Mel here! I love nothing more than toys that get my kids moving. We live in Utah which means the winters can be LONG and it always makes me feel better to know my kids are staying active all winter long with toys that really engage. These toys are also so great for sensory regulation and I love that so many of them are perfect for open ended play.
1. Jungle Jumparoo: We have had the Jungle Jumparoo since the early days of Toy Testing Sisters, and it continues to sit at the top of the toy charts in our family. When friends come over, my girls bring all their friends to the Jumparoo immediately and they never want to get off! They have as much fun as they do on the trampoline, and I have the peace of mind knowing they are safe.
2. Stapelstein Elements: The Stapelstein Elements, at first glance, are colorful and sturdy stepping stones. But they are so much more than that. My 4 year old uses them to create obstacles or forts for her dolls, bowls to hold her treasures, and even furniture to sit on! They are beautiful to look at, durable to play with, and easy to clean up!
3. Climbing Dome: I’ve said it before and I will say it again: kids love to climb! I know that my climbing dome is made of the highest materials, so it’ll last generations! It is colorful without being overwhelming. At night my girls like to turn it into a fort and watch movies. Plus the assembly is a breeze and can be taken down and stored when we need a little more floor space.
4. Doorway Swing: Swings can sometimes be a pain to set up, but this one is so quick and easy- which is saying a lot because it comes with three different attachments! My 6 year old is on a big gymnastics kick right now so she loves the gym ring bar attachment, but my 4 year old favors the swing! It is too easy to go back and forth between the two.
5. 8 in 1 Indoor Jungle Gym: The Chestnut 8-in-1 indoor jungle gym solved my problem of going to the park in the winter- it brings the playground to you! Kids get maximum play out of this set, with 8 different pieces of equipment all in one space. It is foldable so you can conveniently pack it away when space is limited! I tell my friends that if they want a toy that can do it all, this is it!
6. Indoor Climbing Wall: Getting this climbing wall was one of the best decisions I made to encourage my kids to build both strength and confidence. Watching their little minds work to figure out how to get from point A to point B is transfixing and it is so satisfying for us all when they get it. They are so proud of themselves and can’t wait to change the holds to try other configurations! Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save 5% at checkout.
7. Rocking Dome: I am a sucker for any toy that can be used in a variety of ways. The rocking dome can be a disk for kids to rock and spin around in, or it can be flipped over to be jumped and climbed on! My girls imagine the different sensory patterns etched into the dome as features in their dolls’ adventures.
8. 9 in 1 Swedish Wall Gym: Some kids are built to climb, and if that is the case for yours, then the Walnut 9-in-1 wall gym is the option for you! It is perfect for engaging the brain while promoting strength activities and bringing kids to new heights. I love how many options they have for play for our little monkeys.
9. Stretchy Sensory Swing: Swings are fun in general, but what makes this swing special is the sensory-deprivation effect it provides. My kids can snuggle up in the soft fabric and forget the world for a time as they subtly swing. I’m not going to lie, I’ve hidden in there a few times myself when I needed some peace and quiet.
10. Wobble Board: It is such a good practice to get your kiddos working on all kinds of balancing techniques at an early age! The wobble board provides a unique balancing challenge in its design, but it can be used for so much more! My 4 year old likes to flip it over to be a bridge for her dolls or a slide for our 1 year old. I’ve even practiced yoga on it, which adds a whole new level of difficulty.
11. The Original Nugget Play Couch: The Nugget going viral is no mystery to anyone who has it. Kids love having a couch their size, that they can easily manipulate in any way their imagination carries them! My girls’ favorite way to use the Nugget is building forts, but padding for their gymnastic routines comes as a close second!
12. The Nugget Chunk: The Nugget Chunk, like all Nugget products, is versatile, sleek and comfortable for my little ones. My 6 year old has gotten more into reading and prefers to build it into a lounger, but my 4 year old likes to use it as a table top for all her dolls to play on! I personally think it is the best footrest.
13. Bounce House Large: Smol did it again with the Tumble bounce house. It is the largest bounce house they offer, making it the perfect space for large parties! The tall walls make the parents happy, and the large slides make the kids happy. It is so easy to clean and keep stored away for whenever I am hosting a bunch of kiddos. Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save at checkout.
14. Stairslide 6 pack: I will preach the stairslide from the top of any roof on any day. If you have stairs in your home, you need the stairslide. It is the easiest toy to assemble, and they have so many set size options to perfectly configure the slide to your stairs. Kids of all ages enjoy it, making it a forever-toy.
15. Trapeze Swing: I have had this swing hanging from my play room ceiling for years, and its durability cannot be overstated. It can hold anyone in our family, and my 6 year old doesn’t go a day without doing at least one flip on it!
16. Foam Ball Pit: Ball pits are a universally-adored toy, but not every day do kids get to play in one! Until you could put one in your home, that is. I no longer have to worry about losing my littles in those massive, dirty public ball pits now that I have one in my own playroom. The balls are made with the earth in mind, being bio-degradable and 100% recyclable!
17. XL Climbing Triangle: This climbing set is so fun because of the various color options, its ease of setting up and taking down, and its versatility. My 4 year old’s favorite thing to do with the Little Climber XL is sending her little brother down the slide into our foam ball pit!
18. Sensory Swivel Chair: I finally reached the age where I can no longer spin my kids around without making myself sick, but my kids love to spin! I am so happy to have a toy that not only allows them to spin, but spin and twist in a way that helps train their vestibular function. Who knew that could be trained? The slight tilt on the chair adds so much to the experience that I did not expect.
19. Wooden Balance Beam: My little dancers were so excited to “graduate” from a beginner balance beam to one that felt a little more advanced. The Lily & River Little Gymnast balance beam gives kids the impression that they are higher off the ground, but keeps peace of mind for parents. The wooden beam better resembles real gymnast beams, making my girls feel like little gymnasts themselves.
20. Outdoor/Indoor Plastic Climbing Dome: Your backyard just got so much more fun. The Eezy Peezy climbing tower is perfect for climbing, but the top of the dome is its shining feature. A box made of monkey bars sits at the top, where my oldest spends the majority of the time, practicing flips and swinging from bar to bar!
21. Wooden Sit N Spin: If your kiddos enjoy any teacup or spinning ride at the parks, like mine do (to my dismay), this is the toy for them and you. Small and compact, the Sit n Spin provides the most dizzying fun a child can ask for. It is of the upmost importance for kids to get the most out of spinning while they can!
22. XL Pikler Triangle/Slide: If I was in the market for a toy that multiple littles could enjoy at once without breaking the bank or taking too much room, this one would be top of my list. The Honey Joy Triangle Climber is endless entertainment for kids, but it also encourages social interaction, which is huge for their social development.
23. Amazon Bounce House: Believe me, the viral bounce house is worth the hype. It is large enough for both my girls and I to comfortably play inside, while being small enough to fit in my living room! It is incredibly quick to inflate and deflate, and I have no problem packing it up- it is shockingly compact!
24. Pod Swing: I was so excited when I found out I could get a pod-style swing to put anywhere with swing hooks for our family to enjoy. The cotton-canvas material is comfortable, and there are so many cute colors to choose from! When I can’t find my 4 year old, I know where she is.. Slumbering or spinning in her pod swing!
25. Liquid Floor Tiles: I cannot accurately explain how satisfying these tiles are to play with. They are firm but have just enough give that you can move around the liquid inside. The feeling is addictive and my girls will run around on them forever. They like to pretend the floor is lava with them, or use the tiles as a playmat for whatever world they are building that day.
26. Connecting Balance Beams: Get your kiddos practicing their balance as soon as they can walk! These beams are so close to the floor so I don’t worry about injuries. They can also be configured in endless ways, maximizing creativity while challenging the body. Each platform is uniquely sensory to the feet, which my girls love.
27. Stepping Stones: The rainbow stepping stones are bright and colorful stepping blocks for kids to create their own pretty path or obstacle course! The price point is just right for the value they provide, and the colorful stones are fun to take on outdoor adventures without fear of the elements ruining them. My girls like to use the stones as a path from toy to toy in our backyard. Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS saves 10% at checkout.
28. Teeter Popper: What makes this balancing board unique is the suction cups along the bottom that make “pop!” noises whenever it moves. My 4 year old can’t get enough of simply rocking back and forth, enjoying the popping sounds while she watches a show or listens to music!
29. Starfish Balance: Combine a love for the ocean and balancing and what do you get? The Sea Life Starfish balance board is one of the cutest balancing toys I’ve seen, and can be played with in a variety of ways. My 4 year old likes to practice her balance on it while playing with other toys, and uses it as a backdrop for a lot of her pretend play scenes. She even named it and has it play a role sometimes!
30. Rainbow Chair: Moes knows how to do open-ended toys. The rainbow chair is so soft and light, making it easy to take apart and manipulate in all kinds of ways. My 6 year old will take her rainbow chair over a regular chair any day, and my 4 year old will steal it right from under her to make a velvety path to walk on!
31. Bounce House Obstacle Course: Renting bounce houses is in the past ever since Smol designed their genius bounce house. The obstacle course keeps my high-energy girls busy for hours while I need to get work done, and it easily fits in my backyard. I love setting it up for parties, especially since it only takes a few minutes! It has it all, making it the best party toy out there. Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS saves at checkout.
32. Balance Board: I was stoked to find out that I could buy the Stapelstein Board separately to gift to all my kid’s friends! I trust this brand with my whole heart and this balancing board is greate for beginners. It’s light, sturdy, and easy to tuck away! The color options are endless, but my personal favorite is super confetti.
33. Swedish Wall Ladder: A more condensed version of the wall gym, the Betula wall ladder is the perfect compact, indoor climbing gym. With four different features, my 6 year old never fears getting bored. The ladder is challenging to the muscles and brain so she’s always working hard! Nestled against the wall, I don’t have to worry about it taking up common space.
34. Bilibo: The Bilibo is way more versatile than you’d think at first glance. I bought this toy thinking my girls would love to spin and crash in it, but turns out it can be used for all kinds of things! I’ve seen them incorporate it as a hat during dress-up, a bucket for digging up treasure, a seat, and even a bowl to eat out of.
35. Leo Mat Play Couch: The LeoMat play couch stands out with its large dimensions, patterned cover options, and a trifold technology unique to the brand. We get more play with more cushions, and the bigger dimensions are fun for my bigger girls who like to use the LeoMat as a bed for movie nights with the family! Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS saves 10% at checkout.
36. Baby Turtles: There isn’t much in the world cuter than turtles, so Moes knew exactly what they were doing when they made their foam turtles. These adorable stepping stones can be added to your stepping stone collection, used for a sensory balancing experience, or imaginary play. My 4 year old thought they were the cutest things when we opened them, and now turtles are her favorite animals. They can be played with in or out of the water, and are washable and recyclable.
37. Stepping Stone Balance Boards: If you have invested in stepping stones for your kids you HAVE to get this fun addition. Basically it turns your stepping stones into balance ramps or boards. They also have a cook top variation that will replace any traditional kitchen. We think open ended play is the absolute best, and using these boards will just extend the reach of your stepping stones.
38. Outdoor Large Trampoline: I found the perfect outdoor trampoline, the JumpFlex Trampoline Hero! Its tall safety net maximizes my peace of mind, knowing so many whose bones have fallen victim to trampoline injuries! It is big enough for multiple kids to enjoy and I love that it includes a ladder so I don’t always have to help my kids up.
39. Foamman: This 4-foot tall foam man is the perfect punching back for kids in martial arts, sports, or who just need to let out some energy! There are 11 colors to choose from, and it is meant to last. The foam and covers are durable, and are so easy to clean. I recommend this toy to anyone who has a really active child and it is always such a game-changer!
40. Stapelstein Grow: Staplestein just got bigger and better! The Grow Elements are twice the size of the original. I was actually shocked when I unboxed them! They are meant for the whole family to enjoy, inside or out! Our inaugural activity was using them for the floor is lava in our backyard, and it was a blast! We brought out the originals and the minis, and made the most colorful obstacle course I’ve ever seen. Ideas are endless with this staple toy, but some favorite ways my kids use them are drums, seat spinners, and stepping stones.
41. Toddler Mini Trampoline: Personal trampolines are a must, especially when a large trampoline isn’t feasible or safety is a concern. The Foldable Mini Trampoline is the perfect size for all kids to enjoy, and so easy to fold up and put away, making it the perfect trampoline for a small space. My 6 year old loves using the bar to get her feet as high as possible while staying safe!