TikTok holiday toys that will make you the “cool” grandparent or parent this gift-giving season
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Some of this year’s hottest toys for the holidays might have you scratching your head in bewilderment, while others will make you wax nostalgic for your childhood. Case in point: A Barbie & Playdoh collab. I feel deprived that all I had was Fashion Plates to practice my clothing designer prowess as a little girl. Here’s the good news: You can buy these toys for your grandkids or even your teens and build core memories together. Here are our top picks for trending toys this holiday season, selected with input from real teens, tweens, and moms.
Inspiration: Stories of those 50+ doing extraordinary things
Shopping: Holiday Gift Guides from Nifty 50+
Wandering FAO Schwartz toy store in Midtown Manhattan this summer, my son and I witnessed a demo of the ZipString Luma. This handheld string toy is way easier than it looks to use and incredibly impressive once you master it. Of course we grabbed one. By the time we reached Penn Station, he’d learned enough tricks to draw a small crowd. Designed for ages 8 and up, tweens and teens are going crazy for the ZipString Luma. You might be puzzled about the appeal. But remember, we used to spend hours rolling a plastic red disk along two metal bars.
Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show
On the topic of retro fun, younger kids will go ga-ga over this mash-up between two classic brands: Barbie and Play-Doh. An Amazon’s Choice bestseller, the Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show Set is one of the season’s hottest toys. Kids can mold outfits, hair and accessories to design their own genuine Barbie. This might be a toy that stays at the grandparents’ house – not to avoid the mess of Play-Doh at home, but so you can play, too.
Many grandparents say they’d prefer to give and get experiences rather than material items this holiday season. Family Dates, a 2025 National Parenting Product Awards winner, delivers with 40 scratch-off cards featuring activities for all ages. Choose a card based on the time of day, how much time you have, the cost, and whether it’s indoors or outdoors. More than half the activities are free, while others cost just a few dollars in items from the dollar store.
Good Guy Bad Guy Not So Smart Guy Card Game
Card games are always a family favorite. Good Buy Bad Guy Not So Smart Guy (GGBGNSSG) is fast-paced, fun, and easier to learn than it is to pronounce. Designed by a mom-preneur after a silly conversation with her kid, the game involves being the first to build a sequence of five number cards, while quirky character cards step in to foil your plans or help you out.
National Geographic Ultimate Rock, Mineral & Crystal Activity Kit
Some toys never go out of style. I remember working schoolbook fairs and seeing the kids go crazy for National Geographic titles with a few rocks or gemstones included. Now, the Ultimate Rock, Mineral and Crystal Activity Kit includes 300+ rocks and gemstones, plus two geodes they can crack open to reveal crystals inside.
Pop The Target! Handheld Speed Push Game
When the popular pop-style fidget toy meets the classic Simon electronic memory game, you get a viral TikTok sensation kids of all ages love. The ergonomic controller allows for hours of play, improving memory and hand-eye coordination. Durable and lightweight, it’s perfect for long car rides, doctor’s waiting rooms, and any time you want to keep kids busy without resorting to screen time.
Mini Brands have been hot-selling toy collectibles for a few years now, but they aren’t always easy to find as the holiday season creeps up. You’ll be a hero with mom, dad, and the kids if you snag the Mini Brands Mini Minis Fill the Fridge set with exclusive “create” minis and three “blind bag” capsules. A favorite for tweens, teens, and maybe even your adult Gen Z kids.
Nintendo Switch 2 & Mario Kart World Bundle
My teen daughter has one must-have item on her Christmas list, and it’s the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo improves upon the shortcomings of the original Switch game console with the viral Nintendo Switch 2. With tens of thousands of units sold on Amazon, the Switch 2 has already garnered an average of 4.6 stars across more than 1,600 reviews. The Mario Kart World Bundle offers great value, with two connected Joy-Con 2 controllers that connect magnetically to the console and Mario Kart World pre-loaded for under $500. The Switch 2 is backwards-compatible with many physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.
We first saw Sticki Rolls at a Toy Fair preview last spring and my daughter was intrigued. After all, what kid doesn’t love stickers you can collect, share or trade? The Sticki Rolls Pendant Pack features 120 exclusive stickers plus a sticker book, pendant and bracelet to display them. The stickers are reusable and feature Kawaii characters the kids love.
NeeDoh Squishman Squish N’ Snow Globes
NeeDoh squishy fidget toys and stress balls have been a viral sensation for a few years now and the designs keep getting more intricate. These Squishman snowglobes are as tactically satisfying as they are adorable. Squeeze the bottom to make the character and snowflakes move. The perfect stocking stuffer for toddlers, tweens and teens, it’s like Silly Putty for Gen Alpha.
Licensed McLaren Electric Go Kart
Get the little ones ready for a lifetime of motorsports with this Licensed McLaren Electric Go Kart with a maximum speed of 7.5 mph. The 24V electric drift kart with responsive braking combines fun and safety. It’s okay if you’re a little bit jealous they never had anything like this when we were kids.
