Best Christmas Toys 2018
It's OK If You Don't Know What the Trendy Gifts Are — We've Done All the Work For You
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
There's a lot to do during the holidays. From pulling your decorations out of storage and setting them up to coordinating celebratory moments with the family, researching and learning about the toy market can feel like a monumental task. Whether you have a curious toddler on your hands or a picky preteen, here are 44 of the buzziest gifts for the season.
1 Grumblies Hydro
This hilarious little Grumblies Hydro ($20) makes more than 40 sounds and loves the water.
2 Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit
Your teen can learn to code in a magical way with the Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit ($100), which allows them to build a wand that responds to their movements.
3 I Love Unicorns Craft Kit
This I Love Unicorns Craft Kit ($20) takes the term magical up a notch or two.
4 L.O.L. Surprise! Pets Series
Each of these L.O.L. Surprise! Pets Series ($20) has seven layers of surprises!
5 Fisher-Price Smart Scan Word Dash
As a part of Fisher-Price's new Think & Learn line, the Smart Scan Word Dash ($25) teaches tots early literacy skills and helps them connect animals and their habitats.
6 Barbie Dream House
A Barbie Dream House ($179, originally $199) will always and forever be the most fun place to play with Barbies!
7 World of Harry Potter Ultimate Edition Trivial Pursuit
This World of Harry Potter Ultimate Edition Trivial Pursuit ($40) has 1,800 new questions spanning across the eight Harry Potter movies!
8 Little Tikes Totsports Easy Hit Golf Set
Your kids will love that they can wheel around their own golf carts and practice their shots with this Little Tikes Totsports Easy Hit Golf Set ($23, originally $27).
9 Polly Pocket Transformation Playset
Feeling nostalgic? This Polly Pocket Transformation Playset ($40) allows your kids to play with Polly just like you did.
10 Helicopter Drone
An afternoon spent flying this high-tech Helicopter Drone ($40) will leave your tween feeling like a futuristic James Bond.
11 Alex Toys Rub a Dub Draw in the Tub Crayons
Bath time has never been this fun. With Alex Toys Rub a Dub Draw in the Tub Crayons ($6, originally $8), your little Picasso can create all they want, and you don't have to stress about a mess.
12 Slinky
13 Minecraft Grass Activity Block
This Minecraft Grass Activity Block ($6) offers six activities to help kids calm down and focus.
14 Gooey Louie
File this one under gross toys that kids love and parents just cringe at. Gooey Louie ($20) has kids pick things out of Louie's nose in hopes of finding the right object. If the wrong one's picked, Louie goes a bit crazy!
15 Gobblet Gobblers
Blue Orange's wooden toys not only help the earth (it plants two trees for every toy sold), but games like Gobblet Gobblers ($16, originally $29) also help teach memory and strategy skills for young learners.
16 Frozen MP3 Microphone
She'll be crooning out "Let It Go" regardless, so why not give her centre stage? The Frozen Boom Box ($19) serves as a real, functioning mic, comes preloaded with music from the movie, and can connect to any MP3 player.
17 WowWee Fingerlings Playset
This WowWee Fingerlings Playset ($30) us a two-pack that includes Coral, a coral monkey with purple hair, and Callie, a blue unicorn with purple hair.
18 DIY Slime Kit
Now your kiddos can make their own goo with a DIY Slime Kit ($20). Just be sure to clean up afterwards!
19 Kinetic Sand
Kinetic Sand ($13) will keep your toddler busy for countless hours, and unlike playing in actual sand, there's hardly any cleanup.
20 Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter
Your little one can serve up cones with this Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter ($40, originally $50).
21 Educational Insights: Kanoodle Brain Twisting Solitaire Game
If your kiddo likes games and puzzles, the Educational Insights: Kanoodle Brain Twisting Solitaire Game ($10) is a perfect stocking stuffer.
22 Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station
Bring the fun of going to the mall home with a Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station ($17). With this exciting kit, kids can stuff and dress two furry friends without having to leave the house.
23 Think Fun Cat Crimes Logic Game
Sure, brainteasers are fun, but a Think Fun Cat Crimes Logic Game ($15) throws their favourite animal into the mix.
24 Crystal Growing Experiment
This Crystal Growing Experiment ($12) has enough materials for seven different experiments!
25 L.O.L. Surprise! Biggie Pet Dollmation
There are over 15 surprises in this L.O.L. Surprise! Biggie Pet Dollmation ($35)!
26 Kumi Kreator Friendship Bracelet Maker
The Kumi Kreator Friendship Bracelet Maker ($30) takes friendship bracelets to the next level!
27 Fingerlings Hugs
Meet Fingerlings Hugs ($30), plush interactive versions of the mini Fingerlings your kids know and love.
28 Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Building Kit
Visit the Great Hall in Hogwarts (almost) for real with this Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Building Kit ($100).
29 Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit
Perfect for your little explorer, this Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit ($23, originally $30) comes with binoculars, a compass, a flashlight, and more.
30 Hatchimals Mystery
Hatch one of four mystery interactive creatures with a Hatchimals Mystery ($60) egg.
31 Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
32 Spell Educational Toy Set by Coerni
Your little ones will become grammar stars with this Spell Educational Toy Set by Coerni ($10).
33 Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit
The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit ($22, originally $35) gives curious children hands-on experience working with electrical circuits.
34 Connect 4 Shots
Connect 4 Shots ($20) is the classic game with a twist — you have to bounce balls into the slots!
35 Lil' Gleemerz
Lil' Gleemerz ($20) are interactive toys with fluffy tails and adorable, glowing eyes.
36 Play-Doh Town 3-in-1 Town Centre
Play-Doh introduced 17 city-based kits, and all of the sets are interchangeable with other sets. Each Play-Doh 3-in-1 Town Centre ($22) is packed with hidden surprises like half molds and beards for the figures.
37 Fajiabao Bathtub Fishing Game
Bathtime just got that much more fun with this Fajiabao Bathtub Fishing Game ($14).
38 Pikachu Plush
39 Moj Moj Claw Machine Playset
The Moj Moj Claw Machine Playset ($50) is almost as fun as the ones you've played at arcades.
40 Don't Lose Your Cool
Don't Lose Your Cool ($20) is a hilarious game for tweens and teens to play with their friends.
41 Mudpuppy Solar System Puzzle
What better way to teach your kids about space than with this Mudpuppy Solar System Puzzle ($17)?
42 Dos Tin Card Game
The follow-up game to Uno, Dos Tin Card Game ($10) involves a bit more maths and thinking to win.
43 Magna-Qubix Magnetic 3D Building Shapes
From the makers of Magna-Tiles, these Magna-Qubix Magnetic 3D Building Shapes ($30) are STEM-approved.
44 Crayola Silly Scents Markers
Colouring on Christmas morning with these Crayola Silly Scents Markers ($8) sounds like a treat.
