21 top Christmas toys for girls and boys in 2025, per experts
’Tis the season — believe it or not!
The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, and as a commerce reporter and mom-of-one, I’m well aware that the best way to score deals on the hottest toys is to start shopping early, before the big rush.
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There’s certainly no shortage of fun Christmas gift ideas for girls and boys, from laugh-out-loud family games and awe-worthy interactive tech to irresistibly cuddly plush companions. Naturally, it can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to finding the perfect toy for your little one.
Even as a toddler-mom with a serious shopping addiction, I still hardly consider myself an expert on what’s in and what’s out, which is exactly the reason why I look to more seasoned experts for shopping advice on the coolest Christmas gifts for kids of all ages.
This year, The Post turned to a veteran toy reviewer who has over 19 years of experience covering the toy industry to help craft our expert guide to the hottest Christmas gifts of 2025.
“Parents trust these brands from past experience,” shared Laurie Leahey, Toy Reviewer, at TTPM, a toy site dedicated to finding and researching the best products for play. “Whether that’s buying something for their kids that was a hit, or remembering playing with the brands when they were kids.”
According to Leahey, some of the top brands to keep your eyes on this season include Barbie, L.O.L. Surprise, Ms. Rachel, and LEGO. When it comes to specific items to shop for, you’ll have to browse all of Leahey’s toy recommendations below.
4, 3, 2, 1 – Frenzy! This game offers four ways to play for endless entertainment. Not to mention, compact and easy to set up, which is a big win for parents like me.
“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,” added Leahey.
When Leahey’s 9-year-old wanted an American Girl doll, she wanted a Truly Me doll so that she could have herself in doll form.
“These dolls are popular because they allow girls to own a doll that looks very similar to them,” she shared. “While not fully customizable, there are a variety of doll styles to choose from with different hairstyles and colors, eye colors, skin tones, and outfits.”
Uno is a classic, and the Golf version puts a new spin on it. The rules are simple: players aim for the lowest score.
“This new take on UNO merges matching UNO action with the card game Golf for a really fun and strategic new way to play,” Leahey noted.
Kids love a good surprise, but with this adorable game way they’ll have to work hard for the big reveal!
“There is a new way to unbox L.O.L. Surprise!” said Leahey. “Dolls, cracking codes, and solving clues reveal your doll and accessories!”
If you’re on social media at all, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Labubu obsession explode. Fad or not, Leahey assures these mysterious collectible plushes are not to be left off the list.
“Depending on who you ask, Labubus are either creepy or cute, but they’re definitely collectible!” she revealed.
“These buildable floral creations look beautiful thanks to gem-like pieces that easily snap together,” suggested Leahey.
Hands-on activities are perfect for creative kids — parents have been raving about these kinds of kits, so it’s no surprise they’re near the top of Leahey’s list.
LeapFrog has some excellent discovery toys to help little ones put their fine motor skills to practice.
“This is a great way to spark curiosity and develop early learning skills for babies 6 months and up,” explained Leahey. “It includes five interactive sides and 10 play pieces for multiple ways to play.”
“Pandas are fun to watch in real life, but now you can bring one to life in your house with this super cute and interactive plush toy,” said Leahey.
While more of a splurge, this tech-packed, adorable toy features several moving and talking functions that will keep your little one laughing and learning.
Slime ASMR! Say less. Crafty kids are utterly obsessed with slime, and with this clever kit, they can make their very own slime straight from home.
“Gui Gui gives slime play a glow-up thanks to beauty-inspired packaging and fun customizable mix-ins,” explained Leahey.
“Dinosaur fans will love hatching their own T. Rex and then training and playing with it to help it grow from baby to adult,” Leahey suggested.
This baby dinosaur also offers over 100 sounds and reactions, plus some articulated features, so your kiddo can bring Jurassic World to life right from the living room.
Another hot classic to add to your holiday list before it speeds (or flies) away — Hot Wheels, obviously.
“Kids will love the action features of the two dragons in this track set,” she noted. “Play with them together or separate for even more fun!”
Ready to practice for driver’s ed.? You can never start them too early.
“This toy encourages pretend play as babies press buttons, turn the steering wheel, and are introduced to early learning content, all while pretending to drive a car like Mom and Dad,” shared Leahey.
“Hasbro and Mattel collaborated to merge creative Barbie doll play with creative and tactile Play-Doh play!” shared Leahey.
The dress-up doll comes with a stand, so little ones can style their Barbie with their very own Play-Doh fashion creations and fun hair colors, too.
Let’s be honest. Ms. Rachel is everyone’s teacher. Anything with her name or signature sing-song sound becomes an instant hit in my house.
“This interactive toy introduces little ones to 100 first words,” said Leahey. “A Learning Card offers additional play ideas to encourage parent-child interaction.”
All the way from Australia! For the kiddos who are obsessed with Bluey, this play set will let them out all the exciting adventures of the Bluey family.
“Play out the fun of grocery shopping with Bluey and Bingo, just like what kids saw on the TV show. It includes Bluey and Bingo figures, plus a kid-powered escalator,” added Leahey.
Inspired by Disney’s live-action film, the Many Moods Stitch interactive plushie brings all the personality into playtime.
“Just Play did a great job bringing this character to life,” said Leahey. “There are three modes of play, including a mischievous mode.”
Please note: this item is only available for pre-order and will be released on Nov. 14 — just in time for the holidays!
Have a little builder on your hands? LEGO has plenty of entertaining (and stunning) building sets to keep their little hands busy.
“All of the construction sets in this line are so beautiful,” said LEGO. “They are fun to build and then keep out on display, and you don’t have to remember to water them!
For all the children who are hungry for some slime time, these sweet sets are the perfect pick.
“This is a fun new line that combines food and slime,” explained Leahey. “All of the pieces look like real food, such as doughy bread and cheese slices for making a grilled cheese slime sandwich that can be stretched and smooshed.”
“Mattel introduces three new Barbies dressed as Care Bears in series 2 of this cute and revealing doll line,” Leahey shared.
You heard it: The Care Bears and Barbie collaboration we’ve dreamt of is finally here, and the Cutie Reveal set comes with four surprise bags, so kiddos can dress their doll up just to their liking.
A predator also makes a perfect present, as long as it can be turned off when things feel too real. Kids adore the movie-authentic design of this ultimate villain dinosaur.
“This brings the dinosaur villain from the summer’s ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ to life with shaking, chomping, and roaring,” Leahey added.
“Furby is back and longer than ever!” exclaimed Leahey. “This Furby features a long body with belly lights that add more fun and interactivity to the many modes of play.”
Furby DJ also allows aspiring musicians to create custom music, remix, and hear Furby songs (apparently, they’re pretty groovy).
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.
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