Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer Laurie Schacht joined Chattin’ with Chelsea on FOX in Houston to talk about the best toys for parents looking to cut down on screen time for their kids. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below. For a complete rundown of the year’s hottest holiday toys, be sure to check out the Toy Insider’s 2026 Holiday Gift Guide. 


LUNA STORYTIME PROJECTOR

Luna nurtures little ones while fostering independence with engaging content, including read-along texts, projections, graphics, and music. The new Starter Set includes a Pink Luna StoryTime Projector with a carry Handle, an owl Content Character, a stand, and a cable.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $59.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

Battery Requirements

Duracell is the official battery partner of The Toy Insider.
  • Type:
  • AA
  • Quantity:
  • 4

BABY BORN REAL

Each 17-inch doll is hand-painted, arrives in a reusable handled bassinet, and comes with a scannable Cuddle Key for kids to interact with their doll digitally.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $69
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

FURREAL GABBY THE GROW & ROAR TIGER

This interactive plush responds to love, care, and play with more than 100 sound and motion combinations. Kids can give Gabby a roar, and she’ll roar right back. Plus, she grows up to 15 inches tall, and returns to her original cub size when kids press on her back.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $79.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

Battery Requirements

Duracell is the official battery partner of The Toy Insider.
  • Type:
  • AA
  • Quantity:
  • 4

MONSTER JAM CHOMPING MEGALODON

This revved up and redesigned Megalodon chomps like never before. Kids unleash it from its chains in beast mode and hit Berserk Mode for chaotic fun.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

MINDFRAMES CLICK ’N’ CREATE COMPLETE WEARABLE CONSTRUCTION SET

Families can create wearable designs like glasses and bracelets or build 3D structures by snapping together more than 130 colorful geometric shapes. The construction set also includes 10 guided activities.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

GUI GUI MEGA SLIME HAUL

With more than 50 accessories and mix-ins, four regular-size slimes, and a mini slime pack, kids can customize their own dazzling slime creations and store them in the large container.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

FUGGLER ADVENT CALENDAR

Countdown to the holiday with an assortment of Fuggler characters, who deliver a daily dose of crooked teeth, odd faces, and festive trouble.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.98
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

RUMP RACE

Players race by bouncing on the manual pumps with their rumps to pop their balloon before their opponent does. The game adapts for different play styles and challenges.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

Walmart, the preferred retailer of The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Director of Operations at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A proud and profoundly weird graduate of SUNY Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah. ↙️↙️↙️

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitterxyoutube