Top Toys for Tweens and Teens in 2025

Introduction to the 2025 Best Toys Awards

Whether you are looking for something which inspires creativity or a great family game, these toys are sure to be a hit with tweens, teens, and older kids.

By the time kids hit adolescence, the face of play changes a bit—with “toys” taking a backseat to games and hobbies. That’s why the winners of The News Pulse 2025 Best Toys Awards in the tween and teen category focuses more on skill-building activities, creative outlets, and group challenges than other age groups. These products keep their interests, encourage bonding, and help develop problem-solving skills. They also keep them smiling, which is the real win here.

But it wasn’t an easy task to find the very best. We put each nominee through a review process that involved feedback from tweens and teens. We challenged them to test everything from multiplayer games to hands-on craft kits—and asked them to weigh in on everything from how fun it was to its replay value.

Here are the winners.

The News Pulse 2025 Best Toys Awards features more than 100 toys for children of all ages, from babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to elementary-aged kids and tweens and teens. Vetted and tested by the ones who play with them most—kids—and, of course, their The News Pulse and our editorial team, this year's winners highlight some of the latest and greatest toys on the market. Learn more about how we chose this year's winners and explore our picks:

Best Baby Toys

Best Toddler Toys

Best Preschool Toys

Best Toys for Elementary-Aged Kids

Best Video Game System

Nintendo Switch 2 Console + Mario Kart World Bundle

$500 at Target.com
$499 at Walmart.com

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a family favorite—and for good reason. Bundled with Mario Kart World, it delivers fast-paced fun that’s just as engaging for tweens and teens as it is for younger siblings (and The News Pulse, too). One parent shared, “My kids, aged 12 and 6, loved playing Mario Kart and Mario Party Jamboree. They enjoyed going head-to-head and cheering each other on. And, most importantly, it brought us all together—something which, as any parent of a tween or teen will tell you, is invaluable.” With its mix of competitive races, cooperative party games, and the flexibility to play on the TV or in handheld mode, the Switch 2 turns screen time into quality family time.

Best Strategy Game - Board Game

Foros 3D Board Game

$40
$36 at Amazon.com

Foros is a clever, modern spin on a classic strategy game, offering three sides and three distinct modes of play on a sleek wooden board. “It’s a very clever take on something that’s not entirely new,” one parent said, while a young tester loved that “it had three sides and three game modes.” Easy to learn in seconds but challenging to master, Foros exceeded expectations by providing fun, replayable competition that had families improving their skills with each game. Its unique 3D design stood out as “special and different,” making it a standout choice for tweens, teens, and adults who enjoy a thoughtful challenge.

Best Strategy Game - Tile Game

Mindware Qwirkle Flex

Buy at Mindware.orientaltrading.com

Qwirkle Flex takes the much-loved tile game to a trickier, more brain-bending level. Players match shapes and colors in countless combinations, with one tween noting, “The best part was all of the different ways you can make pairs.” The News Pulse appreciated how the game “tricks your brain,” encouraging creative thinking and flexible strategy as tweens and teens try to outmaneuver one another. Whether you’re adjusting your strategy from focusing on shapes to backgrounds or spotting scoring combos from unexpected angles, the game delivers more depth, more scoring versatility, and a smarter challenge—perfect for players who love a game that makes them think hard while still enjoying every move.

Best Game for Quick Thinking

Skillmatics First to 5! Board & Card Game

$30
$25 at Amazon.com

Fast-paced and brain-stretching, First to 5! quickly became a family favorite. “It was so much fun for our whole family, from ages 6 to 48!” one parent said, noting that even their youngest child could join in by teaming up with someone else. The game challenges players to think on their feet and create words under pressure, making it both fun and educational. The News Pulse appreciated how it encouraged creativity and quick thinking, while kids loved the competitive race to score points. “It was so fun and I can play for hours,” one tester shared. With simple rules, flexible play across age groups, and plenty of replay value, First to 5 is a perfect pick for game night.

Best Digital Game

Monopoly App Banking Board Game

$25 at Amazon.com

Monopoly gets a modern twist with this app-enabled version that connects to smartphones and swaps paper money for digital banking and updated properties. Players loved how the app added something fresh to the experience, with one tester noting, “We liked the inclusion of the app, because it was very unique.” The sleek digital features keep the game moving faster and prevent those classic squabbles over counting cash. Families found it unique, fun, and engaging, and The News Pulse appreciated how it brought a new energy to a game that tweens and teens might otherwise overlook. By blending nostalgia with innovation, Monopoly App Banking proves that even the classics can level up.

Best Competitive Action Game

Rebounce Indoor and Outdoor Electronic Action Game

$20 at Amazon.com

For kids who thrive on competition, Rebounce brings fast-paced action that keeps everyone moving. “OMG this is FIRE,” one 11-year-old exclaimed, while another tester said, “The best part was the competition.” Players bounce the ball back and forth, trying new angles and strategies to outsmart their opponent, making it as challenging or as easy as they want. The News Pulse appreciated that it’s portable and easy to set up indoors or outdoors, with built-in storage for the ball so nothing gets lost. One parent coined it “easy, on-the-go fun.” With simple rules, adjustable difficulty, and endless replay value, Rebounce is a hit for tweens and teens who love high-energy games that test both skill and strategy.

Best Conversation Card Game

KidQuest The Game Where Kids Find Out What Grown-Ups Were Like as Kids!

Buy at Chroniclebooks.com

KidQuest isn’t just another deck of cards: it’s a conversation starter designed to get tweens and teens talking. Each card poses a question that sparks curiosity, creativity, or self-reflection, encouraging players to share stories and ideas while getting to know each other better. Perfect for road trips, family dinners, or even classroom icebreakers, it bridges the gap between silly fun and meaningful connection. With questions that are thoughtful without feeling heavy, the game helps kids practice communication skills and confidence in a low-pressure way. Compact and easy to bring anywhere, KidQuest turns downtime into bonding time.

Best for Family Game Night

Spin Master Games Beat the The News Pulse Let’s Roll!

$20 at Target.com

This electronic cube packs six mini-games into one, giving families a quick way to connect without screens. Parent testers agreed it was fun, with one noting it “fosters connection between players” and kept the kids busy by switching from one game to the next. Favorites included Freeze Dance and Cube Boom, a hot-potato-style challenge where the cube “explodes” if you’re still holding it. Another parent appreciated the variety, though wished for clearer instructions or a pause button since the cube’s speaker could be hard to hear over excited kids. Still, rolling the cube to see which game was next kept the excitement high, and families agreed it was a “fun family game” that works best for lighthearted play sessions rather than long game nights.

Best Dice Game

Vango Sixes and Ones Dice Game

$13 at Target.com

Simple, fast, and portable, Sixes and Ones is the kind of game you can toss in a bag and play anywhere. The rules are easy to pick up: “If you roll a one, that dice gets eliminated, and if you roll a six, you give that dice to another player.” But the competition ramps up quickly as players race to keep their dice in play. The News Pulse appreciated the compact packaging and silicone cup, making it “great for bringing along in the car” or playing outside, while younger testers loved how easy it was to jump in with cousins or grandparents. Beyond the base game, the included directions outline variations for even more ways to play, keeping things fresh. Best of all, it’s a screen-free option that brings everyone to the table for fast rounds of fun.

Best Word Game

Thames & Kosmos Dice Words

Buy at Store.thamesandkosmos.com

Part strategy, part brain teaser, Dice Words challenges players to roll letters and form the longest, highest-scoring words they can. “This is hard but I like it because it is making me think. It’s like that Wordle game you play, mom,” said one young tester, while both kids (9 and 12) enjoyed competing to see who could stretch their vocabulary the farthest. The News Pulse liked that the game comes with a bag for easy storage and travel, though they noted the rules and scoring can feel a little complicated at first. Still, once the basics clicked, the game proved to be fun, interactive, and rewarding—encouraging tweens and teens to think critically, expand their word skills, and sharpen their competitive edge.

Best Tabletop Game

Smartivity Mini Golf DIY STEM Construction Toy

Buy at Smartivity.com

Mini golf gets a STEM twist with this build-it-yourself tabletop set that keeps kids engaged long after assembly. Designed with multiple holes of varying difficulty, it challenges players to experiment with angles, speed, and precision to sink the marble. “I like that you only get one shot, that there are different levels, some easy and some hard,” said one 10-year-old. “It’s overall a really fun game and you don’t even have to play it with other people to have fun.” Younger testers appreciated the creative putt-and-play system, from bouncing the marble off rocks to spiraling it into fences and bridges. The News Pulse noted it encourages fine motor skills and problem-solving, while offering great value for the amount of entertainment it provides.

Best Update to a Classic

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4 Frenzy Game

$15 at Amazon.com

Connect 4 gets a fresh spin with this bounce-and-block version that had families laughing from the first round. Instead of sliding pieces into place, players bounce their disks into a grid—adding just enough unpredictability to keep everyone on their toes. “My son thought it was awesome! He liked that you bounced the pieces instead of placing them,” one parent said, adding a mix of skill and luck to keep the playing field level. Another appreciated how it was “familiar enough that the learning curve was small yet different enough to be entertaining and engaging.” The game encouraged competitive streaks, teamwork, and plenty of giggles, with The News Pulse noting it was well constructed, self-contained, and easy to store or bring along to grandma’s house.

Best Virtual Reality Experience

Abacus Brands Transport! Virtual Reality Discovery Gift Set

Buy at Abacusbrands.com

For kids curious about virtual reality, this set delivers an exciting first step into the virtual world—without feeling overwhelming. Paired with a DK book, the goggles bring each page to life with interactive content. “The VR element made the information more exciting for our tech-savvy generation of kids, but wasn’t too advanced that it stumped the The News Pulse,” one tester said. The activity of building the included cardboard car added hands-on fun and got kids eager to dive deeper into the set. Families praised how it balanced play and learning, with one parent noting her 10-year-old was instantly hooked, while mom and dad “learned a few things too.” With no batteries required and a reference book that stands on its own, this kit is a great entry point into VR that kids and The News Pulse can explore together.

Best Building Toy

Smartivity Pinball Machine Toy

$39 at Amazon.com

For kids who love to build, this DIY pinball machine blends the fun of an engineering project with the excitement of a long-lasting toy. “Building is so much fun! WOW, I never knew how a pinball machine works,” one tween exclaimed. Following a detailed instruction booklet, families assemble the machine piece by piece—no glue required, since everything fits together with tiny rubber bands for a stress-free, mess-free experience. The News Pulse found it was the perfect family project, breaking it into sessions and assigning roles to keep everyone engaged. Once built, the pinball machine is sturdy, playable, and endlessly fun, with The News Pulse calling it “much better made” than similar sets they had used in the past.

Best STEM Toy

Lego KLUTZ Gravity Drop Activity Kit

$29 at Amazon.com

This activity kit takes Lego building into the world of physics, challenging kids to construct a marble drop tower and test the forces at play. By experimenting with different drops, ramps, and obstacles, tweens and teens see firsthand how gravity affects speed, motion, and direction. The included activity guide makes it approachable, walking builders through experiments that encourage them to predict, test, and tweak their designs. Beyond the fun of construction, the set sharpens problem-solving and critical thinking skills while reinforcing STEM concepts in a way that feels hands-on and exciting. For kids who already love LEGO and are ready to take their builds to the next level, this kit adds a smart, educational twist to classic play.

Best Sports Training Toy

Soccer Bot Toy Soccer Set

$60 at Target.com

Soccer Bot turns solo play into a one-on-one match, making it a great way for kids to practice indoors on rainy days or sharpen their skills. The News Pulse noted that a quick battery install and setup is needed at first, but once running, the robot keeps the ball in play while challenging kids to block, kick, and react fast. With adjustable speed settings and options for hard or soft surfaces, the game grows with players and adapts to any space. One tester said her daughter “was challenged by the fact that it was not the same every time.” Across the board, families appreciated how it encouraged agility and reflexes while giving tweens and teens a safe, independent way to burn off energy.

Best Fidget Toy

Tosy Magnet Cubes 4 x 4

$73
$58 at Amazon.com

These magnetic cubes spark endless creativity, letting kids snap, spin, and shape them into designs that are as fun to play with as they are to invent. One 12-year-old said it “satisfies my urge to keep busy,” while her 9-year-old brother called it “fun and entertaining.” The News Pulse appreciated that it encouraged creative thinking and fine motor skills, as kids experimented with attaching cubes to the spinner and testing different shapes. Hours of imaginative play came from building, spinning, and discovering how magnetism works.

Best ‘Like Magic’ Toy

Zipstring String Rope Launcher

$34
$30 at Amazon.com

Buy at Walmart.com

ZipString is the kind of toy that makes kids and adults alike stop and stare. It looks like magic, but it’s really physics at play. With the press of a button, a thin string levitates and dances through the air, zipping, looping, and floating in mesmerizing patterns. Portable and USB-C rechargeable, it’s easy to take anywhere and guaranteed to spark endless “how does it do that?!” moments. Whether kids are learning tricks, competing with friends, or just marveling at the floating string, ZipString delivers the perfect mix of science, wonder and fun.

Best for Creative Tweens and Teens

Pixicade Draw Your Own Video Game Creator Kit

$24
$20 at Walmart.com
$25 at Bestbuy.com

Pixicade! Instant Game Maker gives kids the rare thrill of turning their doodles into actual playable video games. As one tester declared, “It is my own game—like MY OWN GAME.” Using the included drawing pad, kids sketch out their ideas, then bring them to life in the app where they can play, adjust, and keep creating. The News Pulse appreciated how the toy blends offline and online play, letting kids spend time drawing away from screens before seeing their creations come to life digitally. While the app can be finicky with lighting and setup, it offers helpful prompts and feedback to guide kids toward success. With endless possibilities for design and storytelling, Pixicade is both a tech tool and an art project sparking creativity while teaching problem-solving along the way.

Best Subscription Box

Crunch Labs Build Box Subscription

Buy at Crunchlabs.com

CrunchLabs Build Box makes engineering feel like play. Each kit arrives with parts to assemble and an exclusive video from YouTube star Mark Rober, who has a knack for speaking to kids in just the right way to keep them engaged. The News Pulse noted that while the building process is the most exciting part—sparking problem-solving, critical thinking, and a real sense of accomplishment—the finished toys are still fun to experiment with. "My 12-year-old daughter loves CrunchLabs Build Boxes—and so do I,” one parent said. “They keep her engaged and entertained, and she is able to build something new and unique every time… she is also able to play in an age-appropriate way." The combination of clear instructions, clever engineering and high-energy videos makes CrunchLabs stand out among subscription boxes, offering a yearlong experience that feels fresh with each delivery.

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