Birthday gifts for a son 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
Play-Doh
Barbie Designer Doll Set - Florals and Fringe
$11.99 at Target
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Disney
Princess Style Collection Play Phone & Stylish Clutch
$10.39 at Target
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Fisher-Price
Laugh & Learn Wake Up & Learn Coffee Mug
$9.19 at Target
Named by TODAY, 2026.
Checked 31 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
Playmobil
Color - Motorbike (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
VTech
Bopping and Cruising Baby Driver (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 5 Sep 2026
VTech
Bluey Bluey’s Keytar (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Verge, 2024.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Bluey
Advent Calendar 2026 (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Beyblade
X Helm Knight 3-80N Starter Pack
$14.97 at Walmart
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 18 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Disney Minnie Mouse Dress-Up Puzzle (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Play-Doh
Grill Fun Playset (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 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
Hasbro
Peppa Pig & Family 4 Piece Set (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2025.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Pokemon
Pokémon Cuddly Plush (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 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
Play-Doh
Barbie Designer Fashion Show Playset (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by Good Housekeeping, 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
Schleich
Wild Life North Atlantic Right Whale (paid link)
Under $25 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
