Santa Recommends
Hottest Christmas Toysof 2026
The toys on every 2026 wish list, picked from the top toy lists and gathered here for parents to shop before they sell out.
See Santa's picksUpdated October 24, 2026
What are the hottest toys for Christmas 2026?
The hottest Christmas toys of 2026 are interactive pets and plush such as Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max and Peekimo, KPop Demon Hunters collectibles, hands-on craft kits such as Rainbow Loom Spin Studio, and revived classics like Tamagotchi. Our list is based on 2026 toy rankings from Amazon, the Toy Insider, Shop TODAY, Best Buy Canada and Walmart Canada.
| Toy | Suggested ages |
|---|---|
| Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max | Ages 18 months+ |
| Peekimo Interactive Pet and Wearable Charm | Ages 5+ |
| Tamagotchi Paradise | Ages 8+ |
| FurReal Gabby the Grow & Roar Interactive Plush Tiger | Ages 4+ |
| Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Shark Egg | Ages 5+ |
| Rainbow Loom Spin Studio | Ages 6+ |
| Play-Doh Blooms Flower Bouquet Making Kit | Ages 4+ |
| Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Friendship Collection | Ages 3+ |
| Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! Disney Stitch Stamper and Activity Pad | Ages 3+ |
| National Geographic Mammoth Dissection Kit and Anatomy Lab | Ages 8+ |
| Guess Who? Pokémon Edition | Ages 6+ |
| Catan On The Road Card Game | Ages 10+ |
| Kayou KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards | Ages 8+ |
| LeapFrog Disney and Pixar Toy Story 5 Explore and Learn Lilypad | Ages 3+ |
| Tonies Cuddle Minnie Mouse Audio Toy Plush | Ages 3+ |
| Fisher-Price Moves with You Turtle Walker Baby Push Toy | Ages 6 months+ |
| PAW PATROL: The Dino Movie Megasaurus Dino Vehicle | Ages 3+ |
| Shrek the Halls Musical Shrek Plush Toy | Ages 3+ |
The toys everyone is asking for.
Suggested ages are our guide. Always check the age grading and safety information on the product page before you buy.
Interactive pets and plush
Toys that giggle, roar, hatch and respond. Interactive pets are one of the biggest trends on 2026 toy lists.
- Ages 18 months+
Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max
The laughing Elmo that parents remember is back, and it is on the Toy Insider's hottest-toys list for 2026.
On the list: Toy Insider, Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 5+
Peekimo Interactive Pet and Wearable Charm
A pocket-sized pet that reacts to its owner and clips onto a bag or backpack.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026, Hello! Magazine
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 8+
Tamagotchi Paradise
The virtual pet that started it all, updated for a new generation of kids who want something to care for.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 4+
FurReal Gabby the Grow & Roar Interactive Plush Tiger
A plush tiger that moves and roars, for kids who want a pet that feels alive.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 5+
Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Shark Egg
Part of the hatching-creature trend. Kids help the egg hatch and discover what is inside.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026, Toy of the Year finalist
Buy on Amazon.ca
Creative and craft toys
Making things is a safe bet for kids who love to keep their hands busy.
- Ages 6+
Rainbow Loom Spin Studio
Bracelet making with a motorized twist, from a brand that made friendship bracelets a craze.
On the list: Shop TODAY Best Toy Awards, Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 4+
Play-Doh Blooms Flower Bouquet Making Kit
Classic Play-Doh used to build a bouquet kids can keep on the shelf.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 3+
Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Friendship Collection
Colour the pets, wash them clean, then colour them again.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 3+
Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! Disney Stitch Stamper and Activity Pad
A stamper and sticker pad for kids who love Stitch, handy for car rides and quiet time.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 8+
National Geographic Mammoth Dissection Kit and Anatomy Lab
A hands-on science kit for curious kids who like to find out how things work.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca
Games and collectibles
Family game-night picks and the collectibles kids are trading this year.
- Ages 6+
Guess Who? Pokémon Edition
The classic guessing game with Pokémon, for a family that already plays both.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 10+
Catan On The Road Card Game
A small card-game version of Catan, easy to pack for holiday travel.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 8+
Kayou KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards
KPop Demon Hunters is on nearly every 2026 hot-toy list, and trading cards are an easy way in.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026, Best Buy Canada
Buy on Amazon.ca
For the littlest elves
Gentle, familiar-character toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Ages 3+
LeapFrog Disney and Pixar Toy Story 5 Explore and Learn Lilypad
A learning tablet with familiar Toy Story characters, to keep screen-free play educational.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 3+
Tonies Cuddle Minnie Mouse Audio Toy Plush
A soft plush that plays stories and songs, for kids who like to listen and cuddle.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 6 months+
Fisher-Price Moves with You Turtle Walker Baby Push Toy
A push toy for first steps, from a brand parents trust.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 3+
PAW PATROL: The Dino Movie Megasaurus Dino Vehicle
A dino rescue vehicle for preschoolers who already know every pup's name.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca - Ages 3+
Shrek the Halls Musical Shrek Plush Toy
A musical Shrek for families who watch the Christmas special every year.
On the list: Amazon Top Toys 2026
Buy on Amazon.ca
We built this list from published 2026 toy rankings. We have not tested every toy ourselves, so use the age guidance on each product page.
- Shop TODAY: Amazon Top Toys List 2026
- The Toy Insider: Hottest Toys of 2026
- Walmart Canada: 2026 Top Toys
- Best Buy Canada: Top 20 trending gifts for kids
Looking for gifts by age instead? Browse our full gift ideas by age.
Frequently asked questions.
What are the hottest toys for Christmas 2026?
The toys showing up on the most 2026 lists are interactive pets and plush (Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max, Peekimo, FurReal Gabby), KPop Demon Hunters collectibles, Pokémon games and cards, craft kits like Rainbow Loom Spin Studio, and revived classics like Tamagotchi.
When should I buy Christmas toys so they do not sell out?
Popular toys can go out of stock as December gets closer, so buying in early to mid November gives you the most choice. Check the delivery date on the product page before you order.
How do I know if a toy is right for my child?
Start with the age grading on the product page and the safety warnings, then think about what your child already loves. A toy tied to a favourite show, animal or hobby usually gets played with more than one picked from a list.
Are these toys available in Canada?
The links on this page go to Amazon.ca. Stock and delivery depend on the seller and can change, so check the product page for current availability.
How were these toys chosen?
We picked toys that appear on 2026 hot-toy lists from Amazon, the Toy Insider, Shop TODAY, Best Buy Canada and Walmart Canada, then grouped them by the kind of play they offer. We have not tested every toy ourselves.
Does it cost more to buy through these links?
No. The price is the same. As an Amazon Associate, WriteToSanta.ca earns from qualifying purchases, which helps keep the site free.
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