The characters from this year’s biggest movies, TV shows, and video games are featured in some of the hottest toys of the holidays. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by Family Circle magazine to show off the best toys inspired by the world of children’s entertainment. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and be sure to view our complete holiday gift guide.
PJ Masks Headquarters Playset (Just Play)
- This play set stands more than 2 feet tall and has three character-themed levels filled with engaging kid-powered features.
- The adventure begins with the light and sound PJ Picture Player, where kids can choose their mission, and then recreate the action with the high-flying zip line, working elevator, hanging cat rings, trap doors, and pop-out hatches.
- The excitement continues as kids launch the included Cat Boy figure and Cat Car down the winding ramp “into the night to save the day,” just like in the Disney Jr. series.
- This super-powered play set brings all the show’s action to life with 360 degrees of play.
- Compatible with other PJ Masks 3-inch figures and vehicles, sold separately.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP $69.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
Disney Descendents Digital Recording Studio (eKids)
- The Disney Descendents Digital Recording Studio features two microphones to sing and record amazing duets, plus three three fun voice effects: echo, harmonize, and auto tuning!
- StreamCatcher technology allows you to record ANY song from ANY source! Connect your device and record audio from iTunes, Pandora, YouTube, and more.
- Record up to 10 Songs and Performances, up to 40 minutes of music! Sing into the microphones and you can record yourself singing along!
- With your smartphone held in place on the viewing stand, queue up your favorite Karaoke song, and record
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $49.99
- Available: Walmart, Toys “R” Us
Peppa Pig’s Holiday Plane (Jazwares)
- Flying high, in a plane up above the clouds and rain! Peppa and her family are flying through the sky on their way to a sunny holiday.
- Pack your suitcases and join Peppa on a vacation adventure.
- Help Peppa up the stairs and into her seat, or flip down the pilot seat and give Mummy a turn to fly! Place both Peppa and Mummy’s suitcases in the cargo hold below, or press the window to activate sounds and songs, including Peppa’s “Flying High” song!
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
Talk-to-Me Mikey- Kids can have hours of fun conversing with Michelangelo, the most fun-loving and energetic of all the turtles.
- One of the most intelligent Turtle toys ever, Talk-to-Me Mikey recognizes a child’s questions and responds in hundreds of unique ways in less than a second.
- The highly interactive Turtle features movement and position sensors to react hilariously based on how a child moves Mikey.
- Known for being the Turtle brother with the most enthusiasm, Mikey even sings songs and plays games with kids.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $39.99
Trolls (Build-A-Bear Workshop)
- The new Trolls collection from Build-A-Bear Workshop includes several characters from the DreamWorks Animation film, plus exciting clothing, sounds and accessories, so guests can make their own one-of-a-kind Trolls friend.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $28
- Available: Build-a-Bear Workshop
My Friend Pikachu (TOMY)
- Tighten your bond with your beloved Pikachu friend.
- Hug this feature plush Pikachu to make its ears move, cheeks light up and activate cute sounds.
- Hot on the heels of Pokemon Go, now every kid can catch the coveted Pikachu!
- Super soft plush makes Pikachu extra huggable.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $29.99
- Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us
Super Wings World Airport Playset (Auldey)
- The iconic World Airport from the popular Super Wings TV series sets the stage for this ultimate playset for preschool boys and girls.
- Its large 35-inch scale delivers loads of fun, with electronic sounds and lights plus tons of activities for kids to recreate their favorite Super Wings scenes with mini-transforming characters Jett and Donnie.
- Attach them to the fly-around balance bar and spin them to circle the World Airport before they come in for a landing. Load Jett into the elevator and lift him up to the Control Tower, then launch him down the ramp.
- Flip open the base compartments to reveal a rotating luggage carousel and a cargo scale.
- Press the button to hear commands from the Control Tower. Transform Jett and Donnie from their plane mode to bot mode in 3 easy steps. The World Airport Playset will deliver hours of fun to Super Wings fans!
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $44.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
Air Hogs Millennium Falcon XL (Spin Master)
- This colossal 27- by 20-inch Millennium Falcon Drone features a light-up cockpit with Chewie and Han Solo figures inside.
- Experience a smooth, high-performance flight with 2.4GHz communication for range up to 250ft, a barometric pressure height lock system and 6-axis gyro.
- Millennium Falcon XL Drone includes Star Wars inspired remote control with flight data screen, subspace hyper drive LEDs, authentic sounds, and push-button Hyperspace Mode.
- Ages: 14+
- MSRP: $109.99
- Available: Amazon, Walmart, Toys “R” Us
LEGO Star Wars Resistance X-Wing Fighter (LEGO)
- Kids can fly minifigure Poe on a rescue mission in the Resistance X-Wing Fighter to protect Lor San Tekka’s home from the attacking First Order Flametrooper!
- This detailed X-Wing Fighter features movable parts such as opening wings and cockpit, four spring-loaded shooters, retractable landing gear, removable engine and a detachable BB-8.
- The set also comes with a building section with a container, toppling tower, and fire elements to attach to the building and Flametrooper’s weapon to create a make-believe blaze.
- This set includes three minifigures and a BB-8 Astromech Droid.
- Ages: 8+
- $79.99
- Available: Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us
Disney Frozen Northern Lights Elsa (Jakks Pacific)
- Elsa needs kids to help bring back the Northern Lights and restore her powers!
- Children can wave their hand over the snowflake and create beautiful colors, lights, and sounds with Elsa.
- When kids keep their hand over the snowflake and hold it there, they can watch as the beautiful Northern Lights are restored and sparkle on Elsa’s dress!
- The doll says 40 phrases and sings “Let It Go”
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
