TDmonthly Magazine, covering the toy industry since 1996
Updated October 2026. We update this list every week through Christmas.
Every big retailer has put out its holiday toy list. We read them all, including Amazon's Top 100+, Walmart's Top Toys, Target's Bullseye Top 50 and The Toy Insider's Hot 20 and STEM 10, and pulled out the toys worth your money. Then we sorted them by the 2026 play trends the Toy Association spotted at Toy Fair, so you can find the right gift fast.
Fan Favorites: The Characters Kids Are Asking For
The Toy Association calls this Fan-Driven Play: toys that move as fast as the shows, games and songs kids love.
Pokémon Pikachu Puppetronic Interactive Plush
An interactive Pikachu plush that moves and plays. It's on both Amazon's Top 100+ list and Target's Bullseye Top 50.
See it on Amazon
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie Megasaurus Dino Vehicle with Inflatable Toy
Big-screen dino adventures with the PAW Patrol pups.
See it on Amazon
Marvel Spidey & His Amazing Friends Rescue Webquarters Playset
A web-slinging headquarters for preschool Spidey fans.
See it on Amazon
LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Training House with Pikachu
An interactive LEGO set for Pokémon fans.
See it on Amazon
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box
A collector box for the Pokémon card game's 30th anniversary.
See it on Amazon
Ravensburger Disney Lorcana TCG: Illumineer's Quest – The Great Hunny Rescue
A Disney trading card game adventure for families and fans.
See it on Amazon
American Girl Elsa Doll
An Amazon exclusive from American Girl.
See it on Amazon
Little Inventors: Build, Design, Create
The Inspiring Inventors trend is about kids building, designing and customizing their own creations.
CrunchLabs The Crunchinator by Mark Rober
Picked for The Toy Insider's STEM 10 and Amazon's Top 100+ list.
See it on Amazon
LEGO City Lava Land Roller Coaster Park
A big LEGO City build with a roller coaster.
See it on Amazon
Barbie Sparkle Marble Run Building Set
A marble run that kids design themselves.
See it on Amazon
Crayola Story Creator Kids Tablet
A kids' tablet for making their own stories.
See it on Amazon
Educational Insights Kanoodle Fan Edition – 20th Anniversary
The brain-teaser puzzle game, in a 20th anniversary edition.
See it on Amazon
Cozy Culture: Calm, Tactile, Screen-Free
Families are choosing low-tech and no-tech toys that help kids slow down and reset.
MAGNA-TILES Undersea Adventure 58-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
Open-ended magnetic building with an ocean theme.
See it on Amazon
Tonies Cuddle Minnie Mouse Audio Toy Plush from Disney
A screen-free audio character for little listeners.
See it on Amazon
Peppa Pig Ready, Pedal, Go Peppa Interactive Figure and Bicycle Playset
A ride-along playset for preschoolers.
See it on Amazon
Play-Doh Blooms Blush Flower Bouquet Making Kit
Make a bouquet of Play-Doh flowers.
See it on Amazon
Big Laughs and Big Action
The interactive, high-energy toys that end up on every wish list.
Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max 18-Inch Interactive Plush Toy
A new spin on a throwback favorite.
See it on Amazon
Monster Jam Chomping Megalodon RC Toy Monster Truck
A remote-control monster truck with shark jaws.
See it on Amazon
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Mutant Monster Takedown Playset & Rhinomite
A monster truck playset from Mattel.
See it on Amazon
FurReal Gabby the Grow & Roar Interactive Plush Tiger
An interactive plush tiger.
See it on Amazon
Transformers Collaborative x Monster Jam Grave Digger
A Transformers and Monster Jam mashup, an Amazon exclusive.
See it on Amazon
Family Game Night
Games the whole family can play over the holidays.
CATAN On The Road Card Game
A travel-friendly card version of CATAN.
See it on Amazon
Mattel Games UNO Championship Series Expanded Tournament Set Card Game
UNO for families who take game night seriously.
See it on Amazon
Giant Tower Stack - The Jumbo Block Balancing Game by Relatable
A jumbo block-stacking game for parties.
See it on Amazon
Stocking Stuffers and Small Gifts
Smaller picks for stockings and gift exchanges.
Funko Harry Potter Bitty Bundle
Tiny Harry Potter collectible figures.
See it on Amazon
Polly Pocket x Peanuts Collector Compact
A Peanuts-themed Polly Pocket for collectors.
See it on Amazon
Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow! Disney Stitch Stamper & Activity Pad Toy
A Stitch sticker stamper with an activity pad.
See it on Amazon
For Retailers: Stock Up Before the Rush
Sources: Amazon 2026 Top 100+ Toys list, The ToyDirectory.com Editor's 2026 Holiday Gift Guide and Walmart Top Toys list, Target Bullseye's Top Toys List 2026, and Toy Association 2026 Toy and ToyDirectory Trends Report.
As an Amazon Associate, TDmonthly earns from qualifying purchases. Sponsored placements are clearly labeled.
Writer's Bio: Driven by a fascination with how young people learn, grow, and connect, Laura N. Larsson has spent years researching the role of play and social media in child and adolescent development. Since 2012, she has combined her ecommerce background with in-depth interviews of children and teenagers, producing insightful articles that explore the evolving interplay between play, communication, and online interaction.
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