We Rigorously Tested These Award-Winning Toys — and They're All Under $25 at Walmart

Pre-loaded with 300 stickers, this stamper from Melissa & Doug is a mess-free way for kids to get creative. It comes with 24 activity pages, but you can use it on all kinds of art projects. "This kept my daughter entertained and was great for travel," praised one of our parent testers. Ages 3+

One of the hottest toys of 2024 is this fortune-telling Darth Vader, who lights up and answers all kinds of yes-or-no questions when you press on his helmet. But don't rush him — Vader will get sassy if you try to tap his head multiple times in a row. Ages 4+

Crayola's paint pendulum makes it easy to create modern works of art: All you have to do is load the pendulum with paint, let it swing over paper and watch as it unleashes graphic swirls of color. This kit comes with red, blue and yellow paint, but is compatible with all washable Crayola paint. Ages 7+

This pop-up ball pit is a blast for little kids and adults alike. It comes with 50 balls, which our testers say are soft enough to throw around. We appreciate how it folds down to the size of a grocery bag, so you can take it with you on-the-go or store it with ease. Ages 9 months+

You don't need a court (or athletic skills!) to play this pickleball-inspired board game, which uses remote-controlled paddles to hit the pickle back and forth onto your opponent's jar lids. This competitive game is even more fun to play with siblings, according to our testers. Ages 6+

Barbies never go out of style, and this pint-sized version of Barbie's DreamHouse is a steal at just $10. Complete with a tiny Barbie and her pet plus an elevator, slide, pool and a hanging chair, this playset is ideal for small spaces since it measures less than 6 inches high. Ages 4+

This fast-paced game puts a spin on hot potato as players shake the toy chicken to reveal their silly task and try to complete it as fast as possible before passing it on to the next player. “I like how many of the cards involve exercise-type things," said one of our testers. "It’s easy to understand; I did not need to re-explain rules.” Ages 4+

This kit makes at-home manicures so much easier (and cleaner!) with its nail polish stencils and stamp-on designs like holographic hearts, butterflies, smiley faces and more. Our testers loved how it allows kids to express their personal style, all while being a breeze to use. Ages 7+

While traditional Monopoly can drag on for hours, this speedier version is designed to take just 15 minutes — and according to our testers, kids want to keep playing over and over again. Monopoly GO! can be played IRL as a board game or online via an app, thanks to four included digital tokens. Ages 8+

This one's for the Disney fans! Featuring all your favorite characters like Mickey Mouse, Rapunzel, Stitch, Elsa and more, this strategy trading card game earned high praise from our testers for its engaging quests and stunning artwork. Ages 8+

Kanoodle's brain-teasing puzzle is a viral TikTok sensation for its timed challenges. It comes with a whopping 500 different puzzle variations for hours of entertainment. Best of all, it's compact and portable for problem-solving on the go. Ages 7+

Throw it back to the '90s with this retro DIY lava lamp kit. It comes with everything they need to design their own groovy lighting, plus a color-changing LED bulb. “Older kids loved choosing their favorite combinations of colorful mix, confetti sparkles and sticker decals for a one-of-a-kind creation," said a GH analyst. Ages 8+

In this creative board game, players help cavepeople gather food without being snatched up by the hungry Snack-O-Saurus Rex. Our testers' kids found this game hilarious, especially when the dinosaur gobbled up snacks with its magnetic tongue. Ages 5+

Squishy kinetic sand is such a great sensory toy, and this playset comes with tools like a stamper and crinkle cutter to create colorful sand sculptures and and creatures. The whole playset is enclosed in a briefcase, so your little one can carry it around. Ages 5+

Shake up family board game night with this fast-paced relay race. In between trying to roll the dice as fast as possible to get their team to the finish line, players are asked to do zany challenges like play air guitar or pretend to lift weights. It's an especially fun option for mixed age groups, according to our testers. Ages 6+

Launch paper airplanes, flying saucers and more with this educational STEM toy. Using a system of snap-on electric circuits, it encourages kids to experiment with the science of electricity and physics — no soldering iron required. Ages 6+

“My son was entertained with this, and I love that it helped develop his fine motor skills and shape recognition," said one of our testers about LeapFrog's hamburger-shaped stacking toy. As a bonus, five of the "ingredients" have built-in removable puzzle pieces for your little one to play with. Ages 12 months+

Another top-tested pick for Disney lovers, this guessing game features cards with all kinds of beloved characters. Players can ask up to 10 questions to try and figure out which character is on their opponents' card. One of our parent testers noted that it can be played almost immediately out of the box, adding, "This game is fun for all ages.” Ages 6+

How adorable is this woodland creature-themed stacking game? Not only does it look darling with its painted wooden animal pieces, but it helps improve kids' fine motor coordination and problem-solving skills as they try to keep the stack from falling over. Ages 4+

Ruby's Gem Quest makes practicing scissor skills exciting and interactive as kids use the Ruby scissor scooper tool to collect magical gems. It helps them learn how to hold and operate scissors, all while being an exciting game in its own right. Players take turns with the spinner board, and the first player to collect all five gem colors wins! Ages 3+