LEGO and Nex Lead 2026 Holiday Toy List With Interactive Features

LEGO’s 293-piece Star Wars advent calendar stands out as the top holiday item for 2026, offering daily surprises from Dec. 1 to Christmas Day. The set includes minifigures of The Mandalorian and Grogu in holiday sweaters, along with Moff Gideon, Carson Teva, and a Jawa. It also features festive versions of IG-11 and a Pit Droid, and is rated for children ages 6 and up.

The Nex Playground targets family activity by connecting directly to a television. It comes with five preinstalled games, including Fruit Ninja and Whac-a-Mole, which do not require controllers. Up to four people can play simultaneously. An optional Play Pass subscription costs $89 per year and unlocks more than 40 additional titles.

For younger children, a pretend ice cream shop counter allows kids to scoop eight different magnetic flavors. The kit includes six toppings, two cones, a cup, utensils, and play money. The design is suitable for children as young as 3, focusing on counting and social skills through role-playing.

An interactive Play-Doh kitchen set includes over 25 food molds, such as burgers and fries. It also provides role-play accessories like a credit card reader and a storage basket. The package contains eight colors of Play-Doh, enabling immediate use without additional purchases.

Two plush toys round out the list of high-demand items. Gabby is an interactive tiger that grows in size as children feed, pet, and play with her. She responds with roars and purrs and can shrink back to her original size if users wish to restart. A 16-inch Pikachu plush features motion control that triggers mouth movements, blinking, and glowing cheeks. Sensors on the head, nose, and belly activate electric battle sounds and unique effects.

Prices for these items were listed as of Oct. 26, 2026, and may fluctuate before the holiday season. Retailers are advising shoppers to purchase early to avoid stock shortages.