Barbie, Hot Wheels and L.O.L. Surprise! are among the top 20 DreamToys for Christmas 2023, which has been unveiled by the Toy Retailers Association. Santa should "take note", said Rebekah Absalom in the Daily Mail, as these toys are "tipped to be among the top gifts on children's Christmas lists this year".
Industry experts predict that shoppers could "fork out around £1bn" on kids presents over the festive season, said Sky News. Featuring "old favourites" such as Lego Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the top 20 products range in price from an £8.99 Squishmallows plush toy to the £149.99 Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds.
With the cost-of-living crisis "looming large over another year's celebrations", said Zoe Wood in The Guardian, the annual list of the "hottest" Christmas gifts includes "a dozen that are under £50". Retailers hope a new AI version of Pictionary and a pet "robo-dog with a wagging tail" will help "fuel festive sales recovery".
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In alphabetical order, we take a look at the DreamToys of 2023, as selected by an independent panel of toy retailers and toy experts. All prices are quoted as RRPs, but market price may vary from retailer to retailer.
Barbie Pop Reveal (Mattel) £26.99
Beast Lab (Moose) £89.99
Bitzee Interactive Pet (Spin Master) £32.99
Cookeez Makery Oven Playset (Moose) £39.99
Fingerlings Monkey (Character Options) £17.99
Fluffie Stuffiez Large Plush (MGA Ent) £34.99
Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle & Grounds (LEGO) £149.99
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler (Mattel) £94.99
L.O.L. Surprise! Magic Flyers (MGA Ent) £36.99
Little Live Pets My Puppy's Home (Moose) £64.99
Miniverse – Make It Mini Kitchen (MGA Ent) £44.99
MINTiD Dog-E (Character Options) £89.99
PAW Patrol Mighty Movie – Skye Deluxe Vehicle (Spin Master) £49.99
Pictionary vs AI (Mattel) £23.99
Pokémon 151 Elite Trainer (Asmodee UK) £52.99
Squishmallows 7.5" (Jazwares) £8.99
Star Wars Ahsoka Starship (LEGO) £64.99
Super Mario Movie 7" Feature Bowser Figure (Jakks Pacific) £34.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Pizza Fire Van (Character Options) £39.99
Twister Air (Hasbro) £24.99
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strongTalking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
Has the Gaza deal saved Netanyahu?Today's Big Question With elections looming, Israel’s longest serving PM will ‘try to carry out political alchemy, converting the deal into political gold’
-
French finances: what’s behind country’s debt problem?The Explainer Political paralysis has led to higher borrowing costs and blocked urgent deficit-reducing reforms to social protection
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Sing songs with Sandler, gawk at Gaffigan: These are the comedians to catch on tour this fallthe week recommends Laugh to keep yourself from crying
-
Television personalities who have come under fireIn Depth Jimmy Kimmel is the latest TV host to be swept up in controversy
-
8 riveting museum exhibitions on view in the fall — and well into 2026The Week Recommends See Winslow Homer rarities and Black art reimagined
-
10 concert tours to see this fallThe Week Recommends Concert tour season isn't over. Check out these headliners.
-
5 of the best platonic TV friendshipsthe week recommends Maintaining boundaries has proven tricky for all but the most committed of buddies on the small screen
-
Conservatism is rising. Just look at the music.In the spotlight The radio reflects American culture
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
