Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max

Just Play · Kids & Toys

Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max review

A nostalgic, easy-win gift for a toddler who loves Elmo, released for Tickle Me Elmo's 30th anniversary and featured in The Toy Insider's 2026 holiday gift guide coverage. It is a one-trick toy by design, so it is about giggles and cuddles rather than open-ended play.

An 18-inch interactive Elmo plush that giggles, shakes, flaps its arms and moves its mouth when tickled on the belly or either foot, with laughs that build the more he is tickled. Runs on 4 AA batteries, which are included.

8.7/10SnipSnapy score · Highly recommended

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Who should buy this

Parents, grandparents and gift buyers shopping for a toddler 18 months and up who loves Sesame Street. Skip it for a child who dislikes noisy toys, or if you want something with long-term building or learning value.

Pros & Cons

What We Like

  • Three tickle spots (belly, left foot, right foot) with escalating giggles and full-body shaking
  • Arms move, mouth opens and closes, and Elmo says phrases between laughs
  • Big, soft 18-inch plush that doubles as a cuddle toy
  • Batteries included, so it works out of the box
  • The Toy Insider says parents will love connecting with little ones over this nostalgic pick

What to Consider

  • Ships in Try-Me mode: an adult has to remove a wire from the bottom for full use
  • A loud toy, and Just Play doesn't list a volume control
  • Limited range: it laughs and moves, but there are no learning modes
  • Uses 4 AA batteries that will need replacing with heavy use

SnipSnapy score

8.7/10
Great
Play value
8.3
Durability
8.5
Ages covered
8.4
Value
8.8
✎ Researched by Toys TeamUpdated 2026-10-30How we score →

Specifications

Ages18 months and up
Height18 in
Batteries4 x AA (included)
Tickle spotsBelly, left foot, right foot
IncludesElmo interactive plush
LicenseOfficially licensed Sesame Street

Key features

  • ✦ Tickle-activated giggles that build the longer he is tickled
  • ✦ Moving arms and mouth with whole-body shaking
  • ✦ Phrases such as "Elmo is SO giggly!"
  • ✦ Try-Me mode for in-store demos

Where to buy

StoreLink
A
Amazon
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as the original Tickle Me Elmo?
No. Just Play launched the Giggle Max in 2026 for the toy's 30th anniversary. At 18 inches it is bigger than the original and adds arm, mouth and whole-body movement.
Is it affected by the 2026 Elmo teether recall?
No. That recall covered Skip Hop's Baby Sesame Street Elmo silicone teethers, a different product from a different company. We found no CPSC recall for the Giggle Max as of October 30, 2026.
What age is it for?
Just Play rates it for ages 18 months and up.

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