The Top 3 Toys We Recommend for Very Cool Aunts and Uncles
If you’ve got nieces, nephews, or niblings, you might not get to see them as often as you’d like — but when you do, you know you want to make a great impression. Everyone wants to be the cool aunt, uncle, or pibling — that hip relative that the kids just can’t wait to see and spend time with.
Obviously, devoting quality time to listen to and play with your siblings’ kids is the best way to form a lasting, positive relationship with them, but there’s also another direct line to their heart — a wildly fun, creative toy that they’ll play with every day (and think of you while they do it). Here are some of the best toys we’ve found for the coolest aunts and uncles to give as gifts.
The Most Versatile Toy They’ll Ever Own
Cubby writer Jenny Davis lives in a 650-square-foot apartment with her three kids. That means no basement and no dedicated play room, so she knows a thing or two about using minimal space to maximum effect, and she swears by this clever and versatile toy for unlocking her kids’ creativity. And the best part? When they’re done with their creations, the pieces can be stored neatly (and aesthetically) until next time!
While the toy is on the pricier side, Davis absolutely sold me on its value when she said, “These blocks don’t just build structures — they build confidence, resilience, and the tolerance to keep trying.” Who wouldn’t want a toy that helps kids hone these essential qualities?
Read: The Most Versatile Toy We’ve Ever Owned (I’d Buy It Again in a Heartbeat!)
The Video Game That Gets Kids Up and Moving
Video games often get a bad rap from adults who point to their ill effects on sleep and academic performance. But, while I agree that excessive time spent playing video games can keep kids from physical activity and social connection, I think the negative reputation isn’t always warranted.
Cubby writer Alicia Betz shares her pick for a relatively affordable video game console that gets kids up and moving (together!) as they play a variety of games that align with their interests, like Basketball Knockout or Connect 4 Bounce. This game system, Betz says, is so fun that she and her husband even enjoy playing it with their kids. “When family and friends come over, the console is often the center of the gathering, which makes hosting easier and helps kids get some of their energy out,” says Betz.
Read: The Video Game That Gets My Kids Up and Moving (so I Don’t Feel Bad About the Screen Time)
The Toy They’ll Play with Every Day (Inside and Outside!)
If you can only choose one toy to leave a lasting impression on your young relatives, make it an open-ended toy that they can enjoy in a myriad of ways. Open-ended play allows children to tap into their own creativity, problem-solving, and imagination. That’s why open-ended toys are so beloved by preschool teachers. Over at Cubby, writer Alicia Betz shares her pick for a no-wrong-way-to-play toy that suits a range of ages (potentially creating a moment or two of sibling harmony!) and can be used inside or outside in a ton of different ways, limited only by a child’s imagination.
Read: The Toy My Kids Play with Every Day (Inside and Outside!)