All I want for Christmas is retro games
Nostalgic toys and games that get the whole family playing are at the hear t of Hamleys' top picks list this Christmas.
With more time spent at home, there is also an emphasis on educational toys and items to keep children active.
Hamleys senior buyer Steven Pearson said that despite the uncertainty caused by coronavirus, it was important families were still able to have a "magical time". He added: “While we've got a number of toys you can play inside, I think it's really important to get the kids out.”
Nostalgic toys and games that get the whole family playing are at the heart of Hamleys' top picks list this Christmas, store bosses have revealed.
With more time spent at home, there is also an emphasis on educational toys and items to keep children active during the festive period.
Hamleys senior buyer Steven Pearson said that despite the uncertainty caused by coronavirus, it was important that families were still able to have a "magical time".
"From the selections we've got a number of educational toys," he said.
"We' ve got so menu rt uring toys and we've got some board games to get families around that living room and really have a magical time this Christmas.
"Families have been educating a lot at home this year and the Osmo Genius maths game really takes it one step further.
"It uses a tablet to play games and educate kids all the way from five through to 10.
"[Parents can] sit with them, have fun, but also have education in mind."
Mr Pearson added that products encouraging youngsters to get outside would also feature in the selection.
"As far as possible, we're still getting kids outside because while we've got a number of toys you can play inside, I think it's really important to get the kids out," he said.
"I've got two kids myself and sometimes we have to make that effort to go out as a family, making sure we're socially distanced, but a scooter is a great opportunity to do that."
Hamleys' top picks include the Rollin' Rovee, Uno Flip, Monopoly For Sore Losers and Barbie Dream Camper.
The hot list also contains special toys exclusive to Hamleys in the shape of the Ferrari Foldable LED Twist Scooter and Greedy Monkey, the brand new multi-level dice game fro mD iic ii. It also mirrors the recent rise in pet ownership with a number of lovable stress relieving animatronics including the adorable Present Pets, which actually manage to miraculously unbox themselves and Hamleys-own singing and dancing Mini-movers pets for those who can’t home a real pet.
Super Mario Lego, all-action remote controlled vehicles, fun new Play doh play sets including Snotty S cot ty who squeezes greens lime from his nostrils and Vtech’s latest Kidizoom Studio with fabulous green screen effects - will all help drive sure -fire family fun and inter-generational play this Christmas.
Mr Pearson said that a teddy bear dressed as a surgeon with a face mask was also proving popular in the wake of the pandemic. "Kids want to emulate the NHS, so we've seen some great sales on that little bear," he said.
Victoria Kay, Head of Buying at Hamleys said: “Creating some simple Christmas magic feels more impor tant this year than ever and we think there’s lots of memorable and affordable fun to be had with our 2020 hot picks. From clever tech to lovable animatronic pets and classic family games to be played around the table, we can see carefree, shared play and togetherness featuring heavily this year.”