Halloween has come and gone, and November is upon us, which means the costumes and spooky decorations often found in retail stores near the end of October are quickly swapped with tinsel, baubles and other Christmas decorations in preparation for the incoming festive season.
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With this tangible transition, thoughts of Secret Santa end-of-year parties, Mariah Carey and Christmas gift lists for the kids begin to creep in. Thankfully, Toys R Us has recently revealed its expert prediction of all the toys and trends set to be the most popular for this year’s festive season.
And with today being National Children’s Day, we thought we’d offer parents and guardians a heads-up on what’s most likely to be at the top of your little loved one’s festive wish lists.
According to the experts at Toys R Us, toys that centre on family play, pop culture, minis and collectables are forecasted to top the ‘most wanted’ list for kids and tweens this season. Nostalgic and interactive toys, as well as those that revolve around roleplaying and imaginative play are also set to be huge.
From Barbiemania and Disney’s 100th anniversary to the return of the ’90s with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers and Sonic the Hedgehog’, Toys R Us’ marketing manager Catherine Jacoby, says nostalgia and pop culture is translating into toy trends in a very engaging way.
Recognised globally as the leader in toys, Toys R Us has spent months sourcing, testing and predicting trends before carefully curating an assortment that showcases top toy trends, inspired by popular culture, that stimulate imagination and growth as well as encouraging family and interactive play across age groups.
‘Life is busy but the range of family play on offer brings life back to basics with games and puzzles,’ she says. ‘The Twister Air combines family play, getting the body moving with technology while honing gross motor skills and keeping the mind and body active.’
Jacoby explains: ‘Consumers are driven more than ever by experiences and parents are looking for value and toys that give their children memories outside of the digital world. We’re seeing kids of all ages most interested in quieter and comforting toys or stress-relieving toys that transcend age such as LEGO, dollhouses and role-playing games.
‘The trend of creating shows no signs of slowing down as toys like the Kenwood Mixer, which is just like the real thing, allow kids to partake in daily meal preparation and learn about healthy living,’ continues Jacoby.
LEGO and the Cool Maker Stitch ‘n Sew Style Fashion will also hit the top of wish lists.
‘We certainly can’t overlook Barbie which has been one of the most popular, prolonged trends of the year and is showing no signs of slowing down,’ adds Jacoby.
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The retailer said it has also sourced more toys that cater to the new generation of tweens, including fidget and sensory toys, collectibles, arts and crafts, as well as tech toys.
‘The launch of an exclusive brand in WOW generation aspires to create, tech and fashion child, while our older aged products in technical remote-control cars, drones and gel blasters will find the tweens outdoors playing longer with new interests,’ says Jacoby.
‘Bitzees is a new and interactive toy which takes virtual pet playing on a handheld gaming device to new levels and is one of the most-wanted toys this season.’
Similarly, Jacoby says nostalgia is at an all-time high, so parents should look out for re-launches, re-vamps and twists on toys from the past – and while they’re at it, they may want to add a few toys to their personal gift lists too.
‘The Y2K nostalgia trend will continue with ‘kidults’ seeking out toys from their past. Toy purchases this year will go beyond the kid market into young adults looking to reconnect with their youth,’ explains Jacoby. ‘Whether it’s collectible figurines, trading cards or blind bags, we’re seeing top brands like Pokémon, Mini Brands, Mini Verse and LOL Surprise continuing to grow.’
‘Kidulting,’ she notes, is ‘huge and keeps growing. It’s for this reason we have the Toys R Us Fanvault, and a lot of what is on the shelves this year are meant for parents and kids to enjoy together.’
According to Jacoby, the 2023 most popular toy guide would be incomplete without the mention Squishmallows, Rainbocorns and Magic Mixes, given its evergreen status for the past three years. Not to mention the popularity of the ‘tiny-fication’ of everything into collectible mini forms which continues unabated.
She adds that some of the mega-trends that continue to be seen on the Top Toy List are toys that surprise, colour-changing toys, pocket-size anything and food creation toys.
Ultimately, Jacoby says parents can expect screen-free toys and toys that encourage hands-on play and skill building to top the list of trends.
Here is Toys R Us’ complete ‘Top Toy List’ for 2023:
- LEGO City Explorer Diving Boat 60377
- Toyota Hilux Revo AXCR RC Car
- Power ATV Quad Bike 12V
- Transformers Beast Mode Bumblebee
- Nerf Elite 2.0 Double Punch Blaster
- Carrera Go Sonic Battery Slot Racing Set
- Paw Patrol Movie Marine HQ
- Beast Lab Shark Beast Creator
- LEGO Friends Dog Rescue Centre 41727
- Rainbocorns Mermaidcorn Surprise Assorted
- Magic Mixes Magic Genie Lamp
- Barbie Pop Reveal, Barbie Juicy Fruit Series Assorted
- LOL Surprise Bubble Surprise Deluxe
- Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse
- Kenwood Mixer – exclusive to Toys R Us
- Cool Maker Stitch ‘n Sew Style Fashion Studio – exclusive to Toys R Us
- Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet
- Twister Air
- Pokémon Back to School Collectors Chest
- Squishmallows Plush Range
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Picture: Supplied