These Are The Best Toys Of The Year In 2022


We live in an age where everything is overdesigned. Your “phone” — a one-stop shop for work, texts, entertainment, video chats, and news — is just the beginning. You can’t seem to buy a vacuum, a toaster, or a fan without a touchscreen, WiFi linkup, and all that entails. Sometimes it’s overly complicated. Sometimes, it adds to the use and value of the thing. But when it comes to toys, it misses the point.

Toys help kids play. Playing is a social thing, an act of learning and observing, interacting and communicating. Through an object, kids can see each other and the world. High-minded and lofty? You bet. In a world filled with screens and connectivity, it’s also awesomely simple.

A great toy draws people in to play together. When choosing this year’s very best toys we kept this in mind. We eschewed screens, movie tie-ins, and other technical and social complexities for toys that invite communication, interaction, imagination, and movement.

We split the list into great toys for toddlers and preschoolers, grade-school kids, and tweens. In each category, you’ll find toys familiar (in form) to what our grandparents might have had to play with. Board games, stuffies, balls, and dolls. We also include toys that are sustainable, made by small businesses and black-owned businesses (see our 15% pledge for that), and built to be passed on to future generations.

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Toddler & Preschool

Count & Clean Dust Bunnies
Amazon
Floor Is Lava! Family Edition
Amazon
Magna Tiles Dino World XL 50-Piece Set
Magna-Tiles
Hugimals Weighted Stuffed Animals
Hugimals
Toniebox
Tonies
Baghera Ride-On Roadster
The Tot
Toadstool Bowling Set
Manhattan Toy
Teamson Kids Little Artist Monet Play Art Table
Maisonette
Honey Hive Thinking Putty
Crazy Aaron’s
Ricedino Dinosaur Plush
Kido Chicago

Grade School

Playmobil Wiltopia Boat Trip To The Manatees
Amazon
National Geographic Power Rocket
Amazon
Nerf Sports Freestyle Foam Soccer Ball
Amazon
Jumbo Philbin 29" Teddy Bear
Gund
Funko Disney Thunder Mountain Board Game
Amazon
Twister Splash
Amazon
Hape Ocean Life Puzzle
Hape
Quadrilla Stack Track Bucket Set
Amazon
Areaware Cubebots
Kido Chicago
Herstory Dolls
Herstory Doll

Tweens

LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System Building Set
Amazon
Throw Throw Burrito Extreme Outdoor Edition
Amazon
Nerf Sports Vortex Howler Accelerator
Amazon
Nerf Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 Blaster
Amazon
Wordle The Party Game
Amazon
Magic the Gathering Starter Kit
Amazon
RadExpand 5 Electric Folding Bike
Rad Power Bikes
Proper Gnar Argyle Skateboard Deck
Proper Gnar