Top toys 2023: 37 most popular toys on kids' wish lists this year

Interactive pets are trending and this is one of my faves - the name makes me laugh every time. In the UK you can shop it for 40% off during the massive M&S toy sale, and in the US you'll find it on Amazon for under $20. It's suitable for children over 3 years old.

You may have spotted Moon Shoes on TikTok - and 90s kids might recognise them from their childhood! The out-of-this-world "trampolines for your feet", which you can shop at Boots, are making a big comeback for Christmas 2023. The one-size-fits-all shoes are meant for ages 7 and up.

We can see why this cute grooming set is a winner with the little ones - it even made the John Lewis top toys 2023 list. “This toy is my favourite because I like the funny beard.” said one John Lewis Toy Testing panel expert, five-year-old Khang. It brings a smile to my face, too, Khang!

The Barbie Dream House is the most fun fantasy accommodation you could imagine, and with the Barbie film, there was even a real-life Air BnB version – John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and their family were even  among the guests who tried it out for themselves! For 2023, there's a brand new toy version of the Dream House - and it even includes the pink slide that Barbie herself Margot Robbie said was her favourite feature!

If your children love Spider-Man, then they are going to love the Crawl 'N Blast Spider. Complete with a Spider-Man action figure, this toy car set can squirt water and blast webs to defeat Spider-Man's enemies.

Suitable for ages 3 and up, this castle playset - which features 4 play areas, and an Elsa doll with accessories - folds up into a case with handle for easy storage and transport.

"Most little girls have a 'Frozen Phase' and mine is no exception," says HELLO! Head of Channels Christian Anderson-Ramshall. "She loved the doll which was included and it's a good size which won't overtake a small bedroom."

Yoda's Jedi Starfighter is the ultimate gift for your Star Wars-loving little one. Ideal for ages 8+, they can unleash their creativity and explore a galaxy far far away by building this iconic spacecraft, complete with LEGO Yoda and R2D2 figurines.

Inspired by Disney's new feature film Wish, they can have a piece of the magic for themselves with the Singing Asha of Rosas doll. Simply lift up her hand to sing along to her hit song.

The Little Mermaid Ariel doll was a top-seller for HELLO! readers when the film was released, and if your little one doesn't have theirs yet, now is the time to shop to be sure they'll have one under the tree.

All things Disney are trending in 2023 as the iconic brand celebrates its 100th anniversary. Join in the fun with these collectible platinum mini-figurines of Disney’s most beloved characters. There are 5 mini surprises hidden in each capsule - it’s a gift that’s just as apt for the Disney adults in your life.

With up to eight players allowed, and starting from aged 6, the Asmodee Dobble card game is a family favourite that everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy.

The most expensive toy on the list is this LEGO set for Star Wars fanatics available exclusively at Amazon.co.uk. The set features five characters including Jacen Syndulla, as well as Ahsoka Vehicles, and buildable Starship toys.

If you’re a Millennial you probably had - or wanted - your own Furby back in the day, and now Gen Alpha has their chance to discover the newest incarnation of the interactive plush talking toy.

The retro-inspired toy also made the Top Toys list for John Lewis. “I remember my cousin having a Furby when I was younger, I think they’re cool," said ten-year-old Kyron from the John Lewis Toy Testing panel.

If you're looking for a STEM toy for Ages 3+ that’s hot for Christmas 2023, Amazon recommends this playset which brings the hit TV series Numberblocks to life. The fun setup, with surprise hidden spy features, also includes three Numberblocks figures and a sticker sheet.

What’s Christmas without Playmobil? Amazon’s choice is the PLAYMOBIL City Action Fire Truck - kids will love the lights and sounds, rotating foam cannon, and functioning winch to bring their firefighter imaginations to life.

LOL dolls are a hot trend every year, and the LOL Surprise Magic Flyers, featuring new LOL Tot characters with beautiful wings, make for a truly magical unboxing experience: release her from her bottle and she starts to fly!  

The LOL Surprise Magic Flyers also has a spot in the Hamleys Top Toys list - they're a hot trend for the festive season!

For the child who loves Barbie and dreams of being a ballerina, the Barbie Magical Ballerina Doll, with light-up effects, is a magical choice.

Another nostalgic 1990s trend – Pokémon cards – has returned, and for 2023 Amazon’s betting that kids will be chasing after the Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle as a gift.

The Barbie Cutie reveal is a Barbie dressed in a cute animal costume - like a bunny or tiger - and 10 accessories, including a pet. After the unboxing, the colour reveal fun comes when you use ice cold water to transform Barbie doll’s face with animal face paint.

If the child on your list love cars and dinosaurs, they’ll be over the moon with the Transform the Hot Wheels City Ultimate Hauler, which transforms from a 20+ toy car transporter to track and a T-Rex that ‘eats’ the cars! Two 1:64 scale Hot Wheels cars are included.

Attention, Pokemon fanatics (and parents of fans!) The 648-piece Pokémon Centre buildable set for children 8 and up features Pikachu, Chansey, Eevee, and Togepi for hours of fun as kids develop their problem solving skills and creativity.

A Polly Pocket film is also in the works - and what better way to get ready than with the Pollyville Resort Roll Away. The playset, opens to a 3-story hotel, doubles as a storage unit complete with an extendable handle for on-the-go fun.

If your child isn’t quite old enough for a Barbie doll set, this is the ultimate Barbie Dream Plane for little ones aged 18m+. Imaginative play is taken to new heights for the youngest Barbie fans with this adorable push-along airplane with fun sounds and a light-up nose.

Lego is always a great choice for a children's gift, and this cute Christmas Lego kit will be a real winner over the festive season.

If your child is an aspiring DJ, this fun toy will have them spinning for at-home dance parties in no time.

Little Live Pets have been trending for the past few festive seasons, and this year's John Lewis pick – a guinea pig family along with a deluxe interactive hutch – might be the cutest ever.

Exclusive to John Lewis, the Scalextric race track features two remote-controlled racing cars – John Lewis and Waitrose – and is great for playing alone, or with friends or siblings. “The Scalextric set is on my Christmas wishlist because I can play it with my brother," enthused John Lewis Toy Testing panel expert Leian, aged ten.

While this toy isn't available in the US, our American readers can shop a similar Scalextric race track for $149.99 on Amazon.

All things Barbie are trending, and this pink convertible is zooming to the top of many a child's wish list.

Kids who’d love a mini interactive pet will go bananas for this adorable Fingerlings friend that  reacts to their touch and responds.  heart beats and they say hello as soon as you put them on your finger Harmony is a diva baby monkey baby monkey with a unique singing voice and personality, with 70+ sounds and reactions.

Young Star Wars fans' imaginations will be transported to a galaxy far, far away with LEGO's Star Wars 332nd Ahsoka's Clone Trooper Battle Pack building toy for kids aged 6+. The kit comes with everything they’ll need to create a Clone Infantry Support Speeder plus it comes with four LEGO Star Wars characters: Clone Captain Vaughn and three 332nd Clone Trooper minifigures with blasters and two jetpacks.

Along with innovative, hi tech toys we’re also seeing a return to simple play - for example wooden toys. The Chad Valley Wooden Pizza is in demand, and at just £11 it’s a real bargain.

For our US readers, check out the similar Melissa & Doug wooden pizza, it's on sale for $17.88 on Amazon.

The DIY Easy Build My Puppy's Home goes beyond a regular interactive pet - your child will actually build the dog's house, which comes as a flat pack with all the necessary tools & parts for them to get started. The puppy included, meanwhile, is such a cute pet, with 25 sounds and reactions.

Mover over, Squishmallows! The Marvel Squish-A-Boo are a superhero take on the cute and cuddly plush trend - choose from  a 14-inch Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain America or Iron Man, or shop them all for your own adorable Avengers squad.

To unleash a shark from the Beast Lab Shark Beast Creator and save the world, you have to conduct an experiment with the Beast Lab - which is equipped with over 80 lights and sounds –precisely measuring out and combining beastly ingredients, like Attack Serum, Roar Rocks and Fossil Fragments. The shark beast appears in a cloud of real ‘bio mist’ for a dramatic reveal!

On Disney’s 100th birthday it’s as popular as ever - and this cute Playmobil treehouse for children aged one to four brings together classic BFFs Winnie the Pooh and Piglet while encouraging the development of fine motor skills and creativity.

This really is the year of the Barbie, and if you’re looking for a cool Barbie gift, we recommend the Pop Reveal Fruit series dolls in the Hamleys list, with drink cup-inspired packaging and surprises like slime (!) as you reveal one of four Barbie doll ‘flavours’ inside, from watermelon to strawberry.