One of the greatest joys of being a kid is playing with toys. Regardless of age or interests, being set free and allowed to laugh, pretend, and grow with a toy is a simple pleasure. In fact, playing with a favorite toy might be one of your own cherished childhood memories.
Now that we're the ones who buy the toys, and with the holidays fast approaching, it's a good idea to get a head start on all that shopping. Here are 25 toys (all under $50) that will allow children to play like a kid should.
Young minds will love the challenging shapes, animals, and colors of HABA Zookeeper Sorting Box ($35).
Get your kiddo ready for some hoop dreams, with the fun and challenging Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set ($35).
Little ones need toys, too. The Fisher-Price Sit Me Up Floor Seat ($30, originally $40) keeps babies entertained, upright, and engaged.
For the kid who has an amazing imagination, PicassoTiles Magnet Building Tiles ($40) lets players create whatever they can think up.
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope ($38) lets kids learn and hear about the amazing world around them.
Keep it simple and classic with Little Tikes First Slide ($35), which is guaranteed to become a favorite during the long Winter months.
Paul and the Moon ($35) is a cooperative memory game for one to six players and can be completed in 10 fun-filled minutes.
A doll house is as quintessential as they come, and Fisher-Price Little People Surprise & Sounds Home ($28, originally $33) has prerecorded sounds to make it even more fun.
These adorable little pets react to the love and affection you give them. WowWee Fingerlings Purple Monkey ($35) lets kids have a new best friend in the form of a cute little monkey.
Kids will be so busy and engrossed in playing with Gears! Gears! Gears! Robot Factory Building Set ($35, originally $40) that they won't even realize that it's a STEM activity.
The "it" toy of the '90s is just as trendy as ever. Thanks to Playskool Friends Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo ($25, originally $30), kids get to laugh with their favorite red monster.
Dressing up isn't just for Halloween! Super DC Heroes Wonder Woman Child's Costume ($19) transports children to the magical world of DC comics.
LEGO City Advent Calendar ($30) is a fun way to celebrate the holiday season, by building your very own advent calendar.
The fun surprise toy is back and better than ever. With L.O.L. Surprise! Doll Series 2 ($28) kids never know what kind of fun toy is waiting inside.
Kids can learn about circuit boards and how to connect electricity with Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit ($20).
Everyone's favorite cartoon pig (sorry, Wilbur) gets her very own tree house. Peppa Pig's Treehouse and George's Fort Playset ($40) is hours of fun.
Janod Crazy Rocky Pull Wooden Toy ($39) is as fun as it is super stylish. This is one toy you won't mind having left out.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn First Words Crawl-Along Learning Train Toy ($25, originally 30) is great to teach babies and toddlers colors and shapes while giving them a fun way to practice their fine motor skills.
You know what's better than robots? Dinosaur robots. Meccano Tech Meccasaur Programmable Robotic Dinosaur Building Set ($40, originally $120) lets kids have a roaring good time with this fun STEM activity.
Nothing excites many children like seeing big trucks in person, so Fast Lane Construction Site Playset ($50) brings the dirty work home.
Keep babies and toddlers busy with Bright Starts Pop and Giggle Pond Pal Toy ($30), which has over 20-minutes of songs and a fun ball chaser activity.
Taking it back to the old school with Fisher-Price Classic Play Tape Recorder Toy ($20), which introduces a whole new generation to the fun of recording your own concerts.
Dinosaurs Are Cool Book and Plush ($38) is a fun way to encourage the little paleontologist in your house.
Sound the alarm, Melissa & Doug Personalized Fire Chief Costume Set ($30) is perfect for encouraging pretend play.
Children love hearing and seeing their name, and Goodnight Little Me Personalized Book ($35) is a great way to enhance the magic of story time.