Guest Picks: 25 Kids’ Toys for $25 or Less

This time of year, those of us shopping for kids are surrounded by loud, garish, flimsy plastic and pricey toys. Luckily, there are alternatives that not only are clever, well made, creativity-inspiring and (mostly) educational, but also are not budget breakers. Here are 25 quiet, smart and imaginative toys for $25 or less that kids will love. — Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie

Guidecraft Translucent Plastic Panels Interlox - 96 Pieces$18Toys for building are my favorite gifts for kids. They incorporate imagination, dexterity and logic all in one. This colorful set reminds me of something I had myself as a kid.


USA Map Puzzle$15.81 · Only 3 LeftThere are a lot of grown-ups who can’t identify all of the states (ahem, please don’t quiz me on the middle ones). Let’s stop the madness early!


Doll-Tin Café$15This cute little gift-in-a-tin lets kids dress up wooden peg dolls and create playful café scenes.


I.Am.Ro.Bot. Blocks, Stickers and Pencils Set$15Make your own mix-and-match robot blocks! I kind of want this myself.


3 Boats in a Box Kit$14.96But do they float? I think probably yes.


The Original Toy Company First Knitter$15.99 $19.19Keep the house quiet for hours — kids can knit too, you know!


4-Piece Miniblox Set$22.15 $34.13It’s amazing how something so little can be configured 100 different ways. This is toy-design genius.


Happy House Long Limbs Moe Plush Zebra$14.98The extra-long limbs and Velcro mean this zebra can do lots of hugging or hanging from stuff.


Match Stacks Memory Game, Backyard Creatures$20 · Only 2 LeftI always lose at these memory games. Always. But maybe your kids won’t have to.


LonposT Cosmic Creature Braintelligent Game$23.32 $35.94Here’s another one of those “be quiet and use your brain” toys.


Folding Fun Fest Nautigami$28.99Learn to fold all kinds of cool, sea-themed objects with this kit.


Mini Pig in Metal Drum$25 · Only 3 LeftBecause everybody needs a cute pig in a metal drum.


Build-It-Yourself Birdhouse$16.95 $19.95 · Only 2 LeftDecorate your own birdhouse! Just make sure it’s not a squirrel-friendly design.


The Original Toy Company ‘My Farm’ First Book$15.11 $18.13This sturdy wood book might even last long enough to pass down a few generations.


Guidecraft Sorting Food Trays: Dinner$21How cute is this dinner puzzle?


Classroom Colors Puzzle$15.81 · Only 5 LeftChallenge! Could you do this 500-piece puzzle?


Guidecraft Hardwood Block Mates Farm Animals$24.50I want to get my hands on these to do some mixing and matching. More mixing than matching, I think.


Chalkboard Carry-All$18 · Only 4 LeftA portable chalkboard will keep the kids busy on trips. (Maybe tuck a baby wipe in there for any dust.)


Striped Long-Eared Bunny$24 · Only 3 LeftWho could resist a rainbow bunny?


Sprouts Kit$25Create your own colorful paper bugs.


KidKraft Shape Sorting Cube$21.31Ooh, here’s a sorting cube that isn’t plastic or an eyesore.


Kids Seeing Stars Kaleidoscope Kit$13.96Kaleidoscopes are classic, loved-by-all toys, and this kit lets kids make their own.


Puzzle Blocks, Construction Trucks$25Construction truck blocks or art? Tomato, to-mah-to.


Green Toys Sandwich Shop$21.99What would your sandwich look like?


Guidecraft Fraction Cups$22.50These are a supersmart way for kids to learn fractions, even at 2 years old.

Next: Stop the Toy Takeover by Changing the Way You Think

URL: Guest Picks: 25 Kids’ Toys for $25 or Less http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25222.html