What Kiwi kids want in their stockings

With a month until Christmas, unless you’re one of those people who starts buying presents in July, you’re probably racking your brain for what to buy the kids this year.

The Warehouse, Mighty Ape and Trade Me have revealed their top 10 most popular toys ahead of Christmas — and they show that while trends come and go, it’s nostalgia kids are after this year.

Thanks to Barbiemania, our childhood memories have been unlocked and now all the kids want for Christmas is the coveted Dreamhouse. Lego simply never goes out of style, and there’s a set to suit every kid (and adult), whether they’re a Star Wars

nerd, obsessed with house plants or they prefer to create their own.

Mighty Ape chief executive Gracie MacKinlay told the Weekend Herald,

“long-standing, reputable brands that they’re familiar with”, were top of customer shopping lists.

Data from the online retailer shows Lego is the most popular search by far, with the top three sets being the brand’s Advent calendars, the Lego City Arctic Explorer Ship and the Lego Icons Tranquil Garden.

At The Warehouse, Squishmallows are the most popular toy on offer. Warehouse toy buyer Sarah Brittenden said it continued to be a must-have collectable after exploding on social media a couple of years ago. Lego is also hugely popular in store, particularly Harry Potter, Star Wars

and Disney-themed sets, as well as goto stocking stuffers Lego Minifigures.

“We’re flocking to toys that bring a taste of our own childhood nostalgia,” Brittenden said, noting that Furbys and Bitzee Interactive Digital Pets — think the 90s classic Tamagotchi, but for 2023 — were making a comeback, too.

This year, kids are keen to get crafty, with Trade Me’s Millie Silvester revealing the retailer had seen a rise in searches for toys such as at-home pottery sets.

“Almost half of our top picks this year are all about encouraging kids to explore their artsy side — whether it’s designing, building or moulding. These toys are all about giving kids the chance to add their own touch and show off their individual creativity.”

The platform had also seen a 51 per cent annual increase in searches for Barbie and her Dreamhouse, thanks to the box office hit.