How do I pick the right gift for a child?

Consider your child's age, interests, and hobbies when picking out their gift. You can also pick from what is trending. Some of the hottest toys for Christmas include Pop Its, the Nintendo Switch, Spider-Man Web Quarters Playset, Magical Minis Deluxe Hogwarts Castle, Disney Princess Mulan Warrior Bow, and Beyblades.

How do you choose a toy that a child would like?

Generally, kids tend to like anything new that aligns with their passions and/or items that are popular among other kids their age. For example, if they love sports, a team jersey or new sports equipment will likely be well-received. Buying them the new toy that everyone is talking about is also a good bet.

How do you teach a child gratitude?

Gratitude is a trait that develops over time. You can encourage gratitude by talking about what you are thankful for as a family, modeling this behavior, and engaging in regular acts of kindness and generosity.

The 27 Best Christmas Toys for Kids of 2022

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

If you have any kids on your holiday list this December, check out our helpful gift guide for some pre-shopping tips and great gift suggestions. Whether you need presents for babies or are shopping for teens, indoor or outdoor gifts, there’s something out there for every little one on your nice list.

We've researched the most trendy, fun, and entertaining Christmas toys for kids, many of which are already likely to be on their holiday wishlist. Either way, these gifts are sure to please.

Our Top Picks

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toy at Amazon

An ideal gift for babies, the silicone bubbles teach cause and effect, color recognition, and develop fine motor skills.

Fisher-Price 4-In-1 Ultimate Learning Bot at Amazon

Made for children as young as 6 months old and up to 5 years old, the bot can move forward, has gears, and is interactive.

LeapFrog Choppin' Fun Learning Pot at Amazon

Children ages 12 months and up can learn step-by-step recipes and prepare a meal by pretending to chop veggies that snap apart.

LeapFrog 100 Animals Book at Amazon

With six double-sided pages, this interactive book teaches toddlers about different animals from around the world.

VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk at Amazon

Little ones can bring their ideas to life with this all-in-one activity desk, featuring an easel, chalkboard, and writing pad.

Flybar My First Flybar Pogo Stick at Amazon

As they're playing and jumping, your kiddos will learn how to perfect their balance and improve their hand eye coordination.

Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit at Amazon

Designed for children ages 3 to 5 years old, this award-winning game is perfect for hands-on learning.

Selieve Walkie Talkies for Kids at Amazon

Kids will be thrilled to chat with each other with these easy to use walkie talkies that are designed for indoor and outdoor use.

OgoSport Glove A Bubble Family Pack at Walmart

An easy way to create bubbles, little ones can use this pack to make bath time or outdoor play more entertaining.

Barbie Dreamhouse Playset at Amazon

The Barbie Dreamhouse comes fully furnished with 10 indoor and outdoor play areas and more than 75 pieces to play with.

A simple yet brilliant toy, this gift is perfect for babies from 10 months to 3 years old. Five vibrantly colored silicone bubbles of varying sizes are built into a plastic frame. Kids (and adults) will have tons of fun pushing them through and hearing a popping sound. This portable cause-and-effect toy is so satisfying.

Fisher-Price 4-In-1 Ultimate Learning Bot

With more than 120 songs, sounds, and phrases, the Fisher-Price Ultimate Learning Bot is sure to be a favorite toy. Made for children as young as 6 months old and up to 5 years old, the bot can move forward, has gears, and is interactive. The bot even separates into different toys to keep kids busy longer.

It's no secret little ones love to help out in the kitchen, so why not make it educational? Children ages 12 months and up can learn step-by-step recipes and prepare a meal by pretending to chop veggies that actually snap apart. Learn vocabulary words, numbers, colors, and more (requires 2 AA batteries).

Mix some learning into playtime with this LeapFrog Animal Book. With six double-sided pages, this interactive book teaches toddlers about different animals from around the world. The three play modes offer your little one different ways to learn, while the bilingual settings allow kids to sing along in Spanish. This toy is ideal for toddlers 18 months old and up.

VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe

If little kids want to get in on the work from home action, this activity desk gives them the perfect space to work, play, and learn. The interactive desktop has a light-up writing pad to practice writing and tracing letters, numbers, and shapes. For even more fun, the desk transforms into an easel and chalkboard with lots of storage space for art supplies, so it’s ideal for kids 2 to 5 years old.

Give your kids an energy outlet that they won't get tired of with this foam pogo jumper. Made of durable foam, this pogo jumper is great for indoor and outdoor use and makes a satisfying squeaking sound with each jump. As they're playing and jumping, your kiddos will learn how to perfect their balance, improve their hand-eye coordination, and sharpen their gross motor skills. This toy is designed for kids 3 years old and up.

Designed for children ages 3 to 5 years old, this award-winning game is perfect for hands-on learning. With more than 50 pieces included, children can explore shapes and colors, practice counting, learn letter formation, and more. An iPad (sold separately) is needed for this kit to work.

Whether your kid's bestie is their sibling or their next-door neighbor, they will love communicating with each other with these walkie-talkies. Perfect for indoor and outdoor use, the walkie-talkies feature a key lock function so that kids don't stumble into outside channels. The simple push-to-talk system makes these the ideal gift for kids between 3 and 12 years old.

Bubble fans will appreciate this awesome way to send bubbles out into the world. Simply put on the glove, dip the glove into the bubble solution, and wave around your hand to create tons of bubbles. The pack contains five Glove A Bubble characters, a bubble solution, and a tray. A great gift for kids 3 and up.

At about 3.5 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide, this Barbie Dreamhouse comes fully furnished with 10 indoor and outdoor play areas and more than 75 pieces to play with. Kids can use their imagination to customize the house, which even has a real working elevator. Designed for children ages 3 and up, the Barbie Dreamhouse also features lights and songs for kids to jam to with Barbie and her friends.

Mr. Potato Head got a makeover and a new exciting play pattern for kids. Simply stack the plastic chip pieces and then insert the accessories into the slots to create a Mr. Potato Head Chips character. Perfect for kids 3 and up, the pieces are all interchangeable and come in their own resealable bags.

This may be designed for children ages 3 and up, but this moving basketball goal is fun for the whole family. With four interactive modes and a motorized base, your mini athlete will love the challenge of trying to get the ball in the hoop. When they score, they'll hear an arena-style announcer, see lights, and additional celebratory sounds.

Get ready for lots of action with Ryder and the pups from Paw Patrol! Kids will love looking through a realistic telescope to spot any trouble that may be lurking around Adventure Bay. Buttons can be found around the tower to activate lights and sounds so the Paw Patrol pups can save the day. Four figures and one vehicle are included with the tower, which features a working elevator, zipline, and working vehicle launcher, too.

Children ages 4 years old and up can head home to Gotham with this life-sized Batman that transforms into the Batcave. At nearly three feet tall, Batman opens up and reveals the inside of the Batcave. A miniature Batman inside can go up and down the elevator to reach the garage, jail, and more.

An award-winning building block game that rewards creativity and quick problem-solving skills, Buildzi is fun for kids ages 6 on up. The set includes seven different building games that can easily be adapted for two to four players and party games that work with up to eight players. Kids will develop and reinforce many STEM skills while having fun.

This squeezable, TikTok-famous plush toy is adorable, soft, and has endless unique designs to collect. There are more than 1,000 Squishmallow characters to choose from, like a unicorn, corgi, and frog, and they all have their own names. These adorable friends are budget-friendly, detailed, and made with high-quality materials.

The game for kids ages 6 and up would make a great addition for any Star Wars fan. This twist on the classic version is perfect for solo play or playing with the family. Players are challenged to use the tweezers to remove the objects from places in the game unit, but if they touch the side of an opening, it'll set off the buzzer and they'll lose their turn.

Say hello again to one of the biggest toy fads from the 1990s and early 2000s. It's an interactive virtual pet that children take care of themselves. Connect to friends' devices and search for other friends so characters can go on playdates. Recommended for children ages 6 and up, this toy is travel-friendly and includes more than 17 games for kids to enjoy.

Educational Insights T-Rex Rumble Challenge Game

Prepare to laugh as you are challenged with strapping on tiny dinosaur arms while trying to complete hilarious challenges like drawing, charades, and more. Perfect for family game night, this game is recommended for kids 7 and up.

Another choice that's spot on for family game night, teams are challenged to guess what you’re drawing, while writing on a spinning board. If your family is a fan of Pictionary, this game takes the idea to the next level and gets lots of positive reviews. The manufacturer says it is best for ages 8 and up, but younger kids who can read the game cards should be fine to play, as well.

A classic game with a new twist, Double Trouble doubles the challenges and the fun. Race to finish the game in this mad-cap dice popping game that now has two Pop-o-Matics! Double Trouble is recommended for kiddos ages 8 and up and is fun for two to four players.

Tie-dying is a blast, but who wants to clean up the mess? Thankfully, with this tie-dye set, there is no mess. Everything you need to customize your own headwrap and bandana is included, like squeeze bottles, rubber bands, strings, and more. Suitable for children ages 8 years old and up, this set can be used over and over again for more tie-dye fun.

Kids get their chance to be courageous heroes with this fun and safe warrior bow. Pull back, take aim, and watch as the NERF darts fly up to 75 feet. A great gift for kids 8 and up, the set comes with eight darts and works with all NERF darts.

Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run

If you've ever watched a video of a marble run online, you know how mesmerizing it is. Bring the magic of marble runs to your home this season with the Gravitrax Starter Set. The 122-piece set is the perfect introduction to the STEM-based activity. Once your kiddo falls in love with creating their own marble runs, you can purchase expansion packs in the future. This set is ideal for kids 8 years old and up.

Rival spymasters, assassins, secret identities, and more are involved in this fast-moving, simple, yet challenging game. Teams compete to see who can make contact with their agents first, all while avoiding an assassin. Recommended for ages 14 and up, the game is best played with a group of four to eight players, so it is perfect for family game night.

A perfect gift for people of all ages, this is an award-winning magnetic puzzle that transforms into over 70 shapes. Fun with just one or with a few, these magnetic cubes are perfect for fidgeting, stress management, spatial thinking, or just having fun.

For a creative and fun project, teens and adults will enjoy building a flower bouquet out of LEGOs. The stems and some flower petals are adjustable, so the bouquet can be customized to their liking. Designed for teens ages 17 years old and up, this set was created from plant-based plastic and sustainably sourced sugarcane.

What to Look for in Christmas Toys for Kids

Fun

This may go without saying, but a gift that centers on just plain fun is almost always going to be a hit. Kids of all ages tend to gravitate to toys that are silly, kooky, cool, popular, and make them laugh. Items that move, sparkle, light up, make noises, are unusual, or otherwise wow are big winners, too. Additionally, you can't go wrong if you buy a toy that relates to the child's specific interests and what they think is the most fun.

Age-Specific

For the most part, the age range on a certain toy is there for a reason. Often, it is because kids younger than the intended age may have trouble using the toy, as in it's too challenging, and/or it's not safe for them. So, it's usually best to stick to toys that are geared to the age of the gift recipient. Also, tweens and teens will likely be happiest if their toy is intended for their age on up. Many of them may bristle if given something suitable for kids younger than them.

Longevity

While buying the latest fad or a splashy but poorly made toy may get an enthusiastic reception when it's opened, these toys often fall flat. Better gifts are able to capture attention for extended periods and are made well enough to last. So, read reviews on durability before buying. Also, consider what a child might do with a toy. Pick those that offer long-lasting fun or several ways to use them, such as games or toys with multiple features that keep the playing going.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pick the right gift for a child?

Consider your child's age, interests, and hobbies when picking out their gift. You can also pick from what is trending. Some of the hottest toys for Christmas include Pop Its, the Nintendo Switch, Spider-Man Web Quarters Playset, Magical Minis Deluxe Hogwarts Castle, Disney Princess Mulan Warrior Bow, and Beyblades.
How do you choose a toy that a child would like?

Generally, kids tend to like anything new that aligns with their passions and/or items that are popular among other kids their age. For example, if they love sports, a team jersey or new sports equipment will likely be well-received. Buying them the new toy that everyone is talking about is also a good bet.
How do you teach a child gratitude?

Gratitude is a trait that develops over time. You can encourage gratitude by talking about what you are thankful for as a family, modeling this behavior, and engaging in regular acts of kindness and generosity.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. A holiday wish list feels far away, but she knows it’s not. She’s loving the family game ideas and may give gifts that spruce up her kids’ school desks (at home), although all they will want are toys, toys, and more toys.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What are your concerns?

1 Source

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.