Toys have come a long way since I was a toy-loving kid and this year the toy haul is looking pretty darned good. Take a trip down the toy aisle with Mum Central as we showcase a few of the best toys of 2023 that will inspire hours of entertainment and wonder. It’s a great time to be a kid!
We’ve got activity kits, craft sets, trending toys, new toys, brain games and collectables plus plenty more great toys. Ready for the best toys of 2023 countdown? Let’s go!
8 of the best toys of 2023
Build-a-Book: Kito, The Bravest Kitten
RRP: $30 book only, $50 book, bricks and other resources
Where to buy: Yay4Play
OUR PICK FOR: BEST EDUCATIONAL TOY
Let’s start our best toys of 2023 roundup with something for the younger kiddies on the list and a brand new product – Yay4Play’s Build-a-Book. This is the first installment in the series and is a beautiful way to engage children in both reading and building.
Each kit comes with the book, base plate, bricks and characters to recreate the storyline. Watch as the pages come alive as children use their imagination to build DUPLO-like models, mirroring the captivating storyline. Essentially, as they read the book, they build the story, not only developing their literacy skills but also spatial, problem-solving and lateral thinking skills too.
This approach is interactive, dynamic and customisable to the young reader’s interpretation, not to mention a fun way to get children interested in reading and storytelling. Build-a-Book: Kito, the Bravest Kitten follows Kito on a tree-climbing adventure with her pals, Pablo the panda and Diggy the dog. We absolutely love this concept and know little ones will adore it too!
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Disney Doorables
RRP: Doorables Series 9 Mini Peek $9 Multi peek $17, Squish’Alots $20, Let’s Go Road Trip Vehicles $15
Where to buy: Big W, Kmart, Myer and independent retailers
Our pick for: BEST COLLECTABLE TOY
Disney Doorables are a collector’s dream! Behind every door a surprise is in store with Disney Doorables. Open the door to reveal an “adoorable” Disney/Pixar character that is the perfect fit for any little one’s pocket. These special little toys are small enough to bring everywhere and make a great addition to any toy shelf or play area.
Featuring characters from Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, Lion King, Pixar’s Toy Story, Winnie the Pooh, Lilo & Stitch and more, your little one will delight in opening the door and revealing the surprise.
There are tons of Doorables to collect including the original Doorables Series 9 Multi and Mini peek packs as well as the brand new teeny tiny squishy cousins, the Squish’Alots which are slightly smaller in size with a squishy body. There’s also the adored Let’s Go Road Trip Vehicles which includes a character and a cute car too. The ultimate unboxing experience, Disney Doorables will bring their imaginations to life with their favourite Disney characters.
Akedo TMNT Battle Arena
RRP: $70
Where to buy: Big W, Kmart, Amazon and all good toy stores
OUR PICK FOR: BEST BATTLE TOY
Brand new to the toy aisle is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Ultimate Battle Arena where kids can challenge their mates, siblings, or you, to the ultimate showdown between good vs evil. The Akedo Battle Arenas from Moose Toys are hugely popular among older kids and we predict the new Akedo TMNT edition will be a best-seller.
Prepare for an epic battle between Leonardo and Shredder as both are equipped with unique weapons and fight moves. As the battle progresses, players will be immersed in over 35 real TMNT battle sound effects and 4 unique and interchangeable Arena backdrops!
Add even more excitement to the battle with various Versus Packs which include 8 other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle battling figures (two per pack). Sold separately.
Magic Mixies Pixlings
RRP: $35
Where to buy: Big W, Kmart, Target, Amazon and all good toy retailers
OUR PICK FOR: BEST SURPRISE TOY
You may have heard of Magic Mixies before – they have been incredibly popular for a couple of years now. But this year there’s something even more magical brewing – the brand-new Magic Mixies Pixlings! There is nothing quite like this on the toy shelves yet and we know these will be huge, especially for kids who LOVE surprises.
Children will create a magic potion that reveals a magic Pixling – a beautiful doll from a faraway fairyland. Simply add the ingredients to the Potion Bottle, say the magic words, press the Crystal Gem and VOILA … their Pixlings Doll will magically appear through the blue potion swirls, ready for magical adventures.
There are three different Pixlings to collect, all with long brushable hair, a mystical pearl gem on their forehead and fashionable accessories and clothing. How exciting!
Duncan® Brain Game Combo Set
RRP: $20
Where to buy: Woolworths
OUR PICK FOR: BEST GAMES
Keep them occupied and get their brains going with the best 3 brain games in one. These puzzles will keep them occupied and off their screens, and great for at home or on the go while travelling, as last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers. Duncan® is one of the biggest names in toys around and this puzzle set is beautifully designed and built to last too.
The Duncan® Brain Game Combo Set comes with three popular brain games. The Color Shift Puzzle Ball is a brain game/fidget toy that keeps their fingers entertained by challenging their minds too. The Quick Cube (3×3) will give their brains a workout as they attempt to move all the colours to each side. Finally, let their creativity shine with the Serpent Snake Puzzle which allows kids to create all sorts of shapes by simply twisting the puzzle.
Jada Toys RC Vehicles
RRP: From $55.00
Where to buy: Big W and Toy Mate
OUR PICK FOR: BEST REMOTE CONTROL TOY
For the best in RC toys, you can’t go past Jada! They make the hottest rides from ultimate blockbuster movies including The Fast & the Furious, Transformers and Spider-Man. We know, it’s a tough choice, but we know your little speedsters will love any of these high-quality remote controls.
The Fast & The Furious 1:16 scale range is ideal for recreating high-octane movie moments while blitzing in the backyard. These toy cars are powered by a built-in rechargeable battery (USB cable included) and the controller just takes two AA batteries. All RC vehicles also have a range of up to 100 feet, suitable for kiddies 6+.
For Transformers fans, the Transformers Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are ideal, ready to launch into action straight out of the box complete with authentic lights and sound effects. Or get their spidey senses tingling with the Spider-Man RC range, modelled after the newest Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie.
Cyclops Bikes
RRP: $139 – $179
Where to buy: Target and Gift Playground
OUR PICK FOR: BEST OUTDOOR TOYS
If your child is after a new set of wheels, then Cyclops Bikes are our top pick. We’ve especially hand picked two for avid riders including the Biomechanix Bikes available at Gift Playground and the Cyclops Wizard BMX Bike, available at Target.
Biomechanix Bikes are great for everyday riding and come in three sizes (30cm, 40cm and 50cm). They offer a lightweight, alloy frame, smooth roll tyres and a hand and coaster brake for safe stopping power. This is a great ”next level’ bike for kids looking for a high-quality bike that goes the distance.
For the BMX fans, you can’t go past the Cyclops Wizard BMX Bike. It features a steel frame, slick electroplate finish and freestyle BMX tyres that will make you stand out from the crowd. Additional features include a 360-degree cable rotor and stunt pegs that allow for plenty of tricks.
Wizarding World Hogwarts Divination Tea Set
RRP: $40
Where to buy: Big W
OUR PICK FOR: BEST PRETEND PLAY TOY
A tea set is a must for pretend play and there are several different sets on the market. But none of them can predict your future, except, of course, one from Hogwarts! The Wizarding World Hogwarts Divination Tea Set not only makes a terrific addition to any home, cafe or kitchen playspace, but also acts as a crystal ball.
Simply add cold water to the teapot and read the tea leaves, just like the Hogwarts students do in the movies. A symbol magically appears when water is added to one of the teacups! The cold water will reveal one of three potential readings, like a sun for great happiness, a heart for love and The Grim! Once you dry the tea set you can do it all over again.
This tea set comes with a teapot, three teacups, three saucers and a crystal ball – the perfect imaginative set for aspiring wizards and muggles alike.
So there you have it – our compilation of the top toys of 2023, ranging from educational gems to coveted collectables and everything in between.
If you’re in search of additional trending toys, the best options for Christmas, or fantastic gift ideas for kids, be sure to explore our shopping guides.
