UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2021, 11:00 a.m. EST We’ve updated this post with the latest toy deals, including new price drops from Best Buy and Amazon — here are some of our top picks:

BEST AMAZON DEAL: Tamagotchi Deluxe PAC-Man with Case, old-school meets somewhat-newer-but-still-oldish-school; teach your kids about responsibility with the simplest of virtual pets — $18.89 ~~$24.99~~ (save $6.10)
BEST WALMART DEAL: Backyard Discovery Aurora Wooden Cedar Swing Set, to make playing outside even better — $299.00 ~~$449.00~~ (save $150)
BEST TARGET DEAL: Costway 2-in-1 Kids Play Kitchen & Diner Restaurant Wooden Pretend Cooking Playset Toy, a unique play kitchen and dining area duo that comes equipped with all the fun features to make your kid feel like a little grown-up — $185.99 ~~$279.99~~ (save $94)
BEST BEST BUY DEAL: Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad, an toy that makes iPad time fun and educational — $55.99 ~~$79.99~~ (save $24)
BEST MACY’S DEAL: Discovery Kids Toy Tent Inflatable Dome is maybe the easiest fort to set up and clean up — $29.99 ~~$49.99~~ (save $20)

Though toys may be the most classic holiday gift out there, they can be a very overwhelming gift to shop for, especially considering all the options out there. Add to that the fact that kids generally make it very clear when they don’t like a gift, and suddenly toy shopping has your stress spiking.

Before your cortisol levels shoot through the roof, take a deep breath, and remember that you have a trusty team of shopping reporters to guide you through this Black Friday/Cyber Monday season. Scroll down for shopping tips and our favorite finds from this week.

Check out our top picks from all these sales below.

Note: Any items that have been fully crossed out were sold out or back up to full price at the time of writing, but could come back in stock at some point.

AMAZON

Yellow pacman-themed tamagotchi with pacman character case

Credit: Tamagotchi

Our pick: Tamagotchi Deluxe PAC-Man with Case

$18.89 at Amazon (save $6.10)

Why we like it

Can you believe Tamagotchi is officially 25 now? Your kid will still experience the immense stress and responsibility that is caring for a Tamagotchi (don’t worry, this is a rewarding, formative rite of passage), but with a few Pac-Man-themed extras. This special edition Tamagotchi incorporates two classic Pac-Man games into its character-raising gameplay, as well as cherries in addition to rice for feeding time and iconic Pac-Man ghosts that invade the screen every now and then; call Pac-Man to fend them off before it’s too late. Missed an attack? No matter, your child can start over — that’s the joy of Tamagotchi and the lack of repercussions in its egg-shaped form of pet-raising.

More toy deals at Amazon:

SUZIYO Kids Camera — $38.99 ~~$49.99~~ (save $11)
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX — $54.60 ~~$64.99~~ (save $10.39)
FoxPrint Princess Castle Play Tent — $23.62 ~~$34.99~~ (save $11.37)
Melissa & Doug Giant Giraffe — $75.59 ~~$107.99~~ (save $32.40)
Kinetic Sand Sandisfying Set — $8.50 ~~$19.99~~ (save $11.49)
Learning Resources Coding Critters Ranger & Zip — $31.42 ~~$39.99~~ (save $8.57)
Melissa & Doug Paw Patrol Rescue Mission Wooden Dashboard — $39.99 ~~$53.99~~ (save $14)
Melissa & Doug 17-Piece Wooden Take-Along Tabletop Railroad — $25.99 ~~$37.79~~ (save $11.80)
ZMLM Scratch Paper Art Set — $14.99 ~~$17.99~~ (save $5)
VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer — $18.32 ~~$27.99~~ (save $9.67)
~~Giant Tumbling Timber Toy~~ — ~~$49.99~~ ~~$59.99 (save $10)~~
Pulse Performance Products KR2 Freestyle Scooter — $38.99 ~~$49.99~~ (save $11)
Melissa & Doug Fold and Go Wooden Barn With 7 Animal Play Figures — $38.41 ~~$59.49~~ (save $21.08)
The Caiman (hardcover edition) — $6.95 ~~$17.99~~ (save $11.04 and up to 50% on other select children’s books)
~~Ruko Smart Robot~~ — ~~$109.99~~ ~~$129.99 (save $20)~~
~~Green Toys Dump Truck in Pink~~ — ~~$15.31~~ ~~$27.99 (save $12.68)~~
SWEMNED Digital Shooting Targets for Nerf Guns — $29.95 ~~$59.99~~ (save $30.04)
Effacera Fidget Spinner Toys — $9.90 ~~$21.99~~ (save $12.09)
ASNEY Magnetic Chess Set — $29.99 ~~$48.99~~ (save $19)

WALMART DEALS

Credit: Backyard Discovery

Backyard Discovery Aurora Wooden Cedar Swing Set

$299 at Walmart (save $150)

Why we like it

After nearly two years of being stuck indoors, having a playset that lets your kid swing, climb, and slide outside might just be one of the best things you can give for the holidays. The upper “clubhouse” part of the set also comes equipped with a real chalkboard so kids can express their creative side. While this is definitely a bigger swing set, many reviewers remarked that it’s best for small children around the ages of two to six years old.

More toy deals at Walmart:

~~LEGO Classic Bricks and Animals 11011 Building Set (1,500 Pieces)~~ — ~~$29.00~~ ~~$58.00 (save $29)~~
~~PAW Patrol Movie Transforming City PAW Patroller Truck Vehicle Playset (3 Pieces)~~ — ~~$34.00~~ ~~$59.00 (save $25)~~
~~Disney Princess Fold N Go Celebration Castle~~ — ~~$25.00~~ ~~$52.99 (save $27.99)~~
~~Pokemon Single Strike Urshifu VMAX Premium Box~~ — ~~$20.00~~ ~~$44.99 (save $24.99)~~
KidKraft Forestview II Wooden Playhouse with EZ Kraft Assembly — $349.00 ~~$449.00~~ (save $100)
~~L.O.L Surprise OMG Remix Rocker Boi and Punk Grrrl 2 Pack~~ — ~~$25.00~~ ~~$49.88 (save $25)~~
Ryan’s World Galaxy Explorer Novelty Toy — $19.97 $29.82 (save $10)
Little Tikes Easy Store 3-Foot Trampoline with Hand Rail — $39.44 ~~$69.99~~ (save $30)
Contixo 7″ Kids Tablet — $62.59 ~~$99.99~~ (save $37)
Schwinn #VIP Kids Sidewalk Bike — $130.00 ~~$154.00~~ (save $24)
Lego Harry Potter Hagrid’s Hut: Buckbeak’s Rescue — $47.99 ~~$59.99~~ (save $12)
KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen — $98.65 ~~$184.99~~ (save $86.34)
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Wooden Play Kitchen — $99 ~~$199.99~~ (save $100.99)
~~LOL Surprise! Bling Series Doll Playset~~ — ~~$35~~ ~~$70 (save $35)~~
Baby Alive Lulu Achoo Doll — $27.98 ~~$53.00~~ (save $25)
KidKraft Majestic Mansion Wooden Dollhouse — $119.00 ~~$219.00~~ (save $100)
Little Tikes Activity Garden Playhouse — $54.21 ~~$89.99~~ (save $36)
Sharpie Permanent Marker Spinner Pack — $12.00 ~~$24.00~~ (save $12)
KidKraft Shimmer Mansion Wooden Dollhouse — $118.00 ~~$140.00~~ (save $22)
VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 — $48.88 ~~$59.99~~ (save $11)
Nerf Hyper Mach-100 Fully Motorized Blaster and 80 Nerf Hyper Rounds — $56.00 ~~$73.00~~ (save $17)
~~Nerf Fortnite SMG-E Blaster~~ — ~~$15.00~~ ~~$29.99 (save $15)~~
Barbie Dreamhouse — $159.00 ~~$199.00~~ (save $40)
Contixo R3 Robot Dog — $49.99 ~~$79.99~~ (save $30)

TARGET DEALS

a little girl in overalls using her play kitchen

Credit: Costway

Our pick: Costway 2-in-1 Kids Play Kitchen & Diner Restaurant Wooden Pretend Cooking Playset Toy

$185.99 at Target (save $94)

Why we like it:

Meet the little kitchen that can take games of pretend to the next level. This two-sided toy has an oven, microwave, sink, and stove knobs that make real clicking sounds when they’re turned. The window from the kitchen looks out to a tiny seating area so your little one can serve up their best culinary creations. At over 40% off, this kitchen and diner duo packs the potential for a lot of fun.

More toy deals at Target:

LEGO Super Mario Master Your Adventure Maker Set — $41.99 ~~$59.99~~ (save $18 and up to 40% off other select Lego sets)
Pokemon Carry Case Playset — $29.99 ~~$34.99~~ (save $5)
~~Ryan’s World Build-&-Play Gummy Factory~~ — ~~$33.99~~ ~~$39.99 (save $6)~~
~~LOL Surprise! OMG Dance Dance Dance Miss Royale Fashion Doll~~ — ~~$17.29~~ ~~$21.99 (save $4.70)~~
Star Wars Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter Building Kit — $39.99 ~~$49.99~~ (save $10)
~~Barbie Care Clinic Playset~~ — ~~$49.99~~ ~~$54.99 (save $5)~~
Settlers of Catan Board Game — $22.00 ~~$44.00~~ (save $22 and 50% off other games and puzzles)
Nerf Roblox Mm2 Shark Seeker Blaster — $19.99 ~~$24.99~~ (save $5)
~~Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 74-piece set~~ — ~~$84.99~~ ~~$99.99 (save $15)~~
~~Hurtle Renegade Hurtsrd.5 Lightweight Foldable Scooter~~ — ~~$75.59~~ ~~$112.99 (save $37.40)~~
~~Globber Primo Pink Three-Wheel Kick Scooter~~ — ~~$55.89~~ ~~$64.24 (save $10.35)~~
~~L.O.L. Surprise Clubhouse Playset~~ — ~~$24.99~~ ~~$49.99 (save $25 and up to 50% off other~~ ~~L.O.L. Surprise Toys~~)

BEST BUY DEALS

a kid makes an ice cream code drawing while looking at their osmo app on an ipad

Credit: Osmo

Our pick: Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad

$59.99 at Best Buy (save $20)

Why we like it

The Osmo Starter Pack uses an iPad app, a play mat, and costume pieces and included sticks and rings to teach your little ones about prereading, storytelling, and motor skills. It is designed for kids ages three to five, but at the time of writing Best Buy is running a sale on a bunch of different Osmo kits, including the creative kit and coding kit, both of which are geared for slightly older kids.

More toy deals at Best Buy:

Osmo Creative Starter Kit for iPad — $48.99 ~~$69.99~~ (save $21)
Barbie Dreamhouse Playset — $199.99 ~~$224.99~~ (save $25)
Star Wars Grogu, The Child, 12-in Plush Motion RC Toy — $45.99 ~~$64.99~~ (save $19)
~~Marvel Legends Series 6″ Winter Soldier and Marvel’s Falcon Figure 2-Pack~~ — ~~$25.99~~ ~~$39.99 (save $14)~~
MiP Arcade – Interactive Self-Balancing Robot By WowWee — $49.99 ~~$99.99~~ (save $50)
Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Kingdom Leader WFC-K20 Ultra Magnus — $42.99 ~~$49.99~~ (save $7)
Little Tikes – First Oven Realistic Pretend Play Appliance for Kids — $34.99 ~~$51.99~~ (save $17)
iRobot Root rt0 Coding Robot — $99.99 ~~$129.99~~ (save $30)
Lego Classic Creative Transparent Bricks — $24.99 ~~$29.99~~ (save $5)
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Garage — $99.99 ~~$114.99~~ (save $15)
~~Hot Wheels Super 6-Lane Raceway Track Set~~ — ~~$81.99~~ ~~$99.99 (save $18)~~
~~eKids Spiderman Co Branded Headphone~~ — ~~$17.49~~ ~~$24.99 (save $7.50)~~

MACY’S DEALS

Credit: Discovery Kids

Our pick: Discovery Kids Toy Tent Inflatable Dome

$12.99 at Macy’s (save $37)

Why we like it

When you’re a kid, having your own fort is basically the definition of cool. It simply takes playtime to another level. This play tent inflates in a quick 30 seconds to nearly six and a half feet wide and six feet tall. When it’s time to clean up, the deflated tent fits easily into an included storage bag. There’s minimal mess and hassle, though you should be aware the box fan is not included as part of the purchase.

More toy deals at Macy’s:

~~FAO Schwartz Laser Tag~~ — ~~$23.99~~ ~~$59.99 (save $36)~~
~~FAO Schwartz Tabletop LED Easel~~ — ~~$31.99~~ ~~$79.99 (save $48)~~
~~FAO Schwartz Labradoodle Puppy Dog Plush Toy~~ — ~~$11.99~~ ~~$29.99 (save $18)~~
~~FAO Schwartz Piano Dance Mat~~ — ~~$31.99~~ ~~$79.99 (save $48)~~
~~Discovery Kids Mindblown Toy Space and Planetarium Projector~~ — ~~$19.99~~ ~~$49.99 (save $30)~~
~~Sharper Image Road Rage Speed Bumpers~~ — ~~$35.99~~ ~~$49.99 (save $24)~~
FAO Schwartz LED 3D Spin Art — $23.99 ~~$39.99~~ (save $16)
Black Series Retractable Table Tennis Top — $15.00 ~~$39.99~~ (save $25)
~~Disney Princess Belle’s Royal Kitchen~~ — ~~$24.99~~ ~~$31.49 (save $6.50)~~
~~Sharper Image 2.4GHz RC Glow Up Stunt Drone with LED Lights~~ — ~~$35.99~~ ~~$89.99 (save $54)~~
Disney Pillow Buddy Collection — $14.99-17.99 ~~$52.00-60.00~~ (save $37.01-$42.01)
Skywalker Trampolines 15′ Rectangle Trampoline — $616.00 ~~$1,139.00~~ (save $523 with code CYBER)
Sharper Image Remote Control Gravity Rover — $47.99 ~~$79.99~~ (save $32)

How to shop toy deals this year

Our first major tip is to keep your eye on this list. We’ll be updating this post week after week with the most popular toys and best savings across retailers.

Beyond checking back in, we highly recommend shopping sooner rather than later. One, it’s a pretty effective way to feel prepared once December rolls around so you can actually enjoy the holiday (groundbreaking, we know). But this old trick of getting your shopping done early is even more important with the new conditions this year — widespread supply chain shortages mean that shipping times will be longer than usual, so now is the time to start shopping if you want to guarantee that gifts arrive on time.

Luckily, the start times of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales have adjusted accordingly, so scoring a good deal and making sure your kid actually has a present to unwrap come December are both very attainable goals. Just make sure you start asking for any wishlists from your kiddos ASAP, and you should be good to go.

What toy savings we’re expecting

Cyber Monday deals have already begun, but retailers will be rolling out more and more deals even after Nov. 29, in the week following the official day. Here are the highlights:

Amazon: The online behemoth rolled out their early savings in the form of their Epic Daily Deals event, which started Oct. 4. They briefly ran a “$10 off $50 toy purchases” event in mid-October, and started their Early Black Friday Deals Nov. 1. They’ve already switched over to Cyber Monday Deals as of the weekend after Black Friday, with new discounts being rolled out daily.

Walmart: The big box store ran three Deals for Days events in November, starting Nov. 3, where we saw a ton of toy deals, followed by even more Nov. 10 and Nov. 22. We’re now in the final days of Black Friday deals, after which labels will change to Cyber Monday discounts.

Target: Though Target’s pre-Black Friday Deal Days event has already come to a close, they’re still offering holiday price matching through Dec. 24, so you can still benefit from later discounts on toys even if you shop now.

Best Buy: The tech giant ran their second pre-Black Friday savings event through Oct. 22. Their official Black Friday kicked off Nov. 19, and their “Black Friday Price Guarantee” promises you won’t find better savings. Cyber Monday comes with new deals everyday, so be sure to check the site regularly.

Macy’s: The cornerstone of malls everywhere, Macy’s has already dropped tons of early savings that have many toys at their lowest prices of this season, but the real sales have yet to come. Every week in November, Macy’s ran different sales leading up to their final Black Friday sale, which was available from Nov. 23 — Nov. 27. They’ve now transitioned to their Cyber Monday Specials, which includes a range of toys on discount.

This post will be updated throughout the holiday shopping season.