We’ve left no stone unturned to compile our list of the top Christmas toys for 2021.
We’ve scrutinized retailers’ top toys lists and spoken to toyologist Peter Jenkinson for his expert opinion on the top toys for Christmas 2021. Peter has been writing about games and toys for the national press for more than a decade and loves testing the latest must-have toys.
As well as compiling our own list, we’ve also listed the top picks from the UK’s leading toy experts and sellers, including the Toy Association, Amazon, and Hamleys. And, in case you’re on the lookout for more personalised gifts from some independent providers, we’ve also included Not on the High Street’s top Christmas list.
Every year it’s the same; parents scramble to buy the latest must-have toys, best Christmas games, and toy advent calendars that every child wants. And this year, as if mums and dads needed any extra pressure, there’s talk of toy shortages impacting Christmas for kids. Between the fuel crisis, manufacturing delays, and supply chain issues, you could be forgiven for thinking that Christmas might be under threat from the Grinch himself. With that in mind, we’d definitely suggest buying sooner rather than later….
Top 20 Christmas toys 2021
Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron – ARGOS | £70
My Squishy Little Dumplings – AMAZON | £16.69 £10 (SAVE £6.69)
GraviTrax Pro Starter Extreme – JOHN LEWIS | £89.99 £71.99 (SAVE £18)
John Lewis Wooden Waitrose Supermarket – JOHN LEWIS |£49 £39.20 (SAVE £10)
CBeebies Bing’s House Playset – AMAZON | £44.99 £34.99 (SAVE £10)
L.O.L Surprise! Tweens Fashion Doll – AMAZON | £20 £18.49 (SAVE £2.50)
CBeebies Bing Bath Time Boat – AMAZON | £19.99 £17.99 (SAVE £2)
AirBrush Plush Unicorn – AMAZON | £24.99 £22.99 (SAVE £2)
Canal Studio Creator Unicorn Light Up Wireless Bluetooth – AMAZON | £29.99 £26.99 (SAVE £3)
Nintendo Switch Lite – AMAZON | £198
Barbie You Can Be Anything Fresh ‘n’ Fun Food Truck Playset – THE ENTERTAINER | £69.99 £54.99 (SAVE £15)
Nerf Blaster Inline Scooter – ARGOS | £30
Scalextric Batman vs Joker Mains Powered Slot Car Racing Set – JOHN LEWIS | £119.99
LEGO Elf Clubhouse – JOHN LEWIS | £84.99
Bluey Family Home Playset – ARGOS | £40
Bluey Family & Friends 8 Figure Pack – ARGOS | £25
Pets Alive Poppy The Booty Shakin’Pug by ZURU – THE ENTERTAINER | £25
Paw Patrol Figure and Vehicle – Rubble and Bulldozer – THE ENTERTAINER | £12
Raya and The Last Dragon Doll – AMAZON | £23.99
Stomp Rocket – AMAZON | £14.99
What’s the top Christmas toy for 2021?
Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron
Age suitability: 5 years+ | Batteries required: Yes, included
You know how every year there’s a top Christmas toy which every kid wants? Our prediction is that Magic Mixies are this year’s must-have new toy. Our consumer editor, Heidi Scrimgeour, was invited along when Stephen Mulhern hosted the official launch of Magic Mixies, and she’s already got one on order. ‘What makes this toy special is that it comes with everything you need to mix a magic potion and bring your very own cute cuddly friend to life,’ she says. ‘The cauldron, spellbook, wand, and Mixie figure are all included, along with lots of cute accessories to add special features to your creature. And you can buy a magic cauldron refill pack, so it’s a toy that won’t lose its appeal after its first use.’
‘Magic Mixies is such a superb evolution in the unboxing trend and these interactive toys are sure to sell out at speed once they go on sale,’ says toy expert Peter Jenkinson.
Top electrical Christmas 2021
Canal Studio Creator Unicorn Light Up Wireless Bluetooth
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 8 years + | Batteries required: Yes, included
This adorable light-up unicorn speaker would make for a great stocking filler this Christmas. It has eight different light modes, all in different colours, and kids can use it as a wireless speaker as well as a bedside lamp. Control the music with a remote control from anywhere in the room and let the music play!
VIEW AT AMAZON | £29.99 £26.99 (Save £3)
Nintendo Switch Lite
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 6 years + | Batteries required: None
The Nintendo Switch Lite makes it on our list every single year! It’s a version of the classic Nintendo Switch that’s made for handheld, on-the-move gaming. As well as being suitable for a whole host of games – everything from Animal Crossing to Mario Kart – it’s great for multi-player activities.
Scalextric Batman vs Joker Mains Powered Slot Car Racing Set
Credit: John Lewis
Age suitability: 6 years+ | Batteries required: None- mains powered
This Scalextric track takes the top spot on John Lewis’ top toys list for Christmas 2021. Now available to buy online, it’s perfect for giving kids hours of entertainment over the Christmas period. The set comes with the Joker’s car, a green-roofed mobile with a purple body and wide grin, and Batman’s car, in the classically cool black. But what sets this toy apart from other Scalextric sets is that it comes with two Spark Plug Dongles, allowing you to race the cars using an Android or IOS device.
Now that films are hitting the big screen once again, toy expert Peter Jenkinson predicts that Top Gun and James Bond toys are likely to be on many kids’ wish lists this Christmas. If you know a movie fan who might have their eye on the James Bond 007 Scalextric set, it’s also worth snapping it up sooner rather than later.
Ralleyz warrior 3-in-1 RC
Credit: Hamleys/PA Wire
Age suitability: 4 years + | Batteries required: Yes (included)
Like Selection Boxes, Snowman on the TV and a nap after lunch; remote control cars are the essence of Christmas morning! Another small win for parents, batteries are included with this. Available in bright green, orange or blue, the Ralleyz Warrior has giant tyres that can tackle almost any obstacle. The 4-wheel drive remote control buggy comes with three interchanging heads, easy to switch out. The attachments shoot water, bubbles and darts. Exclusive to Hamleys don’t miss out!
Squeakee the Balloon Dino
Squeakee is every child’s interactive Balloon best friend! The set includes Squeakee Dino and a bone, headphones and an instruction booklet. Squeakee comes with 70 interactive sounds and movements, plus it loves to walk, dance and chomp around with headphones on. You can also play games with Squeakee and his bone, like tug of war and ‘chicken’.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £70 £62.99 (Save £7)
Top Lego sets for Christmas 2021
Lego Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship
Credit: Lego
Age suitability: 9 years +
The second series of Star Wars: The Mandalorian was a huge TV hit in 2020. And with time to wait before the next series there’s nothing better than this bumper Bobba Fett Lego set to keep fans occupied. Bounty-hunting missions and battles are the name of the game in this 593 piece set. Help build Bobba’s starship complete with a cockpit, wings, shooters and 2 blaster cannons. You’ll find the character, plus the The Mandalorian with his blaster rifle and a spear inside too. A much coveted toy for 9 years olds this 2021.
LEGO 71387 Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 6 years + | Batteries required: No
Suitable for those aged over 6 years old, this LEGO Luigi toy has a colour sensor and an LCD screen to display the instant reactions to movement and action bricks alongside his path. The speaker plays iconic sounds and music from the game, all while collecting digital coins for spinning seesaw and other flying challenges. This set was also one of the Black Friday LEGO deals for 2021.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £49.99 £34.98 (Save £15.01)
LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess Frozen Ice Castle Toy Set
Credit: Argos
Age suitability: 2 years+ | Batteries required: No
This LEGO set from the Disney film Frozen includes a slide, transparent ‘ice’ cubes for bricks, along with chairs, a table, and kitchen equipment. Princess Elsa, Anna, and Olaf the Snowman, along with their stunning outfits, are also included. While a special button-operated light brick offers multicoloured lights up the castle.
LEGO Elf Clubhouse
Credit: John Lewis
Age suitability: 11 years+ | Batteries required: 1 x Included
Of course, LEGO made it onto John’s Lewis top picks of the year! This Elf Clubhouse is ideal for Christmas-lovers who also enjoy a challenge as the set comes with 1197 LEGO bricks. Packed with seasonal details like LEGO waffles, presents, and Santa’s sleigh, it’s a real seasonal treat and guaranteed to keep youngsters occupied – at least for a while – on Christmas morning.
Top doll toys for Christmas 2021
Barbie You Can Be Anything Fresh ‘n’ Fun Food Truck Playset
Credit: Getty
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: None
This Barbie Food Truck is a great toy for Christmas. And it’s now on sale down from £54.99 thanks to the Black Friday Barbie top Christmas toys sales. The set contains one food truck playset and over 30 accessories, so it’s a particularly good one for kids who already own plenty of Barbies and want to play with more sets. The truck has moving wheels and loads of exciting features, including a professional kitchen, where Barbie can make everything from smoothie to burgers for her customers.
VIEW AT THE ENTERTAINER | £54.99
Barbie Day to Night Dreamhouse Dolls House
Age suitability: 3 years + | Batteries required: Yes x3 AA (not included)
The Barbie Dream House has been a firm favourite across the decades. And 2021 sees it with a few modern additions. From a lift now big enough for Barbie in a wheel chair, party room with a DJ booth, second-story slide with a pool, and a puppy play area with its own pool and mood lighting. It also has the most coveted decor item this year, the egg chair. Standing 43 inches tall and 41 inches wide, this dreamy dollhouse inspires 360-degree play with 10 indoor and outdoor living areas.
Barbie Dreamtopia Colour Change Mermaid
Age suitability: 3 years +
Barbies and Mermaids? It doesn’t get much better than this. The Dreamtopia edition features rainbow hair and a fabulous multicoloured tail that changes colour depending on the temperature of the water. Warm her up and watch as her bottom half magically transforms into pastel shades. Then cool her back down so her original pattern returns. It’s the perfect toys for 6 years olds and their bath time.
Barbie FXH08 Doggy Daycare Doll and Pets Playset
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 3 years +
Pet lovers will adore this 14-piece Barbie playset which comes complete with four dogs – 2 adult and 2 puppies. Part of their petting duties include feeding them their bones and cleaning up their wee (after giving them their bottle of water).
VIEW AT AMAZON | £31.53 £24.17 (Save £7.36)
Barbie Kitchen Playset with Doll
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 4 years +
Kids can help Barbie cook up a feast in this fabulous Kitchen playset that boasts lights, sounds and 20 different accessories. There’s dough to add to both the pie mould and sandwich maker. Or they can toss a simple salad together thanks to the veggie ingredients included too.
L.O.L Surprise! Tweens Fashion Doll
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: No
Another new addition to the series that’s made the pick of top Christmas toys for 2021, this L.O.L Surprise set comes with a 6″ fashion doll along with shoes and other exciting accessories. The packaging also turns into a reusable playset for kids to enjoy once they’ve unboxed the doll.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £20 £18.49 (Save £2.50)
L.O.L Surprise! movie magic doll
Age suitability: 3 years + | Batteries required: No
There’s a hardcore fan base out there for L.O.L dolls. And if you know a little one who is part of it then this is the gift for them. Part of the coveted and collectable series, each ball comes with a unique movie scene set, as well as mini directors chair, a cue card and host of accessories such as 3D glasses, shoes and a movie script. Sparkles and glitter add to the dolls and accessories perfectly. they look like they rolled straight out of the Hollywood hills.
Lol! Surprise Starlette
Credit: L.O.L. Surprise! OMG Magic Studios
Age suitability: 4 years + | Batteries required: No
There are over 70 surprises in this set – worth over £200! It comes with packaging that quickly becomes a movie studio, complete with 4 stages and a movie theatre green screen. Along with that, there’s 12 dolls to unbox, including 2 OMG fashion dolls, 6 LOL Surprise dolls, 2 Pets and 2 Lil Sisters to ensure that you’ve got all the cast and crew you’ll need to complete your movie.
Raya and The Last Dragon Doll
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: Yes
The film may only have come out this year but Disney’s Raya and The Last Dragon is already a huge hit. This Raya toy plays music if you lift her arm up and the Kumandra Flower lights up too.
Polly Pocket Rainbow Funland Theme Park
Age suitability: 4 years + | Batteries required: No | Price: £48.99
This makes a great gift for kids aged 4 years and over. It features three different rides and seven play areas, along with Polly and Shani dolls, two unicorns and 25 different surprises.
CoComelon 10 inch Bedtime JJ Doll
Credit: Argos
Age suitability: 2 years+ | Batteries required: Yes, included | Price: £27.99
This soft toy is inspired by JJ, one of the popular characters from the CoComelon educational YouTube series. JJ is ready to go to bed in his iconic onesie, holding his teddy bear pillow toy. It’s the perfect toy for fans of the show as it comes with many different sounds and phrases.
My Squishy Little Dumplings
Age suitability: 3 years + | Batteries required: 2x button cell
Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, these adorably cute interactive sensory toys have their own personalities and even speak their own language. Squeeze their squishy cheeks to activate more than 50 reactions, light features, and sounds. You can even dress them up in their zany accessories and tickle, shake or throw them.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £16.69 £10 (Save £6.69)
Pets Alive Poppy The Booty Shakin’Pug by ZURU
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: Yes, included
This dancing pet is so much fun for kids! There are three songs included and Poppy moves and grooves to every one of them. If your child has ever wanted a pet dog and a puppy isn’t on the Christmas list for this year, why not go for a dancing pug they can take everywhere with them?
AirBrush Plush Unicorn
Credit: Canal Toys
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: No
This innovative new toy will appeal to youngsters with a flair for art and design, as well as to those with a love of all things unicorn. You can style your own cute plushie unicorn however you like, using the colourful spray and stencils provided. Stick one of the 100+ stencils to your unicorn and then choose from four coloured markers, and use the Airbrush tool to spray directly onto the plushie’s fur or through the stencil to create wonderful patterns and designs. Best of all, you can wash off your design using a damp cloth and start all over again!
VIEW AT AMAZON | £24.99 £22.99 (Save £2)
Huggables Dino
Credit: Hamleys
Age suitability: 2 years + | Batteries required: No
You can’t go wrong with a cuddly toy. And as snuggly-soft goes, you don’t get better than Hamleys Huggables. Measuring around 36cm, there’s a range of plush toys to choose from, including an avocado, owl, penguin and unicorn, but our top pick has to be this dino. Perfect pal for a nap.
Little Live Pets Gotta Go Turdle
Age suitability: 6 months to 3 years + | Batteries required: Yes, included
Kids can feed Shelbert his favourite Magic Turtle Food and watch his neck wiggle and wobble as he gobbles it down. Just open his mouth, pour the food down it, close his mouth and watch as he sings his catchy ‘Uh Oh, Gotta Go!’ song.
Flatout Sheepskin Baby Bear
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: From birth upwards
This Flatout Bear Baby is all the rage amongst celebrities like Tom Cruise, Jennifer Garner and Sarah Jessica Parker who termed it “charming and adorable”. Unsurprisingly, Hugh Jackman is a fan too of the Aussie brand best-seller. Made from sheepskin it’s an ultra soft, plush and natural teddy that will soothe them to sleep in no time.
Top figures and collectible toys for Christmas 2021
Bluey Family Home Playset
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: No
If your kids love the TV show Bluey, they’ll love this Family Home playset. It includes two beds, two stools, two sofas, rugs, a bath, toilet, dining room counter, and a fridge. Big in both size and variety of included features, this great playset also has moulded details with opening doors.
‘Bluey has to be one of the best kids’ TV shows ever made,’ says our consumer editor, Heidi Scrimgeour. ‘It’s one of the few shows that I actually enjoy watching as much as my daughter does, and the playset has really cemented her love of Bandit, Bluey, Chilli, and Bingo.’
Bluey Family & Friends 8 Figure Pack
Credit: Smyth’s Toys
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: No
To go with the family home playset, you can pick up these Bluey family and friends figurines for under £30. They’re perfect for recreating kids’ favourite moments from the TV show as the set includes Bluey, Bingo, Chilli (Mum), and Dad (Bandit), along with four of Bluey and Bingo’s friends – Coco, Snickers, Rusty and Muffin. Dollarbucks!
CBeebies Bing Bath Time Boat
Age suitability: 12 months+ | Batteries required: No
A fab Bing Bunny toy – but kids can take this one into the bath! Just like Bing’s boat on TV, kids can wind this toy up and watch the boat move through the water. It also has a spray feature and squirter in the cabin for even more bath time fun.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £19.99 £17.99 (Save £2)
CBeebies Bing’s House Playset
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 12 months+ | Batteries required: No
If playsets are more your child’s thing, go for Bing’s house playset! As well as the house and features from the CBBC show, there are two characters included and nine different accessories. But don’t worry, this set is made in bright, chunky, and hard-wearing plastic so it’s suitable for anyone over 12 months old.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £44.99 £34.99 (Save £10)
Thomas & Friends Race and Chase
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 2 years+ | Batteries required: Yes
This Fisher-Price toy is definitely one for kids who love Thomas the Tank Engine. It’s all the fun of two toys with one controller, since Thomas is joined to Percy through the plume of smoke. The toy also makes realistic train sounds and repeats fun Thomas & Friends character phrases.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £29.99 £20.99 (Save £9)
Little Live Pets My Pig Piggly
Age suitability: 3 years +
This little piggy makes for the perfect play-pretend pet. He squeals and snorts over 25 sounds and is able to feed, walk and nuzzle into your kid too. They’ll especially enjoy the nose wiggling when you feed her a bottle. You’ll need 3 AAA batteries to get Piggly going on Christmas morning (sadly not included).
Jurassic World Scorpios Rex
Age suitability: 4 years +
Jurassic World has a new species set to terrorise your home this Christmas – the fast, dangerous and unpredictable Scorpios Rex. He roars, he chomps, he whips his tails and has deadly claws to help him hunt down other dinos and lost campers. A must-have toy for 7 years olds, Jurassic World fans and those who live and breathe dinosaurs.
Batman Bat-Tech Bat Cave
Age suitability: 4 years + | Batteries required: Yes, not included
Transform the giant Batman figure into the Bat-Tech Batcave playset with so many levels to play with. It’s the ultimate playset as it includes a 33-inch tall Batman, a 10 cm Batman figure to play with and nine different accessories including a grappling hook, armour and more. Other areas for action include a Bat computer, a lift to quickly move up and down the Batcave, Armoury, Garage and a Jail.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends Marvel Web-Quarters Playset
Age suitability: 3 years + | Batteries required: Yes, not included
This is the ultimate action-packed spidey playset for Spiderman and his friends to hang out in. There’s the web communications headquarters, a fun hangout, helipad, web jail and more! Also complete in the set is a vehicle and spidey himself. A must-have this Christmas for all Spiderman fans.
Top PAW Patrol toys for Christmas 2021
Paw Patrol Figure and Vehicle – Rubble and Bulldozer
Age suitability: 3 – 5 years | Batteries required: None
This Paw Patrol toy is a must-have for fans of the show! It contains a Paw Patrol-themed bulldozer toy and a Rubble, the construction puppy, figure. Each element of the set has its own authentic detailing and true-to-program features.
Paw Patrol Chase’s Deluxe Transforming Vehicle
Age suitability: 3 years +
A car and hovercraft rolled into one, plus some familiar Paw Patrol faces make this a serious contender on the Toy Retailers Association’s top Christmas toys list. The vehicle lights up, makes sounds and spits out phrases straight from the popular show. And just one push of a button transforms Chase’s motor into fabulous projectile launcher too. You’ll be pleased to know batteries are included in this set – so that’s a few extra pennies saved.
VIEW AT THE ENTERTAINER | £34.99
Paw Patrol Transforming Paw Patroller
Age suitability: 6 months + | Batteries required: Yes, included
Fans of Paw Patrol will love this toy! It’s made its way onto Amazon’s list of best ones because of the exciting door-opening mechanism and how it fits six different PAW Patrol toys and cars (not included). It does come with a Ryder PAW Patrol figure, ATV and realistic sound effects though.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £69.99 £55.49 (Save £14.50)
Top outdoor toys for Christmas 2021
Nerf Blaster Inline Scooter
Credit: Argos
Age suitability: 5 years+ | Batteries required: None
Suitable for kids over 5, the Nerf Blaster Scooter is the perfect present for anyone who may have mastered three wheels or four over the last year. As well as a great ride, complete with a reactive footbrake and anti-slip tape, the scooter comes complete with a handlebar-mounted Nerf blaster and 5 pellets.
Hasbro Nerf elite flip 2.0
Credit: Hamleys/PA Wire
Age suitability: 8 years + | Batteries required: No
With this classic Nerf gun gift you will probably fall victim to a foam dart or two over Christmas. This one boasts back-to-back barrels that are designed to make the toy gun easier to use and can hold up to eight darts, meaning they won’t need to lose valuable time collecting their shots quite as often.
Stomp Rocket
Age suitability: 9 years+ | Batteries required: No
Run, jump and stomp on this launcher to send the rocket up to 400 feet in the air! A stomp rocket is a classic kids’ toy, perfect for playing in the back garden and a great present for under £20. Our consumer editor was sent one of these to review and has nothing but praise for this simple but brilliant toy. ‘We took the Stomp Rocket to the park after school and ended up with a queue of kids begging to have a go with it,’ she says. ‘The parents were enthralled too – they’ve all been asking were to buy one and we’ll definitely be adding a few of these to our pressie cupboard.’
Top STEM and construction Christmas toys 2021
GraviTrax Pro Starter Extreme
Age suitability: 8+ years | Batteries required: No
This STEM toy is so good, it made John Lewis’ must-buy list before it was even released! The GraviTrax Pro Starter Extreme includes loads of special components to help children build their very own action-packed marble run.
VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £89.99 £71.99 (Save £18)
Vtech Drill And Learn Toolbox
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 2 years+ | Batteries required: No
This toddler-friendly toolbox is one of our best toys for Christmas 2021! It’s perfect for stimulating creativity and getting involved in role-play, with an electronic fix-it tray, working toy drill, hammer, wrench, nails, and screws included in the set. The drill even comes with spinning gears for drilling screws into the electronic tray’s holes. Kids can also press the buttons for fun songs and lessons about the variety of tools included in their set.
LeapFrog LeapReader
Help children learn to read over Christmas with this exciting megapack of stories! Included is a LeapReader pen to help readers sound out the letters and words in the interactive stories and activities. They can also listen to character’s voices, music, and sound effects or they can follow along with the stories as they’re read out loud. Activities like these aren’t only really fun for kids but help build confidence by helping them sound out vowels, sight words, blending, spelling, and more.
LeapFrog 2 in 1 Count Along Basket and Smart Scanner
Age suitability: 2 years+ | Batteries required: No
We had to put this 2-in-1 toy on our list of top Christmas toys for 2021! The Shopping Basket and Smart Scanner introduce kids to food, colours, and shapes all at the same time. There are eight fun role playing foods included in the set, ready to be scanned with the magic scanner, and three fun games to help kids get to grips with counting and role-playing.
Playshifu orboot educational AR globe
Age suitability: 3 years + | Batteries required: No
This STEM globe builds on knowledge, linguistic and cognitive skills. The 10-inch globe simply connects with the interactive Orboot App to explore the world. With 400+ highlights across cultures, cuisines, monuments, inventions, animals and maps. Imagination will be sparked and curiosity ignited. Scan the app over the globe to reveal a whole world of adventure, facts and guides.
VIEW AT VERY | £49.99 £39.99 (Save £10)
Fisher-Price Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin
Age suitability: 9 months to 3 years + | Batteries required: Yes, not included
The perfect present for those over 9 months old, this interactive penguin toy has multi-colour lights and cool music which not only encourages baby to dance but it helps to teach kids the alphabet, opposites, counting and shapes. All kids need to do is press the buttons to see the penguin flap its flippers and bob side to side with the lights and music.
Playmonster Snap Ships
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 8 years+ | Batteries required: No
There are three so-called ‘drones’ in this set, picked as one of the top Christmas toys for 2021. Kids can play with them individually or put them together to make one huge drone. Each one has unique features too, so getting them to battle against each other is the perfect Christmas morning activity for siblings.
Hot Wheels Massive Loop Mayhem
Age suitability: 5 years +
We’ve no doubt this Hot Wheels set will have your child in a spin come Christmas morning. The ultimate car play set – a fantastic toy for 5 years olds – features a huge 71cm wide loop track to race vehicles on. Plus fun gadgets like the slam launcher which races multiple cars at once. Just be sure not to let them crash! Parents should know this set comes with one Hot Wheels racecar, so pick up a few extra if you plan on some Christmas day racing.
VIEW AT VERY | £62.99 54.99 (Save £8)
53. Playmobil 70571 City Action Police Special Operations Police Robot
Credit: Hamleys/PA Wire
Age suitability: 4 years + | Batteries required: No
Not only do you not need batteries (which is a bonus come Christmas morning) but this is a great toy for two reasons. One; it’s amazing at working those fine motor skills, as your little one handles all the parts and memory as you talk through directions. And two: the additional hours actually playing with the final product you built together. This police robot has movable legs, arms and hips, rotatable hands with three individually movable fingers – perfect for all the police missions he’ll be going on.
Build Your Own Honey Bee
Age suitability: 5 years+ | Batteries required: No
For a smaller present or crafty stocking filler, go for a Build Your Own. We’ve settled on the Honey Bee as a favourite, but there are all sorts of critters like ladybirds, stag beetles, and dragonflies to build. These are loads of fun and easy to build, making them one of the best presents under £10 on our top toys for Christmas list.
Build Your Own Personalised Paper Plane Launcher
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 8 years +
Work with your kid to craft this fabulous paper plane launcher together this Christmas. Made from eco-friendly paper and coming with an option to personalise – this Fold ‘n’ Fly set also gives you 10 different planes to construct from scratch. The perfect toy for 9 years olds, budding engineers and any parent that’s looking for a STEM-inspired activity.
John Lewis FSC Wooden Waitrose Supermarket
Credit: John Lewis
Age suitability: 3 years+ | Batteries required: No | Price: £49
This miniature-sized Waitrose supermarket is super cute. It features individual shelves for toy food, a Waitrose logo and even scales so kids can practice weighing out their fruit and veg. There’s no doubt that this mini Waitrose would offer hours of fun for kids, being able to shop from the comfort of their own bedroom.
VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS |£49 £39.20 (Save 9.80)
Top board games for Christmas 2021
Space Jam Basketball Playset with LeBron James
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 5 years+ | Batteries required: Yes
Kids will have hours of fun with this unique basketball game as they try and get LeBron’s figure as close to the hoop as possible.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £14.99 £11.24 (Save £3.76)
Ravensburger Upside Down Challenge Game
Credit: Amazon
Age suitability: 7 years+ | Batteries required: No
Discover what the world looks like upside down! Put on the goggles and experience how normally easy games suddenly turn into a huge challenge. It’s a great game to play with both adults and kids with over 100 drawing and activity challenges included in the game.
‘Family games will prove strong this year as we’re all hoping to get together for Christmas, and my favourite family game has to be Upside Down Challenge,’ adds toy expert Peter Jenkinson. ‘It’s downright daft.’ That sounds like our kind of family game!
Gassy Gus Board Game
Age suitability: 4 years +
Kids love a bit of toilet humour – so what’s better than feeding their funny with this flatulence-themed board game. The premise is easy for little minds to wrap their head around. Big Gas is a big eater, but the only problem is that some foods give him gas. Players take it in turns to feed him their food cards, in an effort to be the first one out with no cards. But if he passes wind it’s bad news for you – resulting in some extra food cards to pick up. One of those perfect Christmas games for the family where everyone can join in.
Pictionary Air Harry Potter Family Drawing Game
Age suitability: 8 years + | Batteries required: No
This Pictionary game is a classic turned on its head! Perfect for any fans of the books and films, you can play together as a whole family using your photo to help guess the picture before your eyes.
VIEW AT AMAZON | £24.99 £16.99 (Save £8)
Top personalised and creative Christmas toys 2021
Kids’ Personalised Christmas Escape Room Puzzle Gift
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 6-9 years
A perfect gift for keeping the magic of Christmas alive. Write or record a secret message from Father Christmas to your kid. The clever guys at Puzzle Post will then package up a bumper activity pack full of 7 puzzles for your little one to crack. Including everything from elf ID badges and Santa’s route plan to a blueprint of the reindeers’ stables. Once they’ve got all the answers, it’s time to log on to the online vault and retrieve that secret message. A great toy for 7 years olds– and one that’ll keep them busy for a fair few hours too.
VIEW AT NOTHS | £11 £8.80 (Save 2.20)
Colour Your Own High Street
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 6 years +
A colouring quest with a difference – this is one of the best toys for 6 years olds. Inside the box (which has an option to be personalised) they’ll find 8 different colouring cards – including a sweet shop, ice cream parlour, grocery, bakery, pet shop, garden shop, toy shop and cafe. They can use their colouring creativity to decorate as they see fit. Then prop them up as a 3D high street and add their own soft toys and mini characters to play with.
Personalised Plantable Carrot Children’s Story Book
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 3-10 years
A children’s book with a difference! Read the tale together – then plant the pages and watch the carrots grow. This adorable storybook is made of recycled paper embedded with real carrot seeds that will encourage kids to get into garden. There’s also an option to add personalisation – their name and a message – thanks to a special message band. A truly thoughtful toy for 8 years olds.
The Positive Doodle Diary
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 5-10 years
Ninth on Not on the High Street’s top Christmas toys list is this fabulous Positivity Doodle Diary. Bright and colourful, it encourages creativity and mental wellness through journaling, gratitude and self-care. Inside you’ll find pages like diary pages where they can freely doodle or jot down their thoughts and reflections of the day. There’s also an affirmation page. Plus breath work and yoga exercises that they can try. A lovely toy for 10 years olds who’ll be able to fill the pages in themselves.
Personalised Football Ball
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 2 years +
Every small football fan’s dream – a personalised football bearing their name and favourite colour or club! This is one of the best buys on Not on the High Street’s top Christmas toys list. Especially as it arrives inflated and ready to go – meaning no faff or preparation is needed. There are 2 different sizes (mini = 8 letters) and (regular = up to 15 letters). Choose from red, blue or silver or pick their favourite football team to have their colours and logo featured on the ball too. And in if you’re in the market for extras – why not accompany with their personalised football bag, gloves or mini pump to keep it topped up with air. Definitely one of the best toys for 5 years olds.
Personalised Unicorn And Rainbow Bracelet Making Kit
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 3-8 year olds
Gift this delightful bracelet kit to a unicorn obsessed child this Christmas. Inside you’ll find a plain elastic bracelet plus a whole host of colourful beads and special heart and unicorns ones too that can be used to construct up to 10 bracelets. Perfect for wearing with Christmas party dresses or gifting as friendship bracelets.
Wooden Name Train
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: 3 years +
This sweet Wooden Name Train set is sure to go gorgeously in their bedroom. Plus kids will love the added play element of it. The price includes the front engine and rear carriage, with each letter of their name setting you back an additional £3.50. There’s also some great add ons you can select to make this a bumper Christmas treat. Including a tractor, tunnel, bridge, plus shops and mini play people to make it a full set! An awesome toy for 4 years olds.
Colour In Pillowcase Christmas
Credit: Not on the High Street
We adore this unique colouring-in activity that doubles up as some festive Christmas bedding for children. The Egyptian cotton pillowcase features 24 Christmas illustrations for kids to colour in. Use regular pens and wash it out for multiple use. Or grab some permanent markers to solidify their designs for the season.
VIEW AT NOTHS | £17.95 £14.26 (Save £3.69)
Personalised Rainbow Strongman Tattoo Baby Rattle
Credit: Not on the High Street
Age suitability: From birth upwards
After the perfect present for a newborn? Look no further than this rainbow strongman rattle. Hand knitted in the UK, the sweet character has tattooed arms that allow for some name personalisation. And it’s super cuddly too! Company Sootie Limetree have confirmed this is a Limited Edition too – so grab it for this Christmas before it’s gone forever.
Personalised Colour In Decorative Fabric Fireplace
Credit: Not on the High Street
Last but by no means least on Not on the High Street’s top Christmas toys list is this fabulous colour-in fireplace. It’s made from fabric and depicts a warming festive open fire – with sweet stockings kids can colour in and add their name on. It’s great for hanging in a house that doesn’t have an actual fireplace for Father Christmas to climb down. And comes with easy to hang tacks for you to do this. Paints are however not included – so be sure to have some in your inventory before gifting.