Buy It or Skip It #3: The Best Target Toys Under $20

One of the biggest misconceptions about buying quality toys is that you have to spend a lot of money. While there are certainly investment toys that are worth every penny, there are also plenty of affordable finds that deliver just as much value. In fact, some of our most-played-with toys cost less than dinner out.

When I was shopping the Target toy aisle, I challenged myself to find toys under $20 that still met all of the criteria I’ve talked about throughout this series. They needed to encourage creativity, independent play, problem-solving, or skill development. They needed to have lasting value instead of becoming a “future donation.” And, of course, they couldn’t rely on flashing lights or endless sound effects to keep kids interested.

Here are the ones that made the cut.

1. National Geographic T-Rex Dig Kit

This is one of my favorite examples of a toy that’s both exciting and educational. Instead of simply handing kids a dinosaur, it invites them to become paleontologists. Digging through the plaster requires patience, fine motor control, and persistence, and discovering the dinosaur fossils feels like a genuine reward. It’s hands-on, engaging, and gives children the satisfaction of uncovering something themselves instead of pushing a button and watching the toy perform.

2. Kinetic Sand (Skip the Ice Cream Set)

Kinetic Sand has earned a permanent place in our sensory cabinet because it’s one of those activities my girls come back to over and over again. It encourages creativity, sensory exploration, and imaginative play without requiring much setup.

That said, I’d skip the ice cream-themed version. While it’s adorable on the shelf, the different colored sands inevitably get mixed together. Before long, the vibrant colors become one muddy-looking blob, and a lot of the visual appeal is gone. I’d rather buy the classic sand and let kids use it however they imagine.

3. Travel Magnetic Puzzle Patterns

Travel toys are some of my favorite purchases because they’re useful far beyond vacation days. This magnetic puzzle book is easy to throw in a bag for restaurants, waiting rooms, camping trips, or quiet time at home. The magnetic pieces stay contained, making cleanup simple, while the pattern challenges encourage visual discrimination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. It’s one of those toys that quietly builds important skills while feeling like a game.

4. Magnadoodle

Sometimes the simplest toys end up lasting the longest.

A Magnadoodle gives children endless opportunities to draw, write, practice letters, play games, and create stories without wasting paper or creating a mess. Because everything erases with one swipe, there’s no pressure to make mistakes, which makes it especially inviting for younger children who are still building confidence.

It’s one of those toys that grows alongside children and can be used in dozens of different ways.

5. Sesame Street Figures

I love adding simple character figurines to our toy collection because they instantly expand imaginative play. Whether they’re visiting the wooden barn, joining a magnetic tile creation, riding in toy vehicles, or starring in completely made-up adventures, figures become tools for storytelling rather than toys with one specific purpose. Sesame Street characters are especially fun because they’re familiar, recognizable, and loved by so many young children.

6. Bluey Walkie Talkies

These are such a fun way to encourage active play. Instead of sitting in one spot, kids are moving throughout the house or backyard, creating games, communicating with one another, and using their imaginations. They naturally encourage cooperation, problem-solving, and outdoor play, all while making children feel like they’re on an important mission.

7. Melissa & Doug Water WOW Books

These continue to be one of my favorite grab-and-go activities. They’re completely mess-free, reusable, and easy for children to use independently. Whether you’re headed to a restaurant, traveling, or simply need a quiet activity at home, Water WOW books encourage fine motor skills while keeping little hands busy without requiring constant adult help.

Toys I’d Leave on the Shelf

Not every toy under $20 is a great value. Some are designed to grab a child’s attention for a few minutes before ending up forgotten at the bottom of the toy bin. Others rely more on lights, sounds, or gimmicks than meaningful play, and a few simply aren’t worth the price for what you get. Here are the toys I’d leave on the shelf, and why.

Skip: VTech Explore & Learn Smart TV

This is exactly the type of toy I tend to leave on the shelf.

It lights up. It talks. It sings. It keeps children entertained. But it doesn’t ask much from them.

The toy does almost all of the work, leaving very little room for creativity, imagination, or independent thinking. While it may capture a child’s attention quickly, I generally look for toys that invite children to create the experience instead of simply consuming it.

Skip: Sticker WOW! Books

I actually think the idea behind these is really clever. The problem is that they don’t offer much staying power.

Most children move through the activities fairly quickly, and once the stickers have been used, the excitement is largely over. For a similar price, I’d rather choose an activity that can be used again and again or one that keeps children engaged for longer periods of time.

Skip (For Now): CLIXO Magnetic STEM Toys

This is probably my most reluctant “skip.” I actually think CLIXO is a fantastic product.

The only reason I’m not recommending it here is because of the price. For what you get, it’s a fairly expensive purchase, especially when there are other excellent STEM toys available for less. If you can catch it during a really good sale or receive it as a gift, I think it’s absolutely worth considering. But at full price, I’d personally wait and put that money toward another toy that offers similar opportunities for creative building.

The Bottom Line

One of the best things about shopping intentionally is realizing that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to build an amazing toy collection.

Some of the very best toys are simple, open-ended, and surprisingly affordable. They encourage children to think, create, imagine, and explore instead of simply watching lights flash or pressing buttons. And when a toy continues getting pulled off the shelf months after you bought it, that’s when you know it was money well spent.

For me, that’s always the goal, not buying more toys, but finding the ones that truly earn their place in our home. ✌🏼