The biggest questions for parents every year are which toys are going to top kids’ wish lists and which are going to sell out. Retailers’ toy lists (an annual tradition in late-August and early September) are a good way to see which way the wind is blowing. And Walmart has just dropped the first one on Aug. 22 — a week earlier than last year. How’s that for “Christmas creep?”
Browse the Walmart 2023 toy list on BlackFriday.com.
What are Holiday Toy Lists?
Every year in late-summer, retailers release early lists of what they think will be the hottest toys this holiday season.
Walmart was the first for 2023 to put out a toy list (Aug. 22, which was a week earlier than the Aug. 30 drop date last year), and we expect Amazon, Target and more to follow suit.
What’s on Walmart’s 2023 Holiday Toy List?
Walmart has broken down its 2023 toy picks into categories, including price, age and theme. You can shop all its picks here.
Here are a few of the main themes — many of these reflect the top toy trends that we also track.
Top Toys Under $25
Shoppers have been feeling the financial pain of inflation for more than a year. And while toys were a category that hasn’t been too hard-hit, parents still have to fit them into their budget. So this year, Walmart’s toy list includes a category for toys under $25, including:
- Smashlings Plushies $5.97
- Nerf Elite Junior Flyer $9.97 – Walmart Exclusive
- Fluffie Stuffiez Small Collectible Plush $14.97
- Magic Mixies Pixlings Dolls $17.97
- LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R $24.97
- And more! See the full list.
Fan Faves from Film and TV
![barbie doll dressed like Margo Robbie's movie character in the roller bladez scene](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/image-21.png)
Obviously, Barbie has taken the world by storm, so she’s going to be popular during the holiday seasons. But plenty of other top franchises graced kids’ screens this year, from “Paw Patrol,” to “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” And if kids saw it on the screen, they’ll want it in their toy box. These are the top franchise-inspired toys for 2023, according to Walmart:
- Real Fx Baby T Rex Animatronic Dinosaur $59 – Walmart Exclusive
- LEGO Star Wars Executor Super Star Destroyer $70 – Walmart Exclusive
- Disney Frozen Bike $98 – Walmart Exclusive
- Barbie Roller Doll $24.97 – Walmart Exclusive
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Movie 2-in-1 Converting Mask $29.97
Best Toys for Quality Time
![beast lab toy, showing the lab and the beast with its face blacked out because it's a surprise toy and you won't know in advance which one you get](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/image-25.png)
From interactive toys, to Hot Wheels play sets, these toys will inspire kids and their families to play together, beyond the time it takes parents to set these things up. Note the really cool new Beast Lab toy (from Moose Toys, of Magic Mixies fame) and the newest Gabby’s Dollhouse set (her original dollhouse sold out a few times last year).
- Gabby’s Dollhouse, Gabby Cat Friend Ship Cruise Ship Toy Vehicle Playset $59
- Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet and Case $29.97
- Beast Lab Single Dino Beast $69 – Walmart Exclusive
- Magic Mixies Genie Lamp $64
- Hot Wheels City Ultimate Garage Playset with 2 Die-Cast Cars, Toy Storage for 50+ Cars $129
The Best ’90s Nostalgia Toys
![furby with orange and yellow fur, wearing a pizza charm necklace](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/image-23.png)
Many ’90s kids are now parents with kids of their own. But some of their toys have stood the test of time. The best part? Parents’ familiarity with these toys can inspire intergenerational play.
- Nerf Elite 2.0 Double Punch Motorized Blaster $34.88
- Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table $44.97
- Barbie Dreamhouse, 75+ Pieces, Pool Party Doll House with 3 Story Slide $179
- Furby Interactive Toy $69
The Best S.T.E.A.M. Toys
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/image-24-1024x1024.png)
S.T.E.A.M. stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Toys in this category encourage creativity, critical thinking and even movement. The complexity of the toy varies by age, but even toddlers can get in on the S.T.E.A.M. action (note the Elmo Slide toy, which encourages them to move and dance).
- VTech Drill and Learn Workbench $59 – Walmart Exclusive
- Little Tikes Story Dream Machine $49
- Sesame Street Elmo Slide Plush $49.97
- LEGO Icons Wildflower Bouquet $60
The post Walmart Drops the First Toy List of the 2023 Holiday Season appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.