Two kids playing with a VTech Kidizoom camera

There’s nothing a child loves better than to see a gift wrapped under the tree, a tag with their name on it. It’s even better when they know there’s a super-fun toy inside. Tthe top toys to give as gifts this year are delightful options for kids of all ages. Check out the best toy gift picks to make this season special for a young one on your list.

The best toy gifts of 2024: top holiday picks for kids

Here, we’ll cover the best toy gifts of 2024, arranged by age to help you make the best decision while shopping for everyone on your list.

Best for ages 3+

A young boy holding up the VTech Kidizoom camera

Once kids are about to start school or they’re already in preschool, they get pretty social. You’ll want a cool gift they can enjoy with others.

1. Vtech Kidizoom Twist kid’s camera

The VTech Kidizoom Twist 2MP 4x optical zoom digital camera is a perfect child’s first camera. You can hand it to them and comfortably let them go wild. The rotating 2MP camera means they can capture fun moments with the family dog or friends. Twist it to take silly selfies. Choose from 50 photo effects and record video with voice. Get creative with stop-motion videos or pass the time with fun built-in games. Get it in blue or purple and don’t forget to grab a pack or two of PrintCam paper refills. With these, they can make prints to share with friends or add to their scrapbook. You might also want a microSD card (up to 32GB) to store the digital files. Connect the camera to a parent’s computer and save the digital files.

Best toy gifts for ages 5+

A girl posing while wearing the VTech Kidizoom smartwatch

After starting kindergarten, grade school kids begin to explore the world even more. They’ll love these gift ideas.

2. Vtech Kidizoom DX4 smartwatch

Smartwatches are popular for adults, but did you know there are smartwatches for kids, too? The VTech KidiZoom DX4 smartwatch with camera is designed specifically for little ones. Available in blue or purple, it’s splash-proof so fairly durable. Kids can personalize the look, choosing from various clock faces that look cool and help them learn to tell time. They can capture photos and videos with effects and filters from the two built-in cameras. Play fun games, like finding AR monsters. Kids can even tap into their creative side to compose music. Of course, there’s a health and wellness aspect as well. Kids can play movement games that are fun but also encourage physical activity at the same time.

VTech Kidizoom smartwatch

3. Lava Lite lava lamp

For kids who are afraid of the dark or finally getting to redesign their own room, a lava lamp is a gift they’ll love. The Lava Lite 14.5-inch lava lamp features red, blue, and silver colours. It provides a nice, warm glow. The aluminum base makes it perfect for the nightstand or desk. Kids will appreciate the extra light at night or enjoy staring mesmerized at its movements when they need a moment of calm.

Lava Lite lava lamp

Best toy gifts for kids aged 8+

Family playing Settlers of Catan board game

Screen time is an inevitable part of kids’ lives, especially as they get older. There are cool gifts that can make it fun an interactive. Some also offer a welcome break from screens.

4. AtGames Legends Ultimate HD mini arcade machine

You’ll score massive points with the AtGames Legends Ultimate HD mini arcade machine. The single arcade machine with an 18.5-inch screen contains 150 arcade and console games. This includes nostalgic retro titles like Space Invaders and Tetris. You can even play pinball games with the pro-grade pinball buttons. Connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi or via Ethernet and play online with friends who have their own machine. Simple assembly is music to parents’ ears. They can invite friends over for a competition, no quarters needed. Or the whole family can go head-to-head in tournaments, adding a fun, high-tech twist to family game night. Don’t be surprised if you end up playing a game or two yourself after the kids have gone to bed, too!

AtGames Legends Ultimate mini arcade machine

5. Settlers of Catan board game

For a more traditional family game night, the Settlers of Catan board game is a long-time family favorite. A game of strategy designed for up to four players, kids can work both for or against other players to build their settlements. The best part is that since the board game is modular, every outcome is unpredictable. No two games are the same so you can play it again and again. Chances are the child will be grabbing this game every Sunday night asking the family to play. It’s a great way to give kids a break from screens and enjoy family bonding time. For more ideas, read our board games buying guide. It will help you find the board game that’s best for every child (and adult) on your list.

Settlers of Catan board game

6. Celestron Travel Scope telescope

Is the child interested in astronomy? The Celestron Travel Scope 70 DX refractor telescope will become their favourite toy. With it, they can marvel at the stars each night. With a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, kids will be able to see the stars, moons, and planets up close with this convenient and lightweight telescope. Their jaws will drop and eyes open wide as they explore the night sky. It comes with everything needed to get started out of the box, including a tripod. There’s even a smartphone adapter to connect a phone. See the view from your phone’s screen, and capture shots. With the Starry Night software, kids can also learn while they observe. The entire set-up weighs just over 3 lbs. and it comes with a travel backpack. Kids can pack it up to take to the grandparents to see how the view differs from there.

Celestron Travel telescope

Best toy gifts for kids aged 12+

A man holding the Lego Millenium Falcon

As kids get older, they tend to move away from traditional toys and into ones that involve building and dexterity. At the top of that list is, of course, LEGO. Despite being around for decades and probably under your tree when you were a child, it never goes out of style. The sets keep getting more and more innovative. We have chosen some unique sets to consider this year.

7. LEGO Icons Plum Blossom set

The LEGO Icons Plum Blossom set is a great gift for older kids who are proficient with LEGO and can handle the tiny, intricate pieces. There are only 327 pieces, but it’s a delicate set to put together. Once built, the potted plant is perfect for putting on display. It comes with a pastel-blue pot with golden band as the beautiful blossom seemingly grows up to the sky. After they’re done, the child might even want to gift the completed set to a parent or grandparent. Trust me, they will display it with pride.

Lego Plum Blossom

8. LEGO Icons Wreath set

The LEGO Icons Wreath is perfect for putting on display during the holiday season. Best for older kids, the 1,194 pieces come together to create an elegant wreath centrepiece. Set it on the dining table, hang it on the wall using the four loops, or even add it to a garland. It comes with decorative items to customize it as you like. These include red, blue, and white berries orange slices, cinnamon, and pine cones. The kids will be excited that they get to contribute to the décor this year.

Lego Icons Wreath

9. LEGO Star Wars Millenium Falcon Starship set

For something outside of the festive or decorative space, consider the LEGO Stars Wars collectible Millenium Falcon Starship model. Chances are any LEGO and Star Wars fan on your list covets this set. Older kids or younger kids with parental help will delight in putting together the 921 pieces. It’s a re-creation of this iconic ship within the Star Wars universe. The ship is extremely detailed with the cockpit, cannons, and satellite dish. It’s perfect for fun play after it’s built.

Lego Star Wars Millenium Falcon

Best toy gifts for kids aged 14+

Once kids enter the teens, they’re looking for toys they can display on a shelf and often also interact with via their phones. One category that they seek out is robotics toys.

10. Robosen Transformers Optimus Prime Elite Edition robot

Since the Transformers toys were introduced in the ‘80s, kids have loved the concept of a cool vehicle that transforms into a walking, talking robot. Once the movies came out, Transformers became even more popular. And they continue to be popular to this day. For kids who love Transformers, the top choice is usually Optimus Prime when it comes to action figures. But you can go above and beyond the traditional action figure with the Robosen Transformers Optimus Prime Elite Edition auto-converting robot. It’s the ultimate gift for a super-fan of the franchise.

This is a toy, but it’s one for serious enthusiasts who will take good care of it. A collectible, it stands just over 16 inches tall and is designed to look exactly like the real thing. It even imitates the classic character’s movements and transforms with the press of a button or voice command. And yes, teens and tweens can connect it to a smartphone to remotely control it via an app.

Robosen Transformers Optimus Prime

Find the perfect toy gift this year

Put a smile on a special child’s face with the best toy gift they might not be expecting this year but will absolutely adore. With plenty of sales going on for the holiday season, you’ll save big, too. Your shopping list will be checked twice and crossed off in no time.

Shop Best Buy for the perfect toy gift for the child on your list, from young children right up to teens and tweens. 

Christine Persaud
Christine Persaud
With 20+ years of experience in trade and consumer tech journalism, I have covered the tech space since before social media was a "thing" and the smartphone as we know it was even invented. Writing for various technology, lifestyle, and entertainment sites, I have covered and reviewed hundreds of tech products, from home appliances to wearables, fitness tech to headphones, TV entertainment products and services, and more. I'm also a passionate foodie who loves to cook and bake, a TV show fanatic (happy to give what to watch recommendations!), and proud mother to a 12-year-old son.
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233 COMMENTS

  4. My boys have asked for the LEGO Super Mario: Adventures with Mario Starter Course for Christmas. It sounds like such a fun, creative toy. Merry Christmas!

  5. Lego, my nieces love building towers and then knocking them down – I love helping with that! Thanks for the chance to win!

  6. My favorite is the Jimu Robot UnicornBot Kit. I believe my grandson would have countless hours of fun and learning with a kit like this.

  19. I love the Shifu Orboot Globe because my kids can travel the world and learn at the same time. What a great adventure especially during these times. Its an escape to different times and places and opens the imagination even as an adult. Great idea!

  22. WOW! By looking at all these toys, I have to lean on two toys that are my favorites- Wowee Chip Robotic Dog and the Learning toys as my kids are always looking for something “neat” to try.

  28. My favourite would be Intelino Smart Train Starter Set. It would be perfect for my little cousin because he likes to assemble parts.

  30. My fav toy as a kid was the talking Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent, and I still have him lol The WowWee CHiP Robotic Dog would be a big hit here

  37. Intelino Smart Train Starter Set would be so amazing! My grandboys would be all over this and play with it for hours!! It would be so fun!

  41. When I was a kid, my most favorite Christmas gift was the Colecovision gaming console! So when I was reading BestBuy’s Top Toys article, I immediately noticed the Arcade1Up X-Men Vs. Street Fighter Arcade Machine with Riser. This looks like a super cool Christmas Gift!

  42. I miss seeing my grand nephew Levi because of COVID travel restrictions, but he would love receiving the Intelino Smart Train Starter Set

  43. What a great collection of toys, thanks for the reviews! I really like the Roybi Smart Educational Robot. Small and looks easy to use. And anything that is educational is a bonus. STEM all the way!

  45. My favourite holiday toy memory was getting a doll approx 60 years ago I just recently got rid of it. I love the Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Globe, I would spend some quality time with my granddaughter using this.

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