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From Cocomelon to Squishmallows, these trending toys are sure to impress
Kristine Gill
Find all the top toys this year at Walmart. (Photo: Walmart)
If you've got kids to shop for, we've got suggestions for the hottest toys this holiday season. Our round up of toys from Walmart is the perfect mix of fun and educational, with interactive toys for all ages. Plus, we've included toys from their favorite TV shows and franchises, including PAW Patrol and Marvel.
These toys hold up to standards set by both parents and kids, and they're ready for years of use. You'll be the favorite gift giver this holiday season when you surprise the little ones on your list with these awesome gifts.
1. Give a new pet without the real responsibility.
Real pets are messy and expensive, but you can impress any kid on your shopping list this holiday season with the next best thing: Little Live Pets. This edition includes a mama guinea pig stuffed animal and her three adorable babies. The guinea pigs are soft with flowing hair your child can brush and style with the included hair accessories. Plus, each baby comes with its own birth certificate. Batteries are included in this purchase, and that's because mama guinea pig will actually "birth" the included baby guinea pigs once you've established a safe and caring environment for her in the included hutch. It's a great way to teach your kids about how to care for pets, without the actual responsibility. This reviewer said her daughter is thrilled with the purchase: "My 5-year-old loves her new guinea pig mommy and 2 babies. The 3rd hasn't been born yet but we're all anticipating its birth. The guinea pig mommy makes sounds and eats celery."
They might be too young to get behind the wheel, but no child is too young — or too old for that matter — to enjoy a slick remote control car. The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Unstoppable Tiger Shark is just that —unstoppable. It uses something called HW Terrain Stomp Technology to tackle surfaces that your average remote control car couldn't even dream of. That includes grass, rocks, pavement and other cars and toys. It can even pop wheelies! Perhaps the best part is that this car doesn't require batteries. Instead, it charges with a USB cable for 25 minutes of continuous play time. The remote control has a range of 100 feet, too, so the play won't stop. And don't forget the tiger shark sounds it makes as it tramples everything in sight. This parent raves: "My son who is 3 1/2 absolutely loves this. He took right to it and had no problem navigating at all...It's absolutely amazing and very sturdy."
Chances are you've seen your kids fidgeting with the silicone popper sheets in various shapes, colors and sizes. They're fun and addictive — even for adults. Now Pop It has taken things to the next level with the Pro electric version that offers interactive gaming. Circles light up on the board and the player must pop them before the time runs out. There are three game modes and 20 levels of play. It's a fun, sensory game for all ages that can be played solo or with a friend or parent. It's great on road trips or for quiet play. This parent said it's a great way to keep her children busy: "My kids (5, 7, 9) all played with Pop It Pro nonstop after receiving it that I had to write a review! It was so simple to learn...the bubbles light up and you pop them out as fast as you can! Honestly as a parent I got into it too! Great new way to play with Pop Its."
This isn't the Barbie playhouse you're used to. This Barbie Dreamhouse by Fisher-Price is specially designed for toddlers, offering the same awesome Barbie play experience for extra little hands. It has three floors of fun, including a moving elevator and a light-up pool. Each feature is interactive with lights, buttons and sounds, making play time last for hours. This perfect collaboration between Barbie and Fisher Price, it's ideal for the young children on your shopping list this year. This reviewer said her granddaughter is obsessed: "The Little People Dreamhouse is absolutely amazing. My granddaughter loves it. It's just the right size and has so much for her to do. This is the best thing that Fisher Price could have come out with. She sits and plays with it for hours every day. It's so much fun!!"
You know Connect 4, but you haven't played it this way. The Connect 4 Spin Game ups the ante with new layers of fun in this grid-spinning set up. The board is designed with weights and balances. When you place a disc in a slot, you can also spin the column to line your color up. The goal is the same: to get four in a row, but if you decide to spin a column you might accidentally give the win to your opponent. This game has beginner and expert levels, and is best for children 8 and older, but even adults will have a blast playing. Take it from this reviewer: "The Connect Four Spin game was so much fun! I played this with my 19 year old daughter and it was very unique and different. This game had lots of twist to it. As soon as a player thinks they are about to win…Boom they have to spin and the game could cause the opponent to win instead. This Connect Four game was very different than the original and we loved it."
Now here's a gift for all ages on your list. The Nintendo Switch offers tons of options from adventure to puzzles. Each console has a battery life of up to 9 hours, making it great for playing on the go or on road trips. At home, use one of three play modes: TV Mode, Tabletop Mode, or Handheld Mode. Each requires that you adjust the controls and layout of the device, but even that's easy to do. Play your favorite classics like Zelda or new titles with the range of Nintendo games compatible with the device. This reviewer said it was super easy to use and set up: "Straight entertainment out of the box. System was easy to set up and my daughters were able to be playing within 15 minutes. Directions were easy to follow and controls are similar to previous Nintendo systems. I love that you can play on the go as well as at home on the TV."
If you're a Squishmallows fan, you know you can never have enough. These huggable, high-quality plush toys are great for kids of all ages and with so many shapes and characters, they're super collectible. This 12-inch plush is great to snuggle up with in bed, while watching movies at home, or on the road. The Mango Fuzzamallow, Louie is currently on sale for $15. He'll make a great stocking stuffer for just about any kid on your list, from toddlers to teens. This reviewer said her family collects them: "We are all huge Squishmallow fans in my house! The Squishmallow Fuzzmallow is a great addition to our collection. Louie the Mango is bright, adorable and extra fuzzy and squishy!!! He was an instant hit and much loved already!!"
The horn works, the doors open and the Cocomelon school bus has 36 interactive buttons that will help teach your toddler letters and numbers. This highly interactive toy based on the hit TV show is ideal for toddlers as it helps them learn while they play. There are two modes for music and learning and the bus plays five Cocomelon nursery rhymes. Kids will love that the bus is based on their favorite show, but it's so much more than that. Take this reviewer's word for it: "This is a nice toy for younger kids. I gave it as a gift, and he absolutely loved it. He instantly recognized it was a Cocomelon toy. He seem to have fun with all the buttons it had, but what he enjoyed the most was scooting around in it and honking the little horn."
Develop your child's basketball skills or just their general coordination and love of sports with this 3-in-1 Junior Sports Set. The set helps little ones dunk the basketball, kick soccer goals and practice their golf swing. It's great for children ages 3 and up. Plus, it's a group activity. Several kids can play together and you can join in on the fun and showing them how to use each version. This reviewer said it's especially durable too: "Kiddos love it...This is a very versatile play set and can be used indoors, outdoors, on the porch or grass. Looks amazing and is built very well. Has different height settings and will last till the kids outgrow it. Worth it and definitely recommended."
Sure, it's technically a toy, but Funko Pop! figures are highly collectible for all ages, especially this Marvel holiday set. Each of the included characters is true to form, except for one tiny detail: They're all shaped like gingerbread people. That's right, there's a gingerbread Thor, a gingerbread Captain America, a gingerbread Iron Man and a gingerbread Hulk. Each cute little figure is made with high-quality vinyl and stands at 4.55 inches in height. Don't love the holiday theme? You're in luck. Funko Pop! offers hundreds of characters from pretty much any pop culture film, TV show or cartoon you can think of. Fans will keep them on display on their shelves or desks for years to come.
Fans of Paw Patrol won't be able to get enough of this interactive Truck Stop HQ Playset, which features Chase and his big truck uniform. It's more than three feet wide and comes with a toy truck that Chase can strap into to rush off and save the day. Of course the set features buttons with lights and sounds, too. And you can collect more PAW Patrol toys to flesh out the whole set. This set comes with the HQ playset, Chase and his Big Red Vehicle. This mom says it's worth the purchase: "My 3-year-old loves Paw Patrol and was super excited to receive the Paw Patrol Truck Stop HQ. Since we received it, I don't think any of our other toys have been played with. The toy took a little time to put together, but once assembled its quite impressive, measuring 3 feet across!"
The possibilities are as endless as your imagination with the Imaginarium Microfiber Play Couch. Half furniture, half fort, it has tons of potential for play and comfort as your little ones create their own configurations. Made with high-density foam, it's durable and soft but also easy to move around for tons of comfortable positions. Kids will love lounging and playing on it, and it comes with removable and washable covers in case of spills. This parent is pleased with the quality and said their kids are obsessed: "The foam is sturdy and durable and holds up when my kids are making a bunch of different structures like forts, hammocks, etc. SO happy with this purchase and highly recommend to anyone looking to buy a play couch for their children!!"
2. Conquer practically any terrain with this RC land shark.
3. Step up their fidget collection.
4. Invest in some new real estate.
5. Upgrade a beloved game night staple.
6. Say "game on" from practically anywhere.
7. Give the gift of constant hugs.
8. Ignite a desire to learn while playing.
9. Score with this multi-game setup.
10. Give their collection a holiday spin.
11. Delight Paw Patrol fans with this three-foot toy.
12. Gift comfort and joy with this play couch.
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