Shopping for toys needn’t break the bank this Christmas because if the Toy Retailers Association’s top 12 toy predictions are correct, it’s all about creative toys over flashy.
Toys costing less than £50 will dominate children’s Christmas lists this year, with the most sought after gizmo costing £19.99 for boys and £44 for the girls.
Long standing toy brands like LEGO, Sylvanian Families and Monopoly still reign supreme in the wow factor, with newcomers like Bakugan Battle Packs and GO GO Pet Hamsters also shining through.
“This year, the toy industry has turned the latest trends into innovative and creative toys. The list also reveals a trend towards nostalgic characters and brands which have been updated with a modern twist. Consumers are reverting back to heritage brands which will last longer than the Christmas season,” Gary Grant, the chairman of the Toy Retailers Association (TRA) said.
The average price for the toys on the list is £26 – about £6 less than two years ago. V-Tech’s Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera is the most expensive on the list at £49.99.
“Pocket money toys are making a big comeback this year, so we are in for an affordable, family orientated Christmas,” the TRA predicts.
Action toys are a common favourite with little boys, with the Battle Strikers and GX Racers topping the list. Animals, such as hamsters, puppies and the Sylvanian animal families, dominate the girls' favourites.
The official top toy predictions for Christmas, or the 'Dream Dozen' are:
• Bakugan Battle Pack, Spin Master, £19.99
• Battle Strikers starter Set, Mega Brands, £9.99
• Ben 10 Alien Force Kevins DX Action Cruiser, Bandai, £29.99
• Bendaroos Mega Pack, Spin Master, £19.99
• GO GO Pets Hamsters, Character Options, £9.99
• GX Racers Tightrope Terror, Flair, £22.99
• Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera, V-Tech, £49.99
• LEGO Games Minotaurus, LEGO, £17.99
• Monopoly City, Hasbro, £24.99
• Princess Peppa’s Palace, Character Options, £39.99
• Sylvanian Families Caravan, Flair, £44.99
• Transformers Movie 2 Voyagers Figures, Hasbro, £22.99
