Play on! The best toys for 2024 and where to buy them

Montessori Mates Mini Chef Kids Kitchen Set, RRP $59.99

Ignite your child’s imagination with this terrific toy – a kid-sized kitchen utensils set from Montessori Mates. Fun for a play kitchen or the real thing (with supervision), this set of eight items will see them stirring, flipping and rolling and helping them grow a love of making things.

Santi the Sloth, RRP $169

Santi the Sloth is more than just a gorgeous soft toy that your little one will love cuddling. It’s a programmable sleep toy that has a soft night light and various music options taking Santi from a daytime to a naptime and nightime lovey. A perfect toy to give a loved one as it goes from newborn ownards, plus it includes a safe and sturdy teething ring for little chewers.

Furby, RRP $99.99

Furby, the iconic interactive toy from the 90s is back!  Furby features five voice activated modes and there are over 600 responses to discover, including lights, sounds, and 10 unique songs.

Furby also responds to hugs, pats, belly tickles, shaking, and feeding of its pretend Pizza Charm, yum! The more playtime with Furby, the more fun they can unlock.

Furby will be available in two new colours, Purple from all major retailers and the limited-edition Coral (exclusive to Toymate).

Fingerlings Lulu Baby Unicorn Interactive Toy, RRP $25

The latest addition to the Fingerlings Collection is Lulu, the adorable and magical baby unicorn.

Fingerlings are interactive toys that responds to touch through sensors on ther head, mouth, and belly.

A gentle nudge on Lulu will make her produce more than 70 loveable sounds and responses, keeping children fascinated and immersed in imaginative play. Children can feed, kiss, pet, shake, and flip her around for more delightful reactions.

Story Time Chess, on sale $49.95

Playing chess helps teach kids strategic thinking, maths skills, and even social skills when playing in person.

Story Time Chess is a great way to introduce the game to children, as young as three years old. Using a beautifully designed storybook, kids learn exercises for each piece in chess and steadily develop the skills needed to play full games.

Story Time Chess won the 2021 Toy of the Year award for its ability to teach chess to young children using silly stories, vibrant illustrations, custom pieces, and a unique chess board.

Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo Plush, RRP $39

Elmo just loves to be tickled!

Tickle Me Elmo talks, wiggles and giggles.

Includes over 20 Elmo sounds – the more you tickle Elmo’s tummy, the harder he laughs and wiggles!

Or press his hands and feet to hear him talk, laugh and ask to be tickled again and again!

Red Nose Day Wiggly character plush toys, RRP $9.00 each.  

Red Nose Australia and beloved children’s entertainers The Wiggles  released a limited-edition plush toy collection to help save little lives.

Available from the Red Nose Day Shop, the range features iconic Wiggly characters wearing red noses: Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn.

All proceeds will go towards Red Nose’s mission to save little lives by funding research, education programs and providing 24/7 support services for grief-stricken families when the worst does happen.

Lovevery Play Kits, RRP $195

Lovevery is known for its award-winning play kits that little ones absolutely adore.

Lovevery’s early learning system supports families with stage-based play essentials for children designed to both physically and mentally stimulate them.

Not only that, but the play kits are delivered once every two months, which means there’s a new, stage-relevant box of fun just around the corner – timed perfectly to grow with your bub’s developmental skills.

Bitzee™ the new 3D Interactive Digital Pet, RRP $49.95 at Amazon

Once their purple pod is opened, Bitzee pets come to life with an innovative, full colour 3D display that you can touch, feel, and interact with, offering an all new play experience.

Bitzee starts as an 8-bit baby character. Just like a real pet, Bitzee needs love and care to help it grow. Virtual interactions allow you to feed them, rock them to sleep and clean up after them too. They will respond to your tilts, swipes, and shakes with adorable sounds and reactions.

If you don’t give your pet enough love, they’ll run away, but they can always be coaxed back with a treat and some extra attention. When the love meter is full, that means your Bitzee is ready to evolve. Each Bitzee evolves from baby, to adult, to a super Bitzee.

There’s 15 Bitzee toy pets in the one pod that kids can collect, including Puppy, Hedgehog, and Bunny, and even rarer Butterfly, Poodle, and Chameleon characters. Mythical creatures including Mercat and Unicorn characters will also be available.

Fingerlings, RRP $25, 

Fingerlings are adorable, interactive baby monkeys with 70+ sounds and reactions.

They even know when they’re on your finger – just watch their heart glow and their personality change when they’re on your finger versus off,

Each unique Fingerlings character has its own unique personality and voice that reminds you how much they care – and how fun they are to have around.

Try to choose just one favourite, or collect them all.

Available at Kmart.

Ticket to Ride: Europe, RRP $49

2-5 players, ages 8+

Ticket to Ride: Europe is an expansive board game that has players building railway routes across Europe. The gameplay is simple, yet sophisticated, with rules that can be learned in under 15 minutes.

Exploding Kittens, RRP $34

2-5 players, ages 7+

Exploding Kittens is a card game full of nail-biting and hilarious moments. The comedic illustrations are a joy for young players as they scramble to avoid drawing the exploding kittens.

Azul, RRP $35

2-4 players, ages 8+

In Azul, each player is a tile-laying artist competing to create the most decorative wall in the Royal Palace of Evora. The beautifully designed game pieces allow young children and non-readers to pick up and play the game.

CATAN, RRP $49

3-4 players, ages 10+

CATAN has players vying to become the dominant presence on the island of Catan by paving roads, building cities, and establishing settlements. The trading mechanic creates a perfect mix of social diplomacy and backstabbing among players!

Care Bears new plush collection, from $39, Big W

Care Bears have launched a huggable new collection of plush toys at Big W.

Care Bears Scented Bear Calming Heart Bear, RRP $39, is infused with the soothing scent of lavender to make night times smell sweet.

We also adore the Care Bears Limited Edition Crystal Togetherness Bear, RRP $99 (Toy Catalogue Sale Price – $79). This snuggly Care Bear features a cute crystal nose and a crystal belly badg.

Check out the full range instore and online at Big W this June and July.

Disney The Little Mermaid Ariel Fashion Doll, RRP $34.99 

Fans of the new Disney The Little Mermaid movie will love re-creating their favourite movie moments or imagining new adventures with the Ariel fashion doll.

Disney The Little Mermaid LEGO, RRP $32.99

Based on the live-action The Little Mermaid film, this LEGO set features three areas – Ursula’s lair with a folding shell throne; Prince Eric’s library with a hidden book and map; and Ariel’s cave with a revolving statue and key.

The LEGO Builder app guides kids on an easy and intuitive building adventure, letting them zoom in and rotate models in 3D, save sets and track their progress.

The set all includes micro-doll figures, Ariel, Prince Eric and Ursula plus a Sebastian LEGO crab figure.

The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome, RRP $13

Mattel has announced the introduction of its first Barbie doll with Down syndrome, created to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie.

Barbie worked closely with the US-based National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) – a leading human rights organisation for people with Down syndrome – so that the Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome could introduce a new face and body sculpt that would meaningfully and immediately connect with the community.

The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome is now available from Kmart, Target and Big W.

Totally You doll, RRP $29 – $39

Choose from eight unique Totally You dolls, including two deluxe dolls, or collect them all!

Available exclusively at Kmart, kids will love dressing their doll up or down, mixing and matching outfits and creating the perfect look with 13 Themed Fashion Packs.

From baking, to back-to-school, and the special indulgence of a spa day – Totally You girls just want to have fun!

Squishy Squad Dolls, RRP $15 and Squishy Squad Pals, RRP $10

These collectible, tactile toys are perfect to touch – plus their stretchy, squeezable, stress-relieving benefits are so satisfying, for both adults and children alike!

Each  of the six new Squishy Squad Dolls have their own uniquely perky personalities and different filling that gives each toy its own familiar, friendly feel.

To add to your collection, each Squishy Squad Doll also has a special Squishy Squad Pal they love to spend time with.

Care Bears Cubs, RRP $15.00

These little ones are the newest members of the Care Bear family.

The tiny beanie plush cubs will undoubtedly brighten your day. These cubs are destined to become the cuddly beanie babies of the Care Bear world.

Available in some of your most cherished bears, including Cheer Bear, Funshine Bear, Dream Bright Bear, Share Bear, Tenderheart Bear and Goodluck Bear. Soon to be available at Big W.

Care Bears Squeeze-E-Balls, RRP from $15.00

Meet the squishiest and glitteriest pals in the Kingdom of Care-a-Lot.

Squeeze your favourite Care Bears, Funshine and Cheer Bear to relieve stress and increase satisfaction in your day.

These sensory toys are perfect for both kids and adults. Squeeze-E-Balls are now available from Big W.

The Epic Fail Game, RRP $39.95

The Epic Fail Game is a set of 30 whimsical activity cards designed to flip the way the whole family thinks about failing.

There is no limit to the number of players or time needed. Play for hours on a Sunday afternoon, sneak a quick few activities before bed time or take a few out on the road.

The Wish Pixies launh ‘Create your own Pixie Doll’, RRP $55

The Wish Pixies want to empower kids to unleash their imagination by being able to create their very own Pixie Doll online.

Children can choose from the many options of doll designs, ears, wings, scarf – and for the first time ever – open or close the Pixie’s eyes!

See how each selection completely changes the doll’s appearance to make it uniquely yours so it represents the Pixie of your own personality.

The doll will then be individually handcrafted to your exact design, by artisans of Australian Social Enterprise Assembled Threads and packaged in beautiful fairy wing card with your name, as the creator, on the back.

There is also an option to donate a portion of the profit of your doll to a charity of your choice.

This range of designs is limited and will change regularly.

Download the design form here.

LEGO Friends Hair Salon, RRP $69.99

Kids aged six  and over will love exploring the LEGO Friends Hair Salon with Paisley and Olly.

There is loads to discover, with washing and styling areas inside the salon and a gumball machine, scooter parking area and a bench outside.

Boost the fun, kids can enjoy an easy and intuitive building adventure with the LEGO Builder app. Here they can zoom in and rotate models in 3D, save sets and track their progress.

Disney Doorables Series 8 is even more a-Doorable! RRP $$17

Behind every door a surprise is in store with the Disney Doorables Multi Peek Series 8 collectible figures!

Series 8 includes 58 characters from the stories of Disney’s Hercules, Alice in Wonderland, Wreck-It Ralph, Glittery Disney Fairies, Toddler Disney Princesses, Disney Pixar’s Turning Red, and 6 pearlised translucent figures from Monsters, Inc.

There are even 6 special edition scented figures, and two limited edition figures with unique collector coins.

YBIKE Pewi, Ride On/Walker, RRP $119.95

The YBIKE Pewi (pronounced pee-wee) range includes educational and developmental ride on “walking buddy” push toys for children aged 9 months to 3 years.

For riding, pushing, sitting, and supported walking; the award-winning design of the YBIKE Pewi gets little ones moving with stability and security.

Dyson Toy Handheld Stick Vacuum, RRP $44.99

If your little one loves playing pretend, this replica Dyson cord-free vacuum makes play extra realistic.

This fun toy vacuum is built to look and sound just like the real thing, with working suction to pick up small bits and pieces, an easy-open hatch to empty it all out afterwards, and moving coloured balls in the debris compartment to simulate real cyclonic action!

Plus, with multiple easy release attachments to promote different ways to play, this realistic role-play toy encourages exploration, imagination and discovery, helping to develop social skills, hand/eye co-ordination, problem solving and motor skills, building an understanding of cause and effect.

Bosch Mini Toy Leaf Blower, RRP $45

German engineering at its finest. For over 125 years Bosch has been taking it to the max with everything from home appliances to power tools that delight while getting things done!

Their Mini range has been created especially for little carpenters, gardeners and lumberjacks, offering pretend play power tool fun for the whole family.

Casdon Deluxe Henry Cleaning Trolley Set, RRP $59.99

Your little helper will love the Deluxe Henry Cleaning Trolley. Packed with so many Henry-themed cleaning goodies, this set is great for pretend play that helps to develop social skills as well as the development of hand-to-eye co-ordination and the understanding of cause and effect. Yep, kids will really love learning to clean with this cute set!

Sirin Bunny by Foxy Beginnings, RRP $114.50

Sirin Bunnies come with gorgeous accessories, from their crocheted wrap and hat, to their beautiful dresses – every single stitch is lovingly handcrafted. They are soft and snuggly, lightweight, easy to maintain, made from eco-friendly materials and have embroidered features.

Handmade in Istanbul, Turkey, Şirin is Turkish for ‘cute’ and we just know that this sweet little bunny will be the perfect companion for the beautiful little cutie in your life.

Care Bears, Care-a-Lot Bear, RRP $29

In 1982, Care Bears are born with 10 original bears (Tenderheart, Friend, Wish, Cheer, Good Luck, Grumpy, Birthday, Bedtime, Funshine, Love-a-Lot).

Care Bears hold a special place in the hearts of many children, from the 80s and 90s to now. Launching in 1982, Care Bears are celebrating their 40th anniversary with the release of Care-a-Lot Bear!

Care-a-lot Bear has the most magic and belly badge powers of all the bears. She knows that caring for others is the best way to spend kindness and love whenever you go and she uses her many powers to do so. Care-a-Lot Bear’s motto and she’s never afraid to show how much she cares.

Available exclusively at BIG W and is due to feature across toys, apparel and more through multiple retailers including BIG W, Target and Spotlight from July.

Discovery Kids Shake Studio Sprinkle Designer Kit – On sale for $35, RRP $59.99

Let your child unleash their creative imagination with this sprinkle stencil design kit!

The Floor is Lava! RRP $25

Exclusive to Kmart, this easy-to-play game promotes physical activity while having fun.

Imagine the Floor is Lava then mind where you step if you don’t want to get burnt!

Spin the spinner and jump on the tile of the right colour to escape the danger!

Hurry! Tiles will disappear one after the other.

Improve balance and dexterity to win the game!

Age: 5+ Players: 2-6

Phlat Ball, RRP $25

Throw a disc, catch a ball!

The Phlat Ball V4 miraculously turns from disc to ball when thrown!

So squash it flat, toss it to your mate and enjoy the dual-action fun of flinging a disc, then catching ball!

Available at Leading Retailers

Age: 6+ Players: 1+

Gobble Monster, RRP $25

Your objective is to collect the most toys!

Pull out the tongue, place the gobbler on the middle of the table and place all the toys onto the tongue, evenly divided. Take a card from the pile and act.

Be careful of the gobbler!

When he strikes, the active player will have to put back all their toys. The player with the most toys at the end wins.

Exclusive to Target

Age: 4+ Players: 2-4

Rummikub Original, RRP $29

Rummikub Original with brilliant simplicity, Rummikub provides hours of amusement, each game as different as the combinations of moves you choose to play!

The LOL Surprise OMG House of Surprises with 85+ Surprises, RRP $399

The LOL Surprise OMG House of Surprises is four stories and has 10 rooms, including a bedroom, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, living room, pool, rooftop patio, movie theatre, diner and more. And each of the 10 fully furnished rooms fit all OMG fashion dolls and LOL Surprise dolls!

Enjoy the interactive lights of the firepit on the rooftop patio, and check out the working elevator, the dishwasher in the kitchen, and more.

Olli Ella, Dinkum Doll, RRP $95

Full of love and wonder, they’re the Dinkum Dolls! Children can snuggle them, dress them, and style their hair.

The Dinkum Dolls are made from the softest, snuggliest cotton outer, making them perfect for not only playing with, but cuddling and going to sleep alongside. They feature the sweetest embroidered details, from their eyes and mouth, to the little rainbow over their heart.

Each doll comes with its own removable unisex outfit, socks, nappy, and shoes.

A portion of each Dinkum Doll sold will be donated to Save The Children to support global education initiatives.