Christmas is fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about gifts for children. What are the new trendy toys? Which ones are still popular despite the years that go by? Focus on the trendy toys of 2023.
Although Santa’s secretariat will not officially open until November 15, catalogs of Christmas games and toys have already started to arrive in our mailboxes. And the least we can say is that the choice of games and toys for boys and girls is very wide again this year. From wooden toys to toys from the 90s which are making a comeback, including dolls, robot dogs, board games, interactive games and even superheroes, zoom in on the major game and toy trends for this year 2023.
Interactive companions
Faithful companions of children, soft toys and other interactive companions come in almost all shapes. Cat, dog but also unicorn, bird, monkey, rabbit, penguin… each child will easily find their ideal friend who they can look after with tenderness.
Among those that are buzzing the most at the moment are: Bitzee, the interactive holographic animal from Spin Master (elected Toy of the Year and Grand Prix for interactive companion at the last Grand Prix du toy), Dog-E, Lansay’s robot dog (also awarded at the Toy Grands Prix in the Robot category) or the Moose’s Little Live Pets (we have a weakness for Snowie, the cute little sheep).
In this category, we also note the great return of companions that brought joy to children in the 90s: the Furby, the first version of which dates from 1998, and the tamagotchi. Range Furby 2023 is meant to be very colorful and the more you interact with it, the more functionality you unlock. This new edition even has a “relax” mode which plays soft music and “predicts” the future.
As for the tamagotchi, its mini format has found its way into all children’s pockets and its latest version, called Tamagotchi Pixoffers a color screen, many small games and can even take photos with the rear camera.
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Board games
A great way to bring the family together or enjoy crazy games with friends, board games are also a must-have on Christmas lists. Card or board games, everyone can bring out their competitive or cooperative side.
If the classics Monopoly, Cluedo and other Scrabble (including one bthis wooden version comes out for the 75th anniversary of the game) will not fail to seduce, we can also cite the Traitors on Board card game (from 10 years old), a role-playing game with cards combining strategy, bluff and interactions to find the mutineers on board the pirate ship and fill your treasure chest or even Iello’s Sleep, a cooperative board game for ages 6 and up whose goal is to build various elements to recover and save the dodo’s egg. In addition, the games are relatively short (around 10 minutes) so as not to tire the youngest.
For older children (from 13 years old), who want to have fun testing their knowledge, Mattel offers Quiz in Vegasa trivia game where you bet on players’ correct answers to win the jackpot.
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Toys that stimulate the imagination
A great classic that often hits the mark: games that stimulate toddlers’ imagination. Modeling clay, car racing circuit, interactive telescope, sound cubes… at every age, there are games or toys that allow the child to project themselves, whether they dream of being a pilot, a cook, a scientist or even a musician.
Wooden toys
Appreciated by parents and children alike, wooden toys remain a sure value for Christmas gifts. Building games, puzzles, early learning games, activity tables, imitation toys… this type of toy is a great source of fun and learning for children.
Storytellers and story boxes
We need no introduction: storytellers and story boxes will once again be featured on the Christmas lists of our dear little ones. If the Lunii Story Factory is still as successful, other actors have since emerged like Tonies and his Toniebox which works with small figurines, the Wonderful storyteller from Joyeuse and its pretty design or even the storyteller Storykid Max from VTech and its rather complete catalog.
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Superhero licenses
Paw Patrol, Miraculous, Harry Potter (of which we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of the 1st volume), Star Wars, Marvel, Disney or Pokemon : it is very likely that one of these names means something to you if you have a child. And for good reason: these are particularly popular licenses among young people. Some are particularly current, such as Paw Patrol, whose film PAW Patrol: The Power Patrol, the moviewas released in cinemas in mid-October.
Fashion dolls vs monster dolls
Team Barbie/princesses or Team monster/gothic dolls? This year, there are clearly two camps in the world of figurine dolls. First of all, on the side of “classic” fashion dolls, we have the cult barbieincluding the film on the big screen this summer, which has no shortage of accessories, outfits and performances (including the traditional Christmas Barbie). In the same spirit, we should also find on many lists dolls from the Disney universe, whose 100th anniversary we are celebrating, and in particular the Snow Queenwhich is celebrating its 10th anniversary (already!).
Facing them, it is the clan of monsters and goths who arrive in force. Either it’s about Monster High, Rainbow High or their comrades Shadow Highthe children will have plenty to do.
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The great classics that resist
If there is no shortage of new products on the games and toys shelves in 2023, we also find great classics like the dinosaursTHE unicornscertain licenses that little ones are fond of (Peppa Pig in particular), the Playmobil or even the Lego which appeal to both young and old.
Faced with so many new toys and games, the hardest thing for children will be making a choice…