Toy and game companies are pitching a wide holiday lineup that leans on imaginative play, hands-on building, sensory features, technology and familiar entertainment franchises. In a roundup of company-submitted “Hot for Holiday” picks, the selections range from small collectibles to large playsets, with prices stretching from about $5 to $279.99.
The list was compiled from toys and games that companies were invited to submit, highlighting products they expect to drive retailer attention this season. That makes the roundup a view of manufacturer priorities rather than an independent test or sales ranking. The picks span several play patterns, including modular dollhouses, collectible miniatures, arts-and-crafts kits, plush, action figures, board games and screen-free audio.
Modular and hands-on play
Several picks emphasize reconfigurable or physical play. Mattel’s dollhouse, at $214.99 for ages 3 and up, includes nine indoor and outdoor play areas, two pools, two slides and more than 65 accessories. Its modular design lets children join two house structures into one large house or connect them with a bridge. Fat Brain Toys’ airflow set, priced at $129.95, sends foam balls through tube builds, combining art, physics and experimentation. A CONNETIX travel pack listed with Brave Toys packs 32 compact pieces, magnets and two sheets of reusable stickers into a carry tin for $25.
Sensory, tech and licensed characters
Sensory and tech-forward items also feature. Goliath’s Chester, a butt-shaped plush pal, wiggles and makes fart sounds when squeezed and stretched; pressing its head makes it dance, and it sells for $29.99 for ages 8 and up with three AAA batteries required. Just Play’s 18-inch Tiggle Me Elmo Giggle Max, at $39.97 for 18 months and up, laughs and moves its body. An interactive Pikachu plush created by Wow! Stuff and listed with Jazwares offers more than 100 action and sound combinations, touch sensors, blinking eyes and mouth movement for $79.99. Tonies’ Toniebox 2 Pokémon set, at $199.99 for ages 5 and up, includes Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur figures that play stories and songs on the screen-free audio player.
Franchise tie-ins and collectibles
Licensed properties appear across price points. Hasbro’s 11-inch action figure converts into a car in four steps and includes accessories for both modes at $54.99. A Pokémon Elite Trainer Box marks 30 years of the property with a new Futuristic Rare card rarity, all-foil cards and the return of 30 classic Pokémon for $49.99 for ages 6 and up. The LEGO Group’s 106-piece Bluey set, at $24.99, includes Bluey and Rusty mini-figures and a school scene with a mini kitchen, café, hospital and baby-care area. Spin Master’s Rocky recycling truck, at $64.99, comes with a two-foot inflatable dinosaur that pops out when children press the light bar; it can be packed back in and inflated again.
Collectibles, games and higher-ticket play
Lower-priced collectibles include MGA Entertainment’s eight mini dolls inspired by music genres, each in a pink disco ball with a vinyl record player on top for $11.99 for ages 4 and up; Super Impulse’s Drip Drops tiny sneaker collectibles, with 16 styles in Series 1 and display shoeboxes, laces, cases and keychains; and License 2 Play’s Domo collectible, priced from $4.99 to $14.99. At the higher end, Ravensburger’s BRIO World Space Deluxe Set spans 56 pieces with a multilevel layout, tunnels, a space station, a rover and a shuttle with lights and sounds for $279.99. Taco Cat Games’ go-kart card game, for ages 7 and up, has players cheer a racer through three races and switch sides when a swap card changes the odds.
Across the list, companies are emphasizing play patterns that can be adapted at different price points. The picks range from $4.99 collectibles to a $279.99 train set, giving retailers options across age groups and budgets.