Birthday gifts for a three- to five-year-old, under $25.

The starter grocery haul for any play kitchen. Wooden, sturdy, and it makes the pretend meals feel real.

Beads that fuse with a spritz of water — no iron, no adult on standby. Craft-time independence for the four-and-up set.

A recycled-plastic tea service that survives being actually used, indoors and out. You will be served many, many cups.

A wooden stethoscope and the whole little bag. Every stuffed animal in the house is about to get a checkup.

Every color they'll ever name, in the caddy that keeps them off the floor. The forever art restock.

Wooden food halves held with velcro — the satisfying thunk of 'chopping' carrots. First kitchen, first pretend job.

One simple interlocking shape, infinite builds, and it works flat or 3-D. The travel-tube lives in my purse.

Ten colors and the basic tools. It's Play-Doh — it always lands, and the tub keeps it from becoming carpet.

French-designed puzzles that are genuinely lovely to look at while they're being done. Art you're allowed to step on.

The first real board game that teaches taking turns without tears — mostly. British-made and beautifully sturdy.

Paint with plain water, it dries, do it again. The no-mess restaurant and airplane hero. Buy the four-pack.