As the title says we’ve pulled together what we feel are some of the Best Creative Toys For Kids available at the moment to spark crafty creativity In Kids. In this gift guide, we explore creative toys that we have either bought or reviewed ourselves, or unique toys that we feel would spark crafty creativity. We’ve tried to focus on creative toys that come with most of what you need already included in the box so that you don’t need to buy anything else (there are a couple that need extra products such as t-shirts bought alongside them). They range from quite simple toys to more complex, but most of them are relatively easy to do, are about encouraging creative fun, and don’t lean too heavily on kids’ creative abilities.
I’ve always felt that encouraging creativity in children is a vital part of their development. Creative play fosters imagination and self-expression, enhances problem-solving skills and cognitive development, and ultimately helps develop self-sufficient kids, which is important for their self-esteem as they grow older. I hope this list provides you with some great gift ideas you can use for both younger and older kids.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase
You can find many of the toys below in my Affiliate Amazon Shop.
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1. Kidoki Make, Decorate, and Play Animal Mask
The Kidoki Make, Decorate, and Play Animal Mask kit is perfect for little ones who love animals, pretend play and crafting. This creative toy not only sparks imagination but also enhances fine motor skills. The kit allows kids to create their own animal masks, decorate them with colorful stickers, and then engage in imaginative play as they transform into their favorite creatures. It’s a hands-on activity that stimulates creativity in a way that encourages open-ended play and storytelling. Whether they choose to be a fierce lion or a graceful butterfly, kids can bring their masks to life with their unique artistic touch.
Everything you need comes in the box making it easily accessible and if you’re worried about felt tip marks getting on tables you can unfold the box everything comes in and use it as a protective card sheet to work on.
Get yours here at the London Southbank Center Shop
2. Fiesta Crafts Mask Kits
The Fiesta Crafts Mask Kits are perfect for creative kids (and adults) who love dressing up. The build is pretty straightforward, although there are sometimes fiddly areas that may need a bit of help from an adult. The finished 3d mask looks amazing and really sets the scene allowing children’s imagination to run wild. They work really well for fancy dress parties, and Halloween and generate loads of laughter when we’ve worn them. They also look very cool just hung from the wall as room decor.
These kits come in a variety of themes, from animals to fantasy characters, giving kids the opportunity to step into the shoes of their favorite personas and tell imaginative stories.
My girls show how they are made in the video below
Get yours here at Amazon
3. Kidoki Make, Stick, and Play at My House
This adorable Make Stick and Play At My House kit by Kidoki kit is perfect for younger children who love to role-play with playhouses. Everything you need is inside the box which contains 4 cardboard figures, a cardboard cat and a cardboard dog. All of which are designed to stand up on their own. There is also a fabulous 4 room cardboard house for the figures to play in. Along with some colourful stickers to decorate the people animals and rooms of the play house. This toy encourages kids to explore their sense of space and design as they create and decorate their own miniature house.
It’s fun to look at and really easy to use, although younger kids may need a little help peeling the stickers off. It’s also very easy to transport around and put away when not in use, as everything can be taken apart and put back in the box. The stickers can be carefully peeled off and repositioned but care is needed when doing this.
4. Hey Doodle Reusable Silicone Mat
The Hey Doodle Reusable Silicone Mat is a mess-free and eco-friendly creative toy. It comes with markers that work on the silicone mat and can be wiped clean for repeated use. Kids can draw, doodle, and explore their artistic talents without the worry of making a mess. It’s perfect for taking out and about or when you need a quick ‘mess-free’ bit of creativity.
And I know a few adults who would love this! Read our review of the HeyDoodle Reuseable Silicone Colouring Mat here.
Get your Into The Wild here
5. Eugy Models
Eugy Models are 3D puzzles that come in a wide variety of animal designs, including popular choices like dinosaurs, sea creatures, and unicorns! Each model includes a set of cardboard pieces that are glued together (the glue comes in the kit) to make up the animal. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and the models are easy to build pretty much anywhere. Again it’s really easy to use, comes with everything you need inside the box and can be made pretty much anywhere!
The finished model is adorable and looks really sweet when put on display. They are also pretty robust so could be used in pretend play, although some of them have parts that hand over the edges of bookshelves so don’t stand up on their own on flat surfaces.
6. Puzzle & Grow Unicorn Garden
Puzzle and grow kits are really underrated in my opinion, and they are perfect for budding little gardeners. We had our first one quite a few years ago and my girls loved making it and growing their little garden. The design has changed more recently, although you can still get the old one we had. There are two parts the the Puzzle and Grow kits. First children have to follow instructions and build a 3d model. Once the model is finished they have to sew some seeds and then watch as their plants grow. It’s a beautifully unique toy that not only looks pretty and is functional but can also be used in imaginary play, working well with mini figures such as Playmobil, lego, etc
And the great thing about the Puzzle and Grow Kits is that you can continually plant up the garden with different seeds that your children needs to nurture and look after.
7. Gemex Deluxe Creation Station
The Gemex Deluxe Creation Station is a jewelry-making kit is a perfect gift for budding jewelry & accessory designers. This is another creative kit that comes with everything you need. The station itself is designed to minimise mess, allowing kids to use set areas within it, to pour in the resin and the colourful accessories. You can see it in action in the video below.
The jewellery is made with UV light-activated resin, and contains tools, cute molds, metal jewellery components, an abundance of sparkles and sprinkles, and a large shell UV light to use in their creations. My girls loved getting creative with it and made some fantastically unique fun pieces of jewellery with it. You do go through the resin fairly quickly but found UV light resin bought on Amazon worked well as a replacement. Just read the reviews people leave to check it sets well.
You can get yours here at Amazon
8. Tybo Tie Dye
Tie-dyeing has been a beloved craft for many generations, and Tybo Tie Dye kits provide a safe and easy way for kids to explore this colorful art form. With various color options and easy-to-follow instructions, children can create unique and vibrant tie-dye designs on clothing, accessories, or fabric. We reviewed the Tybo XL and made some fantastic pieces of clothing and bedding using it.
It doesn’t come with any fabric/clothing to dye so that is something extra that will need to be purchased. And it is a little messy (you will need somewhere you can rinse the clothing and clean the equipment. But the dye that comes with it washes really well and doesn’t fade. My recommendation would be things like pillowcases, sweatshirts and T-shirts.
Read our review of the Tybo XL Tie Dye kit
Buy yours here at Amazon
9. Paper Doll Sweet Boutique
The Sweet Boutique Paper Doll kit by Educational Insights is a fantastic modern twist on the paper dolls I used to lovingly cut out and dress when I was young.
Kids colour in, “stick-it note” style clothes to sell in their own clothes boutique and dress their figures in. Each piece low tack clothing can be reused multiple times. And there are plenty of stickers in each pile for kids to make many different versions. As well as the six (3 double sided) female characters with different skin and hair tones there is also a cat and a dog character to dress up.
And the packaging box even doubles up as the boutique!
Aged 3+ you can buy it on Amazon and Learning Resources
10. MGA’s Mini-Verse Lifestyle
MGA’s Mini-Verse collection focuses on creating miniature lifestyle and home décor items. Unlike standard mini unboxing collectibles, the mini-verse lifestyle collectibles contain everything you need to create your own collectible. Inside each ball, you’ll find, instructions, and craft/art materials to create your own mini collectible that hardens with daylight or under UV light. And even though you know you have to make them yourself they still keep the surprise element going as you don’t know which lifestyle product you’re going to get until you unbox it. The great thing is that if you do get a duplicate you can slightly change the mini model to make it slightly different to the one you previously made.
11. Paint Your Own Bird Feeder
The Gardman Paint Your Own Bird Feeder, although not technically a toy, is perfect for children and families that are interested in, and love nature. It comes with four non-toxic paints, and two brushes and is made from FSC certified timer.
It’s a great activity to do over Christmas. And kids will love being able to watch birds (and a few other cheeky garden animals) eating the little snacks that they can put inside it. It’s a fabulous ‘hands-on” learning experience and will help them recognise and identify some of the common garden birds that share their space.
You can get your Gardman Paint Your Own Bird Feeder here.
