Tickle Me Elmo, KPop Demon Hunters dolls, Pokemon and Bluey top the 2026 holiday toy lists. Here is what retailers are pushing, what each costs and which ones could be hard to find.
The Christmas toy rush is starting, and some old favorites are back in the spotlight.
Tickle Me Elmo, Furby, Polly Pocket and Pokemon are all showing up on 2026 holiday toy lists, ConsumerAffairs reports. They sit alongside newer hits like KPop Demon Hunters dolls and Bluey playsets.
We looked at this year’s big retailer lists from Amazon, Walmart and Target, plus The Toy Insider’s Hot 20, to see which toys keep coming up.
What are the hottest Christmas toys of 2026?
These toys show up on more than one major list or are drawing early demand:
Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max: about $30 to $40. An 18-inch plush that laughs, moves and reacts. It is on Amazon’s and Target’s lists and The Toy Insider’s hot toys.
KPop Demon Hunters singing dolls: about $27 to $50. Mattel’s Rumi doll sings the hit song “Golden,” and the dolls made Walmart’s and Macy’s lists.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Hatchin’ Yoshi: about $49 to $60. It is on both Walmart’s and Target’s lists.
Pokemon Pikachu Puppetronic: about $79. It is on Amazon’s list and The Toy Insider’s Hot 20.
LEGO Pokemon SMART Play Training House with Pikachu: about $70, on Amazon’s list.
Bluey’s Light and Surprise Heeler House: about $120 to $160, on The Toy Insider’s Hot 20.
Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Shark Egg: about $50, on Amazon’s list.
Gui Gui Mega Slime Haul: about $21 to $22, a winner on Target’s Bullseye’s Top Toys.
Prices come from the retailers and the lists cited, and they can change before Black Friday.
Why is Tickle Me Elmo back?
The original Tickle Me Elmo was the impossible-to-find toy of Christmas 1996, ConsumerAffairs notes. Now a new 18-inch version, Giggle Max, is on several lists.
It also won Shop TODAY’s Best Belly Laughs award, according to Yahoo Shopping.
ConsumerAffairs suggests it may be worth paying up to about $40 if stock gets tight.
Which toys could sell out first?
ConsumerAffairs flagged a few toys with tight supply or fast demand:
Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box: $59.99 on Amazon through a “Request Invitation” system for high-demand items. Many other sellers list it for $100 or more.
KPop Demon Hunters dolls: some characters may sell out faster than others, so watch which one your kid wants.
KPop Demon Hunters Furblets: these small Furby crossovers cost about $15, which makes them easy stocking stuffers that could go fast.
What are the biggest “wow” gifts this year?
A few big-ticket toys stand out as the box behind the tree:
Bluey’s Light and Surprise Heeler House: about $160 at full price.
Dynacraft Disney 6V Minnie Roadster Ride-On: about $98 at Walmart, on The Toy Insider’s Hot 20.
American Girl Disney Frozen Elsa doll: about $145, a top pick on Amazon’s list.
The Toy Insider’s editor said ride-on toys like the Minnie Roadster make a big holiday reveal, Yahoo Shopping reports.
Why are nostalgic toys so popular in 2026?
Parents are searching for the toys they grew up with. A PlayFame study of nostalgia-driven searches found Barbie at the top, followed by Beanie Babies and Furby, ConsumerAffairs reports. Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony also ranked in the top 10.
Brands are leaning in. Polly Pocket has a Peanuts Collector Compact for about $53 on Amazon, and Polly Pocket is a 2026 finalist for the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Where can you find the 2026 holiday toy lists?
The major lists came out this fall:
Amazon’s 2026 Top 100+ Toys: posted Sept. 9.
Walmart’s Top Toys list: posted Sept. 24 through The Toy Insider.
Target’s Bullseye’s Top 50 Must-Have Toys: released Oct. 5.
Those dates come from Grandkids Gifts’ roundup of this year’s lists.
When is the best time to buy Christmas toys?
If a toy is on several lists and stock looks thin, buying early can save stress. For toys that are still easy to find, like the LEGO Pokemon set, ConsumerAffairs suggests watching for Black Friday deals.
Black Friday is Nov. 27 this year. Many stores already have early deals running.
Which toy is at the top of your kid’s list? Tell us what you are hunting for this year.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
ConsumerAffairs (Nov. 10, 2026), the seven toys to watch, the PlayFame nostalgia data and buying tips
Yahoo Shopping (Oct. 2026), the Amazon, Macy’s, Target and Toy Insider list picks and prices
Grandkids Gifts (Oct. 2026), which toys appear on which retailer lists and the list release dates
Last Call Furnishings (Nov. 1, 2026), Amazon prices and stock for the top toys
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.