40 Kids’ Toys And Games Adults Will Not-So-Secretly Love

Who says kids get to have all the fun? Here are 40 toys and games adults will want to add to their wishlists, too.

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Work days would be so much better with mandatory afternoon naps and break rooms filled with fun toys and games instead of the lingering scent of your coworker’s tuna casserole. While you sadly can’t turn back time and take all those naps you refused as a kid (seriously, what were we thinking?), you can take a break from being a grown-up with grown-up responsibilities with these 40 kids’ products that are so fun, you won’t want to go back to work.

1. Never miss snack time again with this must-have item.

One of the best things about being a kid? Snack time. Let’s be honest; who didn’t love chowing down on peanut butter crackers or an ice cream sandwich two hours after lunch? But as adults, we’re lucky if we get to snarf down a sad desk lunch, much less take time for nutritious snack breaks throughout the day (and no, the six cups of coffee you had before lunchtime doesn’t count). Feed your inner kid and make snack time a priority with this Bentgo Bento-Style Lunchbox. With five perfectly snack-size compartments inside (even a little round one for dipping), you’ll never be hangry at work again.

2. Everyone needs snug-as-a-bug jammies.

Kids jammies are so stinking cute, especially if they’re the one-piece variety (bonus points for footies). But as an adult,  our go-to jammies are decidedly not cute; your hubby’s tatty old gym shorts and that oversized t-shirt you’ve been rocking since college could definitely use an upgrade. Luckily, with these unisex animal onesies, you can be just as cute and cozy as your kids; plus, they double as great last-minute Halloween costumes in a pinch!

3. Bowl a lucky strike with this fun lawn game.

Bowling is so much fun when you’re a kid. Somehow as a child, you don’t think about the fact that hundreds of people have worn those same stinky bowling shoes before you, and you aren’t at all bothered by the fact that an extremely sticky substance is all over your fingers thanks to a dirty bowling ball. With this Perfect Life Ideas Inflatable Backyard Family Bowling Set, which features six inflatable weighted pins and a giant inflatable bowling ball, you can bowl Fred Flintstone-style in bare feet in the comfort of your own backyard and never have to wear someone else’s bowling shoes again. The only drawback? There are no lanes in backyard bowling, so you definitely have to watch out for a rogue breeze that might carry your inflatable bowling ball off course.

4. This game takes rubber chickens to a whole new level.

We’re not sure why the rubber chicken is still a hallmark of those slapstick comedy routines kids (and a lot of adults) think are so hilarious, but they are. Keep the comedy routine going with Flickin’ Chicken, a hilarious lawn game from Haywire Group that’s sort of like a rubber chicken version of horseshoes. It’s exactly what it sounds like: players fling rubber chickens towards a target with the goal to get as close to center as possible. Kids and adults alike will love practicing their rubber chicken precision, which is especially laugh-inducing, considering rubber chickens have a tendency to go their own way when tossed.

5. Are you afraid of the dark?

Kids aren’t the only ones who need nightlights! Admit it: you hate stumbling to the bathroom in the dark at midnight, and sometimes you sleep with a closet light on after watching a particularly scary movie. Instead of hiding under the covers or using your phone’s flashlight feature, why not purchase this ultra adorable Elfeland silicone cat night light for yourself? It’s soft, squishy, portable, lights up in 12 soft glowing colors, and even comes with a handy remote for easy control at your fingertips.

6. If you build it…

Your kid might have built an electric motor for her science fair project, but you’ll also love this Tinkering Labs Stem Kit that allows you to build endless motors, robots, and even working cars. Even better, you can combine the kit with existing LEGO sets and other toys to create unique projects. Maybe the most fun thing about this toy is the challenge cards that come in each kit, prompting kids and adults alike to challenge their creativity by “building projects that can scramble an egg” or draw curvy lines.” What does that look like? You get to decide!

7. Do you want to build a snowman?

Remember those epic neighborhood snowball fights you had as a kid? Now, bundling up and trudging out into the cold only to get pelted with more cold snow doesn’t seem so fun. We’d much prefer staying inside and sipping hot cocoa, thank you very much. With the Snowtime Anytime Indoor Snowball Fight, you can recapture the magic of winter anytime of the year without leaving your warm, cozy house. Another fun thing to do with these plush snowballs? Ambush your kids when they’re least expecting it. It’s like getting hit with a marshmallow, so unlike real snowball fights, these don’t end in tears.

8. These aren’t your average pancakes.

Have you seen those epic meal creations some moms make for their kids? Who has the time for that? When you’re a grown-up, the only person who’s going to turn your food into a work of art is, well, you. So bring the fun back to breakfast with the Whiskware Pancake Art Kit that features two pancake shapers, a squirt art bottle for customizing your pancake creations, and a blender bottle for mixing up the batter. You can even download the Whiskware Pancake Art App to get tutorials on fun designs, and unlike those crazy mealtime designs, these pancake creations don’t take a ton of time to whip up, either.

9. Bring on the rain!

Kids love splashing through puddles and playing in the rain; you will too with these too-cute Stephen Joseph Pop-Up Umbrellas in a wide variety of kids’ favorite things: sharks, unicorns, mermaids, and more. Play pretend with these fun, colorful umbrellas. They’re just the thing to brighten up any gloomy, rainy day.

10. Secretly, you’re a mermaid.

Kids aren’t the only ones who will love this cute-as-a-button 4M Mermaid Doll-Making Kit (which also comes in fairy, princess, and ballerina, if mermaids aren’t your thing). The kit is ideal for satisfying the urge to craft without spending a ton on materials and supplies—you don’t even need a needle and thread! And, at just eight inches tall, this little mermaid makes the perfect desk accessory to remind you that even though you’re really not Ariel, you are in your heart, and that’s where it counts, right?

11. Light up the room with a dinosaur.

Kids love dinosaurs because they’re giant, they roar, and they’re extinct—so how scary can they really be? But we’re grown-ups, and we love learning all about our prehistoric friends just as much as our kids. Ok, so maybe we just love looking at Chris Pratt save the day in Jurassic Park, but who cares? We still adore this 3D T-Rex Kids’ Lamp. With its hologram and color-changing effects, this dino lamp is the perfect accessory to add a little light and levity to an otherwise ho-hum cubicle space.

12. Bring back the ’90s with this throwback gem.

Every middle-school-aged girl wanted for Christmas in 1994 was a Polly Pocket compact. Like most kids in the ’90s, we lived for Polly Pocket and her pint-sized friends and accessories. Now you can introduce a whole new generation to a little piece of your childhood (and play with her yourself) with the Polly Pocket Flamingo Floatie Compact. Each Polly Pocket compact is just like you remember; secret reveals, tiny accessories, and big adventures.

13. Cuddle up with the cutest (plush) animal in the world.

Kristen Bell isn’t the only one who loves sloths. But unless you’re planning on breaking some international exotic animal importation laws, keeping a real sloth is probably out of the picture. You can still get your sloth snuggles with the Wild Republic Hanging Three Toed Sloth Plush. They’re downright adorable, and we’ll just say it: These plush sloths make a way better snuggle companion that that lumpy old body pillow.

14. Unleash your inner Mozart.

Kids love, and we mean love, any toy that makes an inordinate amount of loud noise. Most parents spend almost an equal amount of time trying to keep raucous music-making to a minimum, but the MukikiM Rock and Roll It Piano is a toy that both adults and children will love to play. It’s compact, so it really does roll up easily, and it even comes with a color-coded songbook so you can play all your greatest hits. When you’re finished rocking out, just roll the piano up and store it out of sight until your next jam session.

15. Turn weeknight dinners into a game night with this fun accessory.

Has your kid ever refused to eat because they didn’t like the plate the food was served on or that their favorite fork was in the dishwasher? Keep toddler tantrums at bay with this Fred & Friends Dinner Winner Dino Tray. Kids will love this board game-inspired meal tray where a treat awaits upon a clean plate—which is when they win the game. Mom and dad may want to get in on the fun too with other options that include an Enchanted Forest game tray and a Pirate game tray. Dinnertime has never been more fun!

16. Ahoy, mateys!

Kids love to play pirates, always on the search for buried treasure and adventure. And adults can swashbuckle like Jack Sparrow too, but instead of setting sail on the high seas, you’ll be sailing through the skies with the X-Kites 3D Supersize Pirate Ship, complete with a sturdy fiberglass frame. Eye patch, parrot, wooden legs, and treasure maps are sold separately.

17. This kids’ toy is a great stress reliever.

Remember Bozo Bop It? The slightly terrifying clown kids loved to knock over, but wouldn’t stay down? Well, now you can get a Mini 5” Bozo the Clown Bop Bag, a pint-sized adult stress reliever masquerading as a kids’ toy, perfect to keep on your desk when you just need to take a break. He’s squishy, so reach for this little Bozo when Carol from Accounting sends yet another unnecessary office payroll memo.

18. It’s the picture-perfect toy.

Much like a rotary phone, kids these days probably have no idea what an old-school 35mm camera is, much less the joy of getting back a roll of film from one-hour photo. Kids these days prefer to snap selfies on their phone instead. Adults, though, will love this throwback Liangxiang Wooden Mini Camera Toy. It’s great as a cute photo prop or a thoughtful addition to any room’s decor to remind of the good old days.

19. How does your garden grow?

By LED light, of course. This teeny Mini Explorer Light-Up Terrarium Kit includes everything you need to cultivate your very own miniature garden: chia and wheatgrass seeds, soil, river rocks, and even a miniature ceramic rabbit to live in your garden! Watch your garden grow by day, and turn your terrarium into a serene moonscape after dark with the LED lid light.

20. Sorry, Girl Scouts. I make my own cookies now.

Now you can have girl scout cookies all year long with the Wicked Cool Toys Girl Scout Cookie Oven. Just like the Easy-Bake Oven of your childhood, you can watch your delicious cookies bake under the glow of some magical baking wizardry (or a 60-watt light bulb). We do still recommend supporting Girl Scout cookie sales though—there’s still no substitute for a fresh box of thin mints.

21. Pass the pigs, please.

Never heard of Pass the Pigs? Allow us to introduce you to this hilarious, easy-to-play game in which miniature pigs take the place of dice in a livestock-inspired version of Yahtzee. Players earn points for moves like the Oinker or the Pig-Out and keep score on the included score pad. It’s an ideal travel game, thanks to the game’s compact size, making anytime a good time to Pass the Pigs.

22. Like a Nerf toy, but so much better.

Getting pelted with foam arrows is totally fun, but you know what’s even better? Getting pelted by edible marshmallows with this marshmallow shooter from Marshmallow Fun Company. This dart-style marshmallow shooter features a soft mouth guard that prevents you from inhaling marshmallows, and it’s even dishwasher safe.

23. Ride through the airport in style.

Ok, so you might get some odd looks in the airport if you’re seen scooting around on a Trunki Original Ride-On Suitcase. Even though you’ll still have to walk to your gate, this cute kids suitcase is made of durable plastic, can fit in an overhead bin, and can definitely be spotted at baggage claim. We’d say that makes it an ideal piece of luggage for both the young and the young at heart.

24. Play chess with your favorite video game hero.

Mario is beloved by both today’s kids and ’90s-era grown-ups whose first video game experience was playing Mario on the original Nintendo system. Exercise your brain and revisit all your old favorites including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi with USAopoly Super Mario Chess, which features hand-painted pieces. Just watch out for Bowser—he’s still just as hard to beat!

25. Who doesn’t love bathroom humor?

For whatever reason, kids loooooove poop jokes, which is why they love the LOOPY Fishin’ for Floaters Bath Game, in which, you guessed it, kids fish for fake poop in their bath water. But, we have to admit, this game is pretty funny, and it beats fishing real poo out of the bath (moms, you know what we’re talking about).

26. This toy won’t break the bank.

Have a fresh piece of gum anytime with the Carousel Medium Gumball Bank. Its compact size (right at 12 inches) is perfect for keeping near your desk when you need a fresh piece of gum; if you’re industrious, you might even start a side hustle selling gum to coworkers. Just don’t stick your old gum under your desk, or you’ll have to stay after class, ok?

27. These monsters are totally cute, not scary.

Ok, so they aren’t really a kids toy, but these Mitten Monsters Cooking Mittens were too cute not to include on this list. These oven mitts are 100% cotton with a quilted liner for extra heat protection. And while they’re totally functional for everyday use, they also make great hand puppets for entertaining littles during mealtimes.

28. Light the way with this fun bike accessory.

Bike safety is important for everyone, and it’s easy with Brightz Wheel LED Bicycle Lights. The seven feet of mini LED lights come in several different color options including blue, purple, and gold. These lights fit most adult-size bikes and work using three AAA batteries. With these LED bike lights, you’ll definitely be the coolest kid on the block.

29. In a galaxy far, far away…

Whether you’re more of Ray or a Poe, everyone’s favorite adorable bot in the Star Wars universe, BB-8, can be your very own with the LEGO Star Wars VIII BB-8 Building Kit. LEGO BB-8 was a 2018 Toy of the Year Award Finalist, and it’s surprisingly realistic with a real rotating head and even a small hatch that reveals a welding torch (nonfunctioning, of course!). Once you’re finished building BB-8, you can either display him on the included decorative stand or unleash your inner Jedi and use the force to fight Kylo Ren.

30. Remember ’90s cartoons?

Nineties babies will love revisiting a certain fourth grader with a distinctly football-shaped head and all his friends with these Hey Arnold! Action Figures. Pals Helga, Gerald, Harold, and Phoebe join Arnold to round out the cast of these 3-inch action figures that are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face—and have you humming the Hey Arnold theme song in preparation for the upcoming reboot film.

31. The magical world of Disney just got even better.

Who doesn’t love Codenames, the fun party game in which teams compete to get all the codewords on the board before their opponents? Well, Disney fans rejoice, because Codenames just got even more fun with the USAopoly Disney Family Edition Codenames Card Game. Adults will also love using clues to identify pictures and words from their favorite Disney films just as much as kids do.

32. Who ya gonna call?

Even with the recent release of the excellent female-driven Ghostbusters reboot, this is one toy that we think was created with adults in mind. The PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters Firehouse lets you recreate the magic of the movie with all your favorite characters including Janine and Egon. Unfortunately, everyone’s favorite ghost, Slimer, isn’t included in this set, but the good news is that the PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters Firehouse can be combined with other PLAYMOBIL products like the Ecto-1 for a complete Ghostbusters experience. So, if there’s something strange in your neighborhood, you’re already covered.

33. Make sure you stock up on hard tack.

Adults of a certain age all wax nostalgic about spending countless hours in their school’s library playing Oregon Trail, desperately trying to keep their family alive on the perilous trek west. The computer game lives on in Oregon Trail: The Hunt For Food Card Game, which can be played anywhere.   But beware—the same perils await you along the Oregon Trail card game: you could easily be ambushed by poisonous snakes or a flooded river crossing as you try to collect 600 pounds of food to take back to your wagon.

34. Accio, books!

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since we were introduced to a young wizard with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead? Potterheads rejoice, because you can reread all of Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s adventures over again with the recently released Harry Potter Special Edition Boxed Set, featuring all-new illustrations by Brian Selznick, a Caldecott Medal-winning artist.

35. Play with Duke Silver’s alter-ego.

That’s right, folks. Dolls might be a kids’ toy, but action figures are for grown-ups, and we’re living for this Funko Pop Television Parks and Recreation Ron Swanson Figure. With his signature mustache and frown, you can just hear Ron Swanson’s popular opinions on everything from burgers (“Add ketchup if you want, I couldn’t care less.”) to the debate over cats and dogs (“Any dog under 50 pounds is a cat.”).

36. Kids aren’t the only ones who can have a ball (pit).

There is nothing more fun than diving head first into a plastic ball pit and rolling around like Scrooge McDuck on a pile of gold coins. Alas, most ball pits are pint-sized, meaning adults can’t get in on the fun. You can, however, get creative and make your own ball pit with a couple sets of Click N’ Play Value Pack of 400 Hundred Crush Proof Plastic Balls and an inexpensive inflatable swimming pool. These plastic balls are also phthalate and BPA free, so you’re not swimming around in harmful toxins, either.

37. Tag, you’re it!

Getting hot and sweaty right before math class in an intense game of playground tag or dodgeball was so much fun as a kid. Combine the two with the safe and fun Diggin Active Dodge Tag game, which comes equipped for two players to go head-to-head with mesh vests and six plush dodge balls. Order multiple sets to get everyone in on the action.

38. Gotta catch ‘em all!

Are you still trying to nab the latest Pokémon in town on Pokémon GO? If so, you’ll love Pokémon Mad Libs, a Pokémon-inspired take on this zany classic. Does Charizard _____ Squirtle? You decide by filling in the blanks to create your very own Pokémon adventures Mad Libs-style.

39. Keep cool during the hot summer months with this fun toy.

This summer heat has been one for the books, and even though Pumpkin Spice season is upon us, it’s still steamy outside. While you may not be able to paddle around in this Intex Mystic Unicorn Inflatable Spray Pool, it’s the perfect backyard accessory to dip your feet in and stay cool when you just don’t want to make the trek down to the community pool. It attaches to a regular garden hose for filling and spraying, meaning you’ll be able to easily lounge poolside all summer long.

40. Play a game that glows in the dark.

Capture the flag is a super fun summer camp staple. You might be too old to go back to camp, but you can still capture that summer camp feeling with Capture the Flag REDUX Glow-in-the-Dark Game. Instead of a traditional flag, you’ll be playing with a cool glow-in-the-dark orb; it’s like laser tag meets capture the flag, and this outdoor game is perfect for parties, team building, or any night you feel like doing something a little different.

Katie Martin
Katie Raye Martin is a freelance writer, navy wife, new mom, and chocoholic. In addition to HealthyWay, she has contributed to NextGenMilSpouse, a blog for the millennial military spouse, and Pregnant Chicken, a pregnancy blog. Since welcoming her first son a few months ago, Katie has become a pregnancy expert and cloth diapering connoisseur. When she’s not writing (or changing diapers) Katie is training for her first half-marathon.