Exclusive:
The Mirror’s Consumer Editor Natasha Wynarczyk visited the Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys flagship shop in London to see this year’s most wanted toys for ourselves
The world’s biggest toy shop has revealed the items that will be top of every kids’ lists this Christmas.
Popular favourites such as Lego, Play-Doh and Disney characters sit alongside newer such as adorable food-themed plushies, an electric blaster and a super lifelike baby doll on the list compiled by the toy buyers at Hamleys. And with prices starting at just £9.99, there is something to suit all budgets.
The Mirror visited the Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys flagship shop in London, where we saw this year’s most wanted toys for ourselves. Victoria Kay, head of buying and merchandising at the firm, which opened its iconic store on Regent Street in 1881, starts scouting for the list at toy fairs at the start of each year.
The buyer, who has worked at Hamleys for seven years, said: “Right from that moment we start to scour to pick the best toys for that year’s Christmas collection. This year we have a really nice mix of branded toys as well as our own-brand items. For us, it’s very important to get a very nice balance in terms of gender and ages and we like to vary price points. I believe this is one of the strongest lists we’ve ever put together for Christmas as there is genuinely something for everyone.”
Victoria explained that trends have a big part to play when selecting a small list of toys out of thousands of possibilities. She said: “There is a huge influence towards food in the plush market this year, which is why we brought out our own Hamleys Huggables plush toy selection. I love these – as soon as you put a face on broccoli or chips it gives it that character.”
Film influences also prove popular when it comes to toys, with a Lego Transformers kit, vibrating and laughing Stitch from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch and a Moana singing doll all making it on the list this year.
Victoria added: “There’s a trend for big wheels, which you can see on The Bulldozer Stunt Bounce Car and the Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels Deluxe Vehicle, and crafts are always popular so we expect to see the Play-Doh Hulk doing well.
Meanwhile, Christmas Day entertainment will be covered by an updated version of classic favourite Trivial Pursuit.
Victoria said: “We have to really narrow it down each year but because we scour so hard, we have almost done all the work for parents who may not know what to get for their child. If you have got one of these items from the list you should be covered. We like to make the job easy for parents.”
Hamleys top toys for Christmas 2024
L.O.L Surprise Mermaids Tots
These L.O.L Surprise Mermaids Tots come full of surprises with eight different mermaids. Children can make each of them a tail which changes colour when it is dipped in water. The bowls they come in double as a fishbowl or cool display to show off the tots. (RRP £9.99)
Play-Doh Marvel Hulk Smash & Squish
The action packed Play-Doh Marvel Hulk Smash & Squish comes with the heroic green bendy action figure, 360 degree pressing tool and three moulds to create tanks, trucks and a wide variety of shapes to add to the smashing stories and super scenes children will create. (RRP £16.99)
Hamleys Huggables plush toys
The Hamleys Huggables plush toy selection offers cuddly friends and the cutest of characters to collect from everyday life – from cheeky chips to a winsome watermelon. (RRP £22 per plush)
Drop Trivia Game
Sure to bring family and friends together in unlimited numbers, the Drop Trivia Game – an updated version of classic Trivial Pursuit – comes with an answers tower for you to order one of six options on every question. Adding to the fast action and the fun and taxing challenges, there are special voice commands and sound effects. (RRP £24.99)
Stitch Crack Me Up Plush
Children can fill the room with the sights and sounds of madcap happiness this Christmas with the Stitch Crack Me Up Plush. The 11-inch-high interactive blue alien is activated by a simple shake, causing it to make sounds such as giggles. (RRP £24.99)
Moana Singing Doll
The Moana Singing Doll recreates the feel of the family favourite Disney movie. Press her flashing necklace and singalong with Moana’s Disney classic “How Far I’ll Go”. (RRP £29.99)
The Terror Fried Gross Bucket
Smash open the crackle fries, corn and chicken leg, and then squish the foul flurry and mouldy milkshake to find each character in The Terror Fried Gross Bucket. It has nine compounds with eight creepy collectable figures inside. (RRP £29.99)
The Monster Rotary Excel Electric Blaster
This year Hamleys said buyers were excited by The Monster Rotary Excel Electric Blaster with its super-fast power and 32 dart rotary cartridge, sharp shooters get distance, speed and accuracy to handle the toughest of friendly battles. (RRP £40)
Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels Deluxe Vehicle
Another fun drive to feature on the list this year comes with the Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels Deluxe Vehicle featuring one of the Show’s heroes, Chase. With outsized tyres, motorised winch, grappling hook, projectile launcher, flashing lights and sounds, children can play out daring rescue missions and save the day. (RRP £44.99)
Bulldozer Stunt Bounce Car
The Bulldozer Stunt Bounce Car is the latest in a line of remote-control vehicles Hamleys is famed for. With a special robust body, dynamic suspension and shockproof function, the crash-bang-wallop Bounce vehicle has easy operation controlling the lights, three-gear acceleration and the dynamic 360 degree rotation and 180 degree flip modes. (RRP £45)
Numberblocks Five Musical Superstar Stage
In the pre-school category, the Numberblocks Five Musical Superstar Stage, a clever interactive musical playset allows children to join FIVE, the lead singer in the band to singalong to fun songs and sound effects for a blend of imaginative play with gentle maths skills practice. (RRP £49.95)
LEGO Transformer Bumblebee
The LEGO Transformer Bumblebee is a true icon collectible for 80s retro Transformer fans and adult sci-fi lovers. With 950 pieces, articulated joints, ion blaster and jetpack, this imposing Optimus Prime lieutenant converts from Autobot to VW Beetle. (RRP £79.99)
Hamleys Arias Allessandra Fur White Bonnet Baby Doll
The Hamleys Arias Allessandra Fur White Bonnet Baby Doll has a soft touch body and limbs and a lifelike weight it feels like you are holding a real baby. She comes with a cute romper and cozy fleece, a dummy on a wooden chain, a family book and Certificate of Authenticity. (RRP £120)
