My brutally honest toddler tested seven of Christmas 2025's hottest toys and she knows exactly what parents should buy

As retailers hype what they claim are the hottest Christmas toys of 2025, I turned to a far more honest expert: my three-year-old daughter.

My daughter, Amelia, tested each toy the way only a toddler can, without instructions, without expectations and with zero interest in whether it was supposed to be popular.

I, however, scoured lists of must-have toys for this holiday season, meticulously reading reviews and watching product videos to see which ones were expected to top wish lists.

While the toys had to be fun and colorful, they also had to spark imagination. 

Studies show that simple, open-ended, imagination-driven toys like blocks, dolls, and pretend-play sets boost children's brains by improving memory, self-control, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and language skills. 

They also enhance social-emotional growth, support neural development, activate areas linked to empathy more than screen time, and lay the foundation for future learning.

During the review, Amelia kept asking the same question: 'You want to play with that?' 

By the end, it became clear that the toys were not just the trendiest ones, but were the ones that invited her to imagine, invent and play alongside me 

CONNETIX Rainbow Creative Pack 102 pc

Price: $99

I had seen other children playing with CONNETIX magnetic tiles and always thought they would be perfect for Amelia.

The moment we opened the box, her imagination ran wild. She built a dollhouse one minute and a castle the next. 

With squares, triangles, and a mix of bright colors, the possibilities for creations seem endless. 

While building, Amelia practiced fitting pieces together and imagining the layout of her castle, which really stretched her problem-solving and planning skills.

I joined her for a while, and it was nearly impossible to get her to stop for bed because she wanted to keep playing.

The next morning, she woke up early, grabbed the box and picked up exactly where she left off. 

The tiles are lightweight yet sturdy, snap together easily, and are perfect for travel. 

Since Amelia is not allowed screens yet, these tiles will be a lifesaver for keeping her entertained when we are out to dinner or even on an airplane.

Bluey Supermarket Playset 

Cost: Up to $49.99

Amelia, like most children her age, loves the cartoon Bluey. 

On my hunt for the hottest toys, the Bluey Supermarket Playset seemed to appear on every list. 

When we opened the box, Amelia's eyes lit up, and she immediately began exploring the multi-level supermarket, loading tiny carts, riding the escalator and announcing her own grocery adventures over the built-in intercom.

The expansive playset includes more than 15 play pieces, along with exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures, and is packed with 24 sounds and phrases.

The interactive sound effects, detailed shelves and exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures kept her engaged for hours, sparking creativity and encouraging imaginative storytelling. 

She was not just pretending to shop, but she was recreating scenes from the show, inventing her own adventures, and even practicing problem-solving as she navigated the store's different levels.

Amelia also pretended that Bingo and Bluey were shopping at the Hammerbarn.

I appreciated the thoughtful design, which supports cooperative play, hand-eye coordination and imaginative thinking. 

Micro Maxi Foldable LED Scooter

Cost: $169.99

We live in a city, and it feels like every kid has a scooter, so I knew this would be a hot toy for Christmas. 

Amelia will be four in a few months, so I initially thought the Micro option would suit her perfectly.

However, Kris, who works for the company, suggested we go a level up.

The Micro Maxi can grow with her and be used all the way up to around 12 years old. 

The adjustable handlebar means she will not outgrow the scooter anytime soon, and the three-wheel design gives her extra stability as she learns to balance.

Other scooters were cheaper, but the Micro Maxi immediately felt sturdier and higher quality than the budget options. 

To test it, Amelia scooted around my office, easily gliding through the halls and kicking off with confidence.

 It's solid, lightweight, and folds up easily, making it convenient to carry and store.

And even more, the wheels light up. 

Little Live Pets Ouchies Retriever 

Cost: $59.00 

It took us a few minutes to figure out how the Little Live Pets Ouchies Retriever works, so I'd recommend reading the instructions first. Once we did, Amelia was instantly hooked.

Although the dog's official name is Cooper, Amelia quickly renamed her Lucy. 

The interactive toy encourages nurturing play, giving children the chance to care for their very own 'pet.'

Lucy arrived with an injured paw, and Amelia eagerly got to work wrapping it in bandages, gently petting her while the cast dried. 

The moment the cast came off, Lucy barked happily and began strutting around the room.

As Amelia watched Lucy parade about, it was clear how proud she felt of helping her new friend heal.

While Lucy is a robotic toy, she's covered in a surprisingly soft coat and is about the size of a small puppy, making her easy for little hands to hold and cuddle.

The interactive pooch sounds and reacts like a real puppy, barking when she's happy, whimpering when she's sad. 

Bluey and Bingo Chat Mates

Cost: $15.00 each

The Bluey and Bingo talking figures were an instant hit.

With just a push of the nose, each character comes to life, repeating familiar phrases from the much-loved animated series, and Amelia immediately recognized them.

Hearing Bluey say lines like 'I've got an idea' and 'Beep twice if we can be friends' made the figures feel just like the show, turning playtime into a mini episode of Bluey at home. 

Amelia especially loved pressing the noses over and over to hear what they would say next.

At six inches tall for Bluey and just under that for Bingo, the figures are the perfect size for little hands. 

They're sturdy, easy to use, and simple enough for toddlers to play with independently, making them a fun and engaging choice for young Bluey fans this Christmas.

GUI GUI

Cost: Starting at $9.99

While GUI GUI is primarily marketed toward tweens and teens, Amelia is a huge fan of slime, so we couldn't resist putting this kit to the test.

When we first opened it, the slime was extremely sticky, but after mixing in the included booster, it quickly transformed into a soft, dough-like consistency that was much easier for little hands to manage. 

Amelia loved watching the texture change, which made the process feel like part of the fun rather than a setup step.

The kit follows a multi-step 'get ready' routine that starts with unboxing the slime, then 'getting glowing' by mixing in the booster.

From there, kids can decorate the slime with the included charms and beads, reveal the adorable mini figure hidden inside, and finish things off with a final sparkle using the glitter mix.

Although designed for older kids, the hands-on, sensory play kept Amelia fully engaged, making it a surprisingly fun option for younger slime lovers with adult supervision.

Tin Can

Cost: $75 

Amelia loves talking on the phone with her grandparents, so I thought the Tin Can would be a fun and age-appropriate way for her to stay in touch with family.

While she's still a bit young to fully appreciate everything it offers, I see Tin Can as a clever bridge between toy and technology, one that delays the need for a smartphone while still allowing real communication. 

The WiFi-based, screen-free device is designed specifically for kids and comes with a parent app that allows for easy contact management, quiet hours, and built-in 911 support. 

Parents can also choose between plans that allow calling only other Tin Can devices or standard phone numbers.

Beyond the functionality, there's something delightfully nostalgic about it. 

Using Tin Can brought back memories of my own childhood, answering calls on a landline and feeling very grown-up in the process. 

It's a thoughtful option for families looking to introduce communication without screens, distractions, or scrolling.