Looking for some ridiculously cool toys for boys of all ages? Look no further than the mega list below – we’ve got you covered. Here are the best toys for boys you can buy right now, including some of the best new toys of the year.
The Lego NES is my favorite Lego set of the year. This thing is incredible.
Before we look at what’s what, we need to talk about the retro TV people will be building. Not only is it ridiculously accurate – complete with audio and video buttons and random holes – it actually has a function. Once it’s all set up, there’s a crank on the side. Turn it, and the screen will move along and Mario will hop up and down, as though he’s completing the first level from the Super Mario Bros. video game.
It’s amazing to see in action and this alone justifies the cost in my mind.
But that’s not all you get here. You’ll also get to build a Lego NES console – complete with liftable flap and nostalgic details – a controller, and a cartridge. And yes, the cartridge can be placed into the console just like the real thing.
Where were these electric scooters when I was a kid!?
Anyone who has ever been on an electric scooter can tell you just how much fun they are, and that’s a great reason to get one. The Gotrax GXL V2 electric scooter is the perfect scooter for your teen to get around your neighborhood with. Whether he’s going to a friend’s house, the park, the pool, the ball field, the basketball court, or simply going for a joy ride, the GXL v2 is the best option under $300.
It comes with a 36V battery that lasts up to 12 miles, and it quickly recharges fully in just 4 hours. What’s great about this e-scooter is its 8.5″ pneumatic tires that are great on concrete and even dirt roads.
It has a max speed of 15.5mph, so make sure he wears a helmet while riding.
Picking toys for boys doesn’t need to be a chore. Are they into gaming? If so, get them the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch continues to be the best video game console for kids. Nowadays, kids prefer to game on the go (think about how much time they spend on their phone) and the Nintendo Switch is ideal for that. Not only can it be hooked up to the TV, you can also lift the console out of the dock and play it as a handheld. It’s the best of both worlds.
While the console is a few years old now, that’s not a bad thing, as there’s currently a massive library of games to choose from. Whether it’s platformers, life sims, puzzle games, or shooters, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone.
Cut through the waters with a boat you can really be proud of. Show off what all of your hard work has allowed you to purchase and make all of your neighbors jealous with the Altair Aqua Fast Boat. Okay, so it’s a remote-controlled RC boat, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less awesome! The Altair Aqua Fast RC Boat is great for both adults and kids, so don’t let anyone tell you differently. This sleek red and black propelled boat comes with two battery packs, so there is no limit to the amount of fun you can have on rivers, lakes, and, if you’re further inland, a really big pool!
Control the Altair Aqua Fast RC Boat with the included remote and watch it reach speeds of up to 18 mph. The 390-size brushed motor gives you the power you’re looking for while the child-safe propeller ensures the littler ones can handle the remote-controlled boat without safety concerns. It won’t kick on unless a sensor detects that it’s in water.
Afraid of losing your boat to the vastness of a large lake? The anti-capsize hull should reduce that concern a bit while the Out of Range and Low Battery Alarm helps to prevent mishaps while in use. A water-cooled engine prevents overheating, so you’re good to enjoy your RC boat for as long as the battery lasts – which is approximately 10 minutes per full charge.
What’s most appealing about the Altair Aqua Fast RC boat is the look, which mimics some of the most attractive, full-sized speed boats. At a fraction of the cost and maintenance, you can take to nearby lakes and speed around with your very own pint-sized speed boat.
Feeling competitive? Buy two and race against a friend or loved one. Win and rub it in their face forever.
In 2020, there are now numerous ways to play your console or PC games right on your phone, thanks to the awesome power of cloud streaming. For example, if you don’t want to sit in your office to play Overwatch or Valorant, you can just stream it with Rainway right to your mobile device.
But for better controller options than a touchscreen, you’ll want something that’s intuitive and feels familiar. Enter the Razer Kishi controller for Android, the most ergonomically pleasing mobile gaming controller in existence.
Yes, there are some cheaper alternatives with a similar design that pretty much turns your phone into a Nintendo Switch-esque console, but just know that you’re really getting what you pay for.
The Razer Kishi fits most Android devices and clamps right onto your phone so that it looks like a Switch, essentially. The controller connects via Bluetooth and allows you to control your favorite games, including Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, Skater XL, and more!
You can never go wrong with Batman. All ages love Batman. But what’s the best new Batman toy? That’d be the DC Comics Batman Bat-Tech Batcave.
This thing is massive. It’s 33-inches tall! That’s because this toy starts out as a giant figure, but open it up and it’ll transform into a giant batcave. How cool is that?
On the inside of this behemoth are 11 different areas to play in with the exclusive four-inch figure that’s including in this set. Also, if you’ve got any of the other four-inch figures from this range, they’re totally compatible with this set.
As well as sounds and lights, this set also comes with a host of accessories for kids to discover.
Honestly, this thing is brilliant. Batman is always a safe bet for a gift and this set takes it to the max. What’s not to love?
When you look at the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII, you’ll notice it is colorful but still looks professional. This is the best-selling computer recording midi controller system on the market today, and Akai’s quality is second to none.
If you don’t know what it does, it’s basically a tool that helps create electronic music via a computer. There are tons of tutorial videos on YouTube to help them learn how to use it, but simply put, the Akai MPK Mini is a fun way for them to make great music.
If you’re looking for a quality drone that’s both fun to fly, easy to learn, and highly functional, you can’t go wrong with the Sky Viper brand. Sure, they might be considered a “toy”, but they’re, hands-down, the most formidable toy drones. Their new Sky Viper Journey Pro Drone comes with some features that you’d find in something more akin to a DJI drone, like Position hold, Return to Home with one button push, and a Follow Me mode.
It also has auto launch, auto land, and hover modes that make it even easier to control.
Best of all, it’s super easy to fly and super easy to record high-quality video with. If your boy is a skateboarder like mine is, the Follow Me mode definitely comes in handy for capturing their skills in motion.
Admittedly, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – Switch is a bit of a mouthful, but there is some logic to the name.
You see, Super Mario 3D World originally released on the old Nintendo console the Wii U. This version, however, for Nintendo Switch, is the same game with improvements as well as a host of new content, namely the Bower’s Fury levels.
Of course, there is a discussion to had if your child has already played it on Wii U, but given how unpopular that console was, there’s a high chance they won’t have played it (plus it’s a really great game anyway). Plus even if they have played it, they may want to replay it on more modern hardware, specifically on-the-go with the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode.
As for what type of game Super Mario 3D World is, there’s a lot of jumping over platforms, solving puzzles, and traversing an area to reach the goal.
Although you can dispatch enemies (normally by bouncing on them), this isn’t a violent game. Power-ups include a flower that lets Mario shoot fireballs or a catsuit so Mario can climb to higher-up areas. There isn’t anything like guns or shooting people in the head. It’s all family-friendly, hence the age rating.
One final point, if you want to skip delivery times, and you’ve got enough storage space available on your Nintendo Switch, you can buy the Super Mario 3D World downloadable version instead. That version gives parents a code that can be entered into the Nintendo eShop to download the game. Isn’t modern tech great?
Disney’s The Mandalorian is ultra hot right now, following the release of its first season on Disney+ late last year. In September, Disney will yet again team up with LEGO to release the Star Wars LEGO: Mandalorian Razor Crest, and it’s everything we could want from a Mandalorian-themed LEGO set.
The set comes with over 1000 pieces (1,023 pieces, to be exact), and it comes with five mini-figures (including one of The Child aka Baby Yoda). Other figures include a Scout Trooper, The Mandalorian, Greef Karga, and IG-11.
The latest batch of Mega Construx Pokemon truly are a rival to Lego. I’d even go as far as saying they’re in a league of their own.
Creating buildings from blocks is fun, sure, but given how much kids love action figures, it’s no surprise how popular build-your-own figures are.
This whole range is about building moveable figures based on different Pokemon. The larger sets are a fun challenge, too. I’m a big fan of how much detail Mega Construx always manages to cram into these builds. Despite the blocky aesthetic, each model looks exactly as it should.
Which ones should you get? I think for general gifts, the Pikachu or Charizard sets are must-haves. If you’re thinking birthday or Christmas, then the Jumbo Pikachu is sure to put smiles on faces.
If there’s another Pokemon you had in mind, you can find the full range below.
If you’ve got a boy on your hands who loves monster trucks, he’ll absolutely love this Monster Jam Mega Grave Digger RC truck.
It’s Literally. A. Monster.
It’s a 1:6 scale RC truck (for those that don’t know, that means it’s HUGE). There are authentic details here to make it look just like the Grave Digger Monster Jam truck you’ve seen in all of those Monster Truck commercials, including awesome mega-sized tires, authentic graphics, and working lights. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about batteries for the truck, as it has a built-in USB charging cable that will allow you to easily recharge with any USB port (or AC adapter).
Watch this gargantuan truck climb over rocks in the yard, easily tread through puddles, and tower over other toy cars. (I HIGHLY recommend lining up a bunch of your classic Hot Wheels cars and running them over!)
If you’re looking to give your kid some outdoor fun, one of our favorite go-tos is the Marky Sparky Blast Pad Rocket Launcher. This thing is entirely powered by your kids, where they’ll jump on a blast pad and send a rocket shooting up into the air!
It comes with 3 rockets (no worries—they’re foam-tipped for safety), as well as a launch tube, blast pad and hose, and a blast pad base. That’s it, which is another reason why I love it (it’s highly portable).
The Blast Pad Rocket Launcher is a great way to get your kids outside and active during the warmer months of the year, as they’ll spend hours trying to see how high they can launch these rockets!
I don’t know if you’ve noticed yet, but, uhh, it’s HOT outside right now. We’re in the middle of a heatwave here in New York, and in other parts of the country, it’s even hotter. So if you’re looking for a great gift to give your son this summer, check out this awesome trampoline sprinkler that will keep him cool all season long.
It’s easy to install, as it just ties around the top of your trampoline’s netting. A hose is then mounted on the outside of the trampoline then voila – you’ve got yourself a wet and wild trampoline session.
Arcade1up has exploded in popularity thanks to its 3/4 scale classic arcade cabinets. This colorful cabinet includes 3 games in 1 (Street Fighter II Champion Edition, Street FIghter II The New Challengers, and Street Fighter II Turbo) – three ultimately classic arcade games that are a staple in the fighting games community.
The unit measures 45.8″ x 22.75″ x 19″, and it comes with an upgraded 17″ color LCD screen. It’s made with commercial grade construction so it’s of the highest quality possible.
No quarters required, either – so they can play without having to fill it with their own money. It plugs into a standard AC outlet.
The DC Batman All-Terrain Batmobile is one of the hottest toys out this year. You can never go wrong with Batman and kids will always gravitate towards remote-controlled cars. It’s a win/win.
One of the most awe-inspiring elements of this vehicle? It can drive on water. I know, right? Crazy. You can drive straight from land to water with ease. The body is water-resistant too, so you don’t need to worry about it getting damaged.
You can also control this beast from up to 100 feet away. It’s perfect for both the backyard and the local park.
Something else that’s cool, even though this is a monster RC car, it’s compatible with four-inch Batman figures as well, so if you’ve got any, you’ll be able to sit them on the inside. Cool or what?
One of the best-selling RC cars is Redcat Racing’s electric tornado EPX RC buggy. It’s fast, hitting speeds of up to 30mph. The Tornado EPX is also durable and looks great. Most importantly, of course, is that it is an incredibly fun toy. And, RC cars are always hot toys come Christmas. See our list of the best RC cars for sale here.
They’re similar to Hasbro’s Marvel Legends in that they’re highly articulated figures that nail the character’s likeness and come with meaningful accessories. If he loves playing with toys and making up stories, the extra articulation really adds another layer to play. Want to get the bad guys in a headlock? Thanks to the clever articulation, you totally can.
If you want to display these toys when you’re done playing, the extra articulation also means you can pose them up, which is a much better option than leaving them on floor and having me step on them. Ahem.
As for who’s in the first wave, you’ll find all the info you need below.
Take to the skies and see the world from a new perspective with the Altair Falcon AHP. A leading name in gadgets and technological entertainment, Altair’s drone is accessible without having to sacrifice quality.
Equipped with a 720p camera, the Falcon AHP is great for recreational use and if you want to showcase your land from a higher vantage point. Fly and record family gatherings, a day at the beach, and a host of other occasions using the live video and 120-degree viewing angle still photography. Insert up to 32 GB of memory in the memory slot and save your photos and videos to be transferred to your PC.
The Altair Falcon is ready to fly right out of the box, even if you’ve never handled a drone before. This isn’t like one of those overcomplicated drones, which take hours to learn and even longer to master. Fully assembled and equipped with autonomous hover and positioning systems, the Falcon is a cinch to fly.
Take it easy and enjoy a casual flight or make things a bit more advanced with custom routes. Altair’s Falcon AHP drone keeps the user in mind, regardless of what you’re using it for. Ample flight time (up to 10 minutes per charge) and pre-calibrated controls ensure you can have fun while getting the feeling of flying one of those thousand-dollar drones.
For a more immersive experience, attach your smartphone to the remote control and man the drone with FPV flying. It’s the top of the line drone-flying experience without the usual price tag that comes with it!
Altair made it as easy as possible to start flying the Falcon, even if it’s your first time picking up a drone. The Altair Falcon comes with two batteries so you can stay in the air longer.
If you know ANYTHING about kids, especially boys, it’s that they love the new slime craze. Seriously, it’s everywhere in 2019. And so many companies have jumped on the slime kit bandwagon that it can be tough to figure out exactly which kits are the best and which are duds.
Well, I’m here to tell you that, hands-down, the best slime kit for boys is the National Geographic Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab. It comes with eight different types of slimes and putties, including fluffy slime, glow-in-the-dark putty, and magnetic putty, and COLOR-CHANGING putty!
There’s also some AWESOME bouncing putty in the kit, allowing your kid to roll up a ball and bounce it!
This year’s hottest new console is the Xbox One X, which touts itself as the most powerful console ever made. It’s the creme de la creme of video game consoles, and buying them any other sort of Xbox is just going to be disappointing.
It has 40% more power than any other console on the market, which means that all multi-console games will play the best on the Xbox One X. It has 12GB DDR5 RAM and a 6 Teraflop GPU that’ll help push the graphical capabilities to the max. It also has a 4K Blu-ray player and has 4K streaming capabilities. It’ll also make their current collection of Xbox One games better, as most games will soon get an update to be enhanced for Xbox One X.
If they’re looking to play the best console version of Fortnite, it’s on Xbox One X. If they’re looking for the best console version of Kingdom Hearts 3 when it launches in 2019, it’s on the Xbox One X.
The Xbox One X has THE best console version of their favorite games because it’s the most powerful video game console to date.
The thought of getting your kids a dirt bike is probably terrifying. Not only are real dirt bikes super fast and, therefore, unsafe for kids, they’re also expensive. But Razor has a different idea in mind to sell you on: the Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket Electric Bike.
It is a scaled down, battery-powered moto-cross style dirt bike that’s super quiet, using a chain driven motor that’s controlled like a real dirt bike (with a twist grip throttle). It only hits speeds up to 12 mph, and it has a hand operated rear brake. This “dirt bike” serves basically as a safe dirt bike for teenagers, as it’s designed for ages 13 and over. It’s one of the best new cool toys for big boys.
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The Nanoleaf Canvas Starter Kit is one of my best pick-ups of the past year. These incredible tiled lights can be controlled with a smartphone, and they’re luminous, colorful, and easy to setup and use. While the price tag might seem a bit steep for what it looks like, know that these lights are not only decorative, adding a cool vibrant glow to their bedroom, but also super functional, thanks to the ability to work with Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Apple Homekit.
There’s also a mini sets you can buy separately that makes them reactive to noise, meaning they’ll dance with whatever music he’s playing.
Nerf’s best option is the Soakzooka, and it’s absolutely incredible! It has a unique minigun look to it — like something out of their favorite video game — and it has a cool lever-action firing mechanism instead of a trigger. So, they hold the handle with one hand and pull the lever to give their foes a bath on the battlefield.
It holds almost as much water as a 2-liter bottle, and it’s great for ages 7 and up. If you’re looking for a great summer birthday gift for boys, you can’t go wrong with an awesome water gun that’s unlike any of the other water guns out there.
Storypod is as cool as they come. If you’re after an interactive and magical way to read stories, this is it.
The brilliance here is just how simple Storypod is to use. Included in the starter set are two yarn toys, which they can totally play with or cuddle up to. Simply turn the Storypod on, grab and book, then place one of the toys on top and the whole thing will come to life. It’s that easy.
If your child likes having soothing sounds while they’re falling alseep, you could easily place a toy on the Storypod, turn the lights off, then walk away.
It’s also worth noting there’s the option to record your own story via the iCrafties app. So if they’ve got a favorite story that isn’t available, just record it yourself. Handy!
There’s a whole range of different characters and stories to explore as they crave new stories, too, meaning this isn’t just a one-time-use kind of toy. You will absolutely get your usage out if.
An awesome replica of Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Pilot Helmet. It’s electronic, and it has an internal microphone that activates battle sounds and interactions with BB-8. It’s a collector-grade quality helmet that not only looks great but it’s functional as well.
Can’t decide whether to get him a toy drone or a toy RC car? Well, Air Hogs has come to your rescue with Air Hogs – Helix Sentinel with an compelling argument in favor of drones.
With the Helix Sentinel, you’re able to race through the sky at wicked speeds. It also has a great controller, meaning he’ll always land his new toy upright, even after an epic crash. That means when he crashes, he can immediately get back to flying thanks to the way it’s designed.
This toy also boasts height lock along with a rather clever little AI tech capable of intelligent obstacle avoidance. He’ll still crash it, because of course! But at least he’ll have a little help from the toy while he’s learning.
Beats have been a top brand in consumer headphones for a few years now, and there are two good reasons — they sound great and they look cool. Sure, you could just as easily buy your son a cheap pair of headphones or a knockoff pair, but there’s something about the vibe that a pair of Beats headphones gives off that makes them ultra-cool. Take these pair of dark blue headphones for example, which scream style. It uses a 40 hour rechargeable battery too, and it has fine-tuned acoustics for clarity and balance. When it comes to buying them a “cool pair of headphones,” the only choice is a pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones.
Don’t believe us? Here’s what other brands have to say about the Beat2 headphones:
CNet: “Sturdier and better sounding than the original Solos”
PCMag: “Powerful audio performance with rich bass and well-defined highs”
TechRadar: “The Beats Solo2 look great, feel great, and sound great.”
Three things you can never go wrong with: James Bond, cars, and Playmobil.
The Playmobil James Bond Aston Martin DB5 is pure awesomeness. Cars are always an easy gift to recommend for kids, purely just because of how much fun you can have whizzing a car around the floor.
Something else I need to say here, it’s wild how accurate the Playmobil Aston Martin is. It looks just like the real thing and captures the shape and sheen that makes this car so iconic. It’s also got some hidden Bond gadgets built into the car that kids are going to have a blast discovering.
On the figure front, this set comes with four figures in the form of Goldfinger, Oddjob, a henchman, and of course the man himself, James Bond.
Playmobil is currently going big on retro franchises and the results have been astounding.
Just take a look at the Playmobil A-Team Van. This thing absolutely nails the look all the way down the red hubcaps. Another thing I love is how the back of the truck is filled with all kinds of different weaponry and tech. If your child loves making up their own adventures, those extra pieces are going to lead to some imaginative stories.
In terms of figures, this set features everyone you’d expect in Hannibal, Faceman, Murdoch, and everyone’s favorite, BA Baracus – the latter of whom ‘pitties the fool’ who doesn’t want this set
Ignoring virtual reality is simply not an option, and the coolest VR headset on the market right now is easily the PlayStation VR.
Whether they want to become Batman, jump into the cockpit of a racing car (coming soon), or hang out in a virtual world with their friends in Sports Bar VR, there’s something here for every kid to enjoy. PlayStation VR is here to stay, so letting them jump onboard early will make you one of the coolest parents to all of his friends.
One of the most popular new board games this year is the One Night Ultimate Werewolf game by Bezier Games, makers of Castles of Mad King Ludwig and the America Board Game. In One Night Ultimate Werewolf, each player takes on a unique role: a werewolf, seer, troublemaker or another, all of which have their own special abilities.
After a night phase that secretly changes roles, players will have only five minutes to find who the new werewolf is. What’s more, there are already other expansions out there for it that take the game to an entirely new level of fun. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up, and works best with roughly 5-6 players (although it supports up to 10).
It’s easy to control, and looks great (since it’s an incredibly detailed replica of a concept car). This BMW Vision RC car has three separate frequency bands to allow up to three head-to-head racers at once.
Toys have definitely come a long way over the past decade, and the Hot Bee Remote Control Dinosaur is proof of that! It’s basically a dinosaur you drive around the floor and attack other toys with. Doesn’t that sound perfect for boys?
It also comes with a fossil remote control and features a rechargeable battery.
You’re probably seeing these toys everywhere this year, as their popularity has exploded. If you’re not up on your Funko Pop Figure knowledge, these toys are basically cute-editions of some of the biggest names in pop culture, including Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, Captain America, Batman, Baymax from Big Hero 6, Elsa from Frozen, and so much more. Batman is a classic that never fails to please.
Skateboarding will always be stylish. But what happens you downsize the fun? That’s where the TECH DECK – Nyjah Skatepark comes in.
The thing that’s amazing about the whole TECH DECK line is they’re not just toys. With practice, you can bust out realistic flips and spins, all with just your fingers and a board.
The actual skatepark in this set is customizable as well. Want to move some of the ramps or grind rails? You totally can. What’s more, if you pick up any other TECH DECK sets, you can combine them to create the ultimate finger skatepark.
All kids need the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesin their life. The show is brilliant and fun, and the toys are even better. If your child loves TMNT and building, they’re going to love the Mega Bloks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Technodrome.
They’re essentially building a gigantic tank. Not only that, it opens up to reveal tons of areas to play in on the inside. Oh, and it even comes with a host of TMNT figures to play with. Cool or what?
Listen, right, when the weather’s nice, nothing beats chasing your friends around the backyard as you blast them with a super soaker. It is just the absolute best fun you can have. And yes, adults can totally get in on the action.
Remember those buckets of green army figures you had as a kid? Now, there’s a better version: zombie action figures! These grey and light grey figures are perfect for undead battles or a zombie invasion, as you get 100 in every bucket. The kit includes zombie pets, zombies, humans and tombstones. Sigh, if they only had these when I was a kid.
The RipStik G Caster Board is a great way for kids to get around. My son uses his on our street, to the playground, at his grandparents’ house, and just about anywhere else. It’s light and portable, but it can hold up 220 pounds.
The RipStik is a cool skateboard/snowboard hybrid that has a unique design. It has a concave deck design akin to a skateboard, but it moves like a snowboard on wheels. It also has a bar in the middle for grinding.
Riding around on a RipStik is super smooth and fun, and its intuitive enough for any kid to get the hang of it!
The two biggest problems with kids’ tablets are that they are easily broken and they’re sluggish. But Amazon sought out to fix that with their awesome Fire HD 7 kids tablet, which runs very well and has a whopping 2-year worry-free guarantee which means Amazon will replace it for free when your kid drops it and breaks it. And, trust me, he will break it at some point. The Fire HD 7 is a fully-featured Android tablet, and it’s available with a purple, blue, or pink shell.
From a parenting standpoint, you can create time limits, content limits, set educational goals, filters, and more. It’s super intuitive from both the parent’s point of view and the child’s.
This LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon is pricey, sure, but it’s one of the best toys out there. Every Star Wars fan needs a Millennium Falcon in their room. It’s not an opinion — it’s a fact of life.
This thing has so much going for it. Seriously, the level of detail here is insane. INSANE! It’s a harder build than the more traditional Lego, but that’s more to with the size of this beast and the aforementioned level of detail. That said, nothing beats sitting down and helping your kids with Lego.
His face is going to light up when he sees this. Trust me. It’s one of the best cool gifts for boys you’ll ever see.
This thing is the real deal. It’s a collectible item, but also does everything you’d want it to. It makes the iconic lightsaber power-up and power-down sounds you hear in the movies and in terms of looking authentic, it does that and then some. You won’t find a better lightsaber toy out there than this one.
If I had to pick my favorite game of the year, it’d be Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
There are several reasons to pick this one up, and honestly, I could spend an entire day singing its praise. Combat is chaotic, which lends itself perfectly to the type of characters the Guardians are, the game visually wows, the story is written effortlessly and engaging from start to finish, and it’s an actually funny game! It’s packed with actual jokes and punchlines. This normally never happens.
If your child has seen a Marvel movie, chances are they’ll be more than fine playing this game. The rating of T For Teen covers all the in-game content and feels like a valid assessment.
Honestly, Guardians of the Galaxy is the easiest game to recommend. It’s perfect for teens with even a passing interest in Marvel. If they are, like me, massively into Marvel, they are absolutely going to love Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Just to make sure you’re getting the right version, Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy is available for PS4, PS5, and Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X.
It’s also worth mentioning if you’re picking this up last-minute, the Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X versions are available digitally, too.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 is really easy to recommend. It’s affordable, offers up killer bass, a balanced sound profile, and is comfortable enough for long gaming sessions. What more could you possibly ask from a headset?
Given the low price of the Arctis 1, it’s wild just how exceptional it is. I’ve reviewed more headsets than I can count, including headsets that are double the price of the Arctis 1 and aren’t half as good. Seriously, the sound profile is incredibly balanced. It’s ever so slightly flat in comparison to SteelSeries headsets that cost four times the price, but that’s not something I’ll be holding against the Arctis 1. Of course more expensive headsets sound better.
What you get here is clear audio with deep bass sounds that thump with the warmth you’d expect from a headset. In short, you will be able to hear people creeping on you.
The mic here is another revelation. It’s clear, and manages to ignore low sounds, in my case my kid playing with Lego, which is kind of amazing all things considered.
It’s also surprisingly comfortable. I’ve been having it on for around eight hours each day for work then again on the night for gaming sessions, and I’ve not felt the need to moan or grumble about discomfort. The earpads on the inside of the earcups are brilliant, as well. They do a fantastic job of keeping unwanted sound out.
It’s also worth mentioning, there’s also the Arctis 1 Wireless, which is mostly the same headset but with a wireless option. You can still use it wired if you run out of juice, which isn’t something the $300 Audeze Penrose can claim. The wireless version doesn’t cost that much more either, so I’d definitely consider it if you’re buying for a PS4, PS5, Switch, or PC.
If you’re looking for some cool AND educational toys for boys, look no further than the Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only kit. This kit will help teach science behind “magic,” with chemicals including citric acid, baking soda, vegetable oil, polyarcrylate copolymer, red cabbage powder, color tablets and zinc sulfide.
The idea is that these different experiments create cool chemical reactions that will be awe-inspiring. It’s recommended for children 6+, and requires adult supervision.
The LEGO Coast Guard Helicopter is a pretty hefty LEGO toy kit, including the helicopter, a great white shark, 4 mini-figures and a Catamaran sailboat. It’s one of the more inclusive LEGO kits we’ve seen.
For kids who love sports and playing outdoors, the pop-up soccer goal is one of the best Christmas gift ideas you’ll find. It folds down to a small carrying size, and it springs up to a sizeable goal for kids. When erected, it measures in at 2.5×1.7×1.7 feet, making it a great fit for an impromptu soccer match at the park.
Late last year, Disney’s The Mandalorian absolute blew up in popularity when its first season released, and, hands-down, the star of the show is The Child, aka Baby Yoda.
This Christmas, your Star Wars-loving kids can pick up the The Child Animatronic Edition toy, which features series-inspired sounds and motorized movements. This cute little toy is great for both kids and Star Wars-loving adults.
If you pat its head three times, it will close its eyes, raise its arms, and make it look like it’s using the Force. When it’s done, you can lay the tuckered-out little guy down for his Force nap.
The Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper is a great toy for kids of all ages, as it supports all sizes and up to 250 pounds. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and it doesn’t leave scuff marks on your floors. It squeaks when you jump with it, giving it a unique sense of goofy fun. In fact, your kids won’t stop laughing while they’re using it, and it’s a great way to let them burn some energy.
The PS4 Pro was just recently announced, and it will serve as a better Playstation 4 that will allow for better graphics and gameplay. It comes with the ability for 4k Streaming and auto-upscaling to 4K resolution, making your movies and games look better than ever before. Plus, Sony has added HDR capabilities to all PS4 devices, meaning their games will look even better. The PS4 Pro will support faster frame rates that will deliver super-sharp action for select PS4 games. It’s also on our list of the 30 hottest new Christmas toys of 2016. The PS4 Pro will provide the best experience for playing the best PS4 games, and it’s going to make it virtually impossible for gamers to enjoy their standard PS4 knowing that the Pro exists and provides a better experience.
If you’re after a gift for a gamer, the KontrolFreek Call of Duty: Vanguard Performance Thumbsticks for PlayStation or Xbox may not seem like much, but they’re a must for serious gamers.
You see, these little add-ons to controllers give you an edge in-game. Many players find the default thumbsticks on the PlayStation and Xbox controllers don’t offer them enough options. With the KontrolFreek thumbsticks, the thumbsticks are more raised, which leads to more control and accuracy in games like Call of Duty or Fortnite. Or any game where you blast virtual guns for that matter.
Chances are, they won’t be directly asking for this gift, but if you grab it as a stocking filler, once they’ve used it they’re going to be impressed you thought of it.
The Gyrosphere is to Jurassic World what the iconic Jeep was to Jurassic Park. Now, there’s an RC version of the Gyrosphere from the newer Jurassic films, and it can hold two figures inside.
The older boys get, the more they want something they can sink their teeth into. My suggestion? Get them into D&D. You won’t regret it.
The Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks Gift Set is a great place to start. This set has almost everything you need to get up and running in a way that’s easy to understand.
The three hardcover books in this set – The Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual – are all you need to get an understanding of how not just how to play, but also how to create a world that’s fair and balanced to what players expect. Remember, the dungeon master’s role isn’t to kill players, it’s to guide the adventure so everyone has fun.
If you’re after a better understanding of how games play out, the DnD website has a great explanation.
If this sounds like a perfect fit for your child, pair this gift with the D&D Essentials Kit and they’ll have everything they could possibly need to be the world’s next Dungeon Master.
Nothing beats a great game of basketball — except a great game of basketball in the pool! The Lifetime portable basketball system has a 44-inch clear acrylic backboard and an all-weather nylon net to allow for pool-side play.
The PlasmaCar is a cool ride-on that doesn’t require any batteries or pedals. It has won many awards for its innovations, and gives kids great exercise both indoors and outdoors. Basically, the PlasmaCar is set in motion by turning the steering wheel and moving it back and forth. It works like a charm, and my son loves his.
The new Fluxx 5.0 card game is a great way to spend some quality time with your son. Games last anywhere from 5-30 minutes and is suitable for ages 8+. It’s easy to learn, and it’s a truly unique game with rules changing as you go.
You’ll frequently see longboarders on sidewalks and roads during the summer. This Quest Skateboard Super Cruiser Longboard is a gorgeously designed board made of artisan bamboo and hardwood maple. It’s 44 inches in length and it has a kick tail. There are also two color variants as well, green and purple, each of which look even better. You won’t find better-looking boards for the price.
The BB-8 Sphero, based on the brand new droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is one of the most sought-after toys this holiday season. It’s an incredibly cool app enabled droid that’s controlled with your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to send your toy droid about the galaxy as you please. You can even record and play videos. It has authentic BB-8 movement, looks exactly like the droid from the movie, and it recognizes and responds to your voice. Seriously, it’s one of the best BB8 toys on the market.
It’s a simple, fun, and engaging tool that can also be used with a mobile device. Users create in what’s called scratch coding, which is basically a drag and drop technique to make coding easier to understand. It encourages STEM learning activities, but most importantly it keeps your kid’s creative juices flowing and encourages problem-solving. Cool, right?
Hasbro has released some of the best Ghostbusters toys to date, complete with different price points.
Starting out is the Ghostbusters Fright Features range. These figures are more of a basic range, although the only reason they’re considered basic is by comparison (more on that in a moment).
The figures themselves have a nostalgic vibe to them, and those who played with Ghostbusters toys in the 80s and 90s are going to recognize them. Each figure comes with a photon pack and wand, and a gruesome little ghost.
Also included in this line are a host of ghosts, including Stay Puft, and each has a mechanic for kids to play with. In Stay Puft’s case, pushing his legs together causes him to spiral upwards in the blink of an eye.
There’s also a really awesome ECTO-1 toy to go with this range, which is just pure awesomeness. You even get to build it!
For younger kids, I’d definitely recommend the Fright Features range. They’re affordable and a lot of fun. For older kids, however, it’s all about the Ghostbusters Plasma series.
The reason the Fright Features series is considered basic is because they launched alongside the Plasma series; Hasbro’s more premium offering.
The Plasma series features more articulation, more realistic faces that mimic the respective actors, and come with a host of awesome accessories. Each figure even comes with a piece to build a larger figure if you collect the whole wave.
If you’re a collector or your child’s older, definitely go with the Plasma series.
Finally, if you’re after a list of all the new Ghostbusters toys that are available, you’ll find that below.
Another great tinker toy is the Modular Robotics Cubelets Robot Blocks. It’s the starter kit of sorts for these cool blocks that can be configured in many different ways to create functional robots. Each individual block has its own simple computer that tells it what to do. For example, one is a flashlight, one is a sensor, one is a battery, etc. When you put them together in different combinations, they do different cool things. They snap together easily without any wires or plugs using magnets.
Have you ever noticed your child drumming in the air while they’re listening to music? The air drumming motion is frequently used when someone is jamming out to their favorite songs, and now, there’s the Aerodrums Air Drumming Kit, which will put that motion to good use to actually create music.
It’s an incredibly cool toy that is highly portable. What’s more, it can be used with headphones (so it’s silent to those around the user). This air drumming kit gives the opportunity for musical expressiveness that’s on par with any real drum kit, and it creates high quality sound, thanks to over a full gigabyte of high quality drum samples.
Note: the version you see above uses a virtual reality headset, the Oculus Rift, but it’s not required for use. It does, however, require a Windows PC with at least an intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz processor, or an Apple computer that was released from 2009 or later.
Nintendo amiibo are little NFC-enabled figures that are simply tapped to the Wii U or 3DS to be used in-game in all sorts of exciting new ways. They look great and they work with just about every new Wii U and 3DS game. Amiibo are going to be THE hot toys of 2015 this Christmas.
Remember moon shoes? Well, the Air Kicks Anti-Gravity Running Shoes are the same idea, but are an updated and less bulky-version. They strap to your child’s feet and use jumping jax t-spring technology. They have them for adults, too. You know, in case you wanted to join in on the fun.
I frequently rave about the quality of HyperX’s gaming products, and they’ve come out with another killer gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Revolver.
This monster takes quality to an entirely new level. It uses studio-grade sound design to provide extreme clarity while gaming, and they’re compatible with all platforms, including the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Macs. It has a durable steel frame, and it has a detachable noise-cancelling microphone that makes chatting with their friends easy. Their design is mostly black, but it has cool red highlights that give it a professional look — it’ll make them feel like a professional esports gamer. It uses 50mm drivers to push out powerful sound, and it has controls on the wire so they don’t have to take the headset off and look at it while they’re gaming. If they’re looking to add 7.1 sound to their gaming, the Cloud Revolver is comfortable, sounds great, and looks cool.
Where was THIS when I was a kid? One of the many joys of childhood was spending hours jumping on a giant trampoline, doing flips, cartwheels, and powerbombing your siblings. Skywalker Trampolines now has a Jump N’ Dunk Trampoline which comes with a basketball hoop. It comes with a safety enclosure as well so that your children don’t fall out of it. It’s tons of fun, just throw a ball in there and let them play a game of 1v1 basketball.
The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit allows users to create and command their own robot using truly intuitive software that allows for drag and drop programming. It has a built in ARM9 processor, WiFi USB port and internet connectivity, as well as a Micro SD card reader and back-lit buttons. It comes with over 600 pieces and is intended for ages 10+. Watch the video above for a full demo.
If there’s one board game that my son and I love to play together, it’s Catan. It’s an absolute classic that’s frequented here at the Bernstein residence for game nights.
In Catan, players are tasked with building a mega civilization that spans across a uniquely designed hexagonal board. As you play, you’ll earn victory points that are needed to win the game. These victory points are earned with your resources and how you strategize and play the game.
It’s equal parts competitive and collaborative, as you can trade resources and strategize to build your civizilation. Catan is great for those who like strategy games and have a bit of a competitive spirit.
Everyone loves a fun game of Jenga, but what if those blocks were bigger — much bigger! Check out these Giant Tumbling Timbers by Yard Games that measure 7.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches each. It comes with 56 mega sized blocks for a much bigger game of Jenga. The game starts with 19 levels, measuring 2.5-feet tall. It can grow to over 5-feet while playing, and it’s the perfect outdoor game for kids.
If there’s one thing kids love more than pretending to be a cyborg, it’s pretending to slay zombies. So when Nerf debuted their Zombie Strike line, we knew it was going to be a big hit.
Their coolest product in their line is the NERF Zombie Strike Brainsaw Blaster, which will have your boy feeling like Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead. It’s super fun to use, and it has a spinning sawblade action.
Another great educational and fun toy is the Osmo – Genius Starter Kit for iPad. It encourages creative thinking and social interaction by taking gameplay off of the screen and putting it right in front of them with pieces they can actually touch.
HedBanz has become one of my son’s favorite games to play with the family. It’s a simple idea: each player places a card on their forehead (using the included headbands), and on each card is an object (person, place, thing).
Other players are tasked with giving the other players clues about what’s on their head by answering the player’s questions. The player must try to guess what’s on their head through their questions, and it’s perfect for an evening of family fun. We included it in our list of the best board games for kids, too.
If they’ve got an Xbox One, it’s likely that they won’t be able to afford the Xbox One Elite Controller on their own, but trust me when I tell you that it’s one of the best gifts for gamers this year.
This controller will feel like their secret weapon; their Lucille; their own Thor’s Hammer, so to speak. It has interchangeable parts, including thumbsticks and two different d-pads. It will easily become their favorite controller, and I don’t mean their favorite controller just for the Xbox One, I mean their favorite controller of ALL-TIME.
Want to read more about it? Check out my review from when it launched two years ago.
We’re huge fans of Melissa and Doug toys, and their Monster Plush Bowling Game is so many levels of great, especially for toddler boys. Kids love silly-looking monsters, and they don’t get any sillier-looking than these. They’re brightly colored, and they’re made using high quality materials.
Nerf battles are a great deal of fun, and really immersing yourself in a battle is the best way to make the most of it. With the Nerf N’Strike Elite Tactical Vest, your kids are able to strap ammo to themselves so that they’re always ready for a quick reload.
It can store both standalone darts and full clips, giving kids the ability to carry extra firepower with them so that they’re always ready in the heat of battle. Sure, it’s not the most stylish of vests, and you could probably craft one up yourself, but this is a great out of the box solution that requires no effort on your part.
Finding what interests your child is one of the joys of parenthood, but steering them towards one passion is a great way to help shape their minds. Check out the Beginner Microscope Kit by AmScope, which has everything your little scientist needs to fuel their curiosity.
It comes with 52 accessories, including a carrying case for them to take their studies with them on the go. It has LED, mirror illumination, and a built-in color filter wheel. It has 120x, 240x, 300x, 480x, 600x, and 1200x magnification levels. It’s a great gift for the scientifically-inclined.
If you’re looking to keep them quiet for a couple of hours, check out the Perplexus, a challenging 3D labyrinth contained within a sphere. It has 22 feet worth of track and over 100 challenging barriers within, and the goal is to flip and twist it to get the ball to the finish line. It’ll keep them occupied, quiet, and entertained for hours, and it’s truly challenging. It’s a great car toy, too, so you’ll be able to keep them occupied while you’re trying to drive. And at just $20, you can get one for each of the kids without breaking the bank (so they won’t fight over it).
Animation is interesting to most children, and with the Stikbot Zanimation Studio, they’ll be able to create their own animated shorts and watch and share them with friends. It comes with two figures, a tripod, and a 2 in 1 stage green and blue screen. This will allow them to use the Stikboy app to animate their own videos. It’s a lot of fun, and it’ll keep them busy for hours.
As I stated above, it’s great when kids start to show an interest in things; it makes buying gifts for them much easier. The SmartLabs Toys Smart Circuits Lab is for those that are interested in electronics. It comes with 6 base boards, battery module, variable resistor module, microprocessor module, tricolor LED module, and a speaker module, as well as a photodiode, tilt switch, 2 push buttons, 31 jumper wires and a 48-page book that teaches them how to build some cool gadgets and doohickeys.
The Frankling MLB Pitching Machine is a pitching machine for kids, that shoots out six plastic balls (included) for their hitting pleasure. The ball pitches every 10 seconds, and it has an adjustable height. At less than $30, it’s a worthy tool to help them up their swing game.
Zing Sky Ripperz are these little screaming rockets that work sort of like a slingshot, with the rockets shooting up to 250 feet. What’s more, they’re easy to use, and they’re accuracy is virtually unmatched in the slingshot market.
Keep in mind these aren’t intended to be used as a weapon like slingshots are, but they have the same slingshot mechanic that allows you to pull them back and let them fly. Set up targets around the backyard, and let them test their skill!
Zing’s Wet Head game is quickly becoming the new Pie Face (which was last year’s big hit family game). With Wet Head, you’re playing a game of Russian Water Roulette, where each spin could mean a soak for the wearer.
Water is filled into the top of the Wet Head, then the starting player puts it on their head. Then, the player uses the spinner to determine how many rods they have to pull out. After pulling their assigned number of rods,and if water doesn’t come out, the wearer passes the Wet Head to the next player. It’s a fun game for your kids to play, especially in the summer months when it’s hot out.
One of the biggest action sequences of the year is in the recently released Captain America: Civil War movie, which brings together numerous Marvel superheroes into one film. This Lego set, the Super Heroes Super Hero Airport Battle, recreates the now iconic action sequence in the movie, or rather, gives your children the tools required to recreate it. The kit comes with 807 pieces, including Giant Man, Ant-Man, Agent 13, Scarlet Witch, Winter Soldier, Captain America, War Machine, and Iron Man. Unfortunately, Spider-Man isn’t included — bummer. But, it also comes with an air traffic control tower, a massive Quinjet, and more cool toys that your child will love.
I can’t believe that I’ve made it to #87 without even mentioning Minecraft, the incredibly popular game that still has millions of players. In Minecraft, players can build themselves wall torches to light their homes, the mines, or caves they’re digging in. Now, they can actually hold one of those torches in their hand with the Minecraft Wall Torch by ThinkGeek. It’s a super cool light that can hang on their wall, sit on their nightstand, or be carried down the hall with them for their nightly bathroom trips. It only requires 3 AAA batteries to work, and it’s recommended for kids Ages 6 and up.
Another great Playskool toy for young boys is the Playskool Heroes Star Wars Galactic Heroes Millennium Falcon. It not only comes with a reimagined (read: bigger and cutesy) version of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars, but it also comes with Han Solo, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 figures. The vehicle, itself, includes a sensor disc, cannon, a ladder, and a label sheet. The Falcon opens up to allow kids to play with their figures within, and it has a carrying handle. It’s perfect for recreating the iconic escape scene from Episode IV.
Last week, a brand new MASSIVE line of Star Wars: Rogue One toys were announced. And, while there are many great new action figures and cool ideas (like a massive Millennium Falcon XL drone), our pick of the litter is the new Micro Machines Death Star Playset.
It comes with a super cool-looking white Death Star and 3 exclusive micro figures, 2 micro vehicles, and it has movie-accurate scenes inside of the Death Star. It’ll be tons of fun for those who dabble in galactic warfare, and it’s going to be one of the year’s best toys.
There are so many great building toys available now, that any kid who loves to tinker has something to keep them occupied. But, the Fun N’ Roll Deluxe Marble Run is an entirely different feeling type of building set. It comes with over 1400 pieces that your children can use to build a glorious Marble Run that will allow them to watch a marble traverse the contraption that they’ve made. It’s not only fun to build, but it gives a big payoff for your kids!
The game of Munchkin is one that’s incredibly fun to play with family and friends, and it was just made even better. Introducing the Munchkin Marvel Edition by USAopoly. It comes with 168 cards (99 door/69 treasure cards), 6 level trackers, custom die, and a set of game rules. It makes for a great gift for those Marvel Comics lovers. In the Marvel edition, the monsters are villains and the allies are the heroes.
Kids love to play cops and robbers, and one of the most exciting things to rob is a bank. With the LEGO Creator Brick Bank Kit, your child will be able to build their own highly-detailed bank, including a secretary’s office, atrium foyer, bank manager’s office, and more. It measures in at over 10″ x 10″, and it comes with 5 minifigures, including the bank manager, teller, a mom and child, and a secretary.
FurReal’s animatronic tech is second to none. This isn’t just a case of the head moves a bit and it wiggles. Each movement looks natural and results in a toy with tons of character.
Sam also features 40 sounds and reactions to discover and interacts with the toy frozen treat accessory.
If you’re after a gift that’s going to make them squee with excitement, this is absolutely the one to go with.
Now that the Battle Bots show is coming back, your kids are going to want to destroy some robots, themselves. Check out Air Hogs’ Smash Bots kit, which comes with two remote control robots that are ready for battle. These robots are built tough to take hits from their opponent, and they are easily put back together. In fact, they’re intended to look broken when defeated but be easily reconfigured for more rounds. If your kid likes the idea of fighting robots — and what kid doesn’t? — the Air Hogs Smash Bots is perfect for them.
Ride-ons are some of the most fun a kid can have. Seriously, who wouldn’t love whizzing around the pavement in one of these things?
The Costzon 2-Seater Ride on Truck is a licensed Mercedes Benz X that features real car sounds, working headlights, and comes with a remote control so parents can keep their kids safe at all times.
It also boasts three adjustable speeds, which is perfect if you’ve got a younger child, and even have an MP3 player so they can blast tunes while they’re riding. How cool is that?!
The new 20 pack of Hot Wheels cars, standard 1:64 scale. It includes both classic cars and hot new designs you’ll only find with Hot Wheels. It’s a great way to start their collection.
While FPV drone racing is huge in 2017, Air Hogs brings things to the ground with the Air Hogs FPV High Speed Race Car. This baby allows the user to see what their remote control car sees, and they can record it and share it easily. It comes with the RC Car, the FPV headset (which uses your smartphone), a controller, and a charging cable.
You might remember that the original Kano Coding Kit was a wildly popular Christmas toy in 2017, and now, the company is back with an update for the magic-lovers out there — the Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit.
It allows your kids to use an actual wand (along with a tablet) to code spells and make things appear and happen on-screen. It’s super cool! With the wave of his/her wand, he/she will see instant effects on screen like new creatures created, sweets, spells, over 200 sounds, and more.
If they love Harry Potter or just magic in general — and, honestly, what kid doesn’t — the Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit is for them.
Recommended Ages: 6 years and up
VideoVideo related to ubtech iron man mk50 interactive robot2019-11-25T06:07:17-05:00
Seriously, the UBTECH Iron Man Mk50 Robot robot is the best interactive bot I’ve seen in recent memory. Thanks to an ingenious app, this thing can be easily programmed to perform a plethora of different tasks.
The front of the helmet lifts up just like the real thing, and underneath is a crisp LCD screen complete with Tony Stark’s face.
Don’t like Stark’s face? How about superimposing your child’s face onto it? They will LOVE that.
When you program Iron Man to walk about, the last thing you want is it falling off surfaces. Thankfully, Iron Man comes with IR sensors, so when a drop comes up, it’ll stop. Handy!
There’s also an augmented reality game where kids can use Iron Man to blast down enemy drones which looks like a lot of fun. Augmented reality is all the rage at the moment thanks to the likes of Pokemon Go, so to be able to take Iron Man around the real-world and play with it is sure to excite kids.
