Looking for the new toys that will be hot sellers this holiday season? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht joined The Today Show at Toy Insider’s annual Sweet Suite event to show off some of the toys destined to be in high demand this holiday season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the season, check out our Spring and Summer gift guide.


FLORA THE ANIMATED BUNNY (GUND)

  • GUND is proud to present Flora – a sweet, smiling bunny with two different play modes. Press the left foot to play an interactive game of peek-a-boo, and the right to hear the song “Do Your Ears Hang Low” in a cute child’s voice.
  • Ears move and flap during play.
  • Surface-washable for easy cleaning. Three “AA” batteries included with purchase.
    • Soft, huggable plush built to famous GUND quality standards.
    • Complete the whole Flora collection with Activity Toy, Rattle, Soft Book, Silly Sounds Ball, and Lovey.
    • Age: Newborn+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: online and in stores July 2018

MIRARI POP! POP! PIANO (PLAYMONSTER)

  • Kids can press the keys to hear a sound and see a star pop up!
  • The clear dome guides the shooting stars onto a different pipe so when another note is played, they’ll pop some more!
  • Two sound modes include musical notes and silly sounds!
  • Kids can flip the switch to go from piano tones to hearing fun sound effects when the keys are pressed.
  • Stars shoot up and over as kids play with the piano.
  • Ages: 12 months+
  • MSRP: $27.99
  • Available: Amazon, Kohl’s, Kmart

STAR WARS SCIENCE XCAVATIONS CREATURE CRATES (UNCLE MILTON, A DIVISION OF BASIC FUN!)

  • Kids can walk in the shoes of a paleontologist as you go on an excavation to discover and learn more about the traits of popular creatures from the Star Wars galaxy!
  • Open the Creature Crate, dig through soil, and find the skull bones of a species from the Star Wars galaxy. Snap them together to create a mold of the skull of popular Star Wars creatures like a Gamorrean Guard or a Hutt!
  • The skull designs are based on creatures from the Star Wars movies and inspired by the skulls of similar, real world animals.
  • Collect all 6 mini skulls in Series 1 with more to come!
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $4.99
  • Available: Target, Walmart

KID O ORIGAMI COLOR-CHANGING BOATS (PLAYMONSTER)

  • Ahoy Matey! This playful take on the classic Origami boat provides a secret surprise at bath time.
  • Kids can make a splash with these color-changing boats!
  • Dip them in warm water in a bath and see as the bright, vibrant boats change color.
  • Available this July.

HAIRDORABLES (JUST PLAY)

  • Introducing Noah and the Hairdorables – the hot new surprise dolls that combine fun, fashion, and lots and lots of gorgeous colorful hair!
  • Noah and her girl squad have “Big Hair Don’t Care” attitudes and love to share their passions with the world via the Hairdorables channel on YouTube.
  • Each doll is based on one of the 12 iconic girls from the Hairdorables videos, and these BFFs live up to the “Hairdorables” name with a variety of unique luxe hairstyles in vibrant colors!
  • Each doll package is a surprise – just pull, peel, and reveal 11 accessories and fashions that unwrap the unique personality, style, and talent of the Hairdorables girl hidden inside!
  • Collect all 36 Hairdorables dolls, including 2 rare and 1 ULTRA-rare, for mix-and-match outfits and endless styling possibilities!
  • Age: 3+
  • MSRP: $12.99
  • Available: 7/17 (online pre-sale) and 8/1 in stores at Walmart, Target, and Amazon

MYSTERY FLYING SNITCH FROM THE WOW! STUFF WIZARDING WORLD RANGE (WOW! STUFF)

  • A spell-binding new Golden Snitch toy set to capture the imagination of budding Quidditch players this summer.
  • Incorporating a patented illusion of flight, the Mystery Flying Snitch has realistic flapping wings and appears to respond to your hands, avoiding capture.
  • Fans can connect with their inner Chaser or Seeker.
  • Uses eight patented flying activators and is suspended by a high tensile Aramid fibre thread. The thread is approximately twice as strong as steel of the same thickness but almost totally invisible from six feet.
  • Ideal for cosplay and each kit comes with a free Quidditch poster for inspiration.
  • Age: 3+
  • MSRP: TBD

KID TRAX RIDEAMALS SCOUT (PACIFIC CYCLE)

  • Innovative new play experience for kids that combines ride-on fun with interactive and imaginative play
  • Kid Trax Rideamals Scout the pony brings every kid’s dream of owning a pony to life with an adorable pet friend kids can ride, interact with, groom, and care for.
  • 12-volt interactive ride-on with more than 100 sounds and movements.
  • Touch sensors, fully motorized eyes, ears, head, and wheels with lifelike sounds brings the pet play experience to life in magical ways.
  • In addition to riding Scout, kids can enjoy plenty of nurturing play with their new friend; they can lead Scout around for a walk using the reins or groom and feed Scout using the included brush, carrot, and apple, all packed in a coordinating bag that attaches to the saddle.
  • Age: 3-7
  • MSRP: $398
  • Available: Presale starts June 15 on Walmart.com. Available in Walmart stores beginning the week of August 20.

FRYIN FLYIN DONUTS (MAYA TOYS)

  • Fryin Flyin Donuts is one of the many new and exciting games coming out from Maya Games.
  • The new preschool game, Fryin Flyin Donuts, is fun for the whole family!
  • Every kid has an affinity for donuts and will love playing the swirling, twirling, frantically fun donut game!
  • Simply throw your donuts into the fryer and be the first player to fly all your donuts into the baker’s box to win the game!
  • Available on Amazon this August; be the first to join in the fun!
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: August

GLOVE-A-BUBBLES (ZING)

  • Churn out oodles and oodles of bubbles with just the wave of your hand with Glove-A-Bubbles!
  • Kids simply remove the bubble pouch from the glove and pour one of the two bubble solutions into the pouch.  Dip the glove into the bubble pouch. Wave your glove back and forth and watch tons of delightful bubbles form instantly, right before your eyes. Never ending bubbles for never ending fun!
  • Glove-A-Bubbles come with one glove and two packs of bubble solution.  The pouch is also re-sealable and refillable.
  • Glove-A-Bubbles come in eight different animal-themed gloves, including lion, alligator, hippopotamus, elephant, dinosaur, panda, bunny, and monkey.
  • Age: 3+
  • MSRP: US: $2.99
  • Available: Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and 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.

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