Christmas gifts for a brother who loves pretend play under $25
Melissa & Doug
Dinosaurs Chunky Puzzle, 7 Pieces
$12.99 at Melissa & Doug
Thick dinosaur pieces that stand up on their own once they are out, so the puzzle becomes a toy the moment it is finished.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
Magna-Tiles
Cat Tree 13 Piece Set
$17.99 at Magna-Tiles
A 13-piece magnetic tile set with cats and a cat-tree build.
Seen at Magna-Tiles, 30 Aug 2026
Squishmallows
Dilka the Lavender Bigfoot (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by Country Living, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Marvel
Titan Hero Series Spider-Man 12-Inch Action Figure (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by TODAY, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
VTech
Bluey Bluey’s Keytar (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Verge, 2024.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Hot Wheels
20-Car Gift Pack (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
A twenty car die-cast set that gives an instant collection, good for kids ages 4 to 10.
Seen at Amazon, 3 Sep 2026
Magna-Tiles
Dolphin Bay 13 Piece Set
$19.99 at Magna-Tiles
Thirteen tiles and a dolphin, the right size of present for a party a child was invited to at three days notice.
Seen at Magna-Tiles, 30 Aug 2026
Crocodile Creek
50 Piece Flat House Puzzle, Fire House
$15.99 at Crocodile Creek
A puzzle cut into the shape of the fire station it shows, so the finished thing looks like something rather than a rectangle.
Seen at Crocodile Creek, 30 Aug 2026
Star Wars
The Mandalorian Electronic Mask (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by Country Living, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
100 Piece Wood Blocks Set
$24.99 at Melissa & Doug
Plain wooden blocks in four colours, the set a child knocks down at one and builds proper towers with at four.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
Squishmallows
"Harry Potter" Ravenclaw Raven Plush (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by TODAY, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
VTech
Switch & Go Dinos, T-Don and Tonn 2-Pack (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Two dinosaurs that transform into vehicles, a sturdy electronic toy for kids ages 3 to 6.
Seen at Amazon, 3 Sep 2026
Sassy
Fruit Fill N' Spill
$15 at Manhattan Toy
A soft basket of fruit a baby empties and refills over and over, which is the entire game at that age.
Seen at Manhattan Toy, 5 Sep 2026
PlanToys
Doctor Doll
$19.99 at PlanToys
A small wooden doctor sized for a dollhouse, the kind of figure that ends up in every game a child invents.
Seen at PlanToys, 5 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Simmer and Stir Stovetop Play Set
$21.99 at Melissa & Doug
A stovetop with pans and food that sits on any table, for a child who wants a play kitchen the house has no room for.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026