The Magic Edit: Christmas Gifts Kids Actually Want to Play With

There’s something magical about the rustle of wrapping paper on Christmas morning — that brief, hushed second before the chaos begins. Parents know it well: the squeal when the box opens, the immediate plea for batteries, and the quiet hope that this year’s gifts won’t be collecting dust by New Year’s Eve.

This year’s standout toys are designed not just for unboxing delight, but for staying power — sparking creativity, storytelling, and imagination long after the tree comes down.

1–3 Years: Soft Starts and Story Time

For the littlest dreamers, the TonieBox 2 Starter Set – RRP $189.00 has quietly become the “it” toy of the season. A screen-free storyteller, it replaces flashing lights with genuine wonder, letting toddlers control their own bedtime stories or sing-alongs with My First Tonies (Starter Characters) – RRP $24.95 . It’s intuitive, durable, and mercifully volume-limited. Pair it with a soft Bluey Plush (Moose Toys) – RRP $25.00 and you’ve just created a cuddle-and-listen combo that keeps them soothed, entertained, and imaginative.

At home, Arcadia has been glued to her Bluey Supermarket Playset – RRP $45.00 — stacking the shelves, scanning pretend groceries, and running her own checkout lane like a mini retail pro. She takes it to the next level with her interactive Bluey phone, “calling” Nana to ask about specials and ringing Dad to demand payment for milk. It’s one of those rare toys that manages to entertain for hours without needing screens, batteries, or constant supervision. And when she’s “closing the store,” she tucks Bluey in for a nap behind the register. It’s role play magic.

3–5 Years: Everyday Imagination, Unboxed
Preschoolers are at that age where curiosity becomes their full-time job, and playtime often looks suspiciously like everyday life. For them, the TonieBox 2 – RRP $189.00 grows right alongside their imagination, with adventure-filled sets like Paw Patrol Starter Pack – RRP $49.00  making every storytime a rescue mission.

When it’s time to swap sound for squish, Play-Doh 10-Pack Classic Colours – RRP $29.00 brings out the tiny sculptors in everyone, while Scruff-a-Luvs quietly teaches empathy and care — the kind of toy that makes kindness feel natural.

And then there’s the Play-Doh x Barbie Collaboration Set – RRP $35.00 — the surprise hit in our house. The sisters have been fighting (lovingly, of course) over who gets to make the next pink ballgown. Between the glitter, the hair accessories, and the Play-Doh presses that shape skirts and shoes, it’s basically a full fashion studio in miniature. The best part? When teamwork isn’t exactly on the day’s agenda, this set turns competition into collaboration — even if the occasional glitter explosion happens along the way.

5–7 Years: Personality, Pretend, and Play That Grows With Them

By five, kids start showing off their personalities in the best way possible — loud, expressive, and creative. Little Live Pets Ouchies – RRP $59.00 and Little Live Pets My Baby Panda – RRP $59.00 are perfect for nurturing that sense of care, while Gabby’s Dollhouse Playset – RRP $69.00 opens up a world of miniature adventures. For budding beauty lovers, Oh Flossy Kids Makeup Set – RRP $39.95 brings all the fun without the mess (or mum’s missing lipstick).

Meanwhile, Aurora has found her zen with the Dj Furby Rainbow- RRP $110. It’s part meditation buddy, part chaos machine — telling jokes, striking yoga poses, and dancing on cue like it’s her best mate. Somehow, it manages to teach patience as much as play. Every night, she tucks it in next to her pillow because “it needs rest too.”

When she’s ready to switch gears, the Barbie Horse Trails – RRP $79.00  game on Nintendo Switch offers calm, story-driven escapism that parents don’t actually mind watching. And for kids with a curiosity streak, National Geographic Jr Chemistry Set – RRP $59.00 is still the best way to turn the kitchen into a science lab (with adult supervision, of course).

7–12 Years: Big Kids, Big Ideas
Older kids want gifts that feel a bit cooler — a little more them Beyblade X Drop Attack Battle Set – RRP $79.00 delivers high-energy competition that actually gets them off the couch, while MrBeast Lab Hybrids Fusion Hybrid Lab – RRP $69.00 adds just the right amount of YouTube-style chaos to keep them hooked.

The ToniePlay (for TonieBox 2) – RRP $39.00  expands the TonieBox world into story-driven games that surprise even adults. For those leaning into independence, Oh Flossy Skincare Range – RRP $45.00 lets tweens explore self-care safely (and sweetly). Gui Gui Collectible Plush – RRP $39.00 are the latest sensory soft obsession, and National Geographic Mega Science Lab Kit – RRP $79.00 fuels hands-on curiosity — a gift that feels grown-up but still pure fun.

Family Favourites: Games That Bring Everyone Together

Once the wrapping paper settles and the sugar crash kicks in, the real fun begins. This year, we took a few new finds on a camping trip — Flip 7- RRP $15, Tapple Mini – RRP $15.00, and Tacta – RRP $29.00 and watched the kids go absolutely wild trying to decide which one to play first. Flip 7 brought out the competitive streak (and questionable counting skills), Tapple Mini  had everyone shouting answers faster than they could think, and Tacta, the tactile puzzle challenge, had them so focused you could’ve heard a pin drop in the tent.

Later that night, once the kids finally crashed, we cracked open Mind The Gap — the adults-only trivia game that’s equal parts nostalgia and chaos. It was the perfect end to a day that reminded us how fun real play can be — no screens, no scrolling, just laughter echoing under the stars.

At home, Rebounce – RRP $29.00 is still the go-to for quick family challenges, while Monopoly Classic – RRP $33.00 remains the ultimate test of diplomacy and patience (and, let’s be honest, sibling endurance). These are the games that fill the lazy post-lunch lull with laughter, negotiation, and the occasional cry of “that’s not fair!”

For the Busy Women Behind the Magic
Because while the kids unwrap their joy, parents deserve a little something too. Steph Pase Planners – RRP $49.00 are the sleek sanity-savers of the season — the antidote to the December-to-January mental load. Beautifully designed and deeply practical, they’re the perfect reminder that while you can’t plan for toy fights or glitter explosions, you can start the new year feeling like you’ve got it together.

The Magic Edit Takeaway
This Christmas, it’s not about the biggest box or the flashiest gadget. It’s about those quiet (and not-so-quiet) moments — the ones where your child’s imagination takes over, your coffee stays warm for five whole minutes, and the playroom sounds exactly like it should: full of joy, noise, and the kind of memories that stick.