The Viral Penn & Teller VR Magic Lab Kit Is Back in Stock

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They're finally 10 — onto the tween gifts! While 10-year-olds definitely have strong opinions on anything and everything, buying gifts for kids this age is actually a lot of fun. That's because, by now, they've achieved a certain level of mastery over the things that interest them — be it art, board games, STEM experiments or LEGO building — and they can move on from the "intro" kit and gifts and on to the good stuff.

What the "good stuff" is, though, can be up to interpretation. The Good Housekeeping Institute stays on the hunt for the best toys and gifts every year in the run-up to its Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards. Their favorites are tested for safety and quality, and then real kids submit their feedback and assess the fun factor. Not every non-toy gift item in the list is tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute's labs, but we still looked for brands with trusted reputations, best-sellers and a few editor's picks. When we put it all together, these were the best toys and gifts for 10-year-olds in 2023.

• DoodleJamz JellyPics, $10 at amazon.com

• The Reverse Coloring Book, $14 at bookshop.org

• The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels, $15 at amazon.com

• Klutz Lego Gear Bots Science/STEM Activity Kit, $20 at amazon.com
  

• Furby, $50 at walmart.com

This year, kids loved things that helped them create, from art sets that let them build kinetic LEGO sculptures to accessories that help them enhance their own videos. STEM sets that let them dive deep into a topic were also huge, along with fun room decorations. In other words: kids have good taste!

Looking for more great gifts? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls | The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys

Under $20

Digital Sport Watch

They're going to love the way this digital watch looks and fits. Not only does it tell the time, but they can also set an alarm, say, to help them wake up in the morning.

Bananagrams

They're in the thick of learning and spelling new words. Now, they can use all that hard work to beat others in a Scrabble-style game that's both educational and fun. Ages 7+

Rubik's Re-Cube

Everyone loves a Rubik's Cube, but we love this version even made from recycled plastic.

LetsGlow Studio

Part-DIY craft, part-video enhancer, this set will have them boosting their creativity. Kids can make accessories out of the reflective tape, thread, stickers and more, and then use a clip-on LED to have them glow in bright colors with cool lighting effects. It'll revolutionize their selfies and TikTok-style videos. Ages 8+

DoodleJamz JellyPics

It's a fidget toy and an art toy all rolled into one. Beads are suspended in a gel, and kids can push them around either with their fingers or with a stylus to decorate a background photo. It comes with a two-sided background, but kids can also print and use their own. Ages 5+

Perseverance and Ingenuity Socks

Now they can wear their love of science on their... feet? These socks pay homage to two space explorers: Perseverance, the Mars rover, and Ingenuity, the Mars helicopter. It's a good reminder that they can do big things — if they just have a little perseverance and ingenuity! Sizes S – L

Naruto-Uzumaki

Anime fans will recognize Naruto's whisker-like marks, even when he's in Playmobil form. This Naruto is the perfect just-little-something for the anime collector in your life. Or, if you want to give it as part of a larger set, Playmobil has nearly two dozen characters, including Sasuke, Kakashi, Tobi, Shizune (who comes with a little pig!) and Tsunade. Ages 5+

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Anime Fans

Create Your Own Secret Language

If they're into making codes, breaking codes and generally trying to keep secrets, this book will lead them through how to make codes, cyphers and even, eventually, entirely new languages. It's written by David J. Peterson, a language consultant for things like Game of Thrones and Doctor Strange. Ages 10+

Word A Round Game

This board game positions words in a way that's tricky to read, so players compete to see who can figure out where each word starts and ends first. (It's actually more challenging than you'd think.) The game is great for building language development and improving concentration. Ages: 10+

The Reverse Coloring Book

This book will have your budding artist thinking in a new way: It comes with pages with colors splashed across them, and kids can use a black felt pen to draw in the outlines. It's a great mindfulness activity for when they need to recharge their creative juices. No age recommendation given

EXIT: The Lord of The Rings - Shadows Over Middle-Earth

If the 10-year-old in your life loves escape rooms and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, this is the game for them! They can gather one to three friends and try to decipher Gandalf's clues so they can reach Mount Doom in time. It's a quest that'll take all of their logic and critical thinking skills! If they're not into Lord of the Rings, Thames & Kosmos offers other at-home escape games for 10-year-olds, like The Haunted Roller Coaster or The Sunken Treasure. Ages 10+

Mario Kart Banana Plush

Every gamer knows that, in Mario Kart, the banana is a formidable obstacle. When it's sitting on a shelf or bed, though, it looks pretty darn cute. You can get other Mario Kart-inspired plushes to go with it, like a red shell or a mushroom. Ages 3+

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Gamers

Paint Pens

Let her creativity run wild! These paint pens dry quickly and work on dark surfaces. She can put her personal touch on everything from canvas and fabric to kindness rocks. (But be warned: They're not washable.) No recommended age given

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

Good Housekeeping Institute book experts say this is perfect for fans of books with a wry, macabre style, a la A Series of Unfortunate Events. Kid testers loved the gothic atmosphere and related to the sly narrator. Ages 8 – 12

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Awards

Kanoodle Head-to-Head

The basic Kanoodle game, which is a TikTok sensation, is great for solo players. But if you want to up the competition and make players' hearts race, go for the head-to-head version. In it, players sit across from each other and get ready to battle. A challenge card gives them a way to arrange the Kanoodle pieces, and players have to race to see who can complete the pattern first. It'll get their brains working — and fast! Ages 7+

LEGO Gear Bots

It's a little art, a little STEM and a whole lot of LEGO fun. This set gives kids the pieces to make eight different kinetic sculptures, made from both build-on bricks and papercraft. Along the way, they'll learn about engineering concepts like axles, cranks, pistons and simple machines. They can make an octopus that DJs, a menacing yeti, a pterodactyl, and more. Ages 8+

$20 to $40

Stomp Rocket Original Ultra Rocket Launcher for Kids - Soars 200 Ft - 4 High Flying Rockets and Adjustable Launcher - Fun Outdoor Toy and Gift for Boys or Girls Age 5+ Years Old

Klutz Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers Craft Kit

pindaloo Skill Game Toy with 2 Balls- Gifts for Kids and Adults Indoor & Outdoor Games, Ball Toys for Boys, Girls, & Teens - Fun Stuff, Develops Motor & Juggling Skills -Blue

Pixicade Kid s Mobile Game Maker Create 1200+ Virtual Games Learn Math & Technology Ages 6-12+

Custom Neon Signs, Neon Sign Customizable for Wall Decor, Personalized Neon Sign for Wedding Birthday Party Gift Party Bar Game Room Home Business Shop Name Logo Neon Sign

Threeking RC Stunt Car Remote Control Cars Toy with Lights Double-Sided Driving 360-degree Flips Rotating Cars Toys, Blue

Mega Science Lab

This is the science kit for kids who want to go deeper into STEM, covering dinosaurs, crystals, volcanoes and weather. The six different projects let them do things like create their own eco dome where they can get a close-up look at bugs; build their own weather station that measures temperature, wind direction, barometric pressure and humidity or excavate bones and re-assemble a dinosaur skeleton. It's perfect for any well-rounded scientist. Ages 10+

Polish & Glow Honey and Brown Sugar Scrub

Ten-year-old skin is a whole new ballgame, but this sugar scrub can help. Beelove says the sugar in this clears away dull or dead skin, while the honey and botanical oils nourishes it again. Plus, the packaging is cute and will make them feel like they received a luxury cosmetic. No age recommendation given

Gryffindor Lion Plush

Gryffindors have never been so cuddly! This has 8" Squishmallows has all of the soft, squeezable goodness of a regular Squishmallow, but is bursting with Gryffindor pride — if you pardon the pun — with a lion head and scarlet-and-gold scarf. You can also get a Ravenclaw eagle, a Hufflepuff badger or a Slytherin snake. Ages 3+

Good Housekeeping Ultimate Kids Christmas Book

Keep them jolly all season long with a ton of holiday crafts to do, goodies to bake and activities to try, courtesy of the experts at Good Housekeeping. They'll find instructions for everything from how to design and decorate their own stockings to how to plan the best Christmas movie marathon. Ages 8 – 12

HugglePod Lite Hanging Chair

Indoors or outdoors, hang this up and they've got an instant cozy nook. It's made of a weather-resistant nylon and comes with an inflatable cushion (though you have to supply your own pump). It also comes in six different colors, and when it's installed it can support up to 175 pounds. No age recommendation given

Make Your Own Fortune Cookies Kit

Now they don't need to go out for Chinese food in order to sample the best part — the fortune cookies. This gives them everything you need to make 48 fortune cookies, including ingredients, sizing tools and even an edible ink pen. It also comes with both pre-written fortunes and blank ones so they can write their own. No age recommendation given

Bluetooth Speaker Bedside Lamp

Whether they need a reading lamp, a night light or a speaker to help them play his tunes, this bedside unit can do it all. The light works on four levels of brightness, and can also make a range of colors. Then, the speaker connects to their music with Bluetooth (or even plays FM radio). No age recommendation given

GO GLAM U-nique Metallic Nail Salon

With this at-home nail stamper, they can have fun, designed nails that they can switch up whenever she wants. Just paint the nails with a base coat, pop a pattern into the stamper and stamp it on! Our lab experts found that it works well on all different nail sizes, so they can decorate Mom's nails, too. Ages 8+

Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit

They can experiment with electricity, circuitry and other STEM topics in this kit, which has pieces that just snap together — no soldering necessary. It comes with enough pieces to make 100 projects, including a musical doorbell, a voice-controlled lamp and an adjustable-volume alarm, though the UFO was the Good Housekeeping Institute testers' clear favorite. Ages 8+

Above $40

Abacus Brands Penn & Teller VR Magic Lab - Virtual Reality Kids Magic Book and Interactive STEM Learning Activity Set

Furby

It's back! Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the brighter colors and newer updates to the Furby, which now has more than 600 phrases and reactions. It even dances better! Ages 6+

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards

Burst QuadDrive Interstellar Drop Battle Set

Beyblade fans will thrill to battling on two different levels: an upper level, and one that can be accessed after they fall into the Warp Hole. It also comes with a lot of accessories: two tops, two right/left-spin launchers and two armor tips. Ages 8+

Classic Pokémon Clogs

When they're adventuring around Paldea (or, you know, in the backyard), these Crocs clogs are sure to be the very best. They come with the classic Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and Chamander combo on the top and a Pokéball detail on the strap. You can also get them Jibbitz charms, with fun themes like Minecraft or Super Mario, to go with them. Sizes Toddler 4 to Big Kid 6

RELATED: The Best Pokémon Gifts for Fans of All Ages

Happy Atoms Magnetic Molecular Modeling Introductory Set

Your 10-year-old can use this science kit to learn the basics of chemistry (like what bonding is and the difference between 50 of the atoms). It combines digital and physical play when they use the free app. Together, the app and modeling pieces allow kids to build molecules in real life and then learn all about them on their tablet. Ages 10+

Gravitrax Marble Run Starter Set

Using more than 100 pieces, kids can design their own marble run. It uses tracks, magnets and special pieces to move the marbles throughout the game, making it great for teaching physics concepts to your 10-year-old. Ages 8+

Bill Nye's VR Science Kit

This STEM set takes the old chemistry kit to the next level with augmented reality capabilities. Kids watch step-by-step instructions and scientific videos with VR goggles, then do the experiments themselves. There are enough ideas in the set for 25 projects. Ages 8+

Ninjaline 36' Intro Kit

Now they can live out their American Ninja Warrior dreams by climbing, swinging and jumping around the yard. This comes with 36' of slackline, and you can clip seven hanging obstacles to it — including monkey bars, fist knots and traverse rings — in any order you want. The line can hold 250 pounds, and you can also buy bigger sets or more obstacles if you want to expand. Ages 5+

The New Guardians’ Ship

This ship is worth it for the colors alone, with a cool teal-and-pink combo that will look striking on any shelf. But Marvel fans will also love re-creating the twisty shape of the ship from the newest Guardians of the Galaxy film, including a cockpit that really opens and fits three figures (plus a secret compartment for one more). It also comes with minifigs of Mantis, Drax, Star-Lord, Nebula and Adam Warlock. Ages 10+

RELATED: Cool Marvel Gifts for Adults and Kids

Scholar Laptop

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute found that this was the perfect starter laptop because it functions as either a tablet or a laptop. (The price is good, too.) Testers also found the keyboard and screen durable, making it perfect for elementary school students. No age recommendation given

RELATED: The Best Laptops for Kids

How we choose the best toys and gifts

For toys, the Good Housekeeping Institute does year-long toy testing to evaluate for safety, durability, and ease of use, then hands the toys over to real kids to make sure they have the all-important fun factor. While non-toy gifts are not evaluated in the Lab, editors still look for gifts put out by trusted brands, gifts with great reviews from purchasers, best-sellers and editors' favorites. The list is then vetted by Good Housekeeping editors, who, after years of curating gift guides and keeping track of trends, tries to match the items with what is popular now and what Good Housekeeping readers and families have loved in the past.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has provided expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love, including STEM toys, educational toys, sensory toys and more.

Much of the toy testing for this article was overseen by Rachel Rothman, the Good Housekeeping Institute's chief technologist and director of engineering, with the help of Marisa LaScala, Good Housekeeping's senior parenting and relationships editor. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. Plus, as a mom to three kids under 5, she has plenty of first-hand experience.

Marisa has covered all aspects of the world of parenting, from the postpartum years through the empty nests, since 2015, and she's pitched in with Good Housekeeping's toy coverage since 2018. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter, who are both avid toy collectors. Marisa has facilitated many at-home science experiments in her living room in the name of research.

Shop more toys and gifts for kids

Looking for more great gifts for kids? Let the experts do all the hard work for you!

• Top-tested items: See what toys, gifts and books ranked the very highest in our Lab tests with our Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards, our Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ Book Awards and our Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards.

• Tech for kids: Our lab experts are often asked for recommendations for digital devices for kids, and we've tested kids' phones, kids' smartwatches, kids' tablets and game consoles and to see which ones held up the best for families.

• Great learning toys: While all toys can be helpful vehicles for supporting developmental growth, we love to spotlight notably exceptional educational Toys and STEM toys as well as ones that can support social-emotional growth, like those included in our lists of the best sensory toys, pop fidget toys, Montessori toys and autism toys.

• Gifts for babies: Please the newest members on your gift list (and their parents) with these useful baby registry items, as well as gifts for babies, gifts for baby girls and gifts for baby boys. Of course, you might want to get something for new parents to help them through the hectic newborn stage.

• Gifts for toddlers: The coolest new toys in this space pull double-duty, whether it's social-emotional learning combined with motor skills, or creative play combined with language, as you can see in our gift guides for gifts for 1-year-olds, gifts for 18-month-olds, gifts for 2-year-olds and gifts for all toddlers, as well as our stocking stuffers for toddlers.

• Gifts for preschoolers: As they begin to explore the world around them on a deeper level, help them explore with STEM sets, art kits, creative toys and toys that inspire their imaginations. Find our favorites in our gifts for 3-year-olds (including gifts for 3-year-old boys and gifts for 3-year-old girls), gifts for 4-year-olds (including gifts for 4-year-old boys and gifts for 4-year-old girls) and gifts for 5-year-olds (including gifts for 5-year-old boys and gifts for 5-year-old girls).

• Gifts for big kids: By these ages, they've developed their own interests. Help them dive deeper into the subjects that most interest them, from coding to art to cartooning to history and geography, with these gifts for 6-year-olds (including gifts for 6-year-old boys and gifts for 6-year-old girls), gifts for 7-year-olds (including gifts for 7-year-old boys and gifts for 7-year-old girls), gifts for 8-year-olds (including gifts for 8-year-old boys and gifts for 8-year-old girls), and gifts for 9-year-olds (including gifts for 9-year-old boys and gifts for 9-year-old girls). It's also fun to shop for some of our best-reviewed and top-selling stocking stuffers for kids.

• Gifts for tweens: Sure, once they get old enough for an iPad or gaming console you might be at a loss of what to get them. We have you covered with engaging picks for gifts for 10-year-olds (including gifts for 10-year-old boys and gifts for 10-year-old girls), gifts for 11-year-olds (including gifts for 11-year-old boys and gifts for 11-year-old girls), and gifts for 12-year-olds (including gifts for 12-year-old boys and gifts for 12-year-old girls), or see what's trending with boys or tween girls as a whole.

• Gifts for teens: We decode what's on the lists for this picky age group, from the hottest accessories to the most-wanted tech gifts, with gifts for 13-year-old boys, gifts for 13-year-old girls, gifts for 14-year-olds, gifts for 15-year-old boys, gifts for 15-year-old girls, gifts for 16-year-olds, gifts for teen girls, gifts for teen boys and even fun stocking stuffers for teens.

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