The holiday season is upon us! In our house we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. That means twice the fun, twice the food, and twice the gifts (for my kids). The thing is, when it comes to gift giving for the holidays, it’s always been about the kids. Both my own and for my nieces and nephews. The adults all decided years ago to not buy gifts for each other. After all, nothing beats kids beaming faces as they excitedly open their presents.
I’m excited to have teamed up with Mattel to showcase some this season’s hottest toys including those that each of my boys selected as their favourites.
The toy gift guide is organized by age group. Also, make sure to check out my IG post to enter to win everything in this guide! (~$450 value).
Ages: 18 months – 5 years
Fisher-Price® Little People® 1-2-3 Babies Playdate™.
Retails for $54.99. Available at Amazon and Toys R US.
While I don’t have toddlers at home any more, I still remember those precious days when my boys were young and playtime was so important because it provided them entertainment with many developmental benefits and a much-needed break for me.
My favourite part about this playset is the fold-out soft play area and that it’s easy to carry (perfect for taking along on travels and visits to family and friends).
Your little ones can play make-believe with three adorable ‘babies’ featuring fun lights, music, sounds and removable play pieces.
From blending up tasty snacks in the blender, playing on the rocking horse, and rocking the babies to sleep in the cradle, there’s so much for kids to enjoy and explore.
I’ve always loved Fisher-Price toys because their Smart Stages™ technology allows you to switch up the content as your child grows, helping them learn about numbers, colors, shapes, and more with songs, sounds and phrases.
Disney Frozen Elsa’s Ice Palace by Little People®
Retails for $54.99. Available at Walmart, Toys R Us, Amazon, and Canadian Tire.
My younger two nieces are obsessed with anything Frozen and I know they would love this playset too.
This playset plays music (“Let It Go”), lights up, and has other sounds and surprises that kids can discover through the push of a button. My boys won’t admit it, but even they can’t help but push the buttons on this playset.
Playset includes Elsa and Olaf figures, plus bed and chair accessory pieces.
Ages: 3 years +
Star Wars The Child 11” Basic Plush (Nathan’s pick)
Retails for $39.99. Available at Walmart, Toys R Us, Amazon, Indigo, and Mastermind Toys.
Our Friday night tradition includes dinner followed watching The Mandalorian on Disney+. The boys have watched the entire Star Wars franchise and are as big fans of the story as we are.
Of course, everyone’s favourite character is The Child (which we recently learned why it is not officially called ‘Baby Yoda’).
This toy plush has a soft body, plus a sturdy base filled with beans, perfect for cuddling or display as a collectible.
Barbie™ Color Reveal: Color Reveal Slumber Party Fun
Retails for $79.99. Available at Walmart, Toys R Us, Amazon, and Loblaws
When I was a kid, I loved nothing more than playing with Barbie. Not only did I have several different Barbie dolls (and Ken), but I also had the Barbie Dreamhouse and a car. My parents were frugal, but I think this was the only thing they ever bought me because they knew how much I loved it.
I’m loving this new, modern twist on the traditional Barbie. Barbie® Color Reveal™ delivers the ultimate unboxing experience with more than 35 surprises that include a Color Reveal™ Barbie® doll, a Color Reveal™ Chelsea doll and three Color Reveal Pets™.
This set also includes a long-haired wig, pajamas, sleeping bags, snacks, pet accessories and more to play out slumber party fun.
Ages: 4 years +
Polly Pocket™ Tiny is Mighty™ Theme Park Backpack
Retails for $49.99. Available at Walmart, Amazon, Toys R Us, and Loblaws.
If you’re an 80s child like I am, you are sure to remember Polly Pockets; a coveted holiday toy from years ago. I love seeing that it’s back and just as cute and fun as I remember it.
This adorable Tiny is Mighty Theme Park Backpack is shaped like Polly doll’s heart locket. It opens to an exciting theme park adventure including micro Polly and Lila dolls plus an ice cream cart and many accessories!
Have a blast and explore these awesome activities: Polly and Lila dolls can perform a trapeze act or ride the carousel horse (dolls clip on the poles); spin the middle fountain and the teacup, bumper cars and UFO rides really spin; ride in the pirate ship; grab a “mermaid” photo op; putt away at the miniature golf course with moving putters; and ride the roller coaster around the theme park! Or enjoy a treat at the ice cream cart!
The Theme Park backpack has two areas that pop out— the miniature golf course and the dining court! A Ferris wheel and the big top tent also extend out and have seating that fits the dolls!
Backpack has two adjustable straps (can be removed) and a handle for portable on-the-go fun!
Hot Wheels® Monster Trucks Scorpion Playset (Ryan’s pick)
Retails for $49.99. Available at Walmart, Toys R Us, Hudson’s Bay Company, Loblaw, and Indigo.
My boys have been playing with Hot Wheels cars and playsets for as long as I can remember. We have accumulated over 100 cars between the three boys. But I don’t mind because it’s a toy they keep going back to and playing with over and over again (it’s our go-to toy for traveling).
The boys are excited for this playset because it works with both Hot Wheels® cars and Monster Trucks! Not to mention, you have to defeat a cool beast; the deadly Scorpion nemesis on a large-scale (3 feet +) track set. I can’t wait to gift this to them for Hanukkah.
AGES: 6 years +
Mega Construx™ Pokémon™ JUMBO EEVEE.
Retails for $59.99. Available at Walmart, Toys R Us, Canadian Tire, Indigo, Mastermind Toys, and Amazon.
The Pokemon obsession has been an on-going thing in our house since Kyle was about 5 years old. While I personally don’t like the cards (since they end up scattered all over our floor), I’m all in for a build and play experience that helps develop creativity and problem solving like this Mega Construx buildableEVEE.
This particular set includes 845 bricks and pieces!! Once built, the 11-inch-tall EVEE is super-poseable so you can sit it down, stand it up and recreate EVEE’s battle stances.
Ages: 7 years +
UNO Showdown (Kyle’s pick)
Retails for $24.99. Available at Walmart, Toys R Us, Amazon, Loblaw, Canadian Tire, Mastermind Toys, and Indigo
UNO is a beloved family game that we all enjoy playing together. I’m excited to try this new Showdown version to mix things up.
To play: wait for the lights and sounds of the Showdown unit to signal you it’s time to pull off your speediest reaction. Try to be first to push the pedal; the quickest player wins the draw and sends extra cards flying at their opponent.
Stocking Stuffers
Fisher-Price® Imaginext® DC Super Friends™ Slammers™ Assortment Retails for $9.99 each. Available at Walmart and Toys R Us.
Kids can really get in on the action with these DC Super Friends™ Slammers™ vehicle and mystery figure sets, providing a unique premium blind bag experience!
Rip the tab, slam the box down and surprise! Discover a mystery DC Super Friends™ figure inside. Then use the pieces inside to build a super-cool vehicle.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Mattel Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.
Awesome list,going to pickup the UNO Showdown!
YES! Such a fun family game
Holiday of gift
Lots of great new toys this year, and my grandchildren want them all lol
But of course 😅
This is an amazing list. My boys LOVE to play Uno. I didn’t know about the UNO Showdown. I’d love to get them it for Christmas.
It’s new!! Can’t wait to play with it too
awesome, my son asked for UNO Showdown too and I wasnt sure what it was but gotta get it now, thanks for sharing
So many fun toys! Loving the gift guide!
Thanks. And yes, so many fun toys.
The list makes me feel like a kid again I want to play with all
Haha. Right??
Mattel has so many great toys to choose from, this is a great Holiday toy guide, thx!