Toys & Play

Our Favorite Toys from Amazon’s 2025 Toys We Love List

Jessica Hartshorn
Jessica Hartshorn
Jessica Hartshorn has 30 years of editorial experience with titles such as Parents, American Baby, and Woman's Day. She's evaluated children's gear and toys for more than 20 years and currently contributes to the Good Housekeeping Institute. She grew up in Pittsburgh, holds…read more
published Nov 5, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Over the shoulder shot of a mother, father and their two young children on Christmas morning. The children are wearing their pj's while they open presents underneath the Christmas tree in their living room. The man is living with a disability after having polio.
Credit: SolStock/Getty Images

Amazon’s 2025 Toys We Love list is the 2025 equivalent of the gigantic catalogs that used to come in the mail. It’s the retailer’s “handpicked” edit of the hottest gifts for kids this holiday season. 

There are nearly 150 items on the official Amazon list, sorted into 10 categories ranging from “Under $25” to “STEM/Early Learning” picks. To save you the hard work of scrolling through so many choices, we identified the best Cubby-approved gift in each category. We based our choices on online reviews, innovation, and in-person experience when possible — and these all have a twist that we think is cool. 

The toys on this list cover toddlers and kids up to age 10. If you’re shopping outside that age range, check out our favorite baby toys and our go-to tween gifts, too.

Under $25
LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants
$23$20

While LEGO sets for adults have included botanicals for some time, now there are decorative plants that kids can put together, too. This set features 217 pieces and is meant for ages 9+. Aspiring green thumbs will have fun piecing together (and potting!) a baby dracaena and a baby pilea plant. “The finished plants look excellent on a shelf — bright, detailed, and realistic without needing any care!” wrote one reviewer. “It’s a great LEGO set for any age, whether you’re a collector or just want something creative to display. Highly recommend!"

$20 at Amazon
Amazon Exclusive
Fisher-Price Wood Montessori Toy Sorting Tree
$25

We appreciate wooden toys that promote learning and development skills — like this set with big tweezers for fine-motor practice while picking up pieces, and vibrant fruit for color-matching fun. Plus, it comes with a book packed full of play ideas for preschoolers ages 3+, although some reviewers note that kids as young as 2 may enjoy this pick too. “My toddler focused on this with such determination!” wrote one user.

$25 at Amazon
Nostalgia & Kidults
Crayola Crayon Tub
$35$31

Wait, 288 crayons? Yes, please! Crayola says this is the biggest tub they’ve ever sold, and it even includes retired colors that you won’t find anywhere else. Stock up on some coloring books too, and you’ll guarantee hours of entertainment for everyone seated at the kids’ table this year — and maybe even the adults, too.

$31 at Amazon
Hands-On
National Geographic Sensory Science Kit
$30

The slime-loving kid in your life will be obsessed with National Geographic’s set for budding scientists. It includes three sensory compounds: sand, slime, and magnetic putty. It also comes with suggestions for more than 12 experiments you can do using the kit at home, all designed for kids ages 8+. One reviewer says the “play sand is the absolute best we have ever played with,” noting that it’s incredibly soft and molds well.

$30 at Amazon
STEM/Early Learning
MAGNA-TILES Rail Racers Deluxe 90-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
$90

Magna-Tiles are one of our favorite gifts for kids of all ages. This year the brand introduced track rails, an idea they got from a Magna-Tiles superfan/dad. This new innovation allows kids to roll the included balls (or toy cars they already have in their collection) down the ramps and bridges they create. Magna-Tiles are created for kids ages 3+, and we guarantee this will keep your littles occupied for hours.

$90 at Amazon
Characters & Content
Toniebox 2 Audio Player Bundle with Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore Figurines
$200$190

We’ve long been fans of the original Toniebox, but we think this one is worth the upgrade (check out what parents are really saying about the Toniebox 2). Compatible with all the original storytime Tonies you know and love, the Toniebox 2 also offers brand-new screen-free Tonieplay games for added entertainment. This bundle features everything you need, including the Tonieplay controller, a Winnie the Pooh Tonieplay game, and three Tonies in addition to the box and charger. It's designed for users ages 1 through 9, and there are other bundles too, like this Disney Princess set.

$190 at Amazon
Action & Adventure
LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari SF-24 F1 Race Car
$27$22

It can be hard to find something cool and screen-free for ages 10+, but we think this fits the bill. It’s a challenging 275-piece LEGO build that ends with a Ferrari model car that can actually roll. All the tiny details are amazing, and it comes with a driver minifigure too.

$22 at Amazon
Game & Family Time
Exploding Kittens: The Board Game
$25$20

Based on the wildly popular Exploding Kittens card game, this version takes the concept to the next level with a 3D board that you can even flip over for a totally different playing experience. The goal: Get your kitten to the end of the gauntlet without exploding. Prepare for opportunities for silly sabotage and sneaky strategy among two to six players (age 7+). Each game will take about 20 minutes to complete, which is ideal for younger attention spans.

$20 at Amazon
Besties
American Girl My First Samantha Doll & Board Book
$65

This could also go firmly in the “nostalgia” category, if you ask us. The original historic American Girls are now available in plush form, complete with board books, for ages 18 months+. This is Samantha, and there’s also Kirstin, Molly, Addy, and Josefina. Toddlers aren’t meant to change the doll’s clothes or brush hair, so much as cuddle with them and learn about generations past via these simplified versions of the classic American Girl books.

$65 at Amazon
Collabs
Play-Doh Barbie Garden Party Designer Doll
$20

Empower the tiny fashionista in your life to make their own Barbie clothes, no sewing machine required, with this cute Play-Doh kit for ages 5+. The kit comes with a dress-up doll wearing a pink strapless top and shorts, along with molds and Play-Doh to create skirts, tops, hair, and accessories galore.

$20 at Amazon

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