Crayola's New Multi-Color Light Board Is Finally Here

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It's a lucky time to be a kid: Just when we think the toys couldn't get any more sophisticated, innovative, imaginative and all-around fun, more and more gifts for kids come out that set the bar ever higher.

Check Out Our Ultimate List of the Best Gift Ideas for 2023

Every year, experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute get a sneak at the slate of toys and games headed to shelves. They get called into our Labs for testing with adults and kids — both of whom weigh in on the year-end Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards — the offerings have been impressive. These are the toys our staff says are the best new toys of the year.

Our Top Picks for the Best New Toys of 2023:

• Super Mario Fliprus Snow Adventure Set, $52 at Amazon

• Hide 'N' Seek Busy Bags, $9 at Walmart

• GeoSafari Jr. Talking Telescope, $64 at Amazon
  

• Make It Mini Food, $10 at Amazon

• Freefall, $25 at Amazon

What's big for this year? Similar to last year, there are educational toys and STEM sets that give kids hand-on experience with topics that fascinate kids, from astronomy to magic. "Kidulting" is also huge and a lot of what will be on shelves this year are meant for parents and kids to enjoy together (or for parents to enjoy by themselves after the kids have gone to bed). Similarly, nostalgia is at an all-time high, so look for re-launches, re-vamps and new twists on toys from the past. Older kids are still into everything DIY, and the tiny-ficiation of everything into collectible mini forms continues unabated.

A lot of the favorites have come out already, so if you're looking for a gift for kids, check out these new offerings.

Multi-Color Light Board

Grab this little 6” x 4” Multi-Color Light Board for your tween or wannabe-tween’s nightstand, bookshelf or desk. Your kid can display their mood, feeling or latest creation on a surface that glows in any of 10 different colors. It's easy to write or draw right on the board with four Gel-FX markers, included. Then it just wipes clean. You'll need three AAA batteries to make it glow. Ages 6+

Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game

Disney fans and collectible trading-card enthusiasts alike will love Ravensburger's new strategy trading-card game, featuring all their favorite Disney characters. In Disney Lorcana, you play as an "Illumineer" that can use various items (like dragon fire), actions ("one jump ahead") or characters (Elsa, Mickey, Stitch, Robin Hood and many others) to go on quests and acquire Lore — and stop their opponents from doing so.

Players will need a 60-card starter card deck to get going, and then they can get booster packs to supplement their collection. Once they see all the Disney-inspired artwork on the cards, they're going to want that collection to be as vast as possible. Ages 8+

RELATED: We Played Disney's Lorcana Trading Card Game — Here's What to Know Before You Buy

Super Mario Fliprus Snow Adventure Set

Kids who saw The Super Mario Bros. Movie over and over again this spring will jump at the chance to bring their favorite game into the real world. Part of LEGO's Super Mario Adventures line, this set lets kids use LEGO bricks to build out an ice level, complete with a Fliprus that shoots ice balls, a snowman whose head can be knocked onto a Koopa Troopa and a baby penguin who needs some fruit.

This works best for those who already have a LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course (and they have them for Mario, Luigi or Peach), which comes with a figure with screens in its eyes and belly that can react to the levels in real-time. The figures also connect to the LEGO app, which will keep track of how many coins were collected. Ages 7+

Dog-E by MINTiD

Connect this robot dog to its app and discover its unique look and personality — everyone’s Dog-E is a little different via eyes, tongue, tail, bark, character traits and more. Other members of the family can use the app to activate their own dog using the same white robot. That way sibling and family members have more “dogs” to interact with, one at a time.

Dog-E communicates messages with lights on its tail, such as a heart for happiness, so watch those to train Dog-E and teach it tricks. Use the app to feed your new pet treats and play games together. Ages 6+

Feelings Adventure Board Game

Slumberkins, beloved for their line of soothing plush that each pair with a book that tackle tough emotions, is launching its first-ever board game this year. Players cooperate to get all the creatures' tokens on the Feelings Tree. Along the way, expect positive affirmations, chances to try yoga poses and prompts to reflect and have conversations about feelings. Kids can play together, but this is also a wonderful one for parents to do with their youngster to open the lines of meaningful communication. Ages 3+

Penn & Teller Magic Lab VR

Kids can use virtual reality to learn nearly 30 beginning magic tricks alongside legendary magicians Penn & Teller. Apart from being able to dazzle friends and family, this set also has a social-emotional focus, emphasizing the confidence and public-speaking skills performers need when they're up on stage. Ages 8+

Hide 'N' Seek Busy Bags

We’ve seen “busy bags” handcrafted on Etsy and love that Bizyboo has finally made the concept toy-shelf-official. Keep one of these in your carryall to pull out anytime you need to distract or calm your kid. Each of the 12 Bizyboo characters has objects hidden inside that kids can seek by prodding and pushing the beads around. They search for hidden objects and match them to those shown on the included card. It helps their focus and concentration and also, as the name suggests, keeps them busy. Ages 3+

Make It Mini Food

This toy combines two meg-trends of the year: DIY and mini-everything. Each surprise ball comes loaded with tiny food and accessories. That's fun enough on its own, but the food is actually ingredients that you get to "make" into a dish. Once you assemble them, you set them in UV light until the resin hardens into one, solid figure. Each ball even comes with a little table where you can display the final product. Ages 8+

Balloobles

Imagine a bubble machine attached to a blow-up doll — Bluey shown here, but there's also Marshall and Skye of PAW Patrol as well as Marvel's Spidey. An auto function lets you just flip a switch for bubbles to fan out. Balloobles are big bubble fun, but you do need to be ready with a screwdriver and 3 AA batteries to get the party started (plus you blow up the character the same way you blow up a beach ball, with some huffs and puffs). Ages 3+

Freefall

This latest brain game challenges kids to look at drawings and then build the 3D contraptions described. If they do it right, the marble should be able to run the maze and land in the red cup at the end. A kid can work on it on their own or it can be a group project, giving your child the chance to lead or help problem-solve with others (even if the "other" is simply Mom). Warning, it is complex and may have you wondering if you're smarter than a fifth grader. Ages 8+

Ride Along Scooter

This mini Vespa-lookalike is the cutest — and we're flipping out over the fact that a toy friend can ride in that back seat. It's a foot-powered ride-on that lets a toddler practice balance and have some active fun. It's launched in time for the summer outdoor season, but preschoolers can ride it around indoors as well. If it gets dirty just hose it down! Ages 18 months to 4 years

Disney Doorables Squish’Alots Series 1

Collect pocket-sized versions of all your favorite Disney characters from Cinderella to Wall-e with Doorables new Squish'Alots series. Blind bags are a favorite amongst both gift givers and receivers since everyone gets to join in on the fun of the surprise of unwrapping. Each pack comes with either four, five or six collectible Doorables in tiny mystery bags. These squishy figures are great for carrying around since they come in their own collection case and don't take up too much space, plus there are 50 different ones to collect. Ages 5+

Squishmallows Accessories Bundle Kit

Combine finger knitting with Squishmallows to get the ultimate fun activity! This kit teaches you how to make cute and stylish accessories for your favorite 8" or 10" Squishmallows (which are not included). Not only can you make all of these fun accessories without any knitting needles or other tools, but the ultra-soft yarn is the perfect addition to your ultra-squishy stuffed friends. Each kit comes with instructions on how to make a headband, crossbody bag and hoodie for your Squishmallow, as well as two balls of soft yarn. Plus, if you're more of a visual learner, you can hop online and watch the step-by-step video tutorials. Ages 6+

GeoSafari Jr. Talking Telescope

Little STEM enthusiasts have long been wowed by GeoSafari Jr.'s Talking Microscope, which offers scientific facts about 120 zoomed-in images of plants, animals and other items here on Earth. Now, they can gaze out beyond our planet's border with GeoSafari Jr.'s Talking Telescope, which uses real images from NASA. Kids can look with both eyes — no need to try and squint or close one — and the voice of Emily Calandrelli from Emily's Wonder Lab on Netflix offers fun facts about what they're seeing. Ages 4+

Big Adventures Safari Toy Vehicle

Your little ones can turn their bedroom into a safari with this unique SUV truck. Not only do the spinning car wheels double as working binoculars, but the headlights become a handheld flashlight. Plus, the back wheel can be popped off and used as a working compass. All the pieces snap back into place to create a portable toy that has no trouble exploring indoor and outdoor terrain. Ages 3+

Fingerlings

One of the trends we noticed throughout the toy launches this year is a huge nostalgia factor. If you remember the first wave of Fingerlings, you might "go bananas" at the news that they're coming back and better than ever. The new Fingerlings will be flocked and fuzzy, make even more interactive sounds and actions, have personalities that are distinct from each other and — most importantly — will be able to sit down when not on a finger. Ages 5+

Scout It Out The 50 States Board Game

We love a good geography game, and this one reminds us a bit of one of our favorite apps, Stack the States, but it's mercifully screen-free. In Scout It Out, you get clues about a state (as in, "What is known as The Sunshine State?") and the first player to correctly guess wins a Game Card and a Bonus Token. Your goal is to get to five Game Cards. It's designed for 3 to 6 players (one player is always holding the cards and reading off clues, the others are competing) and the average playtime is a half-hour. It comes with a map of the USA. Ages 7+

My First Barbie Preschool Doll

Two inches taller than a regular Barbie doll, My First Barbie won’t fit seamlessly into a Dreamhouse or Barbie car but does give young kids still working on their gross motor skills an easier way to play with the iconic character. This Barbie’s clothes fit on with hook-and-loop closures and her accessories, like the hairbrush, are larger and easier to keep track of (though some, like those little shoes, are still choking hazards, so not for kids younger than 3). Her torso and limbs are softer and easier to pose than the traditional version. She’s modeled after the lead character in the My First Barbie YouTube series, so if your kid is a fan of that, this will be a huge hit. Ages 3+

Sesame Street Elmo’s Learning Letters Bus

Never fear, preschoolers still learning your phonics: Elmo is here! Your little one presses the big Elmo head to start lessons about the letters. The chunky alphabet pieces come out and have fun pictures underneath, such as Oscar under the letter O. You and your kids can then assemble letters on the pretend school shelves, near Cookie Monster, to practice spelling and sounding out names and words. This It comes with the batteries needed to start. Ages 2+

Deluxe Grill & Pizza Oven Play Set

Kids can get the outdoor kitchen most adults dream of with this 62-piece play set filled with food, condiments and grill tools. There are so many ways this fosters imaginative play: Items like the steak, chicken, hot dog and veggie burger look uncooked on one side and have grill marks on the other; kids can use dials to raise and lower the pretend flames, there's a slot on the side to make it a pizza oven, the smoker has a chimney for wood chips and there are holes in some of the pieces so kids can check the temperature with a pretend thermometer. Forget tea parties — imaginary BBQs are where it's at! Ages 3+

Gabby’s Dollhouse Purr-ific Pool Play Set

Another trend our toy experts saw everywhere? Color-changing toys! This play set gets in on the act with color-changing mermaid tails for both Gabby (her tail is removable) and MerCat. You can activate it by giving a squirt from Squiddy Kitty. The set also comes with a slide, a wading pool and accessories that foster imaginative play. Bonus: Super-fans who already have Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse can turn this room into an addition by attaching it with the slide's ladder. Ages 3+

My Figures

Playmobil figures are great on their own, but these sets let you mix and match the parts into different combinations — they say each box has more than 1,000 possible combos. It includes six different pirate-themed bodies, along with different heads, limbs and accessories to do a switcheroo on. In addition to pirates, there are My Figures sets with Horse Ranch, Rescue Mission and Magical Dance themes. Ages 5+

PAW Patrol Aqua Pups Whale Patroller

Is there any mode of transportation the PAW Patrol hasn't mastered? Now, they can head into the bay with this Whale Patroller. It comes with a Chase figure and a rescue vehicle, which can be launched from the patroller with the push of a handle. And if they want even more Aqua Pups, you can find seaworthy versions of Skye, Rocky, Marshall, Rubble and Zuma, who each come with an undersea friend. And if that's still not enough pup action from them, this year also sees new contruction-themed Rubble & Crew figures, including Rubble, Mix, Charger, and Wheeler. Ages 3+

Mindful Maze Garden Pack

Use a finger to navigate these garden-themed mazes, four altogether, because there's one maze on each side of the two disks. Using these toys calm both sensory seekers and sensory-averse kids alike. And they can even calm down parents! The mazes fit right in your purse or backpack for family travel time. Ages 3+

Big Feelings Nesting Fruit Friends

These literally two-faced nesting dolls give you some fun tools to use when talking to your (no doubt moody) toddler about feelings. Sometimes the lemon is calm, sometimes confused — you can see it in Lemon’s eyes! These colorful pieces introduce 10 feelings altogether. Also: Nesting the smaller textured pieces inside the big pineapple is great for practicing small-motor skills and talking about size, even math. Ages 18 months+

'The Little Mermaid' Ariel Doll

In time for this year's live-action Disney The Little Mermaid movie is a new Ariel doll modeled after the lead actress Halle Bailey. (It's an accurate likeness, she's beautiful!) This Ariel has both the long red hair and shimmery mermaid tail kids will want. For the "kidadults" who may have seen the original in 1987 there's also a three-doll collector set that includes King Triton and the witch we all love to hate, Ursula. Ages 3+

Kitchen Sink Play Set

Washing the dishes is most fun if you are a toddler fully immersed in your pretend-play world, especially since the faucet works when you fill it with water. Your preschooler can wash the plastic dishes and watch them change color. There are 15 play pieces including a colander, sink caddy and scrub brush. The play sink even has a decorative flower. It comes with the two batteries to get it started. If you don't want the faucet to run you can just fill the little sink basin, and if you really need things to stay dry just ask that your kid pretend there's water. Ages 3+

Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter Game

No, it's not your average Dungeons & Dragons game, with the Dungeon Master and the long-running campaigns and all that. Instead, this is more of an escape-room style game, where the players are invited to play cooperatively to solve a mystery. It still has plenty of elements that fans love about regular D&D, including the ability to create characters, battle monsters and acquire loot. But this one is designed to be played in around 90 minutes, which might draw in younger players. Ages 12+

CoComelon Lots to Learn Game Controller

This adorable controller can be your little one's first foray into gaming and is especially fun for kids to play with and imitate their parents or caretakers if they've seen them use a regular gaming controller. Inspired by the beloved show CoComelon, this controller features over 25 phrases, along with fun lights, colorful easy-to-push buttons and great sounds effects like the CoComelon "Finger Family" song, to keep your little one entertained for months. Ages 18 months +

Brachiosaurus Discovery

Transport yourself farrrr back in time (to 1993 to be exact) with this 30th anniversary Jurassic Park inspired LEGO set. It may have been 30 years since we first traveled to Isla Nublar, but kids (and adults) can still join Dr. Ellie Sattler and Dr. Alan Grant when they experience the magic of dinosaurs with this 512-piece set. It includes a posable Brachiosaurus that's the tallest dinosaur figure in the LEGO line, a classic Jeep Wrangler and a tree viewing platform for Ellie and Allan to help feed the dinosaurs. Ages 9+

Cookeez Makery

Combining a kid’s love of cooking with their excitement for pets plus the anticipation of a big reveal, the Cookeez Makery helps your kid “bake” a pet dog, kitty or bunny. They follow a recipe card, use pretend flour and yeast to make a dough ball, then “bake” their creation for 90 seconds — when they open the oven door, a plush friend will be waiting for them, and will smell like fresh-baked bread or cinnamon. Ages 4+

Living On The Veg

To give, love and collect: The Living on the Veg series of fresh fungi (a.k.a "fun guys") and various vegetables are soft plushes decorated with fuzzy or glittery fabrics, available at Walmart now and other retailers later this year. Each character (a mushroom, shown here, and later there will be a corn and a radish, for instance) has a big personality via silly facial expression and backstory written out on the tag. Ages 3+

Girls Nite Out 21st Birthday Edition

This blast from the past Bratz Doll is perfect for the fashion-lover in your life. Each doll comes with two different mix-and-match outfits so you can create your own unique look. There are 16 accessories, including makeup and jewelry and two pairs of shoes. As a 21st birthday edition, fans can collect these special edition dolls in honor of 21 years of Bratz fashion and style. Ages 4+

Pixie Puff Collection

Meet your new best friends, Peety and Penny! These stylish dolls feature an impeccable fashion sense, 4C textured hair and five points of articulation in their bodies so they can pose and move with ease. Designed to celebrate short hair, these dolls are perfect for growing or starting your collection. Both 11-inch dolls have unique, removable accessories, fun backstories and personalities to inspire kids to embrace their true selves. Ages 3+

Indiana Jones Retro Collection Action Figures

Indy's back for another adventure this summer with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and fans new and old alike can bond over Hasbro's vintage-style, 3.75-inch action figures. (They even come in old-school Kenner packaging — IYKYK.) Right now, the line only includes characters from Raiders of the Lost Ark, including Marion Ravenwood, Tohtand Belloq, among others, but the larger Adventure Series has more of the characters from the new movie, like Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Helena Shaw. Ages 4+

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has provided expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love, including STEM toys, educational toys, sensory toys, board games and outdoor toys. While the toys on this list are too new to have been tested by our experts, we looked at trusted brands and toys that had a "wow" factor.

Marisa LaScala, Good Housekeeping's senior parenting and relationships editor, has covered all aspects of the world of parenting, from the postpartum years through the empty nests, since 2015, and she's pitched in with Good Housekeeping's toy coverage since 2018. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter, who are both avid toy collectors. She's played many a deck-building game with her 7-year-old, who enjoys fantasy and role-play.

Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn has evaluated best toys for American Baby and Parents magazine and is now pleased to help scout, try and test them for Good Housekeeping.

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