If you’re looking for the inside scoop on the season’s hottest goodies for the littles on your list, The Toy Insider has you covered. They take the guesswork out of gifting with expert-reviewed toys, games, and presents for kids of all ages. Every toy featured on thetoyinsider.com is made by a reputable manufacturer, packed with play value, expert-approved, and sold at trusted retailers. Here are 20 of their top picks for every kiddo on your list, from baby and toddler to school age.
Baby & Toddler (Ages 0-2)
Spinmaster Ms. Rachel Wooden Learning Blocks
Stack, roll, match, and learn with these wooden blocks. Inspired by Ms. Rachel’s baby and toddler videos, this set includes blocks and activity cards designed to encourage learning.
MSRP: $29.99 Age: 0+
Spinmaster Ms. Rachel Wooden Learning Blocks – Buy Here
Battat Barnyard Activity Cube
This five-sided wooden activity center features farm characters, a bead maze, a tractor-trailer, interlocking gears, peek-a-boo pals, and more for toddlers to practice fine motor skills.
MSRP: $49.88 Age: 1+
Battat Barnyard Activity Cube – Buy Here
Learning Resources New Sprouts Deluxe All-in-One Tool Set
Kids can play with the chunky, toddler-safe tools made from soft, durable plastic. The set includes a working tape measure, a circular saw, a screwdriver, a wrench, a hammer, and more. All of the pieces fit inside the toolbox for easy storage.
MSRP: $34.99 Age: 2+
Learning Resources New Sprouts Deluxe All-in-One Tool Set – Buy Here
Preschooler (Ages 3-4)
Hasbro Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter
This kid-powered scooter ride-on doubles as a Play-Doh playset. It features storage, 16 accessories, and 10 Play-Doh colors. Kids can create their pizza and then deliver it.
MSRP: $94.99 Age: 3+
Hasbro Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter – Buy Here
Mattel Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash
Watch the Hot Wheels car change colors when it goes through the shark’s mouth or into the cold water tank. The set folds in half for easy storage and excess water drainage.
MSRP: $59.99 Age: 3+
Mattel Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash – Buy Here
Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow!
Kids can complete 24 pages of counting, matching, and search-and-find activities with a refillable sticker stamper that comes pre-loaded with 300 removable stickers.
MSRP: $11.99 Age: 3+
Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow! – Buy Here
Zuru Pets Alive MamaDuck Surprise
This mama duck is ready to hatch a family of her own. Kids will find two, three, or four ducklings in different colors, with a chance to find a rare golden duckling. Once hatched, the ducklings attach to the mama and follow her as she waddles around.
MSRP: $29.99 Age: 3+
Zuru Pets Alive MamaDuck Surprise – Buy Here
Connetix 106-Piece Pastel Ball Run Pack
This pack has clear fluted tubes, eight colorful wooden balls, and pastel connector tiles to make custom ball runs. Different pieces in the set include soundscape staircases, S-bend tubes, split tubes, and other twists and turns that pack tons of play potential. The Ball Run Pack helps kids explore STEAM concepts like gravity and motion. The set is compatible with the entire Connetix range and other magnetic tile brands.
MSRP: $125.00 Age: 3+
Connetix 106-Piece Pastel Ball Run Pack – Buy Here
Crayola Paw Patrol Scribble Scrubbie 3-Count Deluxe Set
Draw on your favorite PAW Patrol characters with this new Scribble Srubbie set. Chase, Marshall, and Skye are 6 inches tall and have a fuzzy exterior that kids can color and wash repeatedly. Comes with six Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers.
MSRP: $14.99 Age: 3+
Crayola Paw Patrol Scribble Scrubbie 3-Count Deluxe Set – Buy Here
Basic Fun! Hello Kitty Loves Cheer Bear 10-Inch Collectible Care Bears Plus 2-Pack
Hello Kitty pairs perfectly with her Care Bears bestie, Cheer Bear. The 10-inch plush characters are dressed as each other.
MSRP: $24.99 Age: 4+
Hello Kitty Loves Cheer Bear 10-Inch Collectible Care Bears Plus 2-Pack – Buy Here
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles Anime Heroes
These 6.5-inch action figures feature anime characters from titles including Naruto and One Piece. Each figure has 20 points of articulation and comes in manga-inspired packaging.
MSRP: $21.99 Age: 4+
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles Anime Heroes – Buy Here
School-Aged (Ages 5+)
Pokémon Center Pokémon Soda Pop Plush
These Pokémon plush feature F*Kaori-style designs and embroidered eyes paired with a nostalgic feel.
MSRP: $19.99 Age: 5+
Pokémon Center Pokémon Soda Pop Plush – Buy Here
Fat Brain Toy Co. Foosbots Stadium Battle Set
Squeeze the Foosbots’ arms to make them spin and kick the ball across the stadium. Kids will practice hand-eye coordination, enhance their reflexes, and more.
MSRP: $19.99 Age: 6+
Fat Brain Toy Co. Foosbots Stadium Battle Set – Buy Here
NKOK Spongebob Squarepants Boatmobile
The highly detailed SpongeBob in his open-wheel, full-function Boatmobile kart racer is fast and easy for kids to control. The 2.4GHz frequency allows up to 16 racers with up to 100-foot range.
MSRP: $25.00 Age: 6+
NKOK Spongebob Squarepants Boatmobile – Buy Here
NSI International Laser X Micro B2 Double Blasters
The set equips two players with Laser X blasters. Kids can blast opponents up to 300 feet away, blaster to blaster, with no vest required. It features sound and lighting effects and more than 20 team colors to choose from.
MSRP: $49.99 Age: 6+
NSI International Laser X Micro B2 Double Blasters – Buy Here
PlayMonster Flying Squirrels Feeder Frenzy
Kids compete to fling their squirrels at the birdfeeder and claim the nuts that pour out. The player with the most nuts at the end wins the game.
MSRP: $24.99 Age: 6+
PlayMonster Flying Squirrels Feeder Frenzy – Buy Here
WeCool ILY DIY 3D Sticker Maker
Make 3D stickers with different backgrounds, sprinkles, glitter, and gem mix-ins. Choose the materials, place everything inside the sticker maker, pop it out, and peel and stick the custom creation.
MSRP: $16.99 Age: 6+
WeCool ILY DIY 3D Sticker Maker – Buy Here
Wow! Stuff Real FX Disney Stitch
With blinking eyes, a moving mouth, and sensors on his head and face, this Stitch responds to kids’ touch. It has more than 100 action and sound combinations.
MSRP: $79.99 Age: 6+
Wow! Stuff Real FX Disney Stitch – Buy Here
Thames & Kosmos Gecko Run Marble Run Starter Set
The set takes classic marble runs to the next level with creative challenges and pieces that attach to any smooth surface. Kids can create hills and jumps, and even turn corners to create tricks and stunts.
MSRP: $34.95 Age: 8+
Thames & Kosmos Gecko Run Marble Run Starter Set – Buy Here
Jada Toys Godzilla RC
Perfect for play and display, this nearly 2-foot-long Godzilla R/C is easy to maneuver. Kids can make the King of Monsters whip his tail, roar, stomp, and activate his heat breath.
MSRP: $59.99 Age: 8+
Jada Toys Godzilla RC – Buy Here
For more hot toys for kids of all ages, check out The Toy Insider’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide and follow @thetoyinsider on social media!
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All images courtesy of retailers.
