The big holiday toy lists are out. In early October, Target in the U.S. released its Bullseye's Top Toys list, and on October 14 Walmart Canada shared its 2026 Top Toys, while London's Hamleys announced its Festive 15 the same day. Hamleys even says its own shoppers think the week of October 12 is when Christmas shopping really begins, so if you've started thinking about gifts already, you're right on time.
You don't need the exact branded toy to make a child's day, though. Look past the logos and the lists point to a few clear play trends. Below, we break down those trends, share seven matching picks from our Kids Toys collection, and finish with simple safety checks from Health Canada to do before anything goes under the tree. Prices are in Canadian dollars at the time of writing.
What the 2026 Hot Toy Lists Have in Common
Walmart Canada describes its 2026 lineup as a mix of building sets, imaginative play, collectibles and interactive favourites, with many of its top toys priced under $50. Target sorts its list into themes such as make-believe playsets, squishy sensory toys, "make, build and discover" kits, little-chef pretend play and fast-moving vehicles. Hamleys puts sensory and squishy toys at the top of its list and points to "persona play," where a character or soft toy becomes the star of a child's own stories. TODAY's round-up of retailer lists also highlights creative kits and tech toys.
Put together, five ideas keep coming up: build it, squish it, pretend with it, race it and create with it.
Build It: Brick Sets for Little Engineers
Building sets show up on almost every 2026 list. Our Pickup Truck Building Blocks is an 85-piece brick set that builds a black pickup truck. It's $49.99, right in that "under $50" sweet spot. Building from a picture helps kids practise patience and fine motor skills, and afterwards they can take it apart and invent something new. Like any brick set, it has small parts, so keep it away from babies and toddlers.
Squish It: Sensory Play That Feels Good
Target and Hamleys both give squishy sensory play a big spot this year. The Fluffy Foam Slime Clay Kit is soft, smooth and stretchy without being sticky. Shape something and leave it out, and it air-dries and hardens in about 24 hours. Add a little water to make it workable again. Single colours start at $19.99, and the 12-colour set is $26.99. Cover the table and keep an adult nearby for younger kids.
Pretend With It: Little Chefs and Cuddly Characters
Target gives pretend kitchens and play food their own category this year. Our Play Fridge Set is a toy-sized pretend fridge that comes with play food, in blue ($68.99) or red ($71.99).
For persona play, a soft toy with personality is hard to beat. The Capybara Plush Toy comes in 20 cm and 30 cm sizes and in four colours, from $17.99. Kids love giving this calm, friendly character a name and a backstory, and it makes an easy stocking stuffer. Health Canada suggests keeping plush toys away from heaters and fireplaces.
Race It: Action Vehicles That Keep Moving
Remote-control toys show up on both the Walmart Canada and Hamleys lists, often with a stunt or transforming twist, and Target gives fast-moving vehicles a whole category of their own. The Double-Sided RC Stunt Car 2.4GHz drives either way up, so a flip simply starts the next trick. Its 2.4GHz remote lets several cars race at once without interference, and it recharges by USB. Choose the Manta Ray style ($59.99) or the Triangle style ($60.99). Clear a hallway, add a cardboard ramp, and let the stunt show begin.
Create With It: Drawing and Photo Fun
Creative kits and kid-friendly tech toys are another strong theme. The Kids' Mini Digital Camera with 2-Inch Screen is sized for small hands, so young photographers can snap their own adventures. It charges by USB, lasts about 1.5 hours per charge and saves photos to a microSD card. It's $92.99 in blue or pink. Try a holiday photo scavenger hunt: something red, something shiny, someone smiling.
For a lower-cost creative pick, the Kids LCD Writing Tablet 8.5 Inch Doodle Board lets kids doodle, draw and practise letters, then wipe the whole screen clean with one button. It's $29.99 in black, blue, red or white, and handy for car rides. It runs on a CR2020 button battery, so check that the battery cover stays closed and store spare batteries well out of reach.
Before It Goes Under the Tree: Quick Toy Safety Checks
A few highlights from Health Canada's toy safety tips, in our own words:
- Match the toy to the child, and the house. Follow the age guidance, and think about younger brothers and sisters too. Health Canada advises against giving toys with small parts to children under 3, and a simple test is whether a piece fits inside a toilet paper roll.
- Be careful with batteries. Look for battery covers that are hard for little hands to open, and take extra care with button batteries, which are very dangerous if swallowed.
- Read the full listing when shopping online. Check descriptions and photos for small parts, magnets, cords and batteries.
- Check for recalls. Search Health Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts database before buying, especially for second-hand toys.
- Toss the packaging right away. Plastic bags and twist ties can cause choking or suffocation.
- Inspect, then supervise. Check for loose parts or sharp edges, watch young children, and retire any toy that cracks or overheats.
Shop Early, Stress Less
Popular toys can get harder to find once the holiday rush starts. Our toys usually arrive in about two to four weeks after processing, so shopping now, ideally by mid-November, leaves comfortable time before holiday gatherings. Browse more in our Kids Toys collection.
Shop the Look
References
- Walmart Canada unveils its 2026 Top Toys, spotlighting the toys set to top wishlists - Walmart Canada via Cision Newswire (Oct 14, 2026)
- Target Releases Bullseye's Top 50 Must-Have Toys - Target Corporation (Oct 5, 2026)
- Hamleys unveils its Festive 15 toys for Christmas 2026 - Toy World Magazine (Oct 14, 2026)
- The Hottest Holiday Toys of 2026, According to Amazon, Target and More - TODAY (Oct 12, 2026)
- Toy safety tips - Health Canada
- Keep safety in mind when shopping online - Health Canada
- Recalls and Safety Alerts - Government of Canada