Walmart Brings Back the Most Nostalgic Toys Like Easy Bake Oven and Tamagotchi for the Holidays
These almost-forgotten toys are making a comeback.
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As a mom who writes about toys for a living, I understand that some of today's toys can seem complicated and overwhelming to parents and grandparents who are holiday shopping for kids. Toy trends change quickly, and it's hard finding a gift that feels up to date with the times—not to mention your kids' tastes.
While I'm impressed by and admittedly somewhat jealous of the cool, high-tech toys on the market these days, I've been thrilled to see several retro toys making a comeback in a nod to simpler times—albeit some with modern upgrades. I'm talking Furby, Playskool Sit 'n Spin, Barbie, and so much more. A few of the classics look the same as you remember (My Buddy has barely changed), but others have been updated: Your old-school Tamagotchi pet had a serious glow-up—and so did that hard-working Easy Bake Oven.
If, like me, you're feeling nostalgic and want to gift classics to the next generation, I've found a dozen toys that fit the bill—all in one place at Walmart. Not only are many of my below picks 2025 GH Toy Award winners, but they start as low as $12.
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While the head looks like the traditional chatty toy you know and love, the modern Furby features a huggable body and big fluffy tail. It also lights up, plays games, and comes loaded with over a thousand different songs. And, you can control the volume, which I personally think is the best feature.
One parent raved about her daughter's experience, saying, "She absolutely loves this toy and can't stop talking to her friends about it." Ages 6+
Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show Playset
Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show Playset
If you ever had the old-school Barbie fashion plates, but wanted them to be a little more dimensional, wish granted. Two longstanding brands have teamed up to create one of the most fun toys of the year (according to our annual Toy Awards) that's bound to appeal to a variety of interests: this Play-Doh dress-designing kit.
As one of our testers put it, "My older daughter likes Barbie and fashion, while my younger one loves Play-Doh. Both were able to express their creativity in their own ways." Ages 5+
I have fond memories of making sweet treats inside my Easy Bake Oven back in the day—and now, the kids of today can experience that same joy. The oven comes with a pan, a pan tool, and instructions (cake mixes are sold separately), so budding bakers can gain confidence in their culinary abilities without touching adult appliances. Ages 8+
Tamagotchi Digital Pet
Tamagotchi Digital Pet
The screens may be more colorful, and there may be more games to play, but the challenge remains the same: keeping your Tamagotchi happy and healthy! With over 50,000 potential characters to raise, kids will never be bored—for a few weeks, at the very least.
One tester loved that it kept her kid engaged, saying, "It would make little noises to remind them to check on it." Ages 6+
Rainbow Brite and her pals have been rendered in the most trendy format imaginable: bag charms. These come in blind bags, so the colorful toy you end up with will be a surprise. Ages 3+
Long gone are the black sheets that you poked holes in and then had to toss; today, the vibrant templates you can print from home are colorful. And they now include LED lights with four different modes, including bounce, flash, and clockwise. Ages 4+
I'm pretty sure I'm still dizzy from the hours I spent on this as a kid, I loved it that much! This toy hasn't changed much over the years, because why change a good thing? One parent tester said that her 2-year-old "happily jumped on and spun for 10 minutes at a time." Ages 18 months+
The classic Care Bears just got a Wickedly good makeover! They come in a pack of two that includes Love-a-Lot as Glinda and Good Luck Bear as Elphaba. These are already popular, so if you're hoping to get one for your little witches this holiday season, grab them before Wicked: For Good comes out on November 21. Ages 4+
This classic doll is popular again—and smells just as good as you remember. The Loyal Subjects brand is passionate about bringing back the toys you loved as a kid for the next generation, including so many of Strawberry Shortcake's sweet friends. Ages 3+
It doesn't sing the song (you decide if that's a pro or con), but this cuddly purple dinosaur has a textured tummy and embroidered feet, which the brand says makes him sensory-friendly. This plush also comes with a heart-shaped fidget toy that kids can pop in and out repeatedly. Ages 2+
When this adorable cuddly doll came out in the '80s, he was a fun alternative to the Cabbage Patch craze—that is until his look-alike, Chucky from Child's Play, came around and scared little ones. Luckily, this sweet doll has made his way back into pop culture. Ages 3+
Educational Insights 'Wheel of Fortune' Electronic Handheld Game
Educational Insights 'Wheel of Fortune' Electronic Handheld Game
Long before every phone had game apps, there were electronic games for everything—much like this Wheel of Fortune one. This handheld game would make a great stocking stuffer, perhaps even for adults. After all, one parent tester said, "My daughter had a great time playing with her younger brother, but I think I also spent hours playing with it." Ages 8+
Angel Madison is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with over 25 years of editorial experience. She writes about parenting, toys, plus-size fashion, sneakers, and more for brands like Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Prevention, and Esquire. Before her time at Hearst, Angel worked as a parenting editor for New Jersey Family and covered entertainment for NBC Universal, AOL, and TV Guide. When she’s not testing the latest footwear trends, adding to her collection of over 100 LEGO sets, or scouting for the hottest new toys, you can find Angel walking long distances (either in the woods or in New York City) and spending time with her daughter.
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