A Toddler’s Verdict: What Really Works Among 2025’s Hottest Toys

Retailers have touted a lineup of toys they say will define Christmas 2025. In a hands-on test, Amelia, a three-year-old, offered a different verdict. A parent who studied must-have lists and watched product videos found that open-ended, imagination-driven play often outshines marketing. The result: toys that invite children to imagine, invent and explore, rather than simply conform to a trend.

The first toy examined was CONNETIX magnetic tiles, a 102-piece set priced at $99. Amelia built a dollhouse, then a castle, with pieces snapping together easily. The tiles are lightweight, sturdy and brightly colored, and their portability made them appealing for travel. Amelia practiced fitting pieces together and planning layouts, strengthening memory, problem-solving and spatial reasoning as she played.

Next up was the Bluey Supermarket Playset, with more than 15 pieces, a shopping cart, escalator and exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures, and 24 sounds and phrases. The set can cost up to $49.99. Amelia rode the imaginary escalator, loaded carts and created grocery adventures, reenacting show scenes and inventing new stories of her own. The design supports cooperative play and helps with hand-eye coordination and imaginative thinking.

The Micro Maxi Foldable LED Scooter, priced at $169.99, was chosen to grow with Amelia. The three-wheel design provides balance and stability as she learns to ride, and the adjustable handlebar allows use up to around age 12. The scooter folds for storage and travel, and the light-up wheels add whimsy to outings. Amelia tested it around an office space, gliding with growing confidence.

The Little Live Pets Ouchies Retriever, at $59, is a six-inch robotic pup with a “magic cast” to simulate healing. Amelia named the dog Lucy after renaming the pet Cooper to make the experience more personal. The interactive toy encourages nurturing play; the dog responds with barking and other sounds as the cast dries, and the cuddle-forged fur makes it easy for small hands to hold. When the cast comes off, Lucy begins moving again, reinforcing the caregiving role that many toddlers enjoy.

Bluey and Bingo Chat Mates, priced at $15 each, are six inches tall and respond when the noses are pressed, delivering ten familiar phrases. The figures captured Amelia’s attention quickly, turning playtime into a miniature Bluey episode at home. The durability and independence of use make them accessible for a child her age, encouraging storytelling and imaginative play.

GUI GUI slime kit, starting at $9.99, features a multi-step routine: unboxing, getting glowing by mixing in a booster, decorating with charms and beads, revealing a mini figure, and finishing with glitter. While marketed toward older kids, Amelia remained engaged under adult supervision. The kit’s texture shifted from sticky to workable after the booster, providing a sensory experience that she found compelling.

Tin Can, at $75, offers a screen-free communication option with a WiFi-based device and a parent app for easy contact management, quiet hours and built-in 911 support. Families can choose plans that allow calling other Tin Can devices or standard phone numbers. The device provides a nostalgic bridge between toy and technology and aligns with parents seeking safe, screen-free communication for young children.

Across the seven toys, the review found that open-ended play—storytelling, problem-solving and collaborative exploration—drove longer engagement than toys driven primarily by hype. The findings align with research indicating that simple, open-ended toys such as blocks, dolls and pretend-play sets support memory, self-control, spatial reasoning, language development and social-emotional growth, while limiting screen exposure. The most durable appeal came from toys that invite children to imagine and invent, not just to perform for a trending list.

For families navigating the 2025 holiday season, the takeaway is clear: toys that encourage imagination and hands-on exploration may offer more lasting value than those that chase the hottest label. With open-ended play, children like Amelia can practice language, planning and empathy in ways that extend beyond the living room and into future learning.