This Year’s Must-Have Holiday Toys Are Flying Off the Shelves

The holiday season is here — and if there’s a young child in your life, now’s the time to scoop up the season’s most-wanted toys before they vanish from store shelves.

From reimagined classics to character-themed cars and interactive animals, this year’s top toys offer hours of imaginative play, and some come with a healthy dose of nostalgia for parents, too.

At the top of many shopping lists is the ImaginAir Rider Car. Designed for kids as young as 18 months, this remote-controlled ride-on moves at a slow, safe pace and features favorite characters like Spider-Man, Bluey, and Minnie Mouse. It’s priced around $128 at Walmart, and it’s already gaining popularity with both kids and gift-givers for its fun and safe design.

Next up is a toy that’s as much a parenting helper as it is a child’s entertainment center: the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 4-in-1 Activity Table and Art Easel. This toy grows with your child, starting as a floor-level table for babies not yet walking, then transforming into a toddler activity center or art easel complete with built-in storage. At about $60 at Target, it’s a solid investment for years of play.

For kids (and grown-ups) who love a blast from the past, the Original Tamagotchi is back. This digital pet from the 1990s is small enough to clip on a backpack and still offers the same sleep-eat-play cycle as the original — but thankfully, it doesn’t come with pet hair or vet bills. Available at Best Buy for around $20, it’s a nostalgic stocking stuffer with modern-day charm.

Fans of the hit children’s show Bluey will be excited to unwrap the Bluey Supermarket Playset. Featuring three stories, 15 movable pieces, and special Bluey and Bingo figurines, this playset even includes familiar sounds from the show. At about $50 on Amazon, it’s already showing up on toy trend lists.

If your household has been swept up in the mini cow craze (thanks to their popularity on social media), then FurReal Maggie, The Feed and Follow Cow, might be a perfect pick. Maggie is a cuddly, 9-inch interactive plush that can walk, make over 50 sound and motion combinations, and drink from a toy bottle. She retails for around $45 at Walmart and is quickly gaining traction with kids who love lifelike pets.

Another standout in the interactive category is the L.O.L. Surprise! Hair Beads Salon. This toy combines two perennial kid favorites: wild hairstyles and a full unboxing experience. Kids use water-activated beads to create bright, bold styles, offering both a sensory activity and fashion-forward play. It’s available from MGA Entertainment for around $45, and is expected to be a go-to gift for L.O.L. fans.

For young dinosaur lovers, few toys compete with the Imaginext Jurassic World Rebirth Ultimate Action Chomp T. Rex. This large-scale dinosaur can stomp and chomp its way through playtime, sending smaller figures running for cover. It’s full of action and motion, making it one of the more dramatic toys of the season. You can find it for about $108 at Target.

Retailers are already reporting brisk sales for many of these toys, so early shopping is key — especially if you’re hoping to avoid the holiday scramble. Whether your little one dreams of prehistoric adventures, artistic creations, or cuddly cows, 2025’s toy list offers something for every kind of imagination.