The Kids Have Spoken! Top 20 Toys of 2026 at Gingerbread House Toys
Looking for the best Christmas gifts for kids in 2026? We went straight to the experts: THE KIDS!
During our annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day at Gingerbread House Toys in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, kids got the chance to test out some of the hottest toys of the year, discover new favorites, and vote for the toys they loved most.
And now, the results are in!
From squishy sensory favorites and creative craft kits to STEM toys and outdoor adventures, this year's Kids' Top 20 Toys of 2026 has a little something for everyone.
The best part? These toys aren't just fun. Many encourage creativity, build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and help kids learn through play.
Whether you're shopping for Christmas, a birthday, or just because, here's your kid-approved gift guide, straight from the toy experts themselves!
1. Surprise! Jumbo Squishy Dumplin'
Why Kids Love It: BIG squish, BIG surprises, and endless squeezing! There's something about a giant, satisfyingly squishy toy that kids just can't resist. Add in the excitement of a surprise, and it's easy to see why this one earned the top spot.
Why Parents Will Love It: Sensory toys can give busy hands something to do and provide a calming, tactile experience. Squeezing and manipulating squishies also engages hand muscles, making this a fun little sensory break between activities.
2. Pixicade Special Animation Edition
Why Kids Love It: What if your drawings could actually come to life? With Pixicade, kids can turn their own artwork into animated, interactive creations. It's like having a little animation studio right at home!
Why Parents Will Love It: This is screen time with a creative twist. Kids practice storytelling, planning, problem-solving, and artistic expression while seeing their ideas come to life. It's a great way to encourage kids to be creators, not just consumers, of digital entertainment.
3. Air Toobz EVO
Why Kids Love It: Tubes, air, flying balls, and endless possibilities! Kids can build different pathways and watch their creations come to life with the power of airflow. It's the kind of toy that makes everyone stop and say, "Wait, let me try!"
Why Parents Will Love It: Air Toobz introduces early STEM concepts like airflow, cause and effect, and engineering through hands-on experimentation. Every new design encourages critical thinking, persistence, and creative problem-solving.
4. Hello Blink Sticker Maker
Why Kids Love It: Kids love stickers. But making their OWN stickers? Even better! This creative kit lets kids turn their ideas into personalized designs they can use to decorate and share.
Why Parents Will Love It: Sticker making encourages artistic expression, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor development. Plus, there's something special about watching kids proudly show off something they made themselves.
5. Dr. Squish Squishy Maker Station – Glow It Edition
Why Kids Love It: Making your own squishy is already pretty awesome. Making one that GLOWS? Even better! Kids get to customize their own squishy creations for a hands-on experience that's just as fun as the finished product.
Why Parents Will Love It: This combines sensory exploration with creativity and following directions. Measuring, filling, and designing encourage coordination, patience, and planning. And kids get the satisfaction of creating something that's uniquely theirs.
6. Video Talk Video Walkie Talkies
Why Kids Love It: Regular walkie talkies are fun, but being able to SEE your best friend or sibling while chatting takes pretend play to another level! Perfect for secret missions, backyard adventures, and keeping in touch across the house.
Why Parents Will Love It: Communication toys encourage cooperative play, conversation, imagination, and social interaction. Kids can practice taking turns, sharing ideas, and working together while dreaming up their next adventure.
7. Rail Cube – Magnetic Monorail Deluxe Set
Why Kids Love It: Build it, connect it, and watch it GO! Kids can create their own magnetic monorail tracks and experiment with different layouts. It's part building toy, part moving adventure.
Why Parents Will Love It: Rail Cube encourages spatial reasoning, engineering thinking, hand-eye coordination, and creative problem-solving. It's an engaging way for kids to explore how things connect and work together.
8. Surprise Holiday Dumplin'
Why Kids Love It: A holiday twist on a squishy favorite! With its adorable design, surprise element, and satisfying squish, this one is practically begging to be tucked into a Christmas stocking.
Why Parents Will Love It: A fun sensory stocking stuffer that encourages tactile exploration and gives little hands something to squeeze and enjoy. Sometimes simple toys provide the biggest smiles!
9. Brilliant Bling Bedazzle DIY Kit
Why Kids Love It: Everything is better with a little sparkle! Kids can get creative, add some bling, and make personalized creations that show off their unique style.
Why Parents Will Love It: Crafting helps strengthen fine motor skills, concentration, and creative decision-making. It's also a wonderful confidence booster when kids get to use or display something they designed themselves.
10. Arcade Crane Game
Why Kids Love It: The excitement of the arcade, right at home! Kids get the thrill of trying to grab a prize with the crane, and of course, there's always the temptation to try just ONE more time.
Why Parents Will Love It: Crane games encourage hand-eye coordination, timing, patience, and persistence. Kids learn to adjust their strategy, manage frustration, and celebrate their successes. It's also a fun game for family and friends to enjoy together.
11. Squeegee Art Kit
Why Kids Love It: A little paint, a swipe of a squeegee, and suddenly you've made a masterpiece! Kids love watching colors blend and surprising patterns appear.
Why Parents Will Love It: Process art encourages experimentation and creative confidence without worrying about making something look perfect. It's also a great opportunity to explore color mixing, cause and effect, and hand-eye coordination.
12. MAGNA-TILES Police Station – 35-Piece Magnetic Building Set
Why Kids Love It: Building a police station is just the beginning! Kids can create their own town, dream up rescue missions, and bring their imaginative stories to life with magnetic tiles.
Why Parents Will Love It: MAGNA-TILES are a favorite for a reason. Magnetic building encourages spatial awareness, early geometry concepts, fine motor skills, and open-ended problem-solving. Plus, the imaginative play possibilities extend far beyond the first build.
13. Sing-Along Pixel Boombox (Pixelz)
Why Kids Love It: Turn up the music and let the show begin! This playful boombox brings music, singing, and entertainment together for kids who love to perform.
Why Parents Will Love It: Music play encourages rhythm, listening, self-expression, and confidence. Singing and moving along to music can also support language development, coordination, and joyful physical activity.
14. Hello Blink Tattoo Maker
Why Kids Love It: Their designs, their style! Kids can create personalized temporary tattoos and show off their artistic side.
Why Parents Will Love It: Designing tattoos encourages creativity, attention to detail, and fine motor coordination. It's a fun way for kids to explore self-expression and take pride in their original artwork.
15. Puppy Camp Charm Changers Jewelry Design Kit
Why Kids Love It: Puppies, charms, and jewelry? Yes, please! Kids can mix and match their favorite designs to create accessories that reflect their personalities.
Why Parents Will Love It: Jewelry making encourages fine motor development, pattern recognition, and creative decision-making. It's also a great activity for practicing focus and patience while creating something special to wear or share.
16. Loops Lab
Why Kids Love It: There's something so satisfying about creating, connecting, and experimenting with loops! Kids get to put their creativity to work and discover new possibilities as they play.
Why Parents Will Love It: Hands-on creative activities like this can encourage concentration, coordination, and flexible thinking. Kids practice trying new ideas, making adjustments, and sticking with a project as their skills grow.
17. Foosbots Rivals Cup
Why Kids Love It: Ready, set, GOAL! Foosbots bring fast-paced soccer action to the tabletop for exciting head-to-head competitions. It's easy to see why kids love the challenge of scoring that winning goal!
Why Parents Will Love It: This is a great way to build hand-eye coordination, quick reactions, and friendly competition. Kids also get practice taking turns, following rules, and learning how to be good winners and losers.
18. Paint Your Photo Pets
Why Kids Love It: Kids can turn their love of animals into a personalized art project! Whether they're celebrating a favorite pet or simply getting creative, it's a fun way to make something meaningful.
Why Parents Will Love It: Painting encourages focus, fine motor control, and artistic expression. Personalized projects can also help kids develop patience and a sense of accomplishment as they bring their creations to life.
19. Thames & Kosmos Microscope with Smartphone Adapter
Why Kids Love It: A whole new world is waiting to be discovered! Kids can explore tiny details they can't see with the naked eye, turning everyday objects into fascinating scientific discoveries.
Why Parents Will Love It: This is STEM learning at its best! Microscopy encourages curiosity, observation, scientific thinking, and asking questions. The smartphone adapter adds another way to explore and share discoveries, making science feel exciting and accessible.
20. Navigation Trailblazer Outdoor Adventure Kit
Why Kids Love It: Adventure is calling! Whether it's exploring the backyard, heading out on a family hike, or pretending to lead an expedition, this kit helps turn the outdoors into a place for discovery.
Why Parents Will Love It: Outdoor exploration encourages physical activity, observation, problem-solving, and independence. It's also a great excuse to get outside, build confidence, and enjoy some screen-free family time.
The Best Toys Are the Ones Kids Actually Want to Play With
One of our favorite things about Neighborhood Toy Store Day is getting to watch kids discover toys for themselves.
They aren't thinking about what's trending on social media or which toy has the fanciest packaging. They're simply playing, exploring, laughing, and finding what they love.
And that's what makes this list so special.
Whether your child loves building, crafting, discovering, competing, or simply squeezing a really good squishy, there's something on this list to spark their imagination.
And while kids see FUN, we see all the wonderful ways play helps them grow.
From fine motor development and creative thinking to social skills, sensory exploration, and confidence-building, these toys are a reminder that play is so much more than entertainment.
Shop the Kids' Top 20 Toys of 2026 at Gingerbread House Toys!
Ready to check a few names off your Christmas shopping list?
Click any toy above to shop online, or visit us at Gingerbread House Toys in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where our team is always happy to help you find the perfect gift.
And don't forget, we offer FREE gift wrapping to make holiday shopping even easier!
A huge thank-you to all the kids and families who joined us for Neighborhood Toy Store Day and helped choose this year's favorites.
The kids have spoken. Now it's time to play!