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It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to get a head start on holiday shopping. Instead of stressing as Christmas approaches, you can start preparing now by taking advantage of the best Black Friday toy deals. We’re rounding up the best sales across retailers for kids of all ages and interests to make gift-giving season a whole lot easier.
We know that the best toy deals get snatched up fast, so it’s smart to grab deeply discounted classic favorites and this year’s top trending toys. Already, there are plenty of discounts on Learning Resources STEM-focused toys, including Botley The Coding Robot 2.0 Activity Set, which is down to $47 — its lowest price since this time last year. American Girl has also launched a big sitewide sale, lowering the price of the Truly Me Doll by 20%.
For more inspiration, our roundup of the best gifts for kids will make your job as Santa Claus a whole lot easier. Whether you’re buying for a baby or a 12-year-old, there’s a wide range of options that are sure to please. For more deals, check out all of our early Black Friday coverage across categories.
Best Black Friday deals on baby and toddler toys
Parents want to give their little one toys that help with their development and sensory exploration. So, as cute as stuffed animals are, items with more meat to them are better for babies and toddlers and will keep them entertained for longer stretches of time. That’s one of the reasons we love the Nugget Play Couch deal, which gets you up to $29 off the cult-favorite kids’ furniture. It lends itself to plenty of open-ended play for kids aged 1 year and older.
Best Black Friday deals on STEM toys
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) toys are essential for kids of all age groups. There are ones available for those as young as infants, and they get more complex for tweens. The age-appropriate toys build on kids’ problem-solving skills and encourage creativity. Take the Learning Resources Botley The Coding Robot 2.0 Activity Set that comes with 78 pieces, so the fun doesn’t stop. It is 41% off its average price of $80 and encourages fine motor skills, problem-solving, and maybe the most important of all, patience.
Best Black Friday deals on dolls
Dolls are one toy that stands the test of time, but the most popular dolls change rather frequently. Still, American Girl remains beloved by kids — and adults! — for its wide variety that aims to represent children with all different skin colors, hair colors, and personalizations, like freckles, braces, and hearing aids. The brand’s Truly Me dolls are 20% off with a sitewide Black Friday sale. But that’s just the beginning of the deals American Girl is offering for the shopping holiday. You can save up to 30% when you spend over $300.
Best Black Friday Deals on action figures
Whether they’re from a TV show, movie, or comic book, kids love to enjoy their favorite character in a tangible toy. There are plenty of action figures with movable, posable details on sale during Black Friday. The Jurassic World Tail Thrasher Spinosaurus is 26% off for the occasion. Kids love its roaring sound effects and movement, which bring their favorite movie to life right before their eyes.
Best Black Friday deals on board games
Make family game night fun again with both classic and trendy board games. You can’t go wrong with a tried-and-true favorite like Scrabble, but we appreciate that Scrabble Bingo offers a fresh take on the classic word game, which happens to be 20% off for a limited time. It teaches kids to work fast and be innovative while having fun with players of all ages. There are other options that’ll wow kids from preschool age to 12 years old.
Best Black Friday deals on arts and crafts
Their creative side will have a project to channel with the best deals on arts and crafts. Whether they prefer classic activities like coloring or more hands-on options like making slime, there’s a fun way to get artistic. The National Geographic Pottery Wheel is 30% off for the kid who would love to make their own custom ceramics. The kit includes everything they need to create wow-worthy bowls and vases that’ll be cherished for years to come.
Best Black Friday deals on sports gear
It’s never a bad idea to encourage kids to get their energy out, and they’ll be able to do just that when they have some new sports and movement-motivating activities to keep them busy. For a limited time, the Jasonwell Glow in the Dark Football is 37% off — so they can keep the fun going even after the sun sets early.
FAQs
What retailers have the best deals on toys?
Since so many brands flock to the retailer, Amazon is a go-to for the best toy deals. Plus, it offers lightning deals with major money off for a limited time. So, it’s a good site to check often from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Walmart is also a smart retailer, both online and in store, because it consistently offers low prices and exclusive products that you can’t find anywhere else. And finally, some brands offer their biggest deals on their own websites, so it’s worth checking to see if that’s where the biggest discounts are.
Are toy sales better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
That depends on what you’re looking for. Many brands want to get ahead of the shopping holidays — even before Thanksgiving. However, the deals you see leading up to and on Black Friday aren’t necessarily the only ones. Brands and retailers like to add new, fresh sales to entice shoppers on Cyber Monday. So, if you don’t see the toy you want at a discount, give it a few days and see if it pops up. That being said, if you do see an item you want on sale on Black Friday, you should snag it while you can, because it can very well sell out.
What are major retailers’ holiday return policies?
Many retailers extend their return policies specifically for the holiday season. For anything purchased on Amazon, with some exceptions, from November 1 to December 31, 2025, it can be returned through January 31, 2026. Walmart, Target, Macy’s, and other top retailers are also expected to have longer return windows as they have in years past. To make it easier on yourself, though, always get a gift receipt and keep the original receipt, so it’s a seamless transaction.
Shopping for more discounts today? Check out more of our Black Friday coverage.