As the festive season edges closer, the race to find the perfect Christmas gifts for children begins in earnest.
Each year, the toy aisles become battlegrounds of glitter and ingenuity, with parents, grandparents, and the occasional over-enthusiastic aunt (me, in case you were wondering) scouring shelves and websites for something that will elicit genuine delight rather than a polite “thaaanks…”
For 2025, the landscape of children’s play has evolved in fascinating ways. Technology is smarter, sustainability is more front-of-mind, and imagination remains as cherished as ever.
This year, toys entertain, educate, and sometimes even encourage a touch of mindfulness. Interactive games combine coding with storytelling, craft kits champion eco-consciousness, and classic dolls and action figures reflect the diversity of the world children see around them.
It’s a delicate balance. Adults want toys that feel worthwhile, children want toys that feel like magic, and somewhere in that middle ground lies this year’s must-have list.
There is a certain thrill in watching the next generation discover new favourites. For the youngest members of the family, a simple plush companion or a bright set of building blocks can spark hours of imaginative play.
Older children are increasingly drawn to experiences as much as objects. Coding robots, board games with a twist, and interactive puzzles make learning feel like an adventure. And, of course, no Christmas toy guide would be complete without nods to the classics, those perennial favourites that never fail to inspire squeals of delight when pulled from under the tree.
Whether you are seeking a showstopper for the littlest cousins or a gift that will genuinely keep the older ones occupied through the post-Christmas lull, I’ve scoured the web and rounded up the toys most likely to earn a place in family memories for years to come.
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Tonies Toniebox 2 Bundle
The wait is finally over! The Toniebox 2 builds on the charm of the original with improved sound quality, a rechargeable battery, and a sturdier design perfect for tiny hands. Kids can simply pop their favourite Tonie figurine on top and instantly dive into stories, songs, or sing-alongs, all without screens. This bundle comes with a curated, personalisable selection of Tonies to get adventures started straight away. It’s a magical, mess-free way to spark imagination and keep little ones entertained for hours.
Buy now £149.99, TonieBox
Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack
Unleash your inner slime stylist with the Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack. This isn't your average goo, it's a luxury sensory experience. Inside, you'll find two iridescent slimes: Shimmer Slime and Crystal Pearl Slime, each with its own dreamy texture and scent. The kit also includes a Pearl Bead Booster and exclusive glow-up sachets, allowing you to customize your slimes with sparkling charms and glittery accents.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
LEGO Minecraft The Creeper 21276
This LEGO set allows builders to create a posable version of Minecraft's iconic Creeper. Standing over 21cm tall, it features movable legs and a head that tilts and turns. The head detaches to reveal a first-version Creeper and a TNT element inside. Perfect for Minecraft enthusiasts aged 10 and up, it combines construction with imaginative play.
Buy now £27.99, John Lewis
Sylvanian Families Adventure Treehouse
This wonderful playset is a woodland dream come true, and is exactly what we imagined occurred in the tallest treetops when we were children. The Adventure Tree House has ropes which can go up and down, allowing the contraption to work as a lift.
The log ride accessory can be pushed down the in-built slides, and there are a variety of secret rooms and passageways for the Sylvanian Families figurines to cosy up in and enjoy.
Buy now £44.99, Very
KPop Demon Hunters Funko Pop
The Funko Pop treatment is a true badge of cultural saturation, and the Demon Hunters are now officially inducted. Collectors are already circling, but this is one piece of merch that kids and parents alike will want lined up on the bookshelf. Available for pre-order now at HMV, expect them to vanish fast.
Buy now £12.99, HMV
Jellycat Bartholomew Bear
Every child needs a classic, sumptuously soft and uber-cuddly teddy bear. Luckily, Jellycat specialises in just that, and the cult-favourite brand’s Bartholomew Bear is set to be an instant hit with your little one.
Buy now £50.00, Jellycat
Bluey Talking Bingo soft toy 30cm
Bring the lovable Bingo home for endless cuddles and laughs. Press her tummy and she’ll speak phrases from the show, making storytime and playtime even more interactive. Soft, huggable, and full of personality, she’s a must-have for any little Bluey fan this Christmas.
Buy now £20.00, Selfridges
HOPPSTAR Rookie Strawbella digital camera
For budding photographers, this adorable, kid-proof camera makes capturing the world easy and fun. Lightweight, durable, and full of personality, the Strawbella Rookie encourages children to explore their creativity, snap selfies, or document adventures. It’s an ideal way to introduce photography skills while keeping playtime colourful and imaginative.
Buy now £60.00, Selfridges
Play-Doh Super Slice Cake Playset with 11 Tubs & Accessories
Who says cake can’t be played with? This set comes with 11 tubs of colourful Play-Doh, a slicer, and cake accessories for endless creative baking. Kids can layer, slice, and decorate their edible-looking masterpieces without the sugar rush—or the mess. Perfect for little bakers with big imaginations.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
UNO Extreme Card Game
UNO Extreme is the classic card game with a new twist. Players load their cards into the updated card launcher, and then play just like traditional UNO. What makes this version an upgrade are the lights and sound effects that flash faster as the card-release button is pushed, so that there’s a little bit more suspense each time.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Otamatone Regular Yellow Japanese Electronic Musical Instrument
More than just a toy, the Otomatone is a musical marvel which will help your little one unleash their inner artistry. The portable synthesiser has a hilarious smiley face base which produces the hi-tech music notes depending on where you slide your finger on the touch-sensitive bar.
Buy now £44.99, Amazon
Vilac Classic Car
Push the iPad to one side and send their imagination into overdrive with this vintage racing car. Your little one can channel their inner F1 driver with their own customisable vehicle that can be emblazoned with the text of your choice. It is crafted from a hard-wearing metal and encourages motor skills.
Buy now £119.95, Not Another Bill
LOL Surprise! Mermaids Tots Assortment
This adorable assortments collection from LOL Surprise! features a groovy underwater mermaid theme. It even comes with accessories to make your very own colourful mermaid tale so that your tot can splash around in the provided water bowl.
Buy now £9.99, Hamleys
Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Piano
This is a super little musical toy - your baby’s first piano! The keys play notes or animal noises depending on what mode it is in. Pressing the middle blue button plays a selection of familiar tunes that your child can play along to. It also comes with sheet music so that older children can practice colour coordination by matching the notes on the sheets to the keys on the piano. A really good buy.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Thames & Kosmos Kids First Coding & Robotics
Age: 4-8 years
Robots come in all shapes and sizes, and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich Sammy is just one such example. This sweet-treat device is here to teach kids how to code using cards to dictate the action. We were impressed by the juxtaposition of the simplicity of the cards versus the hidden tech that lies within Sammy: each card is printed with a code, which Sammy scans in order to perform the next required action.
While this foodie take on coding toys for kids might look sweet, it packs a serious punch. It offers up to 30 lessons that have been created with standards for computer science education in mind, with topics ranging from sequencing and loops to functions and variables.
To really keep the action moving, the kit comes with five other storylines outside of Sammy’s crumby tale. In one scenario, for example, a fire engine must be manoeuvred around a course to put out a blaze, while in another a mouse must be guided through a colourful maze to be reunited with its cheese. Squeakingly good fun.
Buy now £110.00, Amazon
National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit
Bett you’ve never heard a game sold to you as having “genuine poop” in it before - but this National Geographic Kids dinosaur digging kit is the real deal. Allow the little scientist in your life to channel their inner Ross Geller as they get to grips with the ins and outs of uncovering a fossil.
Budding scientists will love the challenge of slowly but surely excavating the digging brick with the delicate tools provided to reveal the replica T-Rex tooth within. Included in the same packet is an informative booklet, and a genuine sample of dinosaur poop fossil that’s 50 million years old (a fact you may not be delighted by, but your eight-year-old will certainly be thrilled with). A fantastic gift for STEM-loving kids.
Buy now £8.93, Amazon
LEGO Marvel Iron Man & Iron Legion vs. Hydra Soldier Building Toy
Your children can bring Avengers to life with this Iron Man playset, which includes a Hydra Base build as well as four mini figurines, including Iron Man himself. And there are even little transparent blocks which can give the impression they’re floating.
Buy now £14.00, Amazon
Playmobil 71232 City Action Ambulance with Sound and Lights
The Playmobil City Action Ambulance features working lights and sirens to signify when your little one’s paramedic crew is rushing into action. Other realistic features include rear doors and a roof which both open, detailed doctors’ accessories, a transport stretcher and more.
Buy now £27.94, Amazon
VTech My 1st Record Player
Music time has never been this hands-on. This first record player lets children spin discs and enjoy three built-in tunes, all designed for little hands to operate. It’s a playful introduction to rhythm, sound, and music appreciation, and it might even inspire some impromptu dance parties in the living room.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
DesignaFriend Connie Fashion Designer Doll
Meet Connie, the doll with a flair for fashion – you might recognise her from those Argos ads on the telly. Her mix-and-match wardrobe and stylish accessories let kids design unique outfits and explore their creativity. Perfect for storytelling, imaginative play, or experimenting with style, she’s a companion that turns playtime into a fashion adventure.
Buy now £22.50, Argos
Liewood Zora Magic Drawing Board 10 Inches
Doodle, draw, erase, repeat. This 10-inch magic drawing board offers endless mess-free creativity and is perfect for travel or quiet play. Kids can let their imaginations run wild while improving fine motor skills, all without worrying about paper or pens going everywhere.
Buy now £28.00, Kidly
Marvin's Magic Foil Rainbow Stickers
Age range: 5+
Better suited for younger kids who are still getting to grips with their motor skills, this sticker book allows children to add foil to existing sticker templates, dressing them up as they wish. The set includes 150 stickers, 60 holographic and metallic sheets, eight pop-out sticker sheets and three stencil pattern sheets that feature nine patterns each, so there’s plenty to play with without getting bored.
We recommend adding a scrapbook or activity book to the mix so your child has somewhere to put the stickers other than walls or furniture.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
