These Are The Top Trending Toys To Buy This Holiday Season (As Seen On Great Day Connecticut)
These toys are not just “popular.” They are the ones that keep rising to the top no matter where you look. When a toy shows up on multiple major gift guides and earns Toy of the Year nominations, it is doing something right. It is standing out in a crowded year. It is holding kids’ attention past the first five minutes. And it is giving parents that rare feeling of “Okay, this one was worth it.”
I had the chance to share these picks on TV at Great Day Connecticut because they are the toys everyone keeps talking about for a reason. Some are fresh twists on classic play. Some tap into the biggest trends for 2025. And some are the kind of surprise hits that end up being the toy your kid drags everywhere. If you want a shortcut to what’s truly rising above the noise this season, start here.
1. Cows in Space (Relatable)
This one is everywhere for a reason. Cows in Space is a Toy of the Year (TOTY) Game of the Year finalist, which means it is already on the industry’s radar as one of the standout family games of the year.
Why Moms Love It
It is silly, active, and easy to learn. Kids put on magnetic UFO headbands and literally “hover” over spinning cows to scoop them up. No reading-heavy rules. No long setup. Just chaos, laughter, and movement.
It also works across ages. Younger siblings can “chase cows” while older kids lean into the strategy of timing and positioning. It feels like a party game but still counts as real play, not just mindless button pushing.
Quick Facts
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $21.99
- Available: All major retailers
Mom Tip
This is a great “everyone’s awake and wired after dessert” game for holidays and family gatherings. Clear a coffee table, set the spinning base, and let the kids burn off that last burst of energy.
2. Peppa Pig Oinks & Snuggles Baby Evie (Hasbro)
Peppa finally has a baby sister, and toy lists have noticed. Oinks & Snuggles Baby Evie from Hasbro landed on the official DreamToys 2025 list in the UK and is popping up across holiday toy coverage.
Why Moms Love It
If you have a Peppa fan and a younger sibling at home, this is instant role-play. Evie giggles, oinks, and plays lullabies when kids bounce her, feed her, or lay her down. It taps into that “little caregiver” phase in a way that feels softer and calmer than a lot of noisy baby dolls. For families welcoming a new baby, Evie is a gentle way for older kids to rehearse feeding, soothing, and “helping.”
Quick Facts
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $24.97
- Available: Walmart and major retailers
Mom Tip
Pair this with a “big sibling” book or a small blanket that is “Evie’s.” It turns the toy into part of a sibling ritual, not just another doll.
3. Hot Wheels Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter (Mattel)
If your kids like Hot Wheels, dragons, or anything that “eats cars,” this set is unavoidable. The Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter from Mattel is a Toy of the Year 2026 Vehicle of the Year finalist, combining storage, track play, and big dragon drama in one toy.
Why Moms Love It
It solves a real problem: loose cars everywhere. This dragon hauler stores more than 20 vehicles, then unfolds into a two-lane racetrack with dragons that chomp, knock down, and launch cars. So it is not just “another track.” It is a storage system, display piece, and stunt set. One purchase, a lot of play value.
Quick Facts
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $53.99
- Available: Major retailers
Mom Tip
Have your child pick which 20 cars “live with the dragon.” Everything else goes in a bin or closet. It keeps the track exciting and limits car clutter.
4. Jellycat Amuseables Mitten (Jellycat)
Jellycat is in full “cult favorite” mode right now. Their collectible friends keep going viral, selling out, and getting covered in lifestyle and gift-guide roundups, including new holiday collections that feature characters like the Amuseables Mitten.
Why Moms Love It
The Amuseables Mitten is technically a collectible companion, but it is also… a vibe. It looks good on a bed, a shelf, or a dorm room chair. Kids can slip their hand inside like a puppet, but it also doubles as cozy seasonal decor. For older kids, tweens, and kidults, it scratches that “cute, soft, and aesthetically pleasing” desire without feeling like a toddler.
Quick Facts
- Ages: Often tagged 3+, realistically skewing to older kids and collectors
- MSRP: Around $38.00 but varies depending on what you purchase
- Available: Jellycat.com, FAO Schwarz, specialty retailers
Mom Tip
If your child is starting to “age out” of traditional items, a Jellycat from the Amuseables line can be a good bridge. It feels more like decor, but still offers that comforting softness.
5. Easy Bake Oven (Just Play)
Easy-Bake from Just Play is back with a refreshed retro-modern look, and it keeps showing up on holiday gift guides for a simple reason. Kids still love the idea of having their own “real” oven, and parents love a toy that creates an experience instead of more clutter.
Why Moms Love It
This is one of those toys that turns into a whole event. Kids are not just playing. They are measuring, mixing, waiting, and then proudly serving something they made. It feels grown-up to them in the best way. The updated design adds rainbow sprinkle lights, a built-in timer, and improved tools, so it feels more modern and easier to use than older versions. It also stretches beyond the first bake. Kids pull it out for sleepovers, rainy afternoons, birthday hangouts, and movie nights because the play is real and repeatable. It is creative play with a payoff you can taste.
Quick Facts
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $44.99
- Available: Walmart and major retailers
- Note: Adult supervision required. Mixes sold separately. Mixes contain common allergens (wheat, milk, eggs, soy; may contain traces of peanuts/tree nuts).
Mom Tip
Set it up as a “baking station” before gifting. Clear a counter spot, have a bowl and damp cloth ready, and grab a couple Easy-Bake mixes ahead of time. Christmas morning goes smoother when kids can bake right away instead of waiting for you to hunt down supplies.
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