20 Products That Help Babies and Kids Learn, Play, and Grow

Think magnetic tile toy, but supersize. The Big Set by Superspace includes 24 magnetic modular panels in six shapes for open-ended indoor play. Children can build anything from cozy forts and rockets to castles and spaceships. It’s for ages 3+.

TEST RESULTS: Tech & Engineering Lab pros were excited to see this innovative play set, noting that the pieces easily connected at their magnetic corners but were otherwise soft fabric shapes. Testers pulled it out for playdates, on which it entertained kids for long stretches. “Lots of kids can play with it together,” one mom said. “At first my kids made things that fell apart. Then they learned to build a solid foundation. I watched their skills develop. Afterward, it was simple to put the tiles away.”

Toddler energy needs to go somewhere! Direct it toward this Tiny Land climbing set and rocking play pad. Kids ages 1 to 5 can climb, slide, and rock back and forth to their hearts’ content, building balance, coordination, and confidence. The pad cover is machine-washable.

TEST RESULTS: The DIY setup was well worth it for the end result: a durable wooden indoor playground. “I was pleasantly surprised by this!” a mom of two kids under 5 told us. “There are so many ways for kids to play on it. It feels sturdy even for my toddler, who is a big boy. It keeps him active and entertained for a very long time.”

A pioneer of play furniture, Nugget’s OG model consists of four foam pieces: a foldable base, a foldable cushion, and two triangle pillows. Together, the pieces can transform into forts, ramps, reading nooks, and more—whatever your child decides to make them. And yes, they can also just form a couch! Covers come in a range of colors and are machine-washable.

TEST RESULTS: We've been recommending this for years, and it wins over new fans each time we test it. “My daughter, who is 4, got creative, using her imagination to create an obstacle course,” a parent told us. “I liked the fact that it was so cozy and soft. It was so comfortable to lie on, even as an adult with my children. It’s a nice addition to our basement play area.”

Built for endless backyard adventures, this Backyard Discovery set features an upper clubhouse, a shaded area, two belt swings, a trapeze, monkey bars, and an eight-foot wave slide. As a result, it’s able to accommodate multiple children and multiple outlets for fun, from strength building to imaginative play. Made of cedar wood, it comes ready to assemble with step-by-step instructions.

TEST RESULTS: After reviewing several models, Tech & Engineering Lab pros highlighted this one for being a good value given all that’s included. Parent testers agreed. “We love the multiple options for the kiddos; swings, monkey bars, slide, and fort,” one mom said. “They are already playing on it until dark and love everything about it! It looks nice in the yard and seems very sturdy.”

A hybrid of an interactive audiobox and books, this system is for kids ages 2 to 6 who are learning to read. Kids use the Play Pen to tap anywhere in a Tappi book, and it plays stories, music, and games. The Starter Set comes with a rechargeable pen and three books: Animals, Let’s Play Music, and Wheels on the Bus.

TEST RESULTS: Parents loved the simplicity and how kids could play on their own. One said, “I like that this is a tech product without a screen that combines books with interactivity and play.” Another told us, “My kids could play with this by themselves. It holds their attention, and they seem to seek it consistently—it’s not a one-and-done toy.” Our analysts liked that the rechargeable pen had a good battery life.

Color has come to the Amazon Kindle! It brings new life to everything from picture books for preschoolers to graphic novels for middle schoolers. The e-reader comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ for access to thousands of books, a cover, and a two-year guarantee. Parents can manage content, monitor reading progress, and set device bedtimes through a parent dashboard, and there are no apps or games to create distraction.

TEST RESULTS: Parent testers unanimously gave it perfect ratings. “The color display brings book covers, comics, and illustrations to life, which helps keep my daughter interested and excited to read,” one dad said. “It also is lightweight and easy for her to carry around, so she can enjoy her favorite books anywhere. Overall, it gives her a reading experience that feels both entertaining and comfortable.”

Modern in both its design and its space-saving capabilities, this Babyletto set is a kid-size table with four chairs that nestle into it. Each chair features a built-in cubby for extra storage. Great for kids who love drawing and art projects, it also functions as an appealing homework space; it’s designed for early-elementary kids ages 5 through 8.

TEST RESULTS: Parents called it a “true game changer” in how it transformed their spaces. “I find we are spending more time playing in my daughter's room, drawing on the table and having tea parties,” one mom said. “I love that it's a circle, so that there are no pointy ends. The little stools are adorable and the ‘pockets’ are great hidden storage. Most important, it goes back together neatly.”

Combining high-quality wood construction with three roomy shelves and a drawer, this Crate & Kids bookcase is designed to grow with children. It stands nearly five feet tall and three feet wide and has foot-deep storage. The brand offers in-home furniture delivery and assembly, and it includes a tip-restraint kit for securing it to the wall (an absolute must-do for safety when there are kids involved!).

TEST RESULTS: Parents were impressed by its versatility and the space it offered for holding everything from books and toys to essentials. “I love how it looks great in the home, especially because it's more neutral than other baby- and kid-specific furniture,” one mom said. She added that delivery and in-home setup were quick and easy.

So much kid appeal: The woom balance bike looks like a real bike with an aluminum frame, tires, and a hand brake system for toddlers to master. Designed for kids ages 18 months to 3 1/2 years, it helps little ones practice balance and coordination. That way, their confidence and skills increase before they transition to a pedal bike.

TEST RESULTS: GH’s Tech & Engineering Lab pros liked how this arrived mostly prebuilt; all you need to do is install the handlebars. A tester praised it for her 19-month-old because “It looks and feels more like a bike.” Another parent said, “We have a wooden balance bike that is heavier and larger. This one was easier for our son to get started on. It’s also a good size for letting him zoom around.”

An ideal first pedal bike, this Biky Bikes option has 14-inch tires that are low to the ground, making it easy for kids ages 3 to 5 to get on and off. An aluminum frame and kid-specific ergonomics make it easy to pedal. To help kids stay in control, it has safety features including dual hand brakes, a steering limiter (so they can't veer too far off course), and a full chain guard.

TEST RESULTS: “This bike is easy for my daughter to pedal and has been an amazing transition bike,” one parent said. “Every time we have gone out with it, she has ridden farther on her own. She’s getting comfortable using the brakes and getting started solo.” GH lab pros praised the right-size design, the ease of assembly, and the 11-pound weight.

For kids and tweens ages 6 to 11 who are gaining independence and starting the next phase of their bike-riding adventures, the Priority Bicycles 20-inch-tire model is made for longer distances and varying terrain. It’s designed to be low-maintenance and durable, with puncture-resistant tires and a Gates belt drive that replaces a traditional greasy chain.

TEST RESULTS: Parents of kids across a range of ages gave it perfect scores for ease of getting on, pedaling, and turning. “The bike is very easy to ride and very comfortable for my 6-year-old,” one parent told us. Another said, “The bike feels solid and lightweight. I also liked the overall design, the aesthetic, and the color. It performs well, especially for an 8-year-old.”

Say goodbye to getting fingers pinched in clips thanks to this helmet’s unique magnetic clasp from woom. The brand used thousands of scans of children’s head shapes to design its helmet and prevent slipping and pressure points. All this adds add up to a convenient and comfy helmet for biking, scootering, and roller skating. It comes in five colors and three sizes for kids ages 1 to 5+.

TEST RESULTS: One parent described it as “premium and more thoughtfully made than other helmets” they had used and said, “My kids seem to want to keep it on longer, since it’s more comfortable.” Another told us, “My kids were demonstrating the closure to their friends to show them how cool it was.” Analysts found the clip easy to close and the helmet lightweight.

The ergonomic BabyBjörn seat gently bounces with a baby’s own kicks and movements rather than needing electronics to power it. It’s especially great for supervised play for an infant, but its usefulness extends to toddlerhood: You take off the harness once your tot is walking and they can still use it as their own little chair. It folds down for easy storage and convenience for travel.

TEST RESULTS: Tester praise remains high after years of our Tech & Engineering Lab’s evaluating and recommending it. “It’s helped us bond with our baby,” said a parent who said they used it with their infant every day. Another said, “I enjoy that it reclines low enough that I feel comfortable having my newborn inside and don’t feel like she will fall forward, being so small.”

More plush than other play mats, with simple shapes rather than characters, this new version of the Lalo play gym is lovely to look at from a parent perspective and soft for babies. Sensory sounds come from a bell and a squeaker; there are no lights or automated noises. Other toys include a rattle, a flip-up mirror, and several teethers.

TEST RESULTS: Analysts highlighted the nonskid backing and the thoughtful materials, including organic cotton fabric on top and silicone for the toys. It includes a book with extensive play ideas by age and stage. “I love that it’s not something my son will outgrow in a month. He can continue to develop different skills and explore new areas of the mat,” a tester said. “It folds up at the end of the night.”

There’s a trend of parents’ seeking toys that are baby-activated rather than battery-operated, and this new iteration of the classic Fisher-Price play mat exemplifies it. A unique swaying mobile spins around and bobs back and forth when a baby kicks the footpad. Other toys include a mirror, a rattle, and a teether.

TEST RESULTS: Parents who had other gyms at home said they preferred this one, citing the fact that it was kick-based and not overstimulating and would grow with their babies. “I like the cause-and-effect: Kick the base, the flower turns,” one said. Another told us, “I like the variety of built-in toys, giving my baby multiple ways to engage. He can reach, grab, or look up at toys without their needing constant adjustment. It keeps him interested and encourages movement and exploration.”

The movement of this Momcozy baby swing mimics a parent’s swaying. Choose from four motions, four speeds, and eight sounds and songs to find what your baby likes. The seat has two reclining positions for babies up to 20 pounds. In toddlerhood, it becomes a kid seat that holds up to 66 pounds.

TEST RESULTS: Our Tech & Engineering Lab experts found the footprint more compact than that of similar soothers. A tester praised the “idiot-proof” assembly. Another said they used it after feedings: “I could keep my baby slightly upright for a bit to help with hiccups and reflux. The motion was gentle and calming. I also loved that my 3-year-old could sit in it when the baby wasn’t using it, and it was sturdy enough to handle that.”

This grow-with-you baby toy from Melissa & Doug can be used flat for tummy time, flipped through like a book, or folded into a rolling cylinder for playtime. It has a variety of textures, pull-and-peel elements, and high-contrast designs featuring fruits and vegetables.

TEST RESULTS: Parent testers highlighted a mirrored panel and various fabric tags as baby favorites. One said, “My baby tried to scoot to the toy when I assembled it into a roller, ultimately helping her to start crawling!” Another told us, “It is a great toy for bringing on the go, since it is compact and fits easily in the diaper bag but expands and has a variety of different features and textures for a baby to explore.”

Track your baby’s development from birth to age 3 for free and receive personalized advice for helping them reach new fine and gross motor skill achievements, grow socially, communicate with you, and more. Pathways will suggest new activities to try each week.

TEST RESULTS: Analysts highlight the fact that the advice comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and while other apps primarily focus on logging feedings and diapers, this one also helps you decide what to do during the day to help your baby learn. A tester said, “I appreciated the push notifications about what activities I could apply. The videos included give great guidance, and the fact that they show real people with real babies helps me wrap my head around it.”

The low-profile silicone Pom lock sticks to secure cabinets, drawers, and appliances such as a fridges and dishwashers while looking more inconspicuous than traditional babyproofing gear. The material bends when adults open it but resists pulling by toddlers. It can be assembled without tools, and packs of two are available in five colors including white, black, and brown.

TEST RESULTS: Analysts said the straps stuck on quickly and held well. Directions were clear about how to remove them down the line with the help of heat from a hairdryer. “I think it’s easy for an adult with nimble hand dexterity to latch and unlatch,” a tester said. “But for a toddler, I think it would be nearly impossible. I think it does its job beautifully.”

Tax advantages are built into state 529 Savings Plans, which allow money for a child’s educational expenses to grow via investments that are never taxed as long as the money is used for tuition and approved expenses. Each plan is similar to a Health Savings Account (HSA), and you can have money reimbursed to you or sent straight to an educational institution.

TEST RESULTS: GH parenting editors highly recommend this program. One with college-age kids had a little bit of money put into two accounts, one for each kid, every month and was amazed by how it grew, especially with a little bonus money from grandparents at birthdays and holidays. She also appreciated the flexibility and how easy it was to navigate. “Every bit helps!” she said.