If you’re familiar with New York Magazine’s Approval Matrix, you might recognize the concept here — except this matrix is dedicated entirely to toys. Matrices, we should say; we’ve created them for ages 1 through 10. There’s the “Educational” quadrant: the musical blocks that will introduce the rudiments of melody; the Barbie-like doll that teaches you to code. And the “Brain Candy side” with stuff that’s silly and noisy and beloved simply because it’s fun rather than focused on any sort of developmental benefit. (Although, of course, the dividing line can sometimes be a bit arbitrary, as the toddler kitchen we’re calling “Candy” might well nurture collaborative play.) You also have the “Reasonably Priced” options and the “Splurgy,” which are separated by price tags under and over the $50 mark.
Each toy in every corner comes highly recommended. We spent months gathering insight from dozens of experts (about 40) in different age groups, including psychologists, discerning (and sometimes famous) parents, nannies, teachers, and a Mensa member. We also surfaced the absolute best toys we’ve encountered in our own personal experiences as product obsessives (and people with kids in our lives), diving deep into Amazon reviews for cross-reference along the way. Then we broke down our picks by category: Educational–Reasonably Priced, Educational-Splurgy, Brain Candy–Reasonably Priced, Brain Candy–Splurgy.
The Strategist’s gifts coverage doesn’t stop at fifth grade, of course. We’ve also got lists for teen boys and tween and teen girls and just about every other age. You can start making your way through 1 to 10 below.
For 1-Year-Olds
Rainbow nesting blocks, Dyson for kids, baby shark. Read more here.
For 2-Year-Olds
A shape sorter, a Radio Flyer, a mini–lawn mower. Read more here.
For 3-Year-Olds
Musical blocks, bouncy horse, modern dollhouse. Read more here.
For 4-Year-Olds
A talking microscope, a ride-on recycling truck, an adorable interactive stuffy. Read more here.
For 5-Year-Olds
A coding kit, camera, a colossal Hot Wheels set. Read more here.
For 6-Year-Olds
Crayon chemistry lab, night-vision goggles, Invasion of the Cow Snatchers. Read more here.
For 7-Year-Olds
A fantastically dressed coding doll, a booty-shaking llama, straight-up Post-its. Read more here.
For 8-Year-Olds
A logic-based laser maze, a waterproof monster truck, classic chess. Read more here.
For 9-Year-Olds
A smart ukulele, a slime factory, a beautiful board game. Read more here.
For 10-Year-Olds
A solar-powered build-a-robot, an alternative to the Rubik’s Cube, a Nerf Blaster. Read more here.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
