If you're shopping for children this Christmas, this is the only feature you need to read. We've joined together the top toys of 2024 lists from all the leading retailers so you know exactly which toys are top of children's wish lists for this festive season.
As a mother myself, I know that choosing the most joy-inducing Christmas gifts for our kids isn’t always easy, so every shortcut is welcome. Which is why I've put together this definitive list of all the Top Toys for the festive season this year, shoppable both in the UK and the USA.
- Barbie: Barbie Dream House: £149.99 (SAVE 57%) / $179 (SAVE 10%)
- Interactive pets: Bitzee Disney Interactive Toy, £34.70 (SAVE 10%) / $29.99 (SAVE 14%) and Little Live Pets Walking Penguin, £24.99 / $17.99 (WAS $19.99)
- Wooden toys: Melissa & Doug Wooden Vending Machine Toy, £79.99 / $94.95
- New twists on fave characters: WOW! Stuff: Real FX Stitch puppet, £64.99 / $64.99
- The Classics, like Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price: Fisher-Price Mix & Learn DJ Table, £43.99 / $29.49 (SAVE 34%) and Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler, £59.99 (SAVE 33%) / $69 (SAVE 14%)
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“Knowing what to buy a child, even your own, is a minefield,” says HELLO! Online Commerce Partnerships Editor and busy mum Carla Challis. “There's so much choice that I often find myself stumped, and become overwhelmed by it all. Or, I end up buying something similar to what my kid has rather than something a little different.
"To save time (and my sanity) I always look to a top toys list for inspiration - I don't have time to be researching what's hot this year in the toy world but these lists save us busy parents time. And for that, it's priceless."
And we're making toy shopping even more simple for you by giving you ALL the key trending toy lists from retailers and brands for 2024.
What are the top toy brands & retailers for Christmas 2024?
As of October 2024, new Top Toys lists have been unveiled already, for example all-new edits from Hamleys and John Lewis. We're expecting new lists from trusted retailers like Amazon UK, Argos, Selfridges and more - so I'll be updating our edit throughout the shopping season. Be sure to bookmark and keep checking back!
In this round-up of popular toys, you'll find red hot buys from the likes of LOL Surprise, Playmobil, Star Wars, Barbie, LEGO and more.
You'll also find teaching toys about everything from the environment to emotions and interactive pets, too – plus cutting-edge STEM gifts for the science-loving kid in your life.
How are the Top Toys for 2024 chosen?
Retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, Hamleys and Argos, and toy brands like Mattel and Hasbro thankfully make it easy with their annual Top Toys for Christmas lists, revealing the toys that boys and girls are most asking Santa for each year.
Our Top Toys 2024 list includes the expert recommendations from the world's most famous toy companies and retailers. Of course, we also use our expertise here at HELLO! to highlight certain toys from the various Top Toys lists based on both what parents here at HELLO! are shopping and what our readers have flocked to in the past, with priority given to the toys recognised as trending for this year.
While we reference the top toys list from each retailer or brand – which have been selected by toy experts, including test panels made up entirely of children – we may not have included all the toys from the full lists, if the toys are getting bad reviews, for example, or if they're sold out.
For our edit, we've created a comprehensive list to help you select the toy gifts the children in your life will love. Considerations include:
- Price: We've included toys from various price points to fit with every Christmas budget.
- Trusted brands: You'll only find toys from well-known and dependable retailers and brands.
- Popularity: We're focusing on the types of toys that are trending right now, as well as the toys that have proven consistently popular with HELLO! readers both currently and in past seasons.
Top toys for Christmas 2024: What's HOT
Interactive pets continue to top kids' wish lists - Live Little Pets have led the way this year with their adorable penguin, and Disney's Stitch gets a look in too. Barbie also shows no sign of waning in popularity - it's her 65th anniversary this year. Wooden toys and traditional games, too are on many a parent's shopping list - with kids spending so much time in front of a screen, some low-tech play time is important, too.
Little Live Pets My Walking Penguin
© Little Live Pets- Best: Interactive pet
- Age suitability: 5 and above
- Needs batteries? 3 AA batteries included
- Assembly required? No
Little Live Pets lead the way when it comes to interactive pets - we have had several of their cute products at home over the years. New for this year is their My Walking Penguin and he goes by the name of Waddles, if you want to take note. It’s an apt name as he can walk (he comes with his own little leash) dance and eat. He also burps, which is adorable. I know this will be top of my daughter’s Christmas wish list!
WOW! Stuff: Real FX Disney Stitch Puppet
© WOW! Stuff- Best: For fans of Lilo & Stitch
- Age suitability: 6 and above
- Needs batteries? 3AAA Batteries - not included
- Assembly required? No
The first Lilo & Stitch movie was released in 2002, but the lovable blue alien is still one of Disney’s most popular characters, with new toys being released yearly. WOW! STUFF’s new interactive toy is going to be big this Christmas in more than the figurative sense—standing at 45cm tall, he’s almost as big as a real-life Stitch!
He has over 100 actions and sounds. He speaks in his alien voice of Tantalog, blinks and squints, moves his mouth, head and ears and has touch sensors on his nose, head and tongue.
Barbie 3-Storey Dreamhouse with pool slide
- Best for: Barbie fans with plenty of room at home
- Age suitability: 3 and above
- Batteries required? 3 AA batteries required - not included
- Assembly required? Yes
Barbie mania shows no sign of slowing down and with 2024 being her 65th anniversary, Barbie toys are just as popular as ever. The Barbie Dreamhouse - as seen in the live-action movie - is the ultimate toy for Barbie fans - it even includes the pink slide that Barbie herself Margot Robie said was her favourite feature!
Melissa & Doug Wooden Vending Machine Toy
© Melissa & Doug- Best for: Encouraging letter, number and colour recognition and imaginative play
- Age suitability: 3 and above
- Batteries required? No
- Assembly required? No
This cute wooden vending machine made it into John Lewis’ list of top toys, which is decided after hours of play with young testers - and we can see why. It comes fully assembled, stacked with double-sided play food packages, including snack bars, drinks and pouches - plus coins and a bank card to pay for the snacks.
Kids must select an item, pay, then press the corresponding letter and number button to make the snack drop into the collection drawer. There’s also a personalisable sign and a reusable card to keep track of stock.
Bitzee Disney interactive toy
© Bitzee- Best for: Disney Fans who want an interactive pet
- Age suitability: Ages 5 and above
- Batteries required? 3 AA batteries (included)
- Assembly required? No
We were one of the first families to get the chance to play with the original launch of Bitzee, and it’s a toy that my kids keep going back to. New for this year, und sure to be a top toy for Christmas 2024 is the Disney version.
It’s currently trending on Amazon, where 1k have been bought in the last month alone. Kids can nurture and grow 30 Disney characters - including Stitch, Mickey Mouse and Olaf from Frozen - by interacting with the hologram characters.
John Lewis Top Toys 2024
John Lewis is always one of my most highly anticipated Top Toy lists, because it’s chosen by a panel of kids, and after hours of playtime! Barbie makes another appearance - this year it was the stable set that got a spot on the list along with faves from Play-Doh and Lego.
Barbie Mysteries The Great Horse Chase Ultimate Stable Playset
© BarbiePlay-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset
© Play-DohYou can’t go wrong with Play-Doh, and this Ice Cream Playset is a sensory toy that will keep kids entertained for hours on end. It comes with a spoon, a toy knife, a sprinkle scoop, a dish, a cone and a cup with a cover - everything you need for a pretend ice cream shop.
LEGO Santa’s Sleigh Kit
© LEGOLEGO is a toy that appears on Top Toy lists on repeat and Joh Lewis picked this cute set to appear on their top toy list this year. Little elves will have lots of fun building the cute red-and-gold sleigh before discovering all the gift elements packed inside, including a teddy bear, a guitar and a pair of skis, and playing with the big man himself too, once he’s built.
Once playtime is over, this also becomes a lovely festive decoration that can be reused yearly.
John Lewis My 1st Record Player
© John LewisChoose from five music styles - Jazz, Pop, Techno, Country or Hip Hop - drop a record on the turntable and have a listen. Little ones can alo interact with the music using the re-mix and skip buttons.
Amazon Top Toys 2024
We're still waiting for this year's list of top toys from Amazon, but until then, we can get inspired by last year's top ten picks. It hit trends, from throwback toys like Pokemon and Furby, STEM toys to low-tech wooden toys, Disney 100th celebration keepsakes and games for the whole family.
“It’s always fascinating to see which toys are looking like the must-haves in the lead up to Christmas and this year’s list shows a real trend for 90s nostalgia,” said Matthew Redfearn, Toys Category Leader at Amazon UK. “Toys like Barbie and Furby have a lot of love and have stood the test of time amongst children throughout generations, and we have a wide selection beyond that for all ages and budgets."
Disney Platinum Limited Edition Mystery Capsule
Disney's 'Mystery Capsule'
Disney celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and launched collectible platinum mini-figurines of Disney’s most beloved characters. The perfect gift for the Disney adults in your life.
Asmodee Dobble card game
Asmodee family card game
With up to eight players allowed, and starting from aged 6, the Asmodee Dobble card game is a family favourite that everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy.
LEGO Star Wars Ghost Phantom II Set
LEGO Star Wars
The most expensive toy on the list is this LEGO set for Star Wars fanatics available exclusively at Amazon.co.uk. The set features five characters including Jacen Syndulla, as well as Ahsoka Vehicles, and buildable Starship toys.
Furby Purple Interactive Toy
'90s throwback: Furby
If you’re a Millennial you probably had - or wanted - your own Furby back in the day, and now Gen Alpha has their chance to discover the newest incarnation of the interactive plush talking toy.
The retro-inspired toy also made the Top Toys list for John Lewis. “I remember my cousin having a Furby when I was younger, I think they’re cool," said ten-year-old Kyron from the John Lewis Toy Testing panel.
Numberblocks Step Squad Mission Headquarters Deluxe Playset
Numberblocks Playset
If you're looking for a STEM toy for Ages 3+ that’s hot for Christmas, Amazon recommends this playset which brings the hit TV series Numberblocks to life. The fun setup, with surprise hidden spy features, also includes three Numberblocks figures and a sticker sheet.
PLAYMOBIL City Action Fire Truck
PLAYMOBIL Fire truck
What’s Christmas without Playmobil? Amazon’s choice is the PLAYMOBIL City Action Fire Truck - kids will love the lights and sounds, rotating foam cannon, and functioning winch to bring their firefighter imaginations to life.
L.O.L. Surprise! Magic Flyers
L.O.L. Surprise!
LOL dolls are a hot trend every year, and the LOL Surprise Magic Flyers, featuring new LOL Tot characters with beautiful wings, make for a truly magical unboxing experience: release her from her bottle and she starts to fly!
The LOL Surprise Magic Flyers also has a spot in the Hamleys Top Toys list - they're a hot trend for the festive season!
Hape Multi Musical Block Set with Five Musical Instruments
Hape wooden instruments
Little ones will have stacks of fun with these blocks and toy instruments. The five differently sized blocks and five different instruments will help them explore music and shapes as they stack up the lightweight blocks and play the instruments.
Barbie Magical Ballerina Doll
Barbie Ballerina
For the child who loves Barbie and dreams of being a ballerina, the Barbie Magical Ballerina Doll, with light-up effects, is a magical choice.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy
Pokémon Card Game
Another nostalgic 1990s trend – Pokémon cards – has returned, and Amazon’s betting that kids will be chasing after the Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle as a gift.
Mattel's Top Toys 2024
Mattel is one of the hottest toy brands on the planet right now - and its list of trending favourites includes some of the most sought after characters, from Barbie to Monster High and Pokemon and Hot Wheels, which is set to get a big screen adaptation following in the success of the Barbie movie. The brand's experts have selected toys for all ages, from stocking fillers to major treats for under the tree.
Barbie Cutie Reveal
Barbie
The Barbie Cutie reveal is a Barbie dressed in a cute animal costume - like a bunny or tiger - and 10 accessories, including a pet. After the unboxing, the colour reveal fun comes when you use ice cold water to transform Barbie doll’s face with animal face paint.
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler
Hot Wheels
If the child on your list love cars and dinosaurs, they’ll be over the moon with the Transform the Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler, which transforms from a 20+ toy car transporter to track and a T-Rex that ‘eats’ the cars! Two 1:64 scale Hot Wheels cars are included.
MEGA Pokémon Forest Center
Trending: Pokémon
Attention, Pokemon fanatics (and parents of fans!) The 648-piece Pokémon Centre buildable set for children 8 and up features Pikachu, Chansey, Eevee, and Togepi for hours of fun as kids develop their problem solving skills and creativity.
Polly Pocket Pollyville Resort Roll Away
Polly Pocket
A Polly Pocket film is also in the works - and what better way to get ready than with the Pollyville Resort Roll Away. The playset, opens to a 3-story hotel, doubles as a storage unit complete with an extendable handle for on-the-go fun.
Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Dream Plane
Barbie for toddlers
If your child isn’t quite old enough for a Barbie doll set, this is the ultimate Barbie Dream Plane for little ones aged 18m+. Imaginative play is taken to new heights for the youngest Barbie fans with this adorable push-along airplane with fun sounds and a light-up nose.
Argos Top Toys 2024
We're still awaiting the 2024 list, but until it drops, we can get inspired by the 2023 list, which offered great value options throughout – around 50% of Argos’s 2023 top toys list were under £30. Interactive and educational toys had a prominent place, as did the classics. “I’m particularly excited to see how science-inspired toys like Beast Lab and new challenge toys like My Puppy’s Home become future Christmas classics,” said Head of Toy Buying at Argos Fay Williams, who added: “Alongside the incredible innovation in the industry, it’s wonderful to see nostalgic brands like Furby, Barbie and LEGO loved by a new generation of kids.”
Fingerlings ‘Diva’ interactive monkey
Interactive monkey
Kids who’d love a mini interactive pet will go bananas for this adorable Fingerlings friend that reacts to their touch and responds. heart beats and they say hello as soon as you put them on your finger Harmony is a diva baby monkey baby monkey with a unique singing voice and personality, with 70+ sounds and reactions.
LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka Clone Trooper Battle Pack
Star Wars LEGO
Young Star Wars fans' imaginations will be transported to a galaxy far, far away with LEGO's Star Wars 332nd Ahsoka's Clone Trooper Battle Pack building toy for kids aged 6+. The kit comes with everything they’ll need to create a Clone Infantry Support Speeder plus it comes with four LEGO Star Wars characters: Clone Captain Vaughn and three 332nd Clone Trooper minifigures with blasters and two jetpacks.
Chad Valley Wooden Pizza
Trending: Wooden toys
Along with innovative, hi tech toys we’re also seeing a return to simple play - for example wooden toys. The Chad Valley Wooden Pizza is in demand, and at just £11 it’s a real bargain.
For our US readers, check out the similar Melissa & Doug wooden pizza, it's on sale for
Little Live Pets - My Puppy's Home Dalmatian Edition
Little Live Pets
The DIY Easy Build My Puppy's Home goes beyond a regular interactive pet - your child will actually build the dog's house, which comes as a flat pack with all the necessary tools & parts for them to get started. The puppy included, meanwhile, is such a cute pet, with 25 sounds and reactions.
Hamley's Top Toys 2024
Who needs elves? Hamley’s expert toy testers have been busy, busy, busy, kicking off the season with a Top 10 list of toys that will be sought-after this Christmas for everyone from toddlers to tweens.
There are traditional family favourites, new-in trending toys and of course the Hamleys exclusives that children will love.
LEGO Transformer Bumblebee
© LEGOOne to keep them busy, the LEGO Transformer Bumblebee is a 950-piece build set with articulated joints, an ion blaster and a jetpack. He transforms from a robot to VW Beetle and has a display panel for when he’s built and kids want to show him off on their bedroom shelves.
Numberblocks Five Musical Superstar stage
© HamleysCBeebies viewers will recognise Five from Numberbocks - she’s the star of the band and she’s ready to take centre stage in this fun playset, which features lights, sounds, 10 changing backdrops and even a spinning dance floor!
The Terror Fried Gross Bucket
© HamleysThe Gross Bucket is full of terror-fying surprises that kids will love. There are nine freaky figures to find inside, from the mouldy milkshake to the fizz bomb burger. They also come with creey compounds so foul food fans can fizz, crack and squelch to their heart’s content.
Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels Deluxe Vehicle
© HamleysA great addition to the list for Paw Patrol fans is the Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels Deluxe Vehicle, featuring Chase. It has a motorised winch, flashing lights and sounds which kids will love. They can also load the green projectiles into the launcher and push the button to save the day.
