Trendy, Time-Tested Toys for Today
Yes, it’s almost holiday shopping time again. Like so many others, we want to help you get a head start on this yearly task by looking at some of the best toys of the year. There are some who are always looking for the latest and greatest toys; that is, the most trendy toys available. We’re going to give that idea a bit of a twist and show you trendy, yet time-tested toys that have been around for a while, but are still very popular today.
In some cases, you’ll see that it’s the brand, as opposed to a specific toy that’s the important factor. Some brands just keep producing great toys year in and year out. So, let’s see what’s out there today that you might want to add to your holiday shopping list.
Before we do, we want to quickly point out that, if a certain toy has parts or pieces that could be a health hazard to the child you’re shopping for, be smart and avoid it until your child is old enough to handle it. With the toys we’ll be looking at below, it’s very likely they’ll still be available when your child is a few years older and ready for them.
If Real Life Were Toys
Some toys purposely try to mimic “real life”. We put that in quotation marks because the first toy (though movies have been made about him, making him seem real) is about the fictional character known to us all as Batman.
The Imaginext DC Super Friends Transforming Batmobile R/C is a hot item found on many lists. Imaginext is one of those brands we mentioned above that keeps making toys that kids just naturally gravitate towards. Batman and his batmobile (this time in a remote control version) is one of them.
If you approve of shooting toys, Nerf has just about every soft dart shooter you can imagine. If you don’t care for the gun style toys, there’s always the original Nerf ball that’s still a ton of fun too.
Hot Wheels is a perennial favorite brand that keeps updating its line of vehicles to keep itself as trendy as possible. It used to be that you just collected the cars, let them roll down a ramp, or pushed them along by hand. These days, there is so much more to do with them. The good part is that your child will enjoy anything they’re intended to do and will make up the rest on his own.
Casdon’s Dyson Ball Vacuum is promoted this way: “Finally, a Dyson we can afford.” While that’s a bit of a knock against Dyson, it’s not a slight against the Casdon toy vacuum which actually picks up dust and dirt. This is about as “real life” as it gets. Children love to imitate their parents, so let them help out with the cleaning with their own mini vacuum cleaner.
Fantastic Toys in Every Sense
Fantasy and science fiction are common sources of toys. None of these sources is bigger than Star Wars and its spin-off, The Mandalorian. From this world, we get toys like the Mandalorian Darksaber and “Baby Yoda”. (Yes, we know it’s not really Yoda as a toddler, but that’s what everybody calls him.)
Beyblade has always been about competing spinning tops. The Burst Rise Hypersphere Vortex Climb Battle Set is one of the more recent additions to this fun line of toys. If this particular set doesn’t tickle your child’s fancy, there are sure to be others that will.
Buy Burst Rise Hypersphere Vortex Here
Video Games
While they haven’t been around since the dawn of time, video games certainly have become a huge business. And they’re getting better all the time. To play them well, you really should have a dedicated gadget like the Nintendo Switch or the PlayStation 5 (PS5, available for pre-order, as of this writing). The titles available for each of these gaming consoles are far too many to list. We’re certain you’ll be able to find many that your child will enjoy.
Here is Link to Pre Order PS5
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/campaigns/2020/ps5-direct-pre-orders/
Buy Nintendo Switch here
https://www.nintendo.com/switch/buy-now/
Tiny Toys
Similar to the real life toys above, toys from Playmobil, as well as the Polly Pocket and Shopkins lines, are generally miniature versions of things you’ll find out in the world. All three of these brands have stood the test of time and, more importantly, have continued to please the young ones old enough to play with them. (Remember, safety first with small pieces.)
Here is link for Polly Pocket Unicorn
https://www.amazon.co/dp/B084L1HW5P
Here is link for Playmobil Back to The Future Delorean
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08175PQJ3
Creating Creations
LEGO originally was bricks and your imagination. Today, it’s still those two components plus specific directions and futuristic additions like augmented reality! Some argue against the trend in specific sets that are usually offered these days, but we don’t think this puts a damper on your child’s creativity. You know he’s going to turn that space shuttle into a green-eyed monster sooner or later.
Here is link for NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/nasa-apollo-11-lunar-lander-10266
K’nex sets are even more specific when it comes to what you’re supposed to make with all those tiny pieces. These are even more of a challenge to young engineer’s minds when it comes to developing a creation that’s truly out of the box.
Here is link for K'NEX Architecture: Eiffel Tower
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084T1DD63
Crayola has been around for ages for the artistic side of all of us. A basic, big box of crayons and a blank sheet of paper (or preferably a whole pad of paper) lets the imagination run wild. Give these to your child and be amazed at the results.
Here is link to Crayola official store
https://shop.crayola.com/toys-and-activities/toys
Play-Doh is still all about squishy fun. How many times can you roll a wad of dough into a snake? (We lost count recently.) Add a few gadgets to the barrels of dough and you’ll have hours and hours of smushy good times with your children.
Here is link to Play-Doh Slime Super Stretch 2-Pack
Animal Pals
Animals have literally always been popular, both as pets and as toys. Whether they are plush, plastic, or electronic, kids love them. You can look to brands like Hatchimals, Paw Patrol, and Hexbug for great gift ideas.
Here is link to Hatchimals CollEGGtibles
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MR5324Q
Here is link to Paw Patrol Chase’s Patrol Cruiser
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PTSZ43T
If you don’t think any of those will tickle your child’s fancy, try the Fingerlings Baby Shark. (You’ve heard the Baby Shark song, right?) A Fingerling wraps around your finger, almost like a puppet for lots of creative play time.
Here is link to WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Fingerlings
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NGYX2NQ
People Pals
Other people and personalities make awesome friends too. Cabbage Patch dolls, Doc McStuffins toys, Disney characters (think, Elsa and Anna and company), American Girl dolls, and even Mr. Potato Head (who can now move his lips on his own) all can be your child’s best buddy. Just choose one or more that fits with their style.
Here is link for Disney Action Figures
https://www.shopdisney.com/toys/shop-by-category/action-figures/
Location, Location, Location
If you have the space, consider dedicating a room of your home as a “game room” or “toy room” or “playroom”. It can be a place where games, toys, and other playthings don’t necessarily have to be picked up each day. Let your child have a little freedom in this area. You might even be surprised at how clean they keep it of their own free will!
Whether you can spare a room or not, seriously consider any of the toys from any of these time-tested, yet trendy, brands for your child today.