Write A Book For NaNoWriMo With These Creative Writing Prompts

Chloe Williams​
Nov 01, 2022
woman in an aqua sweater typing on her computer NaNoWriMo

As much as we love eating turkey on Thanksgiving, there's another reason we love November: National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is a nonprofit organization that offers the tools, community, and encouragement you need to achieve your creative writing goals. The free (!!) site helps you track progress on your work, set milestones to work with, and connect with a variety of other writers.

Writing a book is definitely a weighty task, but it can be easier if you write what you know (that way you're able to dig into the details of your story well), and start reading more (that way you get the hang of the imagery that you like and what both good and bad writing looks like). The NaNoWriMo programs are available year-round, but if you're looking to write a book this month, or you're just looking for some cozy ideas to make future writing more fun, keep reading.


Everything You Need To Know About NaNoWriMo

Image via Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

What Is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo began as a month-long writing experience through November where you take part with other writers to write 50,000 words of a novel. Now, you can both take part during November and participate in their programs year-round.

Who Has Taken Part In The Program?

Over 400,000 writers participated in the programs in 2021, but there have been a ton of other writers throughout the years as well. Some of the books that started as NaNoWriMo projects include Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Yours could be the next bestseller!

How Do I Participate In NaNoWriMo?

The first step is to sign up (which you can do here) and then you can decide if you want to write at your own independent pace or set a deadline for the end of November. There are prizes and special messages, and when you reach your word-count goal, you're able to access a winner's page full of fun gifts.

When you're writing, it can be tempting to go back and edit, but you don't want to mess with your creative process — wait until you're done before editing! One thing you can do when you're writing and there's a detail you can't think of off the top of your head is add brackets instead. Then when you're done, you can go back and replace the brackets with what should be there.

You can check out our journal prompts for growth and creativity or try some our 30 creative writing prompts, but here are a few that are specifically for fiction. They might only turn into one scene, but they might also inspire a whole other body of work.

NaNoWriMo Creative Writing Prompts:

  1. Write an entire story that takes place within a small amount of time. It's harder than it sounds! Focus on details, inner thoughts, and what your characters are feeling.
  2. Turn your favorite quote or lyric into a story. What makes it your favorite? Is it the words themselves, or how they make you feel?
  3. If you love houseplants, spend a few minutes every day writing about your plant. Is it growing? Is it losing leaves? What does the soil feel like?
  4. Write down everything around you. Focus on all of your senses: what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste. Go into as much detail as you can to make the reader experience everything that you're experiencing.
  5. Take your favorite iconic story and completely rewrite it by switching every trope. Damsel in distress? Make her a skilled assassin who leaves everyone in the dust. Enemies to lovers? Turn it into a lovers-to-enemies arc. Is the main cast a bunch of kids growing up? Add a bunch of superpowers that will make puberty way more complicated.
  6. Turn your favorite season, element, flower, or animal into a human. What would their personality be like? What would their favorite food be? How would they spend their time?
  7. Write a story that takes place in a completely different world. This is a fun way to come up with different economies, cultures, and languages.
  8. Fill a few bowls with paper that says different words (places, foods, names), and draw one from each bowl at random. Write a story with what you pick.
  9. Go on Pinterest or Instagram and save a bunch of images that inspire you. After you have a collection, view them all at once to get a feel for their aesthetic and then write a story based on how it makes you feel.
  10. Turn your latest dream into a story. Whether it was a happy dream or a nightmare, you have the power to adjust what happens!

Ideas To Help You Stay In The Zone While You Write

Slippers

It's important to feel comfortable and cozy while writing when it's cold outside. So grab yourself a pair of slippers or fuzzy socks to keep your toes warm.

A Good Playlist

Music can help you get in the zone or feel a particular emotion that will help you focus in on an aspect of the story that you're creating. Here's our assistant editor Chloe's creative writing playlist, but you can also check out our Spotify for a few different vibes!

Notebooks + Pens

Whether you're jotting down ideas during your writing process or you write down inspiration when you're out and about, every writer needs some good pens and a notebook. You can also grab a planner to have a place to track your plans + progress.

Long Walks

Walks will get your blood pumping, and the change of scenery can help inspire you. It's also helpful to be away from your computer (especially if you work from home), but feel free to bring some music with you. One of our favorite things to do is to go on a solo weekend writing retreat to visit a town we've never been to before and still get some work done.

Snacks

We're talking potato chips, dark chocolate, or a variety of healthy snacks. We'll take it all, especially when you coordinate your snacks with the time of day.

Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo? Let us know in the comments if you have any advice, and check out our email newsletter for more creativity tips and inspiration!

Featured image via Liza Summer/Pexels

Gillian Flynn’s 4 Best Mystery & Thriller Books, From ‘Gone Girl’ To ‘Sharp Objects’

I think we all know Gone Girl, the incredible murder mystery that first took the world by storm in when it came out 2012, and again when it was made into a movie in 2014. We were on the collective edge of our seats during this movie, wondering what was going to happen next. The story was a huge success, with the film winning a Golden Globe and the book earning a coveted NYT #1 Best Seller spot — but did you know that Gillian Flynn wrote 3 other phenomenal mystery and thrillerbooks? These reads are sure to keep you up all night, hanging in suspense for what will unravel on the next page. You'll definitely want to add these to your TBR list immediately!

Which of Gillian Flynn's books have been adapted for the screen?

Amazon

Like mentioned before, Gone Girl, was a mega-hit on the shelves and in the box office when it was adapted to screen with Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. But it's not the only best-seller of Gillian Flynn's to be adapted for the screen. Her book, Sharp Objects, was also made into a TV show with Amy Adams.

Sharp Objects was actually Flynn's debut novel that she published in 2006, but it wasn't made into a series until 2018. Her second book, Dark Places, got the movie treatment in 2015 starring Charlize Theron by A24, but now it's currently being turned into an HBO show where Flynn will be the co-creator, writer, and co-show runner. The Grownup, a short story Flynn wrote, has been rumored to be adapted into a movie for some time now, but nothing has moved into production just yet!

Find All Gillian Flynn Books Here!

Amazon

Gone Girl

The most notorious book by Flynn is Gone Girl. It's a mysterious thriller that tells the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, who are to the outside world, a happily married couple of 5 years. That is, until Amy suddenly disappears without a trace, and Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance. His old "golden boy" image is soon going out the door as he parades lies and suspicious behavior to the public, leaving the whole town wondering if he really was capable of murder. Inside the house, Nick finds Amy's diary which has him discovering that maybe Amy wasn't the perfect girl he thought she was.... and maybe there was a darker side to her that he hadn't yet experienced. The real question is: Who are these two people, and did they ever really know each other?

Amazon

Sharp Objects

In this daunting mystery, a reporter name Camille leaves a visit from the psych hospital to go straight into a new assignment on writing about the murders of two young girls. The only problem? It's in her home town which she left years ago. Now Camille must face her insanely neurotic mother who she hasn't spoken to in years, and her very young half-sister. She soon discovers that these murders will be harder to crack than she thought, and first she must unravel her own past traumas to solve this mystery. Will she be able to crack the case, or will her past demons come to haunt her? Read this suspenseful mystery to find out!

Amazon

Dark Places

In this twisted mystery, Flynn writes about a woman named Libby Day who was seven when her sisters and mother were killed. She famously testified that it was her 15 year old brother who committed the killings. Fast forward 25 years later, Libby is approached by a local club that's investigating the crimes that went down on that disturbing day — they think her brother is innocent, and want to free him. Meanwhile Libby is trying to turn her tragedy into some cash, so she charges them for her services (or rather, information). But soon, a mysterious event, leads her right back to where she started...on the run from a killer.

Amazon

The Grownup

This short story is a thrilling psychological mystery that tells the story of a con artist who decides to pose as a fortune teller for money — only to get entangled in one of her clients' gripping mysteries. The client believes that her son is possessed and her house is haunted. This con artist is in for a ride with this suspicious case.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

All images via Amazon.

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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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Emily Henry Is Already Thinking About A "Funny Story" TV Show

There are a few things that unite Emily Henry Girlies: we love romance, we love quirky details, and we love Taylor Swift. (And based on my Emily Henry interview, I can confirm that she does too!). The author herself describes her new book, titled Funny Story, as “the wind in my hair on the weekend,” a line from Taylor Swift's "Karma." Here's everything we know about the new Emily Henry book. Buckle up, because there's a *lot* about Funny Story we can’t wait to dive into.

Is Emily Henry making a Funny Story TV show?

Image via Emily Henry/Instagram

If you're already daydreaming about seeing Funny Story onscreen, you're not the only one — even Emily Henry herself is thinking about whether the book will turn into a TV show. She tells Variety she hopes to have details "really soon" about onscreen adaptations for her newest novel, as well as last year's Happy Place.

What is Funny Story about?

Image via Samson Katt/Pexels

In Funny Story, Daphne and her fiancé Peter are madly in love. They've moved back to his childhood hometown, where Peter constantly tells the story of how they met. All is well...until Peter realizes he's actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Now Daphne is stranded in Waning Bay, Michigan, and even though she has no friends or family, she does have her dream job as a children’s librarian, so at least that's one point in her favor.

Now, with barely any money, there's only one potential roommate who could possibly understand what she's going through: Petra’s ex, Miles. Despite the fact that Miles happens to be Daphne's polar opposite. After they form a friendship (which may or may not involve posting misleading images of their summer together), Daphne realizes that she might have done the craziest thing of all: fallen for her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex. No biggie.

Will Funny Story connect to the other Emily Henry books?

Images via Amazon

Based on her other stories, we're not expecting Funny Story to directly tie into Happy Place, Book Lovers, People We Meet On Vacation, or Beach Read. However, she does often reference the characters from her other stories once. So don't be surprised if Daphne bumps into Nora in the grocery store or finds one of Gus' books incorrectly shelved in the library.

When is the Funny Story release date?

Image via Devyn Glista St. Blanc Studios

Funny Story will be released on April 23, 2024, almost a year after Happy Place was released!

What does the cover look like?

The covers are always one of my favorite parts of any Emily Henry book. They're always vibrant, bold, and always show just enough of the characters to both catch your eye and keep you intrigued. In the past, they've been blue, pink, orange, and yellow, with bits of other colors interspersed in the details.

After hoping for a green, deep red-orange, or lilac color (and after Emily Henry's official Instagram announcementmade me think we'd get purple), the author showed off the brand new cover for Funny Story! The vibrant deep mix between purple and blue is the perfect color against Daphne, Miles, and all of their accessories.

We already have a feel for the characters, too! Daphne's sassy head tilt, the "we're in this together" energy, the fact that Miles is wearing crocs.

Where can I preorder Funny Story?

Image via Emily Henry/Instagram

There are a number of you can preorder Funny Story! Here are a few:

Are you excited for Emily Henry's Funny Story? Let us know in the comments!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image viaEmily Henry/Instagram

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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."

See it on Amazon

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.

See it on Amazon

This Play Kitchen Is the Cutest Ever

Amazon

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.

See it on Amazon

These Satisfying Fidget Toys to Relieve Stress

Amazon

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.

See it on Amazon

This Busy Book Keeps Toddlers Entertained Anywhere

Amazon

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!

See it on Amazon

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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