From hatching sharks to the new Toniebox Lite, the must-have toys this Christmas, from £20

Ask children what Stapelstein's Stepping Stones are, and you'll never get the same answer twice. From balancing and throwing to water play, these colourful, lightweight shapes can become almost anything their little imagination dreams up. Open-ended toys don't get much more versatile.

Add to their Barbie collection with this festive Nutcracker-themed doll. The little ballerina is dressed in a shimmering tutu that spins around, and her adjustable feet let her rise on to pointe. It comes with a necklace and tiara, and there’s also a Sugar Plum version.

There's a reason Sylvanian Families has remained a favourite for decades. The Red Roof Riverside Manor Playset offers endless opportunities for imaginative play, while its impressive size makes it the perfect centrepiece for expanding a Sylvanian village over the years.

The Yoto Mini has had a thoughtful refresh, with a softer, curvier design and a new green button that gives children instant access to favourite stories and playlists without needing a card. Compact enough for little hands, it still works with Yoto's extensive library of story, music and podcast cards, making it one of the best screen-free toys for kids.

Already invested in Tonies? Then this is the one to watch. Tonies Lite is a smaller, travel-friendly version of the much-loved Toniebox that works with your existing Tonies collection (although not Tonie Play games), making it perfect for holidays, sleepovers and long car journeys.

If you've opted for last year's full-sized Toniebox 2 instead, there's plenty that's new there, too. Interactive Tonie Play games based on classics including Monopoly, The Game of Life and Guess Who? give older children even more reasons to keep listening.

Read more: Toniebox vs Yoto: Our parenting expert compares the most popular storytelling toys

Finally, a games console that gets everyone off the sofa. Nex Playground transforms your TV into an interactive play space, using motion tracking so children can jump, dodge and dance their way through family-friendly games – no controllers required.

It's a brilliant way to burn off energy on rainy days and one of the few screen-based toys that gets the whole family involved. Think Nintendo Wii for a new generation.

A guaranteed hit on Christmas morning, this mega slime set is packed with colourful compounds, mix-ins and accessories for hours of squishing, stretching and experimenting.

It's messy and the kind of present that will keep children happily entertained long after the wrapping paper has been cleared away.

Forget parking the cars – this T-Rex wants to eat them. Hot Wheels' biggest launch of the year combines thrilling dinosaur battles with storage for up to 50 vehicles, making it as practical as it is exciting. Two cars are included, so there's no waiting to get the action started.

Turn any bedroom into a concert venue with this clever karaoke projector and speaker. It projects lyrics and videos straight on to the wall, while vocal effects and colourful LED lights complete the full performance experience. The two-month KaraFun subscription included means aspiring pop stars can get singing straight away.

Forget puppies and kittens – this Christmas it's all about dragons. Skye responds to touch with more than 60 reactions, flapping her soft wings and rewarding caring play with collectible digital gems. The magical companion also shows what it needs on its belly (if only kids were that easy!), so they can cuddle and comfort accordingly.

Following last year's Hatching Dino success, Primal Hatch is back with what looks set to be one of this Christmas's most talked-about toys.

Simply add the giant egg to water and watch it fizz, foam and turn shark-attack red before a colossal 40.6cm Megalodon dramatically bursts free. Complete with lights, sounds and a repeatable hatching sequence, it's the sort of toy children will want to show everyone on Christmas Day.

The KPop influence isn't going anywhere. Straight from Netflix's hit film, Rumi lets fans recreate their favourite performances at home by singing the chart-topping track Golden. Collect Mira and Zoey too and the dolls sync together for full-group harmonies, making this a must-have for children who can't get enough of the Huntrix trio.

For crafty children who love getting creative, this badge-making kit offers plenty of hands-on fun beyond the usual colouring. It comes with everything needed to make up to 50 personalised badges, including ready-made designs, blank templates and a cutter for turning drawings, photos and magazine cuttings into wearable creations.

A word of warning: younger ones may need a helping hand with the trickier stages.

This wooden theatre front, which has a ticket booth, chalkboard and draw-back curtains, is made for imaginative play. Beautifully designed and easy to set up, children will immediately want to put on a show – you have been warned.

BRIO doesn’t disappoint with this 21-piece, dinosaur-themed train set – especially for children who love trains and dinosaurs in equal measure (which isn't as niche as it sounds).

Grown-ups will also appreciate the included storage box and the sturdy build.

Jellycat fans, rejoice! There's a brand-new festive collection just in time for Christmas, and we're already eyeing up Pomilly. This latest cuddly creation is wearable, making it an irresistible addition for serious collectors.

Read more: Jellycat’s Christmas 2026 collection is here – and it includes wearable soft toys

Whether they're building dens in the garden or plotting secret missions around the house, these rechargeable walkie-talkies make imaginative play even more fun. With a 300m range, they're easy for little hands to use and encourage siblings to stay connected while inventing adventures together.