The top Christmas toys for kids 2023: all the best ideas for babies and children

Little ones will love this lot

Kids gifts 2022

by Lucy Smith |
Updated on

The countdown to Christmas is upon us and we've saved you some of the hard work by finding the crème de la crème of children's gift ideas this year.

It can be tricky wading through thousands upon thousands of new toys and educational offerings for kids each year. Not to mention keeping them hidden for a month once you have made your all-important purchases.

But, lucky for you, we've found all the best ones, and we've even separated the presents into age groups from 0 all the way up to 13 years because, well, we're just nice like that.

Get a cuppa and have a leisurely browse through our selection. There are some really good 'uns in here, so enjoy.

SHOP: The best Christmas gifts for kids 2023

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.

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The best Christmas presents for babies and toddlers 0-18 months

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CREDIT: Amazon

SnuzCloud Baby Sleep Aid

A great gift for new parents, white noise is honestly a godsend when it comes to getting tiny tots to sleep in those first few months.

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CREDIT: My 1st Years

Personalised Taupe Bunny Soft Toy

This suitable-from-birth bunny is a gorgeous addition to any nursery and the thoughtful personalisation will be a hit with parents.

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CREDIT: Amazon

TOMY Toomies Hide and Squeak Eggs

These cute, colourful eggs are great for sensory play with textured edges, a bright colour palette and even a push-squeak function once your tot's able to apply pressure.

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CREDIT: JoJo Maman Bebe

Kaloo Tendresse Doll

Cuddly, soft and washable, Kaloo's Tendresse dolls are perfect for Christmas gifting.

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CREDIT: Amazon

Janod Push-Along Cockatoo

We love the cute cockatoo design and it's great to see more wood and plastic-free toys in this year's Christmas offering.

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CREDIT: JoJo Maman Bebe

Fleur Push-Along Toy Pram

This push-along pram from JoJo Maman Bebe is certainly a generous gift, but it's also a lovely addition to a little one's nursery, not to mention a great prop to help get them walking faster.

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CREDIT: John Lewis

TOMY Toomies Bubbles & Bake Bathtime Kitchen

Bath-time is also a fun time for most families so why not step it up a notch this Christmas with this entertaining stick-on (suction cup) bath-time kitchen?

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The best Christmas presents for small children aged 2-5

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CREDIT: Amazon

New Classic Toys Wooden Tractor with Trailer and Animals

From its wood rather than plastic make-up right down to how it'll help with co-ordination (putting the horse/cow/farmer in the vehicle, learning to push/pull), this is a simple, fun and engaging kids' toy which it comes in at an affordable price point.

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CREDIT: Amazon

Toniebox Starter Set

A Toniebox is a wifi-connected speaker which comes pre-loaded with audiobooks and songs. Kids will be able to work the box on their own and need only tap the side of the box to change the track. We love how it's entirely screen-free.

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CREDIT: John Lewis

Peppa Pig Grandpa Pig's Greenhouse

Growing red amaranth and basil will be a lovely activity for adults to get involved with the kids, and you can be sure they'll love watching their little plants grow as the weeks go by.

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CREDIT: Amazon

VTech Kidizoom Duo Camera 5.0

With editing functions, and the ability for kids to record their voice and even record video, this is a gadget that'll keep them entertained for hours and it'll certainly challenge them, too. Oh, and with added rubber reinforcement, it's fairly drop resistant as well, so you can rest easy when you hear that dreaded clatter from the other side of the room...

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CREDIT: Amazon

Melissa & Doug Wooden Ice Cream Counter

With a scoop and Velcro ice cream scoops, kids can stack their sundaes sky high and create flavour combinations galore with a whole host of different brightly-coloured flavours to get stuck in with.

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Toy Drum

 
Drum roll please - the parents won’t thank you, but little ones will!

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CREDIT: Toucan Box

toucanBox craft subscription

This is a gift that keeps on giving. A toucanBox subscription will entertain kids from three upwards with a parcel of two cute crafts, each month, all year long.

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CREDIT: Lovevery

Lovevery play kit

This spenny but gorgeous play kit is such a good idea. Every three months, a set of toys is sent out specifically designed with the young 'uns developmental stage in mind.

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CREDIT: ZURO

Robo Alive Dino Wars Mega-Rex Dinosaur by ZURU

This walking, firing, combat toy is a ROARSOME gift for dino-loving youngsters. Batteries not included so be sure to stock up so they can enjoy it on the big day.

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CREDIT: Disney

Disney Junior Minnie Mouse Fabulous Fashion Doll with Case Sweet Party

Mini fashionistas will love this bright dress-up set with accessories that are easy for little hands to take on and off. Parents will love the carry case that means you can keep all the bits together. Trust us on this.

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CREDIT: Magnetibook

Magnetibook

There's lots of fun to be had with this magnetic art book. It's compact, shuts firmly and is sturdy, so will be great for travelling too at Christmas and beyond. It's *whisper* educational too.

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The best Christmas presents for kids aged 5-8

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CREDIT: Mini U

Mini U Create Your Own Bath Bomb Kit

Clean up this Christmas with a cute bath bomb kit that will both keep 'em entertained and have 'em looking forward to bath time. It's  vegan, cruelty-free, and free from gluten, soy and dairy to boot.

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CREDIT: Amazon

Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldron

With a real 'magical' mist that dissolves over the cauldron after your little ones add in all the required fantastical potions and ingredients, this toy really is fun for the whole family as you all gather around to watch the remarkable apparition of a 'Mixie' from right beneath your nose!

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Miko 3 Robot Toy

A lovable pal for your mini-me, the Miko 3 II robot is a cheeky, tech-savvy chap, designed to help your little one learn and grow through every playtime. It's packed with plenty of fun and games and even has a handy video-calling feature.

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CREDIT: OnBuy

Playmobil City Life Playground

Playmobil has been going since 1974 and it's the sort of toy that truly does get better with age. This 'City Life' playground is no exception and will give children hours and hours of fun.

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CREDIT: Amazon

Little Live Pets Scruff-a-Luvs Cutie Cuts Shave, Reveal and Style

The Scruff-a-Luvs pets are the ideal gift for animal-loving kids who, for one reason or another, can't have a pet. This little plush arrives looking quite overgrown, if we do say so ourselves, but with the help of some small hands, a shave, a wash and some TLC the pup will transform beneath your eyes, revealing a cute pooch that kids will love looking after.

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Build Your Own Tyrannosaurus Rex

Get ready for an awesome dinosaur adventure with Build Your Own’s new Tyrannosaurus Rex. An impressive 38cm once built, this mighty T-Rex is almost as fearsome as the real thing

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CREDIT: Amazon

LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course Toy

If you're not familiar with LEGO's digital toys, this Luigi starter pack comes with inbuilt LCD screens to give the characters fully reactive expressions and, together with the Mario starter pack, the two main characters can even be paired by Bluetooth for an IRL 2-player mode - pretty nifty, right?

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CREDIT: Amazon

So Slime DIY Slimelicious Station

The slime trend was big last year and let us tell you it isn't going anywhere. Thankfully with the So Slime collection, you can bin the glue that gets quite literally everywhere and just add water instead.

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CREDIT: Ravensburger

GraviTrax - Starter Set Bounce

Take your marble run game to the next level with this cool kit. Contains trampolines (trampolines!) and will provide lots of wholesome, indoor, fun over the cold Christmas holiday.

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CREDIT: Smart Games

Plug and Play Ball

Keep young minds busy over the Christmas holidays and beyond with this smart, 3D, jigsaw style puzzle.

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CREDIT: Camp Bestival

Camp Bestival Monopoly

It is - without doubt - the best family festival around, and now you can feel the Camp Bestival vibes at home with this gloriously colourful Monopoly edition. Playing in a tent optional.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us