Toy and game companies are filling holiday wish lists with a wide-ranging slate that stretches from squeezable novelties to modular dollhouses and licensed character play. In a holiday preview, manufacturers submitted their own “Hot for Holiday” picks to flag products retailers may want to watch this season. The list reflects those company submissions rather than an independent ranking.
Sensory and plush play
Goliath’s Chester, a butt-shaped pal listed at $29.99 for ages 8 and up, wiggles and emits silly sounds when squeezed; pressing its head triggers a dance. Just Play’s 18-inch Tiggle Me Elmo Giggle Max, at $39.97 for 18 months and up, combines laughter, full-body movement, and playful reactions. Schylling’s NeeDoh countdown hides six surprises and seven Halloween treats behind 13 doors for $14.99.
Building and modular worlds
Mattel’s customizable dollhouse, listed at $214.99 for ages 3 and up, includes two house structures that can be joined as one home or linked by a bridge, along with nine indoor and outdoor play areas, two pools, two slides, and more than 65 accessories. CONNETIX’s 32-piece travel pack, at $25 from Brave Toys, packs mini shapes, magnets, and reusable stickers into a carry tin. Melissa & Doug’s modular room set is listed from $9.99 to $34.99 for ages 0–2, with open-top access and poseable figures.
Licensed characters and collectibles
Hasbro’s 11-inch action figure, at $54.99, converts into a car in four steps and includes accessories for both modes. MGA Entertainment’s mini music-genre dolls, $11.99 for ages 4 and up, arrive in pink disco balls with a spinning record player on top. The Pokémon Co. International’s 30th-anniversary Elite Trainer Box, $49.99 for ages 6 and up, introduces a Futuristic Rare card rarity and brings back 30 classic Pokémon. Jazwares’ Pikachu, at $79.99, offers more than 100 action and sound combinations, touch sensors, blinking eyes, and mouth movement.
Tech-enabled and screen-free options
Tonies’ Toniebox 2 Pokémon set, $199.99 for ages 5 and up, includes Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur figures that play stories and songs on the audio player. Hapiko’s voice-powered sticker maker uses AI to create and print sticker combinations, with built-in filters and assurances that the device is not “always listening.” CRA-Z-ART’s instant-print camera lets tweens capture photos and videos and print in seconds without extra cables or devices, with markers and stickers for decorating black-and-white prints.
Active and imaginative playsets
Spin Master’s Rocky recycling truck, $64.99, pops out a 2-foot inflatable dinosaur when kids press the light bar and includes movie-inspired sounds. Ravensburger’s 56-piece BRIO World Space Deluxe Train Set, $279.99, adds a multilevel layout with tunnels, a space station, a rover, and a shuttle with lights and sounds. Simplay3’s oversized sensory nest, $129.99 for ages 2 and up, rocks and spins in any direction for collaborative indoor or outdoor play.
Other entries include Super Impulse’s Drip Drops sneaker collectibles, License 2 Play’s Domo collectible, Moose Toys’ five-slime mixing kit at $32.99, and Fizz Creations’ pocket-sized arcade keyrings. The lineup spreads across price points and play styles, from $4.99 collectibles to $279.99 train sets.