As the Strategist’s toy writer, my mission in the days leading up to Black Friday is to dig up the best early toy deals 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. The largest discounts are mostly at bigger retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, but many more are joining the fray, so check this post often for the latest. If you’re also looking for discounts on kitchen appliances, clothes, skin care, and tech, check out our Black Friday hub. You can stay updated on all of our sales coverage, Black Friday and otherwise, by signing up for our email newsletter.
Update on November 28: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
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 Corinne, the Girl of the Year doll from 2022, 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 many legit deals to be had — including the super-popular MagnaTiles Downhill Duo set for 20 percent off, an Elmer’s slime kit for 35 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: 30 percent off a two-in-one tennis-court and skate-park play set; 45 percent off Corinne, 2022’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.
Clixo
Clixo is one of my favorite building toys because of the way you can bend the flexible magnetic pieces to make curved objects like a ball or a fish. We featured the newly released Clixo ocean creatures in our 2024 print gift guide and now it’s 20 percent off, along with everything else on the brand’s site. Clixo is also running a spend more, save more deal: You’ll get 30 percent off your whole order you spend over $199, and 40 percent off if you spend over $399.
On top of its early Black Friday deals, Disney is taking an extra 25 percent off already reduced items and offering free shipping on all orders over $40 with the code GIFT. 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.
Radio Flyer has discounts up to 50 percent on select toys. The best deals include a classic steel-and-wood mini-wagon that comes with a cuddly teddy bear for $30, a toddler ride-on roadster for 40 percent off, and a 12-volt electric go-kart for bigger kids, also for 40 percent off.
Sarah’s Silks is discounting play silks, dress-up wings, capes, and holiday items like Advent calen dars and silk Christmas stockings by up to 70 percent.
Super Smalls is taking 20 percent off everything for orders up to $149, 25 percent off orders over $150, and 30 percent off orders over $250.
It’s always a good idea to jump on Magna-Tiles sales, and Target is offering 30 percent off the 37-piece and 74-piece clear-color sets. There are also a variety of LEGO sets, train sets and tables, craft kits, science kits, and board games on sale.
Save 25 percent on anything from Tonies, including Toniebox bundles, Tonies, Advent calendars, and accessories.
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 house is 43 percent off and a Ford Bronco ride-on is 41 percent off. There are also big discounts on smaller toys like Squishmallows and a toddler-friendly Fisher Price record player.
Yoto is giving shoppers up to 35 percent off its entire site, including players, card-and-player bundles, and all sorts of accessories like headphones and protective cases. For cards, the brand is offering a tiered discount: 10 percent off $35, 15 percent off $60, or 20 percent off $90.
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.