2025 has been a great year for toys. There are so many amazing options for all age groups that there’s bound to be something for the kids in your life. Our kid testers have been playing with dozens of this year’s top toys, and these are their picks.
Toot Toot Drivers Learn and Go Train Set
- Suggested age range: 1-5 years
- Price: $89.95 via Amazon
- Special features: The train track has “smart point locations” that trigger lights and sounds. You can also turn those off.
What we like about it: I have a train-obsessed toddler, and this train is just so cute and fun. The songs are catchy, the animals are cute, and the train fits in with the rest of her VTech toys really nicely. Having the smart locations announce when the train reaches different areas, like the farm, gives her context for words, which is nice.
From a parental perspective, I continue to wish VTech would make different voice actor choices, but the toy is still fun even when “the songs are tired and need a rest” while the batteries “recharge”.
Toniebox 2
- Suggested age range: 1-10
- Price: From $199 via JB Hi-Fi
- Special features: A speaker on which you place plastic toys to unlock audio books, music and games, screen-free.
What we like about it: This is hands down my toy of the year. My daughter has been able to operate the original Toniebox independently since she was 9 months old, but now that she’s 1.5 years old, she’s getting so much more out of this kid-friendly speaker. The latest Toniebox 2 has a better quality speaker, and charges with USB-C. For bigger kids, it also has Tonieplay games, which are screen-free audio games.
From a parent’s perspective, I appreciate that when she listens to a story from the Toniebox, she plays quietly long enough for me to make dinner. From her perspective, she loves being able to independently pick which music to listen to. It’s something she can do all by herself and have full control over. There aren’t many things toddlers get to control, so that’s such a gift.
My personal highlight from using the TonieBox 2 is the Ms Rachel Tonie, because the song about feelings explained happiness in a way that my daughter could grasp, unlike the many, many other books we’ve read her and conversations we’ve had. Since using the Ms Rachel Tonie, she will now turn to us and tell us whenever she’s happy, and it’s the most precious thing. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Lego Star Wars Grogu With Hover Pram 75403
- Suggested age range: 10+
- Price: $149.99 via Amazon
- Special features: It’s Grogu. With a little hover pram.
What we like about it: This 1,048-piece Lego set is perfect for Star Wars fans, Mandalorian fans, and people who just think Baby Yoda is neat. The build itself is satisfying, and kids called out enjoying the little cogs to move Gorge’s arms up and down. It’s a toy that offers both fun, imaginative play and good displayability, while also having all the usual Lego versatility.
Lego Friends Friendship Tree House Hangout 42652
- Suggested age range: 8+
- Price: $110 via Kmart
- Special features: One of the included mini-dolls has a limb difference. Plus, there’s a slide!
What we like about it: The best Lego Friends sets are always their tree house sets, because not only are they fun to build, there’s just so many different imaginative play scenarios you can have with them. This set includes 4 mini dolls, a dog and a racoon. The dog has a little wheelchair, which is adorable. This is another set that would be fun to play with, and look good in a display, opening up different wants to enjoy it.
Little Live Pets My Baby Panda Chu Chu
- Suggested age range: 3+
- Price: $59 via Amazon
- Special features: This pooping panda comes with bamboo, a potty, and plastic poo. Because sure.
What we like about it: Technically, Chu Chu is rated for older kids who want to do nurturing play, looking after their baby panda, feeding it, and then helping it go to the potty. However, I love it as a potty training friend for younger kids.
My daughter loves feeding Chu Chu the bamboo. Chu Chu then says yum yum, kicks its legs, farts, poos, and giggles. A delightful interaction that kids love, but also teaches them about the relationship between eating, pooing, and going to the toilet in a tangible way. Will it work? No idea, but I’ll try anything. Even if it doesn’t work, it’s a fun toy that she loves.
Marble Rush Free Fall Vertical Set
- Suggested age range: 6+
- Price: $79 via Big W
- Special features: 93 pieces, 10 marbles, and it builds vertically.
What we like about it: Both I and all my kid testers really like Marble Rush toys, because they allow you to get creative, making tracks for marbles to travel. The only problem I have with the main range of sets is that they can take up quite a bit of floor or table space.
As a parent, what I like about the Free Fall Vertical Set is that, as the name implies, you build it vertically by sticking it to a door or wall, so the kids can have the fun of building an elaborate marble run with slides, steps and ladders, but without taking up the whole room.
As a big kid at heart, I love how satisfying it is to watch the marble drop all the way down and then go back up the lift, ready to drop again.
LeapFrog Dino’s Delightful Day Book
- Suggested age range: 1+
- Price: $49 via Target
- Special features: A book that can read different features to your kids depending on which mode it’s in.
What we like about it: I live with a dinosaur and book-obsessed toddler. You can online imagine how popular this has been in my household. I like that it’s a book and toy in one, and that the switch allows the narrator to focus on different aspects of the story (colours, numbers, songs) depending on which setting it’s on, allowing for more replay value.
LeapFrog Let’s Record! Learning Karaoke
- Suggested age range: 2+
- Price: $60 via Myer
- Special features: Kids can record what they say and play it back with different effects.
What we like about it: Kids love to sing, or at least mine does, and so getting them a karaoke machine is only natural. This can be a good gift for your child whom you love more than life, or the child of a hated enemy, because it will get a lot of use and you will hear these songs constantly until you or it dies.
My kid testers were either a bit too old or a bit too young to fully take advantage of this Let’s Record! Learning Karaoke machine, but my daughter loved the songs, and laughed like a drain when she heard her own voice back on the recording, and so that bodes well for future use.
VTech Karaoke Light Party
- Suggested age range: 14+
- Price: $100 via Myer
- Special features: Bluetooth, two microphones, light-up party speaker.
What we like about it: This karaoke machine has so much going for it for older kids. You can sync your phone using Bluetooth to sing along to all your favourite songs, or sing along to the built-in songs. There are games built in for 1-2 players, including snake, and it’s small enough to pack away easily.
This would be such a fun thing to have for sleepovers and birthday parties. The only downside is that it requires 10 AA batteries, which is so many batteries.
Moana Disney Once Upon A Story Doll
- Suggested age range: 3+
- Price: $54.90 via Disney Store
- Special features: comb, necklace and anklet.
What we like about it: This doll is so cute! Kids will love it whether or not they were fans of the brilliant Moana (2016) movie, because her long hair is fun to brush, you can take her accessories on and off, and her big eyes are so cute. It’s also just really nice to have a doll that isn’t caucasian for once. The perfect doll for kids who love to nurture, and those who want an adventuring buddy!
It’s available both on the Disney Store online, and at the Disney Store’s first-ever Australian pop-up shop located in Westfield Southland.
Aurora Classic Doll Gift Set Sleeping Beauty
- Suggested age range: 3+
- Price: $154.90 via Disney Store
- Special features: Spinning wheel, raven, change of outfit for Aurora, and accessories.
What we like about it: Also available from the Disney Store (online and at Westfield Southland) is this incredible Aurora Classic Doll Gift Set, which I (and the kid testers) are obsessed with. These dolls are just so beautifully detailed, and come with all the accessories you need to either recreate Sleeping Beauty, or tell your own imaginative stories.
I particularly like the miniature Flora, Fauna and Merryweather figures, but truly, this whole thing is just stunning. I’m so glad kids get toys that are this cool and detailed. What a great time to be a kid.
Millennium Falcon Playset, Star Wars Toybox
- Suggested age range: 3+
- Price: $154.90 via Disney Store
- Special features: Light up Millennium Falcon, with Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and C-3PO action figures.
What we like about it: If you’re starting your kids young on the Star Wars journey, then this is one of the best non-Lego Star Wars kits I’ve seen for littler fans. The lights are fun, the moving ramp and retractable landing gear add so many options for imaginative play, and the figures have multiple points of articulation and are easy to pose (not too stiff, not too loose).
If you’re heading to the Westfield Southland Disney Store pop-up, these are a great gift to pick up.
Nemo Medium Plush, Finding Nemo
- Suggested age range: Birth+
- Price: $34.90 via Disney Store
- Special features: So soft, so cuddly.
What we like about it: I don’t know why all the kids are obsessed with fish now, or at least all the ones I encounter. But the children just love fish now, can’t get enough. My fish-fan in residence is entranced by this toy. If you also have a fish-loving child at home, this Finding Nemo plush toy is so cute and cuddly. The medium size is so good for toddlers, because in comparison the toy is comically large, but not so large they can’t carry it everywhere with them. The embroidered eyes make it safe for younger kids, too. Plus, it’s a bit sparkly, and that’s just nice.
Bitzee Hamster Ball
- Suggested age range: 7+
- Price: $39.99 via Amazon
- Special features: Interactive hamsters with customisable outfits.
What we like about it: Remember Tamagotchis? What if your Tamagotchi was more colourful and was trapped in a crystal ball? This toy is so cute and so much fun. Our kid testers loved making the hamster run on the wheel by turning the dial.
My one note of caution is that because of the design of the screen, this toy is not suitable for kids with a sensitivity to flashing lights.
Marvel Spidey and His Amazing Friends Amazing Flip Spidey
- Suggested age range: 3+
- Price: $69 via Kmart
- Special features: can say 50 sounds and phrases, 10 missions, shoots webs, does a pretty sick flip.
What we like about it: This is another one of those toys that makes you marvel about how far toys have come Since My Day. It’s just so cool.
Spidey lights up, flips, shoots webs, and is utterly charming while doing so. There’s just so much play value here, and it’s a toy that will impress the kid’s friends. Generally, it’s a good time.
Peppa Pig Whizz Around Peppa’s Little Red Car Set
- Suggested age range: 2+
- Price: $39 via Big W
- Special features: eight pieces of road track, Peppa Pig car, track accessories.
What we like about it: I really like that this starter set is just a track with a car, and no complications. It’s the perfect place for easily overstimulated toddlers to start playing with cars and tracks, with a character they may be familiar with.
What’s more fun is that as the kids get older and are ready for flashing lights and sounds, these parts are all compatible with the larger sets that have sounds triggered when these cars hit certain checkpoints. It comes with options and somewhere to grow, without having to cast the original toy aside, and that’s a win for everyone.
Pokémon Squishmallows
- Suggested age range: 3+
- Price: from $15 via Kmart
- Special features: They’re, like, really soft.
What we like about it: This is the most huggable toy in all the land. I have Eevee, Chansey, and now Slowpoke. Squishmallow is truly the perfect word for them.
You can hug them when you feel sick, nap on them when you’re sleepy, and come up with elaborate imaginative play scenarios for them when you’re full of beans. The kids love them too.
AEW Unmatched Collection action figures
- Suggested age range: 7+
- Price: $34.99 via Mr Toys
- Special features: Multiple points of articulation, accessories.
What we like about it: Wrestling action figures are a staple of a well-rounded childhood.
The Unmatched Collection includes characters such as Jay White, Willow Nightingale, Will Ospreay and Darby Allin. I have no idea who these people are, but wrestling fans do, and will also enjoy their accessories, including interchangeable hands.
Pokémon Clip ’n’ Go Battle Figures
- Suggested age range: 4+
- Price: from $15 via Kmart
- Special features: A Poké Ball you can clip on your belt, and then throw to release a little Pokémon figure.
What we like about it: While capturing real creatures in plastic balls and then forcing them to fight your friend’s creatures is still frowned upon, this is as close as kids will be able to get to real Pokémon battles during screen-free play time.
These small figures make great stocking stuffers, and you can get the figures with and without the ball, so kids can mix and match their figures.
Jurassic World Primal Hatch
- Suggested age range: 5+
- Price: $114.99 via Myer
- Special features: Hatches a T-rex with light-up eyes that change colour based on its mood, with 100+ sounds and reactions.
What we like about it: I love this toy so much, as did my kid testers. You get to watch a small dinosaur hatch, and then do Dino training and feeding, with lights and sounds. It is such a fun toy that suits both nurturers and dinosaur lovers alike.
Using the clicker, you can train the dinosaur to be loving and friendly, or you can choose to allow it to remain a dangerous predator. Fun for the whole family!
Wicked Thrillifying Elphaba Thropp Doll
- Suggested age range: 8+
- Price: $110
- Special features: Comes with a detailed dress, hat, grimmerie, and broom.
What we like about it: This is just such a beautiful doll; she’s so detailed, and the cape is gorgeous.
Doll-loving children will love using her for role-playing, getting her dressed up, and having her fly around. Adult collectors will enjoy marvelling at the details on her dress. There’s something for everyone!
Robosen Mini Robot Toy Story 30th Anniversary Collector’s Set
- Suggested age range: 12+
- Price: $499 via The Gamesmen
- Special features: Six programmable mini robots with a base.
What we like about it: These robots are just cool. Perhaps not as robot-y as you’d expect (they don’t walk or anything like that), but kids can program them to say different things and program actions to go with those sound files.
If you want Buzz Lightyear to do an approximation of the Nutbush, you can make that happen. Want Rex to make fart noises on repeat? Your wish is his command. On the surface, it’s a fun toy that children and collectors alike will love, but deep down, it’s a trick to get kids to think about coding and animation. Just be aware that the robots are pretty fragile, and will only be suitable for gentle children.
Wicked Glinda Upland Soft Doll
- Suggested age range: 0+
- Price: $49.99 via Toyworld
- Special features: Finally, a Wicked toy for toddlers.
What we like about it: I love that this is a Wicked doll that even babies and toddlers can enjoy. My daughter has been loving reading the Wicked Little Golden Books with us, and so having this Glinda plush was a must.
If you, and thus your kids, are into Wicked, this is a great purchase.
Lego Welcome to the Emerald City (75684)
- Suggested age range: 9+
- Price: $169.99 via Lego
- Special features: Includes mini dolls of Glinda, Elphaba, Fiyero, The Wizard and Madame Morrible.
What we like about it: This is such a great crossover for the Lego Friends range.
All the Wicked Lego sets have been absolutely excellent (particular shoutout to the Glinda and Elphaba Bookends and the Glinda and Elphaba Figures), but this one in particular has so much play value for kids to be able to tell their stories in and around the Wizard’s base in Oz.
The mini dolls have gorgeous detail, and the set’s 945 pieces make a richly detailed building with lots of vantage points and storytelling opportunities for imaginative play.
Rubik’s Pulse
- Suggested age range: 8+
- Price: $24.95 via Amazon
- Special features: Lights up, challenges you to solve the puzzle without seeing the colours.
What we like about it: This is a Rubik’s Cube on steroids, upping the difficulty level to make you or your kids solve the puzzle without seeing the colours. It trains memory, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and patience.
If you have a Rubik’s Cube enthusiast in your life, this is the gift for them.
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