Top Toys Kids Are Asking for Right Now

If you’re a parent, aunt or uncle, you might be wondering what the cool or popular toys kids actually play with. Maybe you’re looking for a toy that won’t only be used once, but enjoyed again and again.

Alexandrea Cuellar and Carson Barnes are Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) who can tell you firsthand which toys kids reach for the most.

CCLSs see about 40 kids each week in a medical setting (1). As child life specialists, Alexandrea and Carson are child development experts that integrate play through programs like toys to help kids feel less fear, get ready for procedures and just be kids.

According to Alexandrea and Carson, here are the most requested toys and items kids are asking for right now.

1. Blocks

Younger children may gravitate towards building blocks to create different structures.

2. Kitchen Playroom

Younger kids, who tend to like pretend play, enjoy the kitchen playroom to play chef and cook imaginary meals.

According to Carson, the kitchen playroom is a fan favorite for kids in the hospital.

1. Slime

Whether pre-made or a slime making kit, this sensory play toy is one kids frequently as for. Slime lets kids stretch, mix and experiment while keeping their hands busy.

2. Arts and crafts

Creative art projects are another favorite. Alex and Carson receive brand-new, high-quality arts and crafts through Starlight’s Toy Delivery program, giving kids fun ways to create from their hospital beds.

3. Play-Doh

Play-Doh is extremely popular with kids. “Those go off the shelves like hotcakes,” Carson shares. “Everyone always wants those.”

Starlight Children’s Foundation, in partnership with Hasbro, is proud to support hospitals by delivering toys like Play-Doh free of cost.

That way, child life specialists like Carson can give popular and familiar toys to kids. Carson especially appreciates the Play-Doh sets he gets from Starlight because they come with added tools, so kids can bring multiple creations to life.

Image: A pediatric patient playing at the hospital with Play-Doh delivered through Starlight.

1. Fidget Toys

Fidget toys are a fan favorite with teens, who are used to being busy and constantly doing something. Items like a stress ball or pop-it can keep kids’ hands busy. They can entertain kids when they feel bored, especially for kids who are in the hospital for long hours.

Fidget rings, which come in different colors and textures, have been highly requested among older school-age kids (10 and up) as well.

2. Board and Card Games

Board and card games such as UNO can keep kids entertained and have a chance to interact with their family.

In collaboration with Mattel, Starlight Children’s Foundation delivers Uno playing cards to hospitals across the country for free through its Starlight Toy Delivery program.

For kids in the hospital, playing UNO is a chance to connect with other patients in the playroom and even hospital staff.

3. LEGO® sets

LEGO sets are another big favorite among teens. They can help teens feel rewarded and accomplished after they finish building a set.

Image: Teen Nasir showing off his LEGO creation he built in the hospital.

4. Video Games

Video games are highly requested. Not only is it fun, but playing video games can also improve mood and distract from pain.

Alexandrea and Carson bring the Starlight Gaming Stations and Handhelds, powered by Nintendo Switch to patients’ rooms so they can play from their beds. Other times, they invite patients to the playroom to play Starlight Gaming for a sense of normalcy.

Image: Child life specialist Carson showcasing the Starlight Gaming Handheld, specially designed to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients.

Hospitals receive fidget toys, LEGO sets, board games and video games free of cost through Starlight’s Toy Delivery and Gaming Station programs. You can reach out to your child life specialist to see if they are available at your hospital.

The best toy for each child depends on their developmental age, Alexandrea and Carson explain.

As child life specialists, they are trained to assess a child’s developmental age and cognitive skills.

They also talk with parents and older children themselves to learn what kinds of toys they enjoy most.

If you’ve ever bought a gift for a child, you can understand the joy of seeing a child light up when they’re gifted the coolest toy.

For kids who live in medically underserved areas, the hospital might be the only place they get to play with these toys.

Every child deserves to experience the feeling of receiving the coolest toy. That’s why in 2025, we ensured 45% of our programs went to MUVP hospitals.

Our warehouse is fully stocked with the toys that kids love. Carson says it best:

When you donate to Starlight, you help make sure that even children in underserved areas can play with the toy that everyone’s been talking about.

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Hospital Care et al. “Child Life Services.” Pediatrics, vol. 147, no. 1, 2021.