Just because crisp fall days, pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween costumes are at the top of everyone's minds right now doesn't mean that it's too early to start thinking about the holiday season.
Last year, some of the hottest (and hardest to score) toys included the Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldron and Squishmallows plushies. But you don't have to wait until the holiday season to catch a glimpse of what the most popular toys in 2023 will be.
Laurie Schacht, Chief Toy Officer at The Toy Insider, previously stopped by the 3rd Hour of TODAY to give us a sneak peak of the toys she predicts will be at the top of everyone's wish list this holiday season. Plus, many retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Macy's released their own hot toy lists that are filled with exciting new picks. From Barbie's Dreamhouse to a real cotton candy maker, these toys are trendy and packed with fun.
Keep reading to see the hottest toys of 2023.
As seen on TODAY | Target | Kohl's | Macy's | The Toy Insider | Amazon | Walmart
Hot holiday toys seen on TODAY
Barbie: The Movie Collectible Doll
If you haven't seen the Barbie movie yet, it's likely because someone beat you to that last ticket in the theater. By the time holiday season rolls around, though, you will have (hopefully!) seen the film and gushed over Barbie's three-piece plaid outfit. Mattel made a doll that wears the same fit!
Barbie The Movie Ken Doll
Though some refer to the pair as "Barbie and Ken," Barbie wants you to say, "It's Barbie and it's Ken." And Ken is enough.
Barbie Dreamhouse 2023
Schacht's next pick is the newest Barbie Dreamhouse. Made with pet lovers in mind, the Dreamhouse includes a puppy slide and pool, pet elevator and pet palace complete with a puppy figure, pet bed and doggie door. It also includes more than 75 accessories and the tallest slide in the Barbie Dreamhouse ever.
Barbie Fashionistas Doll
This doll is one of more than 30 Barbie Fashionistas. The doll line is designed "to reflect the world kids see today." They all wear bright and trendy styles.
Hot Wheels RC Barbie Corvette
Keeping on the Barbiecore trend, Schacht thinks Barbie's 1956 Corvette Stingray will be a hot toy this holiday season. The ride can hold two Barbie dolls and has room in the trunk for Barbie's favorite accessories. After the car is all loaded, use the remote control to speed up to five miles per hour.
Make It Real™ Mini Pottery Studio
Schacht's next pick is for kiddos and parents who love no mess, no noise toys. With crafts ranging from beginner to master, the mini pottery studio includes 10 projects for your little one to tackle.
Cra-Z-Art The Real Cotton Candy Maker
By the time snow starts falling to the ground, popsicles and ice cream will have fallen out of style. That's why Schacht is recommending this kid-friendly cotton candy maker that makes fluffy cotton candy in minutes. Schacht says this fast-acting toy works "like magic."
Bitzee Interactive Toy Digital Pet and Case
Even though Schacht's next pick is digital, your kiddo will still be able to touch and feel this hot holiday toy. As your little one swipes, tilts, shakes and touches this little pet, it will grow from a baby to an adult. It will be love at first pet!
Target's Bullseye's Top Toys list
Buffalo Games Pop It Go Game
Target's Bullseye's Top Toys list for 2023 is its most affordable one ever! And it includes over 50 different giftable toys for kids of all ages. They can take this game with them wherever they go, from road trips to the school bus, to keep their hands and minds busy.
Perfectly Cute Target Toy Shopping Cart
Calling at Target fans! This is the ultimate gift for your little shopping buddy. The cute cart comes with tons of fun accessories, including a branded barista coffee cup, Good & Gather and Favorite Day market items and more.
Little Live Pets My Puppy’s Home Dalmatian Edition
This toy comes as a flat pack, which kids will put together to construct a home for their new furry friend. But where is their pup? Well, it's only after they construct the kennel and give their dog a name, that they can open the door to reveal their cute Dalmatian puppy (which reacts to their touch and makes sounds).
Tonies Paw Patrol Skye Headphones Bundle Starter Set
The great thing about Tonies is that once you have the box, there are endless possibilities. There are more than 100 different Tonies that kids can swap out to hear stories about some of their favorite characters for hours of screen-free entertainment. With this one, they'll listen as Skye goes on a mission to save Ace’s birthday surprise.
Kohl's Top 20 Holiday Toys of 2023
Skyrocket Magic Whispers Luna
Everyone can hear this cute cat's meows and purrs. But when they place her crystal heart against their forehead, they'll hear her secret inner voice! They can ask her yes or no questions and even learn jokes.
L.O.L Surprise! Magic Flyers
These popular dolls are always filled with fun surprises and this new one takes it to a whole new level — literally! Depending on how many times you tap it, the globe will rock, light and open to reveal a little doll that takes flight.
Barbie 28-Inch Best Fashion Friend Star Power Doll
Meet their new BFF, Barbie! She stands at just over two feet tall and has fully moveable arms, so she can strike fun poses.
Disney’s Mickey Mouse E-I-Oh! Singing & Dancing Plush
Sing and dance along with Mickey as he plays “Old MacDonald.” After they show off their moves, they can play a “what animal sound is that?” game.
Melissa & Doug Stack, Sort & Pound Wooden Toy Collection
This collection includes three of Melissa & Doug's classic wooden toys — building blocks, a shape sorting cube and a pounding bench with a mallet. Kids can stack, build, sort and hammer the blocks while working on their fine motor skills and dexterity, color and shape recognition and more.
Macy's Geoffrey's Hot Toy List
Sharper Image 2 Player Toy Laser Tag Set
Macy's and ‘Toys R Us’ just revealed their top toys for the season, which include picks from Lego, Hot Wheels, Nerf and more. And kids won't have to go all the way to the arcade to play a fun game of laser tag when they have this set. Each blaster keeps track of the "lives" they have left to make the game more competitive.
Mintid Dog-E Interactive Robot Dog
We've seen this cute robot dog pop up on a few different toy lists this season, including Macy's. The dog goes through a "minting process" as soon as you open the box — it takes on personality traits and displays colorful lights and sounds that are completely unique, so no dog is the same. You can even create different profiles on the corresponding app, so every member of the family can have their own pup with a different personality!
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler
Trying to choose between your kid's current obsessions — cars and dinosaurs — can be tough. But with this toy, they'll get a little bit of everything that they love. The hauler can carry around more than 20 Hot Wheels cars and then transform into a stomping T-Rex with a race track on its back! They can also send cars flying out of its mouth as it lights up and makes sounds.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends Marvel Web-Spinners Playset
Inspired by Marvel's "Spidey and His Amazing Friends" series, kids can bring Spidey to life with this fun playset. Made for little ones ages 3 and older, it comes with action figures, a car and accessories and lights up with 50 sounds and phrases.
The Toy Insider Hot 20 List
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Sprint RC Car
This isn't your average remote control car! While kids can send it zooming across floors like they would a regular race car, they can also extend their range and drive it up the walls or even on the ceiling.
CoComelon Peek-a-Boo JJ Plush
The Toy Insider's editor-in-chief, Marissa Silva, told us that TV and movie characters are a big trend in the toy world this year. And little Cocomelon fans will love having their own mini JJ to play with. Not only does he play peek-a-boo, but he also sings the hit "Peek a Boo" song from the show.
Tamagotchi Uni
Silva told us that this new version of the classic Tamagotchi toy has "more interactivity than ever before." Kids can raise their one-of-a-kind UniTama, play new games and even connect with other devices to go on playdates, exchange gifts or even get married.
Sesame Street Elmo Slide Plush
If you played with Tickle Me Elmo as a kid, you'll love watching your little one have a blast with their own plushy pal. Not only does this new Elmo toy sing and speak (in both English and Spanish), but he also dances to the "The Elmo Slide" and encourages kids to move with him!
Amazon 2023 Toys We Love
Baby Alive Time for School
Help this cute baby get ready for school by packing her bag and playing with her worksheets and stickers. And after she drinks form her juice box, it's time for a real diaper change!
Squishmallows Original Harry Potter 10-Inch Slytherin Snake Plush
Amazon recently released its 2023 Toys We Love list, showcasing some of the most innovative and fun toys this year. Squishmallows are always a hit, and this year there are tons of fun new characters to choose from, including this cute Slytherin Snake Plush.
LeapFrog Number Lovin' Oven
Your little chef can pretend to cook up some tasty treats and learn counting and vocabulary skills at the same time with this toy. It features more than 30 phrases and songs to make play time more fun.
Clue Conspiracy Board Game
Adults and teens will get a kick out of this new version of Clue. Players will take on the roles of different classic Clue characters as they conspire, gather clues, share info (and tell a few lies) and call each other out to try and discover the "who," "what" and "where" of the plot — or get away with murder!
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
From the backyard to the park, kids will be able to get a new view of the world around them with these kid-sized binoculars. They're designed with comfortable, large eyepieces and provide two times magnification, the brand says.
Walmart 2023 Top Toys
Nerf Elite Junior Flyer
Nerf blasters are a hit when it comes to playtime battles. And they're not just for big kids, according to the brand this option is designed for little hands to hold, too. Also, the darts are made out of foam so you don't have to worry if a game breaks out indoors.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Skye 12-inch Tall Premium Plush Toy
Walmart's 2023 Top Toys list includes 55 different toys, ranging from options under $20 to STEAM learning toys. This affordable pick is perfect for "Paw Patrol" fans. The Skye plush toy is ready to take on any adventure in her pink Mighty Pups uniform.
Magic Mixies Magic Genie Lamp
Magic Mixies' magical surprise toys have repeatedly topped hot toy lists over the last two years. And this year is no different, with the brand's new Magic Genie Lamp popping up on Walmart's list. Kids will follow the instructions, which include rubbing the lamp, revealing a magical ring and watching the mist rise to reveal their new Mixie friend. The process can be done again and again and the Mixie itself is the perfect play companion. It can speak and balance on the lamp!
Furby Coral Plush Toy
Remember Furby? Well, the little creature is back! This new version responds to five commands — dance party, copy cat, tell my fortune, let's chill and light show — and it reacts to petting it on the head and giving it a hug.
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit
One of Walmart's STEAM toy picks this year is a kit that will teach kids proper dental care and even help relieve some anxiety that they may have around trips to the dentist, the brand says. It comes with a set of pretend teeth, "cavity" stickers, examination tools, toothbrush, toothpaste tube and more.
