Gender spenders: what toys will we buy this Christmas?

Hamleys in London points shoppers in traditional directions. Researchers say toys are more gender-specific than ever Photograph: Frank Baron

Baby Born with a Magic Potty is predicted to be in the top 12 toys this Christmas. Guess which children will be getting this one … Photograph: Ian West/PA

Rows of dolls line the shelves of the girls' floor at Hamleys Photograph: Frank Baron

Newly-moulded Playmobil figurines. 'Absolutely everything geared towards girls seems to be pink,' says Diane Daniels who runs a nursery in Kent Photograph: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP

Action Man toy soldiers on the boys' floor at Hamleys. 'Boys are propelled into a world of action,' says education professor Becky Francis, who has written the new study Photograph: Frank Baron

Toy soldiers made by the company Games Workshop for their Warhammer game. Photograph: Graham Turner

The Optimus Prime toy inspired by Transformers The Movie. Boy-oriented interactive toys teach construction and literacy skills (instructions are often demanding) Photograph: Geoff Caddick/PA

Girls are seldom introduced to the delights of Thomas the Tank Engine and his chuffing friends Photograph: PA

The male-dominated world of Lego Photograph: Getty Images

'It is preferable that children are exposed to a wide range of play experiences,' says Professor Jeffrey Goldstein, chair of the National Toy Council. The Wall-E toy based on the film, could appeal to both boys and girls Photograph: David Parry/PA

A girl plays with an Electro Mag toy at the Science Museum in London. Electro Mag uses magnets to create over 40 experiments, and allows children to build a lie detector, a trip wire alarm, 3D electric circuits and LED light chasers Photograph: ANDY RAIN/EPA

Another stereotype-free option: everyone loves gloop Photograph: Jonathan Hordle /Rex Features

What is a slinky if not a masterclass in kinetic and potential energy? And you can get them in pink… Photograph: George Diebold/Getty Images