16 Cold Noodle Recipes to Eat on Warm Days

Samantha Simon
Apr 05, 2016

Rising temperatures directly correlate to your rising lack of patience in the kitchen. It’s science (maybe)! But before you know it, those long summer months when it’s too hot to even think about stirring up a one-pot vegan sriracha chili will be here — and then what will you eat? Don’t let heat-wave hanger set in. Cold noodles are the delicious solution you need in your life, especially when you’ve exhausted your summer crock pot recipe options. Chilled noodles can be dressed up with lots of fresh vegetables and herbs so you’re still getting salad vibes; however, the noodle component *does* make these dishes a tad more filling. Try these refreshing cold noodle dishes for quick and simple weeknight meals or time-saving lunches that don’t require reheating.

1. Crunchy Asian Ramen Noodle Salad: If you were/are one of those people that think uncooked ramen packages are a tasty snack, you’re going to adore this salad. Before you dive headfirst into uncooked ramen, Ali of Gimme Some Oven recommends toasting the ramen on a baking pan to add nuttiness and a little more crunch. This technique will really make the ramen stand out alongside cabbage and carrots. Yep, your favorite college snack just got a little more interesting. (via Gimme Some Oven)

2. Fiery Cold Sichuan Sesame Noodle: These sesame noodles are the most delicious kind of paradox: They’re cold noodles that are hot. If you love a good spicy pepper challenge, this is the dish to test yourself with. It packs heat from Korean chili flakes plus a numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. (via Lady and Pups)

3. Szechuan Cold Noodles: Because these cold Szechuan (aka Sichuan)-style noodles are tossed in sesame paste and chili oil, they bear some resemblance to dan dan noodles, which are totally delicious. This version is simplified though, leaving out the minced pork and veggies. Still, it makes for a crave-worthy, easy meal. (via China Sichuan Food)

4. Cold Noodles With Shredded Chicken: Spice up your pasta salad with this Chinese version that anyone who digs intense flavors will love. It packs a huge punch thanks to lots of garlic, ginger and chili oil. Bring this dish to a cookout or picnic and watch it become an instant fave. (via The Woks of Life)

5. Rainbow Noodle Salad With Fruity Ginger Soy Vinaigrette: This noodle salad is *totally* Instagrammable, so get on it! It’s packed with loads of healthy and colorful vegetables like yellow tomatoes, red cabbage and carrots. Save this recipe for a particularly fruitful (or vegetable-ful) farmer’s market haul. (via The Woks of Life)

6. Thai Mason Jar Salad: These adorable Thai-style salads packed in mason jars are a great way to add yumminess and decor to your next brunch soiree. Everyone loves a single-serve salad! Or, you could make a few for the week to enjoy some happy desk lunches. (via Brit + Co)

7. Vietnamese Shrimp Noodle Salad: The dressing in this Vietnamese-style salad is an addictive combination of salty, sweet and sour. It packs an umami punch thanks to fish sauce, which you don’t want to miss. It works extremely well here to dress up the mild flavors of rice noodles and veggies. (via Recipe Tin Eats)

8. Satay Chicken Noodle Salad: Finally, an excuse to drench your plate in peanut sauce. Oh. Yes. Use fresh egg noodles for this Thai-style salad. They’re tender, springy and perfect for slurping. (via Recipe Tin Eats)

9. Black Sesame and Ginger Chicken Noodle Salad: No, there’s no squid ink in this dish — black sesame oil gives these noodles their striking black color. If you’ve never tried black sesame before, it has a nutty, smokey flavor almost like a complex peanut butter or tahini paste. (via Lady and Pups)

10. Vietnamese Chicken Salad With Rice Noodles: This delicious Vietnamese salad will change your preconceived notions of “salad.” It’s full of hot peppers and fresh herbs like cilantro, mint and green onions. The flavor combination will surely wake your taste buds from winter hibernation. (via Pinch of Yum)

11. Thai Coconut Noodle Salad: Meet the salad sister of pad thai — you’re going to be BFFs. When preparing the rice noodles for your Thai coconut noodle salad, make sure to cook the noodles al denté to prevent them from getting soggy. (via Foodie Crush)

12. Hiyashi Chuka With Shrimp, Ham and Vegetables: If you’re as crazed about ramen as we are, it’s *never* too hot to indulge. Heat’s not an issue with this perfect-for-warm-weather noodle dish. It’s a chilled ramen you can prepare in advance, chill, and enjoy later. (via Serious Eats)

13. Vegetarian Japchae: You’ll love the chewy texture of the glass noodles in japchae. Use food-handling gloves to mix the noodles, vegetables and dressing — it’ll allow you to expertly toss the salad without tearing the noodles. (via MJ and Hungryman)

14. Cold Sesame Brown Rice Noodle Salad: For a breezy lunch or dinner with easy-to-find ingredients, this brown rice noodle salad is your new go-to. You can julienne or spiralize the carrots and cucumbers in this dish for fun decoy noodles. You could even skip the noodles altogether and go for an equally delicious zoodle salad, if that’s your bag. (via Yummy Beet)

15. Korean Spicy Cold Noodles: This refreshing noodle dish with spicy-sweet sauce is just the thing to cure the what-should-I-make-for-dinner-it’s-90-degrees-outside blues. It’s a recipe you can pull together in 30 minutes or less. Bonus: The only cooking required is boiling the soba noodles. (via Simply Recipes)

16. Liangpi: It’s time to put your pasta-making skills to use. It’s well worth making these chewy noodles by hand, though it’s a bit of a project. Unlike Italian-style pasta, this method for making noodles requires washing out the gluten until the noodle dough is nearly transparent. Who knew?! (via China Sichuan Food)

Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious recipe ideas.

15 Filling Winter Salads That Count As Comfort Food

Salad isn't known as being a winter comfort food, but seasonal produce like persimmons, squash and pomegranate make *perfect* salad toppings this time of year. After indulging in holiday goodies for the last few weeks (months?), your body will be craving a nutrient-dense lunch or dinner this winter. Stay healthy and keep your immunity up by getting your veggie servings in for the day with these filling and delicious winter salads.

Quick and Easy Winter Salad Recipes We'll Be Making This Month

Harvest Cranberry, Persimmon and Burrata Salad

Half Baked Harvest

If you’ve never had a persimmon, get yourself to the farmers’ market and buy some this weekend. Kind of like an apple, they’re sweet and crisp and pair perfectly with creamy burrata (but let’s be real… what doesn’t pair perfectly with burrata?).

Warm Quinoa, Kale and Squash Salad With Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette

The Green Life

This salad features delicata squash, which is about to become your new favorite veggie. And you don’t need to peel it, which makes this salad a super convenient dinner tonight.

Herbed Kale Salad With Persimmon, Pomegranate and Maple-Cumin Dressing

The Bojourn Gourmet

If kale salad isn’t your jam, this recipe will change your mind. You can sub out the herbs for whatever you may have left over in your fridge to make this totally customizable.

Bourbon Roasted Pear Salad With Gorgonzola and Candied Walnuts

The Suburban Soapbox

This salad will make up for every disappointing salad you have ever ordered or eaten. Pears are roasted with bourbon and brown sugar and then tossed with leafy greens, blue cheese and sweet, crunchy candied walnuts for a perfect holiday salad.

Candied Hazelnut, Kale, Apple and Bacon Salad

Self Proclaimed Foodie

This salad is next-level with its mix of textures and flavors. On Sunday, mix the kale and apple with the dressing and you’ll have lunch ready for the entire week.

Harvest Salad With Pomegranate Allspice Dressing

The View from Great Island

This salad makes a beautiful accompaniment to heavier dishes. The pomegranate dressing is fresh and tangy and pairs perfectly with creamy gorgonzola and sweet acorn squash.

Winter Kale Salad With Almond Butter Dressing

In It 4 the Long Run

You only need six ingredients for this winter salad. It's easy enough to double or triple for a get-together and healthy enough to get all your veggies for the day.

Roasted Butternut Squash Fall Kale Salad

Emilie Eats

Who said salads have to be greens-based? Take advantage of the bounty of winter squash at the market this time of year and make this drool-worthy salad for dinner this week.

Baby Kale Salad With Oranges, Pomegranate and Maple-Tahini Dressing

Can You Stay for Dinner?

This salad packs a nutritional punch that can't be beat. It's delicious too!

Roasted Mushroom and Romaine Salad

Cookin' Canuck

Super-simple ingredients make this comfort salad a go-to for busy weeknights. The mushrooms are tossed with olive oil, rosemary and garlic and then roasted for an earthy bite. Get your vitamin B fix and a powerful antioxidant called selenium, which helps to support the immune system. (via Cookin' Canuck)

Sweet Potato Pomegranate Salad

Two Peas and Their Pod

You *need* to make this potato salad right now. You’ll give the summer barbecue favorite an even yummier upgrade with sweet potatoes, feta cheese and pomegranates.

Brussels Sprouts & Kale Salad With Apple, Gorgonzola + Candied Pecans

Ambitious Kitchen

The best part about kale salads is they get better the longer they sit in dressing. If you’re hosting a dinner party, this salad is the great starter for that very reason.

Brussels Sprout Salad With Butternut Squash, Pomegranate and “Fried” Goat Cheese

Coley Cooks

Brussels sprouts may have gotten a bad rap in the past, but they are the *it* veggie this winter. The goat cheese is rolled in bread crumbs and baked to make this salad feel extra special while still being ultra healthy.

Twelve Superfoods Salad 

Averie Cooks

Winter reminds us of the hunting and gathering period that often occurs right before this time so our minds immediately thought of this superfoods salad. It has sunflower seeds, walnuts, edamame, kale, blueberries, grapes, olive oil and more in it, making it the perfect replenishing meal.

Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad With Rosemary Cider Vinaigrette 

The Original Dish

Satisfy your taste bud's desire for something that fulls robust and earthy this fall. This is one of those yummy winter salad recipes that's going to give you a bit of caramelized and spicy flavor so you'll almost feel like you're not eating something that's on the healthier side.

Follow us on Pinterest for more healthy meal ideas!

This post has been updated.

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The New 'Babygirl' Trailer Is Out & I Can't Believe I Watched It During Work Hours

Nicole Kidman is, as the kids say, mothering. She's giving fans plenty of movies and TV shows to pick from while we wait for the next seasons of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers — A Family Affair, Expats, The Perfect Couple (and the AMC intro, of course). Her newest movie Babygirl comes from A24, and the steamy drama is mixing work and pleasure. Pour yourself a glass of wine for this one, folks.

Scroll down to learn more about Babygirl — and to watch the HOT new trailer!

What is the plot of Babygirl?

A24

Babygirl Plot

In Babygirl, Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a powerful CEO struggling to hold her perfect persona together. Her marriage to Jacob has never provided with much pleasure, despite the fact he's caring and artistic. But when Romy meets a young intern named Samuel, and feels immediately drawn to him, the two begin a torrid affair.

And filming scenes with Harry Dickinson got so intense, Kidman said she literally had to take breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she told the Sun. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But the fact the movie was made by women empowered Kidman — and gave her a sense of freedom. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," Kidman says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," adds writer-director-producer Halina Reijn, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?”

When is the Babygirl release date?

A24

Babygirl Release Date

Babygirl made its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, but you can watch the movie in theaters December 25, 2024.

Who's in the Babygirl cast?

A24

Babygirl Cast

The cast of Babygirl includes Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

What has Nicole Kidman said about making Babygirl?

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Nicole Kidman revealed Babygirl is the most "exposing" film she's done because she's “made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this.”

“It left me raggedm" Kidman says. "At some point I was like, I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to do this anymore, but at the same time I was compelled to do it...This is something you do and hide in your home videos. It is not a thing that normally is going to be seen by the world.”

“I felt very exposed as an actor, as a woman, as a human being,” she continues. “I had to go in and go out like, I need to put my protection back on. What have I just done? Where did I go? What did I do?”

What does babygirl energy mean?

A24

"Babygirl" is a term of endearment that's usually applied to a man (you've probably heard it describe Pedro Pascal or Paul Mescal). When someone is giving babygirl energy, they're kind, cute, and disarming. And considering Babygirl plays with power dynamics, we could be guessing who the "babygirl" in question is up until the very end.

Watch The 'Babygirl' Trailer Here!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

There were SO many moments that made our jaws drop here:

  • The thumb in the mouth
  • The pink skirt moment
  • NICOLE CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS?!
Yeah, this is one you won't wanna watch with your parents, friends. 🥵

Are you looking forward to seeing Nicole Kidman onscreen again? We might have to wait until December to see Babygirl, but there are plenty of incredible Fall Movies coming our way.

This post has been updated.

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13 Easy Fall Salads Packed With Feel-Good Ingredients

As good as soup season is, those hearty-and-hot meals can become entirely too repetitive. If you're growing tired of slow cooker stews and labor-intensive pot roasts, it's time to embrace seasonal flavors another way: fall salads. You can easily fall-ify any salad by including ingredients like butternut squash, pumpkin, apple, pomegranate, or pecans. These 13 easy fall salads celebrate the cozy, comforting essence of the season, all while keeping things very light and refreshing. Get ready to fall in love with these salads!

Brit + Co

Arugula + Pomegranate Salad

Arugula is an absolute classic when it comes to fall salads. Pair it with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, pecans, and a tasty homemade balsamic dressing, and you've got the tastiest fall salad around. (via Brit + Co)

Live Eat Learn

Chickpea Salad

For a boost of protein that you might not get from a traditional leafy salad, opt for chickpea salad. With this recipe, you'll still pack in some good veg, but feel fuller after the fact. (via Live Eat Learn for Brit + Co)

StableDiffusion

Mediterranean Salad

Eating Mediterranean-style will always provide you with amazing nourishment. This easy chop-and-throw-together salad is all veggies, plus you can season it your way with fresh dill, salt, and pepper. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Fall Quinoa Salad

This hearty salad is filled with healthy grains, thanks to the addition of quinoa. Cooking it in the Instant Pot is a total time-saving hack! (via Brit + Co)

The Girl on Bloor

Taco Salad

Taco salad will never not be welcome at the dinner table. This one boasts a beautiful balance between fresh veg and filling meat for a dish you'll wanna eat every day. (via The Girl on Bloor for Brit + Co)

Two Peas & Their Pod

Fall Panzanella Salad

This bready salad may include more carbs than a traditional salad, but each bread bite is balanced with lots of lighter ingredients, like butternut squash, brussels sprouts, apple, dried cranberries, pepitas, goat cheese, and kale. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Crowded Kitchen

Fall Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Kale is also a choice ingredient when it comes to the fall season setting in. All this easy fall salad requires is a good chop, mix, and eat! (via Crowded Kitchen)

The Real Food Dietitians

Harvest Chicken Salad

Don't shy away from protein on your salad – it'll keep you nice and full for hours at a time, plus, you can make it taste reallygood. In this recipe, juicy grilled chicken sits atop a hearty bed of mixed greens, sweet potato, and even more fall nourishment. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Half Baked Harvest

Fall Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad

This fall salad is bulked up with big pieces of butternut squash and earns a ton of fun texture from pepitas and pomegranate seeds, which provide the vitamins you need to feel your best this fall. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Earthly Provisions

Quick, Creamy Ranch Chickpea Salad

This chickpea salad can be enjoyed on its own, slapped on a sammie, or smeared across a wrap. No matter how you serve it, it's gonna satiate your appetite without weighing you down, since it's packed with veg. (via Earthly Provisions)

The Original Dish

Roasted Apple Bulgur Salad with Halloumi & Date Vinaigrette

For an impressive side dish for guests or a unique, healthy meal to enjoy on your own, try your hand at this roasted apple and halloumi salad. It's salty, sweet, and savory, so you really can hit three cravings in one dish! (via The Original Dish)

Averie Cooks

Simple Apple Cranberry Salad

Speaking of sweet, this easy fall salad piles on the dried cranberries and chopped apples, which are then pleasantly contrasted by sharp feta cheese and a bold apple cider dressing. (via Averie Cooks)

Most Hungry

Sesame Cabbage Salad

Cabbage works wonderfully along notes of sesame in this easy fall salad. Because it's topped with chicken, it's totally worthy of being the main course during your next weeknight dinner. (via Most Hungry)

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Kevin Costner Finally Spoke On THAT 'Yellowstone' Death

Yellowstone season 5B is here! Twisters might have been THE summer movie of 2024, but the western vibes aren't going away, even after the Glen Powell movie has left theaters. The second half of Yellowstone season 5 returned to Paramount November 10 and it did not disappoint. 16.4 million viewers tuned into the premiere over a variety of networks — making it the most-watched season premiere in the show's history.

And it's a major season for one very specific reason: Kevin Costner isn't returning as John Dutton. The star decided to exit the series after season 5's eighth episode premiered in January 2023, but as big of a change is this is, Costner is still an executive producer on the series, giving it a familiarity fans will appreciate.

Yellowstone has always been dramatic, but in the Yellowstone season 5 first look, you can just feel the tension from fan favorites like Beth Dutton, Monica Long, and Kayce Dutton. And no wonder: the Duttons' family drama is coming to a head, and it looks like someone might not make it out alive. Read up on everything you need to know about the new season of Yellowstone, and check out why Paramount+'s New Drama Landman Is Perfect For Yellowstone Fans.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about the final season of Yellowstone.

Is Kevin Costner in Yellowstone season 5 part 2?

Paramount

No Kevin Costner is not in the second half of Yellowstone season 5, and we find out the fate of his character John Dutton immediately. When Beth and Kayce find John dead in the bathroom, Beth immediately suspects foul play and blames it on Jamie. Well, Kevin is finally speaking on his character's end, and told The Michael Smerconish Programon November 11 that he actually didn't know the show had premiered the night before.

“I’m going to be perfectly honest. I didn’t know it was actually airing last night,” he says. “That’s a swear-to-God moment. I’ve been seeing ads with my face all over the place and I’m thinking, ‘Gee, I’m not in that one.’ But I didn’t realize yesterday was the thing...I heard it’s a suicide, so that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it.”

But even if Kevin isn't over the moon about watching his character die, he doesn't have any bad blood with the writers. “They’re pretty smart people,” he continues. “Maybe it’s a red herring. Who knows? They’re very good. And they’ll figure that out.”

Well, the actor told Entertainment Tonight that he STILL hasn't seen the season 5 premiere as of November 17. “I didn’t watch it, so I don’t really have any thoughts about it,” he said. Due to delays from the writer's strike, and a tug-of-war between Paramount saying Kevin couldn't film new episodes and Kevin saying creator Taylor Sheridan took too long to write the scripts, the actor chose to leave the series, reportedly in part to promote his Horizon movie franchise.

“I gave this thing five seasons,” the actor told The Hollywood Reporterthis summer. “I was really happy to do it. And I don’t need drama. So, let’s just take that drama away, let’s take the guessing [away]. The fans have been way too good to me. And my obligation is to go on and continue to make things that mean something to them.”

See our interviews with the 'Yellowstone' cast!

@britandco Who run the world ?! #kellyreilly#yellowstone#bethdutton#tv#tvshow#premiere#nyc#newyork♬ original sound - Brit + Co

Wendy Moniz spilled on working with everyone's favorite lady Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton).

@britandco John Emmet Tracy told us all about filming the final season of #Yellowstone 🐴 #johnemmettracy#ellissteele#nyc#redcarpet#premiere#newyork#newyorkcity#fyp♬ original sound - Brit + Co

While John Emmet Tracy gave us the best advice for dealing with crazy families during the holidays!

@britandco You’re welcome 😌 #yellowstone#cowboy#cowboyboots#fashion#premiere#fyp#ianbohen♬ original sound - Brit + Co

And we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask Ian Bohen the best way to take off cowboy boots ;).

What is Yellowstone season 5 about?

Paramount

Yellowstone Season 5 Plot

The series introduced us to the Duttons, a powerful family in charge of America's biggest contiguous cattle ranch. Every season has been gritty and powerful, and in the fifth season, we've seen John become Montana's governor and make Beth his chief of staff. But with Jamie trying to take the power away from his dad, the Duttons are fighting each other like we've never seen — especially when Jamie and Beth start considering how to get away with murder.

Luke Grimes recently told Entertainment Weekly how pleased he is with the finale, and Kelly Reilly revealed creator Taylor Sheridan actually told her the ending to the series while they filmed season 1.

“I read the last episode the day before we started filming,” Luke says. “I couldn't be happier. I think it's a perfect ending for the show for every character. It's just a testament to what a good writer Taylor is, and it's a very, very profound, beautiful ending. I can't wait to sit down and watch it one day.”

Is Yellowstone season 5 part 2 out yet?

Paramount

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 Release Date

Yes, Yellowstone season 5 part 2 premiered on Paramount November 10, 2024. You can watch new episodes every Sunday.

The series filmed in Montana during the summer of 2024.

Who's in the cast of Yellowstone season 5?

Paramount

Yellowstone Season 5 Cast

The cast of Yellowstone season 5 includes Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Finn Little, Cole Hauser, Gil Birmingham, Wendy Moniz, and Mo Brings Plenty.

Where can I watch season 5 part 1 of Yellowstone?

Paramount

The first half of Yellowstone season 5 is now streaming on Peacock.

Will there be a season 6 of Yellowstone?

Paramount

It's always hard to say goodbye to a beloved show, but despite reports that Yellowstone would end with season 5, it looks like we could be getting a Yellowstone season 6 after all. Deadline confirmed that negotiations are happening for a potential continuation, which would focus on Kelly Reilly's Beth and Cole Hauser's Rip.

Reilly told Entertainment Weekly ahead of the season 5 premiere that "Beth is more like a wild animal this season than ever. When I read the scripts, it made me think [that] she is, for the first time, maybe afraid she will lose it for [her dad]."

"It's dark, brutal and desperate stuff — gaining power, losing it, defending and fighting," she continues. "It's bloody and at times beautiful in how it breaks them into their core selves." The setup for a potential season 6 will totally depend on how season 5 ends — and how it affects Beth, Rip, and the rest of the family.

Are you excited for Yellowstone season 5 part 2? Read up on The First Cast Member For Yellowstone's 2024 Spinoff, The Madison for more about our new favorite universe.

This post has been updated.

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41 Amazon Toys Kids Won’t Get Bored of This Christmas

'Tis the season to make those Christmas wishlists and start checking them twice (and then again, and again...). While there are always those toys that promise kids hours of fun, all too often, the brand-new gadgets and gizmos end up cast aside before you even take down the tree. Luckily, we've done the research and rounded up 41 of the best toys on Amazon that kids won't get bored of. From arts and crafts to outdoor fun, these gift ideas will keep children of all ages entertained beyond the holidays.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

This Balance Bike Gives Wheels to the Littlest Family Member

Amazon

The phrase "just like riding a bike" gets even easier with this simple yet genius balance bike. This thoughtfully designed bicycle helps develop young toddlers' coordination while nurturing independence. Now, even the littlest family members can keep up with the older kiddos!

See it on Amazon

The Possibilities Are Endless With This Pikler Triangle Set

Amazon

Got an energetic toddler? This best-selling pikler triangle set has endless possibilities for climbing, rocking, sliding, and more. Your child can have new ways to play independently, and you can finally drink your coffee in peace. Win-win!

See it on Amazon

This Cute Monster Is The Perfect Snuggle Buddy

Amazon

Katie The Pink Monster may just become your little one's new best friend. Made with memory foam, this plushie goes way beyond being a cuddle buddy. It can double as a pillow and even has a sleeve to store a journal.

See it on Amazon

This Play Barn Creates Hours of Imaginative Play

Amazon

Imaginative play is the best kind of play, and this wooden barn and animal set will foster hours upon hours of it. If you have an animal-loving kid, they'll love playing farm with the horse, pig, cow, and more. Plus, it's a great way to practice making animal sounds!

See it on Amazon

This Tablet Fosters Creativity Without the Mess

Amazon

If you've got a future artist on your hands, this LCD doodling tablet will let them get creative without getting messy. With over 17,000 five-star reviews, this tablet is lightweight and perfect for traveling. The long battery life and blue-light-free screen will instantly make it a favorite in your home.

See it on Amazon

This Organizer Bin With a Genius Design

Amazon

If you've little ones with a million toys that are always making a mess, then you know the struggle that comes with getting them to tidy up. This organizer bin is a game-changer, perfect for small toys since not only does it have large storage space, but it also doubles as a playing mat so that when your kids are done playing, everything can cleaned up at once, saving you the hassle and stress.

See it on Amazon

These Road Magnetic Tiles Are Perfect for Car Lovers

Amazon

Take everyone's favorite magnetic tiles up a notch with this magnetic road expansion pack. If your kiddo has tons of toy cars and loves building, this gift will hit the jackpot of joy. As one rave reviewer writes, "Truth be told, the grown-ups had fun with it, too!"

See it on Amazon

This Kids' Camera Is the Real Deal

Amazon

Your aspiring photographer will squeal with delight when they open up this digital camera on Christmas morning. With multiple settings and fun frames, a front and back-facing camera angle, and a durable design, this little camera will help your child capture all their favorite moments. As a bonus, you'll get to see the world through their eyes when you upload the photos!

See it on Amazon

This Musical Instrument Set Is Cute and Functional

Amazon

Fuel your little Mozart's musical abilities with this adorable wooden instrument set. This hand-painted 100% natural wooden set comes with everything your child needs to practice making joyful tunes. This five-star reviewer says, "These instruments are very well made. Definitely will hold up through multiple child use. The colors are beautiful too... If you have a busy baby who needs some stimulation, I would purchase this immediately."

See it on Amazon

Dream of Summertime With This Outdoor Sensory Table

Amazon

Whether you're lucky enough to live somewhere warm year-round or you want to dream of summertime fun, this water and sand table will get your kids excited for outdoor fun. With the ability to hold up to 5.5 gallons of water and an umbrella to block out the sun, this sensory table will let your littles splash and explore to their heart's content.

See it on Amazon

This Indoor Tent Will Be Their Favorite Hideaway

Amazon

From a book nook to a play fort, this beautiful indoor tent can transform in multiple ways to become your kids' go-to spot for cozy fun. Designed with easy assembly, this play tent also comes with a tassel garland, string lights, and a floor mat to make it feel extra comfy and magical.

See it on Amazon

This Kid-Friendly Kitchen Set Teaches Real-Life Skills

Amazon

Pretend play is fun, but getting kids involved in your activities is where the real magic happens. This Montessori-inspired kitchen set comes with kid-friendly cooking utensils like knives, a cutting board, a peeler, and more to help teach your tiny sous chef the joys of making yummy food. An added perk is that they may be more willing to eat what you cook together!

See it on Amazon

Build Their Dress-Up Wardrobe With This Costume Set

Amazon

Nothing beats the fun of playing dress-up, and this costume set is sure to let imagination run wild for hours on end. Your littles can pretend to be firefighters, chefs, doctors, and more with this extensive, easy-to-wash set. This reviewer raves, "The costumes are nice quality, simple to take on and off, and the box to store them in fits it all! Highly recommended!"

See it on Amazon

This Mini Karaoke Machine Is What Tween Dreams Are Made Of

Amazon

Can you really beat a karaoke machine as a Christmas present? Turns out you can if it's a mini karaoke machine. This compact Bluetooth machine is lightweight and portable so that your pop-loving tween can take it anywhere. Perfect for all the parties to come in the new year, this tiny machine has five voice effects and a loud, clear sound to belt out all the best hits.

See it on Amazon

This Kinetic Sand Kit Smells (Almost) Good Enough to Eat

Amazon

Sensory play isn't just for the littlest ones – big kids will love this Kinetic Sand ice cream play kit. With one pound of scented sand and six tools, this play kit lets kids mix and match to make delicious-looking pretend treats. The sand doesn't dry out so it'll provide never-ending fun, like this reviewer writes: "My daughter loves this kit! It was super cheap and has kept her busy for hours. The scented sand smells great."

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This Paint-By-Sticker Kit Will Be the Latest Obsession

Amazon

Paint-by-number who? This paint-by-sticker kit is the new kid in town and it's sure to be a hit. Any sticker-obsessed kid can create up to 10 pictures, one sticker at a time, for hours of focused fun. With over 18,000 five-star reviews, you know it's going to be a good one.

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This Play Kitchen Is the Cutest Ever

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Have you ever laid eyes on a more adorable play kitchen? Kids will never forget the year Santa brought this wooden play kitchen. With realistic features, a colorful design, and plenty of accessories, this kitchen will spark joyful play for years to come.

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These Satisfying Fidget Toys to Relieve Stress

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This pack of 18 stretchy strings are so satisfying to play with, especially if you’re often restless. They’re not only fun and satisfying to play with but they also work wonders in reducing stress and improving concentration! Whether you're tackling a busy day at work or simply need a moment to relax, they’re surprisingly handy.

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This Busy Book Keeps Toddlers Entertained Anywhere

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From car rides to restaurants and everything in between, it can be tough to keep toddlers busy on the go. Luckily, this busy book will keep them entertained no matter where you go. With 26 activities like animal matching, color identifying, and dressing skills, this portable busy board helps your toddler develop fine motor skills, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination. Road trips have never been so quiet!

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Dazzle Your Craft Lover With This Gem Art Kit

Amazon

If you have a creative kid who's always looking for new hobbies, this gem art kit is the perfect gift. With everything needed to get started and over 3000 gems, the opportunities to get creative are endless. Your craft-loving child will have a twinkle in their eye as they create sparkly projects galore.

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This Shape Sorting Cube Keeps Babies Entertained for Hours

Amazon

This simple shape sorting cube is a best-seller for a reason: Babies love grabbing the bright, chunky blocks and exploring how to fit them through the elastic bands. They'll get hours of curiosity-fueling fun while learning valuable fine motor skills.

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This Toy Coffee Maker Turns Any Kid Into a Barista

Amazon

When parents are coffee-obsessed, children are bound to follow suit. This play coffee maker set will turn your little mini-me into a barista in no time. With realistic sounds and effects, this toy coffee maker will keep them entertained while letting them take part in your daily caffeine ritual. (Just keep the real coffee for yourself, of course).

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These Walkie-Talkies Are Classic Fun

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Who doesn't remember playing with walkie-talkies as kids? These classic walkie-talkies would be the perfect stocking stuffer for older kids. With high-quality sound, an LED flashlight, and a range of up to three miles, these walkie-talkies are great for outdoor play, camping, and everyday fun.

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This Doll Carrier Is Made for Big Siblings

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Big siblings will love copying mom and dad with this doll carrier of their own. As you walk around with baby strapped to your chest, they'll get to do the same with this adorable (and realistic!) doll carrier. With several cute patterns and adjustable straps, this lightweight carrier will be the best holiday surprise.

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This Water Doodle Mat Is Fail-Proof Entertainment

Amazon

Can't you just see the hours of entertainment that come with this water doodle mat? Kids will finally get to color all over the floor but without the mess! This genius coloring kit comes with reusable water pens, drawing templates, and a canvas mat waiting to be filled. You might just want to get in on the fun, too!

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Encourage Open-Ended Play With These Stacking Blocks

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Open-ended toys let kids' imaginations and problem-solving skills flourish, and this 36-piece building stone set proves that. From babies to big kids, everyone in the family will love stacking and building with these durable wooden blocks.

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Toddlers Can Splash Away in This Color Changing Sink

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There's nothing babies and toddlers love more than splashing or imitating parents, so this innovative color-changing sink will surely be a winner. Fill it with warm water and watch as the included accessories change colors, teaching kids about temperature and letting them practice dishwashing. As this reviewer says, "Wanna steal the show? Order this sink!"

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Upgrade Flashcards With This Audible Learning Set

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Forget the boring regular flashcards and upgrade to this fun audible flashcard set instead. Babies and toddlers will be picking up new words in no time thanks to this interactive toy. With 126 cards containing 252 sight words, this engaging flashcard set is both educational and entertaining — a win all around!

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Any Science Lover Will Obsess Over This Magic Kit

Amazon

Make this the Christmas morning of your budding scientist's dreams: This National Geographic Science Magic Kit comes with 50 unique science experiments and magic tricks to nurture curiosity and foster creative fun. Just prepare for the magic shows to come, of course!

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These Stepping Stones Promote Coordination

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There aren't too many toys that can be used a million different ways indoors or outdoors, but these stepping stones can. From creating obstacle courses to practicing balance, kids can get creative as they enhance their coordination skills. A round of "don't touch the lava," anyone?

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This Wooden Railroad Set Is Surprisingly Compact

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All aboard! This portable train set is perfect for taking on road trips, play dates, or visits with family. This 17-piece wooden set comes with everything needed for your little engineer to "choo choo" to their heart's content.

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This 3D Printing Pen Is An Unforgettable Gift

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It doesn't get any cooler than this 3D doodling pen. Your artsy tween can level up their drawings with this safe and innovative 3D printing pen. They'll be amazed to watch their creations come to life before their eyes — and honestly, you will be, too!

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This Tonies Box Is an Instant Win

Amazon

If your toddler could make a wishlist, this Tonies audio box would surely be on it. Meet your family's new storytime superstar: With numerous compatible character figures that sing songs and play stories, this audio player is a screen-free alternative to keep littles entertained for hours.

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These Water Wow Books Are the Best Parenting Hack

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Sure, it's a gift for them, but it's for you, too! These reusable Water Wow activity pads are a parent's best friend during long travel days and restaurant visits. Simply fill the included pen with a little water, and let your kiddos go to town coloring — no mess in sight!

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This Dance Mat Gets the Wiggles Out

Amazon

Now this is a gift the whole family will love: This LED dance pad was made for family dance parties, with built-in music and light-up cues to make it a game. Everyone will be begging for a turn before all the other presents are even opened.

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This Indoor Scavenger Hunt Is a Great Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer

Amazon

Make rainy days a million times more fun with this indoor scavenger hunt game. Toddlers and little kids will love running around the house, finding toys and other household items, and you'll be off the hook for planning an activity.

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This Friendship Bracelet Kit Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Amazon

Whether you have a little Swiftie or a kid with countless besties, this friendship bracelet kit is going to result in some serious, excited squeals. This 5,000-piece set comes with everything needed to get started, along with instructions, so your kiddo can make bracelets for all their best friends. (And if you're lucky, you might get one, too!)

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This Hover Ball Can Be Used Indoors

Amazon

Finally, a ball that kids can play with indoors! This hover soccer ball is guaranteed to provide some major family fun for years to come. Gone are the days of boredom with this LED ball that can glide on any smooth surface, and the added bumper means no broken vases in sight.

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This Race Car Painting Set Is Multiple Activities in One

Amazon

This wooden race car painting kit is the best of both worlds: It lets kids get creative painting designs on the four included cars, and then they can race them all around the house. This reviewer sums it up: "Easy enough to assemble so small kids do not get frustrated, fun painting, decals were ideal - and these cars scooted all over the floor well!"

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This Bouncy Animal Toy Will Definitely Get Some Giggles

Amazon

Watch out! Your active toddler will be bouncing off the walls — literally – with this fun bouncy animal toy. Choose from a giraffe or dinosaur for a holiday surprise that will elicit the biggest smiles. Take it from this rave review: "This animal hopper is one of my best purchases for my toddler! She’s been obsessed with animals lately and always tries to ride her little stuffed animals, so I figured this would be a perfect fit, and it is. It was so easy to get it in shape, and the quality is amazing."

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This Pair of Silicone Kitties That Are Super Squishy

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Relieve stress with these silicone kitties that are so much fun to play with! They are very soft and squishy, so you can touch, squeeze, poke and pinch them or their tummies to relax and focus on whatever it is you need to do - you mind won’t be consumed by the thoughts of payday or spring anymore!

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