21 Top Christmas Toys of 2025: Experts Reveal the Season’s Hottest Picks

Experts have named 21 Christmas toys for the 2025 season, a guide compiled by The New York Post with input from Laurie Leahey, a toy reviewer with 19 years in the industry. The list spans categories from family games to interactive tech to plush companions, and features brands including Barbie, L.O.L. Surprise, Ms. Rachel, and LEGO.

Leahey said, "Parents trust these brands from past experience." "Whether that’s buying something for their kids that was a hit, or remembering playing with the brands when they were kids," she added. These brands serve as anchors for holiday shopping this year, combining familiar favorites with fresh twists for kids of different ages.

Among the standout picks are Hasbro Connect 4 Frenzy, a fast-paced version with four ways to play; American Girl Truly Me Doll; Mattel UNO Golf; MGA L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Series; Pop Mart The Monsters (Labubu) collectible plush. Leahey noted that Connect 4 Frenzy adds a new layer of strategy to a familiar format, and that the Truly Me line remains popular for giving kids a doll that resembles them. "This is a fast-paced version of the classic game that has players bouncing their discs off the table and into the grid to get four in a row," she said.

The guide also spotlights RoseArt Crystal Gem Creations Jewel Succulents Kit for artsy kids, LeapFrog 4-in-1 Discovery House for early learning, FurReal Coco the Tumbling Panda for cuddly tech-infused play, Gui Gui Slime Kit for slime enthusiasts, and Spin Master’s Jurassic World Primal Hatch for dinosaur fans. LeapFrog’s Discovery House is pitched for babies 6 months and up and includes five interactive sides and 10 play pieces for multiple ways to play.

Other noteworthy picks include American Girl Truly Me Doll (the line’s emphasis on diverse looks and outfits), Mattel UNO Golf, MGA L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Series, and Pop Mart’s The Monsters (Labubu) collectible plush, which has captivated social feeds with its quirky, sometimes eerie appeal. The Eye Spy line offers a new unboxing experience that blends dolls, codes and clues to reveal the doll and accessories.

Leahey explained that the list reflects a broad mix of play styles, from hands-on crafts to interactive storytelling to high-energy games. The collection also leans into evergreen requirments for kids: creativity, learning, and imaginative play paired with brand familiarity that many families rely on year after year.

The lineup continues with a blend of plush, collectibles and character-driven toys. For instance, the lineup includes a plush collection tied to popular brands and stories, alongside a new wave of interactive and customizable play experiences. The guide also features the Barbie Play-Doh Fashion Designer set, which merges Barbie doll play with sculpting and design using Play-Doh, and a BarbieCare Bears collaboration in the Cutie Reveal line, which adds surprise elements to classic fashion-doll play.

Stitch fans will note Just Play’s Many Moods Stitch interactive plush, a Disney-inspired character that speaks and reacts in several modes. The item is listed as available for pre-order with a release slated for Nov. 14, just in time for holiday gifting.

Other items on the list range from the blue-chip LEGO Botanicals building sets to MGA Slime Life, a line that mixes slime play with collectible styling, and Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter, a take on a classic toy with added action features. The catalog also includes junior learning toys like VTech Turn & Learn Driver, designed to introduce babies and toddlers to driving-themed play through buttons, steering and early curriculum.

The 21 picks also include a Barbie Play-Doh Fashion Designer set, a Barbie-themed Play-Doh outfit concept that broadens the dress-up and creative play for younger builders. Ms. Rachel’s First Words Talking Flash Cards from Spin Master are highlighted as a learning-focused toy that introduces 100 first words with a Learning Card offering additional play ideas for parent-child interaction. The Bluey Supermarket from Moose Toys adds a family-friendly role-playing scenario straight from the popular TV show, while Just Play’s Ultimate Stitch encourages interactive play with the Many Moods Stitch plush, featuring multiple modes and a personality to interact with.

As part of the broader toy landscape for the year, LEGO Botanicals stands out for its display-worthy builds that combine creativity with ongoing display appeal, a factor Leahey said is driving its popularity with creative kids. For dinosaur fans, Mattel’s Jurassic World Distortus Rex offers a movie-authentic villain experience with features that can be controlled or turned off for quieter play. Hasbro’s DJ Furby Rainbow returns with a longer body, belly lights and a music-driven mode that invites kids to remix Furby songs with their own touch.

The Post’s guide reflects a moment in which parents and caregivers balance nostalgia with new experiences. For some families, the emphasis is on collectible items that can be displayed, while for others the emphasis is on interactive play that keeps kids engaged for longer stretches. Leahey emphasizes that the season’s strongest offerings blend both approaches, providing toys that can be used in group play at home as well as ones that support independent exploration.

The list’s breadth aligns with the broader toy industry trend of naming multi-category, multi-age options that can appeal to siblings with different interests. For parents shopping early this season, Leahey stresses planning ahead to avoid the holiday rush and to secure popular items that often sell out quickly.