Hot-Ticket Toys for OMG-Worthy Reactions

This interactive toy will give kids the experience of dealing with farm animals and promote active play along the way. Daisy makes more than 60 lifelike sounds and motions. She also has a “meditation mode,” in which she breathes deeply while soft music plays, a perfect wind-down for your kid (and maybe even you). Ages 4+

This plane playset from the super hot TV show Bluey is the most exciting themed toy on the market. It comes with the Heeler dog siblings (Bluey and Bingo, dressed for a trip) and makes 25 sounds and phrases from the show. The characters can ride in the plane, which then opens up to form a vacation resort and a boat. Fifteen play pieces plus stickers add to the fun. Ages 3+

Show the children of our digital age how a turntable works with this kidproof needle-less record player. It comes with five albums: kid classics, silly hip-hop, rockin’ country, pop dance party and “mindfulness” — for setting a calm mood. Ages 3+

Teeny-tiny everything gets big reactions from kids these days. This set has shrunk down the Barbie universe to an adorable size. The petite version of the iconic Dreamhouse has a slide, a working elevator, and a 1.5-inch Barbie that can bend and sit. And because it’s so small, it’s only around $10! (That might leave you with budget for a second piece, like the mini Dreamcamper.) Ages 4+

This doesn’t need to make sense, it’s just awesome. An included Hot Wheels car enters the shark’s mouth, and when your kid presses on the head, warm water gives the vehicle a new design. Then they can lift the shark to send the car spiraling through the belly. Finally, they press the shark’s tail to send the car into cold water so it shifts back to its original color. No batteries, just water required for the color-changing action. Ages 3+

Toddlers can snap 34 simple blocks together to form five friendly animals the “right” way (a visual guide shows them how) ... or a silly way: inventing an animal with a lion’s head on an elephant’s body, for instance. Meanwhile, the box becomes a grassland background. The characters will delight little kids while helping them hone their fine motor skills and imagination. Ages 2 to 7

This 13-inch action figure will wow a smaller kid who likes to invent toy adventures. And it comes with a lot for its low price, including a sword and shield that pop off, plus combat sounds and flashing lights. Whoa! Ages 3+

Crafty kids and those deep into the Harry Potter world will love this set, which lets them create a small replica of the Hogwarts potions class. There are more than 100 pieces to use to create detailed miniatures of various potions and ingredients, so this will keep a big kid busy and excited for hours. Ages 8+

Any Star Wars fan will want to get their hands on this mighty 640-piece kit. It comes with four mini-figures, including one that collectors can only get with this set. Ages 9+

A go-kart is a big gift, but one that gets the kids outside and whooping it up minutes after they open it. This one is kid-powered (they use their feet), and they’ll quickly learn to drift and spin. The frame can be adjusted for different-size kids, and it can hold up to 150 pounds. Ages 4+

Game night, holiday parties, family reunions—Uno Teams! is great for all of that. Players partner up, which is especially good for young kids who might need a grown-up to help them learn the rules. (Teaching them when to yell “Uno!” is the best part.) Ages 7+

The under-$10 price of this LEGO kit is mind-blowing, considering it lets your elementary-age child build any of three different creatures: a dragon, a bird and a funny fish (each with the same big eyes to make it extra-adorable). Kids build one, take that apart, then build another, and so on. Ages 6+

A Squishmallows plush is a slam-dunk gift, whether for a girl, boy, preschooler or teenager. This cute option is one of the brand’s many original varieties, but you can find licensed characters from top TV shows and movies, plus holiday-themed plushies and more in the Walmart Squishmallows store. Ages 3+