The Hottest Toys of 2026 for Young Kids

This remote-controlled toy from Monster Jam can’t be tamed (but that’s meant in a good way!): With the push of a button on the remote control, the megalodon breaks free from its chain. In addition to speeding across the room, the shark gnashes its teeth, pops wheelies, and spins in circles. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Kids couldn’t get enough of this toy on our in-person testing day, coming back to it again and again to make it race and smash into other toys. One parent of an at-home tester said, “This is so much fun! My kid played with it for hours and didn’t get bored.” She added that it drove well on different surfaces, including carpet, and noted, “It’s definitely a sturdy toy that’s made to handle rough play!”

Air Toobz EVO by Fat Brain Toys is a blast—literally. Connect the tubes to build a twisting and turning track for the included foam balls. Then turn on the fan to send the balls flying, hovering, and racing around and out of the tubes. With an adjustable fan speed, rearrangeable tubes, and stackable balls, there are endless ways to play and experiment. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents enjoyed assembling with their kids, including one parent who shared, “We had fun taking turns to design our own creations and paths.” Kids also loved playing with this independently and often took the initiative to build on their own, and parents reported that they spent long periods playing with it.

Combining arts and crafts and water play, this kit from Skillmatics is double the fun. Simply color on one of the Aqua Puffs with markers and paint over it with a water pen to start the reaction. After the artwork magically puffs up and grows, kids can transform their art into cute accessories or put it on display with the included string and keychains. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “He loved watching them puff up when he used the water pen and then was ecstatic that his creations could be made into keychains,” said a parent. One tester loved gifting her designs to her friends and was excited to play with the set by herself. Her parent emphasized, “This set really captured her attention.”

Totally different from any other toy guitar we’ve played with, this one from VTech offers several ways to strum. Kids can make their own music, build a band with different instrument sounds, and play light-up games to test their sense of rhythm. Plus, it connects to Bluetooth so kids can rock along to any song, and the neck folds down for compact storage. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Kids got the hang of this guitar from the jump. One parent highlighted, “It’s lightweight and easy for him to hold, and the buttons are very intuitive, which made it easy for him to start using it.” Parents said their kids enjoyed jamming to their favorite music and emphasized that there was no need to fret about its perhaps being too loud—the guitar comes with a headphone jack.

Your next delivery box doesn’t have to go straight into the recycling bin. Transform a simple cardboard box into a pretend play vehicle with this kit from Educational Insights. By building with the included tool set and reusable accessories, kids can adventure on a customized plane, submarine, spaceship, recycling truck, and more. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Analysts loved that this toy not only promotes imaginative, open-ended play but also helps establish good practices such as reusing and recycling. Parents said kids of all ages loved working together to build a vehicle, and they were especially excited that their kids kept coming back to their creations to play, even a month later.

Mark Rober of CrunchLabs is known for his viral squirrel obstacle course videos, and he has shrunk them down for families to play at home. Players roll a die to move through the course in a race to collect as many nuts as possible while avoiding tricky obstacles along the way. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: A parent tester said there were many things to love about the game, but her family especially enjoyed the sense of suspense they felt while playing because they never knew when something would throw them off course. Given that the board requires some setup and disassembly, she and her family left the game out to play with night after night.

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a pet Yoshi, especially after the release of the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, now is your chance. Yoshi comes nestled in the iconic spotted green egg, and it’s up to kids to help Yoshi hatch. Gently knock on the egg and rock it to hear Yoshi make noises and see Yoshi break through the shell. Once hatched, Yoshi is an interactive toy that lights up, wiggles, and makes sounds. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “The hatching process was extremely exciting for our whole family to watch!“ shared one parent, who added, “After the hatching we continued to have fun with the interactive Yoshi!” Parents said their kids loved helping peel Yoshi from its shell and were thrilled to be able to "talk" back and forth with one of their favorite characters.

Whether you think it's gross or silly, Chester Cheeks is sure to be the center of attention. Chester, a Butt Face toy, has a funky tuft of brown hair, a pair of undies, and a love for loud music. When you press on his head, he bounces and toots along as he listens to his headphones, and he really lets it rip when you squeeze his cheeks together. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: To parents’ dismay, kids were enthralled with Chester Cheeks during our in-person toy-testing day. Giggles ensued as kids watched Chester jiggle around while passing gas. He makes a variety of sounds, from short and squeaky farts to long-winded gas blasts. But hey, at least it doesn't smell.

Just as in the movie, these Disney Pixar Toy Story figures can actually talk. All the characters—including Lilypad, Jesse, Woody, and Buzz—are ready to interact. Simply place the toys facing one another and press a button, and they instantly recognize one another. The whole crew recites the most iconic lines from the movies and chats with one another by name. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kid testers who were a fan of the Toy Story franchise were thrilled to play with their favorite characters and wowed that the toys could hold conversations. Parents were just as impressed, including one who said her kid kept reaching for the toys, encouraging them to talk back and forth.

This isn’t your traditional Lite-Brite; it has gotten an artistic upgrade. Kids can choose from a few silly designs, such as an axolotl drinking boba or a poodle rockin’ out to music, and trace the images on the glow board with the included neon markers, or they can let their creative juices flow and work freehand. Swivel the legs out to turn the board into a stand, and switch the lights on to let their artwork shine. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: “The effect of drawing with the different-colored lights turned on is really beautiful and enchanting,’ shared a parent of a kid tester who carefully took her time tracing and engaging with the toy. One parent loved how simple the process was for her kid. “It was easy to set up, easy for her to trace the designs, and easy to clean up when she was done.”

Dive into an underwater world with this play set from Magna-Tiles. There are plenty of coral reef–inspired pieces to use to build tunnels, slides, and hiding spots for a variety of sea creatures, from a turtle to a shark to a squishy octopus. Some of the tiles sparkle, while others feature fun fish and whooshing waves. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: One parent raved, “This is a hit!" Parents appreciated how well this toy kept their little kids occupied and playing independently, as there were so many ways to create new seascapes. The highlight for multiple kid testers was the slide pieces, which they used to host ocean animal races.

There’s an exciting element of surprise with Barbie Roll and Reveal. Pop Star Fashion Barbie comes hidden, tucked away in a shining pink disco ball where she stays until you roll it, which causes her to pop out of her ball, dressed and ready to take the stage. There are also several mystery accessories inside for kids to open to amp up the fun. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Kids loved watching Barbie emerge from her ball and folding her back down to roll the ball and reveal her again and again. One kid tester particularly loved using her Barbie to put on concerts for other Barbies already in her collection. There are other Roll and Reveal dolls with different professions too, including a soccer star and a tennis player, but Pop Star Fashion Barbie was a tester favorite.

This huge Delta Children dollhouse stands five feet tall and has a whopping 12 rooms, along with a slide and a functional elevator. There are more than 50 accessories included for interactive play, including a “flushing” toilet, a light-up lamp, baby nursery furniture, and kitchen gear to serve up the fun. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: One parent shared that the “showstopping” dollhouse was a hit for playdates with both other parents and kids. Testers said the final product was well worth the patience required to build it: “There were so many rooms for her to decorate...she enjoyed moving her dolls from room to room and coming up with all sorts of storylines based on the types of spaces there were.”

Hex Bots’ latest crawly creation is a remote-control centipede that explodes open for a creepy surprise. Roll the centipede into a ball and use the remote to unfurl it so it can slither across the floor. With light-up eyes and wiggling legs, it moves just like a real bug. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Kid testers were excited to use the Explodapede to prank their parents and siblings, making it weave under furniture and around legs. One parent said, “Its movements are very lifelike,” describing them as “sinister” and “fluid.” Another parent emphasized that her kid was “delighted” to play with the toy and said there was nothing he didn’t love about it.

With this tiny Cool Maker craft studio, kids can create a variety of charms to add to keychains, bracelets, and more. Little hands can use the included tweezers to fill a clear charm case with sparkling sequins, cutouts, and gems and load it into place. Then they can press a couple of buttons and the charm comes together for the ultimate accessory. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: GH experts were pleasantly surprised by how simple this was to use. Despite all the miniature pieces, assembling the charms was easy. Testers were excited that they were able to customize each charm at every step along the way, including choosing the shape and links and adding the mix-ins.

The Hot Wheels garage has been taken over by a troublemaking interactive dinosaur. By tugging on the dino’s tail, kids can lift their cars into place using its mighty jaw as an elevator and then race to the finish line over several different racetracks. In addition to supporting racing, the garage is equipped with a car wash and gas pumps to allow for a quick pit stop between the action. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “It’s impressively massive, with tons of different tracks for cars to drive on, and my son has spent hours racing his favorite Hot Wheels cars,"“ shared a parent. Kids kept finding new ways to play with the toy according to parents, who said their kids loved everything from operating the dino elevator to racing cars down the ramp to parking and organizing the cars.

Whether she is hungry, wants some cuddles, or is ready for a nap, Little Live Pets’ Magical Dragon Skye communicates what she needs with her belly. Skye has plush, shimmery fur and a screen on her tummy that lights up with an animation to let kids know what she wants. When kids take care of Skye, they earn gems. Collect enough gems, and Skye becomes extra happy and sings a song. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: A parent said her kid was captivated by the toy, saying, “My 5-year-old got so excited by the little animations on the toy’s belly.” She also shared, “Even my husband and I wanted to try!” As a family, they loved collecting gems when they took care of their new dragon friend together.

KPop Demon Hunters dolls have arrived from Mattel, and things are looking golden. Rumi is decked out in her iconic outfit from the movie, including shoulder pads, knee-high boots, and her signature long purple braid, and she belts out the hit song “Golden” when activated. You can collect Zoey and Mira from Huntrix for more sing-along fun. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “She regularly changed the dolls’ outfits and would pretend they were giving concerts and dance around with them,” shared one parent whose kid loved her singing dolls. Another parent whose daughter has all three members of Huntrix said, “They’ve quickly become some of her favorite toys.”

Recreate favorite moments from the latest Minions & Monsters movie with a Puppetronic from Wow Stuff. The realistic miniature minion is completely under kids’ control. By using the triggers inside the minion and tapping its head, kids can help it come to life—blinking its eyes, looking around, and moving its mouth. Plus, the minions speak, burp, and laugh, just as they do when they’re up to some shenanigans in the film. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Kid testers were excited to have a palm-sized minion pal to play with. A parent said of her daughter, “She thinks Minions are hilarious—who doesn’t?—and the fact that the toy was interactive made it extra fun.” Parents said their kids laughed along with the toy and loved the silly sounds it made.

These Kinetic Sand creations look good enough to eat. With the Sweet Station Set and the included molds, kids become chocolatiers, whipping up sandy candy bars and gummy snacks. Once the candy is made, kids can package their sweet treats in the candy cases to serve them up. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Kid testers loved both making and crumbling apart their candy creations, as the sand is a sensory experience in itself. A parent said her sand-loving kid “was really excited about the chocolate theme” because he hadn’t ever had a kit quite like this. Parents said they could help their kids disassemble the set, and they liked that everything could be stored in a fun candy bar container.

Small in size but with a big need for speed, these Fast & Furious–themed cars from Jada Toys are a great new addition to kids’ car collections. The cars are just under three inches each but are made of die-cast metal for weight and have adjustable wheels for smooth rolling and display. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: A parent of a kid tester with a few models shared, “He loved looking at the different designs, lining them up, and racing them around the house. They’ve already become favorites in his car collection.” Kids said the toys felt high-quality, and they liked the realistic look.

Full of surprises, the Aphmau Cat Cafe is as fun to open as it is to play with. The cute cat-shaped set comes with 17 mystery pieces for kids to unbox and use in the cafe. Tiny treats such as macarons, croissants, and lattes, along with helpful tools such as an espresso machine and a cash register, are all packed inside, ready for imaginative play. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: A parent shared that her kid played with it “all the time” and was “so excited to open each surprise package.” After assembling the cozy play set, kids enjoyed serving up fun and coming up with storylines for the included MeeMeow character.

The rooster is about to wake up all of the animals on the farm, and it’ your job to try to peacefully awaken them before they’re startled by the rooster’s squawk. Each player in this Goliath game picks an animal token and presses down on the rooster’s wing, inflating a balloon. The goal is to wake up as many animals as possible before the balloon deflates and the rooster crows. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Testers were happy with how simple this game was to play (no complicated instructions required!), and younger kids were able to join in on the fun. Kids and parents alike loved waiting in anticipation for the rooster to cock-a-doodle-doo.

Perfect for on-the-go adventures, this set of Connetix tiles comes in a convenient travel tin with a carrying handle. The miniature magnetic tiles stick together and to the tin, which doubles as a building base. Kids can construct anything they can imagine, so it encourages independent, open-ended play. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parents were happy to have a travel toy that actually kept their kids engaged. One parent said her kid would “spend all day playing with them!” Testers highlighted the reusable silicone stickers, which can be stuck to the magnetic tiles, and loved the set’s bright, cheery colors.

The mosasaurus is an aquatic dinosaur, so this RC from Jurassic World can make a real splash, diving underwater in the pool or the bath. Use the remote to move the dino forward, backward, and from side to side or opt for auto swim mode to watch it thrash around on its own. It even spits a stream of water from its mouth with the push of a button. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Dinosaur-obsessed kids were thrilled to swim with their own mosasaurus. One kid tester remarked, “I loved the autopilot mode so that I could swim in the pool with it.” Testers were impressed by how smoothly it glided through the water and how realistic it looked in the tub. Families also took the toy with them on family vacation and said it was a big hit with kids of all ages.

The pixel art set from Learning Resources gives kids the opportunity to combine STEM with artistic expression. Each kit comes with a pixel board, hundreds of colorful foam pixels, and prompts related to coding, symmetry, coordinate mapping, and more. Kids follow the guidelines to create pixelated artwork, or they can go with the flow and develop their own designs. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Parents appreciated the unique art format and said their kids both enjoyed using the STEM prompts and coming up with their own patterns and pictures. One parent shared that she and her kids found the toy “very original and fun to play with,” and all our kid testers were excited to play with it over and over again.

Koosh is now more exciting and action-packed than ever. Instead of a traditional Koosh ball, the Koosh Triple Fling comes with “flingers,” which have the same funky look but stretch onto a launcher. Slingshot the flingers one by one or press a button to send them all flying at the same time. Aim them at the included targets to see who can earn the most points. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Parents said their kids were excited to come up with new ways to play beyond aiming at the targets. “This was a huge hit at a party,” one told us. “It instantly turned the group of kids into a big hide-and-seek game.” Kids liked to see how far the Koosh flingers would fly and had a blast sharing the toy with friends.

Gem Pets combines several of the hottest toy trends into one adorable activity: cute animals, sensory seeking, and collectible figurines. Kids get to uncover dazzling gems hidden in a sparkling bar of soap. Using the gems, kids can decorate accessories like a tiara and a necklace and then adorn the pet in their designs. Once playtime is over, the soap scraps can be remolded and used for bath-time fun. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Our kid testers’ favorite part: digging for gems. Several parents said their kids had a ton of fun using the tools to scrape through the shimmery soap and uncover the hidden gems. One parent whose kid loved the toy from beginning to end shared, “My daughter has already asked for a different one so she can collect more and play with both of them together.”

Rumi’s sidekick, Derpy, is ready for a snooze. This squishy plush from Jazwares looks just like the silly character from Kpop Demon Hunters and is filled with snuggly, super-cushiony material, making it the ultimate nap-time cuddle buddy. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: Kids were impressed by how fluffy and soft the plushy was and described it as “huggable.” Parents were fans too. One shared, “I like how it’s big, so it’s impactful, but it’s not so ginormous that it’s too big to store," adding that her 8-year-old daughter slept hugging it every night.

A cute keepsake, this Sticki Charms kit from Just My Style is fun to decorate and display. The squiggly frame comes with easy-to-use adhesive-backed charms with a variety of sweet designs like ice cream, flowers, teddy bears, and more. Kids just peel off the backing and place the charms wherever their hearts desire to create a customized craft. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: This pick is a simple intro to crafting if your kid isn’t super artsy, but it was also loved by more creative kid testers because they didn’t need any assistance to use it. “She loved getting to do this all on her own without needing help from a grown-up,” said a parent. Kids were also excited to choose pictures of family members and friends to show off when their frame was complete.

Marvel’s Spider-Man is back for Spider-Man Brand New Day and is swinging right into action. There are three play modes to choose from, including Anti-Gamma Mode, Web-Tracking Mode, and Power-Web Mode—each lights up in a different color. When he’s ready to fight, Spidey punches his fist and launches webs to deal with the bad guys. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: “He really liked the light-up color features,” shared a parent who said this was her kid’s favorite toy to play with during our in-person toy-testing day. “He carried it around for the entire day, keeping it close by even when trying out other toys.” Another favorite aspect was Spidey’s web projectile.

Popular gaming YouTuber PrestonPlayz is known for tracking down surprises in games such as Minecraft and Roblox, and now he’s bringing the mystery to you. This box is packed full of cool video game-themed collectables like mini figures, squishies, posters, and trading cards. All of them are wrapped in blind packaging for more of a surprise factor. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Gamer kids loved tearing into their own loot box from their favorite YouTube star and had fun opening each individual package. “The mystery of each item was definitely the draw and created a lot of excitement,” shared a parent whose kids took turns revealing what was inside and guessing what they’d open next.

There’s a new way to share funky stickers with friends. The latest from Sticki Rolls, these cool clip-on characters hold on to rolls of 50 exclusive foil stickers for kids to tear off and pass out or cherish in the included collector’s manual. Each package is a surprise; kids won’t know which character they’ll open next. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Kid testers liked to clip the Sticki Mates onto their backpacks for fun on the go. One parent said her daughter “gave out stickers to all her friends,” adding, “She enjoyed seeing the other characters available; in fact, she wants to get another one!”

For YouTube- and creator-obsessed kids, this kid-friendly camera from VTech is the perfect place for them to make their own content. The included green screen and tripod make it easy to film silly videos or take pictures, and the camera is equipped with tons of awesome effects such as funny filters, background removal, and on-screen animations. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: “My son walked around the house taking pictures of everyone and everything as soon as I gave him the camera! It was easy for him to use on his own,” shared a parent. Kids loved capturing their own adventures, including a pair of siblings whose parent said, “It kept them entertained and encouraged them to be creative!”

An innovative hybrid combining a plushy and a bouncy ball, Ty’s Beanie Bouncers are in a category of their own. The latest collection is based on Winnie-the-Pooh and pals including Piglet and Eeyore, which really ups the cuteness factor. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Parent and kid testers were thrilled at the combination of features. “The balls bounced really high and were fun to play with,” said a parent whose kid loved the soft texture. Kids kept gravitating to the Beanie Bouncers during our in-person toy-testing day, bouncing them alone and sharing them with other children.

Like the tiny pets in the game, Tamagotchi keeps evolving and getting better. Tamagotchi Paradise introduces kids to a whole new world, all while they are taking care of their digital pet, playing mini games, and connecting with friends. Ages 6+

TESTER NOTES: One parent emphasized that she “liked that it teaches responsibility and provides a fun daily way for kids to learn how to care for something as they watch their pet grow.” Kids thought some of the activities, such as cleaning up their pet's poop and hiring a babysitter when they wanted a break, were particularly humorous. Siblings were excited to connect their digital pets for more interactive play.

An early intro to logic puzzles, SmartGames uses a fun dino theme to help young kids build critical-thinking skills through play. Choose a challenge card, which shows how to set up eggs and dinosaurs. Then strategically fit the remaining dinos on the board. No need to stress over solutions—the answers are on the back of every card.

TEST RESULTS: Kid testers were instantly intrigued. “My daughter was curious from the second she saw it,” one mom said. GH’s engineer noted how sturdy and well-made the pieces were and how the dinosaurs fit comfortably into hands.

Whether kids are into Star Wars or just Baby Yoda, they’re sure to love this adorable Grogu animatronic. Press on Grogu’s head to encourage him to wiggle, make sweet sounds, and close his eyes. With a plush body, Grogu is perfectly cuddly and the ideal snuggle buddy. Ages 4+

TESTER NOTES: Multiple parents said Grogu quickly became a favorite, noting that their kids carried him around everywhere, treating him like a baby and including him in games. “My child loved how interactive the Grogu is and the sounds it makes,” shared one.

Beyond just offering read-aloud stories, this Tonies Hasbro collection has a more interactive twist. Kids can play along with their Tonies box, challenging it to a friendly game of Monopoly, Guess Who?, or The Game of Life. No giant game board or multiple players needed. Ages 5+

TESTER NOTES: Parents said the toy provided a unique elevated way for their kids to play with the board games they already loved. They appreciated the ability for their kids to play solo but also enjoyed using the multi-player function as a family. One parent shared, “This toy provided long-lasting, engaging fun for my children while promoting teamwork, taking turns, and following directions.”

Alma, along with some of her friends from Alma’s Way, brings her Bronx bodega to life with this tiny pinball game from Upbounders. Pull the lever to launch the balls and move the toy back and forth to guide them through the aisles, catching them in the wooden pockets to score points. Ages 3+

TESTER NOTES: Since it’s so small, this pinball game is the ideal portable, screen-free toy, according to parents. who also said it was great for moments when kids had a little bit of free time on their hands and needed to practice patience, such as when waiting for dinner to be served.