LEGO and Nex push six must-buy toys before holiday stock disappears

Retailers have identified six specific toys as the most in-demand items for the upcoming holiday season, advising families to purchase them now to secure stock. The list includes both established franchise merchandise and new interactive technology designed for multi-player engagement.

The first item is a Star Wars advent calendar from LEGO. This 293-piece set releases a new figure daily between December 1 and Christmas Day. The collection includes minifigures of The Mandalorian, Grogo, Moff Gideon, Carson Teva, and a Jawa, all dressed in holiday sweaters. It also contains festive versions of IG-11 and a Pit Droid. The set is rated for children ages 6 and up.

The Nex Playground targets family activity by connecting to a television for motion-controlled gaming. It comes with five preinstalled starter games, including Fruit Ninja, Whac-a-Mole, bowling, and soccer. Up to four players can participate simultaneously without needing controllers. A Play Pass subscription costs $89 per year and grants access to more than 40 additional titles.

For younger children, a pretend ice cream shop counter is featured as a key role-play tool. The set includes a magnetic scooper that lifts eight different flavors. It comes with six toppings, two cones, a cup, utensils, and play money. Manufacturers state the toy supports the development of counting, memory, and social skills for kids as young as 3.

An interactive Play-Doh kitchen allows children to create dishes using over 25 food molds, such as burgers and fries. The set includes eight colors of Play-Doh and role-play accessories like a credit card reader and a storage basket. Another option is Gabby, an interactive plush tiger that changes size based on play interactions. The toy responds to feeding and petting with roars and purrs and can shrink back to its original cub size.

The final item is a 16-inch interactive Pikachu plush. It uses motion controls to trigger lifelike reactions, including moving mouths and blinking eyes. Advanced sensors activate unique effects and electric battle sounds when the user touches its head, nose, or belly. Prices for these items were current as of October 26, 2026, but are subject to change.