Top toys and trends for 2022 festive season revealed

Not sure what toys to buy your child for Christmas? After months of sourcing, testing, and predicting trends, Toys R Us has carefully curated an assortment that showcases top toy trends, inspired by popular culture, that stimulate imagination and growth as well as encouraging interactive play across several age groups.

“Social consciousness, post-pandemic living, nostalgia, and consumers looking for value have all impacted this year’s toy trends,” says Catherine Jacoby, Marketing Manager at Toys R Us. “Consumers are driven more than ever by experiences and parents are looking for toys that give their children memories outside of the digital world.”

She explains that this year parents can expect screen-free toys to top the list of trends and toys that encourage hands-on play and skill-building. “We’re so excited to kick off the most magical time of the year with the coolest and most sought-after toys of the season.”

She adds that this year’s list features a broad assortment of gift ideas for every age and interest and highlights 22 hero products that make gift shopping easy. “From active and sensory play to play sets featuring kids’ favourite characters, this year’s top toy list encourages grownups to wrap up an extra-special gift that sparks hours of imaginative play and years of memories,” she says.

“By identifying the top play trends, we’re making it easier than ever to find toys every kid will love, spreading joy and delight to families and kids of all ages,” Jacoby explains. “We’re expecting a retro revival this year across older age groups as collectible toys are topping the trends.”

Top toy list: 2022

This year’s Top Toy List includes some exclusive items to Toys R Us, like the Caylee Beach Villa, Peppa Pigs Clever Car, Lego sets, Muscle Remote Control Car, 4WD Drift Remote control Car, Reggies Police Car SUV Ride On, and a full range of Squishmallows Hugmees which won Toy of the Year 2023.

“Family play still remains a strong trend this year, with board games, puzzles and outdoor games all featuring amongst consumers’ wish lists,” says Jacoby. “Roleplay, sensory and educational play has also seen a surge following the pandemic with parents investing more in toys that teach their kids through the power of play.”

Collectible toys are becoming increasingly popular which is fuelling the kidult trend she explains. “The growing ‘kidult’ trend was fuelled by the pandemic, with more adults than ever turning to toys to bring joy and levity into their lives. Toys and games have been a means of escapism for adults and offer a way to reconnect with their own inner child with toys like Funko Pop.”

Collectables

Notably, Jacoby adds that one of the most significant trends this year is unboxing and collectibles. “It’s all about the full experience from packaging to unboxing and then the replay experience,” she says. “The element of surprise, blind unboxing with kids looking for more, toys like Squishmallows Hugmees and Barbie® Color Reveal™ will be topping the Christmas wish lists.”

“Construction with Lego and imaginative play and building things your way has seen a huge surge in extended play and building through imagination,” Jacoby explains. “This year is really about getting back to the core of having fun and we’re looking forward to being able to champion joy with something for everyone.”

“Dinosaurs are always a firm favourite, more and more categories are incorporating this trend into their toys,” Jacoby explains. “This has also seen more of a resurgence following the release of the new Jurassic World franchise and the Jurassic World Thrash n Devour T-Rex will be on the lists of many kids.”

Dolls

Fashion in toys is really coming to the forefront with brands like L.O.L Surprise and Barbie Colour Reveal, Jacoby explains that different body shapes, diversity and toys that are relatable and aspiring which allow kids to express themselves through roleplay is being seen across many of the doll categories.

Combined with the launch of the top toys, Geoffrey reveals the ‘Big Book of Toys’, a special bumper gift guide featuring 68 catalogue pages filled with wondrous toys including something for everyone young and old this festive season and available in-store nationwide as well as online.

In addition, Jacoby says, one lucky customer could stand a chance to win their toy registry valued at R20,000 by creating their gift registry online at www.toysrus.co.za.