Every year, Amazon releases a list of predicted “it” toys — all the dolls, figurines, gadgets, ride-ons and games expected to be the hottest toys of the holiday. Amazon recently unveiled its picks for the best toys of holiday 2021 in its 2021 Toys We Love List,
“All of the items in Amazon’s 2021 Toys We Love List are selected by our in-house toy experts,” Anne Carrihill, Amazon’s director for toys and games, explains to CBS Essentials. The online retailer surveys a wide swath of the toy industry landscape, ranging from long-standing established toy brands to small businesses to startups.
It isn’t uncommon for these toys to sell out several weeks before the holidays — and sometimes even before Black Friday — leaving parents scrambling to buy them on eBay or other third-party retailers for double or triple the retail price. So while it may seem too early to start holiday shopping — after all, the winter holidays are still months away — it may be a good idea to shop early, especially when it comes to gifts for boys and gifts for girls. And with the international president of UPS warning that you should “order your Christmas presents now,” there’s all the more reason to shop early, lest you risk your gifts not showing up until 2022.
Want to know what the hottest toys of 2021 are going to be, before they all sell out? Here are twelve of CBS Essentials’ favorite picks from Amazon’s list.
L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G Movie Magic Studios
Every year L.O.L. Surprise! dolls dominate holiday shopping lists. Released in time for the holiday rush, the O.M.G Movie Magic Studios provides more than 70 unboxing experiences, including 12 dolls to shoot home movies with. The box even transforms into a movie set.
L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G Movie Magic Studios, $136
Star Wars Snackin’ Grogu
If you’ve got a young Star Wars fan on your shopping list, here’s one pre-order you don’t want to miss: Snackin’ Grogu. Kids can feed Baby Yoda one of the four included menu items, and he’ll react with sound and motion depending on how tasty — or gross — the food is. This toy measures roughly 9 inches tall and releases on Dec. 1; pre-orders have started now.
Star Wars Snackin’ Grogu, $79 (pre-order)
National Geographic Mega Science Series Earth Science Kit
An educational gift that promotes an early love of science, this kit is just one of the many engaging offerings from the educational institute. This one includes 15 science experiences — such as water tornadoes, building an erupting volcano, growing a crystal and two geologic dig kits — sure to keep kids eight and up entertained for hours on end.
National Geographic Mega Science Series Earth Science Kit, $30
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Octo Care Wash
Indulge the Hot Wheels fanatic in your life with the recently released Ultimate Octo Car Wash. The play set measures over four feet long and includes a car that changes colors in warm or cold water. Kids ages four to eight will enjoy all the tricks the octopus-themed car wash offers, including loops, ramps and spirals.
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Octo Care Wash, $80
Osmo Math Wizard & the Magical Workshop for Fire Tablet & iPad
Osmo Math Wizard & the Magical Workshop makes learning fun and interactive, providing a smart way to use screen time. While Osmo offers a range of programming for all ages, this one in particular caters to those six to eight, teaching addition and subtraction via hands-on play. In order to use it, an Osmo Base for iPad or Fire Tablet and an iPad or Fire Tablet are required.
This item is part of Amazon’s current 3 for the price of 2 promo, available on a wide range of games and toys.
Osmo Math Wizard & the Magical Workshop, $60
Lego Elf Club House
Here’s the perfect holiday gift to open just a little bit early. The Lego Elf Club House, a new-for-2021 holiday themed Lego model kit, makes for a fun family activity and a great holiday decoration to display year after year. This 1,197-piece Lego set has many intricate details that are challenging enough for adults to put together, plus some easier builds to get kids involved. Stands just over 8.5 inches tall when completed.
Disney Princess dress-up trunk
This imagination-stimulating Disney dress-up trunk, an Amazon exclusive, includes three dresses (a blue Cinderella dress, a pink Aurora dress and a white dress for Belle or Snow White), three bracelets, three rings, three headbands, a necklace, a choker, soft goods tiara and stickers. Fits sizes 4 to 6.
Disney Princess dress-up trunk, $34
Nerf Rival Curve Shot Sideswipe
This inexpensive Nerf blaster features a 360-degree rotating muzzle that lets you determine the path of each shot: Rounds can fire straight, curve left, curve right or down. The Nerf Rival Curve Shot Sideswipe comes with 12 rounds included. Recommended for ages 14 and up.
Nerf RIval Curve Shot Sideswipe, $20
Refill pack for Nerf Rival (100 rounds), $12 (after coupon)
My Squishy Little Golden Dumpling
A cute stocking stuffer, My Squishy Little Golden Dumpling boasts a whole lot of entertainment in a small package. Infused with personality, this little character, named “Dart,” delivers 50 reactions and emotions in the form of cute sounds and unique animations, a head that lights up, and cheeks that blush. Available for pre-order, Dart ships out October 15 — until it sells out.
My Squishy Little Golden Dumpling, $15
Funko Games Disney Mickey & the Beanstalk Game
Infuse a little fun into family game night with Funko Games Disney Mickey & the Beanstalk Game, a 3D, interactive board game designed for kids four and up.
Funko Games Disney Mickey & the Beanstalk Game, Collector’s Edition, $30
Funko Games Disney Mickey & the Beanstalk Game, Standard Edition, $20
Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle
Why settle for a castle designed for one Disney princess when there is one suitable for all of them? Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle, released in August, provides a magical home for everyone from Belle to Tiana to Ariel. The dollhouse comes furnished with rooms designed specifically for each princess and also plays music and lights up to resemble a fireworks show. Disney Princess Royal Collection dolls, sold separately, also made Amazon’s list.
Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle, $150
WowWee Got2Glow Fairy Finder
One of the most buzzed about toys of the year, the Got2Glow Fairy Finder, available in pink and blue, is a jar designed to search for virtual fairies. Similar in concept to Pokémon and Tamagotchi, kids search for little winged BFFs wherever they roam. Once caught, they function as digital pets. Each jar offers 30 virtual fairies to find, 100 in all. Fairies can even be traded among friends.
WowWee Got2Glow Fairy Finder, $40
Squeakee the Balloon Dino
Interactive animal toys seem to sell out almost every holiday season. Squeakee the Balloon Dino, designed for ages five to 15, performs a variety of functions — stomping, chomping, laughing, roaring and dancing included. He even plays games, including chicken and tug of war.
Squeakee the Balloon Dino, $69
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Endgame Final Battle: Battle Scene at The Avengers’ Compound
One of the newest releases from LEGO, the Battle Scene at The Avengers’ Compound 527-piece set provides Marvel fans with hours of building fun. It also includes Thanos, Thor, Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Chitauri warrior and Ant-Man microfigures.
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Endgame Final Battle: Battle Scene at The Avengers’ Compound, $70
