The preschool years are filled with big leaps in imagination, confidence, and independence. Whether they’re building, creating, pretending, or problem-solving, the right toys can help turn everyday play into meaningful opportunities for learning and growth.
For the Good Housekeeping 2026 Toy Awards, our analysts and parenting editors evaluated hundreds of toys through hands-on testing and real-world play. Children explored the toys both at home (where parents shared detailed feedback about engagement, ease of use. and lasting play value) and during our in-person day of play (when our experts were able to see which toys stood out in a side-by-side setting). These winners were highlighted for inspiring creativity, encouraging skill-building, and, most important, keeping 3-to-5-year-olds coming back to play again and again.
A fresh take for play kitchens, this fridge from Little Tikes is as fun as it is aesthetic. Looking just like a real retro refrigerator at 30" tall, it has both a fridge section and a freezer section, with multiple compartments to store the 20 food accessories it comes with. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: “Ever since this toy refrigerator arrived, it’s all my 3-year-old daughter wants to play with!” said one tester. Parents also remarked on the construction of the toy, with one saying, “This toy is incredibly durable, and the quality is amazing!”
The new Heeler house has five stories for Bluey and her family to hang out in. With 12 different play areas, more than 30 pieces, and more than 50 sounds from the show, it's bigger, better, and more interactive than any Heeler house that came before it. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Parents said their kids loved the pretend-play aspect of this toy and created different scenarios and different voices for the characters depending on what they were doing. One parent even said, “They already had a Bluey house and abandoned it for this one.”
Kids can “cook” plenty of meals with Play-Doh’s newest playset. With a pasta-maker attachment, skillets, and more than 25 different molds , they’ll be whipping up rigatoni and burgers over and over again. Plus, they can turn on the stovetop and hear the food “cook.” Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: The pasta maker was easy to use, and kids liked the variety of shapes for the noodles. Parents consistently highlighted how immersed their kids got, with one saying, “It felt less like just playing with the product than actually creating something completely different.”
Not only is Gabby soft, adorable, and interactive with over 100 different sounds and motions, but also she grows up in real life. This FurReal animal starts as a cub, but as you feed her and take care of her, she actively enlargesinto a full grown tiger. Ages 4+
TESTER NOTES: Kids loved the fact that Gabby actually grew. “My daughter tells me, ‘She is so cute! I'm her mommy!’” said one parent of a 4-year-old. “She loves taking care of her and that she can also shrink her down to a baby again. Gabby is now part of our family.”
Bringing the wow factor inspired by the new Paw Patrol movie, this vehicle inflates a 2.5-foot dinosaur with the click of a button. The dinosaur can be detached, and the included Rocky figurine can take a turn riding. Cleanup is straightforward: the dinosaur deflates when you close it inside the vehicle. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: It was a hit with kids, especially preschoolers who loved both Paw Patrol and dinosaurs. Parents said it was easy to use. “I liked the way the dinosaur quickly inflated and stayed inflated but quickly deflated when triggered to do so,” one said.
Help Peppa Pig learn to ride a bike with this interactive toy that makes more than 75 sounds and phrases based on whether she's on the bike and moving. Peppa pedals while you push her around, and don’t worry if she falls off: The toy comes with bandages you can put on her to make her feel better. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: “My daughter was absolutely obsessed with this toy!” said one tester, highlighting that the optional push stick created more ways to play. It was a popular toy at our in-person testing day, with kids repeatedly returning to play with it.
Combining a kid-favorite character with a kid-favorite toy theme, this Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse embraces farm life in an interactive way. Click Mickey’s feet to watch him sing and dance to two songs, and click the animals on his chest to hear their sounds. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kids loved singing and dancing with Mickey, with one parent saying their daughter “would giggle and bounce along with the lights and movement each time.” All testers loved the farm theme and the songs, with one parent noting, “They are catchy!”
This Thomas & Friends set is surprisingly large, with more than eight feet of track and several features to be controlled during play, like a windmill and drawbridge. Kids lead Thomas along the track and interact with all the pieces, and a stop is included to prop Thomas up on a repair lift. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kids like the features that activated through play. “My son really liked the windmill, and so did I!” said a mom of a 3-year-old. “It was a cool trick.” Another mom said, “My son was immediately intrigued by it. He especially enjoyed moving the train along the track and navigating around the obstacles.”
This convenient bin from Creativity for Kids helps keep play both interactive and contained. The container is filled with moldable sand as well as foam characters from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. It comes with a shovel and other sand toys to help kids really dig in. Ages 2+
TESTER NOTES: “Her jaw dropped when I took it out of the box,” said one mother. “She loved the character and the texture of the sand.” Another shared that her daughter “loved the town-themed stickers and the characters and had so much fun creating different shapes in the sand.”
Surprisingly realistic, each doll by Baby Born is designed differently; there are options for various genders and skin tones and whether eyes are open or closed. There’s even a QR code you can scan that allows you to bring the baby to life digitally and interact with them. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: The realistic look made kids more immersed. “It really makes her feel like she's taking care of a real baby, and she has so much fun playing with it,” said one parent. Another noted how often her 3-year old went back to it, saying, “It promotes imaginary play ,and she enjoys taking care of it. She has used it on multiple occasions.”
As the game begins, each player starts with “trash.” They then load a Bluey garbage truck to visit a house and spin a barrel to determine what is being thrown out, load the trash into the truck, press a button, and watch it load. But they must be careful not to trigger “the big spill”! The first person to clean up all their trash wins. Ages 4+
TESTER NOTES: Parents loved playing this game with their children, saying it was great fun for everyone. A mom of multiple kids said, “It has brought the kids together and offered a great indoor activity.” Another shared that their family played this game daily.
Draw on the dinosaur figurines from Crayola, and then each dino can be charged within the mountain so it glows in the dark. After playing, all the coloring can be washed away in the basin at the base of the mountain. Then kids can recolor and replay over and over again. There’s even a catapult to launch the dinos! Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Preschool-age testers unanimously loved playing with it, with one parent saying her son was "“absolutely fascinated” and another telling us her daughter was “amazed.” Kids especially loved the glow-in-the-dark feature during our in-person toy testing day, constantly asking our analysts to charge the dinosaurs.
Taking ice cream play to the next level, this Melissa & Doug play set offers four soft-serve flavors to choose from. But here’s the twist: The set lets you combine two flavors into one swirl to make different flavor twists. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: During our in-person toy-testing day, we wanted in awe as kids couldn’t get enough of this toy. One mother of an ice-cream-obsessed 3-year-old said, “The pretend play kept her engaged, and she enjoyed serving the ice cream to us.” Another parent shared, “Each time she made a new combination of flavors she was really excited to share it with me.”
Disney Jr.’s new series has been brought to life with this Sofia the First doll. Play with Sofia in her princess outfit and wave the wand or click her amulet to hear different her speak and listen to sound effects. Kids can make her spin and watch as her clothes light up and sparkle. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kid testers all adored this toy, saying they loved the outfit and how it was true to the show. One mom said her 4-year-old daughter had been talking about it nonstop. Another mom of a 4-year-old said, “She truly loves this character and was very pleased with it. She loves that she has a beautiful dress and accessories.”
This Tiny Land play set uses wooden and felt toys that look just like their real-world counterparts. Kids learn to recognize food and nutrition labels as well as getting to enjoy the sensory experience of "chopping" produce and opening packaging. Ages 2+
TESTING NOTES: Parents loved how realistic it looked, with one saying her kid was excited to recognize foods she would typically see at home. Parents also praised the construction and the surprising features, with one mom telling us, "The attention to detail on the items was adorable—the sugar snap peas in the little pouch, the egg yolk inside the egg, and even the packaging."
The Boppo tablet has 10 buttons that help kids play music, games, and audiobooks and do other activities. Its content is controlled by cases (called “Toppos”) that can be swapped to change what the buttons do. A space case focuses on planets, while a music case plays instruments. Though it’s a tablet, there's no screen needed. Ages 1+
Tester Notes: Parents loved how their kids repeatedly played with it, with one saying, “Both my 3-year-old and my 5-year-old started playing with it the day we opened it and have been using it every day since.” Parents also highlighted the design, with one mom saying, “I love the size, the tops, the brightness level—everything is great!”
Gaming is no longer just for big kids: LeapFrog’s handheld video game system is made just for preschoolers. It includes fun yet educational games, from feeding birds and racing boats to mixing colors and exploring letters and numbers. Ages 3+
Tester Notes: A parent with a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old noticed how often their kids would come back and play with it even after having put down and moved to something else. They also noted how convenient it was to travel with, saying, “It has become one of the toys we plan to pack for an upcoming family trip because it keeps both of them occupied and is easy to take along.”
Combining a beloved train toy with an outer-space theme, this 40-piece Brio set lets kids customize and build their own space station. It includes a space rover, an astronaut, an alien, and other pieces primed for interactive play. Plus, it’s compatible with other Brio sets. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Parents said their kids loved the space theme and driving the rover across the tracks. “He really enjoyed this train set, and I would recommend it to others because it seemed to be good-quality and well constructed," said a mother of a 4-year old. It was also a hit at our in-person toy-testing day, with kids often gravitating toward it.
Sasha is both a plush cat and a yoga ball from Hand2mind that makes learning yoga fun, comfortable, and interactive. Kids can follow along with 10 different cards that help guide them through several poses designed to increase flexibility and relaxation, among other benefits. A hand pump to inflate the ball is also included. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kids loved the plushness of the ball as well as how bouncy it was when they were practicing the exercises (and even when they weren’t!). One mother said, “Our whole family has loved and engaged with this toy frequently! The children love choosing cards, reading them, and trying out the different yoga poses with the ball.”
Gabby’s Dollhouse fans have a brand-new set to collect, and this one adds a DIY component: Kids can design and cut out fairies that can actually fly out of the dollhouse with a click of a button. Kids can also design the dollhouse however they want, with 17 pieces to decorate with. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kids loved the creativity aspect and being able to make their own fairies to launch. All testers said the special flying effect was their favorite aspect. One mom of a 5-year-old told us, “She loved coloring the fairies and cutting them out. She also had fun putting the stickers on to decorate the house.”
Calibooks helps kids learn to read with a new take on an ereader. Kids can place physical books that are tied to the system into the device, where they can turn the physical pages themselves. If they need help while reading, they can click a button and have the device read it to them or even have parents record themselves reading it. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Parents love the independent aspect of this toy, helping kids read even when their parents were tied up. “This book allows her to hear a story read to her while she’s able to look at the pictures and turn the page herself,“ said one mom. Another parent said, "We started reading together before bedtime, and it’s become a special part of our nightly routine."
Watch colors appear out of thin air while you paint with this "magic" brush from Crayola’s art set. While you go through nine different provided coloring pages, Ms. Rachel sings classic nursery songs. And don’t worry about the mess: Colors appear only on the special coloring sheets. Ages 3+
TESTING NOTES: Kids were amazed, with one mom mentioning how excited her child was while painting because of how the paint seemed to magically appear on the paper. Another parent loved the mess-free coloring, saying, “It was nice to let my daughter use this toy on her own without worrying about a mess or her coloring on other items.”
This mini handmade doll by Cuddle+Kind comes in its own unique box that opens to showcase the world it lives in. Cuddle or play with Lily and look at all the unique details she has. Plus, with each purchase 20 meals are donated to children in need in the U.S. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Parents loved the quality, with one mom saying, "It is a beautifully crafted toy; the design and simplicity of them are very cute and warm for children.” Kids loved the imaginary play aspect, with one parent of a 3-year-old sharing that her daughter “created her own little world and village between the little houses they came in and the dolls.”
Build a truck that turns into a dinosaur that eats cars. Jazwares gives you 21 pieces to assemble, so you’ll have ThundeRoarus driving and transforming in no time. Switch back and forth by pushing a button to turn it into a dinosaur, and then push it back into place to continue driving. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kids absolutely loved building this car, with one parent noting how easy it was for their son to put together the toy thanks to the included child-size screwdriver. A parent of a 3-year-old said that it was “a good activity and a toy that will definitely last and be played with for a long time.”
This ice cream cart from LeapFrog lets kids organize their own cart with various flavors and toppings—plus, they can roll it around to wherever they want to set up shop. Its Magic Scooper picks up the ice cream while recognizing flavors and colors. Play money and extra treats are also included. Ages 3+
TESTING NOTES: The interactive scooper and the portability that allowed kids to roll it all over their homes were unanimously appreciated by our testers. One parent said, “It was so fun and easy for little hands to use!” Another mentioned that it was “easily transportable” and said, “My child loved taking her ice cream cart to everyone throughout the house.”
Build your own dinosaur on wheels with this new Mega Bloks set. It’s straightforward for preschoolers, as there are only 25 blocks for kids to put together before they can play. Kids can take the dinosaur with them everywhere and have it chomp and eat anything (or anyone) they want! Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Parents remarked on the size of the blocks, saying they were a perfect fit for little hands. Kids loved the portable aspect as well. One mom of a 3-year old said, “This was a hit. He loved that he could make it into a T-Rex or a Pteradactyl by himself. He also loved the wheels and chasing us around the house with it!”
This stunning wooden baking set from Member’s Mark is great for those who love aesthetic toys. Kids can “bake” with a realistic stand mixer using the provided wooden ingredients. Cut butter, crack eggs, and dose out sugar, all while spinning the stand mixer, to bake the best dessert possible. Ages 4+
TESTER NOTES: Parents loved the kitchen tools, with one dad saying, "The kitchen tools were the perfect size and felt great in her hands." A mom mentioned how her children cooked together, saying, “My son had a lot of fun helping my daughter play with it; he helped her ‘make cookies.’”
Learning to ride is even more fun with this bright scooter from Micro. With light-up wheels that don’t require batteries and several bright neon colors to choose from, kids are sure to stand out while rolling around. Plus, it’s easily foldable for quick storage. Ages 2+
TESTER NOTES: The colors were loved by all testers, and parents appreciated that it was well made and folded down to have a small footprint. "He’s so proud of his big-boy scooter!" said one mom, noting that even when he was not riding it, he liked to “hold it and walk next to it around the neighborhood.”
The beloved Mister Rogers has made his way to Tonies. This one is designed as the classic Neighborhood trolley; simply place it on a Tonies box to get started. Kids can listen to 21 different songs from the classic TV show, ranging from “It’s You I Like” to “Won't You Be My Neighbor?’ Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: It was nostalgic for parents, and though some kids knew Mister Rogers directly, they recognized Daniel Tiger, a character inspired by his show. “She loved when the songs sounded like Daniel Tiger songs,” said one mother of a 4-year-old, who added, “My friend’s daughter loved it as well, and she knows Mister Rogers.”
Stapelstein has added an additional speckled color to its popular set. Kids can do just about anything with the individual pieces, from physical games to imaginative play. It’s a worthy investment because it is durable and can change with children’s play preferences. Ages 1+
TESTER NOTES: Parents were impressed by the versatility and how their kids came up with so many ways to play with it. One parent remarked that their kid “used it as a stepping stones, a balance board, a tower, a pretend sink, a pretend toilet, a seat.” Another parent mentioned that she and her husband joined in on the fun, balancing on and walking across the pieces!
Fans of the animated series The Creature Cases have a new command center to play with. There are two characters and several moving parts, and the jet easily goes from flying mode to command mode, offering different ways to play. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: A parent was impressed by how her 4-year old interacted with the toy, telling us, “My son built out a whole world around this plane, and it was awesome to watch his imagination take off despite his not having known of the series before!" Another parent said her child especially loved the spaceship and the wings.
This parlor from Toys and Colors is shaped just like an ice cream cone. Open it up and find an assortment of cones, ice cream flavors,and toppings to combine into custom creations. To make it extra fun, each topping and flavor is a mystery until you open up the packaging. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Kids couldn't get enough of it. One parent said, “My son absolutely loves this toy. It’s so simple, but every morning he wants to play with it and serve us ice cream.” A mom shared how much her son loved taking his parents’ ice cream orders, while a dad highlighted the fun unboxing experience.
