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When it comes to Christmas gifts for kids, it's a smart move to shop early. Not only will you be able to skip the last-minute stress of realizing the holiday season's most popular toy is out of stock, you'll be able to fully enjoy the Christmas festivities knowing you've secured the presents that will truly impress all the children in your life.

So what's the secret to finding a toy that they'll love to play with? For starters, factor in the child's age, but be aware that while you should absolutely use age ranges on products as a guide, it's important to remember not all kids develop the same way and at the same time. Next, consider their interests and hobbies. Is he into Bluey? Does she love science? Are they a budding artist? Finally, decide if you want to go with a classic — like a tried-and-true board game to add to the family library — or one of the hottest new toys of the season, like a DIY craft kit, an educational STEM toy, or a gift inspired by one of 2023's most popular movies, like Barbie or the Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Our editors did the research to find all the toys, games and more that kids are guaranteed to be adding to their wish lists this year — here, find our top picks for the best Christmas gifts for kids in 2023. And if you're on the hunt for gifts and toys for specific age groups, be sure to explore our gift and toy guides for 1-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, and 8-year-olds, plus our guide to the best gifts for teens.

Keyboard Play Mat

Let your kids explore the sounds of eight instruments — guitar, piano, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, violin, banjo and xylophone — with this fun interactive play mat.

Super Art Coloring Kit

Give the little artist in your life 100+ colors to use for their next masterpiece. Complete with crayons, markers, paper, and its own carrying case, both kids and parents will love this set from Crayola.

Kanoodle 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle Game

Kids 7 and up will get a kick out of this brain teaser. They pick a challenge card, follow the setup, then solve it with the remaining pieces. Once they've mastered the 2D challenges, they can move on to the harder 3D ones.

Bizyboo Hide N Seek Busy Bag

This toy is a great way to distract and calm a fussy toddler. Inside are various objects that kids can find by pushing around the beads inside. An included card helps them focus on finding every last one!

Plush Toy

That's right, Furby is back! The popular '90s toy has received a 21st century update, including brighter, fluffier fur and five voice-activated modes and over 600 responses.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Track Set

Inspired by the recent film, this Hot Wheels Jungle Kingdom race track lets kids launch their car into several stunts, including a broken loop and a waterfall jump!

Fashion Plates All-in-One Studio Sketch Design Activity Set

It's officially the Year of Barbie, thanks to the blockbuster movie, which means there's tons of merch options for the Barbie fan in your life. We recommend this updated take on the classic '90s fashion plates for kids that love clothes and drawing.

Emotions and Feelings Box Set

In this box set, you'll find eight books on the following "ninja types:" Angry, Inventor, Positive, Lazy, Helpful, Earth, Grumpy, and Kind. Each one is meant to help kids process their feelings. With a growth mindset approach, these books will help little ones ages 4 to 8 solve problems while honing their sense of self.

Magical Misting Crystal Ball

If you aren't already familiar, the Magic Mixies Magical Mixing Cauldron has been a hot commodity in recent years. This year, we predict the Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball will be the hot ticket item, so get it before it sells out. Similar to the cauldron, kids follow simple instructions on this crystal ball and, like magic, an interactive creature appears.

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800-Piece Earth Puzzle by Number

Ideal for ages 5 to 12, we love PLUS PLUS puzzles because they're simple yet challenging. This one, of the planet Earth, will help exercise creativity as well as motor skills.

Personalized Blanket

Created by an actual kid, Kicks by Sammy blankets can be personalized with your child's name. In addition to the Rainbows & Unicorns blanket pictured here, there are dozens of other awesome designs to choose from.

Unicorn Rescue Surprise

In the latest edition of Rainbocorns, kids can discover over 25 collectible goodies as they help their furry friend feel better. There are three unicorns to collect, and each one comes in an adorable surprise egg.

Instax Mini 11 Instant Film Camera

Every pre-teen on your list will love this instant camera for capturing all of their precious memories. Nostalgic for you, but fun and fresh for them, the pictures print right outside of this handy Instax ASAP! It'll also give them a break from Instagram selfies and screen time. This one comes with batteries and two 10-packs of film.

Interactive Baby Fox

Kids love this interactive little fox that will cling to their fingers. It reacts to motion, touch, and sound by moving its head, blinking its eyes, and making noises, so it's almost like a real woodland creature.

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Dino Egg Bath Bomb

Make bath time the best time with these super-fun bath bombs. Inside each one is a dinosaur toy that your child will play with long past their bath.

Walkie Talkies

Crisp sound quality and an alert function for incoming calls make these walkie talkies feel like the real deal.

Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit

Science is fun! Introduce your favorite little ones to some STEM adventures with this fun crystal growing kit.

On The Plane Activity Book

This activity book will make short and long flights go by fast, all the while stimulating their creativity.

Portable Doodle Board

This adorable drawing pad is great for long trips in the backseat, and requires minimal clean up. Just press the cute nose at the top of the pad and watch the drawing disappear in a flash!

Giant Bubble Wands Kit

Level up their bubble game with this four-piece wand kit. It comes with a giant wand to make giant balloons, plus what seems like industrial-grade balloon solution. They'll be the talk of the playground!

Case Binder for Pokemon Cards

These days, you can't turn without meeting a kid who's obsessed with Pokemon. As the child in your life collects and trades cards, this binder — which comes with 400 pockets — will come in handy. And if they've already got one, no worries — they can always use another as they grow their collection.

Wobble Board

This rocker board allows toddlers to develop balance and coordination thanks to its semi-spherical design. When it's not in use, it can just as well let their imagination soar by acting as a slide, boat, bed, tunnel, stage, racetrack, or bridge.

Unstoppable Me Affirmation Cards

Encourage self-love by giving the child in your life these sweet affirmation cards. Each will give a sense of pride and identity.

"Discover Like Maria" Bead Stair Pom-Pom Mobile Craft Kit

This craft combines education, entertainment, and creativity. Each kit highlights a woman trailblazer; this one showcases Maria Montessori who was the first woman in Italy to attend medical school. She is perhaps most known for developing the Montessori Method still used in schools across the globe.

Seriously Super Sized Stuffed Cheeseburger Food Plush

Every pre-teen and teen on your list will get a kick out of this giant 24-inch cheeseburger stuffed toy. There's not much else to say about it other than it's two-feet wide, and one can snuggle with it.

Cocomelon Bus

In case you didn't know, every toddler and preschooler is obsessed with Cocomelon. This bus will excite, plus teach letters, sounds, and more with easy-to-handle tokens.

Big Boggle Classic Edition

This fun word game is enjoyable for kids and parents alike. Have fun competing against family and friends to find the best words you can in this grid of letters.

Pillow Bed Floor Lounger Cover

Slumber parties will never be the same. Just stuff the cover with pillows, and kids can lounge in style.

Remote Control Car

This 2-in-1 toy can flip between red and blue cars for double the fun. And parents will rest easy knowing that the soft tires ensure the floors won't be harmed during playtime.

Don’t Step In It: Unicorn Edition

Try not to step in the unicorn poop! The laughs will be flowing with this game, which yep, includes placing little "poop piles" of the soft clay on the mat.

Artie 3000 The Coding Robot

This little robot isn't just cute. He'll help kids learn all about coding! As they input the code, Artie will draw the lines to create a unique piece of art. "I love that it combines art with code to use both the left side (problem solving and math) and right side (art and design) of their brains," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

Amazing Science

The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute created this book that is filled with 83 hands-on experiments that encourage learning science, technology, engineering, and math in a fun and unique way.

Light-Up Terrarium Kit

Kids will love watching their eco-system grow. They can cultivate and create with this kit, which also glows in the dark at night.

Baby Doll

This sweet doll will be a great addition to their baby doll collection. Complete with a fluffy tutu and curly hair, this doll stands out from the crowd.

Smoothie Making Blender Play Set

If your little one always want to help cook, they’ll love having their own pretend blender to experiment with.

Hair Chalk Set

Let your little one get a bit wild with their hair with this fun hair chalk kit. When they’re ready for something else, just wash out and try another color.

Hide & Seek Rock Painting Kit

Kids can spread kindness throughout the season by painting the rocks (10 are included here) and placing them throughout their neighborhood. You can also pick up a glow-in-the-dark version we're sure they will love, too.

Name Crayons, Rainbow Crayons

A perfect little stocking stuffer, these crayons are totally usable and come beautifully wrapped.

Dinosaur Building Kit

Kids can actually put these dinos together themselves (with help from you, of course!). "These were perfect and so much fun to put together but the best part was, they each came with their own tool (not the drill) so each kiddo could do their own dinosaur. Perfect for one kid and awesome for multiple kids at one time," one reviewer wrote on Amazon.

USPS Mail Carrier Ride-On Toy

It's pricey, but it's also one of the most realistic ride-on toys out there. Kids can be just like their favorite mail carrier with this truck that features a mail slot, opening rear door, working headlights, horn, and radio.

Hover Pup Dance and Follow Learning Toy

Once the button is turned on, this little pup will move around while singing and speaking, allowing babies and toddlers (it's intended for tots 9 to 36 months) to dance along. They'll also learn all about numbers and work on their vocabulary.

DIY Agenda Set

There are a bunch of different sets to choose from, including this agenda set, an art and journaling set, and a daily planner set. Teens in particular will appreciate how fun and customizable this is.

Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funny the Funhouse

This 13-piece Disney playhouse set includes Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy figurines (amongst other pals!). Once kids press the yellow window, they'll experience lights, sounds, and Mickey's iconic phrases.

Zoe Doll

Kids can wash or use real hair products in Zoe's hair for endless hours of styling fun. Zoe was a recent Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner, as well!

Ultimate Caravan Adventures

When it comes to Bluey fans, you can't go wrong with this toy set, which includes 12 fun accessories, including three Bluey characters.

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Spike has gotten an upgrade! Now kids can work on their fine motor skills and sensory by twisting, turning, pushing, and pressing Spike's "quills."

Magic Adventures Globe

Get a head start on exploration by giving the child in your life a globe to introduce them to the world. Even better, this one is interactive, so it talks and educates. As you play with this mini version of the world, videos will be triggered on an LCD screen to help you discover even more, while also having fun answering questions of your own.

John Deere Monster Treads Lightning Wheels Tractor

This monster truck can go forward, backward, and anywhere in between. Once it gets moving, the wheels will light up adding extra fun.

2x2 Classic Stickerless Speed Cube

Give this NEXcube to the kid (age 8 and up) who loves a Rubik's Cube or fidget spinner. This one features a more ergonomic way to handle with the flick of a wrist.

Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set

The Toniebox is a device that even toddlers can operate. It plays songs and spoken stories through characters that magnetize to the top. Several popular ones are available, like Peppa Pig, various Disney princesses, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Use the ears to adjust the volume. Tap the sides to play and fast forward.

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