Exploding Kittens, Kidgeni, Stickerbox, Petsies, Paper Critters, Brickit and ZenPod are seven of the most inventive toys to pick up in 2026, spanning a classic card game, AI-powered creativity tools for kids, a custom plush keepsake service, a free paper-craft studio, a Lego companion app and a couple of clever gadgets for kids and grown-ups alike. Each one earned its place by being something a person or family can actually buy or use today, not just an interesting idea.
Toys today cover a lot more ground than a single store aisle: some teach kids to create and tell stories, some turn a bin of loose Lego into a weekend project, some capture a pet’s likeness forever, and others are simply a fun way to fidget at a desk. This list starts with the most broadly loved, easiest-to-recommend pick, moves through creative tools and keepsakes built around kids and pets, and ends with a couple of niche gadgets worth knowing about. Whether the goal is a family game night, a rainy-afternoon craft project or a thoughtful gift, there’s a pick here suited to it.
How we picked these toys
Every pick on this list was researched against the same criteria, so the ranking reflects genuine usefulness rather than just novelty or a flashy pitch. A toy only made the cut if it is a real, currently available product or app with its own website, made by a distinct maker, and something a person or family could realistically buy or use today.
Related shortlists: Top 10 Wearables in 2026 and 7 Best Games in 2026.
Also worth a look: Top 7 Games in 2026 and Top 5 Fitness Products in 2026.
- Capability — how much fun, creativity or utility the toy actually delivers
- Ease of use — how quickly a kid or adult can start enjoying it without a steep learning curve
- Pricing and value — what’s included at the price point, and whether it’s a one-time cost or an ongoing one
- Reliability — whether the toy or its maker has a track record worth trusting
- Who it suits — the age group and interest the toy is actually built for
| Tool | Best for | Key features | Pricing | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploding Kittens | Families and groups who want a fast, easy-to-learn game for a reliable game night. | Simple rules, Push-your-luck play, Illustrated artwork | Original Edition — $19.99 | No free trial |
| Kidgeni | Kids who love drawing and want to turn their imagination into printed art and stories. | AI art generator, Wearable prints, Story creation | Little Explorer — free, 500 Sparks a month | Free plan |
| Stickerbox | Kids who want a screen-free way to turn spoken ideas into something they can color and keep. | Voice-to-sticker, Thermal printing, Kid-safe by design | Starter Bundle — $129.99 (device, 8 colored pencils, 4 paper refills) | No free trial |
| Petsies | Pet owners who want a lasting plush keepsake made from their own pet's photos. | Made from your photos, Multiple animal types, Made to order | Pricing on request — custom plush quoted per pet photo order | No free trial |
| Paper Critters | Families who want free, no-login paper crafts kids can design, print and fold themselves. | No login required, Browser-based, Print and fold | Free to design, decorate and print standard paper toys | Free plan |
| Brickit | Lego fans who want fresh build ideas from the loose bricks already in a bin at home. | Brick scanning, Build suggestions, Step-by-step instructions | Free to download and use | Free plan |
| ZenPod | AirPods owners who want a fidget-friendly case for everyday carry. | Built-in fidget spinner, Genuine leather construction, Color options | Pricing on request | No free trial |
The best toys in 2026
1. Exploding Kittens
A card game for people who are into kittens and explosions
Exploding Kittens is best for: Families and groups who want a fast, easy-to-learn game for a reliable game night.
A simple, fast-playing card game that keeps earning a spot in game night rotations thanks to its mix of strategy and chaos.
Key Exploding Kittens features
- Simple rules — a new group can learn to play in a couple of minutes
- Push-your-luck play — draw cards and hope not to pull an Exploding Kitten
- Illustrated artwork — quirky, colorful art on every card
- 2–5 players — built for family nights and party groups
- Expansion packs — new mechanics to add once the base game feels familiar
Exploding Kittens pricing
- Original Edition — $19.99
- Expansion packs and other games sold separately — pricing varies by title
- Free shipping on US orders of $40 or more
- Free trial: No free trial
2. Kidgeni
AI art creator for kids
Kidgeni is best for: Kids who love drawing and want to turn their imagination into printed art and stories.
A free starting tier and kid-safe prompting make it an easy way to introduce a child to AI creativity without handing over an adult app.
Key Kidgeni features
- AI art generator — kids type or speak prompts to create original artwork
- Wearable prints — turn a favorite design into a shirt or hoodie
- Story creation — build choose-your-own-adventure stories and audio casts
- Kid-safe prompting — guided tools teach prompting in an age-appropriate way
- Sparks credits — a monthly credit system controls how much art gets generated
Kidgeni pricing
- Little Explorer — free, 500 Sparks a month
- Magic Maker — $8.33/month billed annually ($99.99/year)
- Magic Master — $16.67/month billed annually ($199.99/year)
- For Schools — $82.50/month billed annually ($990/year)
- Free trial: Free plan
3. Stickerbox
Kid-safe, AI-powered voice-to-sticker printer
Stickerbox is best for: Kids who want a screen-free way to turn spoken ideas into something they can color and keep.
A screen-free, voice-activated device that turns a spoken idea straight into a sticker a kid can color and keep.
Key Stickerbox features
- Voice-to-sticker — kids speak an idea and the device prints a sticker to color
- Thermal printing — no ink and no mess, just paper refills
- Kid-safe by design — built for children without needing an adult's phone
- Comes with pencils — bundle includes colored pencils to decorate each sticker
- Collectible stickers — black-and-white prints kids color in and keep
Stickerbox pricing
- Starter Bundle — $129.99 (device, 8 colored pencils, 4 paper refills)
- Paper refill packs — from $5.99
- Activity Book — $19.99
- Free trial: No free trial
4. Petsies
We specialize in making plushies that look like your pets.
Petsies is best for: Pet owners who want a lasting plush keepsake made from their own pet's photos.
Turning a pet photo into a cuddly, made-to-order plush is a sentimental gift idea few other toys on this list can match.
Key Petsies features
- Made from your photos — a plush is crafted to match your pet's exact look
- Multiple animal types — dogs, cats, horses, rats, chickens and more
- Made to order — each plush is manufactured individually, not mass produced
- Keepsake quality — built to last as a lasting memory of a companion
Petsies pricing
- Pricing on request — custom plush quoted per pet photo order
- Free trial: No free trial
5. Paper Critters
Kid friendly paper toys, free to decorate and COPPA safe.
Paper Critters is best for: Families who want free, no-login paper crafts kids can design, print and fold themselves.
A free, no-account way to let kids design their own paper toy and watch it become something they can actually fold and hold.
Key Paper Critters features
- No login required — kids can start designing without an account or email
- Browser-based — installs as a web app without an app store download
- Print and fold — finished designs print as ready-to-assemble paper toys
- COPPA-safe — built around child privacy and safety requirements
- Human-moderated gallery — shared designs are reviewed before going public
Paper Critters pricing
- Free to design, decorate and print standard paper toys
- One-time purchase unlocks high-resolution print templates (pricing on request)
- Free trial: Free plan
6. Brickit
Use ML to detect what can be built from your pile of legos
Brickit is best for: Lego fans who want fresh build ideas from the loose bricks already in a bin at home.
A clever way to turn a forgotten bin of loose bricks back into something worth building again.
Key Brickit features
- Brick scanning — snap a photo of a pile of Lego to see what's inside
- Build suggestions — get instant ideas for what can be built from the pile
- Step-by-step instructions — follow guided steps to assemble each build
- Brick finder — locates specific pieces within a scanned pile
- Classroom option — a one-time purchase version built for schools
Brickit pricing
- Free to download and use
- Brickit for Classes — one-time purchase (pricing on request)
- Free trial: Free plan
7. ZenPod
Turn your AirPods case into a fidget spinner
ZenPod is best for: AirPods owners who want a fidget-friendly case for everyday carry.
A playful way to fidget without reaching for a separate spinner, built right into a case already carried every day.
Key ZenPod features
- Built-in fidget spinner — spins right on the AirPods case lid
- Genuine leather construction — durable, premium materials
- Color options — black with a silver or black spinner, or brown with a silver spinner
- Fits Apple AirPods — designed specifically for Apple's charging case
ZenPod pricing
- Pricing on request
- Free trial: No free trial
Which toys should you choose?
Families looking for a dependable game night pick should start with Exploding Kittens, a game that is simple enough to teach in a couple of minutes but strategic enough to stay interesting after dozens of plays. Kids who love to draw and create will get the most out of Kidgeni or Stickerbox — Kidgeni for digital AI art that can become a wearable print or a story, Stickerbox for a screen-free, voice-activated sticker machine that turns a spoken idea into something to color.
Anyone shopping for a lasting keepsake of a pet should look at Petsies, which turns a photo into a made-to-order plush, and families who want free, no-login creativity can turn to Paper Critters for printable paper toys kids can design themselves. Lego fans will get the most from Brickit‘s build suggestions, which turn a forgotten bin of bricks into a new project, and anyone who fidgets at a desk all day might appreciate ZenPod turning that habit into something built right into an AirPods case rather than a separate gadget to keep track of.
If you are buying for a birthday or the holidays, check each maker’s site for current shipping times and age guidance before ordering. Every pick on this list ships worldwide or works on a standard phone or tablet, so there is a strong option here whether the child is three or thirteen.
