Are you searching for the perfect gift to give to a child this Christmas? Here are eight toys that are set to be the most sought-after this year. They’re guaranteed to put a smile on a little one’s face.
According to the world’s oldest toy store, Hamleys, this year classic toys that will stand the test of time and iconic brands are set to top Christmas wish lists for children.
1. Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Ultimate Ice Cream Truck
Play-Doh has been on Christmas lists since the 1950s, and it’s a classic gift for a reason. It can help children embrace creativity and imagination with relatively little mess when you compare it to alternatives, like painting.
The latest Play-Doh offering is a fun-filled ice cream truck, that’s guaranteed to delight young children.
The playset includes 12 pots of colourful Play-Doh that are perfect for whipping up ice cream treats of every flavour. It comes with all the accessories an ice cream entrepreneur would need, from ice lolly sticks to a scoop.
The set is perfect for role-playing too as it boasts a realistic soft serve machine, scooping station, and cash register.
2. Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse
Dollhouses have been toy favourites for centuries. This year, the popular preschool TV series Gabby’s Dollhouse gives the classic toy a new twist with a cat-inspired shape and colourful details. Fans of the show will love hearing well-known phrases and songs at the touch of a button too.
At over a metre tall, the dollhouse offers lots of space to play. There are four floors and seven different rooms to create stories in.
The dollhouse includes two character figures, including Gabby, and eight pieces of furniture, as well as two dollhouse deliveries that can be dropped down the tower.
3. Lightyear Jetpack Liftoff Buzz Lightyear
Since the release of the first Toy Story film in 1995, the characters have become family favourites. With the release of Lightyear, which tells the story of Buzz, earlier this year, they’ve found a whole new audience.
The action figure of Buzz is perfect for fans of the film. When he lifts off the ground, real vapour will pour from his jetpack, as well as light and sound effects to really set the scene as he heads off on an adventure. The figure also says 20 phrases from the film to boost storytelling and imaginative play.
4. Melissa and Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart
If you’re shopping for a younger child, this could be the perfect choice – it’s suitable for children 12 months and up.
The Melissa and Doug brand is well-known for its preschool toys that are sustainable and timeless. As they’re wooden, they’re durable and can withstand knocks from energetic toddlers.
The Shape Sorting Grocery Cart is a walker combined with shape sorting that teaches colour and shape recognition, as well as helping children to develop fine motor skills. It includes 12 chunky shapes that are perfect for small hands, two puzzle boards, and a roller drum “shopping list”.
5. Little Live Pets Mama Surprise
This toy is perfect for a child that’s desperate for a pet.
The set includes an interactive guinea pig and an accessory kit. The child will need to care for their pet by feeding and brushing it. After plenty of attention, her heart will start to glow and, when placed in the hutch, baby guinea pigs will magically appear. Each of the three babies comes with its own accessory kit so they can be dressed up too.
Other options from Little Live Pets include hamsters, birds, and even a chameleon.
6. Sylvanian Families Pony’s Stylish Hair Salon
Sylvanian Families first graced Christmas lists in the 1980s. After a resurgence in recent years and modern additions to the range, it’s still sought after.
This year, the two-story hair salon is set to be a favourite. It comes with plenty of accessories that are perfect for imaginative play and one character, whose hair can be styled over and over again. From pretending to wash the hair in the sink to adding Alice bands and brightly coloured clips, it’s perfect for children that love fashion.
The stylish salon is a great way to start a Sylvanian Families collection or grow an existing one. Other popular sets this year are the Baby Amusement Park and the penguin family that comes with an ice cream wagon.
7. Barbie Dreamtopia Rainbow Magic Mermaid
Yet another well-known brand, Barbie’s been among the top fashion dolls for more than six decades. Over the years, Barbie’s been reinvented with numerous jobs and styles, but this time the doll is fantasy-inspired.
With Disney’s live action remake of The Little Mermaid coming out in 2023, it’s no surprise that mermaids are seeing a popularity boost. This doll features a neon-bright look, but when she’s dipped into warm water her outfit and hair will magically transform into pretty pastels.
If you want to add more fun to the gift, the wider Dreamtopia range includes princesses, unicorns, and more.
8. Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets
Lego is a great option for children that love to build and create. This set is part of the 20th Harry Potter anniversary range. Lego enthusiasts can combine the Chamber of Secrets set with others to create a huge modular Hogwarts Castle.
The Chambers of Secrets offers a chance to build and explore three floors and three separate buildings. It also features 10 mini-figures and, of course, a terrifying basilisk to dwell in the chamber – perfect for playing with when the sets are built.
For Lego fans, there’s a huge selection this Christmas. The likes of Star Wars, Minecraft, and Super Mario have all partnered with the company to deliver fans branded sets, and, of course, there are plenty of classic Lego sets to build everything from skyscrapers to pirate ships too.
