The Hottest Kids’ Toys for 2015

Oh yes—it's the time of year when the most exciting and amazing toys hit shelves. It's the power of play, and to watch a child absorbed in their imagination is an amazing thing. We've got the top toy picks for each age group that will delight and amaze, teach, and tickle their funny bones. Because they're kids, and it's the holidays, and is there anything quite as magical as watching their faces light up with the surprise of new toys?

This is a heart-warming campaign that features hand-knit dolls and a quest to feed hungry children. Buying one doll provides 10 meals for kids; there are also prints available and other bundles. The dolls are handcrafted by Peruvian artisans, so the investment also supports fair trade and their livelihood. Plus the dolls are all natural, ridiculously cute and personable. Recommended age: 0-12 months

When wee babes are involved, toys that can fold up and save space are key. After all, we're already hauling around half of the household in the diaper bag and we only have two hands! But this toy has a plethora of options to fascinate, from mirrors to squeaky parts and crinkly fabric. And should tummy time turn into spit-up time it's easily washable, thank goodness. Recommended age: 0-12 months

It's bright, it's soft, and it's got five sides of tactile fun: things that squeak, rattle crinkle, reflect and feel great to gum on. Perfect for engaging all baby's senses. Recommended age: 6 months and up

This adorable little pal will help baby get moving, dancing and singing, too! The animatronic toy is interactive and even helps the little one learn ABCs. Cue the dance party, BeatBo has some serious moves, and giggles are inevitable. Recommended age: 9 months up to 3 years

We adore the sensory input provided by these balls. With lights, confetti, bells and glitter, these toys are great to shake, rattle and roll. They come in a 4-pack of assorted varieties and each measures 4”, so no chocking hazard here, plus they're BPA- and phthalate-free. Recommended age: 6 months and up

Now this they will adore. It's not a bicycle but a fire truck built for two! Battery powered, the duo can move forward with lights and realistic fire truck noises. The battery is easy to recharge as well. Recommended age: 1-4 years

This little hedgehog is not only cute, he doubles as a sleep trainer! He's a nightlight but he also changes colour to let your growing babe know when it is OK to wake. It also plays lullabies and should baby wake in the middle of the night, the motion sensor activates the lullaby to play for 23 minutes so baby can drift back to sleep. Recommended age: 12 months and up

This new version of Elmo is exactly like the toy that we wanted as a kid—one that could actually play games any time of day. Elmo is practically sentient with the ability to play pat-a-cake and sing other nursery rhymes with our little ones. Recommended age: 18 months-4 years

We absolutely adored this toy as kids, and some of our more forward-thinking friends and their parents saved theirs for this generation—who love it too. If you haven't got a 1975 original in the basement, fret not because Fisher Price has brought it back—and it's glorious. There's something about the coins slipping into their slots and making change that is very satisfying and educational. Recommended age: 2-4 years

Kids can move the little horses and princesses around the track to accompanying clicks and clacks that keep our kids mesmerized. Seriously, this is a hit at play dates for our crew. Recommended age:18 months-5 years

These blocks are a huge hit, so much so that everyone who ever came for a playdate ended up purchasing a set. There are enough different shapes and sizes to make these great for building just about anything. Plus they don't mark the walls and are soft enough that when the castle they created crashes down around them there are no ouchies. Recommended age: 3 years and up

Uh-oh, someone fell hard for StarLily the interactive unicorn. With movement, a glowing horn, and the ability to walk, we really never had a chance against this one. Recommended age: 4 years and up

Little kids love to do big kid or adult activities, so they'll take to this cleaning set much faster than their teenage counterparts. Nicely designed, realistic looking and big enough for developing fine motor skills, this set lets them feel like they're working hard—just like their parents! Recommended age: 3 years and up

This is one very cool construction toy from one of our favourite wood toy makers, Hape. It features a working, movable crane, huge digger and dump truck—perfect for hours of imaginative play. Recommended age: 3 years and up

What's better than a dollhouse? A substantial castle complete with Princess Celestia, Spike the pet dragon, and lots of moveable parts like a working elevator. My Little Pony continues to be a huge favourite with the preschool and younger grades and this extends the play for hours and allows for so many different stories to unfold. Recommended age: 3-5 years

If your little one loves Peppa Pig they will be over the moon to have their own huggable, squeezable version, complete with lights and sounds. A wonderful companion and car buddy. Recommended age: 3-5 years

This is a wonderfully realistic toy workbench for kids who just love to build and construct. It comes with all the tools they could imagine, and they're battery operated so they are much more like the real thing. Unlike some other behemoths this workbench folds up, making it perfect to stow away or bring along. Recommended age: 3 years and up

If your little one doesn't yet have a MapleLea doll, may we recommend the latest addition to the crew, the West Coast-dwelling kayaking superstar Charlsea, complete with funky-coloured tights? Or if it's a new outfit in order, check out the Canadian winter-inspired, red plaid shirt, leggings, toque and Sorel-like boots. Recommended age: 3 years and up

‘Paw patrol, paw patrol, we'll be there on the double…'. Yup, our little one is into Paw Patrol big time and they are obsessed with all the characters. So we know they'll be super-ecstatic with their own Chase, complete with tools and 24 different missions. Recommended age: 3-6 years

They'll absolutely adore it because it's a cool chomping dinosaur that also grabs the attention of their older siblings, who have seen the Jurassic World movie. And we're happy because we've always been fond of dinosaurs and learning about the different species and eras. Also—colour-changing skin—how cool is that? Recommended age: 4 years and up

Ok, what preschooler doesn't love Minions? It's great that they get to own a set of characters and the Mega Blocks are perfect for little fingers trying to build. They'll love the Minions and the building and playacting experience. Recommended age: 3 years and up

These new Flipsies are pretty cool and brimming with personality. Sandy's ocean cruiser turns into a beach house—very convenient as she wants to be a marine biologist! Lots of interaction with phrases and other features that show the doll's personality and fun. Recommended age: 4-9 years

The much-loved boogie board just got easier for little writers and artists, who can now place the screen over anything and trace it. Great for letters, shapes, or pictures, it's easy to trace, finish, erase, and start all over again. Never run out of paper or deal with storing millions of drawings again! Recommended age: 3 years and up

This may just be the toy of the season—if you can get one in time. We love the ability to build different light sabres for a customized weapon of the Force. Lights and sounds make it like the ones in the upcoming movie, which we know the whole family wants to see. Use the Force indeed! Recommended age: 4-11 years

LEGO and Scooby Doo together are like a match made in heaven. Scooby Doo has had enormous staying power and is popular with a wide range of ages. The Lego set is great fun and allows Scooby, Shaggy and the gang to act out all those adventures. Recommended age: 5 years and up

Talk about getting into the action with this wearable action gear that allows our little Avenger to fight alongside their team. They'll feel the vibration of strikes as they train with Captain American or practice with the Hulk. Recommended age: 6 years and up

The kiddos can build an awesome hideaway just about anywhere with these tools, clips and accessories. Inside, outside, with friends or a space to oneself, the sky's the limit with these cool connecting bases, poles, joints and fabric. We just hope we get invited in. Maybe if we bake cookies… Recommended age: 5-10 years

This toy goes beyond Gumby to allow our little directors to position the bendy, suction-cup enabled Stikbots to create their own stop motion film. With two figures and a tripod included, we think this is simply ingenious and takes our typical puppet shows up a level or two. Recommended age: 6 years and up

This is an artist or crafter's dream. So many materials just waiting to be combined into some amazingly cool 3D construct. Sure, there ares the usual pipe cleaners but there are also eyes, felt, sequins and of course, the much-needed glue to hold it all together. Recommended age: 3-8 years

Oh Playmobil, we love you even more now that you've launched a line of NHL players. This arena is especially good as a starter set because it includes skaters, goalies, pucks and nets so that the kiddos can practice shooting on net. They can continue to grow their collection with skaters from their favourite NHL teams. Recommended age: 5 years and up

Oh my. Helping to build Elsa's ice castle out of LEGO is probably going to be on every parent's Boxing Day to-do list—and we're OK with that! The beautiful movie and story come to life again with a plethora of characters and accessories. Elsa, Anna and Olaf are included, along with a castle that features an icicle tree, sleigh, secret staircase, ice cream bar, bed, and ice hill. Recommended age: 6 years and up

This is a lovely book and activity set that teaches young and old alike the basics of storytelling. Roll the multi-sided blocks to get started weaving a fantastical story for the enjoyment of listeners. It's a great activity to develop narrative-building skills—so helpful in all levels of school, and life. Creative kiddos with active imaginations will be all over this. Recommended age: 8 years and up

This is one movie that we believe everyone should see. It's a great way to help them understand all kinds of emotions and is storytelling and character development at its finest—plus the kids love it. A great one to watch (several times) over the holidays curled up on the couch. Recommended age: rated PG

This is a great toy for kids who like to build and figure out how to use kinetic energy to add motion, action and movement to the creations. It's also a great way to introduce STEM principles into playtime. Recommended age: 12 years and up

With this studio the kiddos get to design a character and then scan it into a smartphone or tablet. Then they move the model into a series of poses and the app helps to stream them all together into their directorial debut! Disney is sure to come calling with the talent on display here!Recommended age: 6 years and up

This is the new 'it' vehicle in the Star Wars line. Adding Lego into the mix just makes it all the more delicious. We're actually not sure who to get this for—our own offspring or our equally besotted adult bffs. Recommended age: 8 years and up

No, the Shopkins craze isn't over yet. And…they are awfully cute (we've adopted the coffee Shopkin as our very own). We adore this set featuring a turquoise metallic fridge for all the foodstuffs they bring home. Recommended age: 5 years and up

Fans range from five-year-olds to tweens, and Disney Descendants is such a hit that they're making another movie (and stores have been sold out of various Mal accessories and toys). This new pack features Mal and her charming yet power-hungry mother, Maleficent. Kiddos will love to re-enact storylines with the duo. Recommended age: 6 years and up