45 best toys of 2026 to shop before they sell out

At 28 inches tall, this is the biggest Bluey house yet, complete with Bluey, Bingo, Chilli, and Bandit figures and more than 50 sounds and phrases from the show. The spinning chimney even projects stars onto the ceiling, just like in the girls’ bedroom.

The ’90s phenomenon is back as an 18-inch plush that’s much softer than the original. Tickle him and he dissolves into contagious giggle fits, so expect the whole family to be laughing along.

Screen-free storytime just got more affordable: The Toniebox Lite is the first Toniebox under $100, and it works with every Tonies figure. It skips the games and extra memory of the full-size box, but for bedtime stories on repeat, it’s all little listeners need.

At first glance, it’s Rocky’s recycling truck. Press a button, though, and a dinosaur about two and a half feet tall inflates out of the back in seconds, then pops off for stomping around the living room.

Nintendo is making its first move into toddler toys, and this playset is a parent-pleaser, too. Kids can send Mario down the warp pipe for that classic sound effect, make the Chain Chomp hop and bark, and collect coins along the way.

The star of this kitchen is a pasta roller that cranks out Play-Doh spaghetti, rigatoni, and gnocchi. Molds for dumplings, waffles, and eggs round out the menu, and the burner makes different sounds depending on what’s cooking.

Kids dip the light-up brush into invisible paint and Ms. Rachel sings along, teaching colors in English or Spanish. The paint shows up only on Color Wonder paper, so walls and couches stay safe.

Toddlers can work from home just like Mom and Dad, with a keyboard to bang on, a coffee cup to stir, and a webcam to toggle on and off. A tiny succulent and a removable phone complete the corner office.

Bluey meets a classic wooden train set in this 15-piece Brio collab, complete with Bluey and Bingo figures. It’s already racking up preorders, so it’s worth grabbing early.

This 42-piece set brings the forest indoors, with leaf-patterned tiles plus moose and squirrel figures. Kids can build treetop hideouts and woodland habitats without ever putting on their boots.

This solid-pine sensory table gives toddlers and preschoolers a dedicated spot for water, sand, and messy crafts. It comes with two foldable sensory bins and three smaller accessory bins, and when the lids go on, it turns into a regular activity table for drawing or building blocks.

Last year, KPop Demon Hunters toys couldn’t keep up with the movie’s hype. This year, HUNTR/X is fully stocked: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey each sing “Golden” and come dressed in their on-screen stage looks, so fans can reunite the whole trio for their own living-room concert.

Derpy, the near-silent tiger from KPop Demon Hunters, may be the most lovable breakout character of the year. This 12-inch Squishmallow has fuzzy ears begging to be rubbed, and an 8-inch Sussie is available for smaller budgets.

Grogu’s big-screen return has made him one of the toughest toys to track down this season. This 10-inch Action Buddy has more than 50 sound and action combos, and he even drifts off to sleep when you rock him.

Fill the egg with water and watch it fizz, foam, and turn red before a 16-inch megalodon bursts out. Unlike most hatching toys, this one resets for repeat reveals, so it’s not a one-and-done gift.

Gabby starts out as a tiny cub and grows into a full-size tiger as kids feed and play with her. With more than 100 sound and motion combos, plus a bottle and toy she reacts to, she’s this year’s FurReal wow gift.

Last year’s DJ Furby has a moodier sibling: Furby Vibes changes personality depending on which glasses she’s wearing, from pop star to punk rocker to spa-day chill. Each mood unlocks different games, and her long hair is made for styling.

Since Toy Story 5 hit theaters this summer, Woody is right back at the top of wish lists. This Mattel figure is inspired by the new film and ready to hustle after the rest of the gang.

Kids lead this chomping shark truck around on a chain, then hit beast mode and watch it break free. It’s a simple gimmick with near-universal appeal, whether or not your kid has ever watched Monster Jam.

Barbie in the Nutcracker returns to Netflix this fall, reimagining the classic movie from 25 years ago. This Clara doll has articulated ankles, so she can point her toes like a true ballerina.

Kids race cars through the loop until one lands the hit that sends the giant T-Rex into a chomping finale. Parents will appreciate that it doubles as storage for about 50 cars, and it runs on kid power, not batteries.

Kids roll the soccer ball, and it pops open to reveal a Barbie ready for game day. Practice cones, a water bottle, a mini ball, and a trophy come along for the win.

These blind-box Calico Critters babies come dressed in sweet fruit-themed costumes, and there are six to collect. At under $10 each, they’re an easy stocking stuffer that slots right into any existing Calico Village.

Kids scan one of 150 included cards, and Grownsy's little robot talks them through drawing it step by step with voice prompts and lights. There's no app or Wi-Fi to set up, and it comes with 12 markers, five drawing pens, and a reusable board. It's designed for ages 3 to 8.

Co-founded by Amanda Seyfried, Make It Cute makes screen-free craft kits, and this one lets kids build and decorate a miniature fairy house in about 15 minutes, with no glue or tools. It includes 58 stickers and accessories, and it connects with other Tiny House kits to create a whole Tiny Town. It's rated for ages 4 and up.

NeeDoh squishies are so in demand this year that they routinely sell out, and knockoffs have flooded the market to fill the gap. Shop early to make sure the satisfyingly solid squish you’re gifting is the real deal.

Yes, the viral toy of the year is shaped like a stick of butter. This four-pack of squeezable pats delivers the slow, satisfying squish kids can’t stop sharing online, and it doubles as an easy stocking stuffer.

Slip your hand inside, and Pikachu blinks, twitches his ears, and chatters back, with more than 100 sounds and actions triggered by your movements. It arrives just in time for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, and it’s been moving fast since preorders opened.

Lego’s new Smart Brick adds lights, sounds, and reactions to the build, so this Star Wars set responds to how kids swoosh and duel. With more than 900 pieces, it’s a big project for builders 9 and up that keeps going long after the last brick clicks in.

These blind-box bag charms capture each Care Bear’s personality, from Grumpy Bear’s signature pout to Bedtime Bear’s sleepy eyes. They’re a sweeter, more affordable take on the bag-charm craze Labubu started.

This slime kit leans all the way into the get-ready-with-me trend, with five scented slimes plus a gua sha tool and roller for stretching and smoothing. With 50-plus pieces, including charms and beads, it’s a full spa day, just gooier.

They’re keyboard keys, minus the computer: satisfyingly clicky fidgets in collectible character designs, plus a faux keyboard to store them on. Fair warning: Adults won’t be able to resist clicking them, either.

Barbie trades her heels for a lab coat in this kit packed with experiments like glow-in-the-dark chalk and fizzy reactions. Barbie-themed guides break down the science behind each one, so kids learn while they mix.

Every Demon Hunter needs a weapon, and this 24-inch foam replica of Rumi’s sword lets fans reenact their favorite battle scenes safely. Zoey’s and Mira’s blades are also available to complete the set.

Lego’s Botanicals sets aren’t just for adults anymore. This Olivia Rodrigo bouquet features 11 buildable flowers with fun details to spot, like guitar-shaped petals, for tweens 9 and up.

Trading cards are having a major comeback, and Disney Lorcana is one of the biggest names in the game next to Pokémon. This Tangled-themed starter set includes four booster packs and a Rapunzel promo card to kick off a collection.

Race cars and dinosaurs collide in this 1,313-piece Technic build, which wears a fierce T. rex livery. Once it’s done, kids can steer with the knob on top, test the working suspension on all four wheels, and pop the synchronized air jacks for a pit-stop moment, all while learning how a real six-cylinder boxer engine fits together.

Lego’s first-ever Pokémon sets are built for display shelves, and this 2,050-piece Pikachu leaping out of a Poké Ball is the crowd-pleaser. It’s rated 18+, so it’s best for teens, adult fans, or a family build project, and the 587-piece Eevee is a smaller entry point.

Yes, this pocket-size turntable actually plays tiny vinyl records. It comes with a 30-second rock remix of Beethoven’s Fifth, and mini records from artists like Britney Spears and Elton John are sold separately, so it’s a hit with teens and the parents who grew up on those songs.

Each blind box hides a light-up miniature room with a tiny animal resident, and there are seven scenes to collect. Lucky collectors might even find the rare edition with a special glowing twist.

Smiski, the tiny glow-in-the-dark creatures that love lurking in corners, have taken up yoga, working out, and, er ... the bathroom. Each blind box hides one of six figures (or a rare secret one), making them a low-cost collectible for tweens and teens who love lining up little figures on their desks and shelves.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort brings kids (and nostalgic parents) back to Wuhu Island from Wii Sports Resort, with 12 motion-controlled sports ranging from archery to thumb wrestling. This bundle pairs the game with a Switch 2 and three months of Nintendo Switch Online, making it the best-value way to get the console since its September price bump. Note: This bundle is available for pre-purchase now and releases Oct. 22, 2026.

Players sit on, stomp, or press a hands-free pump, racing to be the first to pop their balloon. It’s loud, silly, and guaranteed to get the whole family laughing on game night.

You and a partner flip a card with half a phrase, then try to blurt out the same ending at the same time. With 180 cards and just one guess per card, it’s a quick, giggly game for kids 7 and up.

In this family strategy game for two to four players, each player guides a pair of mushroom wizards across a shifting forest board to collect spellbooks, or swipe them from rivals. The modular board means no two games play the same. It's rated for ages 8 and up.