Best Toys for Big Kids 2018

We handed Lego’s Jurassic World Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate to one big kid, and a few hours of quiet construction later she declared it was “the coolest set ever.” The pair of dinos clearly upped the “it factor.” 8 years+, $130

It took some searching to find an office hallway long enough for kids to shoot race cars “so far!” and “so fast!” with the Nerf Nitro DoubleClutch Inferno. It was worth it. Car launching never got old. 5 years+, $40

Remotely steering the smooth-riding American Girl RC Sports Car is simple, and the kids’ opinions were obvious. Laughter and shouts of “so cool!” were instant giveaways. 8 years+, $215 (dolls sold separately)

Marvel-ous! The Iron Man Headquarters Playset, from Playskool, is nicely compact, if you’re looking to save space, but still plenty “good for a playdate.” With Iron Man and Hulk figures. 3 to 7 years, $60

Mega Construx Breakout Beasts come in pieces, buried in slime, inside an egg. (Eggs seem to be the packaging of choice for surprise toys!) Kids dug out the parts, then happily built a beast. 5 years+, $10

Hatchimals started the whole surprise trend, and they are still “always fun,” said one parent. This year, Hatchibabies feature accessories, like a bottle and a brush, for nurturing a hatchling. 5 years+, $60

Fingerlings were last year’s hit, but this year brings the troublemakers! Each Untamed T-Rex by Fingerlings, from WowWee, starts growly, but testers had a great time “taming” them. 5 years+, $15 each

Kids can build Remote-Control Gear-Bot any way they want before getting “all the gears spinning” with the remote control. For one parent, Lakeshore’s toy was “hands down the best.” 4 to 10 years, $50

Kids were drawn to Spin Master’s Boxer’s sass: the way he rolls his eyes, gets back up when knocked down, and does “a funny dance.” He responds to a finger, a remote, and coding cards. 6 years+, $80

Parents loved that Botley the Coding Robot, from Learning Resources, was so simple to program kids could “do it themselves.” Littles “really got a kick out of his phrases.” No screen or app required! 5 years+, $69

Testers were absorbed with Shopkins Happy Places Rainbow Beach Camper Van, especially “putting all the parts into different spaces.” No debate, parents: Teeny figures are kiddo magic. 5 years+, $30

Lil’ Gleemerz, by Mattel, are age graded for the younger set, but big kids had the most fun: syncing the critters to songs and using “Light Party mode” to make the tail blink colors in time to the beat. 4 years+, $20

Because kids direct Spin Master’s Air Hogs Supernova drone with hand motions, not a remote control, it “never bangs into the ceiling or falls behind furniture.” And it executes “fun tricks.” 8 years+, $40

Our testers especially loved the Craft City Slime Pack, which “did not stick to hands.” And the colors? “Awesome!”—ranging from neon brights to spooky, sparkly galactic darks. 8 years+, $13 for a four-pack

Lego Friends Friendship Box contains five life-size projects—the ones above plus a trophy and pretend walkie-talkies—that “double as fun photo props” for Snapchatters. 6 years+, $50

Believe the hype! Little Kids’ Slick Tricks Level Up bubbles are “exciting” and “really work,” creating huge bubbles that bounce from hand to hand when your kid wears the special gloves. 5 years+, $10

Crayola’s Crayon Melter is “fun” and its instructions “simple.” With the glue-gun-like applicator, kids can create pictures like this one or use it to decorate notebooks, Mason jars, and more. 8 years+, $30

Looking to finish your holiday shopping early this year? Browse more winners from Parents' Best Toys of 2018 list by age group:

• Best Baby and Toddler Toys 2018
• Best Toys for Preschoolers 2018