6 Kid’s Toys To Stock Up on Now To Avoid Holiday Product Shortages
Written by
Nicholas Morine
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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It may seem a bit early to be discussing holiday shopping, but if you’re like many Americans, you’ve probably already started building your list — if not purchasing a few key items on sale already.
With toy prices set to trend upward due to the ongoing tariff situation, as Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks recently hinted at, per CNN, it could be wise to think about buying the season’s anticipated must-haves now before disappointment reigns in December.
On top of the looming pressure of tariffs, some companies have toys that are so popular, they’re flying off the shelves and selling out in minutes — leaving very little for other consumers.
Which toys should you consider buying now, both to save money and to avoid a potential out-of-stock sign greeting you on a retailer’s store shelf?
Barbie, Monster High and American Girl Dolls From Mattel
With Mattel being the force behind the iconic Barbie doll (and other notable franchises and brand partnerships, including Disney Princess, American Girl and Monster High), it’s a solid bet that these particular items will be in perennial high demand come the holiday season.
Snag a Disney Princess Cinderella fashion doll, Monster High Wednesday Addams doll or American Girl doll before the dress-up lover in your household asks for something sold out when the time comes.
Hot Wheels (Still Leading the Way)
Hot Wheels has been a mainstay of the die-cast car world for generations, and its popularity has soared in recent years, according to Statista figures.
And while younger kids will likely be more than happy with a few of the less expensive mainline vehicles in their plastic-and-cardboard enclosures, older kids (and so-called “kidults,” or adult collectors) should keep their eyes peeled for an increasing lineup of limited edition or premium offerings.
In particular, the Formula 1 Hot Wheels cars seem to be particularly popular right now, with social media platforms (notably, Reddit) abuzz with tales of scalpers taking advantage of high demand. Beware of secondary market sellers profiteering on Amazon, eBay and other platforms.
Prices for mainline Hot Wheels toys range from $1 to $2, or $5 to $7 for “premium” equivalents. Larger sets are priced accordingly.
Buy now, or be prepared to hold your pedal to the metal in hopes of scoring a last-minute holiday deal.
The Labubu Craze Continues
If you haven’t heard of Labubu by now, you likely haven’t spent much time cruising TikTok (or toy-related news headlines, for that matter).
Sold by retailer Pop Mart in the controversial blind box format, Labubu is an elf-like or gremlin-esque character with over 300 different variations in play. That means a lot of time and effort goes into collecting a large assortment.
It’s also the most popular toy of 2025 on a global scale, with The Minnesota Star-Tribune reporting that people are already standing in line for hours to score one.
Other Toys To Buy Now Before the Holiday Rush
While the above toys are top mentions when thinking of cost-cutting or simply planning ahead of shortages, the same could be said of the following options, as well.
- Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond, Final Fantasy: From commander sets to booster packs, this collaboration between MTG and fan-favorite video game IP “Final Fantasy” has been flying from shelves since its recent release. Expect a shortage of product continuing well into the winter. While “Magic: The Gathering” skews older rather than younger, plenty of school-aged children enjoy this trading card game.
- Jellycat Plush Toys: Jellycat might not be strictly as popular as Labubu right now, but it targets a similar demographic and is stealing at least some of the thunder from the established Squishmallow brand. These plush toys are sure to be in dwindling supply as the year draws to a close.
- Licensed LEGO Sets: LEGO’s enduring appeal to brick-lovers, young and old alike, means that as the holiday season approaches, the most desirable sets fly from warehouses and stores in short order. This year, be sure to be the early bird on Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Jurassic World, and Bluey crossovers so you aren’t left with an unfinished wish list.
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