10 UNPLUGGED. 🚫🔌 Gifts For Kids That Are (Not Electronically) Engaging.

Like my other Top 10 posts, these are in no way ranked in any particular order, but I need to say that all of them have been a major source of sensory play, creativity, and engagement in this household! Below are ten items that my kiddos ages 4 - 11  years old have been gifted over the past year! There is a solid mix of  preschool and elementary school-aged toys and items!

Stickikubes: https://amzn.to/4rpLuBg

My kids love these teensy, tiny cubes! They are SUPER sticky! They do lose their stick after a few uses, but the package comes with a strainer and directions for easy cleaning. You literally just run them under water and VOILA– sticky again! My kids have used these to make creations and also to stick building items together (wooden blocks, legos, etc) and even just as a fidget! 

Marvel Magnetic Blocks: https://amzn.to/4b4dINg

Holy cow! These are a favorite here! We are big fans of magnetic play and experimenting here. These blocks are so fun, because there is such a variety of image you can build and create (roadways, vehicles, skyscraper blocks, characters). We started out with magnetic cubes that are a bit bigger and solid colors. We saved those and have added these to the collection along with Minecraft Magnetic Cubes and it makes for a ton of imaginative and fine motor play! 

Rainbow Bath Bombs & Bath Foam Soap:

Bath Bombs: https://amzn.to/4rYboxb

Bath Foam: https://amzn.to/4sDszEa

These are fun inside the tub and outside of the tub as well! What? Bath items used outside of the bath?! YES! 

Hear me out… this bath foam is AMAZING. Each bottle has a specific scent and color and they can be mixed together without fear of nasty chemicals or strong masculine scents. We have used them outside in our mud kitchen, or on a hot day in the sprinkler. In the tub, they are amazing, mainly because they are soap! Your kids can play and get clean at the same time! Add some cups and bowls in the tub and they can make all kinds of creations! When these bath bombs are added into the mix, they make such a fizzy reaction to water and such a smooth, light scent. We've also used these outside to make “experiments” on hot summer days! 

Magic Clay: https://amzn.to/4bdIVfC

Clay is something magical — they got the name right! We still bounce back and forth between playdough and clay here, but my bigger kids love making figurines, emojis, or characters from their favorite shows or games. Their items will dry and they can display and play with them later! We mostly use magic clay for long car rides, down-time on vacation, and for rainy weekends. 

Fidget Sensory Sticks: https://amzn.to/47FBQU3

Simplest little fidgets ever! My kids love the textured coating and the ability to bed and and twist them any which way! We’ve used these countless times in the car, waiting rooms, or at home just for some simple entertaining fun!

Magmen: https://amzn.to/4lGdeRb

How can these little people be so engaging?! My boys LOVE Magmen. They’ve been a huge hit since they were gifted them 4 years ago. Most recently we added them to tiny baking trays and other magnetic assortments and have used them in waiting rooms, car rides, restaurants, and of course HOME! They’re rubbery and small and just perfect for stirring up imagination, creativity and wonder! 

ABC Cookies and Playfoam: https://amzn.to/4uuwaX1

My littles have been obsessed with this kit from day one! If you have a kiddo who likes kinetic sand, playdough, pretend play baking or the alphabet, this is for you! Endless hours of fun for sensory seekers, plus alphabet learning with small visuals on each stamper. What we love about this kit, is mostly the fact that it’s a small amount of kinetic sand and nothing fancy or chaotic!

Science Experiment Eggs Kit: https://amzn.to/4baQUdr

We are all explorers and scientists in this family! Sometimes, though, mama isn’t in the mood for a huge experiment or mess! These bite-size experiments are PERFECT for crushing boredom while keeping the mess and materials minimal! These are definitely more for the 5+ aged crowd! We’ve explored them outdoors and inside, all seasons and year round fun! 

Geoboard: https://amzn.to/3NwVYAW

Gosh so simple, but oh so much fun. Geoboards are amazing ways to get your kiddos using their fine motor skills and flexing their imagination and creativity. My kids do NOT like to follow the direction cards most of the time, but they come up with some amazing and silly designs. Sometimes they love a verbal challenge like “Make me a rocket with two red, 3 yellow and 1 green band!” If your child likes simple challenges and fine motor fun, this might be for you!