Character Options and Spin Master make top 12 with Peppa Pig’s Shopping Centre and PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Dino Patroller respectively.
The eagerly awaited DreamToys top 12 toys for Christmas have been revealed this morning, including a number of familiar preschool names.
The announcement of the full listing – which, as well as the top 12, also includes seven category lists – has been brought forward due to the rising concerns many retailers have about meeting demand in the lead up to Christmas owing to supply and retail issues around the pandemic.
“We implore consumers not to leave their Christmas shopping to the final few weeks of the year,” explained Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys selection committee. “Due to COVID-19 restrictions across the country, retailers will simply not be able to service as many people in-store due to social distancing.
“In addition, couriers are already overloaded and will struggle to meet the demand to get presents to people before Christmas. Added to this is the limited availability of stock compared to previous years; our advice is to shop early to avoid missing out.”
The DreamToys list is the UK’s most authoritative predictive list of what will be hot this Christmas. Selected by a panel of retailers and industry experts, the list is independent of toy manufacturers and makers.
Peppa Pig Peppa’s Shopping Centre from Character Options is listed in the top 12 (as well as the Licensed to Thrill category), alongside Spin Master’s PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Dino Patroller (which is also featured in the Awesome Automobiles category).
In addition, the Hey Duggee Voice Activated Smart Duggee from Golden Bear is named in the Animal Farm category, while VTech’s Toot-Toot Drivers Twist & Race Tower makes the Awesome Automobiles list.
Spin Master’s PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Deluxe Vehicle is also included in Awesome Automobiles.
The full list can be viewed on the Dreamtoys Facebook page by clicking here.
In a year which has also seen fewer holidays and more time at home, the importance of toys has come to the fore. A survey of 2,000 UK parents with young children (aged 10 or under), conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the Toy Retailers Association, has shown that this year has led to not only increased time playing with toys but also to parents growing closer with their children.
When asked if their children had played more with toys this year, 46% of parents said that this had been the case and that it was a result of lockdown. 56% of parents stated that they have spent more time playing with their children this year, and a striking 88% of those said that the increased playtime had resulted in them growing closer to their children.
As Christmas approaches, toys seemingly remain at the forefront of children’s minds with 86% of parents saying that their children either already have requested or are expected to ask for toys this Christmas. 82% of parents said that they planned on buying toys this Christmas for their children, demonstrating that they remain the go-to gift for children across the country.
