Hopefully There's Something For Everyone This Year!

Holiday Toy Trends: Something for Everyone (Hopefully!)

It's that time of year again, folks! The leaves are turning, the air is getting crisp, and… parents are starting to panic about the holiday toy rush. Don't worry, I’m here to try and help! I’ve been looking at what's predicted to be popular this season, and honestly, there's a lot! It seems like toymakers are really trying to cover all the bases this year.

If your little one loves to build, magnetic tiles are still a huge hit. Classics like Magna-Tiles are always popular, but newer options like the Connetix Creative Roads Pack – which lets kids build roads and structures – are getting a lot of buzz. And if they're a Bluey fan (and who isn't?), there’s a Tile Town set themed around the Heeler house! Lego, of course, remains a perennial favorite – you really can’t go wrong with a Lego set.

For the more scientifically-minded kids, there's a lot of STEM-focused stuff out there. Bill Nye’s Virtual Reality Chem Science Kit sounds pretty cool – virtual reality and chemistry? It’s like the future is here! There’s also the Wow in the World: Dino Dig Diorama, which lets kids excavate dinosaurs and build a little landscape. I always liked dinosaurs as a kid, so that one sounds like a good time. The Smithsonian 3D LED Solar System is also pretty neat—illuminated planets and NASA imagery? Educational and pretty!

Action figures are, predictably, a big deal. Jada Toys has a remote-control Godzilla that breathes "heat-ray breath" – which sounds a little intense, but also kind of awesome. And of course, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are still around, with mix-and-match figures. Star Wars Doorables – those little collectible figures – are also predicted to be popular, along with a new series called Galaxy Peek.

Dolls are always a hit, especially with the little ones. The Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll is expected to be huge, but I’m reading it's currently sold out. Hopefully, they’ll get more in stock soon! Jakks Pacific also has an interactive checkout station – perfect for aspiring shopkeepers, I guess.

And for family game nights, the Pop Up Bluey Kids Game looks like a fun, classic take on the traditional game. Cray-Z-Art has some Disney collectible figures as well.

There's also a lot of focus on arts and crafts this year—things like Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! Activity Sets—which seems good, you know, getting kids to make things instead of just… consuming things.

A lot of the really affordable stuff is still out there, too. Things like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, and the Cray-Z-Art Disney Crystal Surprise Series – good for stocking stuffers or smaller gifts.

Honestly, there's a lot to choose from! The big trends seem to be popular characters like Bluey, Ms. Rachel, Disney, and Star Wars, a focus on STEM learning, collectible figures, and toys that really encourage active play. Hopefully, this gives you a good starting point for your holiday shopping. And hey, if you get stuck, maybe just ask the kid what they want? Seems obvious, but… you know. I always get nervous about picking the wrong thing.