Dana's Top 10 Christmas Toys: Will Pictionary Make a Comeback in 2020?

As the saying goes – Christmas is coming early this year. For retailers, this statement couldn’t ring more true; it comes earlier every year. We always feel like we’ve done Christmas a couple of months before it arrives!

If you’re going to begin planning as soon as possible, I’ve got a list of Christmas toys that’ll help you keep the little ones happy. However, I’m usually the one that gets more excited than anyone!

With seven years as a professional buyer, I’ve been stocking our shelves full of Christmas goodies for some time – and I’ve been busy this year – I think I began preparing before Santa Claus. 

Here are my recommendations for Christmas 2020; get them before they fly off our shelves!

1. Fisher-Price Linkimals Counting Koala

We couldn’t create a toy list without including one for the little ones – and Fisher-Price is a toy brand you can’t go wrong with. Parents tend to be a little more cautious with their children at such a young age, so the Fisher-Price name stands out as one they can trust.

Linkimals offer a fun, sensory and educational experience for younger children, and the Koala is guaranteed to help them learn and grow. Well worth an investment this Christmas.

How Does It Work?

Music and lights teach numbers; counting 1-10, shapes and more. Press the light-up buttons on the tree or spin the shape spinner for music, lights and phrases. There’s a ​soft, crinkly ear and bat-at roller for little hands to explore, plus light-up belly and take-along handle.

Contents: 1 Koala toy

Ideal Age: 9 months +

Extras: 3 x AA (included)

2. Squeakee The Balloon Dog

Much like the Gotta Go Flamingo’, Squeakee will be stocked by all the big retailers this Christmas, such as Argos, Amazon and Smyths, so it’s sure to be popular among parents who are trying to find exciting toys for their young children. 

Squeakee is an interactive pet that takes on the form of a balloon dog, this toy is full of personality. It will keep kids entertained for hours with the range of interactions it has to offer – over 60 interactive sounds and movements.

How Does It Work?

Various accessories make Squeakee interact. Squeezing the ball once will make him sit, twice will make him beg and three times will make him want to play. 

The pin accessory makes him lie flat like he’s been deflated, and the pump accessory will pump him back up. But beware, he may wee or pass wind! 

He also responds to human touch. Petting his ear will make him sit, and he will stand up and bark if you keep petting him. Rubbing his tummy will see him rollover, the more you pet, the happier he gets!

Contents: 1 Squeakee the Balloon Dog and 3 interactive accessories.

Ideal Age: 5+

Extras: 4x AA batteries (not included)

3. KickerBall

Christmas is an excellent time for football fanatic kids to stock up on the latest football equipment, and we predict Kickerball will be a famous football toy this year.

Proper footballs can be hard to curve and kick for younger kids, so the KickerBall will give them more confidence when they’re out on the pitch. Plus, it’s great fun. Mum’s and dads may have to do a lot of ball fetching, though!

How Does It Work?

There are numerous shots you can master with the KickerBall. Use the instep to curl it from right to left or the outside of the bot to curl from left to right. Failing that, just smash it with the lace and see what happens. No doubt it will be entertaining!

The KickerBall has unique panels and aerodynamic materials that channel air in ways a standard football can’t. The ball comes with instructions that show kids how to master three types of shot.

Contents: 1 KickerBall with instructions

Ideal Age: 6+

Extras: air pump (not included)

4. Fablab Luxury Tie Dye

Bring a bit of the psychedelic 60s to Christmas this year with the Fablab Tye Die set; it’ll give kids a chance to ignite their creative spark and gives you something a little different to put on your shelves.

Kids are into anything bright and colourful, and this kit will allow them to add some individuality to their wardrobe. Perfect for crafty kids!

How Does It Work?

If you can, consider stocking some plain clothing with the set – such as white t-shirts, bags, trainers or accessories. However, it doesn’t matter if you can’t, Primark is an excellent place to call.

There are various colouring techniques that children will learn from the book – so it’s not a case of them getting it and trying to figure it out themselves. There are also plenty of online tutorials for visual instruction.

Contents: 7 dye colours in plastic applicator bottles, latex-free elastic bands, 2 pairs of gloves, colour instruction manual

Ideal Age: 8+

Extras: clothing/accessories (not included)

5. Bubble Trouble Doll

Bring some squishy fun to Christmas with these Bubble Trouble Dolls. They come in a Gumball machine with a Bubble Buddy best friend and are ideal for kids who want to energise their senses with these lush smelling dolls.

The dolls are relatively new, only being released in spring 2020, so they’ll add something different to your shelves this year.

How Do They Work?

You can pose them, and swap their clothes with other Bubble Trouble dolls, play with their stretchy, scented hair. Plus, each one has a sticky Bubble Buddy best friend.

The Pineapple Punch enjoys dancing at pool parties, Bubble Gum loves friendships that last forever, Sundae Funday dances all day in the sun, and Watermelon Slice loves splashing in her very own watermelon park. You could give your customers a demonstration if you’re feeling fun!

These items are sold separately and there are four to collect.

Contents: 1x Bubble Trouble Doll & 1 x Bubble Buddy squishy

Ideal Age: 3+

Extras: none required

6. Nerf Fortnite SP-L Blaster

Combining the active world with the gaming world, and two favourite shooting brands – albeit for very different reasons. The nerf Fortnite collection is the perfect product combination, and we expect these products to be best sellers in 2020.

There are various types of Fornite inspired guns, which include a rocket launcher, a pistol, and SMG and many more. Nerf has established itself as the best foam-based weaponry toy on the market and is sure to offer high-quality hours of fun.

How Does It Work?

This Nerf Fortnite SPL Blaster has a detachable barrel which is customised for different ways to play. Attach the barrel for distance targeting; remove the barrel when for a more compact look or smaller play areas that require fast movement and mobility. 

It has an internal clip with a 3-dart capacity, so it’ll fire 3 darts in a row before it’s time to reload. Insert 3 darts, prime, and pull the trigger to fire. Drop into indoor and outdoor Fortnite action with this dart-firing Nerf Elite Fortnite blaster.

Contents: blaster, 6 darts, and instructions

Ideal Age: 8+

Extras: none required

7. Pictionary Air

Time for a family-friendly addition now, and Pictionary air is guaranteed to get everyone laughing. Pictionary has gone digital, with the new game connecting to your TV rather than physical pens and paper.

We predict this switch to technology will generate more interest in the game for family members who are more used to pressing buttons than writing with pens!

How Does It Work?

Comes with a free Pictionary Air app. Point the in-app camera at the illustrator and they’ll appear, along with their sketch, on the screen of a smart device. Take turns drawing clues in the air while teammates guess the images that appear on the screen. The team with the most points wins!

For even bigger games, players can cast gameplay onto your TV from a phone or tablet using Apple TV, Chromecast or compatible streaming device at home. It’s also possible to use adaptors (not included) to connect your phone/tablet directly to your TV via HDMI.

Contents: Pictionary Air pen, 112 double-sided clue cards and card box. 

Ideal Age: 8+

Extras: 1x AA Alkaline battery (included)

8. Disney Moana Styling Head

One for the aspiring hairdressers, just don’t put the scissors next to this product! Disney’s Polynesian princess gets a makeover here, and she’s ideal for anyone with a love of pampering and Disney films. 

As one of Disney’s newest and most popular princesses, we predict the Moana Styling Head will be popular among aspiring princesses this year.

How Does It Work?

Work Moana’s hair in several different ways with these handy accessories:

• Brush – Moana’s ocean-wavy hair is thick and easy to brush.
• Clip – create different styles with seashell clips.
• Spirals – invent something extra special with hair spirals.
• Elastic bands – tie-up Moana’s hair for a more casual princess look.

Kids can also use the clips, so the fun doesn’t have to be all Moana’s!

Contents: 1 styling head, 1 hairbrush, 4 seashell clips, 3 hair spirals, 1 hair clip, and 4 elastic bands

Ideal Age: 3+

Extras: none required

9. Goo Jit Zu Marvel Superheroes

Superhero products have dominated the toy market in recent years due to the release of new Marvel films on an unprecedetend scale – the new toy on the block is Goo Jit Zu heroes, and we think they’ll be a massive hit with Marvel fans.

They’re squishy, stretchy and gooey, plus, these Marvel Superheroes are here to defeat evil and save the day. When you squeeze the figure, the water bead stuffing bulges through the skin, and they can stretch up to three times their size.

What Goo Jit Zu Figures Do You Have Available?

• Goo Jit Zu Iron Man
• Goo Jit Zu Black Panther
• Goo Jit Zu Venom
• Goo Jit Zu Hulk
• Goo Jit Zu Spiderman
• Goo Jit Zu Groot

Contents: 1 Goo Jit Zu figure

Ideal Age: 4+

Extras: none required

10. Little Live Pets Gotta Go Flamingo (Coming in October)

Stocked by all the big retailers such as Argos, Smyths and Selfridges – I predict the ‘Gotta Go Flamingo’ will be a popular toy among kids this Christmas. 

While us ‘grown-ups’ may find it a bit yucky, kids are curious about their bodies, and this toy helps them understand digestion and makes it fun in the process.

How Does It Work?

Feed Sherbet his magic flamingo food and watch his long neck wobble as he gobbles it down. Once he’s eaten it he’ll start singing his catchy ‘Uh Oh, Gotta Go’ tune; pop him on the toilet bowl and watch him ‘poop’ in the toilet bowl.

Then scoop it out of the bowl and watch him do it again! He also has a voice recorder so that kids can speak to him, and he’ll mimic their words back to them. This toy is sure to cause intrigue and is something a little different to the regular Christmas present.

Contents: Sherbet the Flamingo, Toilet, Feeder Scoop and Reusable Flamingo Food

Ideal age: 4+

Extras: 3x AA batteries included

Stock Up On Winter Essentials

As well as toys, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got all your winter wellness products, so your customers stay fit and healthy this Christmas. Read our Winter Wellness product Collection to ensure you’ve got all the best products.