By Wirecutter Staff
Black Friday is over. Cyber Monday is here. We’re no longer updating this article. For the latest deals on toys and games, check out our coverage of the best Cyber Monday toy deals.
Holiday shopping for a kiddo on your list? Even though Black Friday has come and gone, many of the best deals on Wirecutter-tested toys, games, and more are still holding strong.
You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page for the latest discounts on more Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
Board game deals
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Baker Street Irregulars Board Game — Pick Variant
Amazon deal price: $29; street price: $45
What we like: A variant of our favorite board game for mystery fans and aspiring detectives. Bridges the gap between a traditional board game and role-playing detective experience. Tons of potential sources, clues, and leads you can review to follow the threads of the case and reach your own conclusions.
Other things to know: In addition to introducing new cases, each of the variants slightly tweaks the mechanics or adds a larger serial story, so you’ll find something worthwhile in each one (four altogether). Works best with up to five players but also great solo. Takes from two hours to all day to play. Suited for ages 14 and up.
Read our review of the best board games.
Where Should We Begin – A Game of Stories — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $32; street price: $40
What we like: A great choice for an anniversary or engagement gift. Smartly designed card game. Helps encourage conversation. Fun for new couples or those married for decades.
Other things to know: Can also be fun to play with friends. Comes with 250 prompts.
Read our review of the best anniversary gifts for any relationship.
Jaipur Board Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $13; street price: $24
What we like: A pick in our guide to the best two-player board games. Players compete to trade cards with goods like spices, diamonds, and camels. Not overly complicated or dull. Nicely balanced and doesn't rely too heavily on luck. Elegant and well designed.
Other things to know: Relatively low-skill, so after playing a few rounds, there's not much more to learn or explore. First deal we've posted this year.
Read our review of the best two-player board games.
Wavelength Board Game — Our Pick
Target deal price: $20; street price: $32 (Price reflects in-cart, with store pickup or Target RedCard)
What we like: A party starting pick in our guide to the best board games. Endless replay value for up to 12 players. Quick to pick up and learn. Discussion between players brings fun and hilarity. Cards and wheel add a hands-on interactive element.
Other things to know: Two to 12 players. Recommended for ages five and up. Games last about 30 minutes. Deal price reflects in cart. Target RedCard holders get free shipping and an additional 5% off. Opt for store pickup to avoid shipping fees if you don't have a RedCard.
Read our review of the best board games.
Ravensburger Horrified: American Monsters — Pick Variant
Amazon deal price: $23; street price: $33
What we like: A variant of a pick in our guide to Halloween board games. Cooperative strategy game for up to five players. The same as our pick, but stars different monsters from American folklore.
Other things to know: For ages 10 and up.
Read our review of our favorite horror board games.
Azul Board Game — Gift Pick
Target deal price: $20 (price reflects in-cart, with store pickup); street price: $32
What we like: A rainy day board game we recommend as a gift. Unique strategy and theme. Players gain points based on tile placement. Easy to play once you master the slightly tricky rules.
Other things to know: It's not highly interactive. Doesn't prepare players for strategic Eurogames as well as our other adult beginner board game picks. Opt for store pickup to avoid shipping fees.
Read our review of the best beginner board games for adults.
Summoner Wars Board Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $40; street price: $50
What we like: A dueling card game recommended in our guide to the best two-player board games. Easy to learn and set up. As tactically deep and interesting as more elaborate war games we tested.
Other things to know: Feels like a mix of Dungeons & Dragons combat and a particularly tricky Legend of Zelda temple block puzzle. The grid occupies a large table space. Lacks in-box organization.
Read our review of the best two-player board games.
Splendor Board Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $20; street price: $28
What we like: A pick in our guide to the best beginner board games for adults. Renaissance-themed game in which players act as gem merchants. Simple to learn, takes only about 15 minutes to catch on to the rules. Easily portable.
Other things to know: Not the lowest price we've ever seen, but matches recent lows.
Read our review of the best beginner board games for adults.
Ticket to Ride Board Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $28; street price: $48
What we like: A pick for new gamers in our guide to the best beginner board games for adults. An accessible game that's fun to play again and again. Simple to learn. Challenges players to build the best train routes across North America.
Other things to know: Two to five players. Games last 30 to 60 minutes. Has less interaction than games that involve trading, but players build on the same board.
Read our review of the best beginner board games for adults.
Ticket to Ride Europe Board Game — Pick Variant
Amazon deal price: $24; street price: $40
What we like: A variant of a pick for new gamers in our guide to the best beginner board games for adults. An accessible game that's fun to play again and again. Simple to learn. Challenges players to build the best train routes through the great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe.
Other things to know: Two to five players. Games last 30 to 60 minutes. Has less interaction than games that involve trading, but players build their train routes across the same board. Has slightly different rules and more-advanced options than the original game.
Read our review of the best beginner board games for adults.
Wingspan Board Game — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $36; street price: $45
What we like: A staff favorite strategy board game with a unique bird theme. The illustrated cards are beautiful enough to hang on the wall. Has enough different bird cards (170) and varying strategies to make replaying it worthwhile. And it's educational, too!
Other things to know: One to five players, ages 10 and up. Games typically last 40 to 70 minutes. Clip the on-page coupon for the discount. Matches lowest price we've seen this year.
Read our review of the best board games.
Exploding Kittens Card Game — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $10; street price: $18
What we like: Great for kids ages 7 and older, fun to play with the whole family. Popular cross between Apples to Apples and Russian Roulette.
Other things to know: We saw this game for an incredible $5 during a short-lived July 2022 sale, but haven’t seen it anywhere near that price since.
Read our review of the best gifts for families.
Bananagrams Game — Gift Pick
Target deal price: $8; street price: $14
What we like: A gift pick in many of our guides including our secret Santa gift guide. This word-building game is like Scrabble but played at breakneck speed, and it makes for great intergenerational fun.
Other things to know: Recommended for ages 10-plus. Two to eight players. Choose store pickup to avoid shipping fees.
Read our review of the best hostess gifts.
Carcassonne Board Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $17; street price: $25
What we like: Entry-level medieval city-building game with easier rules and a shorter play time than more advanced games like Catan. Interactive gameplay with quick-moving turns. Easy-to-navigate for players of all skill levels.
Other things to know: Two to five players, with expansion pack (sold separately) for up to six. Games run about 30 to 45 minutes. Lowest price we've seen in over 3 years.
Read our review of the best beginner board games for adults.
Pawnson Creations 17″ x 17″ Wooden Chess Set — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $35; street price: $43
What we like: A recommendation in our guide on how to pick the best chess set. Everyday-classy. Looks good on your coffee table and can be stored away easily. A great introduction if you have a casual interest in chess.
Other things to know: Not the most detailed wooden pieces, but they’re the same size as most plastic ones and work just fine for casual games at home.
Read our review of the best chess sets.
MoMA Colorplay Backgammon Set — Gift Pick
MoMA Design Store deal price: $103 Use code SHOPMOMA (price includes shipping); street price: $123
What we like: A gift pick from our guide to the best housewarming gifts. A decidedly modern take on the ancient game, and what it lacks in heft it makes up for in its good looks. Pretty enough to leave out as decor.
Other things to know: The stones are made of beechwood and plastic, so they don’t have the pleasing heft of some other versions. Use code SHOPMOMA for the deal price. Price includes shipping.
Read our review of the best housewarming gifts.
Card game deals
The Fox in the Forest Card Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $11; street price: $16
What we like: One of our picks for the best two-player board games. Trick-taking card game. Simple and easy to learn. Perfect blend of luck and strategy.
Other things to know: Recommended for ages 10-plus. Takes 25 minutes to play. Cardboard score pieces are a hassle (just use pen and paper instead). Deal within $2 of previous lowest price.
Read our review of the best two-player board games.
Cat in The Box Deluxe Edition Card Game — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $17; street price: $28
What we like: Our pick for the best trick-taking card game. Plays like other trick-taking games (think Hearts, Spades, and Bridge) but with extra layers of strategy. Mix of creative cardplay and risky bidding adds fun. For two to five players. Rated for teens and adults.
Other things to know: Deluxe edition includes recessed player boards and custom insert. Comes in a frustratingly tight storage box.
Read our review of the best card games.
Rhino Hero Card Game — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $12; street price: $15
What we like: A challenging card stacking game for preschoolers. Recommended in our guide to board games we love for kids and families. Easy to learn. Doesn't require much strategy. Accessible for kids of different ages.
Other things to know: Players take turns carefully stacking L-shaped "wall" cards and flat "roof" cards to build a common tower. Double-sided cards offer both easy and expert modes.
Read our review of the best board games for kids.
Throw Throw Burrito Card Game — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $12; street price: $25
What we like: Staff favorite game to give to families. Part card game, part dodgeball. Fun and simple: Swap cards until you find a match or get a burrito. Then a burrito duel or burrito war ensues. Some things have to be experienced.
Other things to know: Best for age 7+. Some may want to move the battle action outdoors.
Read our review of the best gifts for families.
LEGO deals
Lego Friends Liann's Room Playset 41739 — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $16; street price: $20
What we like: A pick from our guide to the best Lego sets for kids. 204-piece playset of Liann's art-themed bedroom. Features easels and paintings, a skateboard, and more. Liann and Autumn mini dolls and a pet gecko included.
Other things to know: Recommended for kids ages 6 and up. The Lego Friends line is marketed towards girls, but this set is appropriate for any creative-leaning kid. Deal price matches low.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for kids.
Lego Friends Nova's Room 41755 — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $16; street price: $20
What we like: A Lego Friends pick in our guide to the best Lego sets for kids. A 179-piece playset of Nova's gaming-themed bedroom. Includes multiple monitors, a swiveling chair, and mini-dolls of Nova, her friend Zac, and Nova's dog, Pickles.
Other things to know: While this set is recommended for ages 6 and up, our 5-year-old tester only needed minimal building help from her parent.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for kids.
Lego Disney Princess Moana’s Wayfinding Boat 43210 — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $28; street price: $33
What we like: A Disney Moana-themed pick from our guide to the best Lego sets for kids. 321-piece playset comes with mini-dolls of Moana, her mother Sina, and a dolphin, plus a double-hulled sailboat with removable shelter.
Other things to know: Recommended for ages 6 and up. This build was age-appropriate for our 6-year-old tester, who found it challenging but rewarding.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for kids.
Lego Classic Baseplate — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $5 (green); street price: $7
Walmart deal price: $5 with store pickup (green); street price: $7
Amazon deal price: $5 (blue); street price: $7
Walmart deal price: $5 with store pickup (blue); street price: $7
What we like: Recommended in our guide to the best Lego sets for kids. A baseplate gives Lego creations a strong foundation so they’re less likely to fall apart and easier to move. Adds another layer to imaginative play.
Other things to know: You can glue baseplates to the top of a play table to make a DIY Lego station.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for kids.
Lego Architecture Great Pyramid of Giza 21058 — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $110; street price: $125
Walmart deal price: $110; street price: $125
What we like: Our adult Lego set pick that will surely be the Seventh Wonder of one’s collection. The pyramid's exterior shell can be removed to reveal the method by which many archaeologists believe the pyramids were built. Easy to place against a wall.
Other things to know: The set only creates half a pyramid. Lego suggests buying a second set to create a full pyramid. Includes 1,476 bricks. Not to scale. For ages 18 and up.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for adults.
Lego Architecture Taj Mahal 21056 — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $96; street price: $110
Target deal price: $96; street price: $110
What we like: Our adult Lego set pick of the iconic symbol of everlasting love. Pleasantly simple build. Top dome lifts to reveal central chamber; lift a second dome to reveal the crypt and tiny sarcophagi.
Other things to know: 2,022 pieces. Informative historical tidbits are peppered throughout the instruction booklet.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for adults.
Lego Marvel Avengers Advent Calendar 76267 — Staff Favorite
Walmart deal price: $39; street price: $45
What we like: A clever advent calendar provides one mini Lego build per day. Enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
Other things to know: One of a line of LEGO advents we love, from Star Wars to Marvel. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Read our review of our favorite advent calendars.
Lego Creator 3-in-1 White Rabbit Animal 31133 — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $16; street price: $20
What we like: A recommendation in our guide to Easter basket ideas. Lego’s three-in-one sets are some of our favorites for kids, and this adorable option can anchor a fun-filled Easter basket. Builds three different creations: a white bunny, a seal, or a cockatoo.
Other things to know: This set has 258 pieces and is rated for kids age 8 and up. Lego lovers a couple years younger might also enjoy tackling it with a little adult help.
Read our review about Easter basket ideas we love.
Lego Creator 3in1 Cozy House 31139 — Our Pick
Target deal price: $48; street price: $60
What we like: A pick in our guide to the best Lego sets for kids. Consists of three house options with loads of tiny builds. Fully enclosed houses make lovely display structures; hinges let them swing open for playtime.
Other things to know: The sheer number of smaller builds can be too much for some people. Instructions are frustrating. The priciest Creator 3in1 set in this guide. Recommended for ages eight and up. 808 pieces.
Read our review of the best Lego sets for kids.
Outdoor toy and game deals
Woom 1 12-Inch Balance Bike — Upgrade Pick
Woom deal price: $224; street price: $249
What we like: Our upgrade pick balance bike for parents who want their kid to have a pro-level tyke bike. Agile and simple to assemble. Features an ideal upright riding position, a low 7-inch top tube height (great for shorter kids), and 5 inches of seat adjustability. Sports a useful rear hand brake.
Other things to know: For kids age 18 months to 4 years. Woom also offers a trade-up club ($59 membership). Return the bike (Woom pays for shipping) within two years, and Woom will put 40% of your returned bike’s purchase price toward the next size bike. Available from REI with store pickup. Also available from Woom in red, blue, green, yellow, and purple.
Read our review of the best balance bike.
Gentle Booms Sports Family Obstacle Course — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $72; street price: $90
What we like: A pick for high-energy kids from our gift guide for 5-year-olds. Sturdy 56-foot slack line with rings, monkey bars, and rope ladder obstacles—all of which can hold up to 440 pounds.
Other things to know: Best if you have two trees 15 to 40 feet apart (or a tree and a playscape) to anchor the kit and rope obstacles. Matches low price.
Read our review of the best gifts for 5-year-olds.
Spikeball Standard 3-Ball Kit — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $56; street price: $70
What we like: A fun gift for 8-year olds. This lawn game can be as active and competitive as players desire, involving everything from casual volleying to aggressive diving. Easy to pack for travel to the beach or park.
Other things to know: First deal we've posted in a long time. Deal available in red.
Read our review of the best gifts for 8-year-olds.
Jetson Jupiter Kids Scooter — Another Good Option
Amazon deal price: $20 (select colors); street price: $30
What we like: Another good kids scooter from our guide. Similar feel to our top pick, but about half the price. Suitable for learning tricks. Features light-up deck. Folds up for portability.
Other things to know: Smaller wheels and more restrictive height and weight limits than our pick. Handlebars go up to 34 inches. Some reviewers complained about issues with the lights. Deal available on select colors.
Read our review of the best kids scooters.
Woom 3 Kids 16-Inch Pedal Bike — Upgrade Pick
Woom deal price: $404 price reflects in-cart (select colors); street price: $450
What we like: Our upgrade pick for the best first pedal bike. Beautifully built and appointed. Super-light, super-zippy, and chock-full of kid-friendly features. The kid equivalent of a sports car.
Other things to know: Woom also offers a trade-up club ($59 membership). Return the bike (Woom pays for shipping) within two years, and Woom will put 40% of your returned bike’s purchase price toward the next size bike. Price reflects in-cart. Select colors.
Read our review of the best first pedal bike.
Micro Mini Deluxe Eco Scooter — Another Good Option
Amazon deal price: $80 (with clipped on-page coupon); street price: $100
What we like: Another good kids scooter. A version of our pick for preschoolers that has a kickboard made from recycled ocean plastic. Most stable and easy-to-ride model. Convenient to carry and store. Usable for several years and can teach important weight-shifting and balancing skills to tots.
Other things to know: Suggested for ages 2 to 5. Only available in two colors. If you’re happy with the color options, there’s no disadvantage to choosing this model. Clip the on-page coupon.
Read our review of the best kids scooters.
Woom 3 Kids 16-Inch Pedal Bike — Upgrade Pick
REI deal price: $404 (select colors); street price: $450
What we like: Our upgrade pick for the best first pedal bike. Beautifully built and appointed. Super-light, super-zippy, and chock-full of kid-friendly features. The kid equivalent of a sports car.
Other things to know: Woom also offers a trade-up club ($59 membership). Return the bike (Woom pays for shipping) within two years, and Woom will put 40% of your returned bike’s purchase price toward the next size bike. Price reflects in-cart. Select colors.
Read our review of the best first pedal bike.
HearthSong Colorful Super Rectangular Platform Swing — Staff Favorite
Hearth Song deal price: $65; street price: $130
Amazon deal price: $65; street price: $130
What we like: The rectangular version of a staff favorite swing from our guide to the best things we bought in 2020. Can hold four kids or up to 400 pounds. A fun way to get kids outdoors.
Other things to know: Measures 60-inches long by 30-inches wide. Includes two carabiners. Price includes shipping.
Read our review of the best things we bought in 2020.
HearthSong Giant Round and Round Swing — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $43; street price: $85
What we like: A swing our kids love, featured in a list of the best things Wirecutter reviewers bought in 2020. Tons of fun for kids (and maybe some grownups).
Other things to know: Rated up to 400 pounds. Held several kids during our testing for swinging and spinning. Shipping is free and delayed.
Read our review of the best things we bought in 2020.
Doll deals
American Girl Truly Me Doll — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $80; street price: $115
What we like: One of our top picks for bigger-kid dolls. Designed to represent contemporary kids and their interests. Comes in a range of skin tones, hair colors, and styles. Hair feels silky. Eyelids open and close. Stands without support.
Other things to know: 18-inch height. Comes with an outfit, shoes, and a book. Multiple dolls and styles available for $80.
Read our review of the best dolls.
MiniKane Little Asian Baby Boy Doll (Dark Eyes) — Another Good Option
Little Wonder and Co deal price: $37; street price: $50
What we like: Another good option in our guide to the best dolls. Has a sweet scent evocative of that newborn baby smell. Anatomically correct. Company offers a sophisticated collection of clothing to choose from.
Other things to know: Clothing sold separately. Price includes shipping.
Read our review of the best dolls.
Other good toy and game deals
Magna-Tiles (100-Piece Set) — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $84; street price: $117
What we like: A tried-and-true favorite from our guide to STEM toys. Vibrant colors and fun shapes help stimulate imagination. Endless possibility of shapes and designs to be made.
Other things to know: Rare discount. Abstract and complicated shapes can be frustrating for early preschoolers.
Read our review of the best learning and STEM toys.
Antelope Puzzle Space Collection Moon — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $19; street price: $24
What we like: A pick in our guide to the best secret Santa gifts. Features the image of our favorite celestial body, circular in shape and with beautiful detail in its craters. 1,000 black-and-white gradient pieces sport rounded edges and varying textures.
Other things to know: Will challenge even the most fervent solver. The Earth puzzle is also on sale for $19.
Read our review of the best secret Santa gifts.
Loopdedoo Friendship Bracelet Maker — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $24; street price: $30
What we like: A pick in our guide to the best gifts for 8-year-olds. Not the classic friendship bracelets you braided in the '90s. Includes a spinning loom that creates unique, multidimensional accessories in minutes.
Other things to know: Can be used to make bracelets, headbands, necklaces, and more. Kit includes twelve skeins of brightly colored thread.
Read our review of the best gifts for 8-year-olds.
GAN 356 i Carry Speed Cube — Also Great
Amazon deal price: $25; street price: $30
What we like: Our smart speed cube pick. Can track solve-time progress, allow you to compete with others in real time, and offers tutorials. Well-made. Acceptable app experience.
Other things to know: Smart cubes are a niche subset of cube puzzles. CubeStation app has translation issues and offers little utility outside of social aspects and timer.
Read our review of the best speed cubes.
GAN 11 M Pro Speed Cube — Upgrade Pick
Amazon deal price: $32; street price: $40
What we like: The upgrade pick in our speed cube guide. The most impressive cube we tried in our testing, with silky smooth twisting action, quiet operation, and reliable corner cutting. Offers basic tension adjustment plus adjustable corner magnet strength.
Other things to know: One of the most adjustable cubes we tested. Core magnets are removable and can be replaced with stronger alternatives.
Read our review of the best speed cubes.
Insect Lore Butterfly Growing Kit (with Voucher) — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $18; street price: $25
What we like: A simple-to-use kit recommended in our gift guide for 5-year-olds. Watch the life cycle of a caterpillar as it transforms into a butterfly. Great for kids of any age who are interested in bugs.
Other things to know: Included voucher allows you to order caterpillars when the weather is temperate (but there's a $9 shipping fee when you do order).
Read our review of the best gifts for 5-year-olds.
Elenco Snap Circuits Classic Exploration Kit — Pick Variant
Amazon deal price: $36 (with delayed shipping); street price: $60
Walmart deal price: $36; street price: $60
What we like: An electronics expansion kit for kids that's compatible with our runner-up pick. Durable and easy to use. Works with Elenco’s extensive Snap Circuits line.
Other things to know: For ages 8 and up. Kids might need help getting used to the complicated-looking visual instructions. The included projects aren’t exciting for everyone.
Read our review of the best electronics kits for kids and beginners.
Creativity for Kids Hide & Seek Rock Painting Kit — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $9; street price: $13
What we like: A recommendation in our guide to the best gifts for 7-year-olds. Once decorated, rocks are meant to be released into the wild to be discovered by passersby. (Also a benefit for those with limited space or lots of gift clutter.) Shapes of the stones can inform each creation.
Other things to know: Kit includes 10 rocks, eight paint colors, and more than 30 transfer decals. A tracking sticker with a hashtag lets those that come across a decorated rock post it to social media.
Read our review of the best gifts for 7-year-olds.
Plus-Plus Super Tube Building Blocks — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $23; street price: $30
What we like: One of our favorite gifts for 6-year-olds. These unique, puzzle-shaped pieces are great for engaging creative young minds. Can be used to create flat works of art or 3D constructions. Contains 500 pieces.
Other things to know: Warning: small pieces could pose a choking hazard for very young children.
Read our review of the best gifts for 6-year-olds.
