It's that time of year again!
Christmas might still feel a little way off, but if you have children, you'll know that the Dear Santa lists have a habit of appearing surprisingly early.
And with so many new toys launching every year, choosing the ones that are actually worth buying can feel like a bit of a minefield.
So we've done the hard work for you. Read on for our round up of all the top toy lists from various retailers and our take on the top toys.
The Ultimate Kids' Toys Gift Guide 2026
We've looked across the big Christmas toy lists from John Lewis, Very and Argos, as well as the latest toy testing and gift guides, to bring you our pick of the 15 toys that look set to be big news this Christmas.
There really is something for everyone here, from toddlers who love pretend play to LEGO-loving big kids, budding musicians, collectors, crafty children and those who simply want the biggest, funnest toy they can unwrap on Christmas morning!
One thing really stands out about Christmas 2026: kids' toys are more wonderfully varied than ever.
We're seeing classic wooden toys and traditional role play sitting alongside interactive pets, clever technology, movie characters, STEM toys and nostalgic gifts that parents and grandparents will recognise too.
So whether you're shopping for your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or godchildren, here are all the toys I'd be putting on the Christmas shopping list this year.
Top 15 Best Toys for Kids 2026
Best for: LEGO fans, gamers and older children
If there's one present on this list that's guaranteed to appeal to both kids and nostalgic grown-ups, this could be it.
The LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade Building Set brings the classic arcade game into the world of LEGO, with a huge 1,371-piece build inspired by the original Donkey Kong game.
There's a working mechanism, joystick and character figures, making this much more than something you simply build and put on a shelf.
It's particularly lovely for older children who enjoy a challenge, construction and gaming — and, of course, adults who remember spending far too much time in arcades!
Why we love it: A brilliant combination of building, nostalgia and interactive play.
Best for: Car-mad kids
Hot Wheels remains a Christmas classic, and this enormous Ultimate T-Rex Garage takes car play to another level.
The four-level garage has room for up to 50 cars, with ramps, racing action, a car wash and, naturally, a giant dinosaur to contend with.
It's the sort of toy that immediately becomes the centre of a playroom.
Kids can race their cars, invent stories, compete with siblings and keep adding to their Hot Wheels collection.
Why we love it: Lots of physical, imaginative play rather than a toy that does everything for the child.
Best for: Toddlers and young children who love stories
Looking for a Christmas present that doesn't involve another screen? The new Toniebox Lite could be just the thing.
It's a smaller, more portable version of the popular Toniebox, allowing children to listen to stories, songs and audio adventures by placing their favourite Tonie character on top.
It's particularly useful for independent play, bedtime and travelling, and it's compatible with existing Tonie figures.
Why we love it: Screen-free entertainment that encourages children to listen, imagine and enjoy stories independently.
Best for: Animal lovers and children who want a pet!
Every child who has ever asked for a puppy, kitten or dragon will understand the appeal of this one!
My Magical Dragon Skye is an interactive fantasy pet with more than 60 sounds and physical reactions.
Children can feed, stroke and play with Skye, with the toy responding to their interactions.
It's part pet, part cuddly companion and part imaginative-play character.
Why we love it: Great for nurturing and pretend play without quite as much commitment as a real dragon!
Best for: Dinosaur and shark fans
This is one of those presents that is practically designed for a dramatic Christmas morning reaction.
The Primal Hatch Megalodon begins life inside a giant egg. Add water and children can watch as the egg fizzes and foams before their prehistoric shark emerges.
And because the experience can be reset, it's not simply a one-time unboxing gimmick.
Why we love it: It's an experience as well as a toy, which makes it particularly exciting to unwrap.
Best for: K-pop and movie fans
If your child has spent the year talking about K-Pop Demon Hunters, this is one to watch.
The singing dolls bring the characters into real-world play, with Rumi, Mira and Zoey versions available.
They sing the hit song from the film, making them ideal for children who love music, dancing, dressing up and imaginative play.
Why we love it: A great example of how screen favourites can become a springboard for creative, physical play.
Best for: Collectors and miniature fans
Miniature toys are having a moment, and this one has a wonderfully nostalgic twist.
The Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset includes a tiny working record player and miniature vinyl records to collect.
Yes, it actually spins!
With 44 micro-vinyls to collect, it combines the collecting craze with the retro appeal of vinyl records.
Why we love it: Small enough for a stocking or smaller Christmas gift, but with plenty of collectability.
Best for: Pokémon fans and builders
LEGO and Pokémon together? It's a pretty winning combination.
The LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle lets children build their favourite Pokémon and then use them as the starting point for imaginative adventures.
It fits beautifully into one of the biggest toy trends we're seeing this year: small worlds and hands-on storytelling.
Why we love it: Building + collecting + imaginative play in one little package.
Best for: Creative kids
For children who love making things, the Giftie Badge Maker could be a lovely alternative to yet another character toy.
Children can create their own designs and turn them into personalised badges and cards.
The real appeal here is that the finished creations can become gifts for other people.
That makes it especially sweet for Christmas because children can make something for siblings, grandparents, friends or teachers.
Why we love it: Creative, hands-on and encourages children to make rather than simply consume.
Best for: Creative builders
For children who love LEGO, it's hard to go wrong with a set that gives them multiple ways to play.
The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Iconic Pirate Ship is packed with details including sails, a crow's nest, anchor, cannons, mini figures and treasure.
And because it's a 3-in-1 set, children can rebuild it into different creations.
Why we love it: This set rewards patience and construction while leaving plenty of room for storytelling once the build is finished.
Best for: Imaginative role play
The Barbie Dreamhouse has been a childhood favourite for generations, and the latest version has been given a seriously impressive makeover.
The Barbie New Dreamhouse has three floors, multiple rooms, a lift, pool areas and a huge collection of accessories.
With so much to explore, children can spend hours inventing stories for Barbie and her friends.
Why we love it: Dollhouses are wonderful for storytelling because children get to decide exactly what happens next.
Best for: Preschool Bluey fans
If you have a Bluey fan at home, this could be a very exciting present indeed.
The Bluey Cruise Ship Playset opens up into a whole little world, complete with slides, pool, adventure area, dining space and cabin.
It comes with Bluey and Bingo figures plus accessories, including a detachable speedboat.
Why we love it: It takes a much-loved character and turns them into a springboard for imaginative play.
Best for: Budding musicians
For the child who is always singing, dancing or putting on concerts in the living room, how about their very own guitar?
The VTech Kidi 12-in-1 Guitar Superstar combines music-making with interactive features, including light-up frets designed to help children learn tunes.
Why we love it: It turns music into something children can actively do, rather than simply listen to.
Best for: Disney and Toy Story fans
Some toys are simply made for cuddling.
The Toy Story 5 Bullseye Jumbo Plush takes Woody's faithful horse and makes him wonderfully oversized and huggable.
Why we love it: A lovely choice for children who would rather have something soft and comforting than another noisy electronic toy.
Best for: Preschool PAW Patrol fans
For children who love PAW Patrol, this is definitely a WOW present.
The enormous Megasaurus Dino Vehicle is inspired by PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie and is designed to bring the adventure into children's own playrooms.
At around 76cm, it's a seriously substantial Christmas present!
Why we love it: Big, bold and perfect for children who love action-packed pretend play.
Christmas 2026 is shaping up to be a brilliant year for toys.
What I particularly love about this year's selections is the mixture of old and new.
There are interactive toys and clever technology, but there are also old favourites like LEGO, soft toys, crafts and plenty of opportunities for children to simply play.
The best toy will always invite children into a world of imaginative play, creativity, storytelling and fun.
So whether your child is writing a very specific Dear Santa letter already, or you're shopping for a little one with their own likes, loves and personality, hopefully this guide has given you plenty of Christmas inspiration.
Now all that's left is to hide the presents somewhere the children definitely won't find them! 🎄
P.S. Look out next month for our announcement of the DreamToys best toys of the year announcement!
Holiday or Christmas shopping?
You can find lots more ideas in our gift guides.
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