Best Preschool Toys of 2019

Parents watched their kids try the Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Transforming Batmobile and then immediately scrolled on their phone to try to buy it. The remote-control car morphs into a towering, disc-shooting vehicle of intimidation.

Ages 3 to 8 years

The Mattel Barbie Dream Plane was rarely grounded during our toy test as kids fussed over details like a suitcase that fits in the overhead and the tiny seat belts. “This is flying to Disney!” one child declared as she ran it around the room.

Ages 3 to 10 years

Mila and Emma traded off taking the wheel of the easy-to-drive Kid Trax PAW Patrol Rubble’s Digger. The battery charge held all day (yay!), but assembly was intimidating. TBH, a handyman connected the wires for us.

Ages 3 to 5 years

Parent-child pairs tag-teamed with Spin Master Monster Jam Mega Grave Digger RC, and it’s hard to tell which age group loved it more. This replica of the OG monster truck bounces off walls, and its foam tires don’t leave a trace.

Ages 4 years+

“Amazing!” one parent gushed about the JAKKS Pacific Buzz Lightyear Star Command Center. Your kid works the controls standing-desk-style, as shown, or you can lay the rocket horizontally and let him sit inside.

Ages 4 years+

Affirmative: Fisher-Price Imaginext Toy Story 4 Buzz Bot—with a claw, missiles, and a helmet that doubles as a spaceship—was a hit. “I can’t get him away from it,” one parent said.

Ages 3 to 8 years

Ducking inside the Playhut Pinkfong Baby Shark Classic Cube Pop-Up Play Tent never gets old; preschoolers will do it over and over and over ... kind of like a song on repeat!

Ages 3 years+

Created with Ryan, YouTube’s unboxing star, Bonkers Toys Cap’n Ryan’s Mega Mystery Treasure Chest has layers of goodies to unlock. Two guarantees: a pirate costume and fake doubloons.

Ages 3 years+

We were floored by how long kids engaged with Learning Resources ABC Party Cupcake Toppers. They decorated while parents took the cue to point out letters and numbers.

Ages 3 years+

Parking is a blast—if you’re a preschooler. Parents appreciate that the wooden Haba Kullerbu Parking Garage is pretty (unlike the real thing). 3

Ages years+

Testers eagerly added new Barbie Fashionistas dolls to their play. One wears a removable prosthetic leg; the other has a wheelchair and ramp.

Ages 3 years+

Mystery of parenthood: Preschoolers who won’t stop playing long enough to eat lunch will pretend-feed Hasbro Baby Alive Happy Hungry Baby Doll all day.

Ages 3 years+

Several battled for testers’ attention. Mattel Jurassic World Destroy ’N Devour Indominus Rex, a hybrid species with slashing claws and a mouth that glows ominously red, came out on top.

Ages 4 years+

Add Calico Critters Village Pizzeria to your child’s mini empire so the animals have a place for date night. Funny little families sold separately.

Ages 3 years+

PlayMonster Orangutwang caters to our love of suspense as players waited to see who would send fruit flying.

Ages 4 years+

A face even Scar can’t help but love! Disney’s The Lion King Mighty Roar Simba by furReal has lifelike blinking eyes, a swiveling head, an opening-and-closing mouth, plus a wagging tail that Emma and Mila enjoyed imitating.

Ages 4 years+

Help Spin Master Juno My Baby Elephant eat or play peekaboo. Is Juno cranky? (He threw his peanut at us during testing!) Fold in his legs for a cuddle and he’ll calm down.

Ages 4 years+

Use the 2-foot-tall Playskool Heroes Power Rangers Power Morphin Megazord as a playset for its tiny figures. Or your kid can play with the entire giant robot on its own, easily changing it into a crouching lionlike beast.

Ages 3 years+

It’s huge enough to get a “wow,” but the Just Play PJ Masks PJ Seeker also has a detachable carrier that fits four vehicles and a Catboy figure your kid can take on mini adventures.

Ages 3 years+

Drizzle water on Skyrocket Blume and watch as a doll grows out of the top. The flower pot is her home; decorate it with stickers, and check for hidden surprise accessories.

Ages 3 years+

No screen required to program Learning Resources Coding Critters; each animal also “eats” and interacts as an electronic pet.

Ages 4 years+

Little Tikes Kingdom Builders Hex Castle comes together with chunky, easy-to-use screws so your preschooler can build independently. The King’s scepter transforms into a socket wrench for assembly.

Ages 3 years+

Testers ripped open ZURU OOSH Cotton Candy Cuties! in search of the hidden figure but came back for the stretchy, fluffy, sweet-smelling slime. Parents be warned: It sticks to carpet.

Ages 3 years+

Looking to finish your holiday shopping early this year? Check out our Best Preschool Toys of 2018 for more great picks.