As the parenting editor who's been covering toys for Good Housekeeping since 2018, I've seen some things. I've been in a room where a dozen kids were let loose on a battery of toys (and had to help clean up the mess after). I've manned Toy Fair at the Javits Center (and have the blisters on my feet to prove it). But this year, I've tackled my greatest challenge yet: Reddit.
This year, I hosted a Reddit AMA about toys, tackling Redditors' trickiest questions about what to buy for kids this year. The queries were thoughtful, the conversation was spirited and, when all was said and done, these were the toys that I recommended in response to their questions.
Some are Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners, others tested well with the Good Housekeeping Institute testers, and others are the hot-sellers of the moment. If you're buying gifts for kids this year, maybe their questions will help you fill out your list.
Toys for Toddlers
Lots of Redditors wanted to know about great toys for toddlers, especially ones that grew with kids and weren't overstimulating. My favorites offer some sort of open-ended play, which means they'll last throughout the toddler phase.
And Ms. Rachel? She came up in a question about which toys are most likely to sell out this holiday season. If you see a Speak & Sing doll and want it, definitely don't wait to get it!
Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll
Skip Hop Explore & More 4-in-1 Toy Walker
Educational Toys
Everyone always wants to know about good educational toys, and here's a secret I didn't get to tell on Reddit — any toy can be an educational toy. Kids learn through play, so as long as they're engaging, their little brains are going to get something out of it.
But I also know that some people want toys that delve into different concepts like STEM, early math or social studies, and these toys can help. Note: The Little Genius Kit is for iPad users, but there's also a version for Fire tablets, and in addition to the talking microscope, GeoSafari Jr. also has a talking telescope that I recommended to someone looking for educational toys for kindergarteners and first-graders. I also mentioned the National Geographic Motorized Marble Run, which won a Toy Award from us.
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Abacus Brands Professor Maxwell's VR Atlas
National Geographic Break Open Geodes
Toys That Spark Imaginative Play
There were a few questions that touched upon screen-free toys and toys for that older-than-toddler-but-still-little kid set. I always like to recommend toys that offer some element of pretend play, which is so important for kids. These are a few of my favorite items that'll get kids delving into a world of their own imaginations. And this is just the tip of the iceberg: There's also another version of the dress-up trunk with different princesses, there are a ton of Melissa & Doug food sets (the chopped salad play set was a favorite in my household) and I also recommended Crayola sets, like the Light-Up Tracing Pad, for kids who'd rather draw than act out their imaginative worlds.
Moana 2 Adventure Canoe Play Set
Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Set
For Kids Who Love Sports
If they have to be active, it has to be glow-in-the-dark! Getting kids light-up sports equipment is great because it's a sports-related gift they probably don't have already, and it means they can play outside longer at night. Plus, there are some fun twists on classic games that can be played in the dark.
For Kids Who Love Vehicles
One Redditor in particular noted that her son loved to "drive" his toys around in a vehicle that was actually too small for his figures, so I suggested some alternative modes of transport. A couple of of these are especially great for kids who may be starting school soon, since it'll get them used to the idea of the school bus.
Barbie DreamCamper Vehicle Play Set
CoComelon Transforming School Time Bus
Toys for Active Littles
For kids bursting with energy, one Redditor was looking for an alternative to The Nugget. These are for the kids who need to get their ya-yas out, burn energy, climb around and fling themselves down again — and don't we all know someone just like that? Note: I included a mini indoor trampoline here, but experts and pediatricians usually don't recommend big, backyard trampolines, which are often the source of injury.
Gifts for Tweens
What we've learned covering gifts for tweens is that they want to make their lives as personalized as possible. Anything that lets them express their style, including room decorations, accessories and DIY kits, is good to go! (And bracelets. So many DIY bracelets. Thank you, Taylor.)
STMT D.I.Y. Dreamers Become Doers Journaling Set
Cool Maker Stitch ‘N Style Fashion Studio
Retro Toys
Never would I have guessed that Popples would come up multiple times during the AMA, to say nothing of other '80s classics like Herself the Elf, Wuzzles and the Get-Along gang. (Seriously, were you guys going through my attic?) Sadly not all of these brands have made a comeback, but maybe we can lobby The Loyal Subjects — my go-to source for retro toys made new — to get on the case.
The Loyal Subjects Twink Sprite Plush
The Loyal Subjects Strawberry Shortcake Doll
The Loyal Subjects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Best of Raphael
More Toys
These are a few other toys that came up in the course of the conversation, and that I think would make great gifts for kids. (Jellycats, too. Kids of every age all want Jellycats.) This should sweep the corners of the AMA, which hopefully sparked ideas for gift-givers of all stripes. But if there's any more lingering doubts and questions, we have more recommendations for gifts for kids of every age.
Learning Resources Big Feelings Pineapple Deluxe Set
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
