Top toy trend predictions for Christmas 2025 – and the cheaper alternatives

Each year, major retailers Amazon, Hamleys and John Lewis share their predictions for the top toys set to dominate stockings everywhere at Christmas. So far, only John Lewis has revealed its list, but we’ll keep this page updated as more retailers announce theirs.

Below, we've listed products from the John Lewis selection – along with budget-friendly alternatives if you’re looking to save money.

Read on to discover this year's trendiest toys, plus insights from our expert on what’s expected to top the charts.

Need more gift inspiration when buying for little ones? See the best Christmas gifts for kids

John Lewis top toys for Christmas 2025

Mattel UNO Spin Game

Age range: 7+ years

UNO Spin adds a twist to the classic card game with its interactive spinner. Players still match cards by colour, number or action, but a spin card changes the game - triggering actions such as 'colour draw', 'swap hands', 'colour discard', or even a 'double spin'.

The set comes with 112 cards and a spinner.

Available from John Lewis (£16.99), or compare more prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

If you can forgo the spinner, classic UNO and a few other sets are cheaper, including themed packs for kids.

• UNO Card Game – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022218
• UNO Show 'em No Mercy Card Game – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50018200 
• UNO The Amazing Spider-Man Card Game – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022219
  

Want to stock up before family game night? See our pick of the best board games

Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack

Age range: 6+ years

The Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack is a slime-making set that allows users to create two iridescent slimes.

The kit includes materials and instructions for making slime in five steps, with added scents and shimmer effects.

Available from John Lewis (£19.99) or compare more prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

You can buy a single pack of Gui Gui slime for around half the price, or there are cheaper putty and slime kits available.

• Gui Gui Beautify Your Slime Single Pack – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022221 
• So Slime DIY Mix 'In Craft Set – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022222
• Slimy Mixer Craft Set – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022223 

Lego Minecraft The Creeper

Age range: 8+ years

Standing over 21cm tall, this buildable model features four movable legs and a posable head that tilts and turns. Open the detachable head to reveal a hidden interior with a classic Creeper and a TNT element inside.

Builders can also enhance the experience with the Lego Builder app, which lets you zoom, rotate in 3D and track progress step by step. This set doubles as a fun build and a striking display piece for Minecraft fans.

Available from John Lewis (£27.99) or compare more prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

This option retails for around £30, but you can find smaller Minecraft Lego sets for less - even some under £10 - which make great stocking-fillers.

• Lego Minecraft The Nether Lava Battle – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022225
• Lego Minecraft The Warden Encounter – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022226
• Lego Minecraft The Baby Pig House – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022227 

If you're looking for more Lego sets, head to our guide on the best Lego deals – we've found bargains on popular sets including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel and more

Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear, 30cm

Age range: 1+ months

Meet Jimmy Christmas, a cuddly plush companion with curious black eyes, a snuffly nose, and buttoned ears.

Weighted granulate bags in the paws and bottom keep him stable while sitting, and he comes dressed in a Christmas hat and tartan bow.

Available from John Lewis (£39.90) or compare more prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

While cute, Jimmy Christmas is on the pricier side for a teddy bear. We've found similar-sized options for around half the price.

• Snuggle Buddies Friendship Teddy, 32cm – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022254
• Jellycats Bartholomew Bear, 22cm – Available from Jellycat (£25)
• Aurora World Archie Bear Plush Soft Toy, 25cm – Available from John Lewis (£24.99)

Scalextric Let's Play Police Chase Exclusive

Age range: 3+ years

Get ready for high-speed action with the Police Chase Let’s Play Scalextric Set, exclusive to John Lewis. It includes two cars - a police SUV and a robber’s vehicle - along with two controllers and a power pack (batteries not included).

The Let's Play range is designed to accommodate younger racers, so the controllers include a power-limiting option to keep cars on track.

Available from John Lewis (£34.99).

Are there cheaper alternatives?

For a racing track and toy cars, you likely won't find much cheaper than the Police Chase set above - the My First Scalextric Let's Play! Race Set is around the same price. These Scalextric options tend to be cheaper than brands like Hot Wheels.

Cheaper racing track toys are available, although you usually won't have remote control over the cars.

• My First Scalextric Let's Play! Race Set – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022256
• Glow Tracks Glow-in-the-Dark Race Track Double Loop Set – Available from Smyths Toys (£19.99)
• Monster Jam World Finals Supercharge Speedway Race Track Playset – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022257
  

Happy to forego the track? We've found the best remote control cars for toddlers, children and adults

Sylvanian Families Skytop Fairy Castle

Age range: 3+ years

Sylvanian Families have been a beloved classic since the 1980s, and new sets are still being released. The Skytop Fairy Castle lets you join the Flower Fairy and Chocolate Rabbit baby as they enjoy rides around the castle.

Use the stand to make the Flower Fairy 'fly', sail the Leaf Boat, or stop by the castle café for a break.

Available from John Lewis (£59.99) or compare more prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Larger Sylvanian Families sets can be pricey, but there are smaller ones available for around £15 to £30.

• Sylvanian Families Kitchen Play Set – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021922
• Sylvanian Families Baby Mermaid Shop Dollhouse – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022264
• Sylvanian Families Grocery Market – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022265 

Sylvanian Families were also one of our team's favourite Christmas gifts for five-year-olds - head to our dedicated guide to see what else they recommend

John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer

Age range: 3+ years

No kitchen is complete without an air fryer - even a play kitchen! This sage green wooden air fryer toy lets little chefs join in on the trend.

It comes with chips and drumsticks to 'cook', and a wooden handle to open and close the drawer.

Available from John Lewis (£30).

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Wooden toys are typically more expensive than plastic - we've found a couple of wooden air fryers for the same price or less than the John Lewis option, and a cheaper plastic option.

• Tooky Toy Wooden Double Air Fryer – Available from House of Fraser (£16.99) and GAME (£16.99) 
• Robud Wooden Toy Air Fryer Oven – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022259
• Hapello Air Fryer – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022260

We've reviewed the best air fryers (for grown-ups!)

VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset

Age range: 3+ years

Hit the road with Bluey with this road trip playset, which allows kids to drive the Heeler's car from home to the beach, school and more. The family car features light-up headlights and interactive details like a track switch, chimney launcher, openable house window and twistable flower.

It's also compatible with other Toot-Toot Drivers playsets.

Available from John Lewis (£44.99), or compare more prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Some other sets in the Toot-Toot Drivers range are more affordable than the Bluey-themed one. Or, if your little one is a true Bluey fanatic, the Bluey Mini Racers let them drive around with their favourite characters. 

• VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Repair Centre – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022267
• VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Police Station – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022268
• Bluey Mini Racers – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022269

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Brio Mega Spiral Set

Age range: 3+ years

The Brio Mega Spiral Set includes 73 pieces with everything a budding builder needs to create towering spiral tracks, intricate loops and multi-level layouts. Use it as a standalone circuit or connect it to an existing Brio World for limitless customisation options.

You'll get three vehicles in this set: a fire engine, wheeled trailer and emergency helicopter to tackle the attachable 'fires' for action-packed play.

Available from John Lewis (£124.99).

Are there cheaper alternatives?

At over £120, this extensive set is a big purchase - we've found some smaller and cheaper options from Brio.

• Brio Farm Railway Set – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022271
• Brio World Fire & Rescue Firefighter Set – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022273
• Brio World Railway Lift & Load Warehouse – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022272

The Brio-compatible Thomas and Friends Wooden Engine was one of our expert's top Christmas gifts for two-year olds. See which other gifts they loved in our guide

Tonies Toniebox 2 Starter Set

Age range: 1+ years

The Toniebox 2 is the second version of the screen-free audio player that brings stories, songs, and games to life using collectable Tonie figurines. Simply place the figurine on top and let it play.

This set includes a Creative Tonie that children can record their own audio to, but it also works with all Tonies for endless storytelling adventures.

Available from John Lewis (£99.99), or compare prices below.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

A Yoto player works similarly to a Toniebox, but uses cards instead of figurines, and costs around half the price. Alternatively, older kids might prefer a CD player with a radio function to play their favourite tracks.

• Yoto Mini Player 2024 Edition – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022275
• Groov-e Original Boombox – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022277
• Chad Valley CD Player – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022276

No matter how you access your favourite music and audio content, our tests reveal the best DAB radios and best wireless speakers  

Our expert says

Jurassic World toys

Below, we've rounded up a selection of Jurassic World-themed toys, games and accessories sure to please any dino-loving kid this Christmas, starting at under £5. 

What are the top toy lists for Christmas 2025?

Each year, John Lewis, Amazon and Hamleys compile lists of the toys they expect to be popular with kids for Christmas.

So far, only John Lewis has unveiled its list, but we'll be compiling all the products on these brands' Top Toy 2025 lists as they're released. You can also view the lists on the retailers' websites.

Head to the John Lewis Top Toys for Christmas 2025 list.

More Christmas gift ideas from Which?

Still on the hunt for more present inspiration? Head to one of our handy gift guides:

• Best cheap Christmas gifts under £30
  
• Best early Christmas gift ideas
• Best Christmas gifts for men
• Best Christmas gifts for women
• Best Christmas gifts for gardeners
• Best Christmas gifts for kids
• Best Christmas gifts for dogs

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