The Toy Insider's Holiday of Play (at Home) has come to a close, and I've chosen a few of my favorites to share with you today! Every year, Holiday of Play offers a sneak preview of what's to come this holiday season. It helps writers like me prepare gift guides and suggestions for holiday shopping. Get those lists ready, and stayed tuned for my Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide, coming this November!
Disclosure: I am a Parent Panelist for The Toy Insider. You can find all of my Toy Insider posts on their site by clicking here. The toys I featured in this round-up are my personal favorites, and I was not asked or paid to promote them. I am also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. That being said, I also support local businesses, so if you can find these toys at your local toy and gift shops, please consider them first!
Gift ideas never go out of style, so be sure to Pin this post for future use! Also be sure to look for these toys and many others in my upcoming Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide (coming soon).
Snap Ships from PlayMonster
Snap Ships were my absolute favorite new find from Holiday of Play. They're a versatile building system for creating multiple crafts with action play, and all sets and pieces are interchangeable. Kids can customize their creations or mix and match pieces from different sets. Kits come in a variety of sizes and styles, like the Gladius and the Scorpion. There's even a website, app and YouTube show of Snap Ships that has its own fan following!
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Circuit Explorers from Educational Insights
I was so excited to hear Emily Calendrelli from Netflix's Emily's Wonder Lab talk about the space-themed Circuit Explorers during Holiday of Play. They are great STEM kits and contain elements of light, sound and motion. I love that The Circuit Explorer Deluxe Base Station inspires an interest in space and exploration, and allow kids to customize their own space cafe, too! Other kits are also available. Recommended for ages 6 and up, currently exclusive to Amazon only.
Holiday Movie Themed Card Games from Funko Games
Funko Games steals the show with their fun, retro games this season. I think they'll be a big hit at Family Game Nights as well as holiday parties. You can also make a night of them by adding a viewing of the movies they feature for each game. The card games represent favorite holiday movies like Elf, A Christmas Story, Gremlins and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Each game comes in a cute holiday-themed package and would make a great stocking stuffer. Games are simple, yet fun, and appeal to adults and kids. Priced below $10 each, you can't go wrong.
Elf Snowball Showdown (for 3-6 players), ages 6 and up
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Twinkling Lights Game (for 2-4 players) ages 8 and up
Gremlins Holiday Havoc Card Game (for 3-5 players) ages 8 and up
Wacky Packages Minis- Super Impulse Ltd
Super Impulse has brought back the beloved Wacky Packages from the 1980's! This time they're not just stickers, but miniature collectibles that come in a semi-blind box along with a sticker and collector's list. Another great stocking stuffer idea, too! Recommended for ages 8 and up.
National Geographic Science Magic Kit
I know there are a lot of science kits on the market, but I loved Blue Marble's National Geographic Science Magic Kit because it's filled with simple experiments that are really fun and exciting to complete, and come together just like a real magic show. They even include a magic wand for presentation! All of the National Geographic kits are pretty incredible (the Glow in the Dark Marble Run is another one of our favorites), but this kit is a definite winner for Science lovers. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Tiny Baking from SmartLab
I love watching those "tiny cooking" videos that circulate on social media, so I thought it was fun that SmartLab created their own "tiny baking kit" with actual working tools and parts! Fun and unique, the Tiny Baking Kit is available on Amazon and at local retailers . Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Squishmallows - Hometown Heroes and Squish-Doos
Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of Squishmallows and they have so many new styles and products coming on the market this season. The Hometown Heroes and the Squish-Doos with their crazy hair just tugged at my heartstrings. Be on the look-out for Star Wars and Disney Squishmallows, and the brand new Squishville playset line coming from Jazwares soon! Purchase Squishmallows at Squishmallows.com, your local Learning Express, Target, Walmart, Costco, Walgreens and more. Note that Squishmallows prices on Amazon tend to be a bit higher than others.
Recommended for all ages.
Be sure to check out my Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide,
coming soon!!
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