Very shares the top toy trends this Christmas

We know how important Christmas is to our customers, with many of them starting to think about the big day months in advance, and when it comes to priority, our customers say it’s the children they buy for first.

We are seeing a fascinating mix of trends behind this year’s must-have toys. While nostalgia and traditional types of play remain important, there's also a huge surge in toys inspired by online trends, digital content, and a desire for both creative expression and mindful activities.

Here are the top trends for this Christmas, which we’ll see go into the new year:

1. Mini everything!

Miniaturisation is captivating kids! We're seeing incredible growth in miniature toys, whether it's tiny baby dolls, shrunken plushies, or miniature food playsets. Brands like Miniverse are at the forefront of this trend, capitalising on kids' fascination with all things small and collectible.

2. From digital to physical play

The lines between digital and physical play are blurring. Gaming, anime, and YouTube creators are driving massive interest in collectibles, stickers, and trading cards, with brands like Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Aphmau, and MrBeast leading the charge. This trend speaks to the power of online communities and how they shape kids' desires and play patterns.

3. Disney continues to rise in popularity

Licensed toys are a powerhouse in our offering, and LEGO is a major driver of that success, fuelling both our sales and the overall market growth. Elsewhere, we're seeing incredible momentum with Disney’s Stitch, alongside enduring favourites like Star Wars, Marvel, and Bluey. Looking ahead, new releases like 'Wicked,' 'Moana 2,' and 'Sonic' promise exciting opportunities across our department store offering, and our strengthened relationships with licensors put us in a fantastic position for 2025 and beyond.

4. Creative & wellness

Creativity and wellness have become essential themes in the toy space. Arts and crafts continue to be a strong performer, especially with the popularity of bracelet making, DIY beauty kits, and the slime resurgence driven by TikTok trends. LEGO Botanicals has also tapped into this desire for mindful activities, offering a wonderful range of building sets for all ages and budgets.

5. Kidult

We’re also seeing a growing trend in the number of adults indulging their inner child with the rise of the kidult. The kidult toy trend refers to adults increasingly buying toys for themselves, driven by nostalgia, and/or a desire to connect with their inner child. The 'kidult' market is exploding, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. We're seeing huge growth year-on-year, with an ever-expanding range of products across all categories, from affordable LEGO sets to high-end collectible figures and even arcade machines.

Victoria Aldrich, trading director at Very