Play Santa by giving the kids in your life these popular toys
Shopping for children is pretty easy — avoid boring, practical items like clothes and socks, and stick to the toy aisle instead. But if you really want to thrill the kids on your shopping list, any old toy may not be enough. For those discerning little ones, you want to be sure you gift a truly sought-after toy.
To help you win the holidays, we’ve gathered our picks for the best toys of the year. Whether you’re shopping for kids who love cuddling stuffies, going on pretend outdoor adventures or learning about dinosaurs, there’s something on our list for everyone.
Best toys of 2025
Squishmallows Original 10″ Bluey HugMees Plush
This adorable 10-inch Bluey Squishmallow is perfect for cuddling at bedtime. It is made of a super-soft, high-quality material that feels great against the skin, so kids will love playing with it. Bluey’s arms are also extended, leaving her ready for a hug at any moment.
Koala Diary Kids’ Adventurer’s Nature Explorer Set
If the children on your shopping list love nature, this adventurer’s set makes the perfect gift. It includes a vest and hat that let kids dress up as an outdoor adventurer, but it’s about more than just pretending. It also comes with a magnifying glass, a butterfly net, a ventilated bug container and other tools to help children learn about insects.
Polly Pockets x Peanuts Collector Compact
This adorable Polly Pocket compact is Peanuts-themed, featuring six micro character dolls, including Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Sally, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, and even a tiny Woodstock. It is shaped like a snow globe and contains glittery snowflakes that fall when shaken. Inside, you can race the characters in sleds, spin and skate on the ice rink and warm up inside the house.
For the kid who loves shopping at Target as much as you do, this realistic wooden checkout lane is a dream come true. It features a hand-cranked conveyor belt, a beeping scanner, a working cash register with a microphone and more. Its dual-sided design also lets kids play at ringing up items on one side and shopping on the other.
Furby just got an upgrade with this fun interactive version, perfect for cuddling. It features five modes that allow kids to create custom music, remix Furby songs, practice yoga breathing exercises for relaxation and play games. It also has four color-changing lights on its belly that children can control for fun sensory play.
Primal Hatch Jurassic World Interactive Dinosaur & Egg Toy
The dinosaur enthusiast on your list will love this exciting interactive egg that allows them to hatch their own baby dinosaur. It features over 100 sounds and reactions, but kids can train the dinosaur, deciding whether it grows up friendly or fierce. It is designed for children ages 4 to 6 and can provide hours of imaginative play.
Sesame Street Elmo Slide Singing and Dancing Plush
Sesame Street fans will love snuggling with this fun Elmo plushie, which can do more than just cuddle. It can also dance and play music and allows children to play “Elmo Says” by mimicking his movements. Elmo can also speak and sing in Spanish just by sliding the switch beneath its foot.
Melissa & Doug Simmer & Stir Stovetop Play Set
For kids who love watching Mom and Dad cook in the kitchen, this playset lets them pretend they’re helping out. In addition to astovetop, it comes with a cooking pot, six vegetables, six proteins, and two meals, all of which change color when exposed to water to mimic the changes that occur during cooking. Suitable for children ages 3 and up, it helps develop fine motor skills and demonstrate cause-and-effect.
Origin Bees Brilliant Harmony Baby Bee Doll
Designed with inclusivity in mind, this adorable doll has a caramel skin tone and hair with a 4a curl pattern. The hair can be brushed and styled, and the clothing and accessories are removable. It even comes with a matching child-sized hair accessory. Best of all, all the materials used are nontoxic and eco-friendly.
Care Bears X Wicked Love-a-Lot Bear as Glinda and Good Luck Bear as Elphaba
These adorable Care Bears are cosplaying as Glinda and Elphaba from the blockbuster Wicked. Dressed as Glinda, Love-a-Lot Bear wears a sparkling dress and crown. Good Luck Bear dons Elphaba’s iconic hat and cape. Both bears are 14 inches and made of a super-soft, plush material that’s perfect for cuddles.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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