As we approach the holiday season, it's time to explore the exciting trends in children's toys showcased at the Toy Insider Holiday of Play 2024. This year's event highlighted innovative products that blend play with learning, sensory experiences, and active engagement. Here are some of the standout toys that highlight the trends in children’s toys this year!

1. Nex Playground: Active Play for All

The Nex Playground shows you a new world of play. Featuring a video game console with an AI-powered camera and motion learning system, it brings the playground home and takes active play to the next level. A major trend in children’s toys: versatile play. This versatile play system specifically encourages outdoor exploration, helping children develop their motor skills while having fun. Its other educational benefits lie in its multiple numbers and math games, brain-teasing puzzles, pattern recognition games, and more! To purchase the console and five games on Amazon today, click here! 

2. Fingerlings Axolotl: A Colorful Companion

The Fingerlings Axolotl has captured hearts with its vibrant color-changing features, interactive sounds, and delightful reactions. It even swims and lights up were placed in water! This toy fosters imaginative play while teaching kids about colors and reactions in a playful way. To purchase the Fingerlings Axolotl today, click here!

3. Jelly Blox: The Fun of Squish

Jelly Blox by Goliath takes squishy play to new heights, offering a tactile experience that kids will love. These squishy blocks encourage creativity as children can mold, stack, and play in various ways. It's a delightful way to combine sensory play with building fun as it also includes several special blocks filled with super sand, foam beads, mini starts, and mini bricks! To purchase a 20 piece Jelly Blox set on Amazon, click here! 

4. Furlings: Plushy Possibilities

Furlings are a new breed of stuffed animals that are the perfect cuddly companions or imaginative characters in playtime adventures. It also features a set of animated eyes that come to life, reflecting a range of emotions to help create unique play! To purchase Cleo The Mischievous Jackalope on Amazon today, click here!

5. Monster Tales: Action-Packed Fun

Monster Tales introduces a line of action figures that inspire adventurous play. These figures, complete with imaginative backstories, encourage kids to create their own narratives, enhancing their storytelling skills while having a blast. To purchase 6 Monster Tales figures, each with their own miniature book and story, click here!

6. hand2mind: Numberblocks: Endless Number Fun

Mathematics meets play with hand2mind's Numberblocks. This educational toy promotes early numeracy skills through hands-on engagement, making learning math fun and accessible for young children. Additionally, each of the Numberblocks math learning activities tie into their Numberblocks episodes on TV, so kids can follow along using the Numbernlocks counting cubes! To purchase the Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set on Amazon, click here!

7. Hand2mind: Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles

Understanding emotions is crucial for kids, and the Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles offer a perfect way to explore this. These sensory tools help children articulate their feelings while providing a calming effect, making them a valuable resource for emotional learning. To purchase these sensory/fidget toys on Amazon, click here!

8. Alphapals: A Tactile Reading Experience

Developed by Sherry, a parent passionate about her son's literacy, Alphapals is a tactile reading experience designed to engage children in learning. This toy helps kids develop reading skills through hands-on interaction, making literacy fun and approachable. To purchase on Amazon, click here!

9. Boppy: Learn and Grow Garden

The Boppy Learn and Grow Garden transforms playtime into a nurturing experience. This garden-themed toy encourages imaginative play and teaches kids about nature, making it a fantastic tool for exploration and learning. It also gives parents and caregivers the perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with kids through pretend play and sharing important early development skills! To purchase a set on Amazon, click here!

10. Meemzy Magic: Sensory Play for All

Meemzy Magic was created by a Making It In The Toy Industry podcast fan, to remove the stress and anxiety that goes into making childhood magical for children and adults. This comprehensive kit includes everything needed to create a rich sensory experience, allowing kids to feel the joy of play through various textures and interactions. It aims to replicate the warmth and happiness of spending time with loved ones. To purchase their Mermaid Under the Sea Adventure Sensory Kit today, click here!

Heading Into Christmas 2024

As we head into the holiday season, these toys not only promise fun but also valuable developmental benefits for children. Keep an eye out for these exciting children’s toys to make your holiday shopping a success!