With prices ranging from less than a tenner to just under £100, the Toy Retailers Association has revealed the “only top Christmas toys list that matters” – Dream Toys.
The 2024 list of 20 was unveiled yesterday at London’s swish Bloomsbury, Goodenough College, in a grand hall with suitable fanfare from Toy Retailers Association. The toy companies selected included a hat-trick of products again for Moose Toys and Spin Master with five. Bandai also made the list this year with its ever popular Littlest Pet Shop range.
There are new versions of family favourites and something for all the family, from preschool up to adults (and crossing over also into the kidult sector), with a diversity that reflects the many tastes and trends that define the UK’s toy industry today,
With exactly six weeks to go until Christmas Day, the event saw TV presenter, Helen Skelton, unveiling the Toy Retailers Association’s DreamToys top toys for Christmas 2024.
The DreamToys Christmas list is the most authoritative prediction of what are expected to be the hottest new toys on the high street this festive season. It is the only list selected by an independent panel of toy retailers and toy experts from small independents to large national chains.DreamToys ambassador, Helen Skelton, said: “Every year, parents and families want to get the best gifts they can for their children. With so much choice it can be a challenge to make sure you’re spending your hard-earned money in the right place for the kids in our lives, which is why I’m thrilled to be helping launch this year’s DreamToys list. The list lets us all know what kids are hoping for this Christmas so we can get gifts they will play with time and time again.”
Parents are also expected to turn to the high street for their Christmas shopping as they did in 2023, with shopping in town and city centres up 9% and 10% respectively in Q4 2023 compared to Q1-Q3 that same year.
Research conducted by The Insights Family, global leader in kids, young adults, and parents’ market intelligence, has also found that spending on gifts for children has increased steadily since 2021 by as much as 35%.
Chair of the DreamToys selection committee, Paul Reader, said: “More so than ever before, this year’s DreamToys list shows the incredible variety of experiences and play the UK’s vibrant toy industry has to offer consumers. This research shows a healthy market and the importance of toys to both children and the parents gifting them each Christmas. It’s also heartening to see that trust in the high street, and seeing toys for yourself, is still of great importance to parents across the country.”
The list is presented alphabetically as a full top 20, and is not ranked in any way. All prices quoted as RRPs – market price may vary from retailer to retailer.
Beyblades X Xtreme Battle Set – Hasbro, £44.99
Bluey 3-in-1 Transforming Plane Set – Moose Toys, £59.99
Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster – Moose Toys, £29.99
Disney Stitch – Lego, £59.99
FurReal Peanut the Playful Monkey – Just Play Products, £79.99
Hatchimals Alive Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Egg – Spin Master, £64.99
Hex Bots Wall Crawler Gecko – Spin Master, £29.99
Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash playset – Mattel UK, £59.99
Icons Tiny Plants – Lego, £44.99
Kinetic Sand SquishMotion – Spin Master – £19.99
Little Live Pets My Walking Penguin – Waddles – Moose Toys, £24.99
Littlest Pet Shop – Pet Shop Playset – Bandai UK, £39.99
Miniverse Make It Mini Potions Class – MGA, £49.99
Paw Patrol Rubble’s Bark Yard Deluxe Bulldozer – Spin Master, £44.99
Pets Alive: Mama Duck & Baby Surprise – Zuru, £29.99
RealFX Disney Stitch Puppetronic – Wow Stuff, £69.99
Speed Champions Mclaren F1 Race Car – Lego, £20.99
Sticki Rolls Sticki Book Pack – Character Options, £9.99
Unicorn Academy Interactive Rainbow Light-up Wildstar – Spin Master, £35.99
UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy, Mattel UK – £12.99
The DreamToys list with product images is here
