Toy insider Hot toys under $20
To help parents even further, here is a review of the season’s hottest new toys. Some were tested by our team of toy testing tykes and others were suggested by experts in the field:
Asampling of little surprises under $20 experts at Toy Insider magazine compiled for parents on a tight budget: 5 Surprise Foodie Mini Brands by Zuru (ages 3-up, $15.99 ).
Each package comes with two miniature toys featuring things from fast food brands including Subway, Sonic and TGI Fridays.
Captivz Dominion Dino Surprise Egg from ToyMonster (ages 3-up, $9.99): Inspired by “Jurassic World” movie this surprise egg features a large Captivz dinosaur figure with slime, a sticker sheet and collector’s guide.
Funko Games’ CoComelon Pattern Play Party Game (ages 3-up, $14.99) has players spinning the dial to match the character, color, shape, or pattern on their game card. Whenever a player’s spin lands on the swap space, everyone switches their spinners. The first player to get four matches wins the game.
Express My Feelings Journal from Hand2Mind (age 5-up, $12.99) is an award-winning journal that features prompts and activities that encourage kids to engage with their emotions and make a personal connection with how they feel. The journal introduces 20 common feelings and 10reflection activities.
Fashion Fidgets from WowWee (ages 5-up, $9.99)
are cute miniature fashion dolls that provide sensory fun with spinners, pop-its, gears, switches, joysticks, monkey hair, phone wires, and more. Each doll includes a keychain so kids can take them on
the go. Crayola’s Glow Fusion Marker Coloring
Sets (age 8-up, $14.99) are specially formulated glow markers, tweens can use to create masterpieces that glow in the dark for up to four hours. Themes include: Mythical Creatures, Monsters & Aliens, and Deep Sea Creatures.
Kittens versus Gherkins from Cepia (age 4-up, $4.99-$9.99) are teeny versions of fan-favorite Cats vs Pickles bean characters. Mystery bag two-packs come with a special crinkle baby, single packs with a collectible sticker.
Pixicade Pets from BitOGenius (age 6-up, $19.99) is a cool toy that brings drawings to life. Kids draw pets with the enclosed markers and then scan them into the Pixicade Pets app to customize their pets’ personalities, houses, and more. The interactive app encourages kids to keep drawing as they care for their pets.
Playfoam Naturals by Educational
Insights (ages 3-up, $16.99) is a plant-based, nontoxic learning compound that combines sensory play with sustainability. Kids can mold and shape this squishable compound for tactile play.