educational wildlife camera. Featuring over 200 fun facts and quiz questions, your kid will learn so much about nature and the earth with this interactive toy.
Best screen-free toys worth the splurge
Kids can build working electronics by using switches, lights and motors to see how electricity flows through the board. They can also learn how to create closed-loop circuits — the same foundation for how every electronic device functions, including your phone. This toy is all about logic, sequencing and problem-solving skills, which provide kids with a better understanding of how the world works. Kate Biberdorf, better known as "Kate the Chemist", recommends this toy for STEM learning.
This push walker helps young kids fine-tune their motor skills. With this toy, they can scoot around and learn about balance and coordination. And when they’re ready, it converts into a ride-on scooter so they can get to all the fun just a little bit faster.
Meet the experts
- Marie Conti is senior director of community and events for American Montessori Society. She was the former head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.
- Kaity Velez is the executive editor of Parents.com.
- Kate Biberdorf is a Ph.D chemist, chemistry professor, bestselling author and podcast host of Seeking A Scientist.
How we chose
We referenced previous articles where we have spoken with child care experts about toys and rounded up ones that were screen-free. We also asked editors for the picks that have been a hit with the kids in their lives and looked at bestselling toys on the internet to see what reviewers had to say.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.
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