(Creativity for Kids $18) A new headband set that will be a sure-fire hit with the 6 & up crowd. The set comes with a satisfying number of headbands (five different colors), charms, letters and glitter. There are two glitter-filled headband opportunities here that will require some adult assistance to put in the funnel into the plastic sleeve. They included a wooden tool for getting the glitter down the tube. Once the glitter is in place -- the sleeve fits up and over the hea

(Creativity for Kids $23) We love Water Globes and Creativity for Kids makes sets that come with 2 which is a plus. This year's latest is Sweets - featuring an ice cream cone and a piece of cake. You'll also find that they included plastic clay tools, non-dry clay in five colors in addition to the premade figurines. Marked 6 & up -- but will need adult involvement. Last year's Mermaid set won our Platinum Award. Ages: Early School Years Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Awa

(Playmobil $69.99) Just in time for summer, this new Playmobil Ice Cream Truck & Surf Shop Set will be just right for building and pretend play. Set comes with a truck (we love the ice cream cone on top), a separate ice cream stand, surf board, three mini figures and ice cream cones (of course). For younger builders -- adult assistance will be required. Marked 4 -10. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2026 Shop this product on Amazon

(Connetix $75) If you're in the magnetic tiles zone, you'll want to check out this new 50-piece set that comes with three wheeled bases. One is longer than the other two - all three can be hooked together to create a very satisfying moving tiled vehicle. Our testers also loved that there was a variety of pieces in this set including 2 windows, open-frames, various triangles, rectangles and squares. These are pricey sets for sure, but will have lasting play value. There is a

(Super Smalls $36) The latest in the amazing glasses kit --that comes with a red set of heart-shaped sunglasses that you "bedazzle with jewels" -- it also comes with a pink case with small red handles that our tester loved to decorate. 3 & up. They also have pre-made Super Goggles ($32) that are already embellished. They come Heartfelt (pink hearts with pearls) or Lavender Haze (purple round shaped with gems). We wanted a pair! Still recommended: Mermaid Splash & Sparkle

(Learning Resources $35.99) Learning Resource's Gears! Gears! Gears! collection has been on our award list for years and remains one of the best STEM toys. This is the latest set that features the original plastic gear pieces with the added fun of flowers to layer up your creations. Comes with 5 bases, 35 gears as well as flowers, flower stems and bases for building vertically. The set comes with one handle which puts the whole gear set into motion (you can also use your h

(Super Smalls $39) A fun activity kit that comes with a small vinyl pink purse (with a bright yellow interior) and all the supplies for bedazzling the bag. There are over 100 "gem" stones in pink, red, blue and yellow that you attach with the easy to use glue that also comes in three colors. After attaching the gems, we let the bag sit overnight to give them time to really set. This would be a wonderful birthday gift for 5 & up crowd. Ages: Early School Oppenheim Toy Portfol

(Creativity for Kids $16.66) Here's a fun twist on the retro craft of Latch Hooking. The set comes with the materials to create five fuzzy patches. There's a panda, a rainbow, a heart, smiley face and a donut printed on the canvases, a hook latch, six bundles of acyrlic yarn, adhesive frames (to give your patch more sparkle), felt backing, felt stickers and instructions. Once you get the hang of latch hooking, the process is very satisfying. Marked 7 & up -- will need adult

( ooly $5.95-$16.95 and up) If you have a Girl Scout in your life, you're going to want to take a look at this new collab between Ooly and the girl scouts. Our testers LOVED the Cookie Scented Gel Pens ($5.95) that are inspired by our favorite cookies: "Peanut-Better Together" and "Mint to Lead" were two of our favorites. There are also Scented Markers in the collab. Schoolwork can be even more fun with the set of three Cookie Scented Erasers that are in the shape of the coo

( Connetix $99.99) If you have a magnetic tile builder in your family, you're going to want to take a look at this new ball maze from Connetix. It's a big set with 106 pieces and 8 wooden balls. The kit was a huge hit with our preschool testers -- but it does require adult participation for younger builders. The ramps need to be snapped into the tiles that have special round holes and grooves to receive them. Our builders also used their stash of tiles to build more robust