As the Strategist’s toy writer, my mission in the days leading up to Black Friday is to dig up the best early deals on toys for kids of all ages, on everything from stocking stuffers to the year’s hottest holiday toys. And since Black Friday seems to start earlier and earlier every year, there are already plenty to choose from.
I recommend following a tip I picked up from my fellow Strategist writer Dominique Pariso and go into Black Friday with a wish list — whether you’re shopping for toys, a gift for your mom, or anything else. I guarantee it’ll help you avoid getting caught up in the sales frenzy, so you can thoughtfully choose the best gifts for everyone on your list. Below, you’ll find all the best early toy deals I’ve found so far — all of which are at least 20 percent off and many of which I’ve written about after testing them myself. So far, the largest discounts are mostly at bigger retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, but many more are sure to join the fray in the days to come, so check this post often for the latest. Also, don’t forget to stay updated with more sales coverage by signing up for our email newsletter.
The deals I personally think are the best
I included Sarah’s Silks on my list of the expensive toys that are actually worth it, and right now the brand is having a blowout sale; I’d go for the rainbow veil that’s currently 64 percent off. I’m also eyeing a 300-piece bag of Mega Bloks that I recommend in our guide to the best gifts for 1-year-olds, which is now more than half off at Walmart. And because American Girl dolls rarely go on sale, I am very excited about Kavi, the Girl of the Year doll from 2023, which is 45 percent off at the moment.
It can be tricky to shop Amazon’s Black Friday deals, between the glut of brands you’ve never heard of, the “limited time” and lightning deals that sometimes sell out really quickly, and the discounts that aren’t as big as they seem due to falsely inflated starting prices. But there are still some legit deals to be had — including the super-popular MagnaTiles Downhill Duo set for 20 percent off, an Elmer’s slime kit for 34 percent off, and a Melissa & Doug sandwich counter play set for 44 percent off.
At over $100 a pop, American Girl dolls are a splurge. I think they’re generally worth the price because of the play value and quality. But right now, the brand is having a rare sale with dolls and accessories up to 65 percent off. Highlights include: 20 percent off historical dolls; 45 percent off Kavi, 2023’s Girl of the Year doll; and 30 percent off an American Girl x Jeni’s ice-cream truck play set that comes with ice-cream pints that have removable lids and ice cream inside, as well as a phone that has a credit-card reader.
On top of its early Black Friday deals, Disney is taking 20 percent off all sale items with the code MAGIC. There’s something for every type of kid, whether you’re shopping for one who wears princess dresses on the daily, a Muppets superfan, or a more mischievous “Ursula is my one true hero” type.
Sarah’s Silks is discounting play silks, dress-up wings, capes, and holiday items like Advent calendars and silk Christmas stockings by up to 70 percent.
It’s always a good idea to jump on Magna-Tiles sales, and Target has a handful of sets for 20 percent off: the 50-piece Builder XL set, which comes with regular-size pieces and extra-large pieces; the space shuttle set that comes with a combination of regular pieces and MicroMags; and a 62-piece combo pack. A variety of LEGO sets, train sets and tables, and science kits are also on sale.
Walmart has a lot of deals on bigger-ticket toys in particular. In addition to the aforementioned deal on a giant set of Mega Bloks, Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse is 52 percent off and a Ford Bronco ride-on is 30 percent off. There are also big discounts on smaller toys like Squishmallows and a toddler-friendly Fisher Price record player.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
