The definitive toy guide for 2022 is officially here!
It seems like everyone is coming up with the ‘must have’ toy list this year so we combed through all the lists from retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon (are there really any others?) to find the true best-of-the-best. The Today Show recently named their hottest picks of the year and since we love all things ‘Hoda’ we were inspired to come up with our “Best of” list too!
When it comes to the latest toy trends, it’s certainly tough to keep up so we’ve narrowed it down to some of the top trends like:
- Sensory Toys 2.0 – Things that light-up, calm down your kids, reinvented fidget toys and more.
- The Great Play Escape – Travel ready toys and games you can take on the go, including online video games and AV/VR.
- Movie & TV Franchise Tie-Ins – Toys, games, and stuffed animals based on popular movies and even tv shows.
Here’s our must-have list for kids of almost any age. There aren’t 100 to choose from because who has time for that?! These really are the only ones that you must know about. More importantly, your kids will love ’em! And keep tabs on this page because we’ll be updating it all year long as new and popular must-haves are released into the wild!
Shop our picks for the new hot toys of the year.
1.
The Best Toy Pick (So Far) This Year
Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldron
Perfect For Ages: 5+
Price Point: $$$$$
It was such a huge seller last year (during the holidays) that I’ve added it to the list again this year, especially because it was sold out for so many months in the past!
Not only does this whimsical magical cauldron have more than 50 sounds and reactions, but with a tap of the wand and some magic words an actual fluffy little stuffed animal will emerge in the mist. Which one you get is part of the surprise. The fun can continue for your kids and they can do their magic again and again – although only one magical creature will emerge. If only!
2.
The Cute Pick
The Series 2 Blume Doll
Perfect For Ages: 4 – 9 yrs old
Price Point: $$$$$
These are the surprise dolls that everyone was obsessed over last year and now they’re back with Series 2. They still come in super cute flower pots and when you sprinkle some actual water on the ‘top soil’ with the little watering can that comes with it, your Blume Doll will actually start to sprout (almost like it hatches!) and you’ll discover which cute doll with crazy foam hair you got! This time around their foamy hair changes color in the sunlight! Outside of them being really cute and fun, they’re so cheap too, which is a nice change of pace.
3.
The Interactive Pick
Perfect For Ages: 3+
Price Point: $$$$$
You and your kids have probably seen Disney’s “Turning Red” hundreds of times. So why not bring the magic home with the Many Moods of Red Panda Mei! She’s totally interactive and says fun phrases from the movie like “I’m calm!” when you squeeze her paw. When you squeeze her belly she’ll even raise up her arms and growl with excitement.
The Plush Meditation Mouse
Perfect For Ages: 2 – 5 yrs old
Price Point: $$$$$
We could all use a little meditation practice in our lives, especially these days. This cuddly and soft meditation mouse from the folks at Fisher-Price have found a genius way to help our littlest ones get in on the action. “Meditation Mouse” will help your toddler chill out and relax with guided meditations that are simple enough for them to understand and follow, along with some soothing meditation music.
There are three different calming modes that include daytime sessions, night-time calming sounds, and even a bedtime wind-down exercise. And don’t worry if it gets dirty. Once you remove the electronic piece, you can toss Meditation Mouse right into the washing machine. Time to get zen!
5.
The Mini Pick
Mini Brands Disney Toys
Perfect For Ages: 3+
Price Point: $$$$$
Kids are still collecting the tiniest of toys and Mini Brands are going strong again this year, especially with Disney’s spin on the trend. Each toy is a surprise, which is part of the fun, and you can collect little toys like Spiderman, Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, Frozen, and more. You can’t go wrong with the price either, making collecting a bunch of them more affordable than ever before.
Heroes of Goo Jit Zu “Squishy Stretchy” Figure
Perfect For Ages: 4+
Price Point: $$$$$
Perfect for kids who love squishy things they can stretch and basically beat up, the latest from the super popular Heroes of Goo Jit Zu is at it again with all new fun action figures. They can actually stretch to 3-times their original size. And, depending on which you choose, some are crunchy inside, some are filled with beads, and more. In their latest “Out of This World” series, there are 7 different figured you can collect – and their price is perfect too.
7.
The Calming Pick
Doodle Jams Jelly Boards
Perfect For Ages: 4+
Price Point: $$$$$
Keeping with the calming and squishy trend, these Doodle Jelly Boards are everything. It’s basically squishy fidget art you can use over and over again. It’s so satisfying, calming, allows your kids to use their creativity and imagination, and totally mess-free (which is an added bonus). You can either use the tool that comes with the board or simply use your finger so design anything your heart desires.
8.
The Playset Pick
Magic Mixies Mixlings Magic Castle Playset
Perfect For Ages: 5+
Price Point: $$$$$
After the huge success of the Magical Mixies Cauldron, they’re back again and this time it’s a fully magical playset. It’s interactive and filled with truly magical things to discover like a secret entrance, a bed that makes itself, allows you to ask your Mixies “yes and no” questions that they’ll be able to answer and more.
This highly anticipated playset comes with the playset itself, a Mixling figure, a crystal ball, a magic bed, a magic wand, table and stool accessories. Kids are really going to love the magic wand and discover all the things this playset will uncover.
9.
The Cool Pick
The Air Hogs Stunt Shot
Perfect For Ages: 3+
Price Point: $$$$$
It’s already one of the most anticipated new toy cars of the year and we can see why! This one is remote controlled, has super huge foam tires, and can ride over just about anything indoors without damaging it! You can drive it off the couch, down the stairs, off the walls and just about wherever and it’ll stay in-tact. So cool!
10.
The Flying Pick
Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers
Perfect For Ages: 6+
Price Point: $$$$$
The new release from the folks who created your favorite Hatchimals, these pretty crystal flyers will actually fly all around your home and even land back on your hand when you put it out. She’ll even figure out how high or low to go based on how you move your hand around. She comes in pink or purple and even sparkles when they fly!
11.
The Cuddly Pick
Squishmallows Garden Gnome
Perfect For Ages: 12-months+
Price Point: $$$$$
One of the coziest, comfiest, and cutest stuffed toys is the Squishmallows Garden Gnome. His name is Rayford, he’s 16-inches tall, and while he’s perfect to help your kids get to sleep plenty of adults love him too. Out of all the Squishmallows, he’s currently the most popular seller. Get ready to cuddle up all night long.
12.
The Retro Pick
New Speak & Spell
Perfect For Ages: 7+
Price Point: $$$$$
So many of us grew up with Speak & Spell and now it’s back and modernized, yet still has that same retro look and feel. A popular learning toy from the 80’s, Speak & Spell will help your kids learn how to spell some common misspelled words (we need that around here!) and have fun all at the same time.
13.
The Monster Truck Pick
Monster Jam “Megalodon” All Terrain Monster Truck
Perfect For Ages: 4 – 14 yrs old
Price Point: $$$$$
So many kids love their Monster Trucks and this year it’s all about the all-terrain Megalodon Storm Monster Truck. It’s water-resistant so you can drive it right on water and right onto land without any trouble at all. It’s actually pretty powerful and can make it over mud, rocks, snow, and grass – just to name a few. Parents are going to love that it’s USB rechargeable so you won’t be shopping for batteries every week!
14.
The Tech Toy Pick
The Fire HD 10 Tablet for Kids
Perfect For Ages: 6 – 12 yrs old
Price Point: $$$$$
We don’t love adding a tablet on a toy list, but let’s face it, most kids are using their tablets as toys so they can play games, build cool things and so much more. This new one is a total must-have. First, it has a total kid-proof case, comes with 1-year of Free Time Unlimited which gives them access to over 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, and more. All kid-safe!
WALMART’S TOP CHRISTMAS TOYS
Walmart came out with their official list of their picks for the top Christmas toys of the year. Some are exclusive at Walmart, while many can be found at trusted online retailers (and in stores). Check out my favorite three of the season perfect for kids at a wide variety of ages and stages.
The above can all be purchased from Amazon, but if you’re more of a fan at shopping at Walmart, here are the links where you can get each toy directly at Walmart:
- Paw Patrol Big Pup Play Set at Walmart
- LOL Surprise Mini Sweets Doll at Walmart
- Squishmallows Fuzzmallow at Walmart
TARGET’S TOP CHRISTMAS TOYS
Not to be outdone, Target’s ultimate toy list for the holidays is pretty spectacular as well. Below are my three faves of the holiday season from Target that you can actually purchase on Amazon. Below that are the links where you can get them direct on Target too!
Here’s where you can pick them up directly at Target:
- LOL Surprise Mega Fashion Show at Target
- Play-Doh Ice Cream Truck Play Set at Target
- What the Fluff Interactive Puffer Pup Pet at Target
THE COOLEST LOL SURPRISE TOYS
Year after year, they’ve been obsessed with all things LOL and this year is no different. Since LOL is being released all the time, I’ll update this section, but in the meantime these are three hottest LOL picks of the season.
THE BEST OF BLUEY
Your kids have watched endless episodes of the cute Bluey, his family, and his friends. If you’re looking for something Bluey they’ll love, take a look at these three.
THE BEST OF PAW PATROL
All the Paw Patrol cuties are still big hits this year. Check out my favorite three from action figures to the highly sought after play set.
ALL THINGS “MAGICAL MIXIES”
These Magical Mixie toys really are magical and your kids will have fun performing some spells to actually make their little fluffy plush friends appear out of nowhere! Be sure to check out the viral “crystal ball” perfect for this Christmas too!
Top Gift Ideas:
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Everything to Gift Your Kids This Year
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All the New LOL Surprise Stuff You Need in 2022
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