Budget-friendly, Screen-free Play, STEM Toys and Collectibles

The holidays are here and I’m sure many of you are wrapping up your last minute gifts. 

I am spotlighting  some budget-friendly, screen-free play, STEM toys, and collectibles for holiday gift ideas kids and kidults will love. These gifts are fun, playful and even make great stocking stuffers.

Check each out below and happy shopping!

FAO Schwarz 10-inch Blob Plush 

MSRP: $19.99 | Ages 3+ | Target, FAO.com 

Bring home the magic of these ultra-soft Blob Plush collectors’ favorites. Each character comes to life in a round, squishy style that kids and collectors love. A guaranteed smile-maker for collectors and kids alike. 


Why fans love it:


• Super soft & huggable 

• Cute chubby “blob” design 

• Great gift for fans & collectors 

• Multiple beloved characters to collect


Characters include: 

Bluey, Bingo, Cinnamoroll, Hello Kitty, Superman 

FAO Schwarz Toy Vending Machine

MSRP: $39.99 | Ages 3+ | Target, FAO.com 

Bring home the magic of a real vending machine with this surprise-filled collectible toy. Each FAO Schwarz Vending Machine includes 12 mini capsules that can be reused for storing, trading, or creating new surprises. 


Why families love it: 


• Real vending-machine twist & reveal play 

• 12 collectible mini capsules included 

• Reusable capsules for endless fun 

• Perfect for fans, collectors & surprise lovers 


So fun!


Great for fans of surprise-play toys. Twist the knob to reveal cute collectible figures from Bluey, Disney, Hello Kitty, Marvel, and more



MAGNA-TILES Dog House, Hamster ball, and Cat Tree 13-Piece Set 

MSRP: $17.99 | Ages 3+ | MAGNATILES.com, Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble 



The MAGNA-TILES Pets Collection features three fun 13-piece sets that inspire creative, hands-on play. Kids can build cozy spaces, climbing structures, and rolling tracks using colorful microMAGS pieces and cute animal figures. All sets connect with existing MAGNA-TILES, making them great for gifting and easy add-ons to any collection.


Dog House 13-Piece Set

A cute dog figure, cozy house pieces, and fun fences that encourage imaginative pet play and connect with all MAGNA-TILES sets.


Cat Tree 13-Piece Set






Kids can stack, climb, and build a colorful playground using cubes and slide pieces. Great for creativity and fine motor skills.



Hamster Ball 13-Piece Set




A magnetic rolling hamster ball, bright slide pieces, and buildable tracks bringing motion-filled fun.


Booksy: The Disney Edition

MSRP: $9.97 | Ages 3–9 | Walmart 


Why families love it: 



• Collectible figures + tiny books in one compact set 

• Encourages reading, imagination, and emotional learning 

• Features fan-favorites like Stitch, Moana, Elsa, and Simba 

• A perfect small, affordable gift for holiday storytime 

So Fun! 


Disney’s most iconic characters come to life through storytelling and collectible play. Each Booksy includes a mini articulated figure paired with a 40-page illustrated storybook, making reading interactive, screen-free, and fun for young fans.


UFC Octagon Fighters – Speed Bag Capsule 

MSRP: $9.97 | Ages 8+ | Walmart 



Step into the fight night with the UFC Speed Bag Capsule, a knockout collectible for every UFC fan! With 12 fighters to collect and 4 rare ones in the mix, every unboxing packs a surprise punch. This is your chance to bring the UFC home, one capsule at a time! 


Why Fans Love It:

Officially licensed by the UFC anddesigned by PMI for maximum authenticity and collectible appeal. 



Each capsule holds: 

• 1 hidden UFC fighter standing 2.5 inches tall 

• 1 detailed Octagon base

The lineup includes: 

Islam Makhachev, Israel Adesanya, Charles Oliveira, Illia Topuria, Max Holloway, Sean O’Malley, Valentina Shevchenko, Dustin Poirier, Rose Namajunas, Leon Edwards, Michael Chandler, and Alexa Grasso. 



Supergoal MLS Shoe Capsule 

MSRP: $9.97 | Ages 7+ | Walmart 


Designed to captivate soccer fans and collectors of all ages, the MLS Supergoal Shoe Capsule features a top-tier MLS player reimagined as a stylized, articulated collectible hidden inside a velvet-textured capsule shaped like a soccer shoe. 



Why Fans Love it!


Fans can build a full soccer field as they collect more figures.


The bases of the fields connect to each other!


Each shoe capsule holds: 

• 1 blind-packaged 3-inch MLS player & accessory 

• 2 personalized athlete stickers 

• 1 mini player poster 

• 1 field base with goal 


This line features:

Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, Marco Reus and more. 


WWE 

MSRP: $4.97 | Ages 3+ | Walmart 


Unbox the ultimate lineup of WWE Superstars! Each WWE Champs or Smash N Squish includes a surprise Superstar figure! For WWE Champs, an action-ready accessory (ladder, chair, briefcase, etc.), and a collectible trading card are also included while Smash N Squish includes a microphone, making it a perfect stocking stuffer for wrestling fans. 



Why fans love it: 



• Fun surprise unboxing 

• Mix-and-match accessories and squishable!  

• Collect all 4 Squish N Smash Superstars or 12 Champ Superstars 

• Affordable and giftable 


Superstars include: 


John Cena, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Rey Mysterio, Logan Paul, CM Punk, LA Knight, Bianca Belair, Roman Reigns + special editions of John Cena and Randy Orton



Ready Activated: Discover Dinosaurs 

MSRP: $19.99 | Ages 7+ | Amazon 



An Alexa-powered interactive book that lets kids talk to their reading experience. Readers can ask questions, hear dinosaur facts, play trivia games, and explore immersive soundscapes. With over three hours of smart audio content, every reading becomes a new adventure. 


Why it’s a great holiday pick: 


• Voice-enabled, hands-free learning 

• Interactive storytelling powered by Alexa 

• Trivia, sound effects & real dino facts 

• Perfect for STEM-loving kids

So cool!

Perfect for curious kids who love dinos and hands-on learning.



Chatter Chompers 

 

MSRP: $11.97 | Ages 3+ | Walmart

Why everyone loves the: 

Get ready for giggles with Chatter Chompers! These 6.5-inch plush pals may look soft and cuddly, but give their belly a squeeze and you’ll discover a silly surprise.

Their mouths pop wide open while they let out goofy sounds like giggles, burps, screams, and even farts!

Why everyone loves the: 

 

Perfect for everyone who loves to laugh, ChatterChompers are the perfect mix of silly, surprising, and downright entertaining. Kids will love playing with them again and again!

Whether you’re after your favorite animal or aiming to collect the full set, each Chatter Chompercomes with its own unique personality.

Plush Pals Includes: 

Axolotl, Beaver, Bunny, Capybara, Cat, Dilophosaurus, Dog, Fox, Highland Cow, Hippo, Sloth, and Triceratops.