The Toys, Games And Fort-Building Essentials Every Kid Needs

We're all about encouraging kids to run and play outside, but sometimes it's just too darn cold to let them loose. Winter doesn't have to be a drag, though — especially if you have some awesome activities to bring the fun indoors.

Fortunately for you and your kiddos, we've rounded up some great deals on games, toys and fort-building essentials to beat those cold or rainy weather blues. With these fantastic finds, they'll be entertained and engaged for hours on end. And best of all, they'll be out of your hair without being stuck staring at a screen.

All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change. Patch may earn a commission on some purchased items.

Densters - Build Your Own Fort At Home
Help them take their fort building to a new level with these unique den connectors. They hold sheets, attach to furniture and serve other functional purposes in the home like being bookmarks, doorstops, phone stands and beyond.

The Original AirFort
This inflatable indoor tent blows up in seconds with the switch of an ordinary household fan. Once it's inflated, it fits several kids and even adults. The AirFort is made of a lightweight but durable material that hovers just above the ground, so coming and going is easy: Just lift any edge of the fort to go in or out. When the kids are through playing, this tent deflates and stuffs into a compact carrying bag for convenient storage.

Disney "Frozen" Stickers Activity Set
Keep your little "Frozen" fans entertained for hours on end with more than 400 stickers, storybook activity pages, pop-out characters and more. Recommended for ages three and up.

Pinkfong "Baby Shark" Sound Book
We apologize in advance for getting these songs stuck in your head, but your kids really will love this delightful sing-along book. It features 10 shark songs, vibrant illustrations and buttons designed to be easy for little fingers to press.

Melissa & Doug USA Map Floor Puzzle
This 51-piece piece puzzle isn't just fun for little ones, it also helps develop cognitive skills and teaches them some geography. The colorful pieces snap together easily and feature an easy-to-clean surface. Recommended for ages six and up.

PicassoTiles (100-piece Set)
Teach them to dream big and build big with these half-price magnetic building tiles. They're suitable for kids ages three and up and can be played with alone or in conjunction with a pal. This set of PicassoTiles has over 1,900 5-star reviews, and once your kid has played with them, you'll completely understand why.

LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaur Toy Set
Kids who like dinosaurs will love this 3-in-1 LEGO dinosaur set! Not only does it include the pieces to build a ferocious T-Rex, but it also has everything you need to make a powerful Triceratops and a terrifying pterodactyl! Recommended for ages seven and up. See more LEGO toys for kids of all ages

The Young Scientists Club Science Art Fusion Space Kit
Let your young scientist create her own space art gallery while learning about the solar system at the same time! This kit includes a customized art and science tray and all the components needed to perform 10 exciting experiments. Recommended for kids ages 5 through 12.

Anki Cozmo
This real-life robot is a fun, educational toy for kids and adults. Cozmo can express hundreds of emotions, recognize different members of your family and remember you names. He's also a game-playing machine who's always up for action, and if you switch to Explorer Mode, you can see what Cozmo sees from his point of view. This surprisingly durable little robot even features a beginner-friendly interface that makes it easy for children and grownups to learn to creatively code. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Monopoly: Fortnite Edition Board Game
Keep the teens entertained (and off their phones) with this "Fortnite"-inspired twist on Monopoly. With this game, it's not about what you own — it's how long you can survive. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Photo Credit: All images via Amazon