Vehicle toys have been a popular item in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Plush toys, such as Squishmallows, sort of next-generation stuffed animals, are all the rage for young children.įor preschoolers wanting to get in on the technologic toy craze, the Fly Bar Bumper Car is a tyke-sized electronic bumper car on which kids as young as 18 months can ride, Zahn said. Kinetic Sand, another popular brand that focuses on hands-on play, offers a variety of kits that allow children to manipulate the colorful, pliable sand mixture into a variety of shapes and objects, industry analysts said. “And because there’s such a big demand, I think that people are going to buy it.”Īt the top of the hot toys list - other than the ever-elusive PlayStation 5 - are so-called fidget toys that keep children’s hands busy, led by the Pop It line, which includes a variety of rubbery pads of various shapes, keychains and animal figures covered in bubbles, which can be pushed in and out. “Even though there’s going to be shortages on specific products this holiday season, there’s going to be stuff out there to buy.” said James Zahn, senior editor of the Toy Insider, a publication considered to be the Bible of the U.S.
Persistence can go a long way in in finally getting sought-after toys, analysts said, and if that fails, there are lots of other cool toys out there that will bring smiles to kids on Christmas morning.
But toy industry analysts say don’t give up. It all adds up to one thing for moms, dads and grandparents: toy anxiety.Īcquiring the most popular toys presents a challenge even in the best of times, and this year’s supply chain problems might appear to make it insurmountable. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Lessīackups at U.S. Josh and Jennifer Cornejo shop for a toy crane in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 19 of19 Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 18 of19ĭebbie Rowe, right, helps Jennifer Cornejo look for a toy crane in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Jennifer Cornejo looks at toy trucks in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 17 of19 Josh Cornejo looks at kids books in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 16 of19 Jennifer Cornejo shops for toys in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 15 of19 Jennifer Cornejo shops in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 14 of19
Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 13 of19ĭebbie Rowe, right, helps Jennifer Fitzgerald look for a puzzle in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. The Big Blue Whale is an old-style toy store specializes in classic toys for kids, Thursday Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 12 of19 The interior of the Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 11 of19 Space related toys have been a popular items for customers in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 10 of19 Lego sets have been a consistent popular item for customers in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 9 of19 Toys for small children for sale in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 8 of19 Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 7 of19įidget and pop toys have been popular items in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Kathy and Paul Muessig look at toy dinosaurs in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 6 of19 Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 5 of19 Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 4 of19Īlicia and Jose Cantu shop for toys with their infant son Saint Paul in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Paul Meussig shops for toys in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 3 of19 Kathy Muessig shops for toys in Big Blue Whale Thursday, Nov. Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Show More Show Less 2 of19