We might be a few days away from Christmas, but it's not too late to finish (or start, we don't judge) gift shopping! If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your little one or trying to check off some items from their list, these toys will have them chatting non-stop. But don’t wait — most retailers can only guarantee your gifts will arrive before Christmas if you order by Dec. 19.
Last year, some of the hottest (and hardest to score) toys included the Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldron and Squishmallows plushies. But for this holiday season, Grace Bastidas, Editor-in-Chief of Parents, stopped by TODAY to share some of her top picks. In their rounds of testing, the Parents team collected data from staff and kids alike on numerous toys, and based the results on durability, ease of use, wow factor, storage capability and how likely they were to recommend to a friend.
The options below are just some of the picks that made the mark, along with hot toy lists from many retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Macy's that are also filled with exciting picks. From Barbie's Dreamhouse to a real cotton candy maker, these toys are trendy and packed with fun.
Keep reading to see the hottest toys of 2023 that will arrive before the holidays.
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Best toys for all ages seen on TODAY | Bestselling holiday toys | More as seen on TODAY | Target | Kohl's | Macy's | The Toy Insider | Amazon | Walmart
Best toys for all ages, seen on TODAY
Mega BLOKS Musical Farm Band
This sensory building toy is filled with various farm animals that your little one can build themselves, including a pig cymbal, cow drum, chicken rattle and five musical others. They can join in with the band and use the six musical sheets to guide them, or build a bigger set by combining their other Mega BLOKS.
Jurassic World Fierce Changers Chase ‘N Roar Tyrannosaurus Rex
In just 28 steps (a good challenge for big kids!), this Tyrannosaurus Rex can go from a roaring action figure to a tough vehicle that's inspired by the actual film. It might even be a nostalgic treat for the parent, but it's a thrilling toy that they'll have a whole lot of imaginative fun with.
Clixo Ocean Creatures Pack
Bring ocean creatures to life with this lightweight and reusable building set. The pack include 24 pieces of fins, tentacles and more that can be transformed into 3D underwater animals. They can be bended and twisted in whatever direction and shape they desire. Plus, they glow in the dark! The brand says shoppers need to select UPS two-day shipping at checkout for arrival by Christmas.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table
Bastidas recommends the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table because it grows with your child (it is best for babies and toddlers that are six months and up!). The table legs can be attached once they’re ready to stand, and gives them access to hundreds of songs, multiple piano keys and a mini spin table that light up and teach them about colors, shapes, sounds and numbers.
Bestselling holiday toys of 2023
Bitzee Interactive Toy Digital Pet and Case
Even though this pick is digital, your kiddo will still be able to touch and feel this hot holiday toy. As your little one swipes, tilts, shakes and touches this little pet, it will grow from a baby to an adult. It will be love at first pet!
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler
Trying to choose between your kid’s current obsessions — cars and dinosaurs — can be tough. But with this toy, they’ll get a little bit of everything that they love. The hauler can carry around more than 20 Hot Wheels cars and then transform into a stomping T-Rex with a race track on its back! They can also send cars flying out of its mouth as it lights up and makes sounds.
More hot holiday toys seen on TODAY
Laurie Schacht, Chief Toy Officer at The Toy Insider, previously stopped by the 3rd Hour of TODAY to give us a sneak peak of the toys she predicts will be at the top of everyone’s wish list this holiday season.
Kanoodle Solitaire Game
Millions of these brain teaser puzzles have been sold, thanks to word of mouth and social media, with adults and children alike trying to solve the hundreds of puzzles within.
This toy is perfect for road tripping over the holidays or for keeping children occupied during travel, due to its compact size and ability to fit in carry-ons and backpacks.
Barbie Fashionistas Doll
This doll is one of more than 30 Barbie Fashionistas. The doll line is designed "to reflect the world kids see today." They all wear bright and trendy styles.
Make It Real™ Mini Pottery Studio
Schacht's next pick is for kiddos and parents who love no mess, no noise toys. With crafts ranging from beginner to master, the mini pottery studio includes 10 projects for your little one to tackle.
Cra-Z-Art The Real Cotton Candy Maker
By the time snow starts falling to the ground, popsicles and ice cream will have fallen out of style. That's why Schacht is recommending this kid-friendly cotton candy maker that makes fluffy cotton candy in minutes. Schacht says this fast-acting toy works "like magic."
Retrospec Cricket Balance Walker Bicycle
Rated as one of the best and most popular toys for 1-year-olds and those learning to walk, this balance bicycle is loved by parents because it’s “sturdy,” “durable” and they adore the color scheme, as this bike is available in 10 different colorways.
Barbie Dreamhouse 2023
Schacht’s next pick is the newest Barbie Dreamhouse. Made with pet lovers in mind, the Dreamhouse includes a puppy slide and pool, pet elevator and pet palace complete with a puppy figure, pet bed and doggie door. It also includes more than 75 accessories and the tallest slide in the Barbie Dreamhouse ever.
Target's Bullseye's Top Toys list
Buffalo Games Pop It Go Game
Target's Bullseye's Top Toys list for 2023 is its most affordable one ever! And it includes over 50 different giftable toys for kids of all ages. They can take this game with them wherever they go, from road trips to the school bus, to keep their hands and minds busy.
Cool Maker PopStyle Tile Bracelet Maker
This year, kiddos have loved channeling their creativity by crafting bracelets of every shape and size. This tile bracelet maker has enough supplies to make 10 unique bracelets that don’t require any knots, cutting or clasps. That means the little ones can easily get in on the bracelet-making fun!
Perfectly Cute Target Toy Shopping Cart
Calling at Target fans! This is the ultimate gift for your little shopping buddy. The cute cart comes with tons of fun accessories, including a branded barista coffee cup, Good & Gather and Favorite Day market items and more.
Tonies Paw Patrol Skye Headphones Bundle Starter Set
The great thing about Tonies is that once you have the box, there are endless possibilities. There are more than 100 different Tonies that kids can swap out to hear stories about some of their favorite characters for hours of screen-free entertainment. With this one, they'll listen as Skye goes on a mission to save Ace’s birthday surprise.
Kohl's Top 20 Holiday Toys of 2023
L.O.L Surprise! Magic Flyers
These popular dolls are always filled with fun surprises and this new one takes it to a whole new level — literally! Depending on how many times you tap it, the globe will rock, light and open to reveal a little doll that takes flight.
Skyrocket Magic Whispers Luna
Everyone can hear this cute cat’s meows and purrs. But when they place her crystal heart against their forehead, they’ll hear her secret inner voice! They can ask her yes or no questions and even learn jokes.
Disney’s Mickey Mouse E-I-Oh! Singing & Dancing Plush
Sing and dance along with Mickey as he plays “Old MacDonald.” After they show off their moves, they can play a “what animal sound is that?” game.
Little Live Pets My Puppy’s Home
A close second to a real pet, this interactive toy puppy has more than 25 sounds and actions that it can use when playing with your child. Plus, when you fill the puppy’s water bowl, the furry friend’s paw prints will appear on the mat. How cute!
Melissa & Doug Stack, Sort & Pound Wooden Toy Collection
This collection includes three of Melissa & Doug's classic wooden toys — building blocks, a shape sorting cube and a pounding bench with a mallet. Kids can stack, build, sort and hammer the blocks while working on their fine motor skills and dexterity, color and shape recognition and more. Nordstrom recommends choosing expedited shipping at checkout for arrival by Christmas.
Macy's Geoffrey's Hot Toy List
Fingerlings Interactive Baby Monkey
A great stocking stuffer for kids, this interactive baby monkey has more than 70 sounds and reactions that will spark joy in your child’s playtime. Whether your kiddo puts the baby monkey on their finger or places it next to them, the interactive play pal will provide laughs, love and fun with its in-time reactions such as laughing and singing.
Sharper Image 2 Player Toy Laser Tag Set
Kids won't have to go all the way to the arcade to play a fun game of laser tag when they have this set. Each blaster keeps track of the "lives" they have left to make the game more competitive.
Paw Patrol The Mighty Movie Chase’s Mighty Converting Cruiser
Send Chase off on a rescue mission in his police-themed race car. They can press down on Chase to convert the vehicle into "rescue mode," and it will activate lights and sounds, just like in the movie!
The Toy Insider Hot 20 List
CoComelon Peek-a-Boo JJ Plush
The Toy Insider's editor-in-chief, Marissa Silva, told us that TV and movie characters are a big trend in the toy world this year. And little Cocomelon fans will love having their own mini JJ to play with. Not only does he play peek-a-boo, but he also sings the hit "Peek a Boo" song from the show.
Sesame Street Elmo Slide Plush
If you played with Tickle Me Elmo as a kid, you'll love watching your little one have a blast with their own plushy pal. Not only does this new Elmo toy sing and speak (in both English and Spanish), but he also dances to the "The Elmo Slide" and encourages kids to move with him!
Beast Lab Stealth Strike Big Cat Beast Creator
One of the newest releases from Moose Toys, the masterminds behind the beloved Magic Mixies toys, the Beast Lab is a top pick for the season. It brings that surprise factor that kids love, along with plenty of fun interactive elements. They'll conduct an experiment and add the ingredients to reveal one of two "beasts," and they can repeat the process again and again.
Tamagotchi Uni
Silva told us that this new version of the classic Tamagotchi toy has “more interactivity than ever before.” Kids can raise their one-of-a-kind UniTama, play new games and even connect with other devices to go on playdates, exchange gifts or even get married.
Bluey Hammerbarn Shopping Playset
Join beloved TV character Bluey on a shopping adventure with this trending playset. The interactive gift includes a functioning elevator, two exclusive character figures and special stickers for personalization.
Amazon 2023 Toys We Love
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
From the backyard to the park, kids will be able to get a new view of the world around them with these kid-sized binoculars. They’re designed with comfortable, large eyepieces and provide two times magnification, the brand says.
Squishmallows Original Harry Potter 10-Inch Slytherin Snake Plush
Squishmallows are always a hit, and this year there are tons of fun new characters to choose from, including this cute Slytherin Snake Plush.
Learning Resources 3060 Farmers Market Color Sorting Set
What’s better than scoring a hard-to-get holiday toy? Scoring a hard-to-get holiday toy that teaches your child key educational skills. This farmer’s market-themed sorting set includes 25 pieces of play food in five different colors and five baskets for sorting.
LeapFrog Number Lovin' Oven
Your little chef can pretend to cook up some tasty treats and learn counting and vocabulary skills at the same time with this toy. It features more than 30 phrases and songs to make play time more fun.
Clue Conspiracy Board Game
Adults and teens will get a kick out of this new version of Clue. Players will take on the roles of different classic Clue characters as they conspire, gather clues, share info (and tell a few lies) and call each other out to try and discover the "who," "what" and "where" of the plot — or get away with murder!
Baby Alive Time for School
Help this cute baby get ready for school by packing her bag and playing with her worksheets and stickers. And after she drinks form her juice box, it’s time for a real diaper change!
Walmart 2023 Top Toys
Nerf Elite Junior Flyer
Nerf blasters are a hit when it comes to playtime battles. And they're not just for big kids, according to the brand this option is designed for little hands to hold, too. Also, the darts are made out of foam so you don't have to worry if a game breaks out indoors.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Skye 12-inch Tall Premium Plush Toy
Walmart's 2023 Top Toys list includes 55 different toys, ranging from options under $20 to STEAM learning toys. This affordable pick is perfect for "Paw Patrol" fans. The Skye plush toy is ready to take on any adventure in her pink Mighty Pups uniform.
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit
One of Walmart's STEAM toy picks this year is a kit that will teach kids proper dental care and even help relieve some anxiety that they may have around trips to the dentist, the brand says. It comes with a set of pretend teeth, "cavity" stickers, examination tools, toothbrush, toothpaste tube and more.
Lego Classic Creative Building Set
Legos and children go hand in hand. There's bound to be a couple of building sets on their list this year, so gift them with this box of 1,500 color coordinated blocks. This set includes a booklet complete with different ideas to bring to life base don the various colors, including stars, markers, a rainbow and more.
Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp
Magic Mixies’ magical surprise toys have repeatedly topped hot toy lists over the last two years. And this year is no different, with the brand’s new Magic Genie Lamp popping up on Walmart’s list. Kids will follow the instructions, which include rubbing the lamp, revealing a magical ring and watching the mist rise to reveal their new Mixie friend. The process can be done again and again and the Mixie itself is the perfect play companion. It can speak and balance on the lamp!
