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Our kid reviewers tested the top toys of 2022. These are their favorites.

We narrowed down the best nine toys of the year.
By Miller Kern  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 9 Picks

Seckton Children’s Digital Camera (opens in a new tab)

Best for kids who like to take photos

The Seckton digital camera is durable and has kid-friendly features that let kids snap fun photos.

The Good

  • Compact, light, and easy for kids to hold
  • Limited buttons and simple navigation
  • Kid-friendly frame and sticker options
  • Lends itself to creative play and keeps kids occupied and interested for hours

The Bad

  • 8MP resolution is okay, but not great
  • No flash and camera doesn’t adjust for low light
  • Pictures of moving subjects come out blurry
  • You’ll need a card reader to access your pictures

The Bottom Line

This kid-friendly digital camera is a cost-conscious option with a lot to offer, including 8MP resolution, video capabilities, a selfie mode, and fun in-unit stickers and frames. There are limits to its skills — it’s not great in low light or with subjects in motion, for instance — but kids will love it all the same.
Pros & Cons

LeapFrog Magic Adventures Microscope (opens in a new tab)

Best for science-minded kids

The toy microscope comes with smart slides loaded with educational content and games, plus blank slides for kids to explore their own samples.

The Good

  • Fully-functional microscope with 200x magnification
  • Games and videos to keep your kid entertained while they learn
  • Smart slides feature actual microscopic slide images for them to explore

The Bad

  • No built-in storage for the smart slides, so it’s easy to lose them
  • Smart slides lose their novelty quickly

The Bottom Line

This microscope toy is functional, durable, educational, and a blast to play with. For any science-minded kid, it will make a great gift.
Pros & Cons

Stitch ‘N Style Fashion Studio pre-threaded sewing machine (opens in a new tab)

Best for crafty kids

This is a pre-threaded sewing machine that automatically sews when it senses fabric, making it a fun stepping stone for kids wanting to learn to sew.

The Good

  • Awesome introductory machine for any child who wants to learn the basics of sewing with a machine
  • Comes with everything needed to create multiple, customized accessories
  • Easy to use and comes with great instructions on how to use the machine

The Bad

  • Only one fabric that comes with this machine — would be nice if there were a few fabric options, so not all your creations look the same
  • Machine might sense fabric and sew when you don't want it to

The Bottom Line

The Stitch ‘N Style sewing machine is an excellent, easy-to-use toy for a child who wants to give sewing with a machine a try. If you love things that match, then using one fabric will be great for you, but if you aren’t into everything being matchy-matchy, you may want to purchase fabric and trace the patterns to make a variety of accessories.
Pros & Cons

Lego Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions set (opens in a new tab)

Best for every kid

This Lego set includes virtual missions as you build, giving a fun twist on a classic toy.

The Good

  • Uses an interactive app for setup as opposed to the standard Lego book of instructions
  • App was well done and added an extra level of fun to the building process
  • Had some cool building features like the interior of the set and parts that move

The Bad

  • Companion Lego City sets are a bit pricey

The Bottom Line

The online instructions for the Lego Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions make this set really stand out from the others, especially for kids who like playing online games.
Pros & Cons

Sphero Mini Golf Ball (opens in a new tab)

Best for kids into robotics and RC toys

Kids can set up courses, then use a phone or tablet to control this robotic golf ball as it maneuvers around obstacles. It even has built-in games and lights up.

The Good

  • The golf ball robot can be controlled from both your phone and your iPad
  • You can create miniature golf courses for your ball to roll through which engages your kid's imagination
  • There are different modes for controlling and moving the ball

The Bad

  • It’s a little hard to learn how to control the ball
  • Had some difficulties connecting the device to the golf ball

The Bottom Line

The Sphero Mini Golf is a unique, educational STEM toy that engages the imagination and fine motor skills as you create miniature golf courses and control the ball from the device. It takes some practice to figure out how to control the ball well, but it’s still a lot of fun.
Pros & Cons

Osmo Coding Starter Kit (opens in a new tab)

Best for kids interested in STEM

Kids can learn to code with this hands-on, interactive coding game.

The Good

  • The graphics are engaging and well done on the website
  • The coding itself is actually done with physical game pieces
  • Hands-on element versus everything being done virtually

The Bad

  • Setup might be a little hard for kids to understand
  • No real explanation of how to use the pieces with the game

The Bottom Line

This is a fun toy with educational value. It’s great for kids who enjoy being on devices and teaches them the basics of coding while they engage with the games and pieces.
Pros & Cons

Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball (opens in a new tab)

Best for fans of magic

Use a magic wand to summon a stuffed toy out of this crystal ball, and watch as mist appears to reveal the friend inside.

The Good

  • The anticipation of the Magic Mixie emerging into the mist is pure excitement
  • Enjoyed by a wide range of ages (OK, the adults had fun with it, too)
  • The toy doubles as a nightlight

The Bad

  • The fortune-telling aspect may glitch
  • Replacing the mist can add up ($10 per refill)

The Bottom Line

The Magic Mixies crystal ball has a lot of flash, so you’re definitely paying for the experience here rather than the toy itself.
Pros & Cons

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam (opens in a new tab)

Best for the aspiring creator

This kid-friendly vlogging camera comes with a tripod and green screen and has 22 different background options. It even has some games built in.

The Good

  • Great intro camera for kids interested in vlogging or creating YouTube channels
  • Comes with a green screen and a selection of backgrounds
  • Settings where you can learn how to do different tricks, like make objects disappear and float

The Bad

  • Has limited storage, so the videos cannot be very long and they need to be deleted quickly to make room for creating more
  • Overall, the graphics aren’t that great, but for a kid’s vlogging camera it’s kind of what you’d expect

The Bottom Line

This camera is what you would imagine it to be. It is good for kids interested in learning the basics of vlogging and for those who may want to start a YouTube channel of their own. The storage is very limited, so you can’t do, or store, very much on the camera, making the overall use a bit more limited.
Pros & Cons

Smart Teddy (opens in a new tab)

Best for young kids

The soft and cuddly Smart Teddy is packed full of stories, games, positive habit reminders, and more.

The Good

  • Great for independent play
  • Reinforces good routines and habits
  • Educational and interactive
  • Soft and cuddly

The Bad

  • On the pricey side
  • Teddy's voice doesn't feel genuine
  • Requires an app

The Bottom Line

Having a screen-free toy that is not only educational but shares stories and poems makes Smart Teddy a feel-good buy for parents and children. A win for kids 5 and under.
Pros & Cons

We called in the experts (aka our panel of kid reviewers and their parents) to test this year’s hottest toys. Their favorites earned the Mashable Choice Toys badge of honor.


There are so. many. toys. out there, it's hard to know which ones are actually worth your money and which ones your kids will play with once, then let collect dust at the bottom of their toy box. We wanted to see which of this year's hottest toys were actually worth the hype, so we had our panel of kid reviewers (along with their parents) test out 14 of 2022's top toys based on various lists such as the Toy Insider(opens in a new tab) and Amazon's Toys We Love(opens in a new tab).

Our reviewers spent a couple weeks playing with some of this year's most popular toys and then chose the top nine based on their experiences. We still liked the toys that didn't make the top nine, but they just didn't wow our kids in the same way. In addition to the top nine, our panel also played with RUKUSfx(opens in a new tab), Crayola Ultimate Light Board(opens in a new tab), My Avastars Dreamer_3.0 fashion doll(opens in a new tab), Alice’s Wonderland Bakery oven(opens in a new tab), and Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station(opens in a new tab). Scroll to the bottom of this article to see why these toys didn't quite make the cut.

And keep reading to find out why our kid reviewers loved these nine toys the most.

Best for kids who like to take photos
Credit: Marah Eakin / Mashable

Kids love to take pictures. Just ask parents, caregivers, or anyone who’s ever had to pry a newly-smudged and crudded-up iPhone out of their preschooler’s hands. The Seckton digital camera is designed specifically for children, and it has a price point fitting for the audience who might not be the most gentle handlers.

The camera features an 8MP resolution, simple buttons, and tons of fun in-camera stickers, filters, and frames. It has a decent battery life and is simple enough for young kids to use without constantly asking for help.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for science-minded kids
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

The LeapFrog Magic Adventures Microscope is a toy first and a fully-functioning microscope second. It has a 2.4-inch screen, and comes with a reusable slide, reusable tray, and "smart slides" that allow kids to inspect several different microscopic samples (minerals, plant material, human cells, etc.) and watch videos related to them. To be clear, the slides don’t contain actual samples — instead, they’re more like memory cards. Placing a smart slide on the microscope allows you to access that themed content.

This is a great toy for parents and kids. Our 7-year-old tester said, "I liked that you can see things up close and inside." As a Minecraft fan, he also loved that there was a smart slide with gold on it. The only downsides are that there's no built-in storage for the slides and there are limited slides, so kids only have certain content they can watch and play with.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for crafty kids
Credit: Jennifer Thompson / Mashable

A legit sewing machine might be too advanced for a kid starting out, but the Stitch 'N Style Fashion Studio is super beginner-friendly. It's pre-threaded and has a sensor that tells it to sew when fabric is near the needle. It also comes with fabric that has patterns and cut lines printed on it for five different sewing projects, and directions for each pattern are easy to follow.

You're also able to use your own fabric, so the toy sewing machine has a longer lifespan that just the included projects.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for every kid
Credit: Jennifer Thompson / Mashable

You really can't go wrong with a Lego set. There's a reason the building bricks have been such a popular toy for decades. The Mars Spacecraft Exploration Missions set is unique because you complete missions online as you build and once one mission is complete, you move on to the next and build some more until the set is complete. This online feature makes the experience of building even more exciting than just following paper instructions.

Our 10-year-old reviewer said, “I like the Lego set because it uses an app and not instructions and it lets you build your own stuff for each mission. There’s nothing I don’t like about it.” This Lego set is for people ages 6 and up, so it's a universally good toy for almost anyone.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for kids into robotics and RC toys
Credit: Jennifer Thompson / Mashable

A golf ball might not sound like a fun toy, but this isn't your average golf ball. It's a robot kids can control from a phone or tablet. They can set up courses with household items or just steer it around using the onscreen toggle. The golf ball also acts as a controller for in-app games where you hold the ball and move it around to complete the challenges on the screen.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for kids interested in STEM
Credit: Jennifer Thompson / Mashable

Not to be all "kids these days," but kids these days are digital natives in a way that it's actually a disservice to not introduce them to emerging technologies. And as such, coding is not some far-off profession for them, it's a skill built into their toys.

The Osmo Coding Starter Kit is cool because, yes it is digital, but it also has physical game pieces your kid can play with as they code in the online games. You take each of the pieces and build your code on a flat surface in front of your tablet, lending to a more tangible and interactive experience.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for fans of magic
Credit: Erinne Magee / Mashable

You may have seen this toy on TikTok — the appeal is the magical mist that appears before revealing a stuffed animal inside the crystal ball after you wave your wand and cast some spells to summon the plush toy. Even cooler, you can keep recreating this effect with your own toys (as long as they fit inside).

The fun doesn't stop there. You can ask the Mixie plush yes or no questions and it will tell you your "fortune." The crystal ball can even act as a night light. It's a great toy for a wide range of children (or adults).

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for the aspiring creator
Credit: Jennifer Thompson / Mashable

The VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam is ideal for those kids who aspire to have their own YouTube channel and already know how to operate a ring light. It's easy to use and comes with a tripod and green screen (with 22 built-in backgrounds), setting kids up with tools they need to start vlogging.

The camera helps kids be creative and learn how to shoot and edit their own videos. It's not the most high-quality camera, but it's a nice starter option.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

Best for young kids
Credit: Erinne Magee / Mashable

Out of the box, Smart Teddy does just look like a regular stuffed animal and has the softness of one, too. Unlike typical stuffed animals, this bear is connected to an app giving it access to a growing library of songs, stories, games, and more that kids can access via the app or pressing any of Teddy's four paws. And this isn't just early development content — there's engaging material for kids who already know their ABCs and how to count.

Our 5-year-old tester took the smart teddy bear to his kindergarten class and had kids asking if they could hear one more story from Teddy before they left school for the day.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable. Read the full review here.

How we tested

We chose these 14 toys based on lists such as the Toy Insider(opens in a new tab) and Amazon's Toys We Love(opens in a new tab). Our reviewers, ranging in ages from 2 to 14 years old, played with the toys for a couple weeks and determined their favorites based on:

  • Unique factor: Whether the toy has shelf appeal

  • Long-term appeal: If this is something my kids will continually choose to play with

  • Educational value: Whether the toy is just for play or if it has some learning features

In addition to the top nine our panel of kid reviewers chose, they tried out five other toys that they didn't love as much.

  • My Avastars Dreamer_3.0 fashion doll(opens in a new tab): This doll comes with stickers to dress it in outfits that transfer to an online game, but the game itself wasn't as spectacular as our 10-, 12-, and 14-year-old reviewers would've liked. Though, they did like the doll itself and can see it being a good toy for younger kids.

  • RUKUSfx(opens in a new tab): Our 5- and 13-year-old reviewers had fun with this screen-free music maker, but it was a little too challenging for them to master, which keeps it out of the top nine.

  • Crayola Ultimate Light Board(opens in a new tab): Our 7-year-old tester was not really into this drawing toy, but the 2-year-old was, and their parents liked that it was more sustainable than paper. However, the light effects fell short, and this wasn't much cooler than a dry erase board.

  • Alice’s Wonderland Bakery oven(opens in a new tab): Our 4-year-old reviewers thought this interactive bakery was fine, but they would abandon it after about 30 minutes. It's definitely a toy for fans of Alice's Wonderland Bakery, and not so swoon-worthy if your kids don't watch the show.

  • Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station(opens in a new tab): This chemistry set has that "wow" appeal of a real lab, but it required so many additional ingredients that weren't everyday household items. Our 5-year-old tester was content just filling the test tubes with water, but our 13-year-old wanted to actually try the experiments and found that the included ingredients ran out quickly.

woman with short blonde hair smilling
Miller Kern
Deputy Reviews Editor

Miller Kern is the Deputy Reviews Editor at Mashable, where she's been covering products and shopping since 2019. If there's a hot new product or a trend going viral on TikTok, Miller's ready to put it through the wringer to see if it's worth the hype.


More from Mashable Choice Toys

Seckton's low-tech digital camera is the best $40 you’ll ever spend as a parent

Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball is a truly magical toy



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