These 10 Good Housekeeping Toy Award Winners Are Toddler-Approved
They've been tested by parenting pros and real kids.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
If you are a new parent, finding toys that are safe for your little ones is key. But you also want toys that will last and that will keep them engaged. Our Good Housekeeping parenting experts have done the work for you, and the results are in our annual Best Toy Awards 2025. We've rounded up toys designed for the youngest members of your family that they'll love opening on Christmas morning.
SHOP GH BEST TOY AWARD WINNERS
These toys have been tested by actual kids and parents. There's everything from a fresh twist on the old Tickle Me Elmo to the first LEGO set for your little one. They might be too young to write their own wish list for Santa, but you can just go ahead and forward this right to the grandparents or aunts and uncles who ask you what they want for Christmas.
Best Deal
As the next evolution of the Tickle Me Elmo toy, this interactive toy does the classic hokey pokey dance. He's 14 inches tall and does all the moves, including turning himself around. Kids can even play a freeze-frame dance game with the Sesame Street star, and the flip of a switch will turn this into a Spanish-speaking toy. One tester praised it, saying: "“She wants to play with it pretty constantly!” Ages 18 months+
This versatile toy will grow with them from infant to toddler, with games, buttons, and gears to keep them busy. You can start them with individual squares and then connect the boards to make a long play panel; there are classic activities like a bead maze and shape shorter. One tester said: “It has many configurations and can definitely be considered four toys in one." Ages 3 months+
With these magnetic animal toys, heads, bodies, and legs separate so your kiddo can make a giraffe-elephant hybrid. One parent said: “It helped my son better learn the included animals, but he also thought it was funny to put on a mismatched head or legs.” Ages 2 to 5
For the kid that loves to feel just like mom or dad doing yard work, this mower looks like the real deal. Even cooler, it transforms into a ride-on tractor and features lights, songs, and phrases. If it's too big to transport, the wheel pops off and can be used as an activity toy in the car. “Our 2-year-old likes riding the mower, shifting the gears, and ‘driving’ it into his bedroom to ‘park’ before bedtime,” a parent said. Ages 1 to 3
Wooden blocks never truly go out of style. This chunky set features 21 blocks and connectors that can be used to create animals like a pig and cow, and farm equipment. A parent of a 2-year-old noted: "[She] figured it out herself, and it did help with hand-eye coordination.” Ages 2+
Gund has been around for over 100 years, and the brand is known for their adorable plush toys. Now they've gone interactive with Peeki, a sweet pup who can play peekaboo with your little ones. It's washable, and the ears even wiggle! One parent said: “The second I gave her the puppy she hugged it.” Ages 0+
Duplo is the line of LEGO toys for the youngest builders, and this tree has chunky pieces that lock together and can help teach your toddler about balancing and colors. One parent called it "“a great introduction to LEGO.” Ages 18 months+
This is a colorful game in the style of Whac-a-Mole that's crafted just for toddlers. Kids will use the soft mallet to hit vegetables as they light up while music plays. We like that you can control the tempo—and volume—of the tunes. “This toy was great. No assembly, and easy to play right out of the box,” said one parent. Ages 2+
You probably know and love this dizzying toy, and now your kid can, too. It's the classic toy in a new color, and is a great way to keep them active in the colder months. One parent told us that her 2-year-old jumped on and "spun for 10 minutes at a time." Ages 18 months+
There's a strong chance that you had a similar toy from Fisher-Price when you were a kid, and now you can pass along the fun to the next generation. This activity table can grow with your kiddo, from sitting to standing. You can even flip it over to use as an easel or table for coloring. One parent said: "It had a nice range of activities to keep her busy, and she was able to feel independent.” Ages 6 months+
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.
Readers Also Read
The Best Halloween Movies to Watch This Season
136 DIY Halloween Costumes Ideas
60 Best Halloween Movies for Kids
The Best Non-Scary Halloween Movies
