35 Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds Who Have Their Own Tastes and Styles

Testers loved everything about this precious putty, from the way it looked, to the silky smooth texture, to the way it pulled—even how it smelled! Adults who chaperoned our toy tests couldn’t help themselves from plunging their fingers in it, too. Ages 3+

This STEM toy for kids combines coding, robots, and creative arts in one product. Once you set it up—which is super easy!—Artie will draw the designs according to the code. The kit comes with the robot, activity cards, colored markers, an alignment tool (to keep the marker in place), and instructions. Ages 7+; four AA batteries required

For kids who love to whip up treats in the kitchen, this book comes with more than 100 simple recipes tailored for kids. They come with easy-to-follow instructions, plus tips and tricks they can take with them throughout their baking journey. Ages 7+

This book is a combo graphic novel and puzzle book, and there are 15 different hands-on puzzles for readers to solve and help the characters unlock a mystery. “The art is amazing and the world-building and dialogue is wonderful,” one parent tester said. “It’s fun, it’s educational, and the puzzles are so cool.” Ages 5 to 9

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They've seen RCs before, but never one like this: The truck can actually drive up the walls or on the ceiling! It also comes as a sporty race car. Ages 4+; two AAA batteries required

Fans of the Warriors series of books—soon to be a TV series—flipped for these 6-inch plush cats. It’s a blind-box experience, so they won’t know which one they’re getting. There are eight possible cats to collect in all. “I love them all—they are so soft,” said one 10-year-old tester. Ages 3+

What's really cool about this electronic bank is that they can create their own PIN to keep their siblings out of their allowance. Plus, it teaches them the value of saving. No age recommendation given; three AA batteries required

Take their love of the Overworld into the Real World with this set, which comes with a bracelet full of beads inspired by the Minecraft mobs. Some of the beads are actually rolls of small Minecraft-themed stickers that kids can use, trade, or collect, and the set comes with a sticker book that testers loved using to collect the stickers in. Ages 5+

It looks simple, but it’s deceptively difficult. Each puzzle challenges players to copy a design from the instruction book, then complete it using the remaining pieces. They'll have their brains thinking overtime as they try to work out the 3D and 2D shapes. Ages 7+

Kid testers loved zooming this across the floor, grossing out the adults. Kids can roll it up like a ball, and then have it burst from its round form to its slithery shape in an effect that had a big “wow” factor. Ages 4+; two AAA batteries required for the remote

STEM lovers and crafty kids will adore this previous Good Housekeeping Toy Award Winner. Our kid testers enjoyed mixing their ingredients like a science experiment and filling molds to create their own squishies. "They had so much fun both pouring to the line and mixing—with help—and they especially enjoyed that they could pick the color to make it their own,” one parent said. Ages 6+

Testers loved the way these designs looked vibrant in their rooms. It was easy to master: Just put in an image and trace it with the included markers—or draw freehand. “She played with it right away and got really into it,” one parent tester said of her 8-year-old daughter. “It was easy to set up, easy for her to trace the designs, and easy to clean up when she was done.” Ages 6+; three AA batteries required

The new LEGO SMART Play sets are so innovative, thanks to the SMART Brick that lights up and makes noises. The noises it makes, though, changes depending on what other pieces it’s next to. In this set, it can make sounds like an X-Wing zooming through the galaxy, or it can approximate a conversation between Luke an Leia (here in minifigure form). Ages 6+

When kids talk about collecting super-cute plushes, they’re talking about Jellycats. These super-soft plushes are all worthy of a kid’s collection, but there’s something extra cozy about the S’mores and its double-marshmallow. Ages 0+

This one will have the whole family up and playing together! The best part about it is that the sports can get incredibly silly, with events like 100-pin bowling or thumb wrestling. Or, for cozy gamers, there’s a mode where players can just explore the island. ESRB rating pending

They don’t have to be a Huntr/x fan to want to cuddle this sleeping tiger. It’s big, at 18 inches, which means it can basically act like a back pillow. Good Housekeeping Institute testers were impressed with how detailed it is, along with how soft it is. Ages 6+

Seven-year-olds are probably too young for a real escape room, but they can work out their minds on escape-room-like puzzles with this game, which is designed for puzzle-solvers as young as 5. If they like it, there are other ones to solve, including Riddles in Monsterville, The Great Bee-Scape, and Midnight Spooktacular. Ages 5+

Skincare is big business for kids, but this set adds a little learning to the beauty routine. It goes into all that's involved with making soap, from mixing the ingredients to molding the shape to adding fragrance. Then kids can make their own soaps in fun shapes like cats or stars, and embellish them with glitter, colors, and scents. It even comes with ideas for soap-based, at-home experiments kids can do while their soap hardens. Ages 6+

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