Choosing the perfect gift for the little ones in your life just got a whole lot easier. Amazon Australia has unveiled its annual Top 100 Toy List, and this year the picks come with a very special seal of approval—from the kids themselves.
Now in its eighth year, the Amazon Playmakers program teams up with Starlight Children's Foundation to appoint children who have been affected by serious illness as official toy-testers. Six elite Playmakers were given early access to the list, reviewing and rating their favourites to help you find the right gift before the Black Friday sale and the festive season.
Lending a hand this year was Playmakers Ambassador and self-confessed big kid Ash Wicks, of Two Doting Dads podcast fame.
Six trends shaping play in 2026
This year's Top 100 toys fall into six key trends, so there's something for every kind of kid.
Unbox the magic. The surprise-reveal craze shows no sign of slowing. Blind boxes, squishy collectibles, and hatching toys are taking over wish lists and social feeds. Whether it's a self-hatching Hatchimals Bloomables Puppyfly Surprise, a Furby Minis reveal, or a Hyojo Hello Kitty and Friends Blind Box Squishy, kids—and their parents—can't get enough of the unboxing moment.
Big screen to playroom. This year's blockbusters leapt straight from screen to playroom, and the tie-ins go well beyond basic figurines. Toy Story 5 reignited a multi-generational favourite with a brand-new 'flying' Buzz Lightyear, while Spider-Man swung back into action. Kpop Demon Hunters kept their grip on future pop stars, and the cutest addition to Star Wars, Grogu, won hearts all over again.
Game night champions. Family game night is back in a big way, with options for every age and budget. Card games like the travel-friendly Flip 7 and the fib-telling Mattel Games Liar's UNO get the whole family involved, while the ThinkFun Rush Hour STEM Logic Game delivers brain-teasing fun for puzzle lovers.
Build, create, imagine. LEGO remains a firm favourite thanks to new SMART Play tech that reacts to movement, headlined by the LEGO Pokemon SMART Play Training House with Pikachu. Beyond the brick, the GraviTrax Starter Set delivers marble-run challenges, and the CrunchLabs by Mark Rober Slime Prank Lab puts problem-solving skills to work.
Little legends. The preschool category is brimming with favourites. Peppa Pig welcomes a new family member with the Peppa Pig Family of Five with Baby Evie, the Fisher-Price Musical Penguin Activity Walker helps little ones find their feet, and the Bitzee Aquarium Interactive Digital Pet Tank lets kids care for virtual sea creatures.
Christmas on a budget. Great toys under $30 prove you don't need to break the bank to make Christmas morning magical. The Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow! Activity Pad Unicorn and Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk keep creative kids busy for hours, while the Wahu Super Grip Skimball puts a fun twist on active outdoor play.
Play that matters
For the team behind the list, it's about more than just toys.
"The 2026 Top 100 Toy List celebrates the joy of play in all its forms, with the kids once again becoming the true authorities, putting every toy to the test and giving them their stamp of approval," said Amy Banks, Head of Toys, Amazon Australia. "We know every child is different... so we have curated a Top 100 List with something for everyone. With the holiday season and Black Friday just around the corner, there has never been a better time to start ticking off your gift list."
Louise Baxter, Starlight Children's Foundation CEO, said the program means the world to the children involved. "When a child is seriously ill, it is as though their childhood is taken away and moments of play and laughter matter even more... Seeing the smiles on the faces of these children, who are suffering unimaginable challenges, is an incredibly powerful reminder of the positive impact of play."
Amazon Ambassador Ash Wicks agreed the kids were the real experts. "As a dad I thought I knew a thing or two about toys, but the Playmakers showed me I had a lot to learn. They did some very serious testing and didn't hold back with their opinions... I can guarantee Aussie families are going to love what's on this year's list."
And the verdict from the Playmakers themselves? Kenzie, aged 10 from Sydney, had no trouble picking a favourite. "I love the Play-Doh Barbie Designer Pattern Studio because I can make cool outfits and be really creative."
Explore the full Amazon Australia Top 100 Toy List and 2026 trends at amazon.com.au/playmakers2026.
