In case you’re short of ideas for the young people in your life – or want to buy a surprise gift that’s not on their list for Santa, here are the 10 best toys to buy children for Christmas 2023!
Just to mention that I’ll receive a small commission on products purchased via affiliate links on this page.
This is at absolutely no cost to you and I only suggest products that I would recommend to my friends and family.
Interactive pets
Interactive pets are back!
I think they’re a great way to introduce children to the responsibilities of owning a real animal…and they’re great fun!
Here are some of the best:
Poppy The Booty Shakin’ Pug
Top of my Christmas list (don’t tell anyone!) is Poppy The Booty Shakin’ Pug for £29.74 from Amazon.
This super-cute toy dog shakes her head and tail and dances to three songs. Wonderful!
I think the whole family will be enchanted (until, perhaps, the songs on repeat start to get annoying!).
Setting a time limit for playing this one might be a good idea….
Tamagotchi
Tapping into another toy trend for 2023 – 90s revivals – another (nostalgic) favourite is the newly updated Bandai Tamagotchi Uni virtual pet.
I had one years ago when the tech was pretty basic, with a tiny black and white screen and very basic sounds.
It’s much more sophisticated now – the next generation Tamagotchi has a colour screen and you can even join a Tamaverse community where you can play with other Tamagotchi owners.
They’re currently £39.99 from Amazon – this includes a 43% discount (RRP £69.99).
Furby
Nineties throwback the Furby is also making a return this Christmas.
The Furby toy is voice activated and will chat, sing and laugh with you, as well as dance and light up!
I remember the Furby being at the top of my Christmas list way back when.
Barbie Dream House
If the child in your life enjoyed this year’s Barbie film, I’m sure anything on this theme would be a hit – and Barbie toys are great as they encourage imaginative play.
If you want to give a really special gift, the enormous three-storey Barbie Dream House could fit the bill!
It includes 10 play areas including a pool, slide, lift and 75 doll accessories – and if you’re quick you could buy it from Amazon for half price – £174.99 (RRP £345).
They’re currently £54.99 from Amazon (RRP £74.99).
Barbie Ballerina Doll
If that’s more than you have (or would like) to spend, I also love the light-up Barbie Feature Ballerina Doll, £25.99 from Boots.
It would be perfect for both Barbie fans and keen dancers!
Harry Potter Lego
Whatever a child’s age or interests, there’s a Lego set for them – and it’s always on trend.
As well as being fun to play with, it promotes creativity and fine motor skills.
For Harry Potter fans, I love the Potions Class collectible book set.
It features a brick-built book that opens to reveal Professor Snape’s dungeon with potion-making equipment to practise with – and a secret chamber to explore.
At the time of writing, it’s available for £33.99 from Amazon.
Marvel I Am Groot Lego
Or if your recipient is a Marvel, Avengers or simply a massive Lego fan, they’ll find the Lego Groot a lot of fun.
Once built, the fully jointed Groot buildable toy is easy to position and comes with a pretend cassette children can use to recreate the famous Baby Groot dancing scene!
It currently has 24% off at Amazon and is £33.99 (RRP £44.99).
Disney Winnie-the-Pooh Playmobil
For younger children, I think Playmobil is fantastic for encouraging imaginative play and using the cute sets to inspire their own stories and characters.
You’ve probably seen it was Disney’s 100th birthday this year, so this very sweet collaboration with Playmobil featuring Winne-the-Pooh and Tigger caught my eye.
Children can insert the bee sticks into a selection of honey pots and press them down to make them ‘fly off’ – and either insert the flowers into the honey pots or the lawn.
The Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger figures can be pushed down the slide.
This set is £20.99 from Amazon at the time of writing (RRP £27.53).
Wooden Janod rocket
If you prefer wooden toys, this quirky little rocket made from beech and cherry wood.
It comes in five easy-to-assemble magnetic parts and once your young recipient has built their rocket, they can take it on imaginary space adventures.
The rocket can be taken apart and rebuilt over and over, so will hold a child’s interest for ages.
Amazon is selling it for £16 currently, RRP £19.99.
Bop It!
And finally, here’s a toy that both kids and adults will love – and you can play solo or in a group.
The Bop It game gives instructions on which action each player should take in a random order, and you have to respond quickly and accurately to win.
It’s fast, frenzied, competitive and brilliant fun!
There’s 20% off the Bop It game at Amazon at the moment, so it’s £14.40 (RRP 17.99).
I hope you find some inspiration in my list of the best toys to buy children for Christmas 2023! Let me know if you have some favourites of your own.
Alex x
All prices correct at the time of writing (5 December 2023)