THE TOP TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS 2023
Nostalgic favourites (here’s looking at you, Barbie) reign supreme as our panel of expert tiny testers select their top 10 toys for Christmas 2023
It’s hard to know how Santa does it, picking the perfect toys for billions of children across the globe, rarely making any sort of mistake. Yes, he gets some pointers from the letters he receives, but it’s still tricky to pinpoint the exact unicorn doll from ‘unicorn with horn that makes rainbows’, or the best LEGO set to buy. Even when he has specific guidelines from the older kids, how does he make sure that the elves follow the exact instructions? It must be a logistical nightmare. No wonder Santa needs the rest of the year off.
With no time to trawl through endless customer reviews, perhaps he could use some advice from genuine experts. A few bona-fide bankers from the people who really know their toys might be just the thing.
Which is why we enlisted the help of the leading authorities in the field – children themselves – to give their verdict on the best toys for Christmas this year. Our panel of tiny testers, who ranged from five to 10 years old, spent hours playing, evaluating and competing in order to approve the final list of 10 must-have toys for Christmas 2023 – and one thing’s for sure, nostalgic favourites win every time. If any on this list aren’t already on our site, keep your eyes peeled in the coming months to snap them up. Run, don’t walk, Santa!
Gabby’s Dollhouse Girl Doll, £14.99
The all-new Gabby is a sure-fire winner for lovers of Gabby’s Dollhouse. She’s 20.3cm tall and features the exact same details – clothes, hair, cat-ear headband – that appear in the show. She’s the perfect addition to your little one’s playkit, and is perfect for encouraging imaginary play.
Barbie Convertible Doll Car, £27.99
The perfect accessory for Barbie? A bright pink convertible, of course. This is a brilliant must-have for Barbie newbies and collectors alike, with all the details you’d expect and enough room for two. Ken, are you ready?
LeMieux Puppy, Cockapoo, £29.95
For the dog-obsessed, we’ve got just the ticket. LeMieux is known for attention to detail, and its fabulous cockapoo is no exception. Little ones can play make-believe in a doggy dream world with this pretend pup and their Christmas will be well and truly made.
Melissa & Doug Barber Role Play Set, £34.99
Whether you’re prepping them for a first haircut or they have an eye for imaginary play, this Melissa & Doug barber kit has absolutely everything they could need to conjure up a fake salon at home. Complete with pretend razors, brushes, shaving cream, combs and even a fake beard, it’s a brilliant gift for boys and girls aged three and upwards.
John Lewis Wooden Café Set, £40
Inspire their inner barista with this beautifully made wooden café set. It’s perfect for sensory development and imagination-fuelled play, and comes complete with everything from a pretend coffee machine and takeaway cup to herbal teabags, pastries and even a card machine. I’ll take a flat white, please.
Fisher-Price Mix and Learn Music Table, £54.99
Develop their fine motor skills and nurture their love of music with this brilliant Mix and Learn Music Table from the master of kids’ toys, Fisher-Price. Complete with more than 100 songs, sounds and learning phrases, and three different stages, depending on their learning level, this is the perfect toy to keep them engaged well beyond toddlerhood.
Little Live Pets Mama Surprise, £64.99
Got a pet lover on your hands? If you’re not quite ready to go the whole hog and get them the real thing (and who can blame you, really?), give them the gift of this lovable guinea pig family and their deluxe interactive hutch. The set comes complete with a mama guinea pig, a hutch, three adorable babies and much more. It’s a winner, trust us.
Hasbro Furby, £74.99
Here’s that nostalgia we promised: Furby has made a comeback. This super-interactive toy is the perfect gift for kids who are getting curious about technology but aren’t quite old enough to delve deep into that world. This particular Furby comes with five voice-activated modes, more than 600 phrases, jokes and songs, and responds to five different commands.
LEGO Icons Holiday Main Street, £89.99
LEGO lovers and collectors, this one’s for you. An incredible 1,514-piece snowy set, it’s the newest addition to the much-loved LEGO Winter Village Collection. Build a toyshop, music shop and customers, plus the shopkeepers, their homes and the tram ready to take everyone home. The perfect Christmas gift that they’ll love coming back to year after year.
Scalextric John Lewis vs Waitrose Car Racing Set, £129.99
Pit Waitrose and John Lewis against each other in Scalextric and see who wins! This incredible set comes complete with a track that twists, turns and rises, two racing cars, plus their remote controls, to make this a super-interactive, fast-paced game that children and adults will love. Who will win?
Alongside the top 10, we have a huge range of affordable toys and gifts, with over 1,500 available for under £20. These include LEGO from £3.49, books and games from £4.99 and soft toys from £8.99.
This time of year can mean more time on the internet for your children. Learn about how to keep them safe online here.
