The holiday season is shaping up to be a big one for play, with a wide-ranging lineup designed to capture kids’ attention — and make its way onto wish lists. This year’s hottest picks — according to the companies that make them* — span imaginative worlds, hands-on experiences, sensory fun, tech-forward play, and familiar franchises, offering something for every kind of young fan. Here are some of the toys ready to turn up the excitement this holiday.
*Toy and game companies were invited to submit their own “Hot for Holiday” picks, highlighting key holiday drivers for retailers to have on their radar this season. For our team’s hot holiday toy picks, visit our sister publication, The Toy Insider, to view the definitive 2026 Holiday Gift Guide.
BUTT FACE: CHESTER CHEEKS
This goofy, butt-shaped pal wiggles, jiggles, and lets out silly fart sounds when kids squeeze and stretch its cheeks. Press down on Chester’s head to watch him dance to hilarious tootin’ tunes
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BARBIE 2026 DREAMHOUSE
Complete with nine indoor and outdoor play areas, two pools, two slides, more than 65 accessories, and a modular design, this customizable dollhouse comes with two house structures that kids can join to make one big house or two connected houses with a bridge in between.
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AIR TOOBZ EVO
Adjustable airflow sends foam balls racing, hovering, and popping through endless tube builds that blend art, physics, and experimentation.
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TRANSFORMERS TOYS CYBERWORLD BUMBLEBEE POWER SPARK ENERGON SURGE
This 11-inch action figure transforms into a car in four steps. Includes accessories for both modes.
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L.O.L. SURPRISE! MUSIC FESTIVAL TOTS
Kids can collect eight mini dolls inspired by different music genres. Each comes packaged in a pink disco ball with a vinyl record player on top that kids can spin a mini record on to unlock more surprises.
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NEEDOH FUNKY FRIGHTS SQUISH-O-WEEN COUNTDOWN CALENDAR
Find six NeeDoh surprises and seven Halloween treats behind 13 doors. The days leading up to the holiday squish into a playful countdown filled with discoveries.
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TICKLE ME ELMO GIGGLE MAX
This reimagined version of the classic ‘90s toys brings all the giggles. Standing at 18 inches tall, Tiggle Me Elmo Giggle Max provides hysterical laughter, full-body movements, and more playful reactions that keep kids smiling and entertained.
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ZIPSTRING ARACNA
Kids can strap this classic webshooter to their wrist and launch a string into the air. When kids are done playing, the string retracts back into the shooter.
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POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME 30TH CELEBRATION ELITE TRAINER BOX
Kids can celebrate 30 years of Pokémon with this Elite Trainer Box, which introduces the new Futuristic Rare card rarity, vibrant new visuals, all foil cards, and the return of 30 different classic Pokémon.
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DC BAT-LINK BATMOBILE
At more than 16 inches long, the Bat-Link Batmobile fits 6.5-inch action figures and hides a disc-launching BatDrone beneath the hood, with room for compatible upgrades.
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DRIP DROPS
Kids can show off their style with this lineup of tiny sneaker collectibles. Series 1 has 16 styles with brands including Hot Wheels, Godzilla, and Smiley. Each Drip Drops collectible features a display-ready shoebox, real laces, a display case, and a keychain to take them on the go.
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CONNETIX 32-PIECE TRAVEL MINI PACK
Make mini masterpieces with this CONNETIX travel pack. | Source: Brave Toys
Make mini masterpieces with this CONNETIX travel pack. | Source: Brave Toys
Source: CONNETIX
Make mini masterpieces with this CONNETIX travel pack. | Source: Brave Toys
Take imagination on the go! | Source: CONNETIX
The set includes 32 compact-sized pieces. | Source: CONNETIX
Make mini masterpieces with this CONNETIX travel pack. | Source: Brave Toys
Make mini masterpieces with this CONNETIX travel pack. | Source: Brave Toys
Make mini masterpieces with this CONNETIX travel pack. | Source: Brave Toys
Creativity packed and ready to go! Discover a curated selection of mini shapes featuring mighty magnets and two sheets of reusable stickers in a build-ready carry tin.
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ARMORSAURS FEATURE VILLAIN FIGURE — KING CHROME
King Chrome towers over the Armorsaurs battlefield at 12-inch scale, throwing punch-powered attacks, firing missiles, and activating lights and sounds. A Roblox code unlocks in-game cosmetics.
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PAW PATROL MEGASAURUS VEHICLE
Rocky’s recycling truck rolls in with a dino-sized surprise. When kids press the light bar, a 2-foot inflatable dino will pop out. Kids can pack the dino back in the truck and inflate it over again. Complete with sounds inspired by the movie.
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FYC: BRIO WORLD — SPACE DELUXE TRAIN SET
FYC: BRIO WORLD SPACE DELUXE TRAIN SET | Source: Ravensburger
FYC: BRIO WORLD SPACE DELUXE TRAIN SET | Source: Ravensburger
FYC: BRIO WORLD SPACE DELUXE TRAIN SET | Source: Ravensburger
FYC: BRIO WORLD SPACE DELUXE TRAIN SET | Source: Ravensburger
FYC: BRIO WORLD SPACE DELUXE TRAIN SET | Source: Ravensburger
BRIO is taking its wooden railway into orbit with the 56-piece Space Deluxe Set. This space-themed expansion of BRIO World features a multilevel layout with tunnels, a space station, a rover, and a shuttle complete with lights and sounds. Astronaut figures sport magnetic suits that connect to a tether inside the shuttle, along with other…
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MOMIJI SUGAR PLUM WOOD BLIND BOX MESSAGE DOLLS & PENDANT PLUSH COLLECTION
Teens can add positive and woodland vibes to their collection with these blind boxes that feature uplifting messages in each collectible.
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DOMO
Domo returns with his blocky shape, fuzzy texture, and wide-open mouth. This nostalgic mascot is gaining new fans on TikTok and Instagram, making him a quirky collectible for longtime and new fans alike.
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POKÉMON PIKACHU PUPPETRONIC BY REALFX
Pikachu comes alive with more than 100 action and sound combinations, touch sensors, blinking eyes, mouth movement, and soft puppetronic play. Created by Wow! Stuff.
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MY LOOK INSTA-SNAP CAMERA
Tweens can capture photos and videos and enjoy instant printing in seconds, without additional cables or devices. It comes with markers and stickers for decorating and personalizing black-and-white photo prints.
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PEPPA PIG READY, PEDAL, GO PEPPA
Help Peppa learn to ride her bike with the Ready, Pedal, Go Peppa playset! Put on Peppa's helmet and attach the push stick to the bike. Kids can push the toy bike along while she "learns" to ride, then detach the stick, give her a push, and watch her magically pedal her bike all by…
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POKÉMON TONIEBOX 2 SET — LIGHTNING YELLOW
Inspired by Pikachu’s yellow colorway, this Toniebox 2 set includes four Pokémon figures — Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur — which play themed stories and songs when placed on the screen-free audio player.
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GO GLO MINIS
Kids can enjoy their own GRWM moments with this collection that includes lip tints, makeup, and fragrances. Kids are empowered to exercise their creativity with these mini products, which are easy to collect and carry.
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GUI GUI MEGA SLIME HAUL
Kids can unbox and mix the five different slimes, which come with more than 50 mix-ins and beauty-inspired accessories, to create unique combinations.
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PETS ALIVE MOMMY ELEPHANT & BABY SURPRISE
This interactive toy features a trunk-load of excitement with a Mommy Elephant and surprise reveal of two, three, or four baby elephants. The Mommy Elephant really walks and kids can connect the babies to her tail to create an elephant train.
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MELISSA & DOUG CHERRY LANE COLLECTION
Versatile: Arrange in multiple ways! Kids can design the layout thanks to the modular rooms, arrange the pieces, and pose the play figures—standing or sitting—to set the scene their way and spark imaginative play. Easy Access: Play from above and any angle! With an open-top design and flexible layout, kids can play from above —with…
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SUPER MARIO DONKEY KONG MINE CART ADVENTURE PLAYSET
Inspired by the classic video game, this multi-level playset features 2.5-inch Donkey and Diddy Kong figures that ride the rails, swing on vines, climb the ladders, and more.
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MONSTER JAM DELUXE MONSTER MOTORS PLAYSET
Rev the two friction-powered Monster Motors trucks, release the launchers, and send Megalodon and Power Rush racing side by side. This set runs without batteries.
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LOOPS LAB DJ SET
This set features an eight-spot signature stage that lights up in multiple colors as tweens make their own mix. Aspiring DJ mixers can create new sounds with the set’s five EDM-inspired band characters, the Waveravers, and two HedX DJ figurines. Stage bumper included.
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BARBIE GEMSTONE DIG KIT
Kids can uncover gemstones and turn them into custom keychains using this kit. Kids can find chevron amethyst, rose quartz, green fluorite, and more hidden inside car-shaped bricks.
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LEGO BLUEY SCHOOL WITH RUSTY AND BLUEY
This 106-piece Bluey-themed set includes two Bluey and Rusty mini-figures and a school scene with a mini kitchen, café, hospital, and a baby-care section. This set is inspired by the "Early Baby" Bluey episode.
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ROCK AND SPIN SENSORY WOBBLE NEST
Large enough for several children, this oversized sensory nest rocks and spins in any direction. Its low, open design supports collaborative indoor or outdoor play.
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FISHER-PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN PLAYSET
This playset is more than 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide. Kids can roll the SUV around the winding roads, send the camper figure kayaking or boarding down the waterfall slide, explore the shop, take in the view from the overlook, and more
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BLUEY’S LIGHT & SURPRISE HEELER HOUSE
Kids can make up their own Bluey-inspired stories with this 2-foot-tall playset. Each room in the five-story home features themed accessories, and the top of the chimney projects spinning stars and moons just like Bluey’s own light projector.
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PAC-MAN, TETRIS & THE GRINCH ARCADE COLLECTION
Play PAC-MAN and Tetris (pictured) on pocket-sized keyring arcades, or join the Grinch for sleigh rides and present-stealing missions on keyring, handheld, and plug-and-play gaming devices.
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GO! GO! GO! KART
Players pick a racer to cheer through three wild go-kart races, then switch sides when a swap card changes the odds. Points depend on how well each racer finishes.
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SLIMYGLOOP GELLI GELS
These stress toys are full of slow-flow glitter gel, so kids can stretch, squeeze, and watch the gel reform after every pull. Licensed themes include Squishmallows, Hello Kitty, SpongeBob SquarePants (pictured), Minecraft, Hershey’s, Bluey, Pudgy Penguins, and more.
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STICKERBOX
This voice-powered sticker maker lets kids create and print endless sticker combinations with AI. It has guardrails and parents in mind with built-in filters and assurances that the device is not “always listening” to prevent unwanted content.
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B-BALL BOUNCE
The Strikesphere product line expands to basketball with this indoor trainer that helps kids elevate and improve their ball-handling skills through light-guided drills across three game modes, with a built-in LCD scoreboard that tracks high scores.
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WOODEN BIG CITY TRAIN ADVENTURE SET & TABLE
Build routes across the illustrated wooden table using tracks, risers, a bridge, magnetic train cars, trees, and vehicles. The low table slides under furniture between adventures.
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MINI FIDGEE FURREES
Soft plush surrounds a squeezable rubber core in these 4-inch farm friends. Wave 1 includes a frog, a chicken, a duck, a goat, a spotted cow (pictured), and a Highland cow.
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MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: RE-IGNITION — ULTIMATE MEGAZORD
Kids can activate the Mega Thunderzord by pressing the button on its chest to hear more than 15 different phrases and sounds from the show while its eyes light up
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LEGO MINECRAFT THE SKELETON
Build Minecraft’s Skeleton with a jointed neck and arms, a removable diamond helmet, a bow, an arrow, and a grass base. The 502-piece set also unlocks an in-game skull cap.
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MAXX ACTION MEGA MOTORIZED SCHOOL BUS
This school bus vehicle features dual joystick controls that open the bus door and move the stop sign. It also features a working microphone, realistic lights and engine sounds, friction-powered movement, and a sliding roof for easy access to the inside.
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MAGNA-TILES LIGHTHOUSE RESCUE 26-PIECE SET
Turn the playroom into a busy shoreline with this lighthouse-inspired building set. This kit includes a Lighthouse Rescuer figure, a Sea Turtle, a Rescue Raft, and a variety of shoreline pieces and accessories for building docks, waves, and towers.
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Stay on the Pulse of Play!
A version of this feature appears in The Toy Book‘s 2026 Fall Toy & Licensing Preview Issue. Read the full issue here!
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