35 kids’ gifts that will outlast the wrapping paper this Christmas
The clever gadgets, collectable toys and ride-ons we’d happily put under any tree this year, from first phones to rally sets.
The toy box has gone high-tech. Plush pets now develop personalities, games consoles read your whole body, and the smartest first phones are the ones that do less. That’s exciting, but it’s also a minefield, so we’ve done the sorting. These are the presents that will still be getting played with long after the last mince pie, with something for every age from ten months to fourteen.
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Smarter screens (and no screens at all)
Yoto Player 4th Gen
Hand a four-year-old a Yoto and watch them become fully independent with their listening. Each physical card unlocks a story, a podcast or a playlist, and there’s no screen anywhere. The 4th Gen adds a Green Button that takes kids straight to their favourites without asking you, plus 64GB of storage (more than 1,000 hours of audio) that keeps playing offline in the car, on holiday or anywhere with patchy Wi-Fi. A full-panel night light glows in seven colours, and Ok-to-Wake cues tell early risers when they’re allowed out of bed. Morning, afternoon or bedtime, it gets used constantly, and that’s the highest praise a kids’ gadget can earn.
Buy now on: Yoto
Fuzozo “Fifi”
Some toys get played with. Fuzozo gets confided in. This palm-sized ball of fluff responds to every stroke of its fur with a little wiggle or a change of expression, and it chats back in English or switches to its own cooing “Fuzzy language” when you just want company. Its personality isn’t fixed, either. It grows and shifts with every conversation, so two Fuzozos can end up nothing alike. Fifi is one of five characters, each with its own starting temperament, and it’s small enough to hang from a school bag, ready for show and tell. It even comes with its own tiny comb. Utterly irresistible.
Buy now on: Fuzozo
XploraOne
Think of it as a phone with the rabbit holes removed. The XploraOne, built by Xplora and HMD, handles calls and messages and nothing else: there’s no browser, no app store and no social media to lure a nine-year-old into the scroll. Parents manage everything from the Guardian app, approving every contact, setting safe zones on a live GPS map and checking up to 72 hours of location history. A physical SOS button sends an instant alert, and school and bedtime modes switch off distractions on a schedule. It won’t win any spec battles, and it doesn’t need to. What it delivers is independence for them and calm for you.
Buy now on: Argos
Sayph smartphone
The trick with Sayph is that nobody at school needs to know it’s a “safe” phone. On the outside it’s a sleek Samsung Galaxy A16, which keeps tweens happy. On the inside, a rebuilt operating system leaves out the app store and social media entirely, and the web browser only appears if a parent turns it on. Those limits are baked into the software rather than bolted on as an app, so even determined teens struggle to get round them. Calls, one-to-one messaging and GPS tracking with route alerts all stay. Created by British parents for ages 8 to 16, it’s the most convincing answer yet to the first-smartphone dilemma.
Buy now on: Sayph
Nex Playground
Here, the controller is you. An AI-powered camera follows every jump, duck, swing and dance move, so the whole family can join in without anyone hogging a gamepad. Five starter games come included, and a Play Pass unlocks more than 60 more, including newly announced Sonic and Dora titles. Motion data is processed on the device itself, there’s no advertising and the starter games are rated PEGI 3, so it’s an easy yes for privacy-conscious parents. Setup is one HDMI cable and a clear patch of floor. On a wet December afternoon it burns off energy like nothing else, though you’ll want to move the fragile ornaments first.
Casio Moflin
Moflin doesn’t do anything flashy, and that’s exactly why it’s so moving. This palm-sized puff of gold or silver faux fur has no eyes, no screen and no buttons. Instead it wriggles, squeaks and nuzzles in response to touch, voice and light. Casio has given it more than four million possible emotional states, and over roughly 50 days it shapes a personality around how it’s treated, so every Moflin grows into its owner. A companion app tracks its moods, and at night it settles into a charging cradle Casio sweetly calls its “house”. It’s a true splurge, and the gift that silences a room.
Buy now on: Casio
Photo Creator Instant Colour Camera
All the joy of instant photography, minus the heartbreak of wasted film. Kids snap away digitally, review every shot on the 2.4-inch HD screen, decorate it with frames, filters and stickers, then send only their favourites to the built-in colour printer. One hundred prints come in the box, so the creative streak starts right away. There’s a rechargeable battery (no AA hunt on Christmas morning) and a micro-SD slot for storing the hundreds of photos that never get printed. Designed for ages 6 and up, it’s a brilliant first step into photography, and the fridge door will be covered by New Year.
Loona Premium smart pet robot
Loona is all personality on four wheels. Her ears perk up when you walk in, she chases a ball and brings it back, and her HD camera means she recognises faces and reads hand gestures. Built-in AI lets her hold a conversation, and when her battery runs low she wanders back to her charging dock by herself, which is more than most of us manage. The Premium bundle includes the dock and a set of game props, and over-the-air updates keep adding new tricks long after Christmas. For a family that can’t commit to a real dog, she comes delightfully close. Expect her to be named, dressed up and spoilt within the hour.
Buy now on: Selfridges | Amazon
Nintendo Switch Lite Turquoise: Animal Crossing New Horizons edition
There may be no cosier game for children than Animal Crossing, and this bundle removes every obstacle to playing it. The Timmy & Tommy Aloha Edition Switch Lite arrives with New Horizons already installed and 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online, so trips to friends’ islands can begin before breakfast on Christmas Day. With its one-piece body and built-in controls, it’s tough, light and made for small hands, and it runs every Switch game that supports handheld play. It’s perfect for car journeys, flights and long afternoons at relatives’ houses. Just be warned: a certain raccoon will soon have your whole family in debt.
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
For older kids, this is still the present that makes them run around the living room. Without a disc drive, games download to a speedy 825GB SSD, so loading screens barely register. The DualSense controller is the real star, though: its haptics let you feel rain, recoil and the crunch of gravel, and its adaptive triggers tighten and loosen as the game demands. Astro’s Playroom comes pre-installed and is pure joy, and most PS4 games play too, so an existing library comes along for the ride. Stock has been unpredictable this season, so if you spot one, act fast and then quietly reclaim your evenings.
Buy now on: PlayStation | Amazon
PAW Patrol: Dino World (PS5)
Dinosaurs are loose on Dino Island, Mayor Humdinger is causing chaos, and only the pups can sort it out. This open-world adventure lets little gamers switch between Chase, Marshall, Skye, Rubble, Rocky and Zuma, each with their own special skills, to reunite lost dinos with their families. In between rescues they can hunt for eggs, explore crystal caves and secret pools, decorate enclosures at the Paleo Center and swap to vehicle mode for jungle drives. Local two-player co-op means a grown-up can help, and paw-print trails stop anyone getting lost. It’s rated PEGI 3, so it’s friendly enough for the very youngest players.
Buy now on: PlayStation Store | Amazon
Play that’s actually worth the batteries
Scalextric Rally Championship Retro Race Set (C1463M)
Dim the lights, line up the cars and suddenly it’s 1997 again. This 1:32-scale set revives one of rallying’s great rivalries, with Colin McRae’s Subaru Impreza WRC lining up against Didier Auriol’s Toyota Celica GT-Four. Both cars have working headlights and tail lights, so racing in the dark feels like a proper night stage. It runs off the mains and comes with track, two hand controllers and an overhead gantry, so it’s ready to race the moment the box is open. Parents raised on rally video games will be first in the queue for a controller. Consider it a gift for the whole family, and agree on turn-taking early.
Buy now on: Scalextric | Amazon
Disney Darlings interactive dolls
Pure Disney sparkle for the littlest carers. One tap of the magic wand wakes these 13-inch babies, and their cheeks light up with tiny stars. Give them the “Pixie Dust” bottle and they make happy drinking sounds, tickle their tummies or cuddle their plush companion for a burst of giggles, then rock them gently until they doze off to a soft lullaby. There are four play modes in all, and each doll is dressed as Minnie, Stitch, Marie or Pooh, with a matching headband and a birth certificate to fill in. They come in a range of skin tones and hair colours, with a hidden Mickey in their eyes, for ages 2 and up.
Buy now on: John Lewis | Amazon
VTech Kidi DJ Mix
This is a surprisingly serious bit of kit for a toy. There’s a real turntable for scratching and a crossfader for smooth transitions, plus a glowing sound grid that can produce more than 2,000 combinations over 15 built-in tracks in four genres. Kids can record their own shout-outs and effects on the built-in mic, save their mixes and drop them back in, while multicoloured lights flash in time with the music. A rhythm game helps them build real DJ timing. It’s aimed at ages 6 and up, but don’t be surprised to find a parent behind the decks after bedtime.
K-Pop Idol Fashion Dolls
Every young K-pop fan dreams of their own girl group, and here it is. Mina leads the line-up as the confident main vocalist, with purple twin tails and a shimmering Starlight look. Yuni brings grace as the second vocalist in pink braids and Moonlight styling, and Nari supplies the attitude as lead dancer and rapper. Their jointed bodies hold real stage poses, so dance routines can be recreated move for move, and each doll arrives with a headset and accessories such as earrings, a necklace or a handbag. Collect the whole trio and you’ll have front-row seats to concerts all year. For ages 3 and up.
Buy now on: SmithToys
LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle
LEGO’s new SMART Play range reacts to how children move and play, and this battle set shows it off best. Two SMART Bricks sit inside an 18cm Charizard and a 12cm Jolteon, so the pair respond to one another as the fight unfolds, with four SMART Tags and a charger adding extra moves. At 751 pieces it’s a satisfying two-hour build, and the head-to-head format makes it ideal for siblings who each want their own champion. Everything needed comes in the box, with nothing extra to buy. If you’d like a gentler start, the Training House with Pikachu set is a sweet alternative. For ages 8 and up.
Buy now on: John Lewis | Amazon
VTech GRWM Fashion Journal
Tweens obsessed with “get ready with me” videos can now make their own, safely. This all-in-one journal offers four characters with distinct styles, then opens up a GRWM Studio full of pretend make-up, nail designs and outfits to mix and match. Photo and video modes let kids record their outfit of the day and jazz it up with filters, frames, backgrounds and animations. Everything stays private behind a passcode or face recognition, so nosy siblings are locked out, and there’s no open internet involved. It’s creative and self-expressive, and it’s the diary we’d have killed for at that age. For ages 6 to 12.
Tamagotchi Paradise
The digital pet that ruled every playground of the 90s is back, with a seriously clever twist. A new zoom dial lets kids look after their Tama at every scale, from a single cell right up to outer space, and there are more than 50,000 species it might become depending on how it’s cared for. Fresh mini games make daily check-ins fun, friends can connect their devices, and new worlds unlock as your Tama evolves. The new Orange Tropics and White Glacier designs look brilliant clipped to a backpack. Parents of a certain age will feel a sharp pang of nostalgia. For ages 6 and up.
Buy now on: Amazon
LEGO Friends Creative Flower Shop (42693)
Flower arranging has never looked so fun. Across 377 pieces, children create their own brick-built bouquets, fill the shelves with stock and serve customers at the till, while minidolls Nova and Astrid keep the shop running. There’s even a tandem bike for delivering orders around Heartlake City. The LEGO Builder app adds interactive 3D instructions that kids can spin and zoom, which keeps younger builders on track. The build is quick enough for one afternoon and leaves hours for storytelling afterwards, and the floral details look lovely on a bedroom shelf. It’s one of the year’s best-value sets. For ages 7 and up.
Buy now on: Smyths Toys | Amazon
LEGO Harry Potter Privet Drive: Aunt Marge’s Visit (76451)
Few moments in the Harry Potter films are as gleefully satisfying as Aunt Marge swelling up and drifting off into the night sky, and this 639-piece set lets kids relive it whenever they like. A built-in function puffs her up and floats her away, while the Dursleys’ home opens up for play, complete with a printed Privet Drive sign and a lamppost on the side. The minifigures are full of character, Marge in particular. Standing over 16cm tall and 31cm wide, the finished model looks fantastic on display. For young wizards aged 8 and up with a slightly wicked sense of humour.
Buy now on: Smyths Toys | Amazon
Tidlo Fire Station toy bundle
There’s something timeless about a good wooden toy, and this one is built to become a family heirloom. The bundle, made from responsibly sourced wood, brings together a fire station with a pole, a sloping ramp, swing-open doors, lockers, a dispatch desk and a bunk bed, plus a fire engine with an extendable ladder, hoses, cones and barricades. Four poseable 12cm firefighters complete the crew, armed with an axe, a megaphone and breathing equipment. The station is open on every side, so several children can play together without squabbling. It needs no batteries or screens, just endless rescue missions. For ages 3 and up.
Buy now on: Bright Minds
LEGO Star Wars: The Dark Falcon (75389)
Take the most famous ship in the galaxy, paint it black and flip its story on its head. That’s the Dark Falcon from the Rebuild the Galaxy series, a 1,579-piece build that’s almost identical in scale to the classic Millennium Falcon and measures around 43cm long. Its six minifigures reimagine beloved characters in surprising ways that fans will love spotting. With four to five hours of building ahead, it’s the ideal project for those slow days between Christmas and New Year, and the finished ship is a real showpiece. It’s for builders aged 10 and up, and it’s very likely to tempt a parent to “just help with one bit”.
Buy now on: Smyths Toys | Amazon
Wooden baby rocking animal: sheep
For a baby’s very first Christmas, it’s hard to beat a classic. This rocking sheep swaps the traditional horse for something softer and sweeter, with a hand-finished hardwood frame and handles, a cushioned high-back seat and cosy plush fabric all round. Side supports hold small riders securely, and the gentle back-and-forth helps develop balance and coordination from around 10 months. At about 59cm long, it fits into most nurseries without taking over, and its simple, timeless look suits any décor. It’s durable enough to pass down to younger siblings, and it makes for gorgeous Christmas-morning photos.
Buy now on: Smyths Toys
For Outdoor Kids
Xootz Enigma e-scooter
The Enigma hits the sweet spot between exciting and sensible. Its top speed is capped at 10km/h, which feels like flying to an eight-year-old while still letting a brisk parent keep pace. A 24V lithium battery is fully charged in two to three hours and gives around an hour of riding, and the thumb throttle and rear brake are easy for small hands to master. When it’s time to stop, the kickstand keeps it upright rather than abandoned on the lawn, and the frame folds flat for the car boot or the hallway cupboard. Add a helmet and it’s the perfect Boxing Day adventure.
Apollo Vivid junior mountain bike, 24-inch
For the child who has outgrown pootling round the park and wants some proper trails, the Vivid is a confident step up. It fits riders roughly 127 to 144cm tall, usually ages 8 to 12, and at around 14.5kg it’s light enough to steer and lift without a struggle. Apollo has been making bikes in the UK for decades and covers the frame and forks with a lifetime guarantee, reassuring for a bike that will be crashed, muddied and generally loved to bits. It’s one of Halfords’ best-sellers, and choosing their in-store build service means it’s ready to ride the moment it comes home. Christmas Eve you will be very grateful.
Buy now on: Halfords
woom EXPLORE
There’s a reason woom has a cult following among cycling families. The 20-inch EXPLORE weighs a feather-light 7.8kg, so six-year-olds can actually control it on bumpy paths, yet it still comes with disc brakes, a Shimano twist shifter and chunky all-terrain tyres. Bigger 24-inch and 26-inch versions take riders all the way to 14, so the whole range grows alongside your child. The frame geometry is designed specifically for kids, which keeps longer rides comfortable, while the matte paint and black detailing look effortlessly cool. Optional sticker sets let them personalise it. It’s a premium choice, and one they’ll ride for years.
Buy now on: woom
Blue Galaxy Special 6.5-inch Disco LED Official Hoverboard
Subtle, this is not. The Blue Galaxy hoverboard pairs a cosmic print with 6.5-inch disco wheels that cycle through colours as you ride, and a built-in Bluetooth speaker so every lap comes with a soundtrack. It’s happiest on smooth surfaces such as driveways, patios and playgrounds, and it looks especially spectacular once the sun goes down. Buying from a dedicated UK specialist means a UK-certified battery and charger, which is the one thing never to compromise on with hoverboards. Expect a few wobbles in the first ten minutes, followed by complete mastery. Pads and a helmet are essential, and so is a clear hallway.
Buy now on: Official Hoverboard | Amazon
Venom My First Robo Dino skateboard bundle, 7.25-inch
Skateboarding is far easier to learn when the board actually fits you. Venom’s 7.25-inch mini deck is made for small feet, roughly ages 3 to 10, and it arrives fully assembled and pre-gripped, so there’s no fiddling with trucks on Christmas morning. The bundle throws in a helmet and knee, elbow and wrist pads, so beginners are properly protected from their very first wobble. The Robo Dino graphic, a red robot dinosaur, is pretty much guaranteed to be a hit with the under-tens. It’s designed for learning balance, carving gentle turns and attempting those first tiny tricks, and it’s the ideal stepping stone to a full-size board.
Buy now on: Skate Warehouse | Amazon
Decathlon kids’ inline skates
Growing feet are the enemy of every parent buying skates, which is why these adjust through three whole sizes. Decathlon’s Oxelo kids’ range uses beginner-friendly bearings that keep speed under control while confidence builds, and a firm shell plus a buckle closure give young ankles the support they need. Spare wheels, brakes and bearings are easy to buy, including fun glow-in-the-dark wheels, so a single pair can last several seasons. They’re comfy, durable and incredibly good value. Team them with Decathlon’s matching pads and you’ve got a complete starter kit for the park or the playground.
Buy now on: Decathlon
Tarmak K900 kids’ basketball hoop
Every young baller dreams of dunking, and the K900 makes it possible. Its flexible rim bends under a slam just like a real court hoop, so children can hang off it without worry. Even better, kids can change the height themselves, anywhere from 1.6m to 2.2m, with one hand and a simple strap system, so no adult or spanner is needed as they grow. It goes together in around half an hour with the tool supplied, and the freestanding base sits happily on a patio or at the end of the drive. It’s best for players up to about 10. Prepare for a lot of very loud celebrations.
Buy now on: Decathlon
Kids’ electric ride-on Range Rover HSE, red
Some children dream of ponies. Others dream of arriving at nursery in a Range Rover. This ride-on nails the HSE’s instantly recognisable shape in glossy red, scaled down for drivers whose feet can’t reach a real pedal. It will draw a crowd at the park and probably bring the neighbours out for its first spin round the close. Before you buy, check the listing for battery voltage, recommended age and whether there’s a parental remote, so it suits your little driver. It’s the kind of present that gets talked about for years. Possibly at their wedding.
Buy now on: Kids Cars Direct
Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1, Rose
Two toys in one, and a smart buy for that reason. The Highwaykick 1 begins as a sit-on balance scooter for toddlers from age one, then converts into a stand-up kick scooter as they grow, so it carries them happily through to age five. Two wheels at the front and one at the back keep beginners steady, the height adjusts as they shoot up, and at around 3.7kg it’s easy to scoop up when tiny legs run out of steam halfway to the café. The aluminium and steel frame feels solid, and the soft rose finish is genuinely stylish. Practical, pretty and built to last.
Buy now on: The Perfect Nursery Company | Amazon
Doona Liki Trike S5, Nitro Black
Doona reinvented the travel system, and now it has done the same for the trike. One button folds the Liki into a package small enough to slide into a suitcase, and it springs open again in seconds, fully assembled from the moment it leaves the box. It grows through five stages, from a parent-steered stroller for ten-month-olds to an independent pedal trike for three-year-olds, with a reclining backrest, five-point harness and UPF 50+ canopy along the way. Yes, there’s a cup holder, and no, it isn’t for you. For globe-trotting families, it’s a game-saver, and it looks far chicer than any trike should.
12V kids’ electric ride-on digger with joystick controls
Calling all mini construction bosses. This 12V ride-on digger puts real joystick controls in small hands, so kids can raise the arm, tip the bucket and genuinely shift soil, sand and the occasional unsuspecting toy. The electric motor makes it a proper drive-along machine rather than a foot-powered plaything, and it transforms any garden into a full-scale building site in minutes. Before ordering, check the listing for recommended age, weight limit and battery life, and make sure it’s charged before Christmas morning. It’s endlessly absorbing for diggers fans. The flowerbeds may not survive, but the memories will.
Buy now on: Kids Tractors
