The hottest toys of 2020 that’ll be on top of kids’ holiday lists
This will be a holiday season like none before, capping off a year like no other. What better way to get families into the ho-ho-ho spirit than through play? “This year has been so stressful for kids and adults alike, so toys that help kids keep active and moving, while also helping them manage their stress and stay calm are key,” says Laurie Schacht of Westbury, the Chief Toy Officer for The Toy Insider, a consumer guide for parents. Here are some of the most fun selections for 2020.
To see more holiday gift guides, visit newsday.com/giftguides.
#UpsideDownChallenge Game
The #UpsideDownChallenge Game from Vango Toys turns the world upside down. Don the glasses and pick a challenge card and try to accomplish simple tasks like writing your name or connecting the dots; for ages 8 and older; $19.99 by vangotoys.com.
FAO Schwarz Giant Piano Dance Mat
Let them make music as they dance on this giant piano dance mat inspired by the classic FAO Schwarz piano; $39.99 at Target.
Hands Full
Think Twister using a shared handheld wheel instead of a mat. The goal of the interactive family game Hands Full from WowWee is to accomplish challenges such as jumping, dancing and more without being the one to let go. Can be played solo or with up to four players. For ages 8 and older; $24.99 at WowWee.com.
Squeakee
Squeakee from Moose Toys is a bright red, interactive dog that looks like he’s made from balloon twisting. He makes more than 60 sounds and movements, including barking, walking and sitting. Kids can pop and reinflate him; for ages 5 and older; $59.99 by moosetoys.com.
Grouch Couch
Roll the die, place that number of treats on the cushions of the Grouch Couch from Spin Master Games and press the remote-control button. The couch will eat the treats and grumble, chomp or burp, and then spit out lost goodies like a missing sock or old popsicle stick. The player with the most goodies when the Grouch Couch plays his victory song wins; for ages 5 and older; $19.99 at spinmastergames.com.
Kidizoom Creator Cam
The Kidizoom Creator Cam from VTech lets kids create their own videos using an included green screen and more than 20 animated backgrounds including broadcasting the weather. The table tripod doubles as a selfie stick; the camera includes a built-in microphone and on-screen editing capabilities; for ages 5 and older; $59.99 at multivu.com.
Apollo Game
Older tweens and teens work together on the Apollo game from Buffalo Games, inspired by NASA moon missions. One player acts as Mission Control and the others are the astronauts; roll dice in order to resolve flight issues, repair systems and complete experiments. For ages 12 and older; $29.99 at Target.
Cave Club Dino/Doll
Mattel’s Cave Club Dino/Doll is a combination toy that includes a doll and her rideable dinosaur. It also includes food pieces to feed the T-Rex and hair accessories to use on the doll or the dinosaur; for ages 4 and older; $39.99 at shop.mattel.com.
Design & Drill Bolt Buddies
As families become more concerned with sustainability, the Design & Drill Bolt Buddies set from Educational Insights uses the packaging as part of the toy as it transforms into a playset. The drill kit teaches simple construction and engineering skills to build a truck, rocket or race car; for ages 3 to 7; $29.99 for the truck and $24.99 for race car or rocket at educationalinsights.com.
Fresh Dolls
The Fresh Dolls were created in 2017, but this year the faces and fashions were updated to reach a wider audience to encourage multicultural diversity in play. Dolls include Marisol, Lynette, Mia, Lexi, Ebony and Skylar; for ages 3 and older; $12.88 each at thefreshdolls.com.
Animatronic Baby Yoda
New from Hasbro’s “Star Wars” collection is the Child Animatronic Edition (aka Baby Yoda). Pat his head and he makes more than 25 sounds and motion combinations and his eyes open and close. Includes robed figure and Mandalorian pendant. For ages 4 and older; $59.99 at hasbropulse.com. Hasbro also offers a talking plush version for ages 3 and older for $24.99.
Little Live Pets Lil Dippers
Dip a Little Live Pets Lil Dippers from Moose Toys into water, and the fish swims right out into its new home. It moves around a fishbowl until the owner switches the battery-operated pet off for a rest. Kids can even feed it; for ages 4 and older; $12.99 by moosetoys.com.
Face Paintoos
In an era when masks put the kibosh on public face-painting, kids can do it at home with apply-and-remove Face Paintoos from PlayMonster. Each set features five wild animals, Nickelodeon characters or Disney favorites; for ages 4 and older; $9.99 to $11.99 at playmonster.com.
Design & Drill Bolt Buddies
As families become more concerned with sustainability, the Design & Drill Bolt Buddies set from Educational Insights uses the packaging as part of the toy as it transforms into a playset. The drill kit teaches simple construction and engineering skills to build a truck, rocket or race car; for ages 3 to 7; $29.99 for the truck and $24.99 for race car or rocket at educationalinsights.com.
Rollin’ Rovee
The Rollin’ Rovee from Fisher-Price has a light-up face and soft arms, and it comes with an interactive ball. Four modes of play grow with child’s stages, from peek-a-boo to catch; for ages 6 months to 5 years; $49.99 at fisher-price.com.
DC Super Friends Slammers
Kids will love the mystery behind this boxed toy. Open the tab, slam the box and discover which one of your favorite DC superheroes is inside. Also included are pieces to build your heroes vehicle. For ages 3 and up; $7.97 at Walmart.