Popular Toys for 2016

Wondering what are the hot toys for 2016? What will be the most popular toys for Christmas? What toys are best for toddlers or teens? Then you have come to the right place!
The Toy Insider released its top toy picks for Holiday 2016, and I got an exclusive sneak peek as a four-year veteran on the Toy Insider Parent Panel! (You can see all my articles here and all my toy reviews on my blog here.)
After looking at thousands of toys on the market for decades, The Toy Insider knows what will be the holiday drivers for 2016 and here are your lists. Print it out and get shopping because some of these toys will probably be sold out soon! (Note, images and Amazon hyperlinks are affiliate.)
For the 2016 Hot Toys picks, these are the top 20 toys that offer play, and value! (Don’t forget to check out my posts on the Top STEM Toys for 2016 and the Top 12 Tech Toys for the holiday season!) The 20 toys are broken down by age group so you probably will find something from toddler-to-teen from Santa!

Hot Toys 2016

For Kids 0-2 years

1. Laugh & Learn Crawl­ Around Learning Center (Fisher­Price)

• The ultimate learning toy for baby, combining both physical development and cognitive play.
• Includes Smart Stages content in three adjustable levels for play that grows with baby, and four stations to explore.
• Babies will learn body parts, opposites, colors, shapes, ABCs, and more.
• Parents can even leave a personalized message for baby to hear.
• Sensory play to explore with activities like a self­-discovery mirror, jumbo rattle
  roller, and fishbowl clicker.
• Ages: 6 MOS+
• MSRP: $49.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

2. Go! Go! Smart Friends Enchanted Princess Palace (VTech)

• This epic palace expands to 4­feet long and has a variety of luxurious rooms including a ballroom, music room, kitchen, bedroom and observation tower.
• While exploring the palace with Princess Darla, place her on the five MagicPoint locations to experience her friendly personality, lights, and more.
• When Princess Darla sits at her MagicChat tea set table with a friend (additional
  characters sold separately), they will interact by chatting and singing with each
  other.
• The palace also has a clock with a movable hand and three light­up buttons that
  introduce words, colors, letters and numbers and play magical melodies and
  sing­along songs.
• Ages: 18 MOS+
• MSRP: $59.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us

For Kids 3­-5 years

3. Disney Frozen Northern Lights Elsa (Jakks Pacific)

• Elsa needs kids to help bring back the Northern Lights and restore her powers!
• Children can wave their hand over the snowflake and create beautiful colors, lights, and sounds with Elsa.
• When kids keep their hand over the snowflake and hold it there, they can watch as the beautiful Northern Lights are restored and sparkle on Elsa’s dress!
• The doll says 40 phrases and sings “Let It Go”
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $39.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

4. Disney My Time Singing Elena of Avalor Doll (Hasbro)

• Kids can sing along with Elena of Avalor as she embarks on magical adventures in her kingdom.
• Press her gem necklace to hear her sing “My Time,” a powerful song featured in the ​Elena of Avalor TV series, airing now on the Disney Channel.
• The doll’s articulated arms will allow her to hold the included guitar as she sings.
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $29.99
• Available: Amazon, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Target, Kmart

5. FurReal Friends Torch My Blazin’ Dragon Pet (Hasbro)

• This amazing pet dragon creature has a spunky personality and engaging features that take pet play to the next level.
• Share fiery adventures with this adorable plush baby dragon as you watch him breathe flame­colored must.
• Bring the color­changing marshmallow treat close to the mist and watch Torch “toast” the treat, then feed it to him and listen as he makes happy munching sounds.
• Torch features more than 50 sound and motion combinations.
• The sensors around his nose allow Torch to respond to touch in fun ways. After
  playing, pull him up close to cuddle by adjusting his poseable arms.
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $79.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

6. Lion Guard Training Lair Playset (Just Play)

• Recreate the adventures of Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard with this 3­foot tall play set, full of lights, sounds and secret surprise features, including a pop­out cross bow, light­up waterfall, and break­away doors.
• The play set comes with a rock climbing area, a bungee launcher, a race track, and a telescoping look­out perch.
• A real­working zip line, rock lift, and boulder drop round out the action.
• The set also comes with two exclusive figures, Kion and Janja, to play out the Lion Guard adventures.
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $59.99
• Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us

7. PAW Patrol Monkey Temple (Spin Master)

• This interactive play set transforms from a Monkey Temple into a Jungle Headquarters.
• Filled with surprises around every corner, including lights and sounds, trap doors, control panels to direct kids to their next mission, vines to slide down into the jungle explorer vehicle and an elevator that takes the pups up safely.
• Set includes new pup Tracker and his jungle explorer vehicle.
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: $49.99
• Available: Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Amazon

8. PJ Masks Headquarters Playset (Just Play)

• This play set stands more than 2 feet tall and has three character­themed levels filled with engaging kid­powered features.
• The adventure begins with the light and sound PJ Picture Player, where kids can choose their mission, and then recreate the action with the high­flying zip line, working elevator, hanging cat rings, trap doors, and pop­out hatches.
• The excitement continues as kids launch the included Cat Boy figure and Cat Car down the winding ramp “into the night to
  save the day,” just like in the Disney Jr. series.
• This super­powered play set brings all the show’s action to life with 360 degrees
  of play.
• Compatible with other PJ Masks 3­inch figures and vehicles, sold separately.
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP $69.99
• Available: Toys “R” Us

9. Pokémon My Friend Pikachu (TOMY)

• Tighten your bond with your beloved Pikachu friend.
• Hug this feature plush Pikachu to make its ears move, cheeks light up, and activate cute sounds.
• Hot on the heels of ​Pokémon Go, now every kid can catch the coveted Pikachu!
• Super soft plush makes Pikachu extra huggable. •Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $29.99
• Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Kmart

10. Talk ­to ­Me Mikey (Playmates)

• Kids can have hours of fun conversing with Michelangelo, the most fun­loving and energetic of all the turtles.
• One of the most intelligent Turtle toys ever, Talk­to­Me Mikey recognizes a child’s questions and responds in hundreds of unique ways in less than a second.
• The highly interactive Turtle features movement and position sensors to react hilariously based on how a child moves Mikey.
• Known for being the Turtle brother with the most enthusiasm, Mikey even sings songs and plays games with kids.
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $39.99
• Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us

 
For Kids 6­-8 years

11. Animal Jam—Club Geoz Dance Party Playset (Jazwares)

• Club Geoz sets the stage for the ultimate dance party, featuring the exclusive Diamond Arctic Wolf figure.
• Listen to music, dance under the lights and watch the disco ball spin for endless fun! Mix and match accessories for a Jam­tastic look!
• Club Geoz includes one scratch­off code that unlocks exclusive content in the hit online game ​Animal Jam from National Geographic.
• Ages: 5+
• MSRP: $29.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

12. Hatchimals (Spin Master)

• Hatchimals are interactive magical creatures inside eggs.
• Who’s inside? It’s a surprise! Care for them and they will hatch themselves with your help!
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $59.99
• Available: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us

13. Hot Wheels A.I. (Mattel)

• Hot Wheels’ first Artificial Intelligence racing system combines high­powered vehicle performance and computer enhanced A.I, allowing players to race a friend on a computer!
• Each car has a sensor on the bottom that allows them to communicate with the included smart track, which can be rearranged in up to 40 different combinations.
• The Smart Cars are controlled via a controller, so no smart phone is necessary!
• The set features three race modes, including one that enables off track free­play
  to let kids race across any surface.
• Ages: 8+
• MSRP: $99.99
• Available: Toys “R” Us, Amazon

14. Snuggles My Dream Puppy (Moose Toys)

• New to the Little Live Pets line, Snuggles, My Dream Puppy moves and feels just like a real puppy.
• Kids can hold him and give him a hug. They won’t be able to resist his big brown expressive eyes. They can feed him with his bottle and he’ll fall asleep in their arms, dreaming about them!
• Snuggles even comes with an adoption certificate for kids to fill in and make him their own! He is the no mess pup who loves to be loved!
• With a pat of the head or a rub of the tummy, Snuggles will close his eyes and make adorable puppy sounds. Kids can even watch him breathe. Snuggles moves, feels and responds just like a real puppy!
• Ages: 5+
• MSRP: $54.99
• Available: Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Amazon

15. Shopkins Happy Places Happy Home (Moose)

• The Happy Home features a Lil’ Shoppies Popette, who loves to design and decorate her space with style!
• Collect and display the Happy Places Petkin furniture pieces to decorate your very own version of the Happy Places Happy Home.
• There’s the Kitty Kitchen Collection, Puppy Parlor collection, Bathing Bunny
  Collection, and Dreamy Bear Collection. Mix and match from different themes to
  make your unique Happy Home!
• Perfect spot for kids to display and play with their Shopkins, the hottest
  collectible toy on the market.
• Ages: 5+
• MSRP: $29.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

16. Skylanders Imaginators (Activision Publishing)

• Get ready to be doubled over with laughter with this ridiculous mouthpiece challenge game!
• The Speak Out game brings friends and family together for laugh­out­loud fun as players try to say different phrases while wearing a mouthpiece that won’t let them shut their mouth.
• The laughter continues as players try to decipher what in the world their teammate is trying to say, and must correctly guess the phrase in order to earn the card.
• The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
• Ages: 16+
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us

20. Pokemon Sun & Moon (Nintendo)

• Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are the newest additions to the series that has sold more than 275 million video games since the debut of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green in 1996 for the Game Boy system in Japan.
• Ages: Rated E for Everyone
• MSRP: $39.99 (sold separately)
• Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Gamestop
• MSRP: $19.99
  

HAPPY SHOPPING AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!