It's time again to ponder what gifts will thrill kids this holiday season, but with so many options out there, it can be hard figuring out what exactly to give.
Interactive pets of all kinds are still in vogue, so you can’t go wrong with sequined plush, unicorns, poop, robots, Star Wars anything, slime, dinosaurs, and board (or un-boarded) games.
Looking for a heads-up on which toys will appear in those all-important letters to Santa? Check out our list of the top playthings kids may be asking for this year, from gooey and gross, to cute, to a little bit surprising, too.
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L.O.L. Surprise!
The L.O.L. Surprise! lineup for this winter is massive, and includes a giant interactive doll house as well as the "L.O.L. Surprise! Bigger Surprise!," for kids who love unboxing 60+ dolls and their accessories.
But MGA Entertainment’s electric pets might be the runaway star this year. Each L.O.L. Surprise! Interactive Live pet comes with three mystery accessories and features more than 60 sounds and responses for when their new owners pet, feed, and play with them. Kids can collect all three adorable varieties.
Click here to find the LOL House ($189), LOL Bigger Surprise ($79), and LOL Pets ($20).
LEGOS
LEGOS are always a popular option for holidays, and they keep upping the ante with amazing building sets that kids adore. But this year’s breakout building-block gift might just be extra magical—it’s a big-scale offering featuring J.K. Rowling’s popular wizarding world. The 878-piece kit lets kids aged 9-14 re-create some of their favorite scenes in one of the most famous fantasy castles around. If you have a Harry Potter fan in your home, this could be a must-buy.
Click here to shop the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall ($100).
Fingerlings
You may remember how hard it was to find your kid’s desired Fingerlings back in 2017—so don’t let that happen again. This year’s WowWee products include the Fingerlings Baby Dragons and the Interactive Baby Panda, but you might want to go up in size and check out the Fingerlings Hugs—if your young one wants a baby monkey, that is. This soft plushie with long arms is cuddly, interactive, and totally huggable.
Click here to find the Fingerlings Hugs ($25), Baby Dragon ($15), and Glitter Panda ($15).
Paw Patrol
Paw Patrol remains a juggernaut in the kids’ toy market, so if your child is a fan, you’re going to want to pick up this Spin Master toy as soon as possible. The large-scale vehicle lets your kid save the day with a two-foot ladder, lights and sounds, water cannons, and realistic working features. It’s a well-made toy for imaginative play that will keep young superfans occupied for a long time.
Click here to shop Paw Patrol Marshall’s Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck ($56)
Boxer A.I. Robot
Want a tiny robot toy with a big personality? Check out Boxer, a little blue box of an AI with a full range of emotions, 10 game cards, a remote control, and sensors that allow him to respond to your movements. This quirky little guy makes cute sounds and provides hours of social, physical play for kids (and pets, too). There’s an app that allows you to unlock additional games, but you don’t need it if you’d prefer to keep your phone out of the way.
Click here to shop the Boxer A.I. Robot ($70)
Word to the wise: All these toys are in high demand, so you might want to get the jump on your holiday shopping to stay ahead of the game.
