With Christmas just around the corner (it always comes before you know it!), I’ve put together my guide to the best Christmas toys for kids in 2026.. I’ve featured everything from beautiful wooden toys to educational games and screen-free entertainment. Of course, there are some of my two boys’ old favourites, such as LEGO, Peppa Pig and Numberblocks, but I’m also excited to include some finds from independent brands.
As well as our personal favourites, I’ve included some of Hamleys’ top toys for Christmas 2026, which I found out about when I met the head buyer at London’s most famous toy shop. I’ve also attended a few toy brand events (all in the name of research, of course!) where I came across some cool new products that caught my eye and that I think my own children would love.
I’ve organised everything by age, with separate sections for audio players and subscription boxes, to make finding the perfect Christmas present a little easier.
And if you’re planning some festive family days out, have a look at my guide to the best things to do at Christmas in London with kids.
Screen-Free Audio Players
Yoto Player and Yoto Mini: for stories, music and independent listening
The Yoto Player and Yoto Mini are brilliant toys that let children choose their own stories, music and activities using Yoto cards. Pop a card in and it starts playing, with controls to adjust the volume and move between tracks or chapters. Both players have a pixel display showing cute pictures to accompany the audio, without videos or a conventional screen. You can even record your own cards and create your own pixel art for them.
The card library includes much-loved characters such as The Gruffalo, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit, a huge range of Disney stories, and longer audiobooks including Roald Dahl favourites and the Harry Potter series.
New for Christmas 2026 is I’m So Happy, the first studio album from Ms. Rachel and her husband Aron. It features 23 songs, including favourites such as I Love a Rainbow, Big Feelings and The Wheels on the Bus. The Yoto Card launched on 12 November, priced at £11.99.
My boys also love the free podcasts, including Yoto Daily and Yoto Dreams, as well as the free radio stations that play throughout the day.
Which should you choose?
- Yoto Player: The larger option for home, with stereo sound, a built-in night light and okay-to-wake cues.
- Yoto Mini: The smaller option for journeys and holidays. The 4th Generation model is water and dust resistant, with up to 16 hours of battery life.
Both 4th Generation models have a new green button for choosing saved favourites without a card, separate day and night playlists, and 64GB of storage.
SilverSpoon verdict: We have both players and use them A LOT. The boys even insist that both come on holiday with us! We recently upgraded to the Yoto Mini 4th Generation, and it’s become one of our travel essentials. It’s small enough to pop in my handbag and keeps both boys entertained without a screen. Oscar loves Yoto Daily, while Noah can choose his story cards independently. Despite their age gap, Yoto works for both boys and is probably the most-used toy in our house.
Best for: Independent listening (and five minutes’ peace without your kids demanding your attention!), with thousands of stories for home or long journeys.
Worth knowing: Look out for bundles to get the best price and accessories such as adventure jackets, headphones and card storage. Once compatible stories have downloaded over Wi-Fi, they can play offline.
Price: Yoto Player 4th Generation £119.99; Yoto Mini 4th Generation £89.99. Additional story and music cards are sold separately.
Shop: Yoto Mini 4th Generation and Yoto Player 4th Generation
Toniebox 2 and Toniebox Lite: for stories, songs and interactive play
Unlike Yoto, which uses cards, Toniebox uses collectible little characters called Tonies. You child can place one on top of the box and it starts playing stories, songs or audiobooks. Children can squeeze the ears to adjust the volume and tap the sides to skip tracks, it’s really easy for even very young children to use.
There are over 250 Tonies to choose from, including Disney favourites, nursery rhymes, educational content and longer audiobooks.
There are now two models:
- Toniebox 2: The larger, soft and squishy version, with a night light, bedtime mode, sunrise alarm and up to nine hours of battery life. It also supports Tonieplay interactive games.
- Toniebox Lite: A smaller, lighter and more affordable option with a sleep timer and up to six hours of battery life, but no Tonieplay compatibility. We haven’t tried this one yet, but I’m sure it’s next on the boys’ Christmas lists!
One of our favourite features of the Toniebox 2 is Tonieplay, which introduces games, quizzes, puzzles and interactive adventures using special discs and a controller, all without a screen.
SilverSpoon verdict: We’ve been huge Tonies fans for years, and the boys absolutely love the new Tonieplay games. I think Tonies works really well across their age gap. Noah loves Bluey, Peppa Pig, Numberblocks and Disney, while Oscar prefers the longer stories and educational Tonies. He’s really into science and history, so the Pocket Tonies collections from the Science Museum and Natural History Museum are perfect for him.`
Best for: Younger children who enjoy choosing their own stories, with Tonieplay and Pocket Tonies offering more for older children.
Worth knowing: Both models work with regular Tonie characters, but Tonieplay is exclusive to Toniebox 2 and requires a separate controller.
Price: Toniebox 2 from £104.99; Toniebox Lite from £59.99. Tonies and Tonieplay games are sold separately.
Shop: Toniebox 2 and Toniebox Lite
Yoto vs Toniebox – which is better?
Yoto and Toniebox are two of the most popular audio players for children, and I’m often asked which I’d recommend. We have both (including the Yoto Mini 4th Generation), and they get plenty of use in our house.
As a general rule of thumb, I’d choose Toniebox for younger children who love familiar characters and stories, while Yoto is a great option for slightly older children who enjoy independent listening, educational content and the popular Yoto Daily podcast.
Jules: an AI-powered storytelling companion
Jules is a new kind of screen-free storytelling device that uses artificial intelligence to create interactive adventures for children aged 4–10. Yoto and Toniebox play pre-recorded stories but Jules actually talks back! Children can have conversations with it and help shape their own adventures.
Children can ask Jules questions and take part in adventures, from jungle quests to bedtime stories, helping to shape what happens next.
SilverSpoon verdict: I met the founder of Jules at a recent press day and really liked the idea! We’re already huge Yoto fans in our house, but what interests me about Jules is that children can actually talk with it, ask questions and make decisions about how their adventures unfold. I can imagine Oscar absolutely loving this!
Best for: Curious children aged 4–10 who love stories and interactive adventures.
Worth knowing: Parents still control the content and experience. You can also buy little ‘outfits’ for Jules to protect the device and give it some personality.
Price: From £169.
Shop: Jules AI storytelling companion
3. Subscription Boxes
Giggle Kitchen: for children who love to cook
Giggle Kitchen is a monthly cooking subscription box with a different theme each month. Each box includes two recipes, fresh ingredients and comic book-style recipe cards, alongside games, stickers and activities. You can subscribe or choose a one-off box as a gift.
The recipes are developed with a chef and paediatric dietitian, with quantities to feed a family of four. Most ingredients are supplied, although you may need a few basics from home, such as eggs or oil.
It fits the SilverSpoon philosophy of brilliant fun for kids but adults will love it too – one less meal to make yourself! I also love the fact that the company was started by parents who were inspired by their own daughter to create the company.
SilverSpoon verdict: I think a cooking subscription box makes a great gift for kids. It’s something a bit different and teaches them a useful skill too. Oscar and Noah always want to help me cook, so the Halloween box we tried went down very well especially as it had some chocolate in it. Oscar got straight into the word search on the comic book-style recipe cards, while both boys wanted to make the monster muffins first. We spent the morning cooking in our pyjamas and had freshly baked muffins for breakfast.
Best for: Budding cooks aged 5–10 (though three-year-old Noah loved it too).
Worth knowing: Adult involvement is needed. The boxes contain fresh ingredients, so plan delivery around when you’ll cook. Subscriptions can be paused, skipped or cancelled.
Price: £29.99 per month or for a one-off box, plus £4.99 delivery. There’s 30% off your first box.
Shop: Giggle Kitchen cooking boxes
Cubie: for maths lovers
Cubie is a monthly maths subscription box with activities matched to your child’s school year. There are four levels, from Reception to Year 3, with exercises that follow the National Curriculum and build on what children are learning at school. Although Noah is still in nursery, he loves them too!
Each box contains four A5 activity booklets, a pencil, stickers and a reward chart, plus extras such as counters, dice or toy coins when needed. Activities include tracing, writing, matching and colouring, with around 10–15 minutes of maths practice suggested each weekday.
The booklets are colour-coded to show which activities to complete each day, with a clear stopping point. Parents can also access answers, guidance and instructional videos online.
SilverSpoon verdict: Both my boys love numbers and actually do maths for fun (crazy, right!). They absolutely love their Cubie boxes, and I never have to persuade them to do the activities. They don’t see it as extra homework because they’re having so much fun!
Best for: Children who enjoy numbers or families looking for a way to practise maths at home. I’d go by your child’s ability rather than sticking strictly to their school year.
Worth knowing: Everything is on paper, so there’s no printing required and no screens!
Price: From £29.99 per month. Use code specialsilver26 for 30% off your first box.
Shop: Cubie maths subscription boxes
Lovevery Play Kits: for learning through play
Lovevery is a subscription service offering beautiful, Montessori-inspired toys designed for each stage of your child’s development, from newborn babies through to four-year-olds.
Every two or three months, a new Play Kit arrives with toys suited to your child’s age, including wooden puzzles, stacking toys, sensory activities and imaginative play materials, along with a guide for parents on how to use them.
SilverSpoon verdict: We had a Lovevery subscription from when Noah was a baby, and I loved receiving the new Play Kits as he grew. As the second child, Noah rarely got new toys because everything was a hand-me-down from Oscar, so it was nice for him to have something just for himself! The toys are beautifully made, encourage independent play and we always looked forward to our next box arriving.
Best for: Babies and children from birth to age five.
Worth knowing: Kits arrive every two months for babies under one and every three months for older children. You can also buy mini-kits, books and storage separately.
Price: £80 per kit for babies under one; £120 per kit for children aged one to four.
Shop: Lovevery Play Kits
3. Christmas gifts for toddlers: ages 1–3
Le Toy Van: beautiful wooden toys
Le Toy Van is a British family-run brand who make gorgeous wooden toys. I love beautiful ideas for babies and toddlers such as colourful animal stackers, shape sorters, activity walkers and traditional toys that encourage children to use have open ended play.
The collection also includes beautiful play kitchens, dolls’ houses and miniature worlds for older children.
The new Paddington collection for Christmas 2026 is sure to be a real favourite with kids. It features the Brown family’s house at 32 Windsor Gardens, a London double-decker bus, a train set and adorable Paddington figures.
SilverSpoon verdict: I’m a huge fan of traditional wooden toys, and Le Toy Van is such great quality, look beautiful in your home and are made to last.
Best for: Babies and toddlers aged 1–3, with lots of options for older children too.
Worth knowing: Many toys use FSC-certified wood and water-based paints. Check the age recommendations, as some are suitable for ages 3+.
Price: From £14.95 for stacking animals. Paddington figures start at £12.95.
Shop: Le Toy Van wooden toys | Paddington collection
Movers & Shakers: interactive moving animal toys
Part of Hamleys’ Festive 15 toys for Christmas 2026, Movers & Shakers are a collection of soft, interactive animals with playful personalities.
There are four adorable characters to choose from: a West Highland Terrier, Golden Retriever, Husky and black-and-white Cat. They’re designed to entertain little ones with movement and interactive features, while being soft enough for plenty of cuddles. I was lucky enough to be gifted one of these at the Hamleys showcase, and I chose the Husky.
SilverSpoon verdict: I fell in love with this toy at the Hamleys showcase and brought home a Husky for the boys. They absolutely love it! It’s so much fun watching the little dog move around and react, and it adds a whole new element to the usual cuddly toy.
Best for: Toddlers aged 18 months and over who love animals and cuddly toys. Although Oscar loves it too!
Worth knowing: There are four different animals to choose from.
Shop: Hamleys Movers & Shakers – part of the Festive 15 Christmas 2026 collection.
We’ve also experienced some of Hamleys’ special children’s activities, which I’ve included in my guide to the best luxury things to do in London with kids.
Stapelstein Stepping Stones: for active little ones
These colourful Stapelstein stepping stones are a brilliant way to encourage active play at home. Children can stack them, balance on them, build obstacle courses or come up with their own games. They’re lightweight, easy to move around and can be used indoors or outdoors. The Winter Special Pastel Set includes six stepping stones and a wobble board, all in gorgeous muted colours that actually look good in your home!
SilverSpoon verdict: They might look fairly simple, but kids absolutely love them! We don’t actually have a set at home, but the boys always gravitate towards them whenever we visit a play space that has them. It’s amazing how many different games they come up with using something so simple.
Best for: Active toddlers aged 12 months and over, although older children can enjoy them too.
Worth knowing: Made from lightweight, water-resistant EPP material. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Price: £184.95 (reduced from £194.95 in your screenshot).
Shop: Stapelstein Winter Special Pastel Set at Scandibørn
4. Christmas gifts for preschoolers: ages 3–5
Numberblocks Sing & Record Music Player
Children can sing along to 15 songs and sounds, including the Numberblocks theme tune, using the attached microphone. They can also record up to 90 seconds of their own voice and play it back. Five character buttons introduce counting, colours and shapes through play.
SilverSpoon verdict: Oscar and Noah are huge Numberblocks fans and both love this toy which we have at home. Recording your own voice and playing it back is such a simple bit of fun. I remember loving it myself as a child!
Best for: Preschoolers aged 3–4 but Oscar aged 7 loves it too.
Worth knowing: Batteries are included, and there are two volume settings and a headphone socket. Headphones are sold separately.
Price: £26.95, currently £21.56 at Hamleys. Part of Hamleys’ 15 Top Toys.
Shop: Numberblocks Sing & Record Music Player at Hamleys
Play-Doh Stamp & Spin Pizza Playset: for little pizza makers
Children can run their own pretend pizzeria with this Play-Doh set. Press down to stamp a pizza base, then watch it spin out of the toy oven, ready to decorate.
There are moulds for making more than 25 pretend toppings, including vegetables and pepperoni, plus a cheese grater for the finishing touch. Children can roll, cut and shape their creations before slicing and boxing up their pizzas for delivery.
SilverSpoon verdict: We don’t actually have this toy, but I know it’s something my boys would love. They’d have so much fun squishing the Play-Doh and making their own pizzas, and I love the little details, especially the pizza delivery box!
Best for: Children aged three and over who enjoy pretend cooking, play kitchens and making things with Play-Doh.
Worth knowing: No batteries are required.
Price: £19.99 at Hamleys. Part of Hamleys 15 Top Toys.
Shop: Play-Doh Stamp & Spin Pizza Playset at Hamleys
Pea & Biscuit: beautiful toys for imaginative play
Pea & Biscuit is a British brand creating handmade rattan toys and children’s furniture inspired by the English countryside and traditional country house style. The collection includes miniature kitchens, doll’s houses, tea sets and little accessories that look just as good in your home as they do in a playroom.
The brand was founded by Sammi, a mum of two who wanted to encourage children to use their imaginations and enjoy traditional play away from screens. Each piece is made using natural materials and traditional craftsmanship, with the idea that these toys can be treasured for years.
The collection includes the Biscuit Kitchen, Pea’s Dollhouse, a miniature rattan coffee machine, tea sets and even a gorgeous little butterfly chair.
Some of my favourites include the Biscuit Kitchen, Pea’s Dollhouse, a miniature rattan coffee machine and the adorable little butterfly chair.
SilverSpoon verdict: I met Sammi at a recent press event and immediately fell in love with the Pea & Biscuit collection. These are exactly the sort of toys I loved as a child, and I can imagine children spending hours playing with them.
Best for: Children aged 3–5 who love pretend cooking, playing house and creating their own little worlds. Also a beautiful gift for parents who appreciate traditional toys and love to keep things as heirlooms.
Worth knowing: The pieces are handmade from natural rattan, so each one is slightly different. Check individual product age recommendations and dimensions before purchasing. They are pricey but there is the option to pay in instalments.
Price: From £49.95 for the rattan tea set. The Biscuit Kitchen is £310 and Pea’s Dollhouse is £325.
Shop: Pea & Biscuit collection
Pocket Towns: for little café owners
Pocket Towns is a British brand founded by two friends who wanted to create wooden toys that encourage imaginative play while looking stylish too.
The brand actually started by creating children’s play spaces for luxury hotels, including The Grove, Four Seasons and The Dorchester, before launching its own collection of toys for the home.
I love the new Café Edit, which includes a gorgeous wooden café, a miniature kitchen complete with an air fryer, coffee machine and dishwasher, and a cute little matcha-making set. Children can spend hours running their own cafés and serving pretend drinks.
SilverSpoon verdict: This is exactly the sort of toy that fits my SilverSpoon philosophy of child-friendly and parent-pleasing. I think it says a lot that Pocket Towns has created play spaces for some of my favourite luxury hotels!
Best for: Children aged 3+ who love pretend cooking and running their own little shops and cafés.
Worth knowing: The collection uses FSC-certified wood and non-toxic paints. The larger pieces require assembly.
Price: Matcha Set £29.95; Pocket Kitchen £170; Pocket Café £577.
Shop: Pocket Towns collection
Ready, Pedal, Go Peppa!
Peppa Pig has learnt to ride a bike! This interactive toy lets children help Peppa learn to cycle, starting by attaching a push stick to guide her along before removing it and watching her pedal off independently.
She comes with a helmet, over 70 sounds and phrases, and stickers to decorate her bike, including little plasters for when she takes a tumble!
SilverSpoon verdict: I think this is such a fun idea for little Peppa Pig fans! Noah absolutely loves Peppa, and I can imagine him finding it hilarious watching her pedal around the house.
Best for: Children aged 3+ who love Peppa Pig and interactive toys.
Worth knowing: Features smart sensors, over 70 sounds and phrases, and a detachable guiding stick.
Price: £30 RRP. Part of Hamleys’ Festive 15 toys for Christmas 2026.
Shop: Hamleys
5. Christmas gifts for primary-school children: ages 5–8
Kidywolf KIDYDRAW Mini: For kids who love to draw, anywhere any time.
The KIDYDRAW Mini is a clever LCD drawing tablet that lets children draw, trace and doodle without needing paper or pens. It comes with 30 illustrations to trace, or children can create their own masterpieces and wipe the screen clean to start again.
It’s small enough to fit into a handbag or backpack and children can also use it to practise letters and numbers or play games like noughts and crosses.
SilverSpoon verdict: This toy is one of my absolute ‘ride or die’ toys. Oscar has always loved these LCD drawing boards and this one is even better as it looks really nicely presented, is great quality and comes with the illustrations. We always take this for every journey or to keep them entertained in restaurants.
Best for: Children aged 5+ who love drawing, doodling and creative activities.
Worth knowing: The LCD screen is for drawing rather than watching videos or playing digital games, it’s not a screen. Includes 30 tracing illustrations, and drawings can be erased and started again.
Price: £19.99.
Shop: KIDYDRAW Mini at Little Concepts
Kidywolf KIDYCAM Pro: for budding photographers
The KIDYCAM Pro is a brilliant first camera for children who love taking photos and capturing their own adventures. Designed for little hands, it’s waterproof up to one metre, shockproof and easy to use, with a 2-inch screen.
Children can take photos on holiday, underwater in the swimming pool or just out and about, with fun effects and backgrounds to get creative with their pictures.
SilverSpoon verdict: As someone who loves taking photos, I really like the idea of giving children their own camera! The fact that it’s waterproof is a huge bonus.
Best for: Children aged 4+ who love photography, travelling and exploring.
Worth knowing: Waterproof to one metre and shockproof, with a 2-inch screen and built-in photo effects.
Price: £79.99.
Shop: Kidywolf KIDYCAM Pro at Little Concepts
Connetix Magnetic Tiles Ball Run: for little builders
Connetix magnetic tiles are a brilliant way to encourage children to get creative and use their imaginations. This 106-piece pastel ball run set lets children build their own tracks, tunnels and towers before watching wooden balls race through them.
With magnetic squares, clear tubes, bends and split tracks, there are endless possibilities for experimenting with different designs. I also love the gorgeous pastel colours!
SilverSpoon verdict: My boys love anything involving magnets, and I think this is a great way to take traditional magnetic tiles a step further. There’s so much scope for experimenting and building more complicated designs as children get older.
Best for: Children who love construction, problem-solving and creative play.
Worth knowing: Officially suitable for ages 3+, but I’ve included it here because older children can enjoy building more complicated ball runs.
Price: £94.95 RRP (currently £85.46 at Scandibørn).
Shop: Connetix 106-Piece Pastel Ball Run at Scandibørn
6. Christmas gifts for older children: ages 8+
EGO Marvel Doctor Doom Bust: for Marvel collectors
One of Hamleys’ top toy picks, this 379-piece LEGO set recreates Doctor Doom’s metallic mask, green hood and cape. The finished bust has a movable neck and jaw, a display pedestal with a nameplate, and a Doctor Doom minifigure to stand alongside it. This is one of a few toys in Hamleys that have been released to coincide with the new Avenger: Doomsday movie.
This is a build-and-display model as a opposed to a playset.
SilverSpoon verdict: The Marvel Doctor Doom is an adult LEGO set but the online specifications state it’s for over 10s. If you kids loves LEGO like Oscar (or you’re a LEGO-loving parent like me) the adult rating won’t be an issue.
Best for: Marvel fans who enjoy detailed LEGO builds and collecting models.
Worth knowing: LEGO’s recommended age is 18+. Set number 76345; contains 379 pieces.
Price: £44.99 at Hamleys. Part of Hamleys 15 Top Toys.
Shop: LEGO Marvel Doctor Doom Bust at Hamleys
Articulate! Under Pressure: for family game nights
Articulate! Under Pressure is a fast-paced family word game where players have to describe words and get their teammates to guess them before the timer runs out. But there’s a twist! As the pressure builds, the electronic timer speeds up, with lights and sounds making everything even more frantic.
There are three ways to play, with 250 cards and 1,000 challenges, so it’s a game you can bring out again and again.
SilverSpoon verdict: I love a good family game, and we were big fans of the old Articulate board game. This looks like a brilliant choice for Christmas afternoons, family gatherings and rainy weekends. I can imagine Oscar getting very competitive with this one!
Best for: Families with children aged 8+ who enjoy word games, quick thinking and a little friendly competition.
Worth knowing: Includes an electronic countdown timer with lights and sounds. It’s officially recommended for ages 8+, so younger children may need help playing and I know Oscar would be ok with it.
Price: £24.99. Part of Hamleys 15 Top Toys.
Shop: Articulate! Under Pressure at Hamleys
I hope this guide has given you some inspiration for your Christmas shopping! I’ve really enjoyed discovering some new toy brands this year, as well as sharing the old favourites that have been played with over and over again in our house.
As much as I love finding new toys for Oscar and Noah, I think the best presents are the ones children actually play with long after Christmas Day. And if they keep them entertained for a while and give us parents five minutes’ peace, even better!
I’d love to know what toys are on your children’s Christmas lists this year. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything I’ve missed!
Looking for more Christmas inspiration? I’ve also put together guides to the best Christmas shows in London for kids, Christmas markets in London and free festive things to do with children.
PIN IT!!
