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When it comes time to buy gifts for kids, you can never be too prepared. Whether you're keeping the birthday-party present cache stocked or are getting an early jump on holiday shopping, it's good to keep abreast of toy trends, hot toys and what the kids are into — especially since you want to strike whenever deals are hot. One good way to do that is to stay on top of Amazon's best-of lists — and it's a lucky thing, because Amazon's 2023 "Toys We Love" list was just released.
Check Out Our Ultimate List of the Best Gift Ideas for 2023
We spoke to Anne Carrihill, Amazon’s director of toys and games, about some of the trends the brand has been noticing. "The first is these big moments in pop culture," she says. "So, whether that's Barbiecore, Disney's 100th anniversary or the return of the glorious '90s with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Super Mario and Transformers, that kind of pop culture and is translating super well to toys and in a really engaging way."
She also sees a rise in quieter, comforting toys. "These are those stress-relieving toys," she says, "like MGA's miniverse, sensory bins, the LEGO Tranquil Garden, which sort of transcends ages." This also includes dollhouses, DIY crafts or anything that might be considered relaxing. (Hello, weighted Elmo plush!)
And then there are the toys for "kidults," which are kind of for kids, but also kind of for their parents. "Whether that's Lego, Star Wars or Disney, it's these things from childhood that you carry into adulthood," she says.
Whether you're looking for a quiet toy for a toddler or a cute collectible for a kidult, here our some of our faves from the list:
Our Top Picks From Amazon's 2023 Toys We Love List
- Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, $10 on amazon.com
- Educational Insights Kanoodle Extreme, $12 on amazon.com
- Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers Craft Kit, $23 on amazon.com
- Hasbro Furby, $60 on amazon.com
- Moose Toys Beast Lab, $8o on amazon.com
More people on your list? Find more of Amazon's holiday toy recommendations below — or check out one of these Good Housekeeping guides:
The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards | The Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Awards | Best Toys for Toddlers
Fun Family Game
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game
Fun Family Game
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game
When it comes time to gather the brood for family game night, reach for this easy-to-pick-up card game. Each player has to say "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese" or "pizza" while playing a card, and if the spoken word and the picture on the card match, all the players have to race to slap the pile. The last one to slap has to take all the cards, and the player who gets rid of all their cards first wins! Ages 8+
RELATED: The Best Board Games for Kids
For DIY Kids
Klutz Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers Craft Kit
For DIY Kids
Klutz Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers Craft Kit
Collecting stickers is one thing — making your own is even better! Crafters can use the included paint to trace different sticker designs, then add embellishments rhinestones or googly eyes. Once the paint is dry, they have their own sticker. Ages 6+
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Even if you've had a Furby in the past, you haven't truly had the Furby experience until you've tried the newly revamped version. Feet make it dance, the colors are brighter and it has even more sounds and interactions. Ages 6+
This game has gone viral for its brain-boosting properties: Challenge cards will start players off with a pattern that they have to re-create — and then finish with the remaining pieces. This extreme version offers bigger and more complicated challenges, but if they like it, you can gift them other Kanoodle variations, like Kanoodle Head-to-Head, Kanoodle Pyramid and Kanoodle Genius. Ages 7+
Part "science" experiment, part action-figure creator, this play set has kids going through an interactive series of steps to conjure up a beastly toy. It has a big "wow" factor as the beast is summoned — and mad scientists don't know if they're going to get a Toxic Tiger or a Primal Panther until the very end. Ages 5+
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Marble runs and logic puzzles combine to make one, great game that encourages kids to use their spatial reasoning and logic skills. The pieces combine to make a 3D maze, and players have to figure out how to flip and turn the different sections of the track to get the marble into the red trophy cup to win. Ages 8+
This toy might seem like it doesn't do all that much — just folds and unfolds into different shapes — but trust us, is it mesmerizing. Kids can flip it into more than 70 different configurations, revealing different patterns within, and they can try and form it back into a cube again. Ages 8+
In addition to encouraging imaginative play, this toy also fosters fine motor coordination as kids stack the rainbow pieces, slide the dream planes, insert the raindrops into the cloud, open and close the door and more. It's part of Playmobil's new line with Disney, which also includes a smaller Mickey and Minnie cloud set, a Winnie the Pooh treehouse set and more. Ages 1+
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They'll add new depth and dimension to their artwork with this set, which lets them layer different traceable elements on top of each other to create new scenes. When they're done, they can color in the whole thing with the included colored pencils. The board even lights up to make the tracing easier. Ages 6+
Think Bowser is scary in The Super Mario Bros. movie? Wait until you see him in real life! This impressive figure has a mouth that glows red and actually emits smoke. (Don't worry, it's not hot.) Unfortunately, the mouth does not sing "Peaches" — you have to supply that on your own. Ages 3+
Get kids looking closer at the world around them with these kid-sized set of binoculars. They're perfectly suited for them because they don't have to be focused, and the eyepiece is designed to be comfortable for little ones to look through. Ages 3+
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This talking oven will have them counting up a storm — two cupcakes, three slices of bread, four pieces of pizza, five levels of heat and more — through catchy songs and phrases. In addition, kids can use it for imaginative play since it also makes sounds like the frying of an egg or the ticking of a kitchen timer. It also comes in blue. Ages 2+
This play set is small, but it's still big enough to hold a Polly Pocket doll, a Lila doll, some animals and a boat that holds two figures. When they're finished playing with it, it folds up into a pineapple that can be worn as a purse. So cute! Ages 4+
Are the little ones in your life born to be wild? Get them a trike that matches their vibe, like this one, which has lights and makes realistic motorcycle noises. You can also get a more affordable version in the Harley-Davidson style without the lights and sounds. Ages 2+
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DIY + Collectible
MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Pizza Party
DIY + Collectible
MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Pizza Party
This toy adds a cute DIY component to the miniature collectible trend. Instead of unboxing whole dishes, the ball is filled with "ingredients" for a fun pizza party. Kids can arrange them however they like, then leave them in UV light (like the sun) to "cook." Then, the resin solidifies, freezing the dish the way they had arranged it. In addition to the pizza party set, there are tons of collectible dishes and items to choose from. Ages 8+
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Kids can try to collect squishy versions of all their favorite Disney characters in this blind, house-shaped package, and then they can use the figures in imaginative play. Each package comes with either four, five or six characters, so there's a good chance of getting a fave in each box. In addition, Disney superfans can get the Disney Doorables Disney100 Celebration of Wonder Figure Set, which is also on Amazon's list. Ages 5+
Not surprisingly, there are a bunch of Squishmallows on Amazon's list, including Rosie, the pig with a flower crown; Diane, the rainbow-haired bigfoot; the Gryffindor Lion plush (or any of the other Hogwarts house emblems); the 10-packs of fun shapes like cacti and mushrooms and the always alluring mystery three-pack. But our favorite is Mickey because, at 14 inches, he's a lot to hug. Ages 3+
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Tested byRachel Rothman
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.