Holiday 2021: Here are 20 toys expected to be hot this year

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Fall may have just begun, but it’s never too early to get a head start on your holiday shopping, especially if you’re hoping to get your hands on one of this year’s most-coveted items.

Each year, new toys spring up, seemingly out of nowhere, and quickly go from a complete unknown to a must-have item.

Parents who wait until the last minute often have difficulty finding these toys, leaving their children disappointed that they didn’t get the same popular, new toy as all their friends.

Luckily for shoppers, Toy Insider has already released its annual list of the 20 hottest toys for the upcoming holiday season, giving parents three months to get their hands on them before Christmas.

And while many may consider September to be a bit early to be thinking about holiday gift lists, most consumers plan to certainly start shopping prior to Thanksgiving this year, according to a recent survey.

The products chosen by Toy Insider have been separated into four groups, based on the age of the children for which they are designed.

Here’s a look at this year’s 20 hottest toys.

INFANTS AND TODDLERS (AGES 0-2)

Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot (LeapFrog)

This toy allows future chefs to prepare five pretend meals using a cutting board, play knife and snap-apart vegetables. The interactive recipes help teach kids colors and numbers as they embark on their young culinary careers.

MSRP: $21.99

Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot (Mattel)

This toy, which features music, lights and Smart Stages learning technology, can be enjoyed as four separate bots or combined together to create one, larger, interactive bot.

MSRP: $49.99

Flybar Bumper Cars (Flybar)

These child-sized bumper cars allow kids to safely drive around the house, with a maximum speed of just 1 mph. The car can perform 360-degree turns and features flashing LED lights.

MSRP: $99.99

Little Tikes Learn & Play 2-in-1 Activity Tunnel (MGA Entertainment)

Youngster can climb through this toy’s fabric tunnel, drop multi-colored balls from the two drop towers and peek their head through the side windows.

MSRP: $52.99

PRE-SCHOOL (AGES 3-4)

Batman Bat-Tech Transforming Batcave (Spin Master)

This 30-inch Batman action figure transforms into a 10-room Batcave and includes an exclusive four-inch Batman figurine. The Batcave features interactive sounds that accompany the elevator’s movement between levels.

MSRP: $99.99

Blues Clues & You! Cook-Along Play Kitchen Set (Just Play)

This interactive play kitchen features 19 accessories, a recipe book and sounds from the popular Nickelodeon series “Blues Clues.”

MSRP: $59.97

CoComelon Deluxe Interactive JJ Doll (Jazwares)

This interactive doll of JJ, the star of “CoComelon,” sings songs from the popular child’s television show, including “Yes, Yes, Vegetables” and “Your Name.”

MSRP: $29.99

Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle (Hasbro)

This four-foot dollhouse stands three stories high, featuring six rooms, 29 accessories and a light-up display. All dolls are sold separately.

MSRP: $149.99

Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse (Spin Master)

This two-foot dollhouse mirrors the one from the popular kids show, “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” with an elevator, music and sounds -- and three play accessories.

MSRP: $64.99

Ryan’s World Lost City Adventures – Mega Adventure Chest (Bonkers Toys)

This treasure chest features a variety of goodies for “Ryan’s World” lovers, including a six-inch golden figure, Lost City-themed figures, miniature figurines, adventuring gear and more.

MSRP: $79.99

GRADE SCHOOL (AGES 5-7)

Akedo Ultimate Battle Arena (Moose Toys)

This electronic arena allows kids to battle their collectible Akedo Ultimate Warrior figurines. The arena includes two exclusive warrior figurines, two battle controllers, two interchangeable backgrounds and a punching bag accessory.

MSRP: $29.99

Got2Glow Fairy Finder (WowWee)

Each Got2Glow Fairy Finder features over 30 unique, virtual fairies that children can discover while walking around the house or outside. Kids can trade their fairies with friends and collect all three jars to find the over 100 total fairies.

MSRP: $39.99

KidiZoom PrintCam (VTech)

This toy allows kids to take and instantly print photos using over 110 exciting templates. The lens can be flipped up for fun selfies, and kids can preview the images on 2.4-inch screen before printing.

MSRP: $74.99

LOL Surprise OMG House of Surprises (MGA Entertainment)

This four-foot, 10-room dollhouse has plenty of space for all your kid’s LOL Surpise and LOL OMG fashion dolls (sold separately). The house features an elevator, pool, garage, transforming furniture and more.

MSRP: $229.99

Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron (Moose Toys)

Young wizards-in-training can use this toy, which includes a cauldron, magic wand and and potion ingredients, to reveal mystical creatures that respond to touch.

MSRP: $69.99

Pokémon Trading Card Game: Celebrations Elite Trainer Box (The Pokémon Co. International)

This limited-edition 25th anniversary trainer box includes 10 Pokemon Celebrations boosters packs and 25 remakes of iconic Pokemon cards from throughout the franchise’s storied history.

MSRP: $49.99

Chuckle & Roar Pop It XL (Buffalo Games)

This jumbo-sized version of the original Pop It toy gives kids three times the space to pop bubbles, flip it over and then pop them again. This sensory-based toy is great for relieving stress and anxiety in children and adults.

Click here to learn more about the Pop It trend.

MSRP: $19.99

Squishmallows Food Squad (Jazwares)

These food-inspired plushes range in size from 3.5 to 24 inches, and feature various characters -- including Carmelita the S’more and Bernardo the Burrito.

MSRP: $2.99 - $59.99

TWEENS (AGES 8+)

Beyblade Burst Burst Speedstorm Motor Strike Battle Set (Hasbro)

This new twist on the iconic Beyblade arena features a motorized spinning vortex in the center to boost and redirect the spinning battle tops.

MSRP: $59.99

Tamagotchi Pix (Bandai America)

Another longtime favorite, Tamagotchi, returns -- this time with a built-in camera that allows kids to take pictures with their virtual pets and participate in a range of interactive activities.

MSRP: $59.99