If you missed my last post about the realistic home improvement toys we’ve been looking into buying for our nieces and nephews, well you missed out! (Just kidding, you can check that out by clicking right here – I’ll link to it again at the end of the post if you don’t want to leave my blog right now… see, I get you.) This post is a holiday toy tool guide geared for kids ages 2-5, mainly because that’s who we are currently shopping for! So I thought I’d share some of my finds with you fine folks today in case you have any toddler’s in your life that you’d like to buy some tools that they won’t be able to cut their sister’s hand off with.
I am one of those that likes to read reviews on EVERYTHING (and research EVERYTHING) before I buy so I’ve read through all the reviews and cherry picked what I found to be the most helpful information for me as well as common themes running through the comments (like a toy being smaller than expected.) This post focuses on toolboxes and workbenches! And as always, I pick toys that are education, realistic and most importantly, a good value!
And as always, before we begin I must, by the governing body called the FTC, announce the following: The FTC requires me to say that this post has affiliate links. This means I make a small commission if you purchase from clicking on a link below with no increase in cost to you. I truly put hard work into each and every post and want to give you valuable information and the links are here for your convenience. My links aren’t just to lead you somewhere to make a buck, I promise they’re useful. And hey! That’s one way us bloggers make money for our blog… and I absolutely, POSITIVELY, do not pimp out my blog. What I post about is stuff I either actually own and love or would LOVE to purchase for any one of our thousands of renovation projects, friends or family!
Toy Toolboxes |Top 5 Holiday Toy Tool Guide!
Black & Decker DELUXE Toolbox
OoOoO lala, I feel fancy just typing that… it’s deluxe guys! And it certainly is. The absolute coolest thing about this toolbox is that the kiddos can build it themselves! But I want to mention that from reading the reviews, people were disappointed with the size of the toolbox, saying it’s only about 3″ x 6″ or so and can’t hold all of the tools at once.
But other people really love the idea of the toolbox also being a project the kids can take apart and put back together again with the tools. Lots of people said their kids have a blast doing it over and over (and over and over and over) again – because, kids.
Other things to note: The drill does not require batteries (score) because it is hand powered, the tape measure actually pulls out and then can be wound back up, and most reviews comment on the good quality of the set overall. So I think this is a winner.
Toy Choi Tools & Toolbox | Holiday Toy Tool Guide
I am so impressed with the realistic-ness (I know that’s not a word) of this toolbox and tools and even more impressed with the price tag! Guys, this is probably the toolbox I’ll be purchasing for one of the kids in my life so after I get some first hand experience, I’ll update this post with my own opinions.
So far I love the fact that it comes with safety goggles – because I’m sergeant safety over here – and that it comes with a tool belt! It also comes with a saw – on which the blade can be changed (saaayyyyy whaaatttt?!!?), an electric drill, wrench, hammer, pliers, a square and so much more (like screws, nuts, drills bits, nails, etc.) So I’m pretty much sold.
But as for what the Amazon reviewers had to say… out of 28 reviews it got 5 out of 5 stars! That rarely happens! People seem to agree that the quality is great, the realism of the tools is amazing and that these tools can actually teach a child how to use the real thing one day. Lastly you do have to purchase 3 AA batteries separately so put batteries on the shopping list!
VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox
This toolbox is rated for kids aged 2-5 and looks pretty damn cool. The tray on this toolbox is electronic and makes all kinds of noises when they use the drill to spin screws and gears into the holes! I also really like that it comes with “project cards” that when inserted, tell the child what to fix! I just really love educational toys (yup… I would be that mom.)
Black & Decker Tool Box
This toolbox is rated for kids aged 3 and up and according to Amazon reviews, people find kids all the way up to 8 playing with it! This is a super simple toy box and has super cheap price tag to match (under 7$!) BUT there is a catch. Right now this is an “add on” item for Amazon which means you can only add it to your order if you spend over $25. But who doesn’t spend over $25 every time they’re on Amazon? The best part is you don’t have to worry about batteries for this gift!
It comes with 14 tools including a hammer, screwdriver, saw (kid friendly of course,) a wrench, pliers, and some other odds and ends like toy screws and nails. Also, a good thing to note is that these tools are compatible with Black & Decker toy workbenches (like this one and the one I’m about to show you in the next section!!)
Toy Workbenches | Top 5 Holiday Toy Tool Guide
Step 2 Real Projects Workshop
The first thing that struck me with this workbench/workshop was the “real projects” part. It comes with dura-foam wood that the kids can use to build all kinds of cool projects from birdhouses to a plane to a tool caddy. It comes with a working drill with interchangeable drill bits as well as a hammer, saw, nuts, bolts and nails!
From the reviews I would just check that the drill operates properly immediately when you get it because it seems as though that was a running problem but everyone said the company sends a replacement quickly. Hopefully that issue has already been resolved but just a heads up!
Black & Decker Jr. Learn to Build Work Bench
Ummmmm…. this work bench is awesome. It says for kiddos ages 3 and up and comes with 50 tools and accessories like wrenches, a saw, hammer, nails, etc. A lot of people in the Amazon reviews mention there are “empty spaces where it seems like something should be” and that “they must use the same base for upgraded models.” And that’s true!! BUT GUYS…. at the time of this post the “upgraded model” which I already linked to above, and in this post and again RIGHT HERE, is priced wayyyyyy lower than this base model… so JUMP ON THAT DEAL NOW if that’s still the case by the time you read this!
Musical Workbench with Tools
This guy is pretty awesome too! When the kiddos press down the saw it makes buzzing noises and the saw blade spins to boot! When they adjust the bench clamp it plays music and the electric drill lights up and makes drilling sounds.
It also teaches kids their shapes with the sorter blocks which fall into the bottom drawer when pushed through… and it also speaks the names of the shapes (like the toy says circle when the circle block is pushed through the circle hole… ya feel me?!) This toy needs 2 AA batteries, so don’t forget them as stocking stuffers!!
Foldable Wood Kids Workbench
Notice the world foldable!?! I absolutely love that all the pieces can be neatly packaged up and stowed away almost like a briefcase! I think this makes a great gift because I personally always feel bad buying big gifts for kids and then the parents having to be like “what the frig, where am I going to keep this thing!?!”
What I really like about this one is how realistic it is (well more so than the plastic ones above.) The kiddos can actually learn real measurements using the ruler and T-square!
Little Tikes Construct ‘n Learn Smart Workbench
This workbench is AAAAHHHH-maze-balls (rated for kids ages 2-5.) This one shies away slightly from home improvement but focuses on something else lots of kids love, cars! And right off the bat, I love that they use a little girl playing with it in their advertising! Way to go Little Tikes!
This workbench comes with interactive drill, tape measure, level, hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdriver and other things like nuts, screws and bolts. Another really cool thing is that it comes with blue prints to build the vehicles that seem pretty realistic!
From the amazon reviews it sounds to me like after the cars are assembled the wheels don’t spin very well so you can’t really use them like you would hot wheels. But most people go onto say to that the purpose of the workbench is to teach the kids to work with their hands and build the car itself.
And if you’re interested, me and the hubby are working on a fixer upper to move into and I share that journey here on the blog (just start snooping around, you’ll find some cool stuff) and on Instagram!
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