Is it fun?
Kids’ needs haven’t changed when it comes to what they want out of their next toy. That’s the only question that crosses their minds. Parents’ needs, on the other hand, have evolved, especially with the introduction of online shopping.
Since COVID precautions have taken priority, and with many major toy retailers now closed for good, shopping for toys in person just isn’t the same experience. These factors, along with the surge of online shopping also heightened by the pandemic, has allowed for Amazon to emerge as a leading toy retailer.
Shoppers are prioritizing convenience and health risks above all else, so it’s no surprise that Amazon has been able to fulfill this order with ease.
Consumers can easily search for toys by age group, learning capability, price while finding a variety of options each one different from the next. However, if you’re new to shopping on Amazon or specifically shopping for toys on Amazon, you may find that the experience is more complicated than you first thought. The problem isn’t convenience or variety, it’s quantity. There are endless options for toys, so much so that it’s difficult to find exactly what you need before settling out of frustration.
So we’re here to break down the experience for you. Shopping for toys on Amazon doesn’t need to be a hassle, and it won’t be once you know the ins and outs. You’ll be able to search for and find the best toys for your children (or yourself, no judgement), with our ultimate guide to buying toys on Amazon!
Amazon Toys & Games: Where to Start
When you head over to Amazon’s Toy & Games page, you’ll be hit with a variety of colors and photos, but read a little farther and you’ll find that the overall content is comprehensive. The main page is broken down into search categories so that you can begin filtering your choices. That is the primary key to shopping on Amazon: filters. No one can feel at ease with 70,000+ results to scroll through. As soon as you can start, narrow your search by review, category, price and prime options to watch those search results decrease.
Here is the break down of the Amazon Toys & Games page:
Shop by Age
- Birth to 24 months
- 2 to 4 years
- 5 to 7 years
- 8 to 13 years
- 14 years & up
Shop by Price
- $10 and under
- $10-25
- $25-50
- $50+
Shop by Category
- Action figures
- Amazon exclusives
- Arts & crafts
- Baby & Toddler
- Building toys
- Dolls & accessories
- Dress up & pretend play
- Favorite characters
- Games & accessories
- Hobby shop
- Preschool
- Puzzles
- Remote control and play cars
- Ride ons
- Sports & outdoor play
- STEM & learning
- Stuffed animals
- Video games
Shop by Brand
- Barbie
- Disney
- Fisher-Price
- Funko
- Hot Wheels
- Lego
- Lol Surprise!
- Melissa & Doug
- Nerf
- Osmo
- Paw Patrol
- Ravensburger
At the bottom of the page, you’ll find an About section detailing more about the categories themselves. There isn’t necessarily new information here, but there is more information on the types of toys Amazon sells.
For example, the Toys & Games section of Amazon also features a preschool store for learning and educational toys, along with sections for games and puzzles, toys specifically geared towards hobby enthusiasts and a movie & TV hub with toys from top production houses like Marvel, Jurassic World, Transformers, Trolls, Frozen and Harry Potter.
If you’re trying to keep up with the latest and greatest, you can head over to the New Releases section for newest products on the market, best sellers and most popular name brands. There is also a STEM store section of Amazon Toys that focuses on educational toys for all ages, however just like with all of your searches, you should first sort the toys by age so that you choose something both challenging and entertaining.
What You Should Look for in a Toy
When buying toys on Amazon, you have to consider your reasoning behind what makes a perfect toy along with your child’s preferences. The toys they gravitate towards at first, may not be benefiting them much beyond providing entertainment. On the opposite end, it’s also easy to forget what the best choice is for your child when you are the one in charge of shopping. Are you choosing this toy because it’s something they want or something that you want (in regards to price and convenience)? It’s a careful balance, but definitely one that you can master as you become more familiar with the toys and games sold on Amazon.
As you shop for toys, ask yourself, does this toy:
- Help them develop new skills
- Promote positive relationships
- Teach them about sharing
- Allow them to be themselves
- Feel challenging without becoming overwhelming
Toys aren’t just about mindless entertainment. Playing with toys is a fundamental part of childhood development. In addition to the teaching potential of a new toy, remember to consider the logistics. Is this toy:
- Age appropriate
- Non-toxic
- Durable
- Safe (without removable parts for young children)
- Worth the cost
Most importantly, you want to understand the play value of this toy. What will it offer you and your children? You may think that this is overkill when it comes to buying a toy but really most of these factors are probably ones you already think about subconsciously.
However, it is always beneficial to be aware, especially when shopping online in a crowded marketplace like on Amazon. It’s easy to simply add items to your cart without second guessing. But it’s good practice for all of your purchases to double check their value.
34 of our Favorite Toys on Amazon
To find our recommendations, we searched in Amazon’s Toys & Games section, Best Sellers page and Newest Arrivals. Every toy listed has at least a 4 star review or higher. We also separated our recommendations by type of toy for ease of searching.
Arts
Create Your Own Window Art Kit
Crayola Twistables Crayons Coloring Set
Playkidz Electronic Organ Music Keyboard
Crayola Baby Shark Mess Free Coloring Pages
Activities & DIY
National Geographic Mega Gemstone Dig Kit
PlaySavvy Pop Beads DIY Jewelry Making Kit
Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set
Made By Me Create Your Own Sand Art
Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center
Hatchanimals Mystery Character
Made By Me Create Your Own Bead Pets
Puzzles & Games
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game
Hasbro Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game
Summer Fun
Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Inflatable Pool Float
Ambercool Splash Pad and Sprinkler for Kids
WisToyz Bubble Machine Dog Bubble Blower
Lydaz Bubble Mower for Toddlers
Creative Cedar Designs Octagon Wooden Sandbox
Classics
Lincoln Logs Centennial Edition
Wishtime Magnetic Drawing Board
Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring
Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-pack
Find Discounts on Even More Toys with RebateKey
There’s no reason to pay full price on your next toy purchase. RebateKey has a whole page dedicated to Toys & Games for children of all ages. Browse through to find some of the best selling toys on Amazon with cash back rebates available through RebateKey. You can sign up for RebateKey for free today to start accessing these exclusive discounts.
