Yahoo News What are the best toys for Christmas 2023? Your guide to the most popular kids' toys
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Barbie is set to be the best toy for Christmas this year, perhaps unsurprisingly, given the success of the movie. She’s followed by a line-up of other classics including Lego, Spider-Man, Matchbox cars and Play-Doh. Even Cabbage Patch Dolls are making a reappearance, as is the cult owl-bot Furby.
So which one should you be fighting hardest to get your hands on? I’ve consulted experts to compile a list of this year’s 14 most popular kids’ toys, which you can read further down, followed by a look at the latest toy trends. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at the top five:
Which are this year’s best toys for Christmas? At a glance
Best overall: Barbie The Movie Doll
Best value: Funko Harry Potter 4-pack
Best Christmas gift for boys: Spider-Man Web Warriors Electric Figure
Best Christmas gift for girls: Gabby’s Dollhouse
Best toy for under-5s: Talking Bluey Plush
What are the new popular toys?
For the youngest children, it’s sensory toys. Rachael Simpson-Jones, editor of Toy World Magazine, predicts that the Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Ultimate Ice Cream Truck will be a hit. “Playdoh can spark an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), which means you feel good when you play with it,” she says.
This is one reason why ultrasoft plushies are set to be a bestseller again this Christmas, with Simpson-Jones’ money on Bluey to top the charts – although Squishmallows are always popular due to their collectability, she says. Collectibles are even bigger this year than they were last year, Simpson-Jones continues; the new shrunk-down Bitty Pop range from Funko is going to be huge, as are surprise reveal toys from other brands such as Mini Brands, L.O.L. and Rainbow High.
If you’re shopping for Christmas, by the way, you may want to read our guides to the best artificial Christmas trees, the best advent calendars and the best Christmas crackers next.
Best toys for Christmas 2023
1. Barbie The Movie Doll
This year’s most wanted toy
Fresh from the set of the Barbie Movie with her blue plaid matching set (some of the more recognisable outfits have sold out already). Simpson-Jones also reckons on the new Barbie Dreamhouse being a Christmas sell out: it has a three-storey slide, pet lift and pool (£219.59, Amazon)
£73.23
Price at
Amazon
2. Bitty Pop! Harry Potter 4-Pack Series One
Best value toy
These shrunk down versions of vinyl collectibles Funko Pop! are likely to be big news this Christmas. They’re affordable, collectible, cute and they make perfect stocking fillers, says Simpson-Jones, plus there’s a range for every child. This set includes Harry, Malfoy, Dobby and a mystery Bitty Pop! although you might prefer to go for a collection from Marvel or Disney.
£13
Price at
Funko
3. Lego City Arctic Explorer Ship
Best Lego toy
The Lego City range is better than ever this Christmas, according to Simpson-Jones, with a large number of imaginative (and aspirational) sets including an eco house with electric car, ski resort and hospital with maternity unit and CT scanner.
“There’s no shortage of choice, with sets from around £10 to several hundred.” If she had to pick, she’d go for this floating arctic explorer set: the vessel is enormous, with a captain’s bridge, opening hull and working crane and there’s also a helicopter, dinghy, mini submarine and Viking shipwreck to construct. Christmas Day sorted then.
£129.99
Price at
John Lewis
4. Spider-Man Ultimate Spider-Man Web Warriors Electronic Figure
Best gift for boys
The action figure of choice for this Christmas, thanks to the release of the Spider-Man 2 game and the Across The Spider-Verse film – and to his parent-friendly nostalgic superhero credentials. “There’s nothing edgy about Spider-Man – he’s just a friendly, good guy,” says Simpson-Jones, who rates this electronic action figure as best in class. “The more action you can get into an action figure, the better: this one has recognisable phrases to add a whole new element of immersiveness and engaging play.”
£20
Price at
The Toy Shop
5. Gabby’s Dollhouse Purrfect Dollhouse
Best gift for girls
Back in the charts for a second year, Gabby’s cat-shaped house features a delivery tower with lift (or cat-a-vator) and is sold with lights, music and a furniture pack included. For less expensive interactive Gabby’s gifts, Simpson-Jones recommends Talking Pandy Paws Plush (£19.99, Amazon).
£60
Price at
Argos
6. Bluey’s Talking Bluey Plush
Best soft toy
Of all the Bluey playsets and toys that are on offer this Christmas, Simpson-Jones recommends this talking plush. Press her tummy to hear her favourite phrases. “Bluey is hilarious – the show is genuinely funny and it’s a clean and wholesome reflection on typical family life with a lovely animation style,” Simpson-Jones says. “Plush as a category is doing so well and Bluey is so popular that I expect this toy will be getting a lot of cuddles this Christmas.”
£19.99
Price at
Smyths
7. CoComelon Boo Boo JJ Plush Doll
Best educational toy
Given CoComelon’s following on Youtube, it’s no wonder that this interactive JJ Doll is expected to be a bestseller again this year, Simpson-Jones says. “JJ has become a friendly companion for millions of children so it stands to reason that they’d want him as a buddy to take around the house and to the shops,” she says. The doll has plenty of educational appeal too with sing-along songs, speech and an interactive first aid kit – JJ’s head, elbow, knee or foot lights up when he needs medical attention.
£24.99
Price at
Amazon
8. Matchbox MBX Electric Drivers 12-Pack
Best toy cars
The mini size, accurate modelling and collectability of Matchbox cars ensures they’re as loved now as they always have been, Simpson-Jones says. This collection made from recycled zinc includes a Tesla Roadster and a Nissan Leaf, while you can buy individual Matchbox cars for stocking fillers (from £2.30) and playsets such as car washes and garages at Mattel.
£28.99
Price at
Mattel
9. LOL Dolls – OMG House of Surprises
Best surprise toy
A sustainable wooden house with kitchen, pool, cinema, diner and roof terrace with more than 85 surprise reveals. “There are so many playsets and accessories that expand it,” Simpson-Jones says. For a doll-only option, the L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Sunshine Makeover Bubblegum DJ is a colour-changing doll with outfit and accessories (£16.99, Smyths Toys).
£143.99
Price at
John Lewis
10. Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Ultimate Ice Cream Truck
Best sensory gift
If you weren’t coaxed into buying this last year when it made the top toy charts, maybe you will be now. As well as providing endless opportunities for Play-Doh to get trodden into your carpet over Christmas, the truck will inspire creativity, social skills and role play across all generations as everyone places their orders for ice cream with sprinkles and sauce.
£49.99
Price at
Amazon
11. Cabbage Patch Kids Gymnast
Best gift for 3 year-olds
She’s back, with her signature baby powder scent and adoption certificate from BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland Georgia. This gymnast doll is wearing a leotard and medal; a princess kid with tiara is also available on Amazon.
£59.99
Price at
Amazon
12. Jiggly Pets Gigi The Giraffe
Best gift for 4 year-olds
This hip-swinging musical giraffe with stretchy, sensory hair provides just the levity we’re looking for this Christmas, according to Simpson-Jones. “A dancing giraffe is obviously extremely silly but it’s good clean, affordable fun, which is why it’s back for a second year,” she says. “Turn on the button and everybody laughs.”
£11
Price at
Argos
13. Bio Beasts Beast Lab Shark
Best gift for 5 year-olds
A Christmas showstopper: add the correct measures of attack serum, fossil fragments and skin scrapings to the beast creator and pull the emergency lever to unleash one of two 19cm roaring shark beasts shrouded in bio mist. Then do it all over again to create a different yet equally gruesome monster. It’s recommended for ages five and up, but girls of that age might prefer something fluffier (see below).
£89.99
Price at
John Lewis
14. Furby Interactive
Best gift for 6 year-olds
Both Hamley’s and John Lewis have put Furby on their top toy lists, which suggests it’s going to return with a bang this Christmas. It’s more of a BFF than ever, Simpson-Jones says, responding to hugs, pats on the head and speech with over 600 responses and will even communicate with other Furbys. “It’s a really high quality recreation providing hours of lovely play,” Simpson-Jones says.
£59.99
Price at
Argos
What are the most popular Christmas toys for 2023?
Retro toys
These appeal to parents born in the Eighties and Nineties and inspire grandparent-led purchases, explains Rachael Simpson-Jones, editor of Toy World Magazine. “They’re collectible – and they’ve only got better with age.”
They certainly have. Classic toy car maker Matchbox’s new collection features 12 electric-powered vehicles, while the Lego City Arctic Explorer Ship has a working crane with telescopic arm to deploy a ROV submarine and can be built using the Lego Builder app. The new Furby, meanwhile, has 600 responses to speech and touch (some sassy, apparently) and a meditation mode.
Wholesome toys
Simpson-Jones says parents prefer brands that promote good values and teach important lessons. This is why Spider-Man is still so popular and why newer names such as Paw Patrol, Gabby’s Dollhouse and Bluey that promote kindness and inclusivity are bestsellers. “It’s a competitive space and the most wholesome brands are dominating,” she confirms.
Sensory toys
Simpson-Jones predicts the interactive CoComelon Boo Boo JJ Doll, which was a bestseller last year, will be back in the charts. “Parents have grown more interested in tactile toys and the effect they have on their children.”
Educational toys
If Simpson-Jones had to guess which toy might be the runaway surprise bestseller, she’d pick Bio Beasts Beast Lab Shark, a chemistry set where children must add the correct measurements of potions including fossil fragments and skin scrapings to create a roaring shark beast.
“It’s a proper wow toy – it’s so theatrical; when you see it in action it’s genuinely cool,” she says. “But it also has tons of play value: role play, education, immersion, creativity and surprise reveal – how can it not be massive?”
