New Toys Alert: Bubble-Tea Barbies and Mini Magna-Tiles
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As the site’s resident toy expert — I’m the writer behindthe Strategist’s “Toy Store”andgifts for every age— I get an early look at the latest and greatest new toys, often before they hit store shelves. There are dozens of new releases every month, so leading into the holiday season I’ll be doing a toy-centric edition of “Don’t Dillydally.” Here are the launches I’m particularly excited about right now, including mini Magna-Tiles, bubble-tea Barbies, and a Spidey-inspired set of Lego Duplos.
Lots of Magna-Tiles, including a new mini size
Magna-Tiles recently launched several sets in addition to a brand-new tile size: microMAGS. The mini-pieces are 75 percent smaller than original Magna-Tiles — a microMAG square measures about 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches, compared to three inches by three inches on the O.G. version. The mini-tiles are compatible with the original pieces and come in a26-piece travel setor a70-piece deluxe set, as well as in a few deluxe combo packs. Other exciting new sets include abasic castleand adeluxe castle, both of which have a working draw bridge and a spiral staircase, and aspace shuttlewith double doors that open to store all of the set’s pieces.
Tiny, wearable Squishmallow Squish-a-longs
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Squishmallows Squish-a-longs 1” Mini-Squish with 2 Accessories, 1 Ring, and a Collector’s Guide
In keeping with the tiny trend, Squishmallows just launched a collection of cute collectible friends,Squish-a-longs. This is a departure for the brand as the one-inch-tall figures aren’t plush; instead, they’re made of smooth and squishy plastic, a lot like the trade-able “mochi” squish toys that are popular among elementary-school kids. This set comes with a mystery figure, accessories, and a ring base that lets you wear your Squish-a-longs at school or camp.
Mix-and-match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
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Have you ever wondered what Donatello might look like with Shredder’s head and Michelangelo’s legs? This pizza van can show you. Place four of the six included TMNT figurines in the four rotating sections within, close the doors, and push the big green button to launch a brand-new mutated character out the side of the van.
So many new Barbies
Between now and the holidays, we will see dozens of new Barbie dolls, accessories, and play sets. But right now these three are the ones holding my attention. There’s the first-ever blind Barbie, a series of four bubble-tea-inspired Barbies that come with matching slime, and a BRATZ-ified line of Barbies that come with cell phones and laptops and are geared toward older kids.
Build-your-own motion sensing spider
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Just in time for Halloween, this build-your-own motion sensor spider kit lets kids prank their family and friends. It also teaches them about electronics and engineering and even includes a few facts about arachnids.
Lego’s annual advent calendars
Theadvent-calendarindustrial complex encompasses everything from beauty products and specialty jam to fancy stationery and toys. And among the toy calendars, Lego is king. So far this year the brand has opened up preorders for Disney,Harry Potter, andStar Warscalendars that include some delightful details like Olaf on a seesaw, gargoyles for each Hogwarts house, and a festive mug-toting princess Leia.
Spidey-, Ariel-, and Peppa-themed Lego Duplos
For Lego-curious younger kids, you can’t go wrong with Duplo. I like these new licensed sets featuring motorcycle-riding Spin fromSpidey and His Amazing Friends, aLittle Mermaidunderwater café, and Peppa Pig at the supermarket.
Halloween Fluffy Stuffiez
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While I admittedly think the way Fluffy Stuffiez work is weird — you “pluck” a top layer of fur to reveal a new character — this new set of little monsters is pretty cute. My favorite is the Frankenstein that turns into a vampire. But you can also get amummy that turns into a skeletonand acandy corn that turns into a ghost.
Clixo’s glow-in-the-dark ocean pack
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I’ve heard from lots of cool parents the Clixobuilding toysare excellent for encouraging creativity, and because they pack flat, they are great for travel. For the first time in a while, the brand has launched themed packs including this other-worldly glow-in-the-dark ocean creature set, aspace mission pack, and two 15-piecegrab-and-go packs. It comes with 24 pieces and instructions for making nine different animals.
Melissa & Doug’s ocean play gym
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Melissa & Doug Ocean Easy-Fold Wooden Play Gym for Infants
And for babies (or parents) who get a kick out of underwater animals, Melissa & Doug has a new ocean-themed play gym with a double-sided mat — high contrast on one side and full color on the other — plus five friendly sea-creature toys that chime, crinkle, vibrate, rattle, and squeak.
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
