10 MESH Toys to Keep Kids Entertained Over Spring Break

As a mom of three I’m always on the lookout for new toys, games or activities that will keep my kids active, engaged and off screens, especially during school breaks. And if they happen to weave in learning or build much-needed skills without my kids noticing, I like to think of that (to quote Judy Hopps) as a hustle, sweetheart (but in the best way). So when I heard whispers about a new kind of toy that supports kids’ mental health and builds resilience — called MESH — I was immediately intrigued.

What’s MESH?

After a thorough Google search (with an assist from AI), it seems the term MESH popped up in 2023 when MESH Helps formed and decided it was time to center kids’ mental, emotional and social health (hence the acronym) in the toy industry. First came a white paper; then, a nonprofit entity. MESH toys were born. And now they even have their own page on Amazon.

What makes a toy or game MESH?

As parents, we know that play is important to our kids’ cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. But it’s nice to know that’s backed up by research too. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed the essential nature of play in early childhood just last year.

While MESH Helps has an accreditation process, toys that support mental health should give kids the chance to build these skills through play:

• Problem solving
• Perseverance
• Adaptation
• Conflict resolution
• Self-regulation
• Self-advocacy
• Cognition
• Communication

So if you’re looking for a way play time can lead to even greater things for your family, check out my top toy picks that pull double duty.

My favorite MESH toys

Beach sensory bin

Skill: Self-regulation

I’ll admit it, I’m a sensory bin believer, a zealot really. I have used them with all three of my kids and they have never failed to hold their attention and keep them playing, even when distractions call. This cute beach bin includes sand castle molds, a sound tube, foam crab and of course, sensory sand. Bring it outside if the sun is shining, or set it up inside on a rainy day to pretend it is.

Parent review: “This sensory bin was super cute and a big hit with my niece and nephew! The variety of textures kept them engaged, and the materials were sturdy and just the right amount of sticky for sensory play. Great for keeping kids entertained during summer — definitely age-appropriate and so much fun!”

Ages: 3 and older

Cost: $19.99

Aqua Blocks

Skill: Problem solving

If you’ve ever watched your kid spend all their time focused on the water play area at your local children’s museum, you’ll understand why this toy is a hit. Kids piece together their own sprinkler creations using blocks, cylinders, stars, tubes, plugs and more to manipulate the water as it flows from the garden hose to the sprinkler. This build-and-play toy combines STEM with MESH — all you need to add is some sun.

Parent review: “I’m always on the lookout for toys that stimulate my kids’ minds and get them moving. Aqua Blocks checked all the boxes! These foam wonders are like building blocks for the outdoors. It’s fun for parents too!”

Ages: 5 and older

Cost: $34.99

Gnome on the Roam adventure and creativity kit

Skills: Adaptation and self-regulation

For your next Pacific Northwest forest adventure, pack this sweet Gnome on the Roam kit to add a little magic. It comes with a customizable gnome, an award-winning book and a journal to record sights, sounds, smells and memorable experiences of your journey. Bonus: The carrying case is the perfect size for kids. They carry it, while you carry water bottles and other hiking essentials.

Ages: 3 and older

Cost: $50

Raise and release butterfly garden kit

Skills: Perseverance and cognition

I’m a big fan of kids experiencing science in action, and each of mine has truly enjoyed raising butterflies. The kit comes with everything families need to grow five butterflies from baby caterpillars, including the habitat, feeder, journal and a voucher to order your caterpillars. Set up your experiment over spring break, and in just under a month, your butterflies will be ready to fly on their own.

Parent review: “The Live Butterfly Garden by Insect Lore is a fun, hands-on educational experience that is certain to appeal to even the most stubborn, disinterested child. … This butterfly garden is great for dozens of reasons, the most obvious of which is the educational value.”

Ages: 4 and older

Cost: $27.97

Glow-in-the-dark air rockets

Skills: Self-regulation and communication

Change up your outdoor play routine with these air rockets that shine bright after the sun goes down. The joy of this toy is in its simplicity: My daughter loves seeing how high she can launch them — over and over and over again. The adjustable base adds an extra element to the implicit challenges of this play time favorite.

Parent review: “Bought these on a whim and the girls loved them! Easy entertainment.”

Ages: 8–12

Cost: $17.49

Motorized marble run

Skills: Problem solving and self-regulation

I always love building marble runs with my kids because what they create is different each time, plus figuring out how to get the marble to go where they want it to go keeps them busy and engaged for quite some time. This National Geographic set is motorized so it adds an extra dimension to typical marble run play. Note that it’s designed for older kids, but some say kids as young as 5 can have fun with it, as long as an adult is around to help.

Parent review: “Motorized marble maze kit is loads of fun and develops problem-solving skills with the youngsters! Flashy colors, functionally sturdy, exquisite detailing and nearly perfectly round marbles, hours of fun for the whole family at a reasonable price!”

Ages: 8 and older

Cost: $37.49

MESH games to play with kids

Make That Most Magnificent Thing

Skills: Problem solving and perseverence

Fans of Rosie Revere will get caught up in the imaginative aspect of this creative game. Dump the more than 180 odds and ends out onto a table to get this game started. Then pick a prompt and get grabbing, angling for the perfect parts you need to build the winning design. Kids will love explaining their designs almost as much as they’ll love making them.

Parent review: “My son loves it and he even plays with it without other people by just using the pieces to invent things. The game is adorable and easy to play.”

Ages: 7 and older

Cost: $22.95

Friends and Neighbors: The Helping Game

Skills: Problem solving and communication

A simple game that kids as young as 2 can play (according to customers). Kids choose tokens from the Helping Bag and then pair it with a citation on the game board. Talking through the situations with kids will help them be intentional about their problem-solving process. It’s simple, fun and can be played with one to four players.

Parent review: “I bought this for my 3.5-year-old and he loved it. It’s very easy to play. We took turns pulling out the pieces and looked to see who we could help and talked about how each item helped the situation. When we had to put a piece in the stop sign he giggled. The game moves quickly. He started making up stories about each picture. The game definitely encourages helping and sharing. He actually got up to get me a toy of his to share.”

Ages: 3 and older

Cost: $19.95

Ziggurat

Skills: Problem solving and communication

An intricate Chutes and Ladders-like game, families work together to get everyone to the top of the Ziggurat. Choose your hero, the accompanying storybook adds imagination and intrigue to the adventures unfolding on the 3D game board. The best part of this game is that it evolves as you play. Play all six chapters at once or save one for each day of your spring break week.

Parent review: “Our family loves this game! The only drawback is it not allowing for six players but we teamed up. I appreciated that it could be played with younger kids who can’t read well yet because the cards and moves were simple to follow even while the story is complex.”

Ages: 8 and older

Cost: $29.95

Play Date

Skill: Problem solving

What’s noteworthy about this matching game is that there are three different levels of play so kids can find that just-right fit depending on their age and skill level. And the Big Kid Play version means siblings can play together — a great way to spend time as a family when school’s out.

Parent review: “This is a great matching game, because it is different than others. Kids have to look for matches on their cards and sometimes a match means that something on your card matches the one you see, but sometimes a match means looking at your cards and finding ones that do not show a certain character. This was fun for my 3-year-old, but my 5- and 8-year-olds liked playing it with them too! They even have Big Kid Rules to age the game up. Very cool and smart.”

Ages: 3 and older

Cost: $14.95

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