Happy summer and happy summer break from school! If you're a parent, you're probably looking for ways to keep your child from whining, "I'm bored" non-stop.
Try one or several of these creative toys to get kids using their imaginations and their hands to make something! I've reviewed all of these toys through my job at TTPM, so with each product listed, you'll also get a video review with a more in-depth look at what the toys do and how they work.
Painting, Coloring, DIY, and more from Bright Stripes!
This year, I've reviewed several Bright Stripes arts and crafts kits. This company makes craft kits for kids of all ages, so if you've got a preschooler who loves to color, and you need to keep her busy on a plane or car ride, then you'll want the Art on the Go! Busy World activity pad, featuring Richard Scarry characters.
Older kids can also get crafty with I Heart Art Paint Pages Party Animals. Each page comes with watercolors, so all you need to do is add water and paint! And the I Heart Art Paint by Numbers Mushroom Forest makes it easy for kids to paint a forest scene while also learning about the mushrooms and frogs they're painting.
Or if you've got older kids who like making things, then maybe they'd enjoy scrunching up their own axolotl pillow with the Magic Scrunch Pillow or making their own scented soaps with the Flower Power DIY Soaps kit.
Make Your Own Slushies!
This isn't really an arts and crafts toy, but it does keep kids busy - and full - on those hot summer days. The ChillFactor Slushy Maker lives in your freezer so that whenever the mood strikes, you can take it out, pour your favorite liquid inside, and squeeze the cup until a slush forms. This works surprisingly well! We used it to turn Kool-Aid into a slushy drink, but you could also use juice, flavored milk, or soda.
Did Somebody Order a Pizza?
If your kid likes playing with Play-Doh and pizza, then Hasbro's Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter playset will really deliver! Use the Play-Doh to mold pretend pizzas, and then ride around on the scooter (yes - it's really a ride-on!) to deliver your orders!
Bake Cookies & Make Monsters!
Family Games America also has some fun play dough activity kits, and all the supplies come in reusable bags. Both the Tutti Frutti Cookie Maker and Tutti Frutti Monsters Trio kits come with scented dough to make the play more realistic and more fun!
Load Up On Sugar!
Want to make some REAL food? You can with The Real Cotton Candy Maker from Cra-Z-Art! This doesn't come with any sugar, but you can either buy flavored sugar packets separately or just use white granulated sugar from your pantry. It tastes like cotton candy! This is great for parties or just whenever you want a sweet treat.
Inspire Budding Artists!
For kids who like storytelling and comic books, the Made by Me! Anime Manga Artist Set from Horizon Group USA lets kids draw their own comics! The kit contents - markers, colored pencils, stickers, a right-angle ruler, a pencil sharpener, how-to guide, and two blank books - come packaged in a clear plastic briefcase so that kids can store their work or take it on the go.
Create Music with This Unique Instrument!
I first saw the Otamatone at Toy Fair in September 2023, but I didn't really know what it was or think anything of it until my daughter received one as a gift for Christmas! She loves it! And it comes in different sizes and colors, too. It's easy to learn how to play, and kids can get creative and make their own music.
Create with Construction Toys!
You don't need paints and paintbrushes to create. You can create with construction toys, too! And with the Magformers Mystery Spin Set, kids can use 40 magnetic pieces to build one of seven real-rolling creations - or one of their own imagining!
Zoom into Magnetic Building Fun!
Speaking of magnetic construction toys, Magna-Tiles has a really cool line of construction sets with cars and road pieces! The Downhill Duo set is just one of the toys in the line, allowing kids to use magnetic pieces to build different track configurations for the cars and their drivers.
Even Tweens Can Create!
The Craft Crush line of arts and crafts toys from PlayMonster are geared toward slightly older kids - the tweens and teens. There are a lot of kits to choose from, but one of the craft kits I like is the DIY Plant Charms kit. Kids fill the metal frames with colorful baking crystals, and then bake them in the oven to melt the crystals, resulting in some really cool stained glass-esque decor for your flower garden or potted plant.
Classic Sidewalk Chalk with a Twist!
The ChalkScapes Mandala Stencils & Chalk Art Kits are all about inspiring creativity on your driveway or sidewalk. Use the two mandala stencils to create chalk patterns featuring sea life and land animals. Plus, this fun activity gets kids playing outside. Jumbo chalk and regular chalk are included!
Get Creative with Play Clay!
There's a whole episode of Peppa Pig about using clay to craft pottery. If your kid has seen it, maybe she'd want to make her own pottery with the Play-Doh Air Clay Super Creation Studio. And if your kid hasn't seen it, he'll still enjoy making his own clay creations with the 24 colors of air-dry clay, googly eyes, and key chains that are included with this kit.
Show Off Your Cereal Fandom!
What's your favorite cereal? If the answer is Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, or Froot Loops, then you're in luck because those are the three varieties of Kellogg's-branded bracelet-making kits from Make It Real! You get to unbox the bracelet-making craft supplies by dipping blind bags into warm water - and yes, a pretend cereal bowl and spoon are included for this step!
Color and Bake!
Do you remember Shrinky Dinks? Well, Shrink-Its are kind of the same thing, and these were a hit with my Girl Scout troop when we needed an indoor activity on a rainy camping day. Available in two styles from Ooly, you just color, punch out, and bake! Watch the heat shrink your creation, and then add a ball chain or string.
Make a Little Music!
If your kid is a music lover, then he might like RukusFX Pro from Just Play. It's a handheld music-making toy with a free app component that allows kids to mix, edit, and play music games. With just the device, punching, swiping, flicking, and twisting adds sound effects to the built-in songs. So it's like you're dancing and making music at the same time!
Learn to Crochet!
Summertime is the perfect time to take up crochet! You've probably seen The Woobles crochet kits advertised (or maybe you even watched them on Shark Tank). I reviewed one of the kits, and part of the review process was actually crocheting it! My penguin turned out okay, but for my first time (in a loooong time), I was happy with it. The Woobles makes it easy to learn with video instructions.
I hope this list of creative toys was helpful in finding something (or some things) that your kiddo might like to do! I think these are some of the best toys to help kids think and play creatively.
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