Hot 20

Our Toy Insider panel of experts selected these as some of the hottest toys for the holiday season. Whether they’re based on a favorite TV show or movie character, selling out in stores, or just a whole lot of fun, these toys will be at the top of many kids’ wish lists. Every child has different needs and passions, so be sure to consider each age segment and visit our website, thetoyinsider.com, for even more great holiday toys and gifts for kids of all ages.

0-2 YEARS

GO! GO! SMART WHEELS MICKEY MAGICAL WONDERLAND, 1+ Hop in the car with Mickey Mouse, ride on the Ferris wheel, slide down the ramp, spin the gears, and more. Activate five SmartPoint locations to hear Mickey Mouse say fun phrases and encouraging words. VTECH, vtechkids.com

SAFARI LEARNING STATION, 6 MOS+ This play station teaches animals, ABCs, 123s, and more. The three-in-one arch adjusts from floor play to standing play to grow with baby. Features three different modes and multiple interactive elements. LEAPFROG, leapfrog.com

3-5 YEARS

FINGERLINGS HUGS, 4+ These plush monkeys feature long arms so little ones can give them big hugs. Kids can swing, toss, tickle, or turn them upside down for different reactions, or record their voice and have the monkey repeat it back as a silly remix. WOWWEE, wowwee.com

HAIRDORABLES, 3+ These dolls combine fun, fashion, and colorful hair. Each doll package is a surprise: Just pull, peel, and reveal 11 accessories, fashions, and one of 36 dolls. Each Hairdorables has its own personality, style, and talent. JUST PLAY, justplayproducts.com

PJ MASKS SUPER MOON ADVENTURE HQ ROCKET, 3+ This rocket features lights, sounds, and a PJ Masksinspired design. Release the rocket’s ramp and watch Gekko launch out on his space rover. The cockpit can fit all three PJ Masks figures inside (sold separately). JUST PLAY, justplayproducts.com

POMSIES, 3+ Each interactive Pomsies pet has a furry face and a tail that kids can wrap around their wrists. Pomsies are available in six styles, feature two play modes, and express themselves with sounds and light-up eyes. SKYROCKET, skyrocketon.com

POWER ACTION PIKACHU, 4+ Squeeze Pikachu’s hands to see its tail and cheeks light up or hear Pikachu speak. Innovative sensor technology gives Pikachu unique interactivity. The more kids play with Pikachu, the more varied and dynamic its responses become. WICKED COOL TOYS, wickedcooltoys.com

RISE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 43-INCH EPIC SEWER LAIR PLAYSET, 4+ This massive play set is packed with more than 20 features and includes four levels of play and seven different rooms. Kids can discover where Splinter and the Turtles live, play, and train. PLAYMATES TOYS, playmatestoys.com

RYAN’S WORLD GIANT MYSTERY EGG, 3+ This mystery egg is filled with toys inspired by the popular YouTube channel Ryan ToysReview. Kids can unbox an exclusive vehicle, ultra-rare figures, special slime and putty, a limited-edition squishy, plush, and more. BONKERS TOYS, bonkerstoys.com

SCRUFF-A-LUVS, 3+ Each Scruff‐a‐Luv comes as a matted ball of fur. Kids wash, dry, and groom their pet to reveal whether it’s a dog, cat, or rabbit. Each pet includes a name tag, an adoption certificate, a brush, and hair clips. MOOSE TOYS, moosetoys.com

6-8 YEARS

BOXY GIRLS, 6+ Kids can collect all four Boxy Girls: Willa, Nomi, Brooklyn, and Riley. Each doll comes with four shipping boxes that kids can open to reveal fashion surprises, including clothes, bags, makeup, jewelry, and more. JAY@PLAY, boxygirls.com

HARRY POTTER WIZARD TRAINING WANDS, 8+ Kids can master 11 spells with these motion-sensitive replica wands resembling those of Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and Voldemort (each sold separately). The wands feature lights, sounds, and five play modes. JAKKS PACIFIC, jakks.com

HATCHIBABIES, 6+ Introducing the newest Hatchimals straight from Hatchtopia: the HatchiBabies. These magical creatures are hidden inside colorful eggs, but they have a secret— they’re forever babies! Will you hatch a boy or a girl? SPIN MASTER, spinmaster.com

LASER X FUSION, 6+ Kids can customize a Laser X game with this modular system. Featuring two blasters, a long-range adapter, a spotting scope, and more, this set equips two players or the ultimate single player. NSI INTERNATIONAL, getlaserx.com

L.O.L. SURPRISE! EYE SPY SERIES UNDER WRAPS DOLLS, 6+ Kids can unwrap 15 surprises with the latest L.O.L. Surprise! collectibles. Each doll is dressed in a mystery disguise, and kids can unbox each layer to discover who’s inside. Then, the disguise becomes multiple fashion accessories. MGA ENTERTAINMENT, mgae.com

POKÉMON: LET’S GO, PIKACHU! + POKÉ BALL PLUS PACK/POKÉMON: LET’S GO, EEVEE! + POKÉ BALL PLUS PACK, 8+ Explore the Kanto region with Pikachu or Eevee in these two new Pokémon games for Nintendo Switch. Feel like a true Pokémon Trainer while playing with the Poké Ball Plus, which lights up, vibrates, and makes sounds. NINTENDO, nintendo.com

SMOOSHY MUSHY BABY, 6+ Kids can collect these squishy babies, each hidden inside a magic baby bottle with disappearing milk. Each baby also comes with a mini squishy plushy, a mini baby bottle, and key chains. REDWOODVENTURES, redwood-ventures.com

TREASURE X, 6+ Treasure X sends kids on a unique unboxing adventure. Featuring 10 levels of surprises, kids will unwrap, dig, and discover a treasure map, X-Marks coin, X-Cavator digging tool, action figure, treasure chest, and more. MOOSE TOYS, moosetoys.com

9+ YEARS

ARCADE1UP, 14+ Available in four versions, each Arcade cabinet is just under 4 feet tall and includes three to four classic games, such as Street Fighter II Champion Edition, Asteroids, Centipede, and Rampage. Features full-color hi-res display and sounds, and original joystick and control buttons. ARCADE1UP, arcade1up.com

CHOW CROWN, 9+ Load six hanging forks with your choice of snacks (not included), then place the spinning crown on your head. The player who eats the most snacks before the music stops wins the game. HASBRO, hasbrotoyshop.com