The Best At-Home Activity Sets and Toys for Kids to Stay Busy

Families are spending more time than ever at home together so we went on a mission to scout out activity sets and toys that will help keep kids busy so parents can get stuff done. From STEM to craft kits to playsets and more, these toys provide open-ended play, helping the time fly by in a fun and creative way. 

National Geographic Glow in the Dark Marble Run is a new creative STEM toy. This 150 piece construction set comes with 30 glow in the dark glass marbles that shine bright as they zig-zag down the marble run. Kids will love that the kit has countless imaginative configurations and glow in the dark fun. Parents will love that the learning guide inside teaches about the physics of motion and aerodynamics so kids can learn while they play! And when you’re all done, a convenient mesh storage bag is included so you can keep all your marble run pieces stored together. 

Design and create your own hair extensions with the Cool Maker Hollywood Hair Extension Maker! This DIY studio comes with everything you need to customize and style 12 hair extensions you can really wear. Kids will love choosing a colored or patterned hair ribbon, designing any way you want with the included markers, and having the Hollywood Hair Extension Maker magically transform your hair ribbon into a super cute wearable hair extension. Next, style your extension your way. Parents will love that it includes a heatless curling wand and two attachments, so kids can create so many camera-ready styles. $24.99

Go retro with Spirograph! This Original Spirograph Design Set features the iconic wheels and rings of the original, re-engineered and updated for today—packaged in a classic, collectible, retro-styled package. Parents will love that the Spirograph gears work with the two design pens included in the set as well as with most standard pens, markers and pencils, and that the kit features a travel-friendly tin with snap-in storage tray. Kids will love that Spirograph Putty holds the pieces securely on the paper so that you can create intricately beautiful designs with no holes in the paper! $19.99

Write, draw, and create in delicious chocolate with the better-than-ever Chocolate Pen! The new kid-friendly design automatically loads the pen with chocolate while the warming tray keeps your chocolate candy melted and ready to go. Kids will love that at the touch of a button they can write words, draw one-of-a-kind designs, or use the 40 molds to make rainbows, hearts and other fun shapes. Parents will love that the DIY creations will magically harden in minutes and make a perfect gift for friends and family to enjoy. $29.99

Na! Na! Na! Surprise™ 3-in-1 Backpack Bedroom Playset is an adorable stylish backpack and playset! Unzip to reveal the secret bedroom playset and fashion closet hidden inside. Kids will love the many details and small play pieces including a real floor-length mirror, fold-out bed with pillows and blanket, and closet with working drawers and hangers. There are two styles available in pink and black, each with a limited-edition Na! Na! Na! Surprise soft fashion doll, featuring Series 1 fan favorite characters in fresh outfits, Aubrey Heart (pink bunny) and Tuesday Meow (black kitty)! Parents will love that when finished playing, pack everything up and take the backpack on-the-go for play any time. $39.99

The new Social Studio by WeCool Toys has everything you need to shoot your own viral videos! Parents love that this device allows kids of all ages to shoot viral videos hands free with an adjustable arm to shoot at the best angle possible. Kids love that from cooking, crafts, and slime, they have the freedom to create all types of videos, and it includes fun and trendy backgrounds, mixing tools, various slimy compounds, and sparkly mix ins. $19.99

Power Treads are all-surface vehicles that kids build and​ unleash! Kids will love to design and customize the treads on their all-surface vehicle and then build epic trails using the modular track set. Set up stunts, obstacles and challenges for your Power Treads to power over, under and through using found objects and household items. Parents will love that with 1000+ courses, kids have endless entertainment, building any trail at unlimited scale! $29.99

Scribble Scrubbies Pets Grooming Truck is a fun, creative way to take care of your Scribble Scrubbie Pets’ needs—then just fold it up and roll! Kids love that these Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets (two are included) are washable so you can color and customize with the included Crayola markers, take them for a ride in the truck, and then wash them off the with a hand-pump hose and do it all over again and again. Parents love that it is safe, creative fun, and nontoxic. $19.99

Kids are still stuck on Colorforms! Parents love that Colorforms vinyl re-stickable playsets provide safe, creative, open-ended and imaginative play, and have been trusted by generations of parents and grandparents. Kids love that there are so many characters to choose from like Colorforms Lucy’s Winter Carnival Retro Set lets kids create their very own winter adventures with Lucy, Snoopy, and the whole Peanuts gang! Or tell endless stories over and over again with the Barbie Dream House playset! The 2-story Dream House opens up to feature inside/outside play scenes and comes with over 50 re-stickable pieces, including Barbie, Ken, and Skipper.  $15.99

Fashion Plates Super Stars has everything you love about classic Fashion Plates Deluxe with an all-new superstar edge! Kids love that they feature rockin’ guitars, microphones, and stage-ready fashions, so these aspiring fashionistas, rock stars, and designers can create mix and match pop star looks that are sure to blast to the top of the charts! Parents will love that they can pack everything neatly in the trendy portfolio case and hit the road. It’s also compatible with other Fashion Plates sets. $19.99

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Dance Workshop - NY

<p dir="ltr">Nestled in the heart of the UES, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with Dance Workshop!</p> <p dir="ltr">MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-78b9d4ab-7fff-0ea8-b84f-04a5fe908f8c"></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-78b9d4ab-7fff-0ea8-b84f-04a5fe908f8c"><br /></span></p>

PaleyLand Holiday Experience

<p>Celebrate the holidays at PaleyLand at the Paley Museum, New York's must-visit destination for a holiday adventure, just steps from Rockefeller Center!</p> <p>Our five-floor immersive holiday extravaganza, includes photos with Santa and holiday characters, crafts, giveaways, screenings of classic holiday favorites, hot chocolate, a magical train display, and more.</p> <p>Escape the cold and the crowds, and enjoy our indoor wonderland where families can play, relax, and create timeless memories together in our holiday oasis in the heart of midtown Manhattan.</p> <p>General Admission to PaleyLand is free for children under 12.</p> <p>The holiday extravaganza is open from November 20 – January 5 at the Paley Museum, 25 W 52 Street, NYC. Paley Members enjoy free access. Come to PaleyLand again and again to see all your favorite characters and screenings. After just one visit, membership pays for itself!</p> <p><span style="color: #888888;"> </span></p>

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>