Top toys for 2025: Old favourites make a return 

Last year, nostalgia was a key feature on trending toy lists, and it looks like it’s more of the same this year.

Old favourites

Old favourites like Barbie are still topping the lists. Barbie Colour Change Fairy Doll (€24.99) will sparkle up everyone’s Christmas with her magic transformations. Then, it’s up and away as she jets off on the ever-popular Barbie Dream Plane (€59.99) with sisters Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea to Barbie’s Dreamhouse (€219.99) for fabulous fun!

From the movies

The movies are also having an influence and Disney Frozen Fashion Dolls (€12.99), Wicked Deluxe Fashion Dolls, Glinda or Elphaba (€59.99), and Playdate Elsa Doll (€84.99), are hot favourites this year.

Turn your home into Jurassic Park with the amazing World Rebirth Super Colossal Mosasauras, (€64.99), with its monster jaws or the Super Colossal Spinosaurus (€64.99), who can eat and release its prey! Definitely keep out of his way!

By all accounts the Toothless Puppetronic by RealFX (€59.99) is a much safer bet, and is proving a real winner this year. Train your own little dragon, with its real smoke, interactive touch and motion sensors, giving hours and hours of fun, but for something a little more adorable and cuddlesome, Disney Stitch Interactive Plush (€89.99) and Many Moods Stitch (€49.99) with its giggles and hugs is a super list topper and will make everyone’s Christmas a warm and wonderful time!

Thrills and tumbles

Spider-Man is alive and well, and a top favourite this year is the Marvel Spider-Man Remote Control Skateboard Figure Set (€34.99). His thrilling 360 degree spins and super exciting stunts will have everyone spinning! And for even more tumbles and flips Spin n’ Stunt Cars (€10.00) are zipping their way to the top of Santa lists.

Hot Wheels City T-Rex Blaze Battle Playset (€31.99) will test your own racing skills when a hungry T-Rex has attacked the Hot Wheels City fire station. Battle with the beast and be a winner! Zooming to the top is Hot Wheels Racing Formula 1 Grand Prix Track Set (€79.99), and in hot pursuit is Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Playset (€49.99), followed by Hot Wheels City Roller Coaster Rally (€49.99).

If all that racing is proving too exhausting, opt for the Disney Frozen Scooter (€99.99) and the ever-popular Vespa (€139.99), or travel in super style with the Honda CBR Motorcycle (€99.99). Take to the road with 4x4 Ford Ranger Raptor Police Truck (€199.99) and there’s sure to be no shortage of thrilling adventures!

Make-and-do

This year shows a big uptick in toys with a do-it-yourself element with Build-a-Bear Stuffing Station Set (€42.99), Toobie the Robot (€34.99) and Magnetic Tiles Building Sets, all proving popular choices and providing hours of fun. These educational toys stimulate imagination and assist in the development of motor skills. Crayola Colour Wonder Magic Light Brush (€29.99), smART Sketcher (€69.99), Hey Clay Bluey and Friends (€19.99) will keep those little artists busy for hours creating wonderful masterpieces, or get those hardworking hands mucky with gooey Play-Doh, Slime and Gui Gui.

Build time

Lego remains a firm favourite and for those budding builders, there’s an array of sets to choose from.

The “must-haves” this year are Wicked Glinda and Elphaba Visit Munchkinland, (€69.99), Emerald City & Kiamo Ko Castle (€79.99), Minecraft Enderman Tower (€94.99), and the magnificent. 

This article appeared in the 2025 Holly Bough .