From hometown heroes to future pop stars, toys can inspire kids’ future careers. These aspirational toys can spark ideas for kids to pursue the dream jobs they want to have when they grow up. Plus, all of these picks bring out imaginative role-play experiences as kids learn practical lessons they can use when they grow older — it’s a win-win! For more toys that will top kids’ wish lists this year, check out our full Holiday Gift Guide!

About the author

Maddie Michalik

Maddie Michalik

Maddie Michalik is the senior editor at the Toy Insider, where she reports on news, trends, and writes weekly product reviews. She travels to TV stations throughout the U.S. and Canada to show off her favorite products on TV! Maddie is also the editor-in-chief of leading trade magazine The Toy Book and weekly e-newsletter Toy Report, keeping the toy industry up to date with the latest happenings. Her love for consuming media is surpassed only by her love creating it, and she truly believes that the world would be a better place if everyone just played with a toy for 15 minutes a day. You can often find her rereading the Harry Potter series with a cup of coffee in her hand and patiently waiting for a The Lego Movie threequel to come out. For more of her antics, follow Maddie on Twitter and Instagram @MaddieMichalik.

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