Every kid plays their own way.

Six questions tell you how yours does. Then you get ideas for a rainy Saturday, the birthday list and the screens worth saying yes to.

Their age, then 6 questions · about 2 minutes · nothing about your kid is sent anywhere

New this fall

Christmas gifts that last past New Year'sBy age, 1 to 12What can we all play tonight?Game night picker for the whole couchGifts for toddlers that aren't more noiseAges 1 to 3

The seven Play Types

BuilderMakes things, and wants to see them exist. ExplorerWants to know what's over the next hill. CompetitorKeeps score, even when nobody asked. StorytellerEvery toy has a name and a backstory. CollectorNeeds the whole set. PerformerPlay is better with an audience. PuzzlerWants to know how it works.

Play ideas

Things to do outside, at home and with friends that match how your kid already likes to play.

Toys that fit

Gift ideas that get used after the first week, because they suit the kind of player they are.

Screens worth a yes

A few games and apps for their type, with the age rating and whether they sell anything inside.

9 in 10 parents argue with their kids about screens. It's now the top family fight, ahead of chores.

42% of parents say they could be doing better at it. Most advice says less. This is about better.

Sources: Talker Research for Aura, 2,000 US parents, November 2025. Pew Research Center, October 2025.

Made by a dad of three. Ideas and picks are chosen by hand, and nobody pays to be on this site. Game ratings come from the ESRB and the App Store, so check anything yourself before saying yes.Also from the same dad: Nightlight, tonight's dinner and bedtime in three taps, and Halftime, for when the day gets away from you.