Life

Here Are The Best Toys Of 2017 For Kids, So You Can Be A Holiday Superhero

by Mishal Ali Zafar

The holiday season is upon us, which means toys, toys, and more toys. I can remember the awe and excitement I had when I got to all the new toys available in old school toy catalogs. And like every other kid on the block, I’d be making my wish list for Santa. Kids these days are no different, and when it comes to picking the best toys, they know what’s up. But if you’re out of touch with what’s hot in the toy world, here’s a list of the best 2017 toys for kids that will make your holiday shopping a lot easier. (And keep you on trend. I mean, if they aren't circling the toys in the big Toys "R" Us book, you need some way to keep on top of the hot items, right?)

Many of the hottest toys, such as Fingerlings, Hatchimals, Nintendo SNES Classic, and Luvabella dolls have been hard to get your hands on, but there are tons of other great toys you can still pick up for the kids on your list.

Whether you are shopping for a baby or an older kid, this toy list has got you covered. So if you want to be a holiday superhero, check out this year’s best toys for kids.

1

Soggy Doggy Board Game

Fun for kids and adults alike, the Soggy Doggy Board Game ($15, Target) is sure to be a winner for any holiday gift list. The game involves players taking turns to bathe the soggy doggy, but if he shakes himself off, you're in for a soaking wet treat. It's a great game for the whole family from ages 4 and up, and is sure to bring tons of fun and laughter with it.

2

Hatchimals Surprise

Make any kid aged 5 and up super happy with the new Hatchimals Surprise ($70, SpinMaster). This year's Hatchimals has the excitement of hatching twin animals, and two is always better than one. If you do manage to find one, make sure to grab it, because their popularity has them flying off the shelves.

3

Circuit Cubes

STEM toys can be some of the most valuable gifts to give kids this season. Not only are they fun and engaging, but they are also educational and can provide kids with fundamental concepts of science that can last a lifetime. TenkaLabs has great new STEM kits called Circuit Cubes. They are electronic building blocks that snap together to create circuits and magically bring LEGO projects and other toys to life while teaching kids the fundamentals of circuitry from hands-on play.

Along with LEGOs, Circuit Cubes can also be used with simple household items like toilet paper rolls or pool noodles. The pieces snap together in any direction and are transparent, allowing kids to see the circuit connections they make while powering a motor, activating a switch, or lighting an LED.

They have three kits — Whacky Wheels, Bright Lights, and Smart Art — which are available online, and in Target, Barnes & Noble, MoMA Design Store, Amazon and MicroCenter. They're perfect for kids ages 8 to 12.

Circuit Cubes Whacky Wheels Kit ($60, Amazon)

Circuit Cubes Bright Lights Kit ($60, TenkaLabs)

Circuit Cubes Smart Art Kit ($60, Target)

4

Justice League Build-A-Bears

No matter what age, all kids love Build-A-Bear, and in honor of the new movie, Build-A-Bear has an adorable line of Justice League inspired bears. With cute characters like Batman Bear, Wonder Woman Bear, and Superman Bear and Flash and Cyborg bear costumes, these are perfect gifts for any boy or girl. Build-A-Bear even has an exclusive Joker Bear to keep the rest of the superhero bears on their toes.

Batman Bear ($28, Build-A-Bear)

Wonder Woman Bear ($28, Build-A-Bear)

Superman Bear ($28, Build-A-Bear)

Flash 2-pc Bear Costume ($16, Build-A-Bear)

Cyborg Bear Costume ($16, Build-A-Bear)

Joker Bear ($35, Build-A-Bear)

5

Mason Harper Squishies - 30 pack

If you have kids, you may already know about the squishy craze. Mason Harper has an amazing 30 Pack of Slow Rising Kawaii Squishies ($22, Amazon), that comes with an assortment of 30 squishies, ranging in size and character. It even has a jumbo panda and three types of squishy straps. This is the perfect gift for the squishy lover aged 3 and up on your holiday list.

6

Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Soft First Baby Doll

If you’re shopping for a baby who loves babies, then look no further than the adorable Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Soft First Baby Dolls. These soft and cuddly baby dolls come with a soft, changeable onesie and diaper, along with a magnetic pacifier, making them perfect for a baby 12 months and up. They are available in a range of hair colors and types, including a baby boy doll.

Baby Stella Boy Soft First Baby Doll ($24, Amazon)

Baby Stella Peach Soft First Baby Doll ($24, Amazon)

Baby Stella Beige Soft First Baby Doll ($24, Amazon)

Baby Stella Brunette Soft First Baby Doll ($24, Amazon)

Baby Stella Blonde Soft First Baby Doll ($24, Amazon)

7

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Servin' Up Fun Food Truck

For the toddler who loves pretend play, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Servin' Up Fun Food Truck ($70, Amazon) is sure to provide hours upon hours of fun. This super cool food truck is like a bunch of toys all wrapped into one. It comes with over 20 removable play pieces, a cash register, sink, steering wheel with clicker key, fridge, and a food prep area, and it even plays a variety of songs and phrases. This is sure to bring any toddler (it's recommend for ages 18 to 36 months) hours of fun and creative play.

8

LeapFrog® Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

The LeapFrog® Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart ($40, Target) will have any kid screaming for ice cream. This interactive toy from Leap Frog teaches kids 2 to 5 colors and number sequences, and includes a magic ice cream scooper that recognizes colors and flavors including yellow vanilla, brown chocolate, pink strawberry, and green mint. Kids can drive the cart around looking for new customers, while adding toppings to their ice cream, including orange sprinkles, red cherry sauce, and white whipped cream. And they can even top them off with three syrup flavors: blue blueberry, golden caramel, and purple grape. So who wants ice cream?

9

Luvabella Dolls

The ultimate baby doll is here. Luvabella Responsive Baby Dolls ($90, Target) are interactive, and can move, talk, and play just like a real baby. Luvabella dolls have lifelike facial expressions and gestures, and their babble turns into real talk the more they are played with. When they are hungry, they can be fed with the included spoon and bottle, and when they are sleepy, a gentle rocking will put them to bed. Luvabella dolls are sure to be the standout gift for any doll lover this year and are recommend for kids ages 3 and up.

10

FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, The Playful Tiger

If you are shopping for a kid who is obsessed with the cute and cuddly, then you can get the FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, the Playful Tiger ($94, Walmart). This super cute and cuddly tiger is actually interactive and robotic, and can respond to your child’s touch and voice with over 100 different sounds and animations. He can fall asleep when you pet him, and roar and coo when you talk to him. He even comes with his own squeaky chicken toy that he can play tug of war with. This is definitely a cool cat, and he’s sure to bring maximum smiles this holiday season for kids ages 4 and up.

11

Egged On Game

If you love Jimmy Fallon’s game of Egg Russian Roulette, this Egged on Game ($15, Amazon) from Hasbro is right up your alley. Kids fill up each of the 10 eggs with water and randomly place them back in the carton. They then take turns spinning the spinner, which can land on one of four choices: Egg Yourself, Egg Another Player, Egg Yourself Twice, and Pass. If a player chooses an egg that cracks, they are out. Recommended for kids ages 5 and up.

12

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2

Who says kids can’t be tech savvy, too? With the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2, kids can learn to tell time with 55 digital and Analog customizable clock faces, have hours of fun with augmented reality games, and stay active with activities supported by a pedometer and motion sensor. The watch comes in blue, pink, black, and purple, and is perfect for any kid ages 4 to 12 on your shopping list.

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Pink ($48, Amazon)

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Purple ($35, Amazon)

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Blue ($48, Amazon)

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Black ($48, Amazon)

13

GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope

If you are shopping for a future scientist, the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope ($38, Amazon) is the perfect gift. This talking microscope features the voice of animal expert Bindi Irwin, has easy viewing lenses, and includes 60 colorful slides that teach kids about plants, animals, and everyday household items. It's recommended for children aged 4 to 7.

14

Fingerlings

Courtesy of Mishal Ali Zafar

There is no doubt that Fingerlings ($30-$40, Ebay) are the hottest toy of 2017. These tiny interactive monkeys can respond to sound and touch with over 40 different sounds and animations. They can turn their heads, blink their eyes, be rocked to sleep, burp and fart, and they can even blow a kiss back to you. You can put them on your finger or hang them wherever you like. These are hard to keep in stock, so grab them wherever you can find them. They're recommended for children ages 4 and up.

15

Real Workin’ Buddies Mr. Dusty

What if you could have a toy that could be fun and clean up messes at the same time? Look no further than the Real Workin’ Buddies Mr. Dusty ($30, Walmart). This toy garbage truck can pick up small toys like building blocks and toy cars with his motorized mouth which can be set to sweep, eat, and dump them out. It features working lights and over 50 phrases and sounds, and works on both carpet and hardwood floors. Perfect for kids ages 3 and up.

16

New Bright R/C Tumblebee

For the rough and tumble kid on your list, you can get the New Bright R/C Tumblebee ($25, Walmart). It flips, spins, jumps, and is USB-rechargeable, so no need for batteries. The remote works on a 2.4 Ghz frequency, allowing for a long range with less interference, and it's perfect for kids ages 6 and up.

17

Merge Cube

If you’re in awe of anything holographic like I am, check out Merge Cube ($15, Walmart), the world's first holographic object you can hold in the palm of your hand. All you need is a mobile device with their app, and through augmented reality, the Merge Cube brings holographic images to life right in your hands. You can explore the galaxy, examine fossils and ancient artifacts, and play games. Perfect for any gadget lover on your list.

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