These Black Friday Toy and Board Game Deals Will Fill Your Home With Joy, Not Junk
Brooklyn White is a senior staff writer who writes about everyday items that make life easier for parents (of both humans and pets).
So you’ve intercepted your children’s letter to Santa, and boy oh boy, is it something.
We understand the unique pressure of keeping the magic—and your bank account—alive year after year. And finding a toy that your kid is actually excited to play with at a price that doesn’t make you balk is a tough ask in the best of times, let alone during the holiday season.
But don’t worry—we’re here to help.
All of the items on this list of the best Black Friday toy and board game deals have been vetted by our journalists. We’ve interviewed early-childhood education experts, pulled from the collective experience of parents and caregivers on our staff, and tested dozens of toys and games ourselves to carefully select those that will bring years of joy to your tots and tweens. All of the jolliness, minus the junk.
Plus, Wirecutter’s elves (or, rather, the folks on the Wirecutter Deals team) are working hard to present you with deals that are actually worthwhile, by making a list of historical prices and checking it twice. That way, you can be sure that you and yours are getting only the greatest of discounts.
So grab your cocoa and fuzzy socks, and leave behind store aisles strewn with bikes, boxes, and baby dolls—as you scroll through the best Black Friday toy and board game deals for the kids (and kids at heart) in your life.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTOur top kids scooter for a stable, smooth ride
Buying Options
With clipped on-page coupon
Use promo code SHIP2ME
What we like: Our top kids scooter pick for preschoolers. For kids under 5 years old, this scooter offers a stable, smooth ride that builds confidence and skills. has an adjustable-height handlebar, so kids can use it longer as they grow. Comes with a two-year warranty and easy customer service for replacing parts.
Other things to know: Clip the on-page coupon from Amazon. Use code SHIP2ME for free shipping at Microkickboard.com.
Read more: The Best Kids Scooters
A scooter for preschoolers with light-up wheels
What we like: A foldable version of our top kids scooter pick for preschoolers. This version has a handlebar that folds down (so it’s easy to tuck into a stroller basket) and LED lights in the wheels. Offers a stable, smooth ride that builds confidence and skills. has an adjustable-height handlebar, so kids can use it longer as they grow.
Other things to know: Younger riders may need help with folding. Use code SHIP2ME for free shipping.
Read more: The Best Kids Scooters
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA prehistoric party vibe
What we like: A first resource-strategy board game we like for kids and families. Similar style to Settlers of Catan, but on a more appropriate and accessible scale for younger players. Collect resources (tusks, fruits, animals) and redeem for huts, which you use to build your village.
Other things to know: The kids version of acclaimed family game Stone Age. Winner of the 2016 Kinderspiel des Jahres award. For ages 5 and up. Two to four players. Games last about 15 to 20 minutes.
Read more: Board Games We Love for Kids and Families
An engaging alternative to screen time
Buying Options
You save $20 (20%)
What we like: A screen-free audio player we love for kids, and a gift pick from our guide to the best gifts for 2-year-olds. Magical little cube provides hours of entertainment in the form of stories, audiobooks, and music.
Other things to know: Plays via Yoto’s proprietary cards. Yoto also sells make-your-own cards on which you can load your own music. Interface is simple enough for even young children to operate easily.
Read more: This Device Keeps My Kids Entertained for Hours. And It Doesn’t Even Have a Screen.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA STEM toy that’s sure to be a smash
What we like: An assortment of 15 break-open geodes recommended in our gift guide for 7-year-olds. Fun and interactive. Smash open these rocks to reveal their sparkly, gem-hued, crystal insides.
Other things to know: Set includes safety goggles, an illustrated booklet about geodes, and three display stands.
Read more: The 34 Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds
A build-a-bunny
What we like: A recommendation in our guide to Easter basket ideas. Lego’s three-in-one sets are some of our favorites for kids, and this adorable option can anchor a fun-filled Easter basket. Builds three different creations: a white bunny, a seal, or a cockatoo.
Other things to know: This set has 258 pieces and is rated for kids 8 and up. Lego lovers a couple years younger might also enjoy tackling it with a little adult help.
Read more: 49 Easter Basket Ideas We Love
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA gift that rocks all month long
Buying Options
You save $17 (43%)
What we like: A gift pick for kids in our Advent calendar guide. Great for budding scientists. Contains 13 easy experiments to make snow, grow crystals, and dig for gold, plus 11 treasure-worthy rocks and fossils. Bonus points: It’s not candy!
Other things to know: Before they even get to December 1, they get to open the protective goggles—safety first! Recommended for kids 8 to 12, and it could be fun as a family project.
Read more: Our 20 Favorite Advent Calendars of 2024
Daily surprises that’ll have your kid’s Spidey senses tingling
What we like: A gift pick in our Advent calendars guide. Offers one mini build a day, for adults and kids alike, with instructions on the back of each little door. The 24 figurines and builds reference Spider-Man’s New York City playground, hot dog cart included.
Other things to know: We recommend saving the instructions for future rebuilds.
Read more: Our 20 Favorite Advent Calendars of 2024
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA city to build with the whole family
What we like: A just-intricate-enough Lego set we like as a gift for 10-year-olds, as well as enthusiasts of Lego and architecture. Features famous landmarks of London’s skyline, from the London Eye to Big Ben. Detailed and satisfying to put together. Nice enough to display.
Other things to know: 468-piece set. For kids ages 12 and up, but some may be able to complete it at a younger age, perhaps with an adult’s help. Select store pickup or use Target Circle card to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The 32 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds
Baby’s first board game
What we like: A staff-pick first board game for preschoolers. Fruit-themed. Introduces young players to board-game basics like taking turns, rolling a die, and matching colors. We like that it is a non-competitive, cooperative game, and that it works equally well single-player as with a group.
Other things to know: For one to five players. Game takes 10 to 15 minutes to play. Good for kids ages 2 to 5.
Read more: Board Games We Love for Kids and Families
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA magnetic feast for the imagination
Buying Options
You save $12 (20%)
What we like: A magnetic building toy gift pick for 5-year-olds. Like Magna-Tiles but bendy. Flexible magnetic pieces bend to form curved structures and jointed, movable creations (instead of castles and cubes). Pieces snap together with a satisfying click.
Other things to know: The 42-piece pack has a variety of brightly colored, differently shaped pieces. Pieces stack together for efficient cleanup. Recurring deal.
Read more: The 41 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
A sandy scavenger hunt for beach days
What we like: A variant of our elevated scavenger-hunt card game from our guide to the best gifts for 5-year-olds. Can be played for any length of time. If there are just two players, the game cards offer supplemental questions or tasks for the child to complete.
Other things to know: This is an untested variant of the specific game we recommend, but the concept is the same all around. No game preparation required.
Read more: The 41 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA literal toss-up
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You save $12 (55%)
What we like: A game gift pick recommended in our gift guide for families. Part card game, part dodgeball. Fun and simple: Swap cards until you find a match or get a burrito. Then a plush burrito duel or burrito war ensues. Some things have to be experienced.
Other things to know: Also recommended in our gift guide for 9-year-olds. Best for ages 7 and up. Some families may want to move the burrito-battle action outdoors.
Read more: The 29 Best Gifts for Families
A trike that grows with your little one
Buying Options
You save $30 (24%)
What we like: Our runner-up pick for the best tricycle. Sturdy, durable, and easy to steer. Has four modes to accommodate a child as they grow, from 10 months to 5 years old, or up to 50 pounds.
Other things to know: Solid add-ons, such as a thick canopy, rear brakes, and an easy-to-use push handle. A bit heavier than our top pick, so slightly more difficult for a child to maneuver.
Read more: The Best Tricycles
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA rapid-fire card game for lovers of Uno and charades
Buying Options
You save $5 (50%)
What we like: A fast-paced party game from our guide to the best gifts for 5-year-olds. Simple to learn. Simpler to play. Shout the name of the card (Taco! Goat! Pizza!) and slap the pile when you get a matching pair.
Other things to know: Officially recommended for kids over 8, but our test players ages ranged from 4 to 72 (they had a great time).
Read more: The 41 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
A staff-favorite board game for older kids
What we like: Our top pick for a standout train-themed board game for adults. A game-night staple that’s fun to play again and again. Simple to learn. Players compete to build the best train route across North America—the longer the route, the more points you get.
Other things to know: Board is quite large on a table. Two to five players. Less interaction than in games that involve trading, but players build on the same board. Games last 30 to 60 minutes; rounds can drag on with more players.
Read more: The Best Beginner Board Games for Adults
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA lesson in metamorphosis, from caterpillar to butterfly
Buying Options
With clipped on-page coupon
What we like: A gift pick for 5-year-olds that is “perfect, wholesome, educational fun,” according to one Wirecutter staffer. Includes a live cup of caterpillars, and anyone can enjoy the experience of watching them transform into beautiful butterflies.
Other things to know: Please don’t order live caterpillars if daytime temperatures in your area are below 55 °F or above 85 °F.
Read more: The 41 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
A suspenseful stacking challenge
What we like: A balancing-game gift pick for 8-year-olds. Easy to learn and easy to set up, similar to Jenga but with sculptures. Good for one to four players ages 8 years and up. Encourages hand-eye coordination and cognitive-skill development.
Other things to know: Includes 24 thin, bent metal rods, colored dice, four frame rods, and a wooden stand.
Read more: The 43 Best Gifts for 8-Year-Olds
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTCutesy crawlies that instill a love of math
What we like: A recommendation in our guide to the best gifts for 2-year-olds. Toddlers can work on number skills with this adorable set of red bugs. Comes with a cute carrying case.
Other things to know: Perfect for playing at home or bringing on vacation. Each ladybug has between zero and 10 black dots that correspond with the numerals on their bellies. This helps players keep track of the bugs while also teaching number recognition.
Read more: The 42 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
A game for your future architect
What we like: A challenging card-stacking staff pick in our guide to board games we love for kids and families. A dexterity game that’s easy to learn but requires careful moves and a light touch to avoid toppling the card tower. Doesn’t require much strategy. Accessible for kids of various ages.
Other things to know: Players take turns carefully stacking L-shaped “wall” cards and flat “roof” cards to build a common tower. Double-sided cards offer both easy and expert modes.
Read more: Board Games We Love for Kids and Families
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA rainbow without the rain
What we like: A fun and beautiful gift we love in our guide to Valentine's Day gifts for kids. This light catcher affixes to the window via a surprisingly reliable suction cup. Solar-powered motor rotates the dangling prism to refract light.
Other things to know: It's easy to slide off your window if it's a distraction. Great for cats. Exactly like the regular Kikkerland Rainbow Maker we've recommended for years, except it has pink gears and a heart-shaped crystal. Prime membership required.
Read more: The 30 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids
A puzzle based on a beloved fable
What we like: A geometry puzzle we like in our learning toys and STEM toys guide. Requires positioning the three little pigs’ houses in different ways to keep them safe from the big bad wolf. Teaches spatial awareness, pattern recognition and problem solving.
Other things to know: Technically a single-player game, but multiple kids can work together to solve the puzzles.
Read more: Learning Toys and STEM Toys We Love
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA magic wand, if you believe
Buying Options
You save $4 (29%)
What we like: A beautiful gift pick in our guide to Valentine's Day gifts for kids. An 8-foot-long silk streamer attached to a birch wood handle with a heart at the top.
Other things to know: Allows for imaginative play. Comes in a smaller 3-foot version. Streamer is available only in pink and purple ombré color.
Read more: The 30 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids
A card game that'll make big kids erupt with laughter
Buying Options
You save $10 (50%)
With store pickup or Target Circle Card
What we like: A pick in a number of our gift guides. A silly romp of a card game that’s just edgy enough to interest easily distractible players. Fun to play with the whole family. Popular cross between Apples to Apples and Russian Roulette. Never gets old, with plenty of expansions available.
Other things to know: Two to five players. 15-minute games. Great for kids 7 and older. Opt for store pickup at Target; free shipping for Circle Card and Circle 360 members.
Read more: The 29 Best Gifts for Families
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA strategy-based adventure
What we like: A tile-laying strategy game staff pick we love for kids and families. Players seek treasures by strategically arranging tiles on their own game boards. Well-suited to people who prefer games that are less directly competitive. Complex enough to appeal to more experienced players, but the quick pace and adventure theme make it appropriate for younger players.
Other things to know: For ages 8 and up, two to four players. Each game takes about 30 to 40 minutes to play.
Read more: Board Games We Love for Kids and Families
A speaker and a brain-bender all in one
What we like: The best Bluetooth-connected smart speed cube for solving with friends. Good for those who want to track solve times. Allows you to compete with others in real time, and offers tutorials. Well-made. Acceptable app experience.
Other things to know: Smart cubes are a niche subset of cube puzzles. CubeStation app has translation issues and offers little utility outside of social aspects and timer. Recently saw a better deal but $23 matches typical discounts.
Read more: The 3 Best Speed Cubes (And Why the Rubik’s Cube Isn’t One)
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA game inspired by gorgeous ancient art
What we like: Our top pick for a tile-laying board game you can play most anywhere (including while camping). Easy to play, with short rounds and a unique theme. Players focus on pattern recognition and gain points based on tile placement. A joy to play, even after dozens of playthroughs.
Other things to know: Also makes a good gift. Two to four players. Rugged enough to bring outdoors and ideal for playing on picnic tables. Not highly interactive. The strategy can take a while to fully master. Not the lowest price we've seen, but still a solid discount.
Read more: 5 Offline Games We Love for Camping (That Are Also Great for the Backyard)
A balance bike that preschoolers will fight to ride
Buying Options
You save $50 (25%)
What we like: Our top pick for the best balance bike. Sturdy, easy to assemble, and packed with features like a steering limiter and a handbrake that slows both the front and rear tires. Big hit with preschooler testing group who liked the flashy design.
Other things to know: Heavier than average, which we found helped with stability and for making more grounded turns. Steering limiter helps kids from turning the handle too quickly or too far to one side. Adjustability is a bit limited, with seat height range of 12.5 to 16 inches and handlebars only moving forward/backwards, not up/down. Free shipping, available in a variety of colors.
Read more: The Best Balance Bikes
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA snowy adventure big enough for two
Buying Options
Use promo code GIFT15
What we like: Our top pick for the best sled. Unanimously chosen as the best sled by our testers. Travels farther and faster than any other sled thanks to the hard-shell bottom that minimizes drag. Built-in tow strap makes it easy to pull back up the hill. Sturdy and durable build.
Other things to know: Almost impossible to steer, so it’s safest on a wide-open, straight sledding hill. We recommend the extra-large size for two kids or an adult over about 6 feet tall. Expensive but will last for years of winter fun. Both sizes are on sale; use code GIFT15.
Read more: The Best Sleds
A fun game to get tweens away from their screens
Buying Options
(deal on green)
What we like: A gift pick in our guide to gifts for tweens. A fun way for your recipient to get outside and move. Lightweight case holds everything you need, including two racquets, two birdies, a net, and poles. Great for any backyard or outdoor gathering.
Other things to know: Easy enough for tweens to put together alone. Case is slightly larger and longer than a violin case.
Read more: The 37 Best Gifts for Tweens
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA high bar of fun for a night of drinking
What we like: Our strategy board game pick for an economic engine of tabletop tipples. Players manage a startup distillery; buying resources, distilling liquors, upgrading their distillery and aging spirits. A good balance of satisfying complexity while still being easy to learn. A well organized box, makes set up and break down easy.
Other things to know: While rated for ages 14+, the game revolves around producing alcohol. One to five players. 90 to 120 minutes game time.
Read more: The Best Strategy Board Games
An easy-entry bluffing card game
What we like: Our pick for the best bluffing card game. All the bluffing of poker, but with much simpler rules. It’s quick and easy to teach, and it’s a game that you’ll want to play again and again.
Other things to know: It's possible to play without bluffing, but it would wring most of the fun out of your playthroughs. Three to six players.
Read more: The Best Card Games
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe classic road-building board game
What we like: A next-level strategy game top pick in our guide to the best beginner board games for adults. A fun and competitive civilization and resource collecting game. Iconic staple in the board game scene. Popularized because it require more strategy than luck and doesn't boot players out of a game.
Other things to know: In-depth rules can be daunting and is much easier to play if at least one player has prior experience. Three to four players. Games typically last 60 to 120 minutes.
Read more: The Best Beginner Board Games for Adults
A challenging, collaborative board game to save the world
What we like: One of our top picks in our guide to beginner board games for adults. Great cooperative game in which you collaborate to save the world. Designed for 2–4 players. Lasts around 45 minutes per game.
Other things to know: Short enough to not feel like a slog. Highly interactive. May be too soon for some people.
Read more: The Best Beginner Board Games for Adults
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAt-home karaoke for all ages
Buying Options
(deal on black or blue)
What we like: A gift pick for a sing-along in our guide to White Elephant gifts under $25. An inexpensive way to create a karaoke experience at home. Battery lasts for several hours. Fun for kids or adults.
Other things to know: Connects to a music source via Bluetooth or a 3.5-mm audio cable. Not a pick in our guide to karaoke machines.
Read more: The 39 Absolute Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
A wooden sled to glide across snowdrifts
Buying Options
Use promo code GIFT15
What we like: A great, luxe toddler sled. Elegant and durable wooden construction. Metal sliders help sled glide across snow. Nice padded cushion. Will withstand years of usage with little wear.
Other things to know: Not meant for careening down hills. Lacks a seatbelt. Poly finish can wear off over years of use. Available in the small size for $169 or the large size for $195, both with the code GIFT15.
Read more: The Best Sleds
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA game for teens to show off—or deepen—their knowledge of one another
What we like: A pick in our guide to the best gifts for teens. Four or more players can show off—and deepen—their knowledge of one another by answering probing questions from a 250-card deck. Should spark some good-natured fun.
Other things to know: Meant for players who are 14 and older, some queries that may not apply to young teens. Not the lowest price we've ever seen, but still a good deal.
Read more: The 45 Best Gifts for Teens
A free-flowing mystery game set in 1940s Hollywood
Buying Options
Price includes shipping
What we like: Our top-pick open-world noir mystery game in our guide to mystery box game subscriptions. Box includes instructions, storybook, and clues. Pacing of the game is up to you.
Other things to know: Difficult. Meant for teens and adults. If you've already played this one, deals are available on other stories and editions of the game. Deal price includes shipping.
Read more: Our 5 Favorite Mystery Box Game Subscriptions
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA colorful, animal-themed distraction for 1-year-olds
Buying Options
You save $4 (18%)
What we like: A set of soft, machine-washable cloth cards we like in our gift guide for 1-year-olds. Encourages skills like motor development, letter and animal recognition, and communication. Included bag has soft handles that snap together for easy carry. Great for on-the-go play.
Other things to know: Matches the best price we've seen in the past couple years.
Read more: The 33 Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
A three-month subscription of Montessori-inspired goodies
Buying Options
Deal on three-box subscription (pricing varies by age group)
What we like: A gift pick for 1-year olds and recommended in our piece about toy subscription boxes. Thoughtfully designed, Montessori-inspired goodies that are intended to complement tots’ interests as they move through various milestones. For kids from birth to age 4. Comes with ample guidance and educational materials for parents, including an app.
Other things to know: May appeal more to parents who want deeper insight into the “why” behind every stage of play. The toys are unusually attractive and made from high-grade materials Deal for the three-box subscription. Pricing varies by age group.
Read more: The 33 Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA family-friendly matching game that’s part strategy, part luck
Buying Options
With store pickup or Target Circle Card
May be out of stock
What we like: A gift pick matching game we like in our guide to the best gifts for grandparents. Part strategy, part luck. Use scrabble-like colored tiles to make runs of patterns or colors. No math or spelling required, so it's a good game for the whole family.
Other things to know: Deal price with store pickup or Target Circle Card.
Read more: The 35 Best Gifts for Grandparents
A speedy word game with no scorecard
What we like: A word-building game recommended in several Wirecutter gift guides. Basically a free-for-all, lightning-fast variation on Scrabble. It’s easy to learn and works for two to eight players. Comes in a portable, unmissable banana-shaped pouch.
Other things to know: Recommended for ages 10 years and up. Select store pickup or use Target Circle Card or Circle 360 membership to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The 72 Best Gifts Under $25
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTEditor’s note: The photo at the top of this article may reflect previous deals that are no longer valid and have been removed. Check out our Deals page for more great discounts on Wirecutter’s expert-approved picks.
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