Christmas might still be a few months away, but John Lewis has already unveiled their predictions for this year’s most-wanted toys. And there’s a clear theme running through every single one: families are craving real connection.
Toy expert Alan Wright describes this as the “Great Play Revival” – with families actively choosing screen-free, shared experiences over solo digital entertainment. Nearly half of all sales in their toy department now come from ‘playtime’ toys that bring people together.
So, what’s set to be under the tree this year? Let’s dive into the full list.
🎄 The Living Room Revival
Families are rediscovering the joy of gathering around the living room floor. This year’s top toys are all about imaginative role play and togetherness.
Paddington’s London Home – A Doll’s House for a New Generation
The classic dolls house has been reimagined with a very special guest – the nation’s favourite bear. This four-storey home is based on the Brown family’s residence and arrives at the perfect time, as 2026 marks the centenary of Paddington’s creator, Michael Bond.
It’s the kind of toy that becomes a family heirloom – something to be passed down and cherished for years to come. Furniture sets are available separately to complete the home.
- A COMPLETE MINI WORLD TO EXPLORE: This beautifully designed dollhouse features multiple rooms—including a living room, b…
- DELICATE MINIATURE FURNITURE FOR REALISTIC PLAY: The dollhouse comes with carefully crafted miniature furniture pieces t…
- PREMIUM QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST: Made from high-quality materials and crafted with attention to detail, this ROBUD dollhou…
A Breakfast Set That Celebrates Slow Mornings
There’s something heartwarming about a child serving you breakfast in bed – even if it’s made of wood. This adorable set comes with a serving tray, toast, croissant, yoghurt, and fruit pieces.
It taps into the growing trend of ‘romanticising everyday routines’ – turning ordinary moments into opportunities for wonder and connection. Perfect for little ones who love to play grown-up.
- THE ULTIMATE “BREAKFAST IN BED” SURPRISE: Celebrate the beloved American tradition of serving mom a luxurious breakfast …
- PREMIUM FOOD TRAY & ELEGANT COFFEE CUP SET: Serve her morning favorites in style! This comprehensive bundle features a s…
- UNIQUE ENVELOPE-STYLE NAPKINS & GREETING CARD: We’ve paid attention to every tiny detail to make her feel extra cherishe…
$29.90
Magic Tricks for the Whole Family
Remember the excitement of gathering around as someone performed a magic trick? Marvin’s Magic is bringing that joy back with a beautifully crafted wooden set.
This isn’t just about learning tricks – it’s about building confidence, embracing performance, and creating unforgettable family moments. The perfect addition to any family game night.
- MARVIN’S MAGIC PRANKS FOR KIDS: For every little prankster in your family, this hilarious, joke-packed prank set is full…
- FREAKY BODY PARTS, SCREEN CRACK & MORE: Scare your friends silly with the freakiest body parts or confuse your parents w…
- COOL STUFF FOR KIDS: Within this kit, you’ll receive props and instructions to create 50 pranks and practical jokes, inc…
$19.99
🎁 The Gift of Connection
Toys that spark conversation and deepen relationships are having a moment. Here are the ones that do exactly that.
A Singing Doll for K-Pop Fans
With K-Pop continuing to shape global culture, this singing doll is set to strike a chord with fans across generations. It’s one of several toys this year designed to spark conversation and bring people together through shared fandom.
Whether your child is a dedicated fan or just discovering the genre, this doll is sure to be a hit.
- Versatile for Play and Decoration：Beyond being a classic action figure for imaginative play, its easy-to-assemble design…
- This Figure made of friendly material, as a action figure, it suitable for fans of anime action figure,has no unpleasant…
- Cleaning: This anime action figure is easy to clean, just wipe it when necessary, no need to worry about fading. You can…
Message Dolls with a Hidden Surprise
These charming dolls feature a secret – each one comes with a hidden personalised message. It’s a token of affection to swap between siblings, friends, or even grandparents and grandchildren.
Fuelled by the growing popularity of blind-box collectibles, these dolls offer the thrill of discovery alongside a heartfelt personal touch.
- PA-MANDA: Pa-Manda has soft pink fur and a 50’s retro music-inspired look. Find hidden surprises, dress them up, and bri…
- 7 SURPRISES TO UNBOX: Discover 7 surprises inside – including a Plush Surprise, adorable fashions, hidden pockets, acces…
- ON-THE-GO STYLE: Use the keychain to attach your Plush Surprise to your backpack or purse to make any look even more sty…
$19.99
🛠️ The Return of the Shared Project
Educational and intergenerational play is at the heart of this year’s trends. These toys are designed to be built together.
A Train Set That Brings Generations Together
LEGO sales are up this year, and for good reason. This exclusive set is designed for families to step away from screens and build together.
The Winter Village Holiday Express Train is the perfect festive activity – imagine grandparents and grandchildren gathered around the living room floor, assembling this beautiful piece piece by piece. It’s the kind of tradition that creates lasting memories.
- With Storage Box That Ends “Lost Piece” Nightmares – This wooden train set solves the daily struggle of toy clutter whil…
- Large Multi-Themed Train Set – 114 pcs packed with 4 hot themes and 6 unique accessories, like an exclusive double-layer…
- Compatible with Popular Brands – This wood train track set works great with Thomas the train set, Brio train, and other …
$69.99
Building a Space Adventure
Inspired by the Artemis II launch that united the world earlier this year, this set is designed to unite families through collaborative building.
It creates the perfect setting for grandparents to share the magic of this historic milestone with their grandchildren – turning a simple building activity into a unique educational moment at home.
- Unique Selling Point: Officially licensed Space Adventure construction toy featuring an authentically styled astronaut f…
- Purpose: Designed as an engaging kids’ construction toy that encourages imaginative play, creativity, and STEM-based lea…
- Size: Includes 793 detailed pieces to build a large, fully articulated astronaut figure scaled perfectly for interactive…
$30.31
Magnetic Tracks with Endless Possibilities
This magnetic building set adds a kinetic twist to construction. Kids can build and swap tube pieces to see how each change transforms the outcome of their run.
It’s perfect for experimenting with gravity and design – making it both educational and incredibly fun. The possibilities are truly endless.
- 321PCS Electric Train Set:This magnetic train set includes 118 track pieces, allowing children to build a variety of 3D …
- 3D Anti-Gravity Track Building Set:This electric train set features flexible 3D track pieces that can be bent, twisted, …
- Safe, Durable, and Child-friendly:Designed for children ages 3 and up, this train set for kids is made from non-toxic, c…
🌳 The Great Outdoors
Equipment sales are up significantly this year, reflecting the nation’s appetite for fresh air and adventure.
A Scooter for Gruffalo Fans
2026 marks the 25th stage show anniversary of The Gruffalo and the release of Gruffalo Granny. Demand for Gruffalo-themed toys is soaring.
This exclusive scooter features bespoke Gruffalo illustrations and is perfect for outdoor adventures. It’s the ideal way to encourage little ones to get outside and explore.
- [2-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY]: Depending on where they’re at in development, young kids can ride while seated, using both feet …
- [GREAT LEARNING SCOOTER]: With a stable 3-wheel base, anti-slip standing deck, easy lean-to-steer motion, and quick-resp…
- [CUTE COCOMELON DESIGN] – Kids who love CoComelon will love the look of this scooter, which features favorite characters…
$79.99
A Soft Toy with Timeless Craftsmanship
This beautiful duck soft toy reflects a wider shift towards choosing quality over quantity. With its timeless design and heirloom-quality craftsmanship, it’s the kind of toy that will be treasured for years.
Available exclusively in UK retail through John Lewis, it’s a beautiful gift for newborns and young children alike.
- Hand washable
- Suitable from birth
- Spot clean only
📊 At a Glance
| Toy | Age |
|---|---|
| Le Toy Van Paddington Doll’s House | 3+ |
| Micro Scooters Gruffalo Scooter | – |
| LEGO Winter Village Holiday Express Train | Adult supervision |
| Plus-Plus Space Superset | 5+ |
| Connetix Ball Run Launcher Pack | 3+ |
| Mon Ami Colette Duck Soft Toy | Birth+ |
| Marvin’s Magic Wooden Set | 6+ |
| K-Pop Demon Hunters Singing Doll | 4+ |
| John Lewis Wooden Breakfast Set | 2+ |
| Momiji Sugar Plum Message Doll | 15+ |
🎯 Why These Toys Are Set to Be Bestsellers
John Lewis has identified four key trends driving this year’s top toys:
✨ The Living Room Revival
Families are putting the living room back at the heart of family life. Toys that encourage imaginative role play and togetherness are leading the way.
🤝 The Gift of Connection
Toys designed to spark conversation and deepen relationships – whether through shared fandom or hidden personal messages – are surging in popularity.
🏗️ The Return of the Shared Project
Educational and intergenerational play is at the heart of this year’s trends. Toys that encourage families to build together are winning the day.
🌿 The Great Outdoors
With more families seeking fresh air and adventure, outdoor toys are seeing a massive boost in demand.
🛒 Where to Find These Toys
While many of these toys are John Lewis exclusives, you can also find similar products on Amazon:
- LEGO Winter Village sets – Browse the full collection
- Connetix magnetic building sets – Explore the range
- Plus-Plus building sets – Discover creative possibilities
- Micro Scooters – Find the perfect scooter for your child
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Amazon for early Black Friday deals – many of these toys will likely be discounted closer to the holiday season!
💭 Final Thoughts
John Lewis’s top toys for Christmas 2026 tell us something beautiful: families are craving real connection. After years of increasing screen time, there’s a clear shift toward grounding activities that bring people together.
Whether you’re shopping for a toddler, a teen, or even a fellow adult (remember, adults are one of the fastest-growing segments of the toy market!), this list has something for everyone.
Which toy will be on YOUR Christmas list this year? Drop a comment below or share this guide with a fellow parent!
- 52 PIECE SET: Includes play mat, 10 mini John Deere vehicles and 41 accessories – featuring miniature traffic lights and…
- PLAY MAT: Use the included play mat, complete with roads and fields, to build your town and create new adventures every …
- REALISTIC VEHICLES: Each vehicle is modeled after real John Deere machines, featuring authentic details and moving parts…
- Rev up the holiday spirit with a Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar!
- Open a different door for 24 days to discover a wintery-themed Hot Wheels car or accessory!
- Discover a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels vehicle behind 10 of the doors, including one that’s an exclusive snow globe car with …
- 【24 Unique 3D Animal Surprises】Discover a new mini animal friend each day with our 2026 Advent Calendar! This collection…
- 【Interactive Learning Fun】Turn Christmas countdown into educational playtime! These scientifically accurate animal figur…
- 【Premium Quality & Safety】Crafted with child-safe, non-toxic plastic materials that meet all US toy safety standards. Ea…
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. Prices and availability are subject to change. Please check age recommendations and safety guidelines before purchasing.