Incredibly Fun Toys and Games for Adults
Why should kids have all the fun? Being an adult shouldn't condemn you to yawn-inducing gifts like socks and sweaters. From nostalgic games to unexpected gadgets, we've tracked down cool toys that have plenty of appeal for the young at heart.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: 30+ Holiday Gifts to Buy Early
$110 from Amazon
They can relive those quarter-laden days at the arcade but with a giant joystick in their own living room. The 3-foot-tall joystick comes with a simple HDMI gaming console, wireless connectivity, and 10 games, including Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug.
Related: Cool Gifts for Old School Gamers Who Miss the '80s
$25 from Amazon
Shop Now
Is that special someone looking longingly at your toddler's hopper ball? Get them their own. The 29-inch Waliki Toys Hopper Ball is specially made for grown-ups, with a sturdy handle. Made from PVC-free rubber, it includes a double-action pump for quick inflations. Want to ride a horse or a unicorn? Nab the plush version and make some dreams come true.
Related: Gifts for Teenage Girls (That They'll Actually Like)
$151 and up from Amazon
Let's be honest — pool tables are expensive and take up tons of space, making them a not-great option for many. But these folding miniature pool tables allow for fun at a fraction of the prize and square footage. This one comes with balls, cues, chalk, and a tabletop brush.
Related: Gifts for Teenage Boys They'll Actually Like
$160 from Target
Shop Now
Lego lovers and Star Wars fanatics will adore this intricate Millennium Falcon set, which features over 1,300 pieces and includes cool details like a movable ramp, cockpit and gun turrets. There are also seven minifigures, including Chewbacca, D-O, Boolio, and R2-D2.
Related: Gifts for Men Who Have Everything
$68 from Amazon
One of the hottest toys of 2022, this one might be more suited to grownups than kids. With 590 pieces, it'll be a fun project he or she can take on and complete over any holiday time off.
Related: Awesome Gift Ideas Under $250
$30 from Uncommon Goods
Shop Now
If you have fond childhood memories of looking at wild animals, cartoon characters, and space scenes through the View Master, here's the 21st century version. One your viewer arrives in the mail, use the redemption code to order a customized reel of your very own favorite snapshots. Reviewers call it a "thoughtful, creative" gift.
Related: 35 Christmas Gifts Under $25 for Grandma and Grandpa
$40 from Amazon
Gather the "grownups" together for some electrifying fun (that brave kids can take part in, too). The point of this simple game is not to be the last person to press their button. Losers get shocked, and prepare for screams and laughs.
Related: Unusual Gifts They'll Never See Coming
$499 from Vurtego
Shop Now
A guaranteed head-turner, the Vurtego V4 Pro is a serious pogo stick for adults who want to show off. Available in three sizes — medium works for riders up to 5-foot-11, large is best for 6 feet and beyond — the V4 Pro can let users bounce more than 10 feet in the air. It's best to grab a helmet, too.
Related: 30 Awesome Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys
$60 from Amazon
Billed as half hockey, half foosball, this game employs a magnetic handle and striker to defend and go on the offensive. Notes one buyer: "This is all the fun and excitement of air hockey, but a fraction of the size and price."
$99 from Amazon
Billed as a "smart game system" that originally came to life via Kickstarter, this product includes a nine-game starter set featuring octagonal game pieces that light up and can be used in different strategic ways. Noted one buyer: "These are electronic, but physical, so they simultaneously scratch video game and board game itches."
$80 from Sharper Image
Shop Now
An at-home putting green is not novel, but what makes this one different is that it can be operated on batteries — meaning it can easily be used outdoors — and it automatically returns the ball to you whether you sink it or not. It features a regulation-sized hole and two hazards.
Related: Gift Ideas for Men Who Love Golfing
$119 from Amazon
Shop Now
Everyone's favorite stacking game gets a gets a super-sized twist with Jenga Giant. The 54 hardwood pieces stack to over 5 feet tall, making it an ideal grown-up party game, whether indoors or outside. A heavy-duty bag is included for easier cleanup and storage when the fun is over.
Related: Raise a Glass to These Gifts for Beer Lovers
$45 from The Adventure Challenge
Everyone loves quality bonding time with family, friends, or that special spouse or partner — and, with these books, the game's on! The activities contained in every Adventure Challenge edition are designed to add a little mystery and a whole lot of fun to the mix. Just scratch off the spot to reveal a new "surprise" activity; each challenge comes with an estimated time commitment and cost, usually $20 or less. There's also a version for solo adventures, a "naughty" edition, and bundles that include an instant camera.
Related: Gifts for Couples That'll Make Them Both Happy
$60 from Amazon
Shop Now
This plywood safe starts out as an elaborate 3D puzzle that can be assembled without glue or tools, and becomes a conversation piece that can keep small valuables away from prying eyes. It even features a working three-number combination lock.
Related: Gifts for People Who Love Jigsaw Puzzles
$60 from Singing Machine
With this wireless microphone, Carpool Karaoke fans can recreate their favorite James Corden moments on their next road trip. It pairs with an FM station on a car's radio, and raucous roadtrippers can rock out for hours of fun and singing. With the latest 2.0 version, the mic's been given a boost with new voice changing effects, sound effects, and the option to add a second microphone for duets. Choose from either gold or rose gold.
$195 and up from Amazon
Shop Now
Let 'em bring out their inner LeBron with this arcade shootout game. It comes with seven balls.
Related: Fun Gifts for the Entire Family
$95 and up from Uncommon Goods
Shop Now
A good game of chess can take some time to get through and, in the meantime, take up valuable real estate on a table. But hang your chess board up on the wall, and you can noodle over your next move as long as you want. This birch plywood and solid oak set makes for a conversation piece with guests, and a handsome piece of wall art, as well.
Related: Fun Family Games to Keep You Entertained at Home
$11 from Amazon
Shop Now
Why not mix things up with a three-dimensional puzzle? This one features 43 translucent crystal pieces that fit together to form a classic bath time toy.
$18 from Amazon
Shop Now
This 1,000-piece jigsaw riddle is a brain benefit on two levels, working the parts of your noggin that drive strategy and problem-solving, while also allowing for a little serotonin release every time you fondly remember one of the toys it depicts, such as Chatty Cathy, Play-Doh, Inchworm, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, and many more.
Related: Groovy Gifts for People Who Just Love the '70s
$160 from Amazon
Shop Now
This lightweight, easy-to-use metal detector will locate coins, jewelry, tools, and other items. It has a pinpoint detection feature to help distinguish items of value as deep as 12 inches down. It also comes with a two-year warranty.
Related: Great Tech Gifts for Seniors
$31 from Amazon
Shop Now
No one's ever too old for a Spirograph, and this 75-piece kit is the ultimate gift for an artsy grown-up who might be bored with adult coloring. Interchangeable spiro tracks allow the creation of all kinds of new patterns, and there's even a die-cast wheel that commemorates the toy's 50th anniversary.
Related: Creative Gifts for Artists That Are Sure to Inspire
$293 from Amazon
Shop Now
From the big brains at Sphero comes this Mars Rover-like robot — received with enthusiasm by the Kickstarter community, which raised over $1 million for its development. RVR's powerful motor and all-terrain tires will let you drive it, via a smartphone or tablet, just about anywhere. It also has a suite of sensors and can be further customized with most 3rd party hardware.
Related: Show Some Brotherly Love with These Great Gifts for Brothers
$39 from Amazon
Shop Now
This party game will frustrate even the best artists — while making those around them shake with laughter. It's styled after games like Pictionary, only the drawer must depict images using a pencil attached to a prosthetic nose (which in turn is attached to silly-looking glasses). As the product descriptions asks: "Can you draw a trout with your snout? How about a rose with your nose?"
Related: Fun and Hilarious Gag Gifts for the Prankster in Your Life
$160 from Amazon
Shop Now
Available in four colors, this floating 10-by-6-foot platform allows the party to travel off the pool deck or boat and onto the water. Made of heavy-duty PVC, each platform can hold up to six adults and allows standing or walking. More than one platform can be zipped together for even more room, too.
Related: Gifts for RV Owners That'll Put 'Em on the Road in Style
$60 from Amazon
Shop Now
This high-tech reboot of Capture the Flag is guaranteed fun for any age. Instead of flags, chase glowing orbs after the sun goes down. Colored markers let players mark playing territory and jails for members of the opposing team, while glow bracelets make it easy to figure out who's who.
Related: 25 Gift Ideas for Guys Under $25
$521 from Amazon
Shop Now
Self-balancing scooters didn't quite revolutionize personal transportation like early buzz predicted, but they sure are fun. The hoverboard-like Ninebot has a knee control bar for steering, pneumatic tires for a smoother ride, and a 28-pound alloy frame that is light enough for easy carrying and storage. It can travel up to 10 mph and, fully charged, run for nearly 14 miles.
Related: 21 Luxury Gifts Worth the Splurge
$20 from Amazon
Give a world traveler a chance to check off his or her adventures with this map duo set. The set includes a large world map and smaller U.S. map, plus a scratch tool, memory stickers to pin each new trip, and a magnifying strip so the smallest details loom larger.
Related: The Best Gift Ideas for Men Who Travel Frequently
$300 from Amazon
Shop Now
Get a massage while gaming? Now that's multitasking! This 50-pound chair comes in five colors and includes two back and two lumbar massage points as well as eight massage modes, and adjustable massage strength, positions, and time.
Related: 30 Holiday Gift Bargains From Costco
$100 from Amazon
Shop Now
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Nerf guns, especially souped-up models like the Rival Nemesis, which a reviewer for Blaster Hub called "everything I expected and more." This blaster uses foam balls that can be fired at a velocity of 100 feet per second. The set includes the blaster, two 12-round magazines, 24 high-impact rounds, and two clips that attach to the tactical rail.
Related: Hottest Holiday Gifts From Amazon
$1,649 and up from Summerboard
Shop Now
Who needs snow and slopes when this electric snowboard with wheels offers sustained thrills at up to 27 mph?
$25 and up from My Modern Met
Shop Now
It might take a bit of masochism to want to put this puzzle together, but that just goes to prove that there is a puzzle out there for every personality type.