Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski stopped by My PHL 17 to show off the best toys that shoppers can find for $12 or less. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the holiday season, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.


5 SURPRISE MINI BRANDS

Kids can unwrap, peel, and reveal these capsules to find five miniature collectibles based on real brands that are found in any grocery store — it’s like they’ve been hit with a shrink ray.

Fast Facts

  • Ages: 4+
  • Manufacturer: ZURU TOYS
  • MSRP: $5.99

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CRY BABIES MAGIC TEARS

Available in blind bottle houses and dressed in animal onesies, these dolls cry real tears and come with eight accessories and a sticker sheet. There are 12 characters to collect, including one rare character.

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CUTETITOS BABITOS SERIES 1 & CUTETITOS SERIES 3

Cutetitos Babitos are 3-inch, burrito blanket-wrapped plush baby animals with a surprise gender reveal. Plus, kids can unbox the full-sized Cutetitos, featuring new fabrics, characters, and personality “hot spots.” Sold separately.

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FLUFFY CLOUDZ JAR

This colorful, super-stretchy Cloud Slime assortment features fruit-flavored scents, including Berry Blast, Cococraze, Grape Squeeze, Melon Mania, Peach Paradise, and Piney Party. Each jar includes a surprise charm.

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FOODIE SURPRISE

Open the mini mystery food cart and reveal surprise ingredients and supplies to make edible candy, then pack it in the “to go” keychain containers. Available in themes such as sushi, pizza, ice cream, and more.

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UNBOXME GIRLS

Each exclusive 8-inch Boxy Girl doll has articulated arms, legs, hips, wrists, and heads. With 36 different dolls to collect, kids can unbox a variety of shoes, hair, makeup, and clothes.

Fast Facts

  • Ages: 6+
  • Manufacturer: JAY@PLAY
  • MSRP: $9.99

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MÜSHMEEZ

These tactile plush are soft, moldable, and stretchable. Available in three sizes, Müshmeez come in bright, fun characters, each filled with unique materials.

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NANABLES

Each highly detailed Nanables dwelling features built-in hangouts and includes two unique Nanos. Using the integrated viewer, kids can peek inside each house, or download the free Nanables app to bring the house to life.

Fast Facts

  • Ages: 3+
  • Manufacturer: JAZWARES
  • MSRP: $5.99

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LIL’ BLIZZARD FRIENDS

Kids unbox blind-packaged collectibles resembling Dairy Queen Blizzard cups. Each includes a Lil’ Blizzard Friend doll, an outfit, and interchangeable hair clips. There are 24 dolls to collect, each with a different personality.

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POP POP HAIR SURPRISE

Each includes a Pop Brush with spray bottle to reveal a surprise, a Pop Roller, and a Pop Hair Pet with long, brushable hair. More than 25 characters to collect in four themes: Girly Q’s, Disco ‘Dos, Pretty in Punk, and Bed Heads.

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MORPHIMALS

Kids can twist, mold, and squish these collectible characters, including TwistiCorn, SkulptySloth, and ShapeyApey. Kids can reshape the Morphimals as many times and ways as they want.

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JIXELZ

Each puzzle set comes with hundreds of precision-cut, micro jigsaw pieces. Kids can use the included templates to create pre-determined designs or create their own. Jixels hold together strong and fit together with ease.

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