Christmas is fast approaching and once Halloween is done and dusted, there’s going to be one thing on your children’s to do list – write their letter to Santa.
If you’re facing a blank wishlist, or trying to decode the latest toy crazes from the playground to the pitch, you’re not alone. As a mother to a seven-year-old, I know peak toy shopping season is here and tracking down 2026’s viral toy hits before they sell out is half the battle.
To take the guesswork out of what they might want, we’ve rounded up the top trending toys from major retailers including Hamleys and John Lewis, featuring everything from interactive tech to their favourite TV character toys.
- CREATIVE: CRAYOLA Color Wonder Mess-Free Magic Light Brush, £28.50 / $17.68
- INTERACTIVE: Peekimo Wearable Interactive Pet, £25 / $24.99
- WOODEN: Wooden Breakfast in Bed, £24 / SHOP SIMILAR IN US
- CHARACTER: KPop Demon Hunters Rumi Golden Singing Doll in Removable Outfit, £35 / $26.95
- LEGO: LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle, £30 / $34.99
- TRENDING: So Slime Experience Lab, £29.99 / SHOP SIMILAR IN US
- FOR LITTLE ONES: Elefun Game, £20 / $19.97
I've always found knowing what to buy a child, even my own, a minefield as there's so much choice. It's also hard for grandparents, friends and family who wish to buy toys that are off-list - which is why these edits are priceless.
And we're making toy shopping even more simple for you by giving you the key trending toys from retailers and brands for 2026. Consider this your quick fire cheat sheet to the top toys that you need to know.
What are the top toy trends for 2026?
This year, it's an eclectic mix of nostalgia, cute and world-wide phenomenons. I think any parent is well aware of the current playground craze of fidgets (Clickeez are particularly en vogue), squishies (from Haribo Squishy Toys to the Crayola Globbles) to slime (Gui Gui is the chicest, Slime Mart is stocking filler prices).
"The Squishy craze is only really just getting going - the demand is huge and we have new editions to unveil in the run up to Christmas. There is a wonderful simplicity to their power whether you are a young child or an adult - literally once you squeeze one, it’s really difficult to put it down," said Victoria Kay, Head of Buying and Merchandising at Hamleys. "Building stories and fun scenarios is such a great take out from some of the character and figure toys – they are empowering children to run with their own imaginations and create rich and dynamic worlds."
© HamleysLooking at the trending toy lists, there's also a mix of well-known brands like Sylvanian Families, Play-Doh and Peppa Pig in new iterations, to newer favourites, K-Pop and Hatsune Miku.
Interactive toys were big news last year and are still topping the lists for 2026. The Peekimo Wearable Interactive Pet is already sought after, with Harry Potter Palm Puppetronics Hedwig an absolute must for Potterheads.
© ArgosClassic toys including LEGO, Hot Wheels and Barbie continue to be popular, but with a twist - LEGO and Pokemon are a toy match made in heaven, while Barbie's Nutcracker doll is already trending ahead of December 25. Retro toys have made a comeback, with the Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset and LEGO Donkey Donkey Kong Arcade Building Set set to be favourites amongst adults and kids alike. Speaking of plushies, it's Jellycat that gets everyone excited and their new Christmas range includes a Letter To Santa, Snowglobe and Hot Chocolate.
"Parents enjoy introducing their children to the toys and characters they grew up with, but kids still want something that feels fresh and fun to play with," says Chantal Pearce, Head of Toy Buying at Argos. "When a toy balances that retro charm with modern features, it quickly becomes a favourite across the household."
Screen-free devices like the YOTO and Toniebox audio players are forever screen-free winners, and not forgetting fun for the whole family, including the Connetix Ball Run Launcher, or the new game even your Gran will love, Pictionary Air Takeover Family Drawing Game.
How are the top toys chosen?
Retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, Hamleys, Target, and Argos make it easy with their annual Top Toys lists, revealing the toys that boys and girls are most asking for each year.
The brands look at current trends, in both entertainment, lifestyle and what's selling in store, to pull together their top toy recommendations. Of course, shifts in kids' TV and film viewing often shapes a top toy list, with the year's top movies and television shows featuring heavily within.
While we reference the top toys list from each retailer or brand – which have been selected by toy experts, including test panels made up entirely of children – we may not have included all the toys from the full lists, if the toys are getting bad reviews, for example, or if they're sold out.
For our edit, we've created a comprehensive list to help you select the toy gifts the children in your life will love. Considerations include:
- Price: We've included toys from various price points to fit with every budget.
- Trusted brands: You'll only find toys from well-known and dependable retailers and brands.
- Popularity: We're focusing on the types of toys that are trending right now, as well as the toys that have proven consistently popular with HELLO! readers both currently and in past seasons.
Trending top toys for Christmas 2026
Peekimo Wearable Electronic Pet
© Supplied- Recommended by: Target, Argos
- Age suitability: 5+
- Batteries required: 1 x AAA (included)
These wearable interactive pets are all over socials, and are so cute I can see why.
You have to earn its trust, and the more it trusts you the more engaged it'll become. Plus, put two together and they'll interact.
KPop Demon Hunters Rumi Golden Singing Doll in Removable Outfit
© Argos- Recommended by: Argos
- Age suitability: 6+
- Batteries required: 3 x LR44
K Pop Demon Hunters is still big news and Mattel has created dolls of your fave Huntr/x girls.
Rumi doll sings "Golden" with her girls and comes in her classic Rumi outfit.
LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle
© Supplied- Recommended by: Argos
- Age suitability: 8+
- Batteries required: None
Already trending on various websites is the LEGO Pokemon collab, a mash-up between two of the most trending toys of the moment.
They can play out epic matches with this Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle gaming toy.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Magic Light Brush
© Supplied- Recommended by: Trending
- Age suitability: 3+
- Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)
Creative kids will get a kick out of this mess-free colouring brush, which magically transfers the colour from clear to bright when on the paper.
Wooden Breakfast in Bed
© John Lewis- Recommended by: John Lewis
- Age suitability: 2+
- Batteries required: None
Everyone loves breakfast in bed, so surely every play kitchen should have everything it needs to make it too? This wooden breakfast in bed set includes toast, a croissant, yoghurt and fresh fruit pieces.
Primal Hatch Megalodon
© Supplied- Recommended by: Hamleys
- Age suitability: 5+
- Batteries required: None
Drop the oversized egg into its tank, pour in water, and watch nature take an ancient turn - the liquid bubbles and shifts to deep crimson as glowing eyes flicker to life and low roars rumble from within. Then, with a final crack, a colossal 40.6cm Megalodon smashes. It's crazy and fun!
Barbie™ In The Nutcracker Sugar Plum Doll
© Supplied- Recommended by: Hamleys
- Age suitability: 4+
- Batteries required: None
Inspired by Barbie in the Nutcracker, this doll features adjustable ballet shoes to let her rise onto pointe for graceful, realistic twirls, and a transforming tutu.
So Slime Digital Slime Maker with Charms
© Supplied- Recommended by: Trending
- Age suitability: 6+
- Batteries required: 3 x AA (not incuded)
Slime, but DIY! This digital slime mixer tells you exactly which ingredients you need to make the slizme of your choice with the chance to personalise with charms, fragrance and beads.
Minions & Monsters Fart Blaster Pro
© Supplied- Recommended by: Argos
- Age suitability: 4+
- Batteries required: 6 x AA (not included)
Buy with caution! This fart machine features 15 funny fart sounds, making real fart rings that float up to 6 feet.
CONNETIX Ball Run Launcher Pack Set
© Supplied- Recommended by: John Lewis
- Age suitability: 3+
- Batteries required: None
Named as a top 10 toy at John Lewis, the CONNETIX Ball Run takes marble runs to a whole new level. Featuring a mix of clear tube pieces, including slides, turns and straight pieces, builders can create endless ball run designs.
3Doodler Start+ 3D Printing Pen Essentials Set
© Supplied- Recommended by: Smyths
- Age suitability: 3+
- Batteries required: None
This 3D printing pen kit features a unique child-safe design; designed with no hot pieces, the mess-free pen tip and plastic filament are completely safe to touch and comes with plastic filaments which harden quickly to create a 3D design.
Sylvanian Families Baby Santa Christmas Tree House
© Supplied- Recommended by: Instagram
- Age suitability: 3+
- Batteries required: No
Sylvanian Families have had a major resurgence over the last few years, and you can't beat their themed special edition pieces - the Santa Christmas Tree House is adorable.
VTech Kidi Guitar Superstar
© Supplied- Recommended by: Argos
- Age suitability: 5+
- Batteries required: 4 x AA (included)
Budding rockstars will love putting their skills in motion with this 12-in-1 guitar. With dazzling light up frets, touch sensitive strings, Bluetooth music streaming and rhythm challenges, kids can create, play and perform like their favourite rock star.
Peppa Pig Ready Pedal Activity Toy
© Supplied- Recommended by: Hamleys, Argos
- Age suitability: 3+
- Batteries required: 2 x AAA (included)
Peppa Pig is back and this time, she's on wheels! Pop on Peppa's helmet, attach the push stick, and guide her along as she learns to ride.
Then, kids can detach the stick, give her a gentle nudge and watch her pedal solo until she stops. She also reacts with over 70 sounds and phrases.
Squish Squish DIY Mega Squishy Factory Playset
© Supplied- Age suitability: 6+
- Batteries required: None
What's better than a squishy? One you've made yourself! This combines creativity with the love of sensory squishies, as kids can create their own new favourite fidget.
Elefun Game
© Supplied- Recommended by: Instagram
- Age suitability: 4+
- Batteries required: None
Dubbed this year's favourite for younger family members, this sweet game sees players race to catch the butterflies with their nets before they flutter away - thrown into the air by Elefun.
FurReal Gabby The Grow And Roar Tiger Interactive Pet
© Supplied- Recommended by: The Entertainer
- Age suitability: 4+
- Batteries required: 4 x AA (not included)
This tiger really grows - the more it is cared and loved for, the bigger she becomes. With over 100 combinations of sounds and motions, feed her, pet her, and play together to watch Gabby grow.
