Toys still tops for Clark County gift givers

Prices may be up, but many families locally and nationwide are still indulging in toys this holiday season.

The National Retail Federation anticipates American shoppers will spend about $1 trillion in November and December this year, a roughly 4 percent increase over 2024.

Nearly a third of shoppers plan to buy toys as gifts, according to a federation survey.

Legos, Hot Wheels, cars, Nintendo and trucks are among the most desired toys for boys, the federation reported. Barbie, dolls, Legos, Labubu and cosmetics, meanwhile, are the top toys for girls.

Legos, Barbies, Hot Wheels and video games enjoy enduring popularity. But not every kid wants those brand regulars, which is why the little monster plush dolls, Labubu, are on this year’s most popular list.

“With school-age kids, a lot of what is trending is pop culture,” said Leah Pickering, who owns Kazoodles Toys & Gifts (13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver).

That might be pickles, screaming chickens, KPop Demon Hunters or cats.

“We have a whole cat section,” Pickering added. “Never had that before.”

Slime was big last year at Periwinkle’s Toy Shoppe (326 N.E. Cedar St., Camas). But the hot toy this year is anything collectible, particularly toys sold in mystery packaging so the item is a surprise until it’s opened.

“People are really loving that,” said Heather Kesmodel, who co-owns Periwinkle’s with her husband, Dave.

At Kazoodles, older pr-teens and teenagers are looking for ways to personalize everything — water bottle stickers, sure, but also backpack charms, special pens, keychains and special fidgets. The quirkier, the better, Pickering said.

Fidgets and other sensory toys seem to be popular for everyone from babies to adults, she added.

Old-school games like Risk, Monopoly and Clue have also been in demand.

Kesmodel said she has heard shoppers they will sit around with their friends for three hours playing Risk.

New magnetic tiles sets, travel-sized toys, micro scooters and everything related to the “Bluey” televsion series are also popular, as are the shop’s toy trains.

“Those are flying out,” Kesmodel said.

Stuffed animals are still popular with kids, Pickering said.

In Camas, high-quality heirloom toys seem to be quite popular.

For younger kids, a lot of customers are looking for Montessori-style learning toys, Pickering said. These things weren’t as popular over the past few years.

“All play is educational,” Pickering said. “But we brought in a lot of very specific educational toys, and they’re doing quite well.”