Chances are good that your kids have already started making their holiday wish lists. (Let’s be real: They’ve probably been mentally filing away their asks for months and now it’s just a matter of making the final cut.) Want to get a jump on the season’s must-haves? We’ve done our research so you don’t have to, rounding up 2020’s best toys for kids. We hit on all the biggest trends, from unboxing surprises and STEM learning tools to squishable compounds that provide hours of fun. We also highlight what age group will love them the most. To make your gift-giving easier than ever, we’ve added a few games the whole family can enjoy together, too.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Mary Meyer Baby Einstein Hand Puppet
Mary Meyer was a 1930s seamstress who started sewing adorable stuffed toys for kids from scrap fabric to bring in extra income. Fast forward nearly a century and her grandsons now run her toy empire! This multi-textured tiger hand puppet is part of a collab with Baby Einstein and is designed to stimulate a wee one’s five senses with a little help from mom or dad.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Mary Meyer Taggies Cloth Book, Painted Pony
If your baby is fascinated by different textures, a Taggies children’s book will be right up their alley. This soft, pretty pick features satin loops for your little one to feel, as well as crinkle paper, a squeaker and appliquéd fabric cover for different types of stimulation. Plus, it’s machine washable!
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
VTech Explore and Crawl Elephant
This cuddly stuffie will be your little one’s new bestie—and he even encourages skill development. Babies and toddlers will love crawling and walking to chase this little guy, who gets moving with just the press of a button. Bonus: This learning toy is programmed with more than 45 educational songs, sounds and phrases to teach colours and numbers.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Fisher-Price Walk, Bounce and Ride Pony
Once they’re on the move, look out! This adorable pony grows with your young child, from walking to bouncing to scooting. The lights, sounds and songs keep your little one entertained and introduce colours, numbers and the alphabet, while the super-squishy seat is easy on the tush.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth
This Smooth Moves Sloth is the perfect musical toy for babies who always seem to be watching the action. Adorable and interactive, this toy gets your little one moving and learning with lights, sounds, songs and dance moves. Plus, when the sweet sloth recognizes other Linkimals (like the Hedgehog), they connect to create a synchronized music-and-light show.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Fisher-Price Little People Big Yellow School Bus
This smiling push-pull bus has so many realistic features—a pop-out stop sign, wheelchair ramp and door that opens—and comes with four of the iconic Little People figures. It’s well-suited for kids from ages one to five and uses sounds, songs, phrases and lights to introduce toddlers to letters, numbers and colours. Plus, the handle folds away underneath when playtime is over.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
VTech Helping Heroes Fire Station
Fans of Paw Patrol’s firefighter pup Marshall will love this expandable truck that opens up to reveal the inside of the fire station, where resident firefighters Frankie and Fiona spend their time. Three modes teach fun facts, play songs and engage with games—perfect for kiddos from about 18 months (and they’ll likely keep loving it until they’re about four years old).
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Little Tikes Tasty Jr. Bake n’ Share Kitchen
Tasty, the famous food network, teamed up with Little Tikes to create this super-fun, realistic play kitchen. It has an oven, fridge and microwave that make real cooking sounds, a built-in smartphone holder and more than 40 play food items and accessories. There are even two set-up options: wider for young kids and higher as kids grow.
Best Toys for Ages 2 and Under
Cry Babies, Lala Baby Doll
A huge hit for kiddos from ages 18 months to five years, the Cry Babies dolls behave just like real infants—all their limbs move, they make crying sounds and they actually release real tears! All you have to do is add water and tears will spring from the baby’s eyes when your child removes her pacifier. There are several Cry Babies dolls available including Lala (pictured), Coney (in a removable fuzzy bunny outfit) and Lizzy (in a peacock onesie).
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Ryan’s World Vending Surprise
If you’re up on your YouTube game, you’ll recognize this fun pick from Ryan’s World, the uber-trendy toy review channel. The working vending machine allows kids to choose snacks to unwrap and reveal surprises. Kids can even find all the pieces of the Ryan figurine to assemble their own minifig of the viral video host.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Baby Alive Baby Gotta Bounce Doll
Tiny make-believe mamas and dadas will be all over the adorable Baby Alive Gotta Bounce doll. By holding this baby doll’s hands, squeezing her wrists or waving in front of her, kids can make her giggle and bounce up and down. She also has over 25 adorable sound effects, drinks water from her bottle and wets her diaper. (There’s also a blonde-haired version in a frog outfit.)
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Paw Patrol Chase’s 5-in-1 Ultimate Cruiser
Chase is definitely on the case with this action-packed cruiser. The ultimate Paw Patrol vehicle, it lights up, makes rescue-mission sounds and comes with a helicopter, two motorcycles and a boat—all launched with the press of a button. The cruiser has room for all six pups (of course) and is ready for any adventure.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Kinetic Sand Sandisfying Set
For Kinetic Sand fans, this kit is super satisfying. Mold, shape, scoop or grate the red and blue sand into fascinating shapes and make your own videos. You can also purchase additional bright colours of sand scented like vanilla cupcakes, green apples and chocolate! Hot tip: Set up a makeshift sand table with a rimmed baking sheet to contain the mess.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Colour Sorting Set
If your kiddo is forever setting up a “store” and demanding you “come shopping,” use this award-winning toy set to turn playtime into a learning experience… without your little one knowing the difference! With the bushels of realistic-looking fruits and veggies, kids ages two to six (with three or four years old being the sweet spot!) can use this toy to master the names of the produce and learn how to sort them by colour.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
SofteeDough Food Truck Fun Kit
The kid who always wants to be in the kitchen will jump at the chance to play food truck! Comparable to PlayDoh in price, this toy gives serious bang for your buck. It comes with a mini truck, five cans of modeling compound, two plastic ice cream cones and a ton of fun accessories like a spatula and frying pan.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Blue's Clues and You! Peek-A-Blue
Step by step and clue by clue… that’s the only way to solve a mystery! Littles can play peek-a-boo with their pal Blue by squeezing her super soft body to control her ears. She also barks a happy bark that will delight toddlers. Batteries are included.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
FurReal Mama Josie the Kangaroo Interactive Pet
Children of the ’80s, do you remember Puppy Surprise? You chose a pregnant stuffed dog and opened the belly to reveal her puppies. (It was unboxing before unboxing was cool!) This interactive toy for kids four and up is just like that, but it’s a kangaroo and her joeys. Mama Josie has three joeys to love—a boy, a girl and a surprise!
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
The Animal Unboxing Lights and Sounds Toy Truck
Part monster, part truck, this toy’s play options are endless. The first step? Your tyke will “release the beast” by knocking on the outside of the crate. The idea is to make The Animal angry enough to tear its way out (unboxing itself IRL!). Then, they’ll spend hours trying out all of The Animal’s interactive features, like climbing, clawing, towing, playing tug-o-war and more.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Polly Pocket Unicorn Party Playset
Far from the Polly Pocket of the ’90s, this oversized compact is shaped like a unicorn piñata—and for good reason. Pulling the tab for the first time releases a stream of confetti and more than 25 surprises suitable for kids four and up. The compact then opens to reveal a princess castle filled with activities for the micro Polly and Lila dolls.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Batman 3-in-1 Batcave Playset
Superhero fans will love this double-sided, three-tiered playset with Gotham City on one side and Bruce Wayne’s Batcave retreat on the other. Kids can play with all three levels separately or stacked together for an awesome crime-fighting setup. There’s even a secret escape door, zipline and light-up Batcomputer.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Twisty Petz Beauty Kit
It’s a figurine, it’s a bracelet, it’s makeup—it’s all three! Each Twisty Petz Beauty animal reveals a secret makeup surprise in its body: one lip gloss, body glitter, perfume or set of nail decals. Kids can play with the animal, unclip it to wear as a bracelet or connect three or four Twisty Petz to make a necklace.
Best Toys for Ages 3 to 4
Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition
Baby Yoda made a splash when The Mandalorian’s first season was released. And thanks to the second season’s launch on October 30, this animatronic toy is a must-have. Technically not Baby Yoda but The Child, thank you very much, kids can touch the top of its head to activate sound and movement and to call on The Force.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Barbie Colour Reveal Summer Fun Playset
Barbie is getting in on the unboxing trend, too! This giant set contains over 50 fun surprises, including a Colour Reveal Barbie, Colour Reveal Chelsea doll and three Colour Reveal pets. There’s also a game, mystery boxes and accessories—and it can all be stored inside the reusable packaging when playtime is over.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Squeakee the Balloon Dog
If they’ve been asking for a pup for months and it just isn’t in the cards, maybe Squeakee will soften the blow. Squeakee responds to voices, reacts with sound and movement, will sit, stand, roll on his back and more! (Okay, so he’s not the real thing but he’s a fun copycat.)
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Blume Collectible Doll, Series 1
If your kid could watch unboxing videos all day long (wait, isn’t that all kids?), Blume dolls are sure to be a hit. With a little water, the doll inside the flowerpot blooms and reveals surprises like shoes, stickers, a mini sidekick and a secret playset. There are 22 Blume dolls to collect for a garden of fun.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam Kids’ Digital Camera
This camera is a dream come true for aspiring movie directors—and for a price that can’t be beat when you consider the list of features. The ruby-red powerhouse creates HD videos, comes with a handy green screen and over 20 animated backgrounds, a built-in microphone, time-lapse capability and more. A tabletop tripod and selfie stick are also included.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
L.O.L. Surprise! Remix Hair Flip Doll
The latest release from the Surprise! doll empire, this new line features fresh characters representing different genres of music. Each doll comes with 15 surprises, including a mini record that can actually be played on the doll’s packaging. Plus, by connecting two L.O.L. Surprise! Hair Flip doll packages and one L.O.L. Remix Pets package, your kiddo can build a boombox.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
L.O.L. Surprise! Clubhouse Playset
This clubhouse is the ultimate L.O.L. hangout for imaginative play and the perfect gift for any kid with an extensive collection of the popular dolls. It features seven hangout zones and comes with two dolls and over 40 surprises. Plus, despite its three-foot-long blueprint, it folds up easily at clean-up time.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Monster Jam Official Megalodon Storm Monster Truck
If your kid loves the thrill of monster truck rallies, this Monster Jam remote-control beast will help you bring the experience home. With a toothy look, water-resistant design and custom performance tires, this truck handles any terrain with ease—including water! Stage races on snow, mud, rocks, grass… you name it, the Megalodon can take it.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Na! Na! Na! Surprise 2-in-1 Fashion Doll, Juli Joyful
At a price point on par with the original L.O.L. OMG dolls, Na! Na! Na! Surprise dolls are the ultimate unboxing experience. First, kids inflate a balloon and pop it for a confetti explosion; then, they open the balloon to find a signature animal-themed purse, which holds a soft, poseable fashion doll with an outfit, scented shoes (yes, seriously!) and more. There’s a whole range of dolls available including Dottie DeMil, Jennel Jaguar, Jeremy Hops and many others.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Star Wars Mandalorian Darksaber Lightsaber Toy
Kids have been fashioning lightsabers out of, well, anything, since the first Star Wars movie hit screens in 1977, but the Mandalorian Darksaber takes swordplay to a whole new level. For ultimate Jedi role play, this black-bladed lightsaber—which made its live-action debut at the end of season one of The Mandalorian—has electronic light and sound effects perfect for ruling over Mandalore.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Na! Na! Na! Surprise 3-in-1 Backpack Bedroom Black Kitty Playset
If your little one could spend hours creating scenes for their dolls, this hot toy will be a surefire hit. At first glance, it’s just a fuzzy black knapsack, but open it up to reveal a limited-edition doll and a matching on-the-go playset. The tiny room features a fold-out bed, closet, real mirror and more.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Air Hogs Stunt Shot Indoor Remote-Control Stunt Vehicle
Unlike other remote-control cars where you may worry about causing damage indoors, this model was created especially for indoor use. With soft foam wheels and a lightweight frame, it’s designed to flip down stairs, bounce off walls and jump from the couch. It’s also easy to assemble and comes with stickers for a custom “paint job.” (Tech lovers will enjoy these other electronic toys, too.)
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Rainbow High Fashion Studio Exclusive Doll
For kids who are forever styling themselves, their siblings, grandma and grandpa, and even the family pet, this mini fashion studio will be a grand slam. Avery Styles of Rainbow High comes with enough rainbow-hued clothing and accessories to create more than 300 looks, and the set even includes trunks, hangers and shoe cases for organizing the ultimate closet.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Mega Construx Pokémon Building Box Construction Set
Building-block lovers and Pokémon fiends alike will be wowed by this 450-piece set that’s perfect for creating customized Pokémon worlds. It comes with Pikachu and Eevee figures, as well as special pieces (like lightning bolts and parts that spin) for extended building fun. You can also download the Mega Construx app for step-by-step tutorials, insider tips and ideas for combining sets.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers Toy
If you have an in-house pixie—a kid who dons wings whenever possible—Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers are the perfect pick. Simply give this sparkly girl a quick charge when she emerges from her egg and she’ll be ready to fly. Sensors allow her to respond to hand movements, so kids can guide her in mid-air. She also comes in pink.
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
Lego Super Mario’s House and Yoshi Expansion Set
This toy marries two iconic toy staples—Lego and Nintendo—and fans of either will love this 205-piece expansion set. Best used with the Super Mario Starter Course, kids will build Mario’s house (one of the top-rated picks on Walmart’s Top Toys list this year), as well as the Yoshi and Goomba characters. It extends into the digital realm, too, with added features on the Lego Super Mario app. (Plus, check out our roundup of the best Lego City sets.)
Best Toys for Ages 5 to 6
L.O.L. Surprise! Present Surprise Doll
This L.O.L. cutie is comparable to the first of her kind, originally released in 2016—only she comes in a box instead of a ball. The new version comes with eight surprises to unwrap (of course!), but this time, the doll and her accessories are birthday themed. There are 12 dolls to collect, each modeled after a month of the year.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Lego Dots Creative Picture Frames Toy Kit
Whether your child is into photography, crafting or archiving family photos, they’ll enjoy this Lego Dots kit—which is totally different from standard Lego building sets. The decorative block elements are designed to create myriad patterns and designs, so the picture frames included can be customized over and over.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Nintendo Switch Lite, Turquoise
Not as expensive as the original Switch, this lightweight system is dedicated to single-player play (meaning it can’t be linked for gaming showdowns). The Lite supports Nintendo Switch’s library of games that can be played in handheld mode, so there are many, many options to choose from (check out our favourite Switch Games to help narrow it down). Plus, it comes in other colours like coral, yellow and grey. You may never hear “Are we there yet?” again.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Educational Insights Artie 3000
Once Artie is connected to a tablet or computer, little coders can program him to draw their code creations. This code can then be tested in the online simulator before letting Artie take a crack at drawing IRL. This educational toy is STEM fun at its best, which is why it’s also one of our favourite educational tools and toys for learning at home.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Crayola Paper Flower Science Kit
The STEAM line from Crayola creatively introduces concepts from five educational areas: science, technology, engineering, arts and math. This kit teaches kids about the science of water-wicking (i.e. how paper or fabric draws water away from skin) and colour-mixing, with everything included to make 12 paper flowers. It also comes with six flowerpots and covers to display finished creations.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Cool Maker Go Glam Nail Stamper Salon
Who’s ready for an at-home salon experience? This DIY kit comes with five nail stamper patterns to choose from, two kid-safe coloured polishes and one shiny topcoat for mani-pedi perfection. Also included is a handy built-in dryer—no smudges to see here!
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Razor Black Label E100 Electric Scooter
For any kid who has been scooting or skateboarding for years, the Razor Black Label E100 is a level up. With its kick-to-start motor, this scooter races up to 16 kilometres per hour for up to 40 minutes of continuous use on a single charge. This sweet ride is suitable for users over eight years old and up to 176 pounds.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Beyblade Burst Rise Hypersphere Vertical Drop Battle Set
Way back in the day, it was marbles. Then came Pogs. Now the battle set of the day is Beyblade. This model comes with everything required for epic battles, from the Beystadium arena to the launchers and tops. There’s also a tech element: Simply scan the code on the stadium to unlock the digital equivalent in the Beyblade Burst app.
Best Toys for Ages 7 and Up
Lego Star Wars Death Star Final Duel Building Kit
Fans of the classic Star Wars movies—and the final duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader—will love building Emperor Palpatine’s Throne Room. This 775-piece Lego set is best for kids nine and up and comes with five minifigs, lightsabers and force pikes, plus a code to unlock a character in the Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game. (Have an Xbox One or PS4 and want to upgrade? Here’s what you need to know about the new PS5 consoles and Xbox Series X|S.)
Best Games for Families
Grouch Couch
Connect with your brood of adults and kiddos ages five and up over this hilarious family game. Take turns feeding ol’ Grouch Couch his favourite tasty treats (also known as Lost Goodies), then press the remote control to see what he spits out. Whoever collects the most Lost Goodies by the time the Grouch Couch sings his victory song wins.
Best Games for Families
What Do You Meme? Family Edition
The name of the game is to make the other players laugh by combining caption cards with image cards to create the funniest meme each round. While the original version of this game was less—*ahem*—G-rated, this edition is perfect for a family fun night with kids over eight.
Best Games for Families
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
This simple card game is just as fun as its name! Players flip cards while saying “taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza.” You have to be the fastest to slap a match between a spoken word and the corresponding image. Empty your hand first to win! Add in special action cards to up the ante if your family proves to be quick on the draw. This game’s best for kids ages eight and up.
Best Games for Families
Pictionary Air Drawing Family Game
The classic pen-to-paper family game just got a modern upgrade! Use the Pictionary Air pen to draw in the air and watch the illustration appear in the app. You can even cast your drawings to your smart TV (if you’re looking for an upgrade, we’ve got the best TVs of 2020) and record video of the rounds to laugh at later. (For more family fun, try these board games for your next game night!)
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