Amazon Australia Unveils 2026 Top 100 Toys Vetted by Children

Amazon Australia has released its highly anticipated 'Top 100 Toys for 2026' list, with the selections made by a group of children known as the 'Amazon Playmakers'. This initiative, now in its eighth year, collaborates with the Starlight Children's Foundation, with six children who have been affected by serious illness acting as the primary toy testers.

The young reviewers were given early access to a range of toys, providing feedback and rating their favorites to guide families through the holiday shopping season. Ash Wicks, co-host of the 'Two Doting Dads' podcast and Playmakers Ambassador, joined the children in testing the toys.

"They did some very serious testing and didn't hold back with their opinions!" Wicks commented. "Spending the day with these incredible kids from Starlight was a genuine joy, and I can guarantee Aussie families are going to love what's on this year's list."

The list is organized into six key trends for 2026. The 'Unbox Joy, Every Time' category features blind boxes, mystery plush, and collectibles, including items like Furby Minis and Unicorn Academy baby unicorn blind boxes. The 'Big Screen to Playroom' trend highlights toys inspired by recent children's movies, such as those from 'Toy Story 5,' 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,' and 'K-pop Demon Hunters.'

Family game nights are also highlighted with a resurgence in board and card games like 'Monopoly Deal No Mercy,' 'Flip 7,' 'Hitster,' and 'Ticket to Ride: Europe.' The 'Build, Create, Imagine' category focuses on LEGO sets, construction toys, STEM kits, and arts and crafts, featuring products like the 'LEGO Pokemon Smart Play Training House' and 'GraviTrax' marble runs.

For younger children, the 'Little Legends' category offers toys for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, including favorites from 'Bluey' and 'Peppa Pig,' as well as 'Bitzee digital pets' and 'Fisher-Price' classics. Addressing budget concerns, Amazon has also included a 'Christmas on a Budget' category with toys priced under $30.

Louise Baxter, CEO of the Starlight Children's Foundation, emphasized the program's significance for the families involved. "Childhood should be about being happy and having fun," Baxter stated. "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."

Among the Playmakers' standout favorites were the 'GUI GUI K-pop Demon Hunters Clear Slime,' the 'Bitzee Aquarium Interactive Digital Pet Tank,' the 'Hatchin' Yoshi Super Mario Galaxy Movie Interactive Egg,' the 'LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader's TIE Fighter,' and 'Hot Wheels cars' and track sets.

Georgie, aged 4, who was diagnosed with leukemia at two years old, selected 'Bloomables by Hatchimals Toy' and 'Peppa Pig toys.' Ten-year-old Kenzie, who battled a spinal cord tumor, favored the 'Play-Doh Barbie Designer Pattern Studio' and 'Monopoly Deal No Mercy.' Five-year-old Frankie, diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, enjoyed the 'Bitzee' digital pet, a 'Moana doll,' and the 'Bitzee Aquarium Digital Pet Tank.'

Six-year-old Vincent, who has Wilms Tumour, picked 'Hatchin' Yoshi' and the 'Hot Wheels T-Rex.' Ten-year-old Alex, also diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, enjoyed 'Transformers Studio Series,' 'LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader's TIE Fighter,' and the 'Minions Mini Fart Blaster.' Finally, four-year-old Walter, diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1, found joy in the 'Nerf QuietCourt basketball,' 'Hot Wheels cars,' and 'Bluey' toys.

The full list of Amazon Australia's Top 100 Toys for 2026 is available on the Amazon website, along with more information about the Playmakers program.