The holiday season is officially underway for the toy industry, and following the debut of The Toy Insider’s 18th annual Holiday Gift Guide, retailer predictions and hot toy lists are rolling out.
While many hot lists skew toward toys and games that are primarily sold at mass retail, the specialty market is more nuanced. Independent toy stores, gift shops, and other specialty retailers that stock toys offer hyper-local assortments and trends that vary greatly based on location.
Richard Derr, aka “The Toy Man” is a familiar voice within the U.S. toy industry and has compiled a list of key trends and products showing strength at his store, Learning Express Toys & Gifts in Lake Zurich, Illinois.
This year's list has newness, difference makers, uniqueness, and of course FUN! There are many great products on our shelves, but here are the key ones to watch if the toy industry will be strong this year. So far the year has been above average and we are looking for more growth this holiday season. Some or all of these will propel us."
Key Trends for Holiday 2023
- Plush and Sensory Play
- Fashion and Tween
- Games (Single Player, Family, and Strategy)
- Kawaii (cute) products
- Miniature DIY crafts
Top 10 Toys & Games for Holiday 2023 (not in rank order)
- Bitzee (Spin Master)
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 151 — Elite Trainer Box (The Pokémon Co.)
- Squishmallows (Jazwares)
- FidilBitz (PlayVisions)
- MGA’s Miniverse (MGA Entertainment)
- Cookeez Makery (Moose Toys)
- Furby (Hasbro)
- Santa’s Kindness Ornament (Demdaco)
- Magic Mixies Pixlings (Moose Toys)
- Anywhere Sports Trampoline Pong (Thin Air Brands)
Honorable Mentions
- Fingerlings (WowWee)
- Snackles (ZURU)
- Sowa Sowa Plush (Various)
- Infinity Cube (Various)
Top Photo: David Middleton (left) of Midco Toy Planet (UK) faces off with Rick Derr of Learning Express in a game of Trampoline Pong. | Source: Learning Express Toys & Games of Lake Zurich, Illinois
