Hot Christmas toys for kids in 2024: 14 top picks

This year’s hot holiday toy flying off the shelves is controlled by 3-year-olds and younger: the Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll from Spin Master.

Ms. Rachel is a YouTube phenomenon who teaches listening and learning, and babies and toddlers “are simply fascinated by her,” says Laurie Schacht of Westbury, chief toy officer of The Toy Insider, a consumer guide for parents. “There is a waiting list to get it. It’s one of those things: You see it, you buy it,” Schacht says.

A cutting-edge toy this season, the AI ​​story bear Plai Poe, is powered by artificial intelligence technology. “Every time there is a trend in the world, we will see it very early on in our toys,” says Schacht. “The question is, will they get it right? Poe got it right and used technology to bring the bear to life.”

Here’s information about the Mrs. Rachel doll, AI bear, and other toys kids might love this holiday season:

FURREAL DAISY THE YOGA GOAT

To experience goat yoga, it is not necessary to visit the farm. This interactive toy goat will bleat, say “Ohmmm,” and do downward dog and other poses. It comes with a play water bottle and can also enter meditation mode with music. From 4 years old; $39.99 from Just Play. The Furreal line also features Furreal Peanut, the playful monkey who elicits more than 100 different reactions, walks independently, can be rocked to sleep, and laughs when tickled. From 4 years old; $59.99.

PLAI POE THE AI STORY BEAR

Artificial intelligence is part of Plai Poe, the AI ​​Story Bear. Kids create stories using colorful symbols they choose in the Poe AI Bear: Story Creator app. The app is a closed universe, so children don’t have to search for information on the Internet. You choose a genre like fairy tales, westerns, or mysteries, then characters like cowboys or space creatures, and then Poe brings the story to life. Poe can tell the stories in 20 languages. From 4 years old; $49.99 from Skyrocket.

MS. RACHEL TALKING AND SINGING DOLL

Babies and toddlers can now have their own Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll. The doll plays words, phrases and music from the Ms. Rachel videos. Little ones can sing along to “Sticky Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum” and more, and hear Ms. Rachel’s signature phrases like “Can you say…?” The doll is touch activated and comes with AA batteries. For children from 6 months; $29.99 from Spin Master. Spin Master also offers the Ms. Rachel Surprise Learning Box especially for babies. The soft sensory box contains five soft plush accessories including a carrot and a bunny and a peekaboo scarf. For children from 3 months; $29.99.

Tiny target control trace

In this play area at Tiny Target, kids can take turns playing cashier and shopper. It includes shelves, play items, a swipe credit card, play money, a cash register with a lock and key, and a beeping scanner. The children move the conveyor belts with a hand crank. From 3 years; $149.99 from Jakks Pacific.

Pinball machine manufacturer: GUMBALL RALLY

Players first assemble the pinball machine and then fill it with the included edible gumballs. To play, hit the bumper targets, slide down the tracks, and ring the bell with gumballs to score points. For children aged 6 (with) to 12 years (alone); $39.95 from Thames & Kosmos.

FISHER-PRICE ROCKIN’ TURNTABLE

Take your kids back in time to the retro era of record players with the Fisher-Price Rockin’ Record Player. Five double-sided records spin and play 20 songs when children place them on the turntable and adjust the tone arm. From 3 years; $39.99 from Mattel.

MONOPOLY “WICKED” EDITION

Toymakers are hoping to capitalize on the debut of the new “Wicked” film, which opens in November. This version of the classic board game includes Defy Gravity playing cards, Shiz University, and Emerald City and Ozian coins. From 8 years old; $29.99 from Hasbro.

“SESAME STREET” CHICKEN DANCE ELMO

Elmo is a holiday staple, and this year he’s excited about the “Chicken Dance.” This plush toy cackles, flaps, dances, chats and sings. Press his foot to either make Elmo dance or tell silly jokes. For ages 18 months and up: $29.99 at Just Play.

WONDERFUL PARIS HEROEZ PLAYSET

This expensive item transforms the Parisian landmark into a 4-foot-tall playset with three levels of play, an elevator, and a zip line. The Eiffel Tower replica features a restaurant, shops and a balcony, as well as over 40 accessories. From 4 years old; $149.99 from Playmates Toys.

GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE HEAT-RAY BREATH GODZILLA RC

This almost 60 cm long, remote-controlled Godzilla runs, stomps and whips his tail. While it roars, it also blows smoke from its mouth. From 8 years old; $59.99 from Jada.

DISSECT-IT RATTLESNAKE SUPER LAB

Aspiring scientists can dissect this rattlesnake with 35 bones and organs. Children can also find out what the snake ate by opening its stomach and seeing a mysterious animal skeleton. The kit includes a learning guide, surgical tools and refill mixes so the snake can be dissected more than once. From 6 years; $24.99 from Top Secret Toys.

Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting, and fun things to do with the kids on Long Island. She was an editor at Newsday and received the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Newsday staff for her coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.