The annual release of top toy predictions from retailers like John Lewis, Amazon, and Hamleys is eagerly awaited by parents and gift-givers. The 2024 list highlights everything from interactive gadgets to timeless classics like Play-Doh. Here’s a guide to this year’s most popular toys and some wallet-friendly substitutes.
Hexbug Wall Crawler Gecko
- Age Range: 4+ years
- Price: £29.99 at John Lewis
This robotic gecko, which climbs walls and glows with LED eyes, is perfect for children fascinated by creepy crawlies.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Hexbug Scorpion (£9.99 at Hamleys and John Lewis).
- Hexbug Nano 5-Pack (£15 at The Entertainer)
Play-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset
- Age Range: 3+ years
- Price: £10.99 at John Lewis
This vibrant ice cream maker allows kids to craft pretend desserts using colourful Play-Doh.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Play-Doh Swirlin’ Smoothies Blender (£7.00 at John Lewis).
- Play-Doh Sweet Shoppe Cookie Creations (£13 at Argos)
Lego Santa’s Sleigh Set
- Age Range: 9+ years
- Price: £39.99 at John Lewis
This seasonal Lego set doubles as a fun activity and festive décor.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Lego Nutcracker (£8.99 at very.co.uk).
- Lego Gingerbread Ornaments (£10.99 at John Lewis)
John Lewis Wooden Deluxe Play Kitchen
- Age Range: 3+ years
- Price: £250, currently out of stock
A comprehensive kitchen set complete with accessories like pans, crockery, and miniature condiments.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Ikea Duktig Play Kitchen (£63 at Ikea).
- Kitchen Corner Wooden Play Kitchen (£39.99 at Smyths Toys)
Bonnie Bear
- Age Range: From birth
- Price: £32.99 at John Lewis; £22.99 from Aurora World
This cuddly toy is among the season’s most charming gifts for young children.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Ikea Djungelskog Teddy Bear (28cm) (£8).
- Smyths Plush Sitting Teddy (43cm) (£8.99)
VTech My 1st Record Player
- Age Range: 12+ months
- Price: £27.99 at John Lewis
A musical toy turntable with records playing various music styles and animal sounds.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Baby Einstein DJ Discovery Turntable (£19.99 at John Lewis).
- VTech Sing Song Microphone (£9.00 at John Lewis)
Barbie Mysteries: The Great Horse Chase Ultimate Stable Playset
- Age Range: 3+ years
- Price: Approx. £49.99 at major retailers.
Barbie continues to captivate audiences, especially after the blockbuster 2023 film. This playset includes Barbie, a horse and stable, hurdles, miniature animals, and horse-themed accessories.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Barbie Fashionistas Doll (#213) (£9.99 at John Lewis, £13.99 at Hamleys).
- Barbie Travel Doll with Dog (£14.00 at John Lewis, £27.99 at GAME UK).
- Barbie Dream Boat Playset (£34.99 at Smyths Toys).
Melissa & Doug Wooden Vending Machine Toy
- Age Range: 3+ years
- Price: £70-£80 (currently out of stock at John Lewis).
This charming toy vending machine lets children match coins with snacks, creating an interactive playtime experience.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Melissa & Doug Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter (£39.99 at very.co.uk).
- Kitchen Corner Wooden Tea Set (£12.99 at Smyths Toys).
- Leapfrog Count Along Till (£19.99 at Currys).
Squishmallows Squish-a-Longs – 14 Pack
- Age Range: 6+ years
- Price: Approx. £30 for a set of miniatures.
Squishmallows are adored for their soft, squishy designs. This pack offers collectable miniatures with accessories.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Squishmallows Gigi the Cat (7.5″) (£8.99 at John Lewis).
- Squishmallows Todd the Rooster (12″) (£11.99 at very.co.uk).
- Squishmallows Take 4 Card Game (£16.00 at John Lewis).
Connetix Magnetic Tiles Rainbow Motion Pack
- Age Range: 3+ years
- Price: Approx. £65 for 24 pieces.
This innovative magnetic building set features car bases, tiles, and more for creative construction.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Little Dutch Wooden Stacking Train (£18.17 at Scandibørn).
- John Lewis Build Your Own Solar Powered Car (£20.00 at John Lewis).
Stitch Crack Me Up Plush
- Age Range: 3-4 years
- Price: £28.99 at Hamleys.
This giggling Stitch plush delights with laughter and shimmies when placed on a surface. Fans of Disney’s mischievous alien will love the interactive fun.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo (£19.99 at Smyths Toys).
- Disney Lilo & Stitch 25cm Plush (£9.99 at very.co.uk, £14.99 at Hamleys).
Lego Transformer Bumblebee
- Age Range: 10+ years
- Price: £50-£60.
This buildable Transformer can shift between Bumblebee’s Autobot and vehicle forms, making it a hit for Lego and Transformers fans alike.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Lego Speed Champions McLaren Formula 1 Car (£20.99 at Hamleys).
- Lego Creator 3-in-1 Mighty Dinosaurs (£12.99 at Hamleys).
Numberblocks Five Musical Superstar Stage
- Age Range: 3-4 years
- Price: £34.99 at Hamleys.
This interactive stage lets Numberblocks fans enjoy songs and sound effects with accessories like a microphone and guitar.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Numberblocks Rainbow Counting Bus (£19.99 at very.co.uk).
- Numberblocks Mini Vehicles 5-Car Pack (£16.99 at very.co.uk).
Hasbro Drop Trivia Family Game
- Age Range: 10+ years
- Price: £24.99 at Hamleys.
This trivia game combines quick thinking with strategic puck placement for fun with family or friends.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Monopoly Deal Card Game (£4.99 at Hamleys).
- The Mind Card Game (£11.99 at John Lewis).
Disney Princess Moana Singing Doll
- Age Range: 3-4 years
- Price: £34.99.
This Moana doll sings a song from the upcoming Moana sequel, perfect for fans of the adventurous Polynesian princess.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Disney Princess Moana Fashion Doll (£9.50 at John Lewis, £10.99 at very.co.uk).
- Other Disney Princess Dolls:
- Frozen Elsa Doll (£9.00 at John Lewis).
- Mulan Doll (£9.99 at very.co.uk).
- Rapunzel Doll (£7.00 at John Lewis).
Monster Rotary XL Electric Blaster
- Age Range: 5-6 years
- Price: £35-45.
This foam bullet blaster has a 15-metre range and holds 30 bullets. Great for action-packed playtime.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Nerf N-Series Agility Blaster (£4.75 at Amazon).
- Nerf Strikeback Blaster with 18 Darts (£12.99 at very.co.uk).
L.O.L. Surprise! Mermaids Tots Assortment
- Age Range: 7-9 years
- Price: Around £8 each.
Each surprise tot comes with a customizable mermaid tail that changes color in water.
Similar Option:
- Barbie Dreamtopia Mermaid Doll (£8.00 at Argos).
Play-Doh Marvel Hulk Smash & Squish
- Age Range: 5-6 years
- Price: £18.
This Hulk-themed Play-Doh set includes moulds and a bendy Hulk figure for creative smashing fun.
Cheaper Marvel Play-Doh Sets:
- Spider-Man Launch & Slice Battle Playset (£12.99 at Amazon).
- Marvel Hero Adventure Set (£15.99 at Smyths Toys).
Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels Deluxe Vehicle
- Age Range: 3-4 years
- Price: £24.99.
Features flashing lights, sound effects, and cool accessories like a grappling hook.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Rescue Wheels Cruiser Chase Vehicle (£9.99 at John Lewis).
- Mission Paw Vehicle – Zuma’s Hovercraft (£10.00 at The Entertainer).
Bulldozer Stunt Bounce Car
- Age Range: 5-6 years
- Price: £45.
This stunt car can handle rough terrain and perform flips and rolls.
Cheaper RC Car Options:
- Turbo Xtreme Metal Buggy (£29.99 at Smyths Toys).
- RC Rock Crawler Pro (£29.99 at RC Geeks).
Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
- Age Range: 10+ years
- Price: £150
For serious Star Wars fans, this Imperial Star Destroyer set features over 1,500 pieces and mini-figures of Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, and Commander Praji.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon (£61.78 at Amazon UK, £74.99 at GAME).
- Lego Star Wars Jedi Bob’s Starfighter (£24.99 at John Lewis).
- Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 (£44.47 at Amazon UK).
Hatchimals Alive Mystery Hatch Pufficorn
- Age Range: 5+ years
- Price: £49.99
This egg-shaped toy hatches with interaction, using sound, lights, and mist to reveal a Pufficorn character. Batteries are included for the full effect.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Hatching Penguin Egg (£6.99 at Waterstones).
- Unicorn Hatching Egg (£4.99 at Waterstones).
- Triceratops Hatching Egg (£9 at Natural History Museum).
Simba ScreamerZ Babbling Bear
- Age Range: 5+ years
- Price: £25.99
This soft, interactive bear makes a range of fun screams when pressed or shaken, offering a unique auditory experience.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Joyin Animal Friends Deluxe Hand Puppets (6-pack) (£25.99 at Amazon).
- Fiesta Crafts T-Rex 3D Dinosaur Hand Puppet (£6.99 at Amazon).
Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter Playset
- Age Range: 3+ years
- Price: £29.99
This creative Play-Doh set includes a scooter and a play kitchen, allowing kids to make and deliver Play-Doh pizzas.
Cheaper Alternatives:
- Peppa Pig Twist ‘n’ Turn Scooter (£24.99 at Smyths Toys).
- Paw Patrol Twist ‘n’ Turn Scooter (£24.99 at Smyths Toys).
- Evo Eclipse Kids 3 Wheel Scooter (£23.99 at very.co.uk).
If you’re looking for smaller, more affordable Play-Doh sets:
- Play-Doh Burger Barbecue Set (£15.83 at Amazon UK).
- Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Spiral Fries Playset (£20.97 at Amazon UK).
