The Hottest Baby and Toddler Toys of 2025
These trending plushies, magnetic tiles and character toys will actually keep your babies and toddlers entertained.
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Every year, a handful of popular toys float to the top of wishlists. From Tickle Me Elmo and Beanie Babies to Hatchimals and Fingerlings, toy trends come and go, each sparking its own wave of excitement in both parents and children. As a mom to two kids—a teenager and a toddler—and the Babylist commerce editor, I know a thing or two about cool, trendy toys that are actually worth the hype (as in they won’t be gathering dust in a corner a few days after opening). And to help us dive even deeper into all of the toy trends for 2025, I talked to the Babylist Shop’s toy buyer, Mallory Jonikas, and Taylor Battle, editor at The Toy Insider.
Whether you’re shopping for a gift to add to their holiday wishlist that’ll make them squeal with joy when they unwrap it, a present to round out their birthday wishlist or a just-because treat, we’ve curated a list for babies and toddlers from newborns to 3-year-olds. With a mix of newer brands and classic options alike, plus pop culture-influenced toys, these are the hottest toys of the year.
Kind of like the latest it water bottle, every year there’s a new plush that rises the ranks to be the plush to have (Beanie Babies, anyone?). Battle says that the “best plushes are the ones you can take on the go.” Palm Pals are just that. These miniature plushies are just 4.5 inches tall, making them perfect for the baby or toddler who insists on taking their stuffie everywhere they go.
Skip Hop Farmstand Let The Beet Drop DJ Set Baby Musical Toy
From $25.49With over 30 play features and sounds, this musical toy engages kids in sensory play with buttons to push, sliders to move, and spinners to explore. As Battle notes, many toy companies are now weaving technology into products to enhance play rather than simply offering another tablet or screen. This toy achieves that balance seamlessly, using techy elements to boost motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
You don’t have to exhaust your toddler’s screentime for them to get their daily dose of Ms. Rachel. A new addition to her toy line that premiered last year, the learning wheel guides toddlers through practicing animal sounds, colors and learning songs, all without a screen. An added bonus: the interactive turning wheel is great for sharpening motor skills.
Battle says there’s been an emphasis on “creating toys that encourage socialization and provide interactive experiences.” These snappable blocks from beloved toy brand Melissa & Doug are made of wood and introduce toddlers to building blocks, but with some guidance, vs. open-ended building toys like Mega Blox.
Barney’s World Sensory Barney Plush Toy with Fidget Activity for Toddlers
From $14.97Yes, the friendly purple dinosaur Barney has made a comeback, with a new animated series that premiered last fall, and now, a whole new set of fans. This stuffie emphasizes sensory play (it has a variety of textures and comes with an attached pop-it for added fidget play), and is likely be a top pick this year.
Disney Princess Ariel Cuddle & Care Set with Bitty Baby Doll
From $115.00With the recent remake of The Little Mermaid and the release of the Moana sequel, Disney princesses remain popular. You can bring home your own tiny princess with American Girl's line of Disney Bitty Baby. Available in Ariel, Rapunzel and Moana, each doll comes with clothes, accessories and even a little baby wipes case complete with a fabric wipe.
If you have a doll lover on your hands, this toddler-sized baby carrier will be their new favorite thing. Designed to look just like a real Ergobaby carrier, this miniature version can fit their baby dolls or a stuffed animal.
While the actual Nugget play couch isn’t new, it’s still very popular, and their latest addition to the line, the Chunk, is falling right in line. Similar to the play couch, the Chunk is a four-piece ottoman-shaped cushion that can be used in endless ways, promoting open-ended play. Use it to make a seat, a jumping path, a seat and a table or even a ball pit—it’s really limitless. This is also a good option if you’re Nugget-curious, but don’t have the space and still want to see what all the hype is about.
Magnetic tiles have been a hit with toddlers and big kids for the last few decades, and they’ve experienced a popularity boost in the last few years. Many toy brands have shifted their focus to open-ended play, as it can “foster brain development and encourage problem-solving, storytelling, and language skills,” according to Battle—which is proven by the growing popularity of magnetic building sets, she says. This Tytan Tiles set kicks it up a notch with a Minnie Mouse theme and reusable stickers.
Dropping right before the holiday season, on October 5, we’re predicting that the Toniebox 2 will be one of the hottest toys this year. This newer version is suitable for younger toddlers (a year old vs. three years old for the original Toniebox) and the new line of tonie figurines are softer and squishier for younger toddlers. One of the biggest updates is the option to turn your Toniebox into a mini, screen-free game system. If you’ve already invested in an army of tonies figures, don’t worry—the Toniebox 2 is compatible with the original Toniebox characters.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 4-in-1 Table To Easel
From $43.39Toys and baby gear that transition into toddlerhood have been trending for the last few years and we don’t expect that to stop anytime soon. Released this summer, this Laugh and Learn 4-in-1 table can be used for babies who can sit independently or stand with some assistance. The interactive table top has several sensory features for babies to spin, slide and press (plus over 135 songs, sounds and phrases). And when they’re ready to explore their creative side, you can flip the table top over and use it as an easel, complete with a clip to keep paper in place and storage for supplies.
Parents swear by Melissa & Doug Water WOW travel-friendly activity pads and this new set uses that same color-changing technology to make pretend play feel even more real. The pretend food starts out “frozen” (or white), and when water is squeezed on them through the pretend olive oil container or water dispensing spoon, they magically change color. And when the pieces dry, the color fades away and your toddler can play all over again.
Tiny Land Trendy Play Kitchen - Montessori Organizer
From $151.99Toy kitchens have gotten a trendy makeover that mirrors what real kitchens look like. This one from Tiny Land, a brand that’s growing in popularity according to Jonikas, comes with cloth bins for storage, pots and pans, stainless steel utensils, and a pretty gold faucet. It’s honestly so nice-looking that you wouldn’t mind leaving it out in your living room.
Have a Wicked fan on your hands? This collab with classic toy brand Care Bears is going to top witchy wishlists. The set comes with both Glinda and Elphaba completely decked out in their majestic costumes.
Parents and toddlers love Bluey, and the Australian show has built a solid fanbase. This three-story grocery store has 24 sound effects, a working escalator and a sticker sheet you can use to customize and decorate. The store is full of tiny details and comes with two Bluey characters for even more fun pretend play.
