Never Too Early…The Top Toy Trends for 2015 Holiday Season

Dinosaur, pet, and cooking toys are expected to be among the most popular items this holiday shopping season.

Toys “R” Us said it spent a year tracking toy purchases across the globe, and found four trends that it says will impact toy-buying this holiday season.

Hit movies like "Jurassic World" have boosted the popularity of dinosaur-themed items, while a push to encourage exploration and creative thinking have resulted in more toys that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, or STEAM.

Life-like pet toys and cooking-themed items are also expected to be big this year.

Here are Toys “R” Us’s predictions for the 2015 holiday shopping season:

Age of the Dinosaurs

Inspired by new, hit movies, including the blockbuster, "Jurassic World", and the upcoming release of "The Good Dinosaur", as well as dinosaur-themed shows such as DINOTRUX, it is Mesozoic mania on toy shelves this holiday season. Kids of all ages will have a roaring good time with dynamic dinosaurs ranging from futuristic prehistoric pals and classic plush to giant multi-playthings and pint-sized dinos. The following creatures are extinct no more:

DINOTRUX Mega Chompin’™ Ty Rux from Mattel®
Imaginext® Ultra T-Rex from Fisher-Price®
Jurassic World Hero Mashers Ultimate TRex from Hasbro®
Zoomer™Chomplingz from Spin Master™
Zoomer™Dino Jurassic World Indominus Rex from Spin Master™

Full STEAM Ahead

Recently toys that inspire interest in STEAM have become one of the most popular trends among parents wanting to introduce the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math to children as part of playtime. These unique playthings are dedicated to advancing inquisitiveness while helping to spur strategic and creative thinking:

Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit from Anki™
Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo from Fisher-Price®
Meccanoid GKS from Spin Master™
Project Mc2 Dolls from MGA Entertainment
Smart Toy Bear from Fisher-Price®

Lil’ Sous Chefs in Training

These crafty, delicious toys help spark imagination while creating personalized playtime experiences:

Candy Craft Chocolate Pen from Skyrocket™
Play-Doh® Cookout Creations from Hasbro®
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Oven from Wicked Cool Toys
The Real Cotton Candy Maker from Cra-Z-Art®
Yummy Nummies Mini Kitchen Party Sets from Blip

Pets with Personality

Kids have always found a friend in their favorite stuffed animal and now they are gravitating towards play pets that can interact with them. This year, cuddly companions come equipped with realistic movements and offer all the fun of traditional pets, minus the mess. The following toys are just a few of the playthings kids will be clamoring to adopt into their playroom:

Chubbie Puppies Mega Set from Spin Master™
Clever Keet from Moose Toys™
FurReal Friends JJ, My Jumpin’ Pug from Hasbro®
Little Live Pets Lil’ Mouse Deluxe Play Trail from Moose Toys™
Zoomer Whiskers from Spin Master™