Total spending in the UK will increase by 4% to almost £110 billion in the run-up to Christmas, according to research from retail analyst Global Data. On average, each child will receive £101 worth of toys, with the price of the average gift being £13, according to predictions.
© Inara Prusakova/ Shutterstock.com
Toy data tracking company Circana reports sales are down 4% so far, compared with the final quarter of 2022. However, analysts believe there will be a final last-minute rush in the week before Christmas, as families are hoping prices will drop.
So, what are the most popular kids’ toys for Christmas this year?
Girls’ Christmas toys
Unsurprisingly, considering the release of the new movie, the most popular toy for younger girls is a Barbie doll. Reports suggest toy maker Mattel’s sales had slumped this year, as a result of the economic crisis, but Barbie’s success has reversed the trend.
The prices can vary greatly - for instance, the latest doll, based on Margot Robbie’s outfits fresh from the movie set, retails at around £73 on Amazon, while the new Barbie Dreamhouse set, including a three-storey slide, pool and pet lift, will set you back about £200. However, you can pick up a standard Barbie much cheaper if you’re on a budget, such as the Barbie Movie Deluxe Beach Barbie Doll, which retails for £17 at Boots.
Another popular Christmas gift for girls is the Gabby’s Dollhouse Purrfect Dollhouse, selling for £60 at Argos, which is in the top ten for the second consecutive year. The cat-shaped house has lights, music and a furniture pack, with a cat-a-vator delivery tower included.
A less costly Gabby’s gift is the Talking Pandy Paws Plush cat toy at £19.99 on Amazon.
Also in the top ten gifts is the LOL Dolls OMG House of Surprises, a sustainable wooden dolls’ house with swimming pool, kitchen, cinema, roof terrace and diner. The gift promises “more than 85 surprise reveals”. It costs £143 at John Lewis, so we’d expect something good!
For the doll only, buy the LOL Surprise OMG Sunshine Makeover Bubblegum DJ doll, which changes colour and comes with accessories and an outfit for £17 at Smyths Toys.
Boys’ Christmas toys
Traditional boys’ toys, such as toy cars, are still in the top ten kids’ Christmas gifts. However, this year, they have a new twist, with manufacturers having taken the sustainability message on board.
A top-seller, the Matchbox MBX Drivers 12-Pack retails for £29 at Mattel and features 12 matchbox-sized electric vehicles. The miniature, accurately modelled, eco-friendly cars are as much-loved as they have always been. The collection of cars, made from recycled zinc, includes a Nissan Leaf and a Tesla Roadster. Buy budget-friendly individual Matchbox cars for £2.30 each. You can also buy playsets such as the Mattel Super Clean Car Wash for £34.
Another top ten boys’ toy is the Spider-Man Ultimate Spider-Man Web Warriors Electronic Figure, retailing at £20 from The Toy Shop. The action figure is a top choice, thanks to the release of the Across The Spider-Verse film and the Spider-Man 2 game. The electronic figurine has 20 phrases, with action sound effects.
Lego is still popular for boys, with the Lego City Arctic Explorer Ship making the top ten. Retailing for £130 at John Lewis, it comprises 815 Lego pieces and seven mini-figures. The floating Arctic vessel is massive and features the captain’s bridge, a helicopter, an opening hull, dinghy, Viking shipwreck, submarine and working crane. It should keep the kids entertained for hours but will leave your living room looking like a Lego city without some storage boxes!
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Lego sets start at around £10.
Retro Christmas toys
If you were a child in the late 20th century, you’ll be pleased to learn plenty of nostalgic retro Christmas toys have made a comeback this year.
Lego is one of them. The famous building bricks have been around since 1932, when they were invented by Danish entrepreneur Ole Kirk Kristiansen. They have always been popular, but positively boomed in the 1970s, after the giant-sized Lego Duplo Brick was launched for younger children.
During the 1980s and ‘90s, Lego kept pace with the times, introducing educational sets and an intelligent Lego Mindstorms brick-integrating robot. Today, they are going strong and are still owned by the founder’s descendants.
Furbies are also enjoying renewed popularity with today’s kids. The famous furry critters were launched in 1998, when they sold extremely well. In 1999, 14 million had sold in one year. Today, one of the hottest top ten kids’ gifts is the Furby Interactive, retailing at £60 at Argos and dubbed the best toy for six-year-olds in reviews. It’s aimed at being a BFF and will respond to pats on the head, hugs and speech, as it has more than 600 responses. It can even communicate with other Furbies!
Hot Wheels, also big in the 1970s, are still popular today. The Mattel toy, launched in 1968, has featured on many a Santa list for the past 50 years. The American scale model cars, originally intended for kids, have also become popular adult collectors’ items and are valued well when stored correctly.
This Christmas, look out for the Hot Wheels car assortment. An accessory such as the Hot Wheels Rack ‘n’ Track Car Display with 44 compartments retails for £21 on Amazon.
You’re going to be spoiled for choice this Christmas, whatever your budget, as there are so many great toys about.
A sturdy toy storage box with a lid will keep the floor clear when the party games begin!