The Black Friday 2024 toy shopping season is already in full swing, shattering the old notion of a single-day event. As of this December 12, 2025 update, major retailers have rolled out their "Deal Days" and "Early Access" events, making November 29th—the official Black Friday date—just the peak of a month-long frenzy. To win the holiday shopping game this year, you must abandon the old playbook and adopt a new, strategic approach focused on early deals, ad leaks, and targeted discounts on the season's hottest toys.
The competition for the most sought-after items, from the latest interactive dolls to high-demand LEGO sets, is fiercer than ever. Retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon are using staggered sales to manage inventory and drive traffic early. We’ve analyzed the latest ad leaks and early sales data to give you the seven most crucial secrets to maximize your savings and secure the must-have toys for every child on your list before they sell out.
The 7 Critical Secrets to Dominating Black Friday Toy Deals 2024
The biggest discounts are no longer reserved for the day after Thanksgiving. The 2024 strategy involves three key phases: Early Access, Black Friday Peak, and Cyber Monday cleanup. Mastering these phases is the only way to lock in savings of 50% or more on top-tier brands.
1. Target’s Secret: The BOGO 50% Off and Weekly Ad Advantage
Target has historically been a powerhouse for toy deals, and 2024 is no exception, with their strategy heavily focused on early "Deal Days." Their early Black Friday ad scan, released in November 2024, confirmed the continuation of aggressive, staggered sales.
- The BOGO 50% Off Strategy: Look for the famous "Buy One, Get One 50% Off" promotions, which are often applied to popular categories like board games, arts and crafts, or specific toy brands. This is one of the best ways to purchase multiple gifts while maximizing the discount.
- Consistent Brand Discounts: Target’s early sales frequently feature 20%–30% off on perennial favorites like LEGO and Barbie. These discounts are a reliable benchmark; anything higher is a true doorbuster.
- The Cartwheel/Circle App: Always check the Target Circle app for unique, personalized offers that can stack on top of the advertised Black Friday prices, giving you an extra edge on items like Disney toys and Hot Wheels sets.
2. Walmart’s Strategy: The "Deals for Days" Ad Leak and Volume Savings
Walmart's Black Friday 2024 event is structured around multiple "Events" or "Deals for Days," with the full 37-page ad officially released early. This confirms that the best deals are distributed across several weeks, not just one day.
- Focus on High-Volume, Low-Price Doorbusters: Walmart uses toys as a major traffic driver. Expect steep discounts (often 50% or more) on large, exclusive toy bundles or the season’s hottest items, such as the Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll or specific Fisher-Price sets.
- The "Event #1" Rule: The first wave of deals (which started as early as November 11th) often includes the deepest cuts on a limited inventory of toys. If a toy is on their "Top Toys List," it’s a high-priority Black Friday item.
- In-Store vs. Online: Historically, Walmart has reserved some of the most aggressive toy doorbusters for in-store shoppers, though the majority of their 2024 deals are accessible online to manage crowds. Always check both channels.
3. Amazon’s Advantage: The Deepest Discounts on Trendy & Educational Toys
Amazon's Black Friday 2024 sale officially began on November 21st, but the retailer started offering massive "early Black Friday toy deals" well before that date. Amazon is the king of discount percentages, with deals reaching up to 57% off or more on thousands of items.
- Target the 50%+ Club: Amazon is the place to find discounts of 50% or more on brands like Melissa & Doug, which are great for educational and imaginative play, and trendy collectibles like Squishmallows.
- Board Games and Family Fun: The steepest board game deals—often up to half off—are consistently found on Amazon and Walmart. Look for popular titles and family party games, which make excellent stocking stuffers.
- Lightning Deals on Top Brands: Be prepared for time-sensitive "Lightning Deals" on big-ticket items like the latest Barbie DreamHouse or high-end LEGO Technic sets. These deals are short-lived and require immediate action.
4. Prioritize STEM Toys and Educational Kits
The 2024 holiday season continues the strong trend toward educational and STEM toys (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Retailers and specialized stores like Fat Brain Toys are offering unbeatable discounts on these categories, recognizing their high demand among parents.
- Key Brands to Watch: Look for deals on Educational Insights kits, coding robots, chemistry sets, and advanced LEGO Architecture or LEGO Creator Expert sets.
- The Value Proposition: A 30% discount on a high-quality STEM kit often represents a greater long-term value than a 50% discount on a generic novelty toy. Prioritize quality educational toys during the sales.
5. The Collectible Frenzy: Funko Pop! and Action Figures
Collectibles remain a massive driver of holiday sales. While not always the highest percentage discount, the sheer volume of sales makes them an important category.
- Franchise Power: Deals will center on toys tied to major 2024 movie and streaming releases. Expect big markdowns on merchandise from popular franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Pokémon.
- Action Figures & Dolls: Look for "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" or similar promotions on action figures and fashion dolls, which are great for filling out a collection.
6. Don't Ignore the Brand-Specific Sales
While the big-box stores offer convenience, sometimes the deepest, most unique discounts are found directly on the brand websites. Companies like Hasbro, Mattel, and smaller, specialized toy companies often run their own aggressive Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to clear inventory.
- Exclusive Bundles: Brand sites frequently offer exclusive bundles or limited-edition items that you won't find at Amazon or Walmart. These are perfect for finding unique gifts.
- The LEGO Store VIP: If you are a fan of LEGO, the official LEGO Store’s Black Friday event is a must. They often offer double VIP points, free gifts with purchase, and exclusive discounts on large, expensive sets that rarely go on sale elsewhere.
7. The Cyber Monday Cliffhanger: Big-Ticket Clearance
Black Friday is the day for the deepest percentage cuts on mid-range items, but Cyber Monday (December 2nd, 2024) is often the last chance for major clearance on big-ticket items that didn't sell out over the weekend.
- Ride-Ons and Playhouses: Large, bulky items like electric ride-on cars, large dollhouses, or outdoor playsets often see their final, steepest price drops on Cyber Monday as retailers look to avoid shipping them back to warehouses.
- Electronic Toys and Gaming: Look for clearance on gaming accessories, kids' tablets, and interactive electronic toys that may have been overshadowed by major console deals on Black Friday.
Top Toy Entities Expected to See Major Black Friday Discounts
To ensure you hit all the key topical authority points, here is a list of must-watch toy entities and brands that are either confirmed to be on sale or are historically major Black Friday deal targets:
- LEGO Sets: Including LEGO City, LEGO Friends, LEGO Star Wars, and LEGO Harry Potter. Discounts of 20% to 40% are common.
- Barbie: The Barbie DreamHouse and various fashion doll sets, often seeing 30% off at Target and Amazon.
- Squishmallows: The trendy plush toys are a staple of Amazon and Walmart deals, with multi-packs often heavily discounted.
- Hot Wheels: Large track sets and multi-car packs are classic doorbusters at Walmart and Target.
- Fisher-Price: Deals on infant and toddler toys, including Imaginext and Baby Alive dolls.
- Interactive Pets: Such as the FurReal Peanut the Playful Monkey.
- Board Games: Including classics like Monopoly and new family strategy games.
- Puzzles: Often included in BOGO deals or deep discounts for brands like Purple Ladybug.
- Disney Princess Dolls: Always a high-volume seller with reliable discounts across all major retailers.
- VTech & LeapFrog: Key brands in the electronic learning and educational toy categories.
By focusing on the early ad leaks, prioritizing high-value categories like STEM and board games, and being ready for Amazon’s aggressive percentage drops, you can navigate the Black Friday 2024 toy landscape and complete your holiday shopping with massive savings.
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