We Tested Over 300 Toys to Find Our 2024 Best Toy Award Winners

Taking stacking rings to another level, this set gives toddlers a dexterity workout as they place “ingredients” on the pole and watch them spin down. For added fun, five rings have removable puzzle pieces in their centers, while the rings themselves can be used for a ring toss game. Ages 12 months+

TESTER NOTES: “Not only was my 2-year-old assembling it but she was also counting the shapes and saying the colors,” a parent said. Another told us, “My son was entertained with this, and I love that it helped develop his fine motor skills and shape recognition.”

Attach this baby dashboard to a stroller’s bumper bar or let your baby play with this on the floor at home. Activities like a horn, a toy gear shift and multiple buttons set off more than 60 sounds (such as an engine revving) along with songs and phrases (“Traffic report!”) to keep a little one busy. Ages 3 months+

TESTER NOTES: It was easy for even a young baby to spin the steering wheel to turn on the lights and start the effects, a highlight for our littlest testers. Not to mention that they loved beeping the horn all by themselves.

When it’s closed, a toddler rides this retro-camper by pushing it along with their feet (it’s indoor-friendly). When it’s time for a rest, they can open it up to create a large play set for the fox and bear figures, complete with miniature furniture and a little boat. Ages 18 months+

TESTER NOTES: GH toy experts agreed that the price is fantastic for something that offers two completely different play patterns. “It’s a nice, quality toy with multiple features,” said a parent whose 2-year-old enjoyed it.

Millions of families are showing toddlers Ms. Rachel educational videos on YouTube. As a result, the preschool educator has superstar status in these kids’ world. This first official Ms. Rachel doll is soft and 16 inches tall. Squeeze one hand to hear one of her signature sweet phrases; squeeze the other to listen to one of four songs. Ages 6 months+

TESTER NOTES: “My 2-year-old recognized that it was Ms. Rachel right away,” said a parent whose toddler now carries the doll around. “She especially enjoys the songs.”

Your kid or kiddos will go wild when you shake open a real ball pit in the house! Stash it under the couch, then open it up when they need to get their energy out. The 50 balls can be stored inside the 35-inch pit, and it all folds down to the size of a grocery bag so you can easily take it to Grandma’s or a playdate. Ages 9 months+

TESTER NOTES: “The balls are soft, so they don’t hurt even if my 1-year-old and my 3-year-old toss them at each other,” one parent told us. Another said, “My nearly 1-year-old will climb in and out of this all day.”

There’s just so much to do on every side of this wagon, which toddlers love to push or pull around and fill with their favorite toys. There are gears to turn, a bead maze and buttons that elicit phrases that teach colors, numbers and more. Ages 12 months+

TESTER NOTES: A parent tester said her 2-year-old would spend 20 minutes at a time with this toy, about as much as one can hope for given a toddler’s attention span. “She loved how interactive it was,” she said.

These aren’t just plush toys. Each of the three “tools” makes a sound: a crinkle, rattling giggle or a squeak. Plus, the bear is adorable. Babies get intrigued by all of them, so the toys are a great way to entice an infant to reach or crawl. Ages 0+

LAB RESULTS: Babies universally loved the noises, whether they were able to shake the toys themselves or they watched a grown-up do it. One mom said her 1-year-old mastered putting everything into the carrier, then taking it out again.

Flowers pop out of their pots and can be “replanted,” matching orange to orange and so on. The numbers offer the opportunity to teach a toddler to identify the numerals 1 through 5, and the tiny watering can really works. Ages 18 months+

TESTER NOTES: Our Lab pros like that this is made largely from recycled plastic and that it encourages imaginative play while giving parents an opening to discuss basic math skills. Young toddlers were especially entranced.

Calling all CoComelon fans! This rolls around, plays three songs including “The Wheels on the Bus” and opens up to become a play set for JJ and Cody. Ages 18 months+

TESTER NOTES: Toddlers ran right to this during our in-Lab toy testing and especially liked the swaying swing. “My 1-year-old loves CoComelon and buses, so this was a huge win,” said an at-home tester. “He put the characters through their day — nap time, craft time and playground time.”

Toys timed to your baby’s milestones arrive at your door every two months with this baby-toy subscription service. A $50 box has five to seven toys, but there are options to upgrade and get more items. All include a parent guide. Ages 0+

TESTER NOTES: Our Lab pros liked the unique developmentally appropriate pieces like the rainbow-shaped tummy-time pillow. Parent testers were pleased too. “The toys are all great for her age and well made. I feel good about her exploring them,” one said.

Kids love to talk into a mic and play back their own voices. With the DJ Mixer they can add silly sounds, beats and more to keep creating something original, then rerecord to do it all again. Bonus: It includes kid-safe headphones so parents won’t necessarily have to listen to the musical experimentation. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents said the microphone worked really well. “My 4-year-old loved to slow down the tempo, sing into the microphone and make her own mixes,” one said. “It’s a big hit; she’s been playing with it daily.”

Preschoolers can build tall or small characters with fun outfits and hair, but the real appeal is the 10 super-expressive faces that help kids identify emotions. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: These characters aren’t fixed as with other Duplos. “This set really enhances his creativity and playtime, allowing him to mix and match characters to fit his imaginative stories,” one parent said. “The versatility of these buildable people has truly made playtime more dynamic and fun for him.”

This deluxe 100-piece set allows a creative kid to build a truly beautiful marble maze, one that parents might be happy to leave out on the table. It fosters planning and patience and, thanks to the animal characters, also encourages imaginative play. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved this when they played with it in our Lab. “There are a lot of pieces and ways to play,” one mom said. Another noted, “My son created a little world with his imagination and was proud of himself.”

Spidey and Spin race each other down side-by-side tracks. They break open web tunnels, execute a jump and burst through objects that get in their way. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: The cars zoom far beyond the end of the tracks, which delighted our toy testers in the Lab. Families at home liked that multiple kids could enjoy it together. “My kids and their cousin all loved this toy,” said one parent. “It was a hit during a recent visit.’

Any fan of Disney Junior’s Ariel would love to have a mermaid they could bring into the bathtub, but this one does far more than float. The doll sings, says phrases from the show, lights up and — best of all — sprays water as if her skirt is a fountain. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Ariel holds up to serious play. “My daughter took it to the beach!” a dad told us. “It survived the salt water and sand, and she played with it all week long.”

It’s hard to find any kid-size kitchen at this price, let alone a wooden one with 30 play pieces! One side is meant for the chef, who can turn the clicky stove knobs and “cook.” On the other side, kids can write on a chalkboard menu and place their orders. Ages 2+

TESTER NOTES: The clean design pleased parents, while kids just loved playing kitchen. One parent said, “It’s the perfect size for my 2-year-old. She loves the play sink and all the accessories that come with the set.”

The plush bugs in this line are super squishy and great to hug, and they have adorable faces. Kids didn’t just love the way they look — they enjoyed their smells too, as each comes with a fragrance. The bee has a lemon meringue pie scent, and there’s also a caterpillar that smells like green apple, a ladybug with a strawberry scent and a cinnamon-roll snail. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids enjoyed the sight, smell and squishiness of this bee! It’s an affordable gift that comes in a cute box that looks like a terrarium.

Open up this airplane and it transforms into a giant 27-inch-long resort and boat. The set makes more than 25 sounds and phrases and comes with 15 play pieces, including Bluey and Bingo dressed for vacation. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Little toy testers went wild. “Both my kids love Bluey and had a lot of fun with accessories like the sunglasses and the captain’s hat as well as with putting the characters in different places and being silly,” a parent said.

Unlike hard building blocks, these can be squeezed or stretched. They come in translucent hues, and some are filled with beads, stars, sand or other sensory items. The set comes with 20 blocks and makes a nice addition to a child’s larger construction collection. Ages 2+

TESTER NOTES: Our toy pros liked the innovation. These blocks were fun for kids to touch and explore on their own or together. Kid testers loved the colors and how the blocks felt cool and squishy in their hands.

Pictures from one of three Little Golden Books shine on the wall while a narrator reads the story. This set includes The Poky Little Puppy, Tawny Scrawny Lion and The Saggy Baggy Elephant. The puppy character isn’t needed for a story to work, but he lights up as a night-light. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “My daughter loved setting up the projector and switching between cartridges, then focusing the lens. It all felt very nostalgic and analog, which was nice,” a parent said. It can also play any of five white-noise sounds to soothe your child at night.

Interactive plush continues to get more amazing: Peanut sits, stands, “drinks” from her bottle and can turn somersaults when you hold her hands. She can also be rocked to sleep. Ages 4+

Lab Results: Parents liked that it offered the same nurturing play as with a baby doll but had the novelty of being a monkey. “My boys loved that when they tickled the monkey it giggled, and that it said hello,“ remarked one parent.

Stapelstein is perfect for open-ended play – kids can decide how to use the pieces. They might stand and balance on them, flip them over and fill them with other toys, set them up to bang on like bongos, take them into the bathtub to fill and empty and more. Ages 1+

TESTER NOTES: The pieces were durable (adults could stomp on them without damaging them) and promoted creativity as well as physical play. Stacked, they worked as a chair, but they could also be thrown down for a quick game of The Floor Is Lava.

Magnetic tiles are a favorite tool for kids to build with, since the pieces snap together quickly and easily. This 48-piece set is whimsical and includes unique pieces like a dragon, a royal figure, a spiral staircase and a working drawbridge. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: In testing this side by side with other magnetic sets, it was easy to see that Magna-Tiles had top-tier quality and strength. Home testers also raved about them, saying that their children used the sparkly tiles to build their own castle designs multiple times.

Even if you”re short on space you’ll have room for kids to pretend-cook with this nicely sized wooden set including a grill that can be reversed to create a griddle. Children work on their fine motor skills as they add ingredients to the skewers and flip a pretend steak. Ages 2+

TESTER NOTES: Parents praised details such as the fact that the meat looks raw on one side and cooked on the other. The spatula makes a sizzling sound, and there are condiments to add at the end.

It’s a Squishmallow and Spidey — what could be better? Kids can take him on adventures by day and cuddle with him at night. Spidey is a 10-inch plush toy with his arms outstretched, which make him look as if he’s offering a hug when he’s upright and as if he’s crawling spider-style when he's face-down. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids took to this plush character and were happy to add Spidey to their collections, while parents described him as “so soft and cuddly.”

Miniland dolls have soft skin, lush hair and posable arms and legs. The line of 15-inch babies is widely inclusive, from this doll with vitiligo to one with Down syndrome and others who wear a hearing aid or glasses. The idea is to gently introduce children to the ways people can look different from one another. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents complimented many things, from the soothing scent to the stress-free packaging. They also mentioned that the dolls are anatomically correct. “She was definitely intrigued by the doll’s skin which I feel like was helpful for her to learn about diversity,” a parent said.

With this play set, kids can select a disc, put it on the turntable, place the “needle” on it and hear a different tune on each side, mimicking how adults play music from real vinyl. It comes with five records in different musical styles, including one that is great for winding down. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “My child loved taking the records out of the sleeves and handling them with care,” one parent said. When we had kid testers in our Lab, this was the first toy they ran to, eager to have a chance to get the music going.

Combining a food delivery scooter and a Play-Doh set, this ride-on toy allows kids to make and deliver their own play pizzas. It comes with 10 colors and 16 tools, including a cell phone for taking orders. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids repeatedly asked to play with it, while parents said assembly wasn’t too difficult and that they appreciated its functionality. “We love that everything is stored inside and the molds are incorporated into the design of the scooter.”

Kids who dawdle while eating their breakfast and brushing their teeth might love to impose those same routines on this interactive doll — and maybe it will help when it’s their turn to, say, have their hair combed. Ages 3+

TESER NOTES: The doll’s 25 interactions include clapping and doing a dance, both hits with testers. Per the brand name, the doll will also cry and need soothing. “My daughter asked about the doll before bed, and it was the first thing she picked up in the morning,” a mom said.

A toy car garage is a classic. This one is made sweeter by the fact that Mickey and Minnie are in the vehicles. They can gas up, use the elevator and roll down the ramp. If they go through the car wash under cold water, their cars change color. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Testers enjoyed the lights, the sounds and the color-changing action. “My son loved how Mickey spoke,” a mom said. When we tested toys in our Lab, kids kept coming back to this one.

Six rooms along with a hidden attic give kids lots of places to play with Gabby, who can ride the Cat-A-Vator to get around this 25-inch-tall house. A button sets off 10 sounds and phrases from the show. The chute on the outside is for having packages delivered!

TESTER NOTES: This has the wow factor that makes it a special gift. It comes with 10 accessories (which fans of the show loved unboxing), but there are also many inexpensive play sets sold as add-ons.

Playful dinos can ride the train with this imaginative wooden set consisting of a train, wagons, scenic pieces and three dinosaurs. Brio is known for high-quality toys, and this one’s no exception. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Our testers found this a fun departure from other train sets. “My 3-year-old loves that the dinos can carry the eggs around due to their magnets,” a parent said. “The bridge pieces are also a big hit.”

A female firefighter designed this hero of a doll, dressed for action and carrying an axe and gloves. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of it goes to The Triple F Foundation, which supports female firefighters and emergency medical services workers. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “My child was very into the accessories this comes with—they’re realistic and detailed, and we both learned about the tools firefighters need,” a parent said. Our pros also loved the backstory and the company’s mission.

This fun game of collecting sparkly gems also sneaks in scissors-wielding practice, a fine motor skill kids must master but don’t get to practice much outside preschool. The goal is to collect all five gem colors. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids were drawn to the shiny gems, while parents liked the skill-building aspect. “I think the concept is great and helpful for preschool-age kids,” one told us. Like other games, this provides an opportunity to practice turn-taking and learning rules.

Kids get 24 activity pages and a stamper preloaded with 300 stickers that makes it easy for young kids to decorate the pages without having to peel and stick. When the stickers run out, there are refills for sale. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “This kept my daughter entertained and was great for travel,” a parent said. Another raved, “I like that this is mess-free. I don’t have to worry about markers or paint. I also like that there is a holder for the stamper on the pad.”

Precious! This 6-inch character lives in a tiny home with pretty prints and a door that opens and closes. The doll itself is hand-knit, made by a company known for its philanthropic mission. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: When we brought kids into our Lab full of flashy toys, they couldn’t resist playing with this simple yet stunning plush animal. One parent tester called it “very cute and well constructed,” adding, “My daughter was excited to have it.”

Five big foam pieces can be endlessly reimagined and built into castles, forts, reading nooks and more. They’re versatile for both active play and chilling out. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids launched themselves at this, built a hideaway and didn’t want to come out. “My kid loved the sunshine and cloud theme and all the different things she could do,” a mom said.

A remote-control vehicle for princess fans, this coach is eye-catching and easy to use. Kids can make the carriage go forward or backward or turn around. Their favorite small dolls can even ride inside. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Testers unanimously said it led to fun imaginative play. “My daughter loved the remote control and creating imaginary scenes with the carriage and the dolls,” one parent told us.

This 50-piece set consists of foam blocks with magnets that are lightweight yet hold together. Shapes like half-circles and cones allow for some cool structures, and because they’re foam, kids can even take them into the bathtub. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “There are endless possibilities,” one parent said, while another told us, “My kids love mixing the different shapes into robots and bridges, then adding their cars — it’s been so fun.”

Each year there’s a new PAW Patrol play set, and it never seems to disappoint. This one is 40 inches tall and allows kids to send Chase in his patrol car down a slide and around a loop. At the top is a command center for more pretend play. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents said assembly was easy and that their PAW Patrol fans were amazed. “The sheer size of the tower blew my son away!” a mom said. “It brings him so much joy.”

This remote-control gecko crawls like the real thing — across the floor and right up the wall. And it’s fast! The critter charges via USB cable; the remote requires two AAA batteries. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: This worked as promised, delighting kids, who could send it scurrying. It clings via vacuum power, not with sticky feet, so it makes a sound as it goes. “We are freaking out!” one mom told us, “We loooove it.”

A little kid gets to feel big when they have their own smartwatch with a camera and a bunch of games. Kids learn to tell time as they toggle through 50 clock faces. Some of the activities will encourage your child to move around and engage in active play. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: All the kid testers gave a thumbs-up to the games. “My daughter loved getting to show us all the games and activities she could do,” a parent said. “I could tell that she felt very big and cool.”

This family game for two to four players entails helping cave people search for food without having it snapped up by the Dino via the creature’s magnetic tongue. When it’s a kid’s turn to control the dino, they can also use that big old tongue to knock out an opponent. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: “The concept that a dinosaur was eating snacks was funny to both my kids,” said one parent. Another noted,“My child laughed when the dinosaur tongue collected the food or knocked a caveman off their space.”

Sending a race car zooming is always a blast! The Flat 2 Fast Card Racer has the additional fun factor of being able to be folded up and loaded into a thin launcher before it bursts out and races at its full size with the touch of a button. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Parents and Lab pros all agreed that they had seen nothing like this before. Kids too appreciated the novelty. “My son showed it to a lot of people,” a parent said. “It would be a great little present for any kid.”

Alix the Axolotl works like a mood ring, “guessing” a child’s mood and changing color when they hold it in their hand and pet its head. Alix also lights up and swims in water and comes with an 18-inch inflatable swimming pool. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: “My daughter loved that it swam and sang,” a parent told us. Another said, “Axolotls are having such a moment with this generation, so she was pumped to have her very own as a pet!”

Pop a slide into this device and it will project an image onto a piece of paper that a kid can trace and color however they like. It comes with more than 80 images divided into categories such as “fantasy” and “ocean life” that kids can combine into scenes. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: This one was a hit during our Lab’s toy-testing session with kids. They were thrilled to be able to create images, like that of a dragon, that they might not have been able to draw freehand.

Taking the hottest new sport off the court and onto the tabletop, this game challenges players to hit a plastic pickle with a paddle and get it to flip their opponent’s jar lids. So silly! Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Pairs of kids, especially siblings, had fun going head-to-head (or rather thumb-to-thumb) with this. The pickle is tethered and thus can’t bounce away, which helped keep the action going.

It’s all the fun of going to the car wash in a two-and-a-half-foot-long play set. The coolest feature is that after you add warm water, running the included vehicle through the shark changes its color and design. The color changes back when kids tilt the shark, tap its tail and dump the car into a cold plunge. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents, rejoice — no batteries are needed. “My child loved the fact that this toy combined two of his top interests, sharks and Hot Wheels,” a mom told us.

Sparkly hair extensions are having a major moment, and now they”re easy to do at home. This set includes nine tinsel hair extensions, 50 pony beads and 20 elastics along with a beading tool and pins. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: “My daughter really enjoyed the colors of hair tinsel provided,” a parent said. “She was also intrigued by the bead option because she hadn’t seen that before.” Another noted, “I really liked how everything you needed was in this one kit.”

This kit combines a craft with imaginative play and fine-motor skills. Kids use the included clay to decorate the four wooden figures. The brand doesn’t dictate anything, so it’s up to kids whether these are friends, a family, a squad of superheroes or something else. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: When we had a room full of toys to test in our Lab, children gravitated toward this set and stayed focused on assembling their desired figurines. Kids were able to start from scratch and create again and again.

For kids — and kidults! — who love to amass Pokémon plush, this line will impress. It was inspired by the retro style of Japanese artist F*Kaori, which means the colors are a little cooler, the eyes are a little more graphic and the whole thing is a little bit cuter than your regular stuffed Pokémon. Ages 0+

TESTER NOTES: “The size seems to be very good for his age,” one parent noted. “He can easily snuggle it and carry it around with him. He has been sleeping with it, and I can see how much he loves it.”

Like the Minions themselves, this toy is mischievous in a lovable way. The “blasts” come out in the form of scented smoke rings in one of two fragrances: one smells like banana and the other smells like burned popcorn. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Most of our kid testers were wowed by the shape of the rings, and parents were relieved by the benign smells. “He got a kick out of shooting it around the house and trying to walk through the fart smoke,” one parent said.

So much comes packed in this sweet pink-and-gingham playhouse, which is big enough for 18-inch dolls to use. There are more than 60 play pieces, including 45 accessories for the doll-size kitchen alone. Plus, kids can press buttons that active animal sounds like a rooster’s crow. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Our Lab experts were especially impressed with how much you get for the price. In addition to all the pretend pieces, there are play-expanding features such as the fact that the bench can fold out into a bed.

Star Wars fans will get a kick out of this Darth Vader, who tells the future when you ask him a yes-or-no question. Push down on his helmet and his LED eyes light up as he gives one of 40 responses in his deep, authoritative voice. Note: If his head is pressed multiple times in a row, his demeanor changes! Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “I liked how it could tell your future,” one young Star Wars fan said. Parents appreciated the range of responses and how the light-up eyes made it look animated.

In this hot-potato variation, players shake the chicken, do an action (e.g., spin, jump or sing the ABC’s) and pass the chick before time runs out. The fast pace of the game keeps everyone on their toes! Each round takes only two minutes, so it’s easy to fit play in whenever there is a bit of time to spare. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “It’s a lot of fun,” a parent told us. “I like how many of the cards involve exercise-type things. It’s easy to understand; I did not need to re-explain rules.”

Kids can’t seem to get enough of the “mini” trend, and Barbie is no exception. This collection includes everything from a mini Barbie DreamCamper to a teeny Pet Boutique, but the Dreamhouse — complete with a slide, an elevator, a hanging chair and a pool, along with a 1.5-inch doll — is a standout. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved the novelty, while parents appreciated how it didn’t take up much space. One parent told us, “She thought the toys and dolls were cute and loved that the house was a mini version of the regular-size Barbie Dreamhouse."

Kids can zoom around these tarbosauruses in their vehicles, but the real excitement begins when they crash: If one car T-bones the other in just the right spot, it hits a trigger that sends one of the dinosaurs flying out of its enclosure! Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents highlighted that these came as a set of two, allowing for family members or friends to play together. “They had a ton of fun chasing each other’s cars around the house,“ one mom said of her sons. “These kept their attention longer than most toys.”

In this game, players are charged with stacking cute flat forest-themed pieces on a wooden mushroom. A die tells them which piece has to go on next, and kids have to work on their fine-motor coordination and problem-solving skills to keep the whole stack from falling over. Variations on the rules keep the game fresh. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “My son really loved rolling the die to see what woodland creature he’d get,” one parent tester noted. “And making up rules was a fun twist.”

This rugged-looking Batmobile can roll through the city of Gotham using its blasters to launch projectiles at villains. But when it’s stopped, the Batmobile opens to become a Batcave complete with a supercomputer station, zip lines and a Bat Signal. There”s even a Bat Glilder tucked into the set. The whole thing has lights and sound effects, and a four-inch Batman figure is included. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Kids said the transformation from Batmobile to Batcave was “really cool.” The projectiles were also a big hit.

Crafty kids mix their own ingredients, pour them into the molds and in an hour have their own do-it-yourself squishies. The molds offer interchangeable heads and bodies, so kids can mix them up to make new creations. There are 60 character molds to collect. Ages 6+

LAB RESULTS: In our Lab tests, kids were excited to see how their creations would turn out. At-home testers loved the process too. “They had so much fun both pouring to the line and mixing — with help — and they especially enjoyed that they could pick the color to make it their own,” one parent said.

Not only is this a kid-friendly camera that prints out photos but it adds a wow factor with PAW Patrol–themed effects. And the printer is thermal, so it doesn’t require film or ink. The camera also allows for saving digital copies and can record video. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved playing around with different backgrounds and adding PAW Patrol characters to their photos. One parent noted that her child “liked how easy it was to use.”

This year is the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, and there’s no better way to mark the occasion than with this claw machine, which comes with exclusive collectibles loaded into the capsules. Once they’ve retrieved all the prizes, kids can reload them and do it again. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: “My daughter loved that it was Hello Kitty–themed, and I loved that it was easy for her to reload,” one parent tester said. Testers also noted that it wasn’t too tough to get the claw to grab the prize capsules.

Families can come together to play this board game, which has them rolling dice as quickly as possible to try to get their team to the finish line. But to advance on the board, teams sometimes have to take on a challenge like playing air guitar, or pretending to lift weights. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Families reported that this was good to play with a mixed-age group, and they found the gameplay refreshing. “This was such a nice change from the typical games we play at our house,” one parent said.

Perfect for ultimate Disney fans, this game comes with a deck of cards featuring Disney characters. Players take turns asking questions to see if they can figure out the character on the card. (“Are you an animal?” “Do you wear a blue dress?’) If the guesser gets stuck, Clue Cards can help. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Parents noted that it was to understand and liked that little setup was required. “You can play it almost immediately after opening the box,” one said, adding, “This game is fun for all ages!”

This doll is unique because its body is soft, which makes it huggable and something kids can sleep with at night. The brand is also known for its of-the-moment fashions, rooted hairstyles and range of skin tones. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: The hairstyles on the dolls were a big draw. “This doll has some of the nicest doll hair, ever,” one mom raved. “I also love the representation of tanned skin and darker features. My daughter is mixed race, so she calls this her ‘Mommy doll’ because she thinks it looks like me.”

Video game players and cat fans alike will be thrilled with these 11-inch stuffies inspired by gaming YouTuber Aphmau. There are eight cats to collect, and each is a surprise. The designs are ultra-cute, though the best aspect of the toys is their big, squeezable bodies. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “It was soooo cute, and it was cats, and I love cats,” one kid tester said. Testers liked how soft and squishy these felt along with the blind bag surprise element. Our pros found the value excellent for the price.

The digital-pet trend has returned with vigor, and Bitzee adds a 3D element to what’s normally a 2D experience. Kids open the pod and a flexible display pops up, showing a pixelated character. The pet responds to touch and even the tilt of the pod — kids can rock it to sleep — and as they play with and care for their virtual creatures, they can unlock various magical animals. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: “My child has been interacting with the Bitzee every day,” one parent said. Another noted, “My daughter loves the ring-box size, and she loves how intuitive it is to interact with.”

Steel your nerves, because this game can get suspenseful: Players are charged with balancing different sizes of marbles along the tightrope. It's a game that tests their minds, as they need use logic and strategic thinking to decide where to place their marbles, and also their bodies, because they need good hand-eye coordination to place the marbles without sending everything toppling. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Kids told us this game had a good difficulty level. “I liked that this was challenging,” one kid tester said. “It was fun to play even with the grown-ups in my family.”

Pirate play never goes out of fashion, and this set is any seafaring adventure fan’s dream. This ship comes with a steering wheel that turns, swiveling cannons and an anchor cannon that really works. There are a whopping 137 pieces, including pirate figures, animals (including rats, a monkey and a monster manta ray) and accessories like gold, grappling hooks and a compass. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Parents reported that kids got really into all the details of the sets, moving all the doors, locks and sails and especially the cannons.

Kids can load the three different colors of Kinetic Sand into the included stampers and watch as sharks, suns and flowers emerge. As the sand flows through the stamper, there is an animated effect. It comes with a crinkle-cutter tool and a case in which to keep everything. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: The case was a big hit. “She loved that it had a little briefcase to hold the sand that she could bring with her,” one parent noted. Adults also liked how the case kept the sand contained to one play area.

Before it's even turned on, this puppy looks so fluffy and adorable that any kid would want to carry it around in its crate and take care of it. Once it's powered up, it gets even more realistic, offering more than 60 sounds and reactions when it's fed, pet and loved. Each one comes with one of 72 different combinations of eye colors, collar colors and secret birthmarks. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: It was almost the next best thing to having a real dog. "My child likes the sounds and the ways this toy comes to life," one parent noted. Another said her daughter "bonded with it from the moment she saw it."

Tech Deck is known for its fingerboards, and this set opens the world up for more imaginative play. It comes with a school bus that opens up into a skate park for fingerboard tricks. In addition, it comes with a skater figure who can roll around on the ramps and do their own tricks too. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: The bus doesn't just look cool — it's good for taking toys on the go. "He loved how he could transport the items inside the toy then open it up and play with it wherever he wanted," one parent noted.

Kids who are into creating their own adventures will love this set, which helps them make two hardbound books of their own design. To get them started, there are writing prompts and vocabulary lists. Then, when it's time to illustrate, they can use the included stickers and markers. The sets come with different themes, including adventures, animals, space, unicorns and princesses. Ages 5+

LAB RESULTS: "She loved the included story ideas and stickers to help spark ideas for illustrations and writing," one parent said. "She also loved the About the Author section."

American Girl's 2025 Girl of the Year combines her two favorite things — pets and baking — into a dog-treat business, giving kids a little lesson in entrepreneurship. She comes with a rainbow-inspired outfit and accessories (including glasses!), along with a book about how she got her business off the ground. Her dog, Crescent, and her cat, Fettuccine, are sold separately. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Everyone's a fan of Summer's vibrant style. "She loved her outfit and how her hair was colored pink with a couple of small braids in it," one parent said. They also raved about her fun accessories.

Regardless of whether or not a kid is a fan of LankyBox's gaming YouTube channel, this robot is a hit. It's easily controlled with a remote, and it also plays songs from the LankyBox videos. In addition, it comes with smaller mystery figures — also cute! — based on some of the channel's other characters. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved it, even if they hadn't seen the YouTube channel. Lab experts were charmed by this one, both in the way the robot moved around and the cute features of the mini collectibles. They also appreciated how the figures can be stored inside the LankyBot's head when they're not in use.

Fashion- and beauty-loving kids can take their dolls to the salon, where they can use 12 different hair-themed accessories to give them the full glam experience. The set includes a chair that reclines so the doll can get their hair washed, along with styling tools like a hairdryer. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: “My daughter is a doll lover, and this was her favorite,” said one parent after toy testing in our Lab. “She really liked all the pieces that allowed for imaginative play and going through the motions of getting hair done at a salon.”

Kids love LEGO sets that function as both construction toys and play sets, and this one adds Minions to the mix for even more fun. The bus can be closed and act as a vehicle for the four Minion mini figures. Then it opens to become a party venue complete with dance floor, a DJ booth and a hot tub. Accessories like balloons and party hats make this extra appropriate as a birthday gift. Ages 7+

TESTER NOTES: Testers said that there was the right amount of challenge to building this set — it was not too hard and not too easy for kids to do on their own. They also loved the transformation once the build was complete.

Kids can let their imaginations run wild coming up with new characters with the help of this play set. The figures can ride around in the Pizza Van, but things get wacky when the van opens to reveal a “mutation station“ that scrambles the heads, legs and bodies of the Turtles and their foes. The set comes with four 2.5-inch figures that can be mixed and matched. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved coming up with new combinations. “He loves building and drawing his own characters and to have a mechanism in place to create his own tangible designs; it was perfect for my son,” one parent raved.

Lovers of all things mystical and magical will adore this toy, which combines both virtual and IRL play. Kids can insert a key to meet a digital pixie with whom they can do things like play games, adopt a pet and come up with dances — there are more than 200 ways to play digitally. In addition, a five-inch pixie doll for pretend play and hairstyling is revealed through the top of the lantern. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Kids were amazed by the fact that the digital character could join the physical world as a doll. Parents highlighted that the holographic display was especially impressive.

This letter-based reveal toy gives kids the excitement of receiving mail. There are 10 surprises to unbox; kids put a letter in the top of the mailbox and in return receive a package to open. The last surprise is a Secret Findees figure kids can use for pretend play with the rest of the treasures they’ve received. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “It was such a fun, extended surprise unboxing!” one parent told us. “And she loved that she could put it back together and repeat the surprise.” A 6-year-old tester said, “I love it the most when the toy makes the music and opens up.”

Those who rolled out to see Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire this year will appreciate how many true-to-movie details this remote-controlled kaiju has. It walks, has a lifelike roar, lights up its pink scales and even shoots atomic breath. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: “This Godzilla has a lot of personality," one of our toy experts said. “It doesn’t just zoom around — it has a lumbering stomp. I also love how it has to pause to light up all its scales before doing the heat-ray effect, in which real steam comes out of its mouth. We brought it to the park, and it got a lot of attention.”

This handheld device makes string billow out to form rigid shapes. All ZipString units have a battery that recharges with USB, and the ZipString Luma has a cool cosmic design and glow-in-the-dark string. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: At our in-person toy-testing event, kids were enthralled and lined up to try it out. Everyone wanted to see how long they could keep it up. Parents appreciated how small this was, making it convenient to tote around. “It’s easy to learn new tricks and easy to use — makes me feel confident playing with it,” one tester said.

This is a game for those who want to throw a little more action into playtime. A camera with a motion sensor sits on the table and pans from side to side, and players have to get into spy mode and deactivate the camera before it detects them. If a player gets spotted twice, they’re out, so kids really need to work on their strategy and agility. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Kids got really into their spy roles. “Our 9-year-old loves problem-solving and critical-thinking-type toys, so this was right up his alley,” one parent said. “He loved trying to complete the mission successfully and kept at it until he did.”

This LEGO set becomes a way for kids to imagine adventures in other worlds. The rover comes with lots of STEM-inspired features, including a research station, a retractable arm with a mounted camera and a magnifying glass. (The research tables flip over to become beds for the two LEGO Friends figures.) Then kids can build the alien life, including two cool otherworldly flowers that open to reveal two aliens. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved the little characters they could play with, including a space dog. “I also liked that you could drive the space rover,” one tester said.

With the help of a motor, kids can watch in amazement as marbles are carried up a corkscrew lift, where they can be released into a 100-plus-piece marble run of their own design. The track pieces have their own bells and whistles, with parts that spin, a funnel and even a loop. It comes with 30 marbles so kids can keep things rolling. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: Parents reported that their kids were drawn to the bright colors and all of the different pieces. “It’s fun to put it together and take apart and watch the marbles race down the chute, and the motorized marble lift is really cool,” one said.

Kanoodle has been a sensation because of the way it challenges the mind to fit different-shaped pieces in place to complete a puzzle. There are many variations, and this newest one has an included timer — perfect for head-to-head competitions or sharing all of those #KanoodleChallenge videos — along with 500 new puzzles, including both 2D and 3D versions. Ages 7+

TESTER NOTES: Kids got into the challenge in different ways, from trying harder and harder puzzles to trying to do them faster and faster. “I liked that you could time yourself,” one 10-year-old tester said. “I liked that I could easily take it with me places or in the car. I liked the challenge of it.”

Kids who love crafts and personalizing the decor in their rooms will appreciate how this kit lets them choose their glob colors, add stickers and more to make a groovy lava lamp that shows off their creativity. It even comes with a color-changing LED light. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: “With the included ingredients, a bit of oil, a splash of water and some DIY magic, a dazzling lava lamp comes bubbling to life,” one GH analyst said after testing it in the Lab. “Older kids loved choosing their favorite combinations of colorful mix, confetti sparkles and sticker decals for a one-of-a-kind creation.”

Science-inclined kids can get a close-up look at how muscles and tendons work while mastering the engineering skills needed to create a robot arm. The whole thing works on a system of nylon cords, so there are no electronic parts. Once they”ve finished following the instructions, they”ll have built an arm that could be controlled by joysticks to pick objects up from a table. Ages 10+

TESTER NOTES: Testers reported that this was a real build for kids who wanted a deeper look into science and engineering and were looking for more of a challenge. Some families used it as a bonding activity, since adult support was often needed.

Kids who are into either Disney or trading card games can come together for Lorcana, a strategy card game based on the Disney universe. The Gateway teaches newbies how to play in an innovative way. At first only a certain portion of the deck is usable. Once players master the rules for those cards and succeed in a few quests, they can unlock more of the deck and learn more advanced rules. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: "He loves the artwork, the ease of play and the fact that it’s collectible,” one parent said. The artwork came up over and over again in tester feedback, and even those who weren’t traditional Disney collectors found the cards to be gorgeous collectibles.

Snap Circuits lets kids experiment with electricity and circuitry without having to use a soldering iron — the pieces just snap into place on a premade board. With this set, kids can make different kinds of flying machines, including paper-airplane launchers, flying saucers and a fan that can keep balls levitating. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: During our toy-testing event, kids loved launching the flying saucer and were amazed that they could get it to fly high enough to hit the ceiling. “The moving parts included in this kit were very engaging,” one at-home tester said. “Entry-level snap circuits generally focus on lights and buzzers, so it was cool that this one had a spinning motor.”

They’re really going to have to test their logic with this one, because the game board keeps shifting throughout. The object is to line up marbles to connect four in a row. But all the marbles shift on every turn, so it’s not as easy as it sounds! It’s a two-player game, so it’s great for siblings or anyone who wants one-on-one time. Ages 7+

TESTER NOTES: Families really liked trying to figure this one out. “As an adult, I can usually figure out a game,” one parent said. “I haven’t cracked the algorithm with Orbito yet, which levels the playing field with my children — there’s no letting someone win here!”

This fast-paced version of Monopoly, inspired by the digital game Monopoly Go, is designed to last 15 minutes. It’s a board game, but it comes with a code to play in an app too. In the IRL version, every player is rolling their own dice and sending their pieces around the board at the same time, so it's raucous fun! Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: Players old and new were thrilled. “She keeps wanting to play it over and over again,” said one parent of her classic Monopoly–loving daughter. “It’s one of her new favorite games. I think she likes it more than regular Monopoly!”

The LinXo pieces let crafty kids make all sorts of projects, from bracelets to wear to bag clips to figures they can display on a shelf. And, when they feel like doing something different, kids can disassemble their creation and make something else. It comes with a book of instructions for 13 crafts, but there’s plenty of room for open-ended creativity. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: “I loved the creatures you could make,” one 12-year-old tester said. “I thought the lizard was adorable. I also really enjoyed the process of making every one of them. The little pieces come together and make a great big puzzle.”

Beyblade fans new and old will appreciate the new Beyblade X system, designed for remarkable speed. This stadium is built especially for Beyblade X, and it includes an X-Celerator Rail that makes the pieces move even faster. It also comes with two Takara Tomy–designed tops with die-cast metal parts. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: Parents liked how sturdy this was, with one noting that it held up to her son’s intense play. Another parent also liked the construction: “We’ve been buying Beyblades for the better part of the last 10 years. This is one of the better-constructed sets, and the Beyblades stay together well.”

Families who love digging into daily word games can find more literary fun with this tabletop game. The letters are on octagonal pieces that snap together in various directions, not just from top to bottom and from left to right, so there are plenty of opportunities for players to place words and increase their scores. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: Parents reported that this was a hit even with kids who needed help with spelling. “This toy is so engaging that my kids want to bring it on vacation to play with family,” one tester said. “We even played it at the beach and got the tiles covered in sand and then cleaned them off easily.”

This kit helps kids neatly paint their nails and stamp designs like holographic hearts, shiny flowers, smiley faces and butterflies on top. There are enough materials to stamp 200 nails. Ages 7+

TESTER NOTES: Kid manicurists were pleased with the results. “She loved how amazing her nails looked when she was done,” one parent said. Another noted, “It was fun and easy to clean if a mistake was made.” Our parenting pros also highlighted the way it let kids easily switch up their looks and express their personal styles.

Kids can load different colors into this pendulum, pull it back and let it swing to create amazing geographic artwork. Along the way they can experiment with different types of force and swing and see how the colors change when they overlap and mix. It comes with three different paints and both black and white paper. Ages 7+

TESTER NOTES: Our kid testers were proud of their projects when they were done. “My child particularly appreciated the exceptional quality of the artwork it produced upon completion,” one parent said.

Through this kit, famed magicians Penn and Teller break down tricks step by step through the magic of virtual reality. Kids can learn 28 tricks along with other skills magicians need like self-confidence and public speaking. The kit comes with hands-free VR goggles that can be used with a smartphone as well as magic show props. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: Testers liked how they could learn the tricks from the instruction book, from videos or from the VR. “My kids loved putting on a magic show for us,” one parent said. “We had several laughs as a family, which was a wonderful experience.”

What's better than collecting stickers in sticker books? Wearing them as part of an accessory! The beads on these necklaces and bracelets are actually rolled-up sets of 10 stickers kids can tear off, use and share. There are also regular beads kids can use in their designs. Ages 5+

LAB RESULTS: Kids loved how these did double duty. “They got to wear the jewelry and play with the stickers, so there were two layers of play involved,” one parent said. A mom of a 9-year-old commented that she liked “that this was a very new and different type of jewelry-making.”

It's called Stratego Classic, but it isn’t just the same old Stratego that’s been sitting in the closet. This one has been updated with new battle cards that add special abilities to the gameplay. (And for the first time there are female soldiers!) Even seasoned players will have to think about this one in a new way. Ages 8+

TESTER NOTES: This gave everyone’s mind a workout. “The game involved strategic thinking and brain work,” one 12-year-old tester said. “It required you to think really hard because if you didn’t, you would lose. You can think about new combinations. Every game is different.”