As a mom of 5 and 7-year-old boys, I know firsthand the excitement that Christmas brings and how overwhelming it can be trying to find the perfect toys for Christmas. Over the years, we’ve gone through countless toys, and this Christmas, with the help of the experts over at Toys “R” Us, I’ve curated a list of gems that have either brought hours of fun to our home or are sure to become instant favourites.

For the kid with a big imagination

1. Marvel Spidey and His Amazing Friends City Blocks Miles Morales: Spider-Man City Bank: Spider-Man swings into action with this playset, and my little web-slingers adore creating their own Marvel adventures. The city bank setting adds a fun twist to imaginative play.
2. Imaginext DC Super Friends Ultimate Headquarters Playset with Batman Figure Gotham City comes alive in your living room with this Imaginext playset. Batman, with his 10-piece crew, has become a regular guest in our imaginative play sessions.
3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Buzzworthy Bumblebee Jungle Mission 3-Pack Transformers hold a special place in our hearts, and this Buzzworthy Bumblebee 3-Pack is a welcome addition to their collection. Exclusive to Toys R Us, it’s a must-grab before it disappears.

For the kid who loves action

1. Warrior 30″ Mini Hockey Goal Set – R Exclusive For my little sports enthusiasts, the Warrior Mini Hockey Goal Set has turned our basement into a mini arena. The targets add that extra element of competition my oldest loves.
2. X-Shot Skins Double Griefer Double Flux Blaster Combo Pack (48 Darts) The X-Shot Blaster Combo Pack has transformed our bonus room into a battlefield. With 48 darts, it’s the perfect gift for active play, and trust me, the sound of laughter and excitement is totally worth it.
3. Hot Wheels Track Set with 5 Crash Zones, Motorized Booster and 1 Hot Wheels Car My boys are avid Hot Wheels fans, and this track set takes their love to new heights. The crash zones and motorized booster add an extra layer of thrill to their racing adventures.
4. Nerf Rival Forerunner XXIII-1200 Nerf Blaster When it comes to Nerf battles, this blaster is a game-changer. The adjustable sight and 12-round capacity make it a must-have for our battles.
5. Marvel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Miles Morales Tri-Shot Web Dart Blaster The Spider-Verse comes alive with this Tri-Shot Web Dart Blaster. It’s a perfect addition for any Spider-Man fan, Austin is going to be so excited about this one!

For the kid who loves games

1. Rubik’s Perplexus Hybrid 2 x 2, Challenging Puzzle Maze Skill Game I love toys that challenge their minds, and the Rubik’s Perplexus Hybrid does just that. It’s a brain-teasing puzzle that keeps them engaged and entertained.
2. Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape! As fans of the Mushroom Kingdom, my boys will be thrilled with the Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape! It’s a unique adventure that brings their favorite characters to life.
3. Bop It! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leonardo Edition Game Bop It! meets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – need I say more? This game will be a go-to for family game nights at our house,

For the kid who loves to build

1. Kinetic Sand, Dino Xplorer Set As a mom who appreciates mess-free play, the Kinetic Sand Dino Xplorer Set is a winner. It provides sensory fun without the cleanup headaches of normal sand. The dino element is going to have Austin losing his mind.
2. MEGA Pokémon Building Toy Kit, Forest Pokémon Center Pokémon fever has hit our household, and this MEGA Pokémon Building Kit is a dream come true. The 648 pieces allow them to create their very own Pokémon Center, and the action figures add to the excitement. This will be a great addition to our other Pokémon MEGA sets.
3. Mega Pokémon Charizard Building Set Last but not least, the Mega Pokémon Charizard Building Set. It’s a fantastic project for my little builders, and the end result is a majestic Charizard ready for adventures.

Honourable mentions

1. Anything Oilers related – especially for my 7 year old. He’s a huge fan and his room is covered in Oilers pictures, hockey card, bobble heads and jersey’s.
2. A recent discovery for the boys are Akedo toys. They’ve been obsessed lately, but what’s nice about them is that it’s something they can play together, so it buys me a bit of down time!
3. Any and everything Lego. A few sets that they’re loving these days are the Harry Potter ones, Minecraft and Mario.
4. Magnetic blocks. We love these and they are toys that will stand the test of time. We’ve bought both Picasso Tiles and Magna Tiles and both brands are great.

Hope this list helps with your holiday shopping. Happy holidays, and may your home be filled with the magic of playtime!