The Best and Hottest New Toys for Kids in 2022
These popular picks are on every kids' Christmas lists.
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Each year, it seems like children's toys just get better and better. And if you have started shopping for gifts for kids, you already know the options are overwhelming, which is good news for the kids, but makes it harder for the shoppers. (And if you haven't started yet — time to get a move on!)
The Good Housekeeping Institute is here to help cut through the choices. It researches and evaluates toys all year, previewing the new releases, keeping on top of trends and even testing out toys where they're available.
So, what are this year's top toy trends? There are lots of options meant to help kids with increased stress and anxiety, including calming sensory toys, play sets that help social-emotional learning and soothing fidget toys. There are also lots of toys that help facilitate at-home education (especially when it comes to STEM sets). And, as the weather turns colder, families are on the hunt for the best board games to play at home during family game night. And finally, there are tons of toys and play sets that focus on sustainability, both as a theme for play, inspiring kids to be good stewards for the environment and with regard to the products' materials and packaging. Then there are toys that help kids tap into their inner creators, especially when it comes to making their own videos and taking their own photos.
Little doodlers will love this easy to use creative toy, and parents will love the lack of cleanup! This reusable sensory art drawing pad is squishy and fun to touch, and it incorporates all the excitement of finger painting without any of the cleanup. It's great for travel and sturdy enough to resist breaking. Ages: 5+
Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the LEGO Super Mario Bros. Starter Set, which combines digital and IRL gameplay. Kids build the levels, then used a Mario figure with LCD screens in his eyes and belly to go through and win digital coins. Now, the world is expanding with Bowser's airship, which has more characters and accessories including Kamek, a Rocky Wrench and a Goomba, plus a POW Block and a Cannon Start Pipe. Ages 8+
Got2Glow Fairies Baby Fairy Finder
An addendum to last year's Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award-winning Got2Glow Fairy Finder, this smaller version lets kids find 20 new fairies, including rare ones. Ages 5+
Skillmatics Guess in 10 Marvel
How well do they know their Marvel heroes? This game challenges players to use their deductive reasoning by asking yes-or-no questions to determine which Marvel character is on the card. Can they fly? Is their costume blue? True Marvel fans will be able to figure it out. Ages 8+
PlayMonster Latchkits Yarnimals
Grab your yarn and your looping tool, because it's time to make your new best friend! Kids can make their own adorable plush from the comforts of their home with this kit. Use a similar looping technique to the traditional Latchkits rug to create a 3D cuddle buddy. Loop yarn through two sides of mesh, drop the heart charm inside and simply snap everything together.
Stomp Rocket Stomp Racers
Now you can take all the fun of a traditional Stomp Rocket and unleash the same power in a race car! Once the kids stomp on the launcher with all their might, the car shoots up a ramp and takes off! Kids can even decorate their car themselves with the included decals. Ages 5+
Fisher-Price Meditation Mouse
Help introduce your children to mindfulness with this adorable mediation mouse. Choose from three different relaxation modes that use physical prompts and breathing exercises to help your kids take it easy after a long day of navigating different emotions in the world around them. Aside from its calming mediation prompts, this plush mouse also doubles as a cuddle buddy. Ages: 3+
Worlds Smallest World's Smallest Games
The tiny trend has come for classic board games! These toys are fully playable versions of the real thing that fit in the palm of your hand! You can find a miniaturized version of Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, Operation and Jenga, among others. Ages 6+
Playmobil is moving from the toy box to the bathtub! Playmobil 123 Aqua line, aged for toddlers, now includes sets that include water slides, boats, scoopers, see-saws, water wheels and more. The Aqua Water Slide and bowl suction to the side of the tub, and the included person, purple fish, baby octopus and puffer fish can go down the slide and get scooped up with the scooper again. Ages: 18 months+
Club Mocchi Sonic the Hedgehog Mega Plush
Bring Sonic from the digital world IRL with this soft, squishy 15" plush. And, if they want a collection, you can get Knuckles, too. Ages 3+
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Great for sensory seekers, the new Happy Snappy NeeDoh squishes and squeezes with a satisfying snap and pop noise that makes it such a wonderful fidget toy. The soothing activity is great for decompressing during work, class or after a long day. It's also small enough that you can bring it along where ever you go! Ages: 3+
Funko Disney Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Game
It's Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary, and your crew can bring home one of the theme park's most iconic attractions to celebrate. Players are challenged to strike it rich and grow their wealth as they travel up the mountain, but different obstacles — in the form of marbles that roll down the hill — are determined to stop them at every turn. Everyone needs to sharpen their strategic thinking to come out ahead. Ages: 9+
Learning Resources Count and Clean Dust Bunnies
There is a brief window of time when preschoolers love to clean, so take advantage with this cute jar of colored dust bunnies. Designed as a movement activity, the spinner says things like "hop," "tiptoe," "dance" or "backwards," and kids have to follow the instruction as they clean up a certain number of each shade. It practices gross motor movement, counting and colors all at once! Ages: 3+
If your teen is looking for a cool, TikTok friendly way to decorate their room, these Lite Brite sets have a retro, bold Pop Art feel to them. They're so high-def, you won't believe they're made from Lite Brite pegs. (Or, if they're Stranger Things fan, there are also new Stranger Things-themed Lite Brite sets.) Ages: 14+
Kids can't stop collecting these 14", soft, squishy plushes — and we can totally understand why. Not only do they work as a pillow and a friend, they come in so many adorable designs, with new ones coming out all the time. Ages 0+
Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit
With the pieces in this kit, kids can take on projects and create a photo sensor, a flashing light and a working siren, among other. Best of all is that it doesn't require any special tools — the pieces just snap together. Ages 8+
Endless Games The Floor is Lava!
This classic childhood pastime gets an exciting new twist in this active family game, which invites parents and kids alike to spin the color spinner and hop around the room to reach the correct color foam square. Be sure to avoid the "lava" all over their living room floor! Twister meets that game you used to play while balancing on your furniture in this hilariously fun time. Just don't fall in! Ages: 5+
The collectible for couch potatoes, the Tiny TV Classics each come pre-loaded with 12 clips from different movies and TV shows. Every tiny TV is designed to look like it's from the same era as the movie or show it contains, and you can use a real remote to toggle between the clips. You can find sets for Jurassic Park, Friends, Batman, Big Bang Theory, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy Star Trek, Jaws and others. Ages: 6+ – 17+ (depending on the movie or show)
hand2mind Numberblocks Reusable Clings
One, two, three, four, five ... Numberblocks — now on your kids' windows and white boards! Kids can take these reusable clings and build their favorite Numberblocks characters, including facial features. It gives them a physical way to help practice counting while (temporarily) decorating their rooms. Ages: 3+
Hot Wheels Mario Kart Replica Die-Cast Vehicle
What do you get when you combine Hot Wheels with Mario Kart? The best new thing in racing and imagination. Each of the mini Mario Kart replicas perfectly capture their favorite characters and vehicles, and now fans can race with each car in person. Snag the Mario Kart Hot Wheels track for the ultimate experience. Don't forget to watch out for banana peels! (Note: Each car is sold separately.) Ages: 3+
Jamie (she/her) is the former parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has also worked a BuzzFeed and People. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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