For the first time, DreamToys’ top 15 Christmas toys were also reviewed by a group of children
Kids try out this year’s hottest Christmas toys
This year’s most sought-after Christmas toys have been put through their paces by the toughest of critics – a panel of children. For the first time, a group of fortunate youngsters were invited to test out the 15 winning toys from DreamToys. The top 15 must-have gadgets and gizmos on this year’s DreamToys list were rigorously tested and reviewed by the newly appointed ‘Mini Toy Testers’, who delivered their verdicts.
The Mini Toy Testers comprised 10 youngsters aged between three and 15 who were given the chance to play with all the toys in complete secrecy before the list was officially revealed to the public.
The DreamToys list is the UK’s most authoritative prediction of the most desirable new toys on the high street and is selected by a panel of independent toy retailers and experts, from small independents to national chains. After the list was selected by the specialists, it was presented to the Mini Toy Testers who were given one simple task – to have fun.
The group spent an afternoon putting a wide variety of toys through their paces, including the ‘Dress to Impress’ Mystery Dolls, the LEGO® Speed Champions F1® Racing Cars, and fresh Pokémon cards – all crafted to spark imagination and creativity.
Whilst testing the Disney Stitch ‘Ultimate Stitch’ toy, Charlotte, age five, declared it was “super interactive” – praising the toy’s numerous play features and remarkable animatronics.
Max, age 15, favoured the Hot Wheels Racing™ Formula 1 ® Grand Prix Circuit set, describing it as “really cool” and dedicating most of his time to racing cars around the track, whilst others occupied themselves with the LEGO® One Piece the Going Merry Pirate Ship and Sticki Rolls Sticki Rolluxe.
Talia, age eight, adored the Mini Brands Fill the Fridge set as she declared it was “fascinating to play with” and that she would “never get bored” of all the entertaining additions to the set.
She also cherished the Wicked: For Good singing dolls as Wicked is her “favourite film”, and delighted in playing with Glinda and Elphaba, while eleven-year-old Ruby was completely smitten with the Gui Gui slime set, describing it as “really nice” to play with.
Three-year-old Theo was spotted cuddling the Peppa Pig Interactive Oinks & Snuggles Baby Evie Doll, which emits a variety of sounds from the beloved character.
All the children were equally captivated by the Jurassic World Primal Hatch: T-Rex and had a blast zooming around with the remote-control Monster Jam: RC Smash & Bash Grave Digger.
Other crowd-pleasers included Marshmallow Madness and Human Controller, both of which had all the youngsters in stitches.
Paul Reader, chairman of the DreamToys Selection Panel at the Toy Retailers Association, said: “The 2025 DreamToys list highlights a fantastic range of toys and games that are sure to inspire creativity and spark imaginative play for children and their families this Christmas.
“But the most honest critics are always going to be the children who bring these exciting toys to life – and our eight Mini Toy Testers have done just that, granting their seal of approval on the toys they’ll be hoping to find under the tree this year.”
The Mini Toy Tester panel was assembled following a survey of 1,000 children aged six to 12 who celebrate Christmas. The study found that children are most likely to compile their wish lists based on items they’ve seen in shops (63%).
Peer opinions also influence their choices, with 46% stating they desire certain toys because their friends recommended them. This trend was also mirrored in what they liked best about their toys.
Nearly half of the children surveyed (48%) expressed a preference for toys that they can play and share with friends, while an intriguing 32% were hoping for toys that would help them learn something new or allow them to be creative (45%).
Paul Reader from the Toy Retailers Association, which is also running a competition offering 12 fortunate youngsters the chance to win all 15 toys from the DreamToys list by visiting participating shops across the country, said: “As December approaches, children all over the world will be getting excited about what they might find under their tree on Christmas Day.
“Now, they have the perfect list that has the seal of approval not just from industry experts – but from their peers too.”
THE FULL DREAMTOYS LIST (UNRANKED):
- Dress To Impress Mystery Model Dolls – Click
- Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Pack – Moose Toys
- Hot Wheels Racing™ Formula 1® Grand Prix Circuit – Mattel
- Human Controller – TOMY
- Jurassic World Primal Hatch: T.Rex – Spin Master
- Marshmallow Madness – Vivid Goliath
- Mini Brands – Fill The Fridge Playset – ZURU
- Monster Jam: RC Smash & Bash Grave Digger – Spin Master
- One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship – LEGO®
- Peppa Pig Interactive Oinks & Snuggles Baby Evie Doll – Hasbro
- Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box
- Speed Champions F1® Racing Cars – LEGO®
- Sticki Rolls Sticki Rolluxe – Character Options
- Disney Stitch Ultimate Stitch Interactive Feature Plush – Just Play
- Wicked For Good Singing Dolls – Mattel
