The Hottest toys (from this mama and daughter duo) of 2021, from STEM toys, to art, dolls, and more!)
Holiday shopping always seems hectic. What is the perfect gift for the kiddos in your life, what will they like? Well, if you are struggling for gift ideas, for young kids, then you have landed on the perfect page. Livi reviews toys over on our IG @lovecocoandbean on the daily. So, between the two of us we have picked out our favorite toys and non-toy gifts this year. Livi is a 7-year-old girl, but you will find toys for girls and boys on this list, appropriate for (but not limited to) the 4–8-year-old age range. Please note while some products were gifted/sponsored, everything in this guide is our own opinion.
Carebears, Basic Fun Toys
No holiday would be complete without a @basicfuntoys @carebear or two. Yes, the nostalgic Carebears that so many of us loved growing up, they are still so beloved! Togetherness Bear is newest most colorful bear to grace the toy aisle this year. No single one is alike! Really you cannot go wrong with any Carebear! Livi is an avid collector. They are soft, cute, colorful and well what's not to love?! They are also affordable and keep an eye during the holidays as they often go on sale (as much as 50% off)! Great for boys and girls of all ages (even adults love them)!
National Geographic Subscription for Kids
Livi loves getting her own mail and loves learning about animals. What a cool gift to give, fun and learning all at once. This magazine is great for 6+, but even younger ones would love it, they just may need a little help depending on their reading skills.
Ada Twist Scientist Toys, Just Play Products
Ada Twist, Scientist On the Go Laboratory, Singing Doll and Glo and Go Notebook from @justplayproducts are some of Livi's favorites this year! Such amazing STEM toys and your kids will love doing their own science experiments! The On-the-Go Laboratory comes with experiment cards, beakers, a flask, goggles and more. We made magic milk, compared volume and weight using candy bars, and even tested out how germs work. Simple enough for a 3-year-old (with adult supervision) but engaging enough for an 8-year-old! Learning and fun in one, a win-win!
Kiwi Crate, Subscription
Livi’s Aunt gifted her a year’s subscription to the @kiwico Kiwi Crate for Christmas last year. This was one of her favorite gifts. She loves getting a surprise box monthly, the projects are always fun and exciting (all the while educational), and it gives us something to do together. A perfect gift for girls or boys.
Hasbro PJ Masks Deluxe Battle HQ
Calling all superheroes, "into the night to save the day"! For all your little superhero @disneyjunior @pjmasks loving little ones, this will bring tons of smiles this holiday. Livi cannot get enough of her @hasbro PJ Masks Deluxe Battle HQ playset. The #PJMasksHeroID recognizes compatible 3-inch action figures and heroes or villains). Catboy and Romeo figures are included. Capture the bad guys, escape through the secret chute, launch projectiles with the blaster, and even launch Catboy’s vehicle with the vehicle launcher. This playset is literally hours of imaginative play, for boys and girls!
Magic Mixies, Moose Toys
This is one of the hottest toys this year. Create your own Mixie with the Magical Misting Cauldron. Exclusive Interactive 8 inch Rainbow Plush Toy and over 50 sounds, mist, and more, this one is sure to grab your kiddos imagination. Redo the spell over and over again with refill packs (one included) for friends and even do Magic with your new Mixie. The Mixies has three modes and can be activated using your wand.
NY IsCream @carebears Onesie and Sleep Mask
This Carebears Comfy Onesie and Sleep Mask from NY IsCream, is so comfy, warm and adorable! Also check out NY IsCream for other adorable accessories, such as pillows, pajamas, lip gloss, water bottles and mores. Perfect for a large age range and boy and girl products available.
Dream Ella Toys, MGA Entertainment
The new Dream Ella line by MGA Entertainment offers perfect gift for little ones. Ella and her friends bring dreams to life. They can do anything. They are fairies flying on unicorns one minute and in the real world they cruise in their beautiful purple car as a doctor, vet and baker too!
The fairies are color changing and full of surprises. Soak them in their container to reveal which fairy you will get; their face makeup changes colors with a sponge, and they come with beautiful hair. The Dream Ella Unicorns are so gorgeous, and we love the bright and beautiful colors too! These dolls and unicorns are definitely great and affordable. If you want to go all out, the Ella Majestic Castle is amazing and perfect for the dolls too!
Magna Tiles, For Ages 2-99
Magna-Tiles are a favorite in our household. Livi got them when she was 2 and all of us love building together. They really are one of our favorites. Great for older kids, younger kids, boys or girls. Guaranteed fun!
Ryan's World Toys, Just Play Products
Livi loves Ryan's World. On her list this year are the Ryan's World Awesome Cooler Surprise and the Ryan's World Chef Ryan's Fridge Surprise. Pretty much all of the Ryan's World's toys are fun, interactive, and lots of imaginative play. Definitely a must have for any Ryan's World Fans.
Lite-Brite, Basic Fun Toys
Yes that is right, Lite-Brite is still around. Livi got her first Lite-Brite a few years ago and was hooked. This year this new Oval HD Lite-Brite came out and it looks amazing.
Our Generational Dolls and Playsets, Battat
@ogdolls perfect to inspire creativity and imagination! The dolls and playsets are so lifelike and have so many details. The schoolhouse has a real fire alarm, school bell, working windows and more. Any of these playsets or dolls would be a win in our books! The Our Generation Dolls have varying price ranges, to fit everyone's budget!
Pop It Fidget Toys
Anyone with school age children knows that fidgets and pop it toys are all the rage right now. Not sure what it is but Livi is obsessed with them. There are pop-it notebooks, purses, and toys. We have found them everywhere, from TJ Maxx, to Claire's, Target and even Amazon. You can go small for stocking stuffers or big. Also, these are great sensory toys, so definitely great for all kids. I linked this tree but of course we love them all!
My Fuzzy Friend Moji Interactive, Sky Rocket Toys
Livi saw Moji for the first time at a Toy Fair and fell in love. We haven't tested him in person, but he is at the top of her list. Here are just some of his features:
Moji responds to your touch and voice, over 150 sounds & reactions
Moji does 10 different tricks when you ask, like Sit, Shake and High Five
Moji magically interacts with his rope and food bowl
Got2Glow Fairies, Wowwee
Catching fairies, how much more magical can life get? This is every little girl’s dream. Catch fairies at home or on the go, hours of entertainment and Livi couldn’t get enough. Play with friends and even trade fairies. These Got2Glow Fairies are one of our top picks this year!
Themed Monopoly, Opoly Games
Livi is a huge Jojo Siwa fan so when she got to check out the new JoJo Siwa Monopoly she was so excited. I love Monopoly and games in general. They are great for family time, help with critical thinking, math, and being a good sport. Now as a girl mom, I have picked this version of Monopoly, but there are so many version for adults and kids, including Elf and SpongeBob.
Disney Doorables, Just Play
Great for Disney lovers! Collect the sweetest Disney figurines. Which ones will you get? Will you find 5,6, or 7 figures behind the doors? The new Disney Princess @disneydoorables are full of sparkles and glitter and are just too darling, they come with 8 collectibles, but some packages have a bonus mystery figure. The Multi-Peek Doorables are cuter than ever, we got Eeyore! Make sure to also check out the new Night Before Christmas and Mickey Years of Ears.
Gummy Lab, Lakeshore
This Gummy Candy Lab, from Lakeshore learning is so much fun. Great for kids learning measurements and yummy. Fun for any little scientist. In fact check out Lakeshore in general, we cannot get enough. It is one of Livi's favorite stores and she pretty much wants everything in the catalog.
Disney Ily 4ever Dolls, Jakks Pacific
These Disney Ily 4ever Dolls are gorgeous. There are 5 to collect and each one has a unique sense of style, inspired by beloved Disney characters. Their Disney style grabs at this mama's heart strings, as I am a huge Disney fan. They have adorable accessories and there is even a darling Minnie Mouse car too. For all you Disney lovers out there, this ones for you!
Scholastic Gift Cards or Books
Livi loves picking out her own books and it feels like we get the scholastic catalog every few months at school and she always begs me to get something. A great gift would be a gift card so that the kiddo in your life can purchase what they want from the catalogs. She gets so excited to be able to order from there and who doesn't love to give an educational gift that kids will love too. https://shop.scholastic.com/giftcard
Barbie Color Reveal Dolls, Mattel
The @barbie Color Reveal dolls from @mattel have been a favorite in our house for a few years now. They come with so many surprises, Livi loves to reveal which doll she gets, and they are beautiful! I think her favorite part is unwrapping and revealing each surprise, including the color reveal to find out which doll she gets, you can go small or large with these. So, you can get individual ones for as low as $15 gift or under all the way up to large sets with up to 50 surprises for $49.99, but I have found it as low as $35 on sale!
The Color Reveal Line was awarded the 2021 TOTY Toy of the Year Winner Award, so you don't have to take just our opinion on it.
Li'L Woodzeez
Li'l Woodzeez have been a long time favorite of Livi's. The cute little critters and the detailed playsets are adorable. Livi will play with these for hours. I have to say even I like playing with Livi with these, everything is so darling. You cannot go wrong with any of their playsets.
Arts and Crafts Library
Livi loves art and I love to let kids use their imagination. This Arts and Crafts Library comes with all the art supplies your little one needs to create endless masterpieces and crafts.
Purse Pets, Spinmaster
The cutest interactive, talking purses that actual function too. Livi takes hers everywhere! @hatchimals Purse Pets from @spinmaster are a must have this holiday. They are interactive with over 25 sounds. There are four to collect (unicorn, pup, fox, leopard) and available @target, except the pup who is a @walmart exclusive!
Classic Tonka Truck, Basic Fun Toys
For your little truck lover nothing beats a good old fashioned, large steel Tonka Truck. We love them all, from the Claw to the Front Loader, you can't go wrong. Looking for a stocking stuffer check out the new Metal Movers Mud Rescue sets. The mini sets tend to come with dirt (aka mess free kinetic sand) and we love it. Livi has always loved trucks, after all who says girls can't play with trucks.
Bike, Guardian Bikes
Kids of all ages need to get outdoors. Our favorite bike, which comes in all sizes is from Guardian Bikes. They make it easy to get the right size, just by filling out a little info online, customer service is great, and if the bike is the wrong size, they will take it back. We bought one online for Livi and couldn't be happier. They also have SureStop Technology to avoid kids flying over the handlebars and the set up was easy. https://guardianbikes.com/products/16-inch-bike
Microscope
This is a great dual lens microscope for kids in starting out. Probablly best for 6+ but with an adult's supervision even younger kids will enjoy. Another great STEM gift.
Barbie Dreamhouse, Mattel
I mean what’s not to like about @mattel @barbie Dreamhouse. A functioning elevator that fits Barbie's wheelchair, working lights and sounds, fully furnished, a pool slide, and roof top deck. This is every little girl’s dream! This is definitely a Santa present or big spend present, but we think it is totally worth it, if you can!
Tickets to See Disney On Ice
Making memories with your kids @disneyonice is priceless. Time together, experienced, and the magic of @disney. That’s about as good as it gets and Livi looks forward to it every year! Check out our blog for more details and for a discount code.
Rainbocorns, Zuru
Rainbocorns come in all shapes and sizes. From Faircorns with wings, to little Puppycorns, Wild Hair Rainbocorns, and Epic Gold Rainbocorns, you cannot go wrong. What surprises will you open? Will you get stickers, slime, boo-boo corns or more? The excitement is real when your kiddo opens these. Livi just opened the Epic Golden Egg and this is really the egg of all eggs, with 25 surprises, including hairbows, headbands, stencils, glitter, and more, you cannot go wrong. I have linked several kinds below.
Telescope
Livi loves science. Even her friends who aren't as into science as she is, always have fun looking through the telescope. I mean science is exciting for most kids. You may just stir your little one's curiosity and STEM gifts definitely foster critical thinking.
EK World Egg Surprise
Livi is a huge Ryan's World fan. She thinks he is the coolest and at 7 she still watches his show. Well this year, Pocket Watch and Just Play products released the Emma and Kate's World line of toys, and Livi loves it. Emma and Kate, Ryan's sisters have a fun, girly style and Livi was over the moon with this 20 surprise egg. Who doesn't love opening surprises? From a glowing cat ear headband, adorable figures of Emma and Kate, cute accessories, slime and more, this one is sure to win over any Ryan's World fan!
LOL Surprise Concert Tickets and Dolls
@mgaentertainment@lolsurprise concert “L.O.L. Surprise! Live – Calling All B.B.s" will be kicking off March 5th, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, CA and will cross the U.S. Tickets to the @lolsurprise concert would make a perfect holiday gift! Be sure to grab your tickets for a city near you and while you are at it, get some cute @lolsurprise merchandise like the OMG Movie Magic dolls or cute stocking stuffers like hair ties, pens, or surprise balls for your kiddos! For complete details check out
Tent and Other Camping Gear
Livi always talks about going camping. Camping and being outdoors in nature is great for kids. It is fun, educational, and family time too. Check out Amazon, REI, and other stores for tents and other camping gear for your littles. A gift that is sure to create memories!
Comment down below for your favorites!
