The Toy Insider, the toy industry’s most influential organization and a trusted go-to source for parents and gift-givers, launched its 2025 Spring & Summer Gift Guide, making it easy for families to gear up for a fun-filled and stress-free summer. With more than 250 toys from more than 110 trusted, vetted toymakers, the guide is packed with options for every kind of play: outdoor and active gear sure to get kids off screens; educational playthings that make learning fun; travel must-haves that keep boredom at bay; games and activities that fuel competition and creativity; and water toys that guarantee wet and wild fun.
In the face of tariff concerns and rising toy prices, shoppers are looking for affordable toys that won’t break their budget. This year’s guide was curated to help consumers navigate recent economic uncertainty, offering toys that deliver all kinds of fun on a budget: more than 85% of toys chosen cost less than $50, and more than 175 products are less than $25.
Toy Insider Picks
OUTDOOR: Little Tikes Bluey Grannies Car Coupe (MGA Entertainment); Minecraft 18-inch Bike (Dynacraft)
TRAVEL: Lite-Brite Touch Mini (Basic Fun!); Fairy GardenBumz (Jazwares)
PHYSICAL & ACTIVE: Hasbro Skip It (Just Play); Friends Forever Jump Rope (Kess Co.)
WATER: T-01 & T-02 Water E-Blasters (WeCool Toys); Ultimate 3-in-1 Water, Art & Sand Play Bin (Buffalo Games)
EDUCATIONAL: 3Doodler Chef 3D Candy Pen Set (3Doodler); MAGNA-TILES Rail Racers 33-Piece Set (MAGNA-TILES)
ENTERTAINMENT: Disney ily 4EVER and Pixar Tote-ily Teenies Series 1 (JAKKS Pacific); UFC Punching Bag Capsule (PMI)
GAMES: Hungry Hungry Hippos Giant Edition (Spin Master); Critter Kitchen (Goliath)
ARTS, CRAFTS, & ACTIVITIES: Gui Gui (Moose Toys); Decora Ponyz (Cepia)
“Between making sure every dollar counts and ensuring kids have the fun they deserve, toy shopping today can feel like a tricky balancing act,” says Ali Mierzejewski, Editor-in-Chief at The Toy Insider. “That’s why we’re taking the guesswork out of it with our most affordable Spring & Summer Gift Guide yet, filled with expert-approved picks that spark creativity, adventure and joy for kids of all ages. From backyard-ready gear to trendy slime and compounds, giving kids the best summer ever – without breaking the bank – is well within reach.”
