Walmart Announces "America's Best Toy Shop" as they Unveil Annual "Top Rated by Kids" Toy List

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I do believe that the toy wars have begun… and that’s a great thing for kids, parents and everyone who loves play! Following the sudden and spectacular collapse of Toys “R” Us earlier this year, a huge void was left and that means that other retailers have been ramping up to serve their customers while capturing a part of that business (fact: TRU still sold $11 billion in toys in 2016). Walmart (an affiliate) is one of the first out of the gate, rebranding their toy departments as “America’s Best Toy Shop,” promising an expanded assortment that includes 30 percent new toys in stores and 40 percent more toys online. That means new brands that kids may not have seen before, and they’re adding some fun new experiences and special in-store events to get families excited. Along with this news comes the unveiling of Walmart’s annual hot toy list, their 2018 “Top Rated By Kids” – 40 must-have items for this holiday season – and layaway is back! Check it out…

New toy brands now available at Walmart include Pomsies, Fancy Nancy, Boxy Girls, Grumblies and Hairdorables. This year, the retailer has added hundreds of new exclusive toys in stores and online. Just one of the hundreds of new exclusives includes Ryan’s World (reviewed here), a line of 11 toys from first-grade internet toy sensation Ryan of Ryan ToysReview, available exclusively at Walmart until Sept. 30. The excitement continues on Walmart.com with new online-only exclusives such as the DC Comics 6-Volt Justice League Batmobile and KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen with 30 Piece Play Food

Hear ye, Hear ye: The Kids Have Spoken!
America’s Best Toy Shop launches with a little help from the real toy authorities – kids! Walmart engaged hundreds of youngsters to test and play with dozens of toys. Their favorites resulted in Walmart’s Top Rated by Kids list. Up from 25 toys in previous years, this list of 40 toys will help guide parents on the “it” toys kids are wishing for. Straight from kids themselves, here is a look at the top 40:

Power Brands: These brands have been household names for generations and continue to be popular with kids today. Whether it’s a twist on a classic, or a fresh new way to play with beloved icons, these toys are tops with kids:

Entertainment Properties: Toys that enable kids to play with their favorite characters from movies and television are all the rage. Here are the characters – in toy form – that kids will be buddying-up with off-screen:

Disney Princess Rapunzel Tower Vanity (Walmart exclusive)
Harry Potter Wizard Training Wands
Imaginext Jurassic World Jurassic Rex
Incredibles 2 Jack Jack Doll
Paw Patrol Fire Truck Ride-On (Walmart exclusive)
Paw Patrol Fire Truck
Peppa Pig Fun Fair Playset (Walmart exclusive)
PJ Masks Romeo’s Lab Playset

Collectibles: Few things can replace the sheer joy of discovering a surprise toy inside a mystery box. Kids may not know what they’re going to find, but that’s the delight! And, be sure they’ll want to collect them all: