1
Best Combination Toy
VTech Switch and Go 3-in-1 Rescue Rex
Yes, it's a dinosaur, but it's also a police car, a fire truck, and a helicopter. It transforms into all three. It's not a tricky transformation, either. Once your child figures it out, they're good. It's four toys in one.
2
Best Art Board
Crayola Ultimate Light Board
Your future Judy Chicago or Kehinde Wiley could get their start with this light-up drawing board by Crayola. This enchanting coloring toy illuminates your children's artwork, inspiring them to create more and more illustrations. Powered by three AA batteries, this board utilizes washable color gel markers that create bright and bold lines that your kid will absolutely adore.
3
For Future NASA Engineers
LeapFrog Magic Adventures Telescope
It's a real telescope, I promise. It's also a learning tablet that comes complete with tons of different cards that teach your little ones all about space. It also has games for your kids to play as they learn about our universe, making each of them a tiny astronaut.
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4
Best RC Toy
Skyrocket Mega Chomp Remote Control Shark
If you want to see your child cackle with glee, get them this remote-control shark. It chomps as it goes, and it's actually pretty quick. Don't worry — it's light and doesn't hurt when your child inevitably chases you down while you're cooking dinner one evening. It's a cat's worst nightmare, but they're good at hiding.
5
Best New Car Toy
Monster Jam ThunderROARus Drop Playset with Exclusive Monster Truck
This is a 6-foot-tall car ramp and exclusive monster truck. The exit part of the ramp is, of course, a dinosaur. In his mouth, the end of the track changes for different car tricks! It is bananas fun, and it drives cats and dogs and kids alike out of their minds.
6
Most Exciting Surprise Toy
Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball
Moose Toys have some real magical mojo, and this year, they really hit it out of the park. The Magical Mixies Crystal Ball is a step up from 2021's cauldron.
There's a lot happening with this toy: it's a crystal ball that lights up and has "eerie smoke" (glycerin steam), and kids use their magic wand to make a surprise creature appear. That creature has over 80 sounds and reactions, acting a bit like a Zoltar or Magic 8 ball. Kids can do it over and over again, and the crystal ball also doubles as a night light! Kids love this toy so much that we named it our toy of the year in 2022.
More: The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids
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7
Best for Bluey Fans
Bluey Mega Bundle Home
Chances are, if you have a toddler or a preschooler, they love Bluey. The Aussie sensation now on American television features a family of blue heeler dogs as they go about their daily lives.
Let your children take these characters out of the cartoon world, using their own imaginations as they play with this deluxe home set from the show. It comes with the whole family, their house, a barbecue, and a picnic table.
8
Best Instrument
The ONE Music Group Smart Piano Keyboard
If your child is itching to pick up a new instrument, but you're not sure if you have the cash to shell out for lessons, bring home this quality keyboard.
It functions just like a regular piano keyboard, but it also features the ability to teach your child new music by connecting to an app. The keys will light up and show your kid how to play songs. It's entertaining and will leave your child with music skills to last a lifetime.
If the skill really takes off, you can also bring home this 88-key piano keyboard that teaches music in the same way.
9
Best Construction Toy
Reeves International Reeves Big Dig Ride-On Crane
Know a little aspiring construction worker? They’ll go crazy for this sand-digger seat that levers, pivots, and dumps sand, just like in the working world. Whether on the beach or in the sandbox, they’ll love maneuvering this “heavy-duty” construction tool. Hard hat not included.
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10
2023 Toy of the Year
Dog-E Interactive Robot Dog
Our 2023 Toy of the Year, Dog-E is one of the most fun toys I've seen in recent history. It's an app-controlled robot dog that does tons of tricks, including playing tug of war, making tons of sounds, and even playing games with your child through the app.
11
A Fun Game for All Ages
WHAT DO YOU MEME? Search Party: Chaos at the Park
Part hidden figures, part Where's Waldo, part Clue? This game is made for elementary-age kids but is seriously fun for the whole family. Honestly, I brought it to a brewery after the kids played it, and a bunch of tipsy women (like myself) loved it.
12
Spidey Senses Tingle Here
Hasbro Spidey and His Amazing Friends: Web-Spinners Web-Quarters
Have you ever watched a group of 4-year old boys lose their minds? I have, and it was because of this toy. In Spidey's Web Spinner Web Quarters, you place Spidey in the spinning web room right below the light up top, hit the button, and he spins. The you empty him right into his car.
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13
For the Speed Racers
Flybar 6 Volt Battery Powered Bumper Car Blue
Got a little future daredevil on your hand? Why not get them one of these very slow (1mph) bumper cars? It's battery-charged and controlled via dual joysticks under each hand.
Just make sure that your child is at least 18 months old, and always strapped in and buckled before setting them loose to annoy the cat and each other. They will have tons of fun, though.
14
Best Creature Creator
Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Cloud Playset
Do you have a future Picasso on your hands? Let your child indulge their inner artist and love of cute creatures with the Crayola Scribble Scrubble Cloud Playset.
In the kit your child will get a koala-corn and owl-icorn and a set of special markers, a rainbow slide, and a tub to wash off the creations. It's utterly charming.
15
Best Active Science Toy
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Launcher Toy
Get ready to launch a rocket straight into the air, all without batteries or the help of NASA. This kid-powered Stomp Rocket shoots foam-tipped rockets up to 200 feet into the air. Whether they're stomping in the backyard or at the park, they will be blown away by how far their rockets will soar.
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16
For the Baby Soccer
Fisher-Price Goaldozer Motorized Net
The tiniest soccer players will love kicking the ball to the goal that talks to them, cheers them on, and then rolls around, returning the ball in unexpected ways. The 2 to 5 year old set will want this for sure.
17
Best Sensory Toy
Zen Laboratory Slime Kit DIY Toy Stocking Stuffer Fidget Gift for Kids
Yes, you'll hear the squishing and squelching in your sleep, but your kids will be thrilled.
Slime is more popular than ever. This DIY slime has sparkles, beads, balls, and even a fun crystal mystery powder. It's sensory play at its finest.
18
Best Coloring Toy
Easy Playhouse Easy Playhouse Fairy Tale Coloring Pages Castle
We're all trying to be just a little bit better to the planet, and that can start by decreasing the amount of plastic toys we buy our kids.
This cardboard castle lets kids do the work of decorating it, thanks to the coloring-pages exterior. And it should be noted that just because it's cardboard doesn't mean it's not sturdy. Think of all the boxes your kids keep around for months and months just because they've determined it's the perfect theatre/mailbox/veterinary office.
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19
For Baby Beasts
Beast Lab Stealth Strike Big Cat Beast Creator
From the same company that gave us the Magical Mixies sets, this is a bit more wild. Your child will be adding the "toxic" ingredients into the beast lab to reveal their own beast. That beast will go into beast mode, only soothed when he gets what he wants.
20
For Barbie Girls
Barbie Dreamhouse 2023
Is it any shock that the 2023 Dreamhouse would be one of the toys of the year? Barbie is the one bright spot this year that seemed to outshine everyone. Let her ride down her super cool slide and think her irrepressible thoughts of death (or just good thoughts!)
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