For the 2021 holiday season, toy experts say kids of all ages want comforting gifts to play with, like fidget spinners and reusable bubble wrap
Mehmet Hilmi Barcin/Getty Images, Susan L. Angstadt/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
It can be tough to know what the kids in your life want for the holidays, especially if you aren't privy to their private correspondence with Santa or don't know what's age-appropriate for them to play with.
So Insider spoke with toy and gaming experts Jennifer Lynch and Mat Piscatella about the hottest trends in playtime this year.
Lynch, a content developer and toy trend specialist at The Toy Association, told Insider that she talks to toy manufacturers and surveys thousands of parents throughout the year to find out what kids really want.
"The pandemic took a toll on everyone," Lynch said. "So some of the hottest toys you're going to see in the market right now focus on bringing out that magic element and offering kids some extra comfort this holiday season."
Here are some popular toys that experts said kids of all ages, from babies to teens, and even some adults, would love to receive this year.
Rawpixel/Getty Images
For babies and toddlers, Lynch said that parents are generally focused on giving their children toys that will help them learn and grow.
Radio Flyer
The walker teaches babies balance and helps them develop motor skills, Lynch said.
Recommended ages: 1 to 4 years
Fisher-Price
The robot is "loaded with tons of different types of activities, and there are different ways that kids can interact with it," Lynch said.
Recommended ages: 6 months to 5 years
Chen Yuyu/VCG via Getty Images
Kids between 4 and 7 years old tend to be more passionate about particular characters they love and have more to say about the types of toys they're interested in, Lynch told Insider.
Some brands, she said, like Pokemon, transcend age groups.
Moonbug
Toys inspired by the children's shows "Bluey" and "CoComelon" are really popular this year, she said, adding that the CoComelon JJ Doll is a hot seller this season.
Recommended ages: 6 years and up
Roberto Westbrook/Getty Images
Older kids between 8 and 11 years old — also known as tweens — are typically interested in doll play and gaming, Lynch said.
Pixicade Plus
One particularly popular toy this year "will scan your drawings into an app, and then you can play your drawings as video games," she said.
Recommended ages: 6 and up
Susan L. Angstadt/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
When it comes to toys, teenagers are typically into playing games, Lynch said.
Brands like Exploding Kittens, which started out as a card game, come out with an innovative multiplayer game each year, according to Lynch.
Exploding Kittens
Lynch said this Exploding Kittens game is really popular this year, adding that it's a fast-paced game that is similar to pinball.
Recommended ages: 7 and up
Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images via Getty Images
When it comes to video games, Mat Piscatella, executive director of games at The NPD Group, told Insider that console sales are strong for the Nintendo Switch, Play Station 5, and Xbox Series.
He said that games like Among Us, Call of Duty: Warzone, Candy Crush Saga, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, and Pokémon Go are some of the most-played games in 2021.
Credit: Andres Barrionuevo / EyeEm
Lynch said that this year, more toys are geared toward adults, and more adults are buying them, from zen puzzles to building blocks.
Lego
Lynch said that she has the popular bouquet that you construct out of Legos in her own office.
"It literally looks like a true flower bouquet once you've constructed it," she added.
Recommended ages: 18 and up
Mehmet Hilmi Barcin/Getty Images
Comforting fidget and sensory toys are trending for kids across age groups, Lynch told Insider.
Fat Brain Toys
This popular toy "is like bubble wrap that you can repeatedly pop in and out," she said. "It's fun and something for kids to take out a little bit of stress and anxiety on to."
Recommended ages: 3 years and up
Fat Brain Toys also makes a simpler Dimpl toy that's appropriate for babies.
Recommended ages: 10 months and up
