Christmas is drawing near, and we know a lot of our readers are eager to make those big festive purchases. So what are the best Christmas toys for 2024?

Advertisement

Every year, we start looking ahead to Christmas months in advance, so you might be surprised to learn that the theme of this year’s toy trends is looking backwards.

According to toy experts at Amazon and John Lewis, this Christmas is all about nostalgia. Thanks to massive pop culture moments like the Barbie, The Super Mario Bros. and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movies released this year, parents and children are turning their attention back to the 90s.

“This year, it’s been fantastic to see how big moments in pop culture have inspired enthusiasm from both kids and adults for toys, games, and activity kits", says Anne Carrihill, Amazon’s director of toys and games. “That’s driving a lot of shopping momentum going into the 2024 holiday season.”

Collectively celebrating these moments reminds us of how much toys impact our lives and how we want to keep that sense of wonder for as long as we can, during the holidays and throughout the year.
Anne Carrihill, Amazon

Alongside blockbuster products, we're also seeing an increase in the number of "tech inspired crossovers and toys that promote sensory exploration," says the panel of The Toy Retailers Association. In their coveted DreamToys top 20 list, special attention has been given to products that promote plenty interaction and care, such as the Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet and Little Live Pets. Plus, there's been a resurgence in soft toys as "plush" has been named as the fastest gaining toy category for the second year in a row.

More like this

The lists of the hottest Christmas toys for 2024 – from all the major stores, including Sainsbury's, Argos, Hamleys, Smyths, The Entertainer, Amazon, John Lewis – are now in. So we've been keeping an eye on the best products coming out and testing them to help you decide what toys to buy this year, every toy comes with feedback from one of our child testers, and a range of stores to buy from. Plus, if you're looking for a discount you can always head over to the best UK toy deals.

What are top toys for 2024? And are they worth buying?

Are any of these 'top Christmas toys' that stores feature on their must-buy lists actually any good? Is it worth shelling out for that playset that's all over YouTube, TikTok or Reels? And how can you be sure that the 'hot' interactive toy that sounds so awesome is something your child will play with for more than 5 minutes?

We're here to help. We've been taking a good long look at the most recommended buys as the lists come out and singling out the toys we think are definitely worth their place on your child's Santa wishlist.

We've also been busy testing Christmas toys aimed at all ages from babies to toddlers to preschoolers to primary-school age to teens. Some of them are on the retailer 'top toys' list and some are sourced by our expert in-house toy team.

To make our top choices, we've been reviewing the toys for play potential and value for money, getting kids to play with them and give us feedback, and finding out the cheapest places to buy the toys – updated in realtime whenever we can.

Hottest Christmas toys at a glance:

Here are the hottest toys on the MadeForMums Top Xmas Toys 2023 list:

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table, £54.99

Fisher Price DJ set

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 6-36M| Best for age: 6-36M
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

A 33cm-tall, plastic DJ table with over 100 songs, sounds and learning phrases, this toy went down very well with our testers. One 17-month-old child tester loved standing and dancing around when the "catchy songs" started up, and another was very disappointed when the toy was turned off. The table comes with 8 piano keys, a light-up Puppy disc to spin and a light-up number pad, so your child can start to feel like a real DJ. It also has 3 piano modes to try and 3 smart stages designed to teach your child colours, shapes, numbers, the alphabet and more.

Available at: John Lewis


Furby Purple Plush Interactive Toy, £74.99

Furby toy

Recommended by: John Lewis, Argos, Smyths, Amazon

Age suitability: 6+ | Best for age: 6+
Batteries required: 4x AA (not included)

This interactive Furby can talk, sing, light up, and even respond to speech. If you say "dance party,” “copy cat,” “tell my fortune,” “let's chill,” or “light show” your Furby will respond with one of over 600 responses, which includes 10 unique songs. You can also hug, pat, belly tickle and feed your Furby with its pretend Pizza Charm, which child tester Maya, 7, particularly loved. She also liked the toy's extras like a necklace, clips and a brush, and her mum added that she really appreciated the fact it could understand her strong accent.

Available at: John Lewis, Argos, Smyths, Amazon


Twister Air Party Game, £25

Twister
Twister

Recommended by: Sainsbury's, DreamToys

Age suitability: 8+| Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: None

Putting a brand-new twist on a traditional game is Twister Air. In this game, rather than bending over a mat, players move in the air while an iPad or tablet tracks their movement. To start players put the Twister Air bands on their wrists and ankles, then connect to the Twister Air app, which will show coloured dots on your chosen screen. The game has three modes: Solo, VS, or Teams, and also comes with a helpful stand on which you can rest a tablet. Child tester Jaime, 9, enjoyed playing it against her mum, dad and sister, but did find it a bit difficult to keep the non-adjustable wristbands on.

Available at: Argos, Hamleys, Amazon


Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet, £32

Bitzee
Bitzee

Recommended by: Sainsbury's, Argos, Smyths, DreamToys, The Entertainer

Age suitability: 5+| Best for age: 6
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

This 7cm box may look small but it has a whole world of play inside. With the Bitzee Digital Pet you can look after, love and feed a virtual pet as it grows from baby to adult. Where before digital pets tended to be a 2D image, Bitzee is a fully 3D avatar that you can interact with and actually touch (although this does make it less suitable for children with light sensitivities). Our child tester William, 5, loved the interactiveness of his Bitzee and especially enjoyed being able to play with it and help it grow. He also spent time unlocking the different pets (you can have up to 15 in one case). The toy also comes with 15 different mini games to enjoy.

Available at: Argos, Smyths, The Entertainer


L.O.L. Surprise Magic Flyers, £36.99

LOL Surprise Magic Flyer
Hamleys

Recommended by: Hamleys, DreamToys, Amazon

Age suitability: 4+| Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: None

"Surprise" was the word for 6-year-old Amelia, as she had no idea what would happen when she unboxed her new L.O.L Suprise Magic Flyer. When opened through a series of taps and rubs, the fairy doll wiggles and bursts out of its packaging and into the air, after which you can control and guide her movement with your hand. The toy comes in three styles: Sky Starling (Gold Wings), Flutter Star (Pink Wings), and Sweetie Fly (Lilac Wings), and is rechargeable and re-packable, so you can watch it fly into the air again and again.

Available at: Hamleys, The Entertainer, Amazon



LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, £85

LEGO Harry Potter Weasley Wizard Wheezes set

Recommended by: Sainsbury's

Age suitability: 8+ | Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: None

LEGO has added yet another vibrant set to its Harry Potter collection, this time featuring two major builds from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. In one box, you can recreate the inside and outside of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes – the joke shop owned by Fred and George Weasley – and the owl post office from Diagon Alley. The sets can be built separately or together and contain seven mini-figures including Ginny, Ron and Lavender Brown. Don't be scared of the fact that the set has over 800 pieces, as every section of the build comes neatly packaged and with clear instructions. In fact our tester Kasper, 8, was able to build the entire set by himself and only needed to ask for help twice.

Available at: Argos


Barbie Pop! Reveal Fruit Series Dolls, £26.99

Barbie Pop Fruit range
Hamleys

Recommended by: Hamleys, Smyths, DreamToys

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: None

This Barbie Pop! series comes with one surprise after another. In cup-shaped package you'll find a fruit-themed Barbie that comes in one of four flavours: strawberry lemonade, fruit punch, watermelon crush or grape fizz. Add cold water to your doll and watch as a bright hair streak runs through her hair and make up appears on her face – which you can quickly reverse by adding warm water.

Then it's time to root through the container that comes with it. In each you'll find a fruit-scented slime that's hiding Barbie's pet and a number of accessories. There's also ice cubes that you can "pop" open to reveal extra roller-skates and a mini-drink. For child tester Lucy, 5, unboxing this toy was a huge part of the fun and she especially loved playing with the "gooey" slime afterwards.

Available at: Hamleys, Smyths


Melissa & Doug Barber Shop Play Set, £34.99

Barber shop set

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3-5
Batteries required: None

With its array of razors, scissors and brushes, this Barber Shop set makes for a very "realistic" play experience which was loved by our 4-year-old tester, Freddie. For him the best part was being able to really push shaving foam out of the pump and feel the bristles of the shaving brush, but this kit comes with so much more. Inside the barber shop bag you'll find all sorts of equipment, including a hand mirror, vibrating trimmers, textured pomade in a tub and a wash cloth. There's also a reusable activity card for added engagement, and even a false beard with adjustable straps.

Available at: John Lewis


DesignaFriend fashion doll, £50

Designafriend doll

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 5-7
Batteries required: None

This 45cm DesignaFriend doll, Tilly, has an outfit for every occasion. Although her main look is fairly casual – a grey rainbow jumper paired with shiny pink leggings, trainers and a matching headband – her wardrobe also includes a pink Princess dress for formal evenings, a tutu skirt for parties and a pink onesie for sleepovers. The doll's many clothes and accessories have proved very popular with child testers. In fact, 6-year-old Kenzie liked her Tilly so much, she said she might need to have a word with Santa about getting a few friends for her.

Available at: Argos


Gabby's Dollhouse Cat Friendship Cruise Ship Playset, £69.99

Gabbys dollhouse ship

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3-4
Batteries required: 3 x AAA (not included)

Fans of Gabby's Dollhouse can now buy this Cat Friendship Cruise Ship Playset, which comes with over 18 pieces, and ties into the latest series of the hit kids TV show. The ship itself is 26cm x 44cm and has a top deck featuring a swimming pool and smoothie bar, and a bottom deck with a dining area, spinning dance floor and light-up glitter ball, which was the favourite part of our 4-year-old tester Sophia. The set also has a Gabby Girl and Mercat Figure, inside plus several other accessories.

Available at: Argos



Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Delivery Van, £39.99

TMNT van

Recommended by: Argos, Smyths, DreamToys

Age suitability: 4+| Best for age: 7-8
Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)

This action-packed toy comes straight from the new movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem. Although it may look like an ordinary van at the start, that all changes once you press the pizza slice on top and a motorised pizza launcher comes sliding out the side door. Then it's all up to you to feed in and shoot the pizzas at whatever you like, which our tester Oliver, 7, has apparently been doing ever since he received it. Be aware however, that the van doesn't come with any characters, so you'll have to buy them for an additional cost.

Available at: Argos, Smyths


Fingerlings Monkey Pink, £17.99

Fingerlings

Recommended by: Argos, DreamToys

Age suitability: 5+| Best for age: 6-8
Batteries required: 4 x LR44 (included)

The all-new Fingerlings monkeys are just 20cm tall, but they're packed with over 70 sounds and reactions and can respond to any kind of feeding, petting or cuddling from their owners. When they're picked up or placed on a finger, you'll see how happy they become as their heart will glow and pulse and equally how much they miss you when put down. Our tester Aahad, 6, named his monkey Leo and said he particularly enjoyed swinging him and listening to all Leo's fun sounds.

Available at: Argos


Paw Patrol Skye’s Deluxe Movie Jet, £49.99

Paw Patrol jet

Recommended by: Smyths, DreamToys

Another new movie this year is Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which you can now recreate with this toy of Skye's Deluxe Jet. At 38cm long and 35cm wide, this jet has 360 degree rotating wings, two projectile launchers, synchronised flashing lights and can emit sounds at the push of a button. Also, simply click the figure of Skye into the cockpit and watch as her paws light up, which Ollie, 3, really enjoyed.

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3-4
Batteries required: 3x LR44 (included)

Available at: Smyths, Hamleys


Bluey S9 Beach Cabin Exclusive Bundle, £60

Bluey cabin

Recommended by: Sainsbury's

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: None

Bluey's Ultimate Beach Cabin playset is filled with a whole host of accessories and features to play with. Fans of the famous Blue Heeler and her adorable family enjoy the movable indoor accessories like a toilet, a sofa, and a kitchen unit, as well as the items on deck, like the barbecue and sun umbrella. Alongside the 15 different pieces, the cabin (which is 25cm tall) also comes with a strip of stickers, which our 3-year-old tester Becca immediately stuck all over Bluey herself.

Available at: Argos


Squishmallows 10-inch – Drew the Mint Dragon, £13

Squishmallow toy

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: None

Squishmallows have become a super popular collectible toy over the last few years. This one, Drew, is a cuddly green dragon complete with sparkly horns, tummy and wings. According to our 7-year-old tester Isabelle-Louise, Drew has been on many adventures in and outside the house, and has a birthday party on the way. You can find more toys like Drew in the best Squishmallows.

Available at: Argos



LEGO Harry Potter Dobby the House-Elf Figure, £25

Dobby House elf LEGO

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 8+| Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: None

Another gift for Harry Potter fans, this LEGO set is made of 403 pieces and sits at 19cm tall. Once built it shows Dobby the House-Elf from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets holding Tom Riddle's diary with Harry Potter's sock, and stood beside Aunt Petunia's pudding. He also comes with a podium so that, like our 9-year-old tester Annabelle, you can proudly display him anywhere in your home.

Available at: Argos


Little Live Pets - My Puppy's Home Dalmatian Edition, £49.99

Little Live Pets set

Recommended by: Argos, DreamToys

Age suitability: 5+| Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: 2 x AA (included)

Our tester, 5-year-old Hallie, was a huge fan of the Little Live Pets Dalmatian and its "cute" noises, of which it has 25. Whether you're feeding it, holding it or putting it to bed, the cuddly toy will react with a series of whimpers and barks. Plus, you can build the kennel for yourself, which Hallie found a bit tricky but enjoyable, and fill up your puppy's water bowl, which will make footprints appear on the welcome mat like magic.

Available at: Argos, Amazon


MGA's Miniverse – Make it Mini Food: Diner, £9.99

MGA mini food

Recommended by: Argos, DreamToys

Age suitability: 8+| Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: None

This MGA Miniverse toy comes in a small 9cm ball which opens up to reveal a whole host of ingredients and accessories. Inside, you'll have everything you need to assemble a surprise dessert, such as a cake, milkshake or sundae. For 8-year-old Tilly, she was given the ingredients to make a Mixed Berry Tart, which included a pastry base, a gel for the filling and small pieces of fruit which you can place with tweezers.

Available at: Argos, Amazon


Chad Valley Trevor Talk Back Dino, £9

Chad Valley dinosaur

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 2+| Best for age: 2+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA (not included)

This toy was shared by twins Jimmy and Joni, 4, and it's hard to say who enjoyed it more. Joni was a big fan of the dinosaur's noises and many buttons, whereas Jimmy said: "It’s awesome with fun buttons and scary claws." But, don't be fooled into thinking that all this dino can do is roar, it also has a talk back function where your child can record their voice and play it back (it probably won't surprise you that our testers only wanted it to say "poop."), plus, the eyes flash red and the arms are moveable.

Available at: Argos


Asmodee Dobble card game, £9.99

Dobble

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 6+| Best for age: 6+
Batteries required: None

Dobble is hardly a new game, but they're coming out with new versions all the time. Right now, you can pick up cards with a Harry Potter theme, DC Comics, Friends, Fishing and more. At it's core though the game is the same: quick-fire mini games where you match or spot the different pictures. To play, you'll need good reflexes and plenty of competitive spirit!

Available at: Amazon



Barbie Dream Boat Playset, £79.99

Barbie dream boat

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: None

When our tester, 4-year-old Brenna, opened the box for the Barbie Dream Boat, her first words were: "Wow, it's amazing!" This wonder didn't go away as she explored her new boat playset, complete with 20+ pieces – she was an especially big fan of the dolphin – and six different play areas. On the boat you'll find a pool and slide, a shower, TV, fold-out bed playset, and so much more. Perfect for ocean themed fun, although remember the dolls aren't included.

Available at: The Entertainer


RainBocorns: Mermaidcorn Surprise, £25

Rainbocorn egg

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 4-6
Batteries required: None

Hatch your RainBocorn and find a surprise mythical creature inside! There are six Mermaidcorns to collect, from Sea Sea the cow to Coral the rabbit. But, despite their differences, they all come with a shiny fishtail and over 35 mermaid accessories, such as bubbles, a wand and a hidden Boo-Boocorn. Plus, you can peal away the cover on your Mermaidcorn's heart and discover what they love, bringing you closer to your new underwater friend. In Áine's, 5, RainBocorn, she found Shelly the elephant, and it's officially become her new "favourite toy to cuddle at bedtime".

Available at: The Entertainer


Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, £70

Little Tikes

Recommended by: Toys R Us

Age suitability: 18 months+| Best for age: 2
Batteries required: None

If it was down to our tester Noah, 2, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe would be coming to bed with him, according to his mum Leah. Ever since he got it, Noah has been riding around the house and shouting "BEEP BEEP!" every ten minutes, which is made even better by the fact that this car comes with a real working horn. But that's not all, the Cozy Coupe also has a moving, clicking ignition switch, a fuel cap that open and closes, and front wheels that spin 360 degrees. At 41 x 72cm it doesn't take up much room and isn't too difficult to assemble, although you may need to set aside an hour or so to do it.

Available at: Toys R Us, Argos


Loom Band Twister Craft Kit, £6.50

Loom bands

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 8+| Best for age: 8
Batteries required: None

In this kit you get a total 3,000 Loom Bands, which, like out tester has done, you can fashion into rings, bracelets, or any jewellery you fancy. As well as the thousands of different coloured and striped loombands, you'll also get a loom, a hook and 75 clips to help assemble your creations. Brightly coloured and easy to make, these Loom Bands are a great way to get your child's creativity flowing.

Available at: The Entertainer


Numberblocks Step Squad Mission Headquarters Deluxe Playset, £39.95

Numberblocks toy

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 3-7
Batteries required: None

This Numberblocks set takes you into the world of the CBeebies show, with the seemingly plain zig-zag shaped object opening up to reveal their secret headquarters. Inside, you'll find a 15-piece playset a detachable slide, 5 spy-themed accessories, and the Numberblock Three collectible figure with posable arms, plus a sticker sheet to customise your headquarters. For Zara, 5, the set "was fun to play with" and "the slide was the best part," although she wishes there were a few more Numberblocks characters to take on missions.

Available at: Amazon



Little Live Pets Mama Surprise, £59.99

Little Live Pets Mama Surprise with child tester Amelia

Recommended by: Tesco

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: 6 x AAA (not included)

This Little Live pet has made it onto our best toys list for two years in a row! A cuddly hamster who arrives in her hutch, ready to be stroked and brushed, this toy reacts to your child's nurturing and cuddling. "I like this toy – yes!" said our child tester Amelia, 3. "She sings to me and she's very soft." But that's not all. Cuddle and love her enough and the heart on her chest will start to glow: a sign that she’s ready to have a baby! Use the nesting straw to make her a little bed in her hutch, place her inside – and wait for the first of 3 new arrivals. They come a day apart, which may test a younger child's patience (Amelia's definitely in that camp: "I wish more babies would come soon!") but the thrill is worth it!

Available at: Amazon and Argos


Hape Multi Musical Block Set, £21.18

Hape musical block set

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 2 months – 8 years | Best for age: 2+ months
Batteries required: None

You can unlock your child's musical creativity from a young age with this Hape Musical Block set. In each set, you'll find five blocks each featuring a different musical instrument – there's a drum, a bell, a xylophone, wooden scraper and a handheld rattle. Once you're finished, you can then pack the blocks away neatly into one box as each one fits inside the other like a Russian Doll. For Archie, our 19-month-old tester, it was the best of both worlds as he enjoyed making the sounds and stacking the blocks into a tower.

Available at: Amazon


MINTiD Dog-E, £89.99

Mini E dog

Recommended by: Dream Toys

Age suitability: 6+ | Best for age: 6+
Batteries required: 1 x 3.7V Lithium Rechargeable Battery (included)

This MadeForMums writer got to see the MINTiD Dog-E in action at the Dream Toys event and, despite its rather high price, it doesn't disappoint. This robot pet is highly interactive and unique with hundreds of responses and personality traits. No two dogs are the same as each one has its own combination of colourful lights, eye shapes, and collar design, what's more, every dog will behave differently, whether that means they get hungry regularly, want lots of exercise, or just want more cuddles. Whatever their behaviour, your dog will use emotes, icons and messages to communicate with you, then you can either interact with the dog itself or through Dog-E’s connected app. "It is very fun! I like playing the start and stop game with Elsa (the name Melanie, 6, gave her Dog-E). There are so many things to play with Elsa in the App. I like changing her colours, I like to feed her with the bone and then she will follow me and I like to take her to the vet."

Available at: Amazon and The Entertainer


Cookeez Makery Oven Playset, £39.99

Mini E dog

Recommended by: Dream Toys

Age suitability: 5+ | Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: 5 x AAA (included)

The fun of the Cookeez playset is all in the making. As you can see from our tester Áine, 5, above, you start things off by opening one of the mixing sachets and pouring in a little water. Then, you mix it up to form a dough which you place in the blue pet-shaped mould. After that, simply take your pet cookie out the mould, place it in the oven, and turn it on. After a minute, you'll open the oven to find a fully baked pet friend inside! "I loved moulding the dough and baking my own cuddly toy!" said Áine, "she’s my new favourite cuddly friend." It's a complete surprise what pet you get and each one will have the delicious smell of fresh cookies.

Available at: The Entertainer and Very


Orchard Toys jigsaw, £11.25

orchard jigsaw

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 2+ | Best for age: 2+
Batteries required: None

Aiden, 2, tested the Number Street Jigsaw puzzle and said: “It is really fun mummy, I like it," while his mum, Aarti, said it is "so much more" than a puzzle. She praised the toy for how "versatile" it is and said its bright colours, numbers and different animals are great for helping improve pattern recognition and hand-eye coordination. At just £11, she said it was worth every penny. Plus, Aiden added: “Green is my favourite colour. I like the green frogs."

Available at: Amazon



Beast Lab Shark Beast Creator Set, £89.99

Beast Lab

Recommended by: Hamleys, Argos and Dream Toys

Age suitability: 5+ | Best for age: 5 – 6
Batteries required: 3x LR44 batteries (included) and 6x AA batteries (not included)

The Beast Lab Shark Creator is a science experiment and monster adventure all rolled into one. Like with the Cookeez toy (see above), the fun of this is in the creation. In each set you'll find a series of sachets ingredients that you'll need to pour into the vessel. Then, it's time to set things in motion by turning on the levers and dials until smoke starts to come out! But, just when you think it's all gone wrong, you drain the liquid from the tube to reveal a monster shark inside. “I like how you put the ingredients in and when you have finished, magically there is a beast!" said Theo, 6, "It’s so cool!"

Available at: Hamleys and Very


PLAYMOBIL City Action Fire Truck, £24.99

Playmobil Fire Truck

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 4+ | Best for age: 4 – 10
Batteries required: None

This Playmobil Fire Truck is just 27cm tall but comes with plenty of moveable parts and accessories to make it stand out. As well as being a car with moveable wheels, it also has a height-adjustable trailer hitch, a rope winch, a dummy flashing light and rotating spray unit that can be filled with water. Our 3-year-old tester Fraser played with his Playmobil truck for hours and "has come back to it everyday" according to his mum. Then when asked about it himself, he said: " I love it, it's the best fire truck ever! My favourite bit is I love to squirt water with it."

Available at: WH Smith and Amazon


Barbie Magic Ballerina, £27.99

Barbie Magic Ballerina

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: ‎3 LR44 batteries (included)

This Barbie is every inch the elegant ballerina. She wears her blonde hair in a neat bun, has classic ballet slippers and wears a sparkly pink tutu to top it all off. Plus, if you press a button on her waist you'll see her whole bodice light up with different colours. For Posy, 5, the highlight of this Barbie was "the lights on it and the crown," and when asked to rate it she said: "I’d give it 10/10."

Available at: Amazon


Disney100 Platinum Limited Edition Mystery Capsule, £10

Disney 100 toy set

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 36 months+ | Best for age: 36 months+
Batteries required: ‎None

This collector's item was made as part of the Disney 100 celebrations that were held this year. In each Disney ball you'll find 5 platinum miniatures, each one a different character from the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Star Wars. There are over 50 mini-figures to collect, and you'll receive a leaflet telling you how 'rare' each one is. Our 5-year-old tester, Toby, got an ultra-rare one and was especially excited to get a Storm Tropper, his mum Jessica also added: "The details on each mini toy was amazing! It made all of us want to collect more."

Available at: Amazon


Pokemon 151 Elite Trainer card game, £49.95

Pokemon trader card game

Recommended by: Amazon

Age suitability: 6+ | Best for age: 6+
Batteries required: ‎None

Pokémon fans will enjoy this brand-new trading card game, which comes with a whole new set of rules, challenges and characters to collect. There are over 151 Pokémon to find, and this initial set has 65 card sleeves. It also comes with 6 damage counter cubes, 2 plastic condition markers, a collector's box with 4 dividers, and a player guide. Here's what our tester Carter, 8, said: "I love this toy! There are so many Pokémon cards, I probably have the most in my class now.My mummy is going to have to buy me a new folder to put them all in. I can’t wait to have friends over to play with me and show them my collection."

Available at: Amazon


Tamagotchi Uni, £69.99

Tamagotchi Uni

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 6+ | Best for age: 7-10
Batteries required: ‎‎1 Lithium Polymer battery (included)

It may seem amazing to some parents that Tamagotchi's are still among the top toys for children, but that would be forgetting how adapted and advanced these little pets have become. The Tamagotchi Uni for example, comes in colour and allows you to raise a completely unique pet from birth to adulthood. It comes with minigames, a wrist strap, and even the chance to link up with other pets and people in the 'Tamaverse.' Here's what our tester Jack, 9, had to say about his Tamagotchi: "I like the Tamaverse, there's lots to do there. The colours are fun too and I like that the Tamagotchi all look different, so you don't get the same ones in a row." While his mum Kayleigh added: "Tamgotchi have definitely come on leaps and bounds since I had my own as a child!"

Available at: Selfridges, Amazon



Pictionary vs AI, £24

Pictionary AI

Recommended by: Dream Toys

Age suitability: 8+ | Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: ‎‎None

Putting a spin on a time-honoured classic is Pictionary vs AI, a game that our 8-year-old tester Bertie described as "10/10 fun." How it works is, players will select a card and have to draw whatever is on it within 20 seconds. Opponents will then place either a '+' or '-' token on the drawing based on whether or not they think the AI will correctly identify the drawing. Then, using the Pictionary App, the AI will scan the drawing and attempt to guess what it is, if the AI guesses correctly you get a point and move your counter along the scoreboard. The game is suitable for 2-4 players, making it perfect for family Christmas hijinks, like when Bertie's mum Emily kept having her duck drawing mistaken for a lightbulb!

Available at: Amazon, Argos, The Entertainer


LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka Tano T-6 Jedi Shuttle, £64.99

37

Recommended by: Dream Toys and Argos

Age suitability: 9+ | Best for age: 9+
Batteries required: ‎‎None

This LEGO set is based on the new Disney Plus series Ahsoka, which centres around Ahsoka Tano a former Jedi Knight and apprentice to Anakin Skywalker AKA Darth Vader. Inside this 601-piece set you'll find all the parts needed to construct a 27cm long starship, featuring moving parts like retractable landing gear, adjustable wings and stud shooters which you can fire. Plus, you'll get four mini-figures: Ahsoka Tano with 2 lightsabers, Sabine Wren with 2 blasters, Professor Huyang, and Marrok. Here's what our tester Tomas, 9, had to say: "I was really excited when I saw the star wars LEGO set! I enjoy playing and building with LEGO and it looked cool! My favourite part is where the ship can actually shoot real pieces. I think it's a good set to keep you busy for a few hours and anyone who loves star wars would really enjoy this!"

Available at: Amazon, John Lewis


Barbie Pink Convertible Car, £27.99

Barbie convertible car

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: ‎‎None

Embark on endless adventures with this Barbie Convertible Car toy. Coming in Barbie's trademark hot pink, this stylish vehicle is perfect accessory for your dolls and, at 35cm, it's got enough space to fit your two favourite Barbies in. The car also comes with moveable wheels, a Satnav screen and seatbelts, but our 5-year-old tester Sofia and her mum suggested that it might be better suited to younger Barbie fans (aged 3 to 4) as it lacks the "bells and whistles" (i.e. opening doors, lights, a remote control etc.) needed for older children.

Available at: John Lewis, Hamleys


Polly Pocket Pollyville Resort Roll-Away Suitcase, £60

Pollypocket suitcase

Recommended by: Tesco

Age suitability: 4+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: ‎‎None

You can't get a better review for this toy than what our 6-year-old tester Mia said: "I love this toy, it is the best Polly Pocket ever. I like taking it to my friend's house and it can hold lots of my Polly pocket people."

Inside this 36cm suitcase you'll find a whole 3 story hotel with an elevator, an arcade, a spiral slide, and speedbumps that activate even more fun features. Plus there's 4 dolls, a vehicle and over 25 accessories with like the beach, boardwalk and hotel rooms. Perfect for hours of entertainment!

Available at: The Entertainer, Argos


Hot Wheels Ultimate City Hauler T-Rex Transorter, £89.99

Hot Wheels Hauler

Recommended by: Dream Toys

Age suitability: 4+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: ‎‎3 x AAA (included)

When our 5-year-old tester Taran opened his Hot Wheels City Hauler, his first reaction was “Wow, this looks incredible!” That amazement carried on as he unpacked the rest of the T-Rex shaped set. With the help of the handle and wheels, this T-rex can roll around, gobble up, and haul more than 20 1:64 scale Hot Wheels cars. Then, you can lower the tail and it transforms into a Robo T-Rex with lights, sounds and a two-lane racetrack on its back. Plus, you can launch cars from its mouth which will come with a hilarious burp noise that Taran especially loved.

Available at: The Entertainer, Amazon, Very


Play-doh Ultimate Ice Cream Truck Playset, £99.99

Play-Doh Ultimate Ice Cream Truck Playset with child tester Alfie

Recommended by: John Lewis, Hamleys, Toy of the Year, Toys R Us and The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: 2 x AA (not included)

This 95cm-high playset is quite a thing to behold – and serve pretend ice cream from. It comes with 12 pots of Play-doh in a good range of different colours and plenty of moulds, tools and to sculpt and squidge into imaginary lollies, cones, sundaes and desserts – with or without sprinkles. There’s a musical pull-down soft-serve feature (which we found a little stiff) cash register, with a bell sound, and a little cupboard to store everything in. Our child tester Alfie, 4 (pictured above), spent over an hour playing with it when he first got it and has been regularly returning to it ever since.

Available at: John Lewis and Bargain Max


Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart, £52.99

Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart with child tester Zoe

Recommended by: Toy of the Year

Age suitability: 12 months+ | Best for age: 18 months+
Batteries required: None

This gorgeous wooden pushalong (L27cm x W30cm x H39cm) trolley has masses of play potential, with its built-in fruit-and-veg-themed shape sorter on its sides and a spinning roller drum and toy coffee cup (with removable lid) nestled at the base of the handle. Our child tester Zoe, 22 months (pictured above), particularly enjoyed making 'smoothies' by putting the wooden food pieces into the play coffee cup. It also comes with 2 wooden puzzle boards for lots of matching and sorting fun.

Available at: Amazon and Very


Fisher-Price DJ Bouncin Beats Musical Toy, £45

Fisher-Price DJ Bouncin Beats with child tester

Recommended by: Argos, Smyths Toys and Tesco

Age suitability: 9 months+ | Best for age: 18 months+
Batteries required: 4 x AA (included)

This 30 cm-high musical learning toy is aimed at babies and toddlers but it actually got us grown-ups pretty excited! It’s a big-eared animal friend on a spring, which bounces about very amusingly – with added music and coloured-lights action – when you press its buttons. The best button is the mic button – which will record your voice and then play it back remixed with music and other effects: hilarious fun for toddlers (and quite a few adults). Our 10-month-old child tester Nela is a bit too young to master that button but she's a fan anyway. Her mum Wirginia says, "This toy has got very eye catching colours, and its jumping function definitely catches Nela's attention. It’s so original!"

Available at: Argos and John Lewis


Sylvanian Families Pony's Stylish Hair Salon, £22.95

Sylvanian Families Pony’s Stylish Hair Salon with child tester Amelia

Recommended by: Toy Fair Heroes

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: None

A 44cm x 20cm x 35cm 2-storey hairdressing playset when the ponies come to style their hair (this is imaginative play, remember!). It has a reception (with magazines) and reclining wash basin downstairs and a spiral staircase leading to a dressing table area upstairs. It’s absolutely stuffed with loads of lovely little accessories and hair pieces – “I like all the little things – there are so many!” said our delighted child tester Amelia, 4, (pictured above). Comes with a Pony Girl Sally doll (you can both others separately).

Available at: Amazon and Smyths Toys


Octonauts Above & Beyond Octoray Playset, £59.99

Octonauts Above & Beyond Octoray Playset with child tester Aurora

Recommended by: Bargain Max

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA (included)

This very sweet-looking playset on wheels transforms from the Octoray into a 33cm Octonauts HQ. It’s nice and sturdy, well proportioned for little hands – and features lights and 18 sounds, including the Octo Alert. Our child tester Aurora, 4 (pictured above), has been having a lovely time exploring how it works, opening and closing and transforming it and helping Captain Barnacle save the day. Comes with a detachable Mini Ray, Captain Barnacle, Chinese Sturgeon, Panda and Giant Salamander figures, and a mission card.

Available at: Bargain Max


Le Toy Van Vanity Table and Stool, £130

Le Toy van Vanity Table with child tester Annabelle

Recommended by: Selfridges and Independent Toy Awards

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: None

Wooden and white, this sturdy, scaled-down dressing table (L34cm x W55cm x H93cm) and matching stool combo has a sweet, vintage feel with its oval mirror, turned legs and 3 pull-out drawers. "It looks lovely and it's great quality," said Ruth, mum of our child tester Annabel, 3 (pictured above). "Annie loves looking, and posing, in the mirror. It inspires lots of role play – she's currently an actress getting ready for her TV show." It comes flat-packed and requires some assembly (clear instructions included) so definitely one to construct before Christmas Day.
Available at: Le Toy Van, Selfridges and Amazon


Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball, £49.99

Magic Mixies Magical Misting Crystal Ball with tester Nancy

Recommended by: Toy of the Year

Age suitability: 5+ | Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: 6 x AA and 4 x AAA (included)

Another offering from Magic Mixies, and an update on 2021's bestselling Magic Mixies Cauldron, this 34cm-high interactive plastic ball comes with a wand and magic ingredients and a book of spell with all of which you conjure up lights and sound and a mist that reveals your little interactive fortune-telling Mixie toy. You can repeat the whole magical process more than once – and you can use the crystal ball as a nightlight too. "It's very exciting and jumpy because of all the lights and sounds," said our captivated child tester Tilly, 7 (pictured above). "I couldn't wait for the mist to go so that I could see which creature I got. It was really fun doing the spells with my wand. I love the sounds and I love how it tells the future. My Mixie is very cuddly and I love her."

Available at: Amazon and Smyths Toys


Vtech Kidizoom Print Cam, £50

Vtech Kidizoom Print Cam with child tester Freya

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 5+ | Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: 1 x rechargeable (included, with USB charger)

This chunky 13cm x 4cm child's camera has a flip-up in lens and a zoom function and takes pics or selfies and instantly prints them in black and white on thermal paper. It can also print your pics as line drawings or with special effects, stamps and borders, and it shoots video and plays 3 games. Our testers found it easy and intuitive to use and we like the parental controls you can set on it. The picture quality isn't bad and you can insert an SD card to increase the memory but there's no flash (and, obviously, no colour). "I like it because it has games on it, too," said our child tester Reya, 5 (pictured above), "and because it can flip up so you can take selfies and print them out using the printer button. The Clown game is my favourite."
Comes with a wrist strap and 1 roll of thermal paper; you buy more paper – and a storage case – separately.

Available at: Very, Argos and Amazon


Leapfrog Clean Sweep Mop & Bucket, £33

Leapfrog Clean Sweep mop bucket with child tester Alice

Recommended by: Toy of the Year

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: 2 x AA (included)

This interactive mop bucket lights up and sings as you get stuck into those floors, the soap dispenser plays squirty sounds and counts to 10, and the mop holder spins round to squeeze the pretend water out when you press the foot pedal. It’s bright and robust and everything pops nicely back into the bucket once mopping is done but we’d say the (non-adjustable) mop handle makes it a little small for taller 4 or 5 year olds. "I can use my mop to clean the floor after my messy baby sister at dinner time," said our child tester Alice, 3 (pictured above). "I like the colours and the silly songs it plays. I can also use my mop as a broomstick." Comes with a cleaning cloth, a spray bottle and a dustpan and brush.

Available at: Argos


Gravitrax PRO Starter Set Vertical, £65

Gravitrax PRO starter set vertical with child tester Freddie

Recommended by: Toy of the Year

Age suitability: 8+ | Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: None

A modern take on a build-our-own marble run, Gravitrax has been a hit toy for pre-teens for a while now and this new version lets you build even higher towers and balconies and suspended tracks to race your little silver balls around on. There’s even a magnetic cannon to add to the thrills. “It's a very good toy,” said our child tester Freddie, 8 (pictured above). “It has loads of stuff you can do, and you can make your own custom track with it. It's very fun. You can have multiple balls running at the same time too!”
Comes with instructions for 5 different (and increasingly complex) courses.

Available at: John Lewis and Amazon


Cool Maker Stitch and Style Studio, £26.24

CoolMaker stick and Style Studio with child tester Elizabeth

Recommended by: Smyths Toys

Age suitability: 8+ | Best for age: 8+
Batteries required: 4 x AA (not included)

This sleek, compact (13cm x 27cm x 27cm) starter sewing machine is brilliantly child-friendly: it has an auto-stop and a preloaded thread cartridge that means there’s no needle-threading to do before you start. “I really like it!” said our child tester Elizabeth, 8. "I like making stuff with it and how creative it lets me be. I find it fun and interesting because it’s really cool how the thread just sews itself."
Comes with 6 sewing projects, including a shoulder bag and sunglasses case.

Available at: Argos, The Entertainer and Smyths Toys


CoComelon Bedtime Cody Musical Plush Doll, £21.99

Cocmelon Cody musical plush doll with child tester kian

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 12 months+ | Best for age: 18 months+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA (included)

Little fans of CoComelon will instantly recognised this 32cm-high plush doll as JJ’s dinosaur-loving best friend Cody. He’s big and cuddly and when you press his tummy, you can hear music and phrases from the show, including, of course, Cody’s Special Dinosaur Day. "My son loves CoCoMelon," says Yvonne, mum of our child tester Kian, 2, "and is so delighted to have a Cody doll – and an Afro-Caribbean doll that looks like him. He’s obsessed with pushing his tummy to hear the dinosaur songs!"

Available at: Argos and Amazon


Connetix 34-piece pack, £45

Connetix starter set with child tester

Recommended by: Independent Toy Awards

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: None

This box of 34 transparent, sloping-edged magnetic plastic tiles is all about encouraging open-ended construction play. The tiles come in different shapes and sizes but all have a good chunky feel and connect (and disconnect) really easily. "It’s good – it's now my favourite toy," said our child tester Grace, 4 (pictured above). "I like making things like my castle which is like the Frozen castle. I made a dog too. I like sticking it as it makes a funny clicky noise." Grace's mum Claire added, "Grace has had hours of fun, using her imagination to make new designs and show them to me. I honestly love this toy!"

Available at: Connetix and Tinker Tray Play


Sylvanian Families Baby Amusement Park, £49.99

Sylvanian Families baby Amusement Park

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 4+ | Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: None

A 31cm x 10cm x 26cm castle playset featuring a funfair rides, including a rotating Ferris wheel, a swinging Viking ship, a rocket and 2 go-karts. Comes with 3 baby figures, and round the back, there’s a display board where you can line up your Sylvanian baby figures. Very cute and charmingly battery-free and, hurray, for once a Sylvanian Families set comes with figures included.

Available from: Very and Amazon


Hey Duggee Transforming Duggee Rocket Playset, £24.99

Hey Duggee Transforming Duggee Rocket Playset

Recommended by: Toy Fair Heroes
Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA (demo batteries included)

Big but light (700g), this 27cm-high Duggee-shaped plastic rocket has pull out wings and if you slide open Duggee’s head, it transforms into a spaceship, with a little Duggee at the controls and a handle with a button you can press for countdown noises from the Squirrels and other silly space songs. The rocket also has light-up jets and a hidden alien frog inside. “I like this because it is a rocket and it is exciting to go to space,” said our child tester Ralph, 3 (pictured above). “I can hold it like this and it can fly high above my head. I love smoke that comes out the bottom and lights up!”

Available at: Very, Bargain Max and The Entertainer


Barbie Dream House, £199.99

barbie dream house with tester

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+

Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)

A HUGE (109cm x 104cm) 360° playhouse with a layout you can customise by moving the 10 interchangeable living areas between the 3 floors. Comes with coloured lighting options, ‘soundscapes’ (including party music), a slide, a pool, a grass area, furniture and over 75 accessories. We particularly like the little pet slide and the bunk bed that folds down from the wall. Our child testers were delighted that its size means you can play with it standing up. And Izzy, 4 (pictured), added, "I really like the pool – it’s so much fun and my dolls can do swimming. The lights are pretty and it’s so funny when the toilet flushes. It’s my favourite toy ever!"

Available from: Very and Bargain Max


Linkimals Dance n Groove Cool Beats Penguin, £34.99

cool beats linkimal penguin

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 9 months+ | Best for age: 9 months+
Batteries required: 4 x AA (included)

The latest addition to the bestselling Linkimals range, the 24cm-high Cools Beats Penguin flaps his flippers and bobs from side to side when you press his buttons, along with lots of lights and musical sounds. Other features include sounds and phrases to help teach numbers, shapes, letters and opposites. Apart from his soft flippers, he’s a very solid toy (not very cuddly) but his dancing is very cute and very appealing to babies –our 11 month old child tester loved him. If you have other Linkimals, they will interact together and have a mini dance party.

Available from: Amazon


Imaginext DC Super Friends Bat-Tech BatBot and Batman Figure, £74.99

Imaginext DC Super Friends Bat-Tech BatBot and Batman Figure

Recommended by: Smyths Toys

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+ | Batteries: 3 x AA (included)

A very large (60cm-high) plastic Batman robot on wheels that transforms into a ‘flight mode’ playset with sounds, a prison for baddies, a light-up control centre (with a cockpit for a mini Batman figure), and shooting discs and arrows. Our child tester Thomas, 4, (picture above) liked putting “the bad guys” in jail and using BatBot to chase other toys and capture them. “I like the shooting best,” he says. “You can turn the shooter round. It's got a big head and the head can lift up. I like this!” It’s got real wow factor but is very pricey, and maybe would only hold the long-term attention of a very Batman-mad child. Comes with a Batman figurine, a Batwing, 2 projectile launchers and 7 projectiles.

Available from: Amazon and Very


LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course, £45.95

LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course

Recommended by: Amazon, Hamleys and Selfridges

Age suitability: 6+ | Best for age: 7+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA batteries (not included)

A 280-piece LEGO set that builds on the success of last year’s bestselling Mario Starter Course. The idea is the same but this time Luigi is the star: you build him a course and then earn virtual coins as you send him round – while his speaker plays the iconic Super Mario music and he shows instant reactions to the game through LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly. We really like the Spinning Seesaw Challenge that’s included in this course – great fun! Comes with Pink Yoshi, Boom Boom and Bone Goomba figures.

Available from: Amazon and LEGO


Kindi Kids Kids Poppi Pearl Bubble N Sing, £29.99

Kindi kids Poppi Pearl

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)

A 27-cm high rigid doll with soft-touch limbs who, thrillingly, blows ice-cream-scented bubbles. You feed her the bubble mixture in a bottle and then press the shell on her swimsuit to see the bubble come pouring out (and they do pour!) She also sings a Happy Bubble song. Our child tester, Addie, 3 (pictured), absolutely loved this doll – both for the bubbles and the songs. Her mum Anna is impressed by how good the bubble machine is and says Addie’s taken “her Poppi” everywhere with her since she got it.Comes with a dummy, a wand for you to blow bubbles with yourself, and an instruction manual.

Available from: Amazon


Magic Trace Glow to Show Studio, £16.99

Magic Trace Glow to Show Studio with child tester

Recommended by: Smyths Toys

Age suitability: 6+ | Best for age: 6+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)

This clever, portable (16cm x 12cm) drawing toy has a lightstand that reveals the outline of a mystery image when you place a sheet of special Magic Trace paper next to it. This means you can trace around the outline to make an amazing picture – and when you turn the light off, no one can see the lines. "I love that I can draw the picture and then it looks like I've drawn it all by myself without any help," said our child tester Heidi, 6 (pictured above). "It's really cool and nobody will know! I can't wait to show my friends at school and my teacher – they'll be really shocked." Comes with 10 crayons, 10 felt-tip pens and stash of Magic Trace paper.

Available at: Smyths Toys


Kinetic Sand Sandisfactory, £17.99

kinetic sand sandisfactory

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: None

A set containing generous amounts of squishy, pliable red, blue, yellow and black sand and lots of differently shaped tools to shape, cut, scoop and mould it with. Star of the show is the cube mould which you can line with black sand, fill with other colours, unmould and then slice through to reveal the rainbow stripe. Our child testers really, really liked this.

Available from: Very and The Entertainer


Jiggly Pets Gigi the Giraffe, £11

Jiggly Pets Gigi the Giraffe with child tester

Recommended by: Argos and Dream Toys

Age suitability: 4+ | Best for age: 4+
Batteries required: 3 xAA (included)

Not content with just the one Jiggly Pets update this year (see Jiggly Pets Noodle Pink Pup, higher up in this list), Eolo Toys have also created this shaggy rubber-haired giraffe who dances and shakes her bottom to the funky disco music that plays when you tap her foot. She comes with sunglasses and a glitterball. It's a toy to watch and laugh at, rather than play with, but our child testers did keep coming back to it. "I like that she shakes her bum when she's dancing because that is really funny," said our child tester Isaac, 4 (pictured above). "I didn’t like the smell when we opened the box but the glasses are really cool. I wish the disco ball was a bit bigger."

Available at: Argos and Very


Hot Wheels Action Spiral Speed Crash Playset, £51.99

Hot Wheels Action Spiral Speed Crash Playset with child tester

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+ | Best for age: 5+
Batteries required: 4 x D (not included)

This super-tall (73cm-high) Hot Wheels playset has 3 crash zones and a motorised booster that launches your car up to the top of the track. The more cars you add to the track, the more action, the more noise – and the more wipe outs! There's space at the base to store 6 cars, although the set only comes with 1 car, so you'll have to buy more if you don't have a stash at home already. "This toy is amazing!" said our child tester Kai, 6 (pictured above). "I LOVE all the loops. I'm having so much fun!" His mum Shante couldn't resist joining in the fun, too, and thought it a great gift for a Hot Wheels fan – although she did stress it's not a toy for a quiet house!

Available at: Very and The Entertainer


Toomies Jurassic World Pic & Push T Rex Push Along, £7.50

jurassic world push n pic T Rex

Recommended by: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 12 months+ | Best for age: 12 months+
Batteries required: None

A 35cm-high pushalong dinosaur with a gryosphere, containing 5 colourful ‘rock’ balls, in its claws. You push your dino along and the gyrosphere rotates and the balls rattle – or you can take the balls out, strew them on the ground and then roll the pushalong over them to pick them up. Our testers had a lot of fun with this – they especially like taking the gyrosphere out and rolling it about on its own– but be warned that the handle is quite short, so a tall toddler might have to stoop quite a bit to push it along as intended.

Available from: Amazon and The Entertainer

Advertisement

We've more top toys, all tested and rated by parents and children...

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement