Every year we would run to the mailbox in hopes that the Sears holiday catalog would be inside. This mammoth catalog housed the hottest toys for kids, the coolest electronics, as well as clothing (and appliances!).
I would sit down with the catalog, a pencil, and a legal-sized yellow lined notepad. I remember this as if it was yesterday. Each line would detail:
- The page number (in the left margin)
- The item name
- The SKU number (yep, even the SKU number…)
- The size and/or color (if applicable)
- The price
Santa needed to know all of this – it would hopefully ensure that these items ended up under the tree Christmas morning.
Now, there is no more Sears catalog, Toys R Us is a not-so-distant memory, BUT that doesn’t stop the holiday catalogs from coming. They are just smaller and from different retailers (and refer to the website for up-to-the-minute pricing).
Here is my round-up of the hottest toys for kids, by age range. Enjoy!
AGES 1 +
LITTLE TYKES COZY COUPE: Every time I see one of these, memories of my boys “Fred Flintstoning” it around the backyard come flooding back. (Ages 1-5)
LITTLE TYKES BASKETBALL SET: Finally a hoop I could dunk on! (Ages 1-5)
PEPPA PIG DELUXE HOUSE: Peppa Pig came about after the boys were past this age range, but I love her! (Ages 2-8)
STEP2 HAPPY HOME COTTAGE AND GRILL: G “gifted” this to N when he was born and it was one of the most used outdoor toys we owned. Endless hours were spent hanging out in their house, making their grandparents meals – I’m gushing now! (Ages 1-5)
FISHER-PRICE FARMER SAYS SEE ‘N SAY: You have to tell me you had one of these when you were little…and if not, you need to get one for yourself! CLASSIC! (Ages 1-5)
LEAPFROG MUSICAL TEA PARTY: Anything LeapFrog was welcomed in our home. I love the updated versions of their classic fun and educational toys such as this tea set! (Ages 1-3)
FISHER-PRICE RETRO RECORD PLAYER: Stop! I don’t remember this being around when my boys were little but if you have a babe on your list with parents that are music aficionados – this is THE gift! (Ages 1-5)
FISHER-PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE ANIMAL SAFARI: The Little People have been around since I was a little person! (Ages 1-5)
AGES 3 +
ECHO DOT FOR KIDS: It was a matter of time before the uber-popular Echo gave birth to a kids version. When asked, Alexa will play age-appropriate music, answer kid questions, tell stories, and a whole lot more! (Ages 3+)
MELISSA & DOUG PET VET SET: If you were to ask me, when I was little, what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would immediately say, “A veterinarian”. This set is perfect for the little “me” on your list! (Ages 3 – 6)
FISHER-PRICE ROCKTOPUS: With three different mode – Math, Music, and games, this octopus will be a crowd pleaser! (Ages 3 – 6)
MARVEL SUPERHERO CAPE SET: You would make any superhero fan’s holiday with this set of four capes and matching masks – Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Spiderman
PAW PATROL ULTIMATE FIRE TRUCK: Little tikes love vehicles, especially fire trucks. This one is Paw Patrol themed – another hot trend! (Ages 3 – 6)
DON’T STEP IN IT: It sounds gross and I think it is, but I am sure this game will evoke many giggles. (Ages 4+)
DANCING MICKEY PLUSH: (Ages 3 – 8): The Tickle Me Elmo of 2018! (Ages 3+)
DISNEY PRINCESS DOLL COLLECTION: (Ages 3+)
BARBIE DREAMHOUSE: Look me straight in the face and tell me you didn’t, at one point or another, want to live in the Barbie Dreamhouse! (Ages 3-7)
AGES 6 +
OSMO GENIUS KIT FOR AMAZON FIRE: My boys love their Osmo – me too! (Ages 5 – 12)
ZOOMER PLAYFUL PUP: This robotic and responsive pup is perfect for the kid that isn’t able to get their own REAL dog. (Ages 5+)
L.O.L. SURPRISE! HOUSE: L.O.L. is the hottest toy this season for your little ladies. This house is super cool! (Ages 6 – 12)
L.O.L. SURPRISE! GLAM GLITTER: There are a bunch of L.O.L. doll series – I am partial to glitter. (Ages 6 – 12)
OZOBOT BIT CODING ROBOT: Coding and robotics is the way to go! (Ages 6+)
LEGO BOOST: LEGO is in on the coding game! (Ages 7 – 12)
KANO HARRY POTTER CODING KIT: Do you see a trend here? Harry Potter friends rejoice! (Ages 6+)
LEGO FRIENDSHIP HOUSE: Friends now has their own house – super cute! (Ages 6-12)
BARBIE HOLIDAY DOLL: No time like the present to start a tradition of collecting each year’s Barbie Holiday Doll! (Ages 6-10)
CITIZENS OF ROBLOX: I don’t know any child over the age of 6 (or under actually) that hasn’t fallen in love with Roblox. These figurines can make their Roblox adventures a bit more tangible! (Ages 6+)
AGES 8 +
LITTLE BITS AVENGERS HERO KIT: Bring a little STEAM into your little one’s fun with this kit! They can build and customize an interactive gauntlet. (Ages 8+)
LEGO HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS GREAT HALL: LEGO has the Harry Potter fans covered with this super cool builder kit. (I may be asking for this for myself!) (Ages 9 – 14)
POKEMON EX COLLECTIBLE CARD BOXES: If I had a penny for the number of times I said that I wish I invented Pokemon…(Ages 8+)
TRANSFORMER MOVIE BUMBLEBEE: I love when toys from my day and age come back and are as popular now as they were then! (Ages 8+)
SCRABBLE: I don’t care about how the kids are with their electronics – they need to have a Scrabble game and they need to play it! (Ages 8+)
MS. PAC-MAN ELECTRONIC ARCADE GAME: If you have to go the electronic-gift route, then definitely pick this up! (Ages 8-15)
BATTLESHIP: My all-time favorite game! (Ages 8+)
NERF ZOMBIE STRIKES SCAVENGER: I tried to hold out as long as I could when it came to the Nerf guns. This one is very cool though! (Ages 8+)
NERF ELITE BLASTER RACK: If you’re going to go the Nerf route, then definitely get the organizer. You’ll appreciate it later on. (Ages 8+)
AGES 10 +
It gets a bit harder to find gifts for kids as they get older. The items either get more expensive or include gift card requests, which are actually a great way to give something that the recipient can go and pick out exactly what they’d like!
DISNEY VILLAINOUS: Since they are still in the “I love Disney” stage, foster this with a very cool new game! (Ages 10+)
JAM HANG UP BLUETOOTH SPEAKER: The perfect gift for a music lover. My boys bring their Bluetooth speaker to the basketball court, play it while they play Fortnite, you name it! (Ages 10+)
LEGO STAR WARS IMPERIAL TIE FIGHTER: Next level LEGO kit! (Ages 10+)
GOODNIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS: I personally love to gift books, and this one, in particular, has been on a lot of gift guides over the years! There is a boy version as well. (Ages 10+)
RAZOR ELECTRIC POWERED CRAZY CART: Maybe you can take it for a spin before Christmas morning?! (Ages 10+)
AGES 14 +
LEGO DOWNTOWN DINER: I’m all about anything LEGO. This diner looks like a challenging and cool kit to get for the older LEGO lover on your list. (Ages 14+)
LEGO BUGATTI CHIRON: If there is a LEGO lover on your list that is over 16, they would love this Bugatti kit. (Ages 16+)
KIIPIX SMARTPHONE PICTURE PRINTER: Since more than likely kids this age have their noses in their smartphones, taking pics for social media, etc. why not get them a cool printer just for that very purpose?! (Ages 14+)
BOSE BUILD-IT-YOURSELF HEADPHONES: Every kid I know wants to get their hands on a pair of Bose headphones. What if they could design their own!? You may become the coolest gift-giver ever. (Ages 14+)
I hope these ideas help you! Comment below with additions to my hottest toys for kids list!
Jeannette says
The first thing I said to myself was, this is perfect for grandparents! How many times do we get asked, as parents, “what do the kids want for Christmas?” And sometimes after we tell them… they still get something totally off, LOL. Well, a quick share of this link will be just what they need to get it right this year! Thanks!- BTW- The smartphone picture printer is amazing; I didn’t know they even existed!
Dana says
YES! I have had experience with many grandparent gifts that were a bit “off”. Isn’t that smartphone picture printer so cool?! I didn’t know they existed either until recently.
Sarah Stockley says
My kids are 7, 10 and 12. My boy (7) loves Lego and Harry Potter so these ideas are great. My daughter (10) loves art and she still loves dolls and dressing up whereas my 12 year old is more into fashion now and tech. These area ll really helpful ideas.
Dana says
I’m glad the list is helpful to you, Sarah!!!
Sania says
My nephew is 3+ years this year but no matter what we get for him his eye will always be on cars. And one today will remain in one piece only a day the other time it will be found into pieces. Last we got him an ambulance and he loved it. I liiked the firestation truck on your list.
Dana says
My boys always loved cars growing up as well! You do have to get toys that are rugged…my boys have broken their share of toys within the first day!
Dwight Alleyne says
I have to hide my computer from my kids so they wouldn’t see me looking at this website otherwise they probably would ask for everything on this list. I think my daughter would love the LOL Surprise house most of all. Is it bad that I would want to add some of these things on my Christmas list as well? I am still a kid at heart 🙂
Dana says
LOLOL I hear you, Dwight! As I was curating this list, my boys kept looking over my shoulder!
Joanna says
I think my nephew, who is just one year old, would love the little toy car. He is just learning how to walk at the moment and anything that helps him move his legs and become more confident would be an amazing gift.
Dana says
Yes! The cozy coupe would be perfect! He’d love “riding” around in it and it would help strengthen his leg muscles 🙂
The Tale of Mummyhood says
I love the idea of getting our girls a dot, I’ll be looking into this!
Dana says
It’s that perfect tech gift!
Neely Moldovan says
My little one got a cozy coupe for his bday and he loves it!
Dana says
They’ve gotten even cooler since my boys were little!
Ashley Nicole Rice says
Those mini houses were my favorite thing to play in when I was a kid!
Dana says
A great source for imagination to run wild!
Ana says
What a comprehensive list of hottest toys available these days for kids by age! I really liked that Amazon Echo dot!
Dana says
Ana, I thought it was cool that they can conform the Dot to work for the littles!
Taryn says
I used to love getting catalogs in the mail and would eagerly turn through the toy pages. There are a few toys that are just staples throughout the generation: Barbie and Legos. And I love the throwback to Ms. Pacman! Such a classic.
Dana says
I love Pacman too!!! I miss the catalogs – I wish my boys would’ve gotten to experience them. Now it’s like pulling teeth to get gift ideas from them.
Dana says
I told my husband I wanted the Ms. Pacman game!
Megan says
I too remember the excitement when the Sears Catalog came in to my Grandparents. They would let me circle all the things I liked in it, and would more often than not buy one of those things I circled. I remember circling a Baby Doll i really liked (very life like) and being so excited to open it up on Christmas Day. I think my mother still has it in her attic. I may have to go up there and pull some of my toys down to give to my boys. They both love pretending to be their Baby doll’s daddies.
I love the list you provided. My oldest would go nuts over that Harry Potter Lego set. It combines two of his most favorite things. My youngest has a cozy coupe, and loves it. I personally do not get the appeal in those LOL Surprise things but I know how popular they are.
Dana says
Megan, I love your memory of the Sears catalog! You should definitely check and see if the baby doll is in your mom’s attic. I think it would be so cool to see your boys enjoying it too!
(I don’t understand the LOL Surprise toys either 😉 )
Britney says
This is like the ultimate gift list! Definitely need to save it, legos are always a win for us in our family.
Dana says
Thanks, Britney! LEGOs are always a winner.
Geraline Batarra says
Wow, such a lot of good options of items to give on this Christmas day with my kids. My son will definitely love to have LITTLE TYKES BASKETBALL SET and BARBIE DREAMHOUSE for my daughter.
Dana says
Geraline, they are so cool, right?!
Surekha Busa says
Wow, these are so cute toys and I think every girls would love to have a Barbie Dreamhouse for her.
Dana says
Toys have come a long way!
Stuart Brazell says
I have a four-month-old baby so I am new to the toy game. This is a great list!! Happy Holidays!! xoxo
Dana says
Congratulations on your baby! Happy Holidays to you too, Stuart!
Abby says
This was a really cool list. Many of these toys I have already seen before. But some of them were really new to me. Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
My pleasure, Abby!
Mark Coster says
I kept on going back to Fisher-price Rocktopus and Zoomer Playful Pup! It’s never too early when searching for the best gift that’s not just cool but would actually last a long time. Now, I just have to select which ones should I actually buy (I have a lot on my list!)
Dana says
I’d love to hear which ones are on your list!