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The best toys of 2022


Wondering which toys are topping kids’ wish lists this year?  It's no secret that new toys are constantly hitting the market, ranging from revived classics to brand-new STEM play sets. That can make finding the right gift for the kids in your life a challenge.

 

Here's a list of the best toys to give as gifts, including new releases, perennial favorites, and options for kids of all ages and interests. 

For gamers

Nintendo Switch Lite

The handheld version of the Nintendo Switch is compatible with all Switch games that support handheld mode, including popular titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Small and sleek, it’s a perfect pick for gaming on the go. 

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Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset

This comfortable, lightweight gaming headset can help your kids enjoy their favorite video games without disturbing the whole house. It has a built-in microphone for playing with friends and offers durable construction to hold up to regular use.

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For learning fun

National Geographic Mega Science Magic Kit

This 50-piece National Geographic STEM kit shows kids "the magic behind the curtain" through fun experiments like making snow appear or creating square bubbles. The set even comes with a magic wand to celebrate "ta-da" moments.

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Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit

This kit is perfect for kids with interest in engineering. It contains supplies for more than 100 electronic circuit projects, so children can build working models of items like a photo sensor or flashing light. 

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LeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo

This musical toy can help children aged 6 months to 3 years old learn the alphabet, animal names, and sounds. It lights up and plays songs to reward kids as they're playing and offers spinning, pushing, and sliding features to develop their motor skills.

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  • This educational wood block set can help young children learn shapes and colors. 
  • With this fun science kit, kids can learn about explosions and perform combustive chemistry experiments.
  • These reusable activity mats make it fun for kids to build their vocabulary. 
  • Kids can grow and display impressive crystals with this crystal-growing lab kit.
  • This driving toy for babies and toddlers can help kids learn about different animals and vehicles with music and phrases.

For builders

LEGO Speed Champions McLaren Elva Building Kit

Build the ultra-exclusive McLaren Elva in brilliant blue with this 263-piece LEGO kit. It captures the look and feel of the speedster, down to the replica two-seat cockpit, topless design, and McLaren driver mini-figure with a racing suit. 

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Magna-Tiles Safari Animals Set

These magnetic tiles let toddlers build structures without frustration and come with movable animal figures that easily attach to the tiles. The set doesn't contain any BPA, phthalates, or latex, so they're also fully nontoxic.

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Learning Resources City Engineering and Design Building Set

Perfect for kids aged 5 and up, this building set lets children construct skyscrapers, bridges, and more. It also comes with activity cards that offer design challenges to inspire your child. 

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For outdoor play

Little Tikes Ice Cream Truck Kid-Powered Ride-On Toy

This fun ride-on toy mimics the look of every kid's favorite vehicle: the ice cream truck. It has an ice cream cone-shaped speaker that plays music and can move via your child's feet or by an adult pushing the handle at the back. 

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Heelys Unisex Kids' Voyager Tennis Shoes

Now back in style and trending this season, Heelys are the footwear-toy topping many wish lists. The skate shoe, available in little and big kid sizes, lets kids transition between walking and gliding— with none other than a quick heel kick.

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NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 Blaster

For ages 8 and up, this foam dart gun can provide hours of outdoor fun. It comes with 12 darts and has a drum that can hold six at a time for quick firing. It even has a slam-fire feature that rapidly releases all six darts at once. 

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  • This basketball hoop set can adjust from 2 feet tall to 4 feet tall, making it perfect for children aged 18 months to 5 years old. 
  • This outdoor bean bag toss game is a great backyard activity for the whole family.
  • This adorable water play table isn't just great fun; it can also teach kids about the weather and bodies of water.
  • With this foam baseball bat and ball set, toddlers and children can learn how to play America's favorite pastime. 
  • This bubble machine continuously blows bubbles and plays music to entertain kids without making a mess.

For doll and action figure fans

L.O.L. Surprise! OMG Dance Dance Dance Miss Royale Fashion Doll

It's all about dancing with Miss Royale, whose fierce fashion comes to life when you shine the included blacklight on her outfit.  The doll comes with 15 surprises, including a tiny hat box, hair accessories, and fancy dancing shoes.

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Star Wars Galactic Snacking Grogu

It's no secret that The Child is a hungry little creature. This animatronic toy snacks on four different delights as seen in "The Mandalorian," including its much-loved bauble from Mando.

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Marvel Avengers Action Figure Set

From Spider-Man to Iron Man, this eight-figure set includes all your child's favorite Marvel characters in one set. The costume designs are inspired by the blockbuster films and include character-specific accessories.

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Melissa & Doug Victoria 14-inch Poseable Ballerina Doll

Any child who enjoys ballet classes will love this poseable ballerina doll. It comes with a removable dance outfit, including a pink leotard, tutu, ballet slippers, and tights. The hair is brushable and tangle-resistant, too.

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For tech-minded kids

All-New Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet

The latest Fire Kids tablet features a sleek new design with the look and feel of a full-fledged tablet. It has a rugged, kid-proof case and comes with one year free of Amazon Kids+ with access to over 20,000 apps, games, and educational content. 

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VTech KidiZoom PrintCam

This kid-proof camera can take photos and selfies, printing them instantly.  It lets kids dress up their photos with more than 40 effects, including speech bubbles and stamps. It also comes with three video games to keep children entertained when not taking photos. 

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Echo Dot 4th Generation Kids

This smart speaker is designed specifically for kids so that they can ask Alexa for help with homework or other questions. It also comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of books, games, videos, and more. 

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  • This 3D pen combines art, design, and technology to keep kids entertained for hours.
  • Designed for kids aged 8 years and up, this Segway allows children to ride around safely in three modes. 
  • This kids' smartwatch offers a camera, voice recorder with voice-changing effects, and plenty of games and other activities to keep children busy.
  • Kids can program this robot toy to carry out 50 different commands, including singing and dancing.

For playing make-believe

 

Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Rising Cake Oven Play Set

In this unique Play-Doh kit, kids load up the oven with baked delights and watch them rise. There are tons of ways to decorate and bedazzle cakes and cookies, thanks to several fun tools that create toppings and frosting. 

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Disney Princess Dress Up Trunk Deluxe

Featuring over 20 pieces, this set contains costumes that let your child dress up as Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, and Snow White. It comes in a keepsake storage trunk and includes accessories like rings, bracelets, necklaces, and headbands.

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Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set

Kids who love animals will love this play set that lets them pretend to be veterinarians.  It includes a plush dog and cat for children to "treat," plus all the tools needed to do an exam.

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For aspiring artists and musicians

 

Tara Toys Barbie Tie-Dye Be a Real Fashion Designer

Design five colorful outfits with this easy-to-use Barbie tie-dye craft kit. It comes with a mini dress form, just like the ones fashion designers use, for easy maneuvering around clothes while decorating. 

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Melissa & Doug On-the-Go Origami Animals Activity Set

Popular for on-the-go play, this pocket-friendly origami activity guides kids through 40 popular animal-inspired designs. It includes 34 tear-away animal print origami papers that help bring kids' creations to life.

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Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Light Brush

This fun light brush lets your kids create mess-free paintings. The paints only show up on Color Wonder paper, so they won't get on your kids' skin and clothing or walls, carpeting, or furniture. Though the paint is clear, the brush lights up to let children know what color they're using.

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Stoie's International Wooden Music Set

For children who can't get enough of music, this set includes more than eight wooden instruments to help them explore the musical possibilities. It includes instruments from all over the world, too, so kids can learn about other cultures.

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  • This kid-sized easel lets children work on large paintings and drawings and even features a chalkboard.
  • With this pottery wheel set, kids can make their own pottery and paint it when it's dry.
  • This karaoke microphone is perfect for aspiring singers to practice their craft.
  • This light-up drawing tablet comes with six washable gel markers and lets kids trace glowing designs.
  • This 3D string art kit helps kids make their own string-art star-shaped lantern.

For Star Wars fans

LEGO BrickHeadz "Star Wars: The Mandalorian" & The Child

Build these two display-worthy LEGO figures, featuring the Child and Mando, while you catch up on the latest season of “The Mandalorian.” Each character comes with signature accessories, such as the Child’s pod and Mando’s blaster.

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Funko Pop Star Wars: Across The Galaxy, Force Ghost Three-Pack

This set features three glow-in-the-dark bobbleheads of Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi as force spirits. Each bobblehead also comes with a built-in stand for kids who want to display them.

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Star Wars Darth Vader Pillow Buddy

This plush Darth Vader-shaped pillow is super soft but still offers excellent support for kids while they sleep. It's the perfect complement to a Star Wars comforter or sheet set. 

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Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
 

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