These Were The Best Toys Of 2019, According To TIME

When looking for gifts for kids, one of our no-fail options are still toys (along with clothes and cash). But with so many available in the market — and of course you want to give only the best — it can be challenging to choose.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The best toys are those that support parents and children playing, pretending and interacting together.” 

Alan Mendelsohn, MD, FAAP, co-author of a 2019 report entitled “Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era,” says, “When children play with parents — the real magic happens, whether they are pretending with toy characters or building blocks or puzzles together.” 

“You just don’t reap the same rewards from a tablet or screen,” he adds. 

That said, the editors of Time for Kids came up with a list of the best toys for 2019 and, looking at it, all of them tick all the boxes by promoting creativity, encouraging interaction, and of course, adding in lots of fun! 

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Best toys of 2019

Electro Guitar Kit

If your child loves to tinker with things, he’ll love this. First, it will require him to build his own guitar from cardboards and rubber bands, and then he can learn how to play music with it through video tutorials. He’ll never complain of being bored again!

Pictionary Air

This version of an old favorite puts an exciting spin to game night. Instead of using pen and paper, you draw your clues on the air using the special pen. You can view the drawing on your phone’s screen through an app.  

LEGO Hidden Side 

The toymaker’s “Hidden Side” series perfectly meshes traditional play with virtual reality. After making your brick masterpiece, watch it come alive using your smartphone through augmented reality (pictured above is the LEGO Hidden Side Paranormal Intercept Bus).

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smART Pixelator

Here’s a great tool to bring your child’s 2D dreams to life. Upload a photo using the app, which will then send a pixelated version of the image to the beading board, making it easy for your child to follow the pattern and build.  

Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser

Toy cars aren’t just for racing anymore, they’re also for teaching the concept of gravity with the Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser. Use the accompanying laser pointer to bring it from the floor to the wall.

Click here to see the rest of the toys in the list.

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