Toys that encourage imagination in children are tipped to be top sellers this Christmas as parents seek to counter a ‘year on screens’, retailer Hamleys has said.
This year sees the most-wanted toys encouraging role play and creativity and allowing families to play together after last year’s Covid-restricted celebrations, the store said.
In September, Hamleys opened its Oxford branch in the Westgate shopping centre, creating 10 new jobs.
Victoria Kay, head of buying at Hamleys, said: “Our 2021 top picks for the most wanted toys this Christmas include accessible toys that will really allow children to harness their creativity and imagination.
“From the innovative and creative to the digital and classic toys on offer, we can see imagination really playing its part this year, bringing in-person ‘together-play’ back for the festive season.
“Creating Christmas magic feels more important this year than ever, and we think the top 10 toys will have families playing and creating memories together for Christmas and beyond.”
The top 10 list includes racing cars, traditional family board games, Playmobil and Lego and the LOL! Movie Magic Dolls, which allow children to play with friends and create their own story lines.
Lego’s Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course encourages children to team up for real-life social play, while those with dreams of travelling again can turn to the Playshifu AR Globe with interactive and education cultural information.
The annual Hamleys toy predictions come as retailers suggested people who know what their children want this year consider buying early, amid concerns that supply chain issues could lead to some shortages ahead of Christmas.
Hamleys predicted top 10 toys this year are:
• Playmobil City Action Police Special Operations Police Robot, £20
• Shifu Orboot (Earth): The Educational AR Globe, £50
• Magic Mixies Cauldron, £70
• Mattel – Barbie Dream House, £310
• LOL Surprise Movie Magic Doll, £11
• Ralleyz Warrior 3 in 1 RC, £90
• Lego Super Mario Adventures Luigi Starter Course, £50
• Hasbro Nerf Elite Flip 2.0 8, £25
• Huggables Range, £20
• Hamleys Dicii Snakes and Ladders, £14
The list comes amongst fears that delays at UK ports will result in toy shortages this Christmas.
Gary Grant, founder and boss of The Entertainer, suggested it may be more difficult to get toys distributed to the right places at the right times in the run up to Christmas.
Mr Grant told the BBC: “There'll never be toy shops with no toys. There will be toy shops without all the toys that they would normally expect to have due to the shortages, and that is largely down to transportation and warehouse issues, rather than there being a shortage of toys."
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