Must Have Toys For Girls And Boys
At Must Have Toys Blog, we list the latest new toys, toy crazes and games for kids in 2022. Toys that are popular at Christmas are often referred to as ‘must have toys’ but we list top toys for girls and boys, family games, toy crazes and gifts for babies, toddlers and teenagers all year round. Our edit includes toys and games we think will be trending and popular for boys and girls this year. In case you can’t find any of them locally, we’ve included links to Amazon. Just so you know, we may earn from purchases made via qualifying links on this page.
Must Have Toys – Den Kit
Must Have Toys – Den Kit Build your own den with this kit from The Den Kit Co. Designed to capture creative imaginations, encourage resourcefulness and innovation, provide escape and sanctuary, and most of all supply hours and hours of simple fun. Recommended age range 6+.
Kid-powered racing set that is a good one to get them off their screens and outside in the fresh air. This STEM toy includes launcher, racing car and ramp with stickers for personalisation. For ages 5-12 years. One of the Hero Toys 2022.
Must Have Toys – Studio Creator
Create, edit and share videos for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch with Studio Creator. Dimmable 20cm LED ring light with 12 colour modes, USB powered. Extra-large 2x2m green screen, adjustable tripod, wireless shutter remote, clip-on selfie ring all included. See more ideas for present for 8 year old.
LEGO Monster Jam
New pull-back LEGO set in the Technic range featuring El Toro Loco 2. Can also be rebuilt as the Rock Racer. For kids aged 7+.
Marvel Spidey and His Amazing Friends LEGO
New LEGO set for ages 4+ featuring Marvel’s Spider-Man Webquarters Hangout from Spidey And His Amazing Friends Series, with Miles Morales and Green Goblin.
Must Have Toys – LOL Surprise Queens
New from the LOL Surprise dolls is the Queens range. With nine unboxing surprises including tiara. Not for those under 3 years.
Must Have Toys – Jenga Maker
Race against your friends and family to make the model on the card. This is a great one for Game Night. Ages 8+. See our other picks of new family games.
Harry Potter Defence Class
Part of the HP ‘Moments’ LEGO set for kids of seven and over. Open up the brick-built book with a defence class inside.
Hey Duggee Wooden Ball Roller
Lots of options for imaginative play with this wooden ball roller from the popular CBeebies show Hey Duggee. Made with materials certified by the FSC for ages 18 months and over.
Must Have Toys – Mini Micro Deluxe Eco Scooter
Deck made from recycled fishing nets that are removed from the ocean, cleaned and broken down into chips. Replacement parts are also available so you can repair rather than replace. With adjustable handlebar deck for riders 2-5 years with max weight of 35kg. Picked by Selfridges as one of its top toys last year.
Kinetic Sand Treasure Hunt
New Kinetic Sand treasure chest with six layers of discovery and reveals plus sand, tools and key for ages 3+.
LEGO Duplo Marvel Superheroes
For toddlers aged 2+, this LEGO Duplo set includes three superhero figures and lots of accessories for Superhero play.
Peppa Pig Ride-on Plush
Here’s George’s dinosaur rocker on a wooden base for Peppa Pig fans aged 12 months and over.
Must Have Toys – Talking Paddington
Voted Editor’s Choice at the recent Toy Fair in London. This new talking Paddington is designed for Early Years children and connects with the popular The Adventures of Paddington TV series. Suitable from birth. See more present ideas for babies.
LEGO Encanto Madrigal House
Encanto is a musical comedy fantasy film with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Here’s LEGO’s 587-piece Madrigal House complete with spinning weather vane, flipping bed and waving shutters, with two mini dolls and one micro doll. For ages 4+.
Paw Patrol Wooden Truck and Trailer
New from Melissa and Doug, is this wooden truck set with 28 early-learning blocks including letters, numbers, Paw Patrol characters, puzzle art and three play figures. Great for pre-school learning without a screen.
CoComelon Deluxe JJ Interactive Doll
Feed JJ and press his tummy to activate sounds. The peas ‘disappear’ from the spoon when he’s fed. For ages 2+. One of the Dream Toys 2021 and named Pre-school Toy of the Year in the recent Toy Industry Awards.
My Real Jam First Concert
Brilliant for budding musicians aged 3+ is this concert set from Little Tikes. Features guitar, drums and keyboard and includes volume control and Bluetooth connectivity and encourages imaginative play.
Must Have Toys – The Wheel Game
We love The Wheel gameshow with Michael McIntyre and are thrilled there is now a game to go with it. For ages 10+.
Tonies Starter Set
All-in-one audio device for kids: portable speaker, audiobook and bedtime storyteller and music box. Seen here in the Julia Donaldson bundle including The Gruffalo. For ages 3+ but suitable for younger kids with adult supervision.
Must Have Toys – Bluey Plush
Large plush Bluey toy (45cm high) from the very popular CBeebies series. For kids 3+.
And for Bluey fans, this playset (also for 3+) was one of the Dream Toys last year.
LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship
Includes two minifigures, transporter vehicle and two rotating dual blaster cannons. For ages 9+.
Must Have Toys – VTech Kidizoom Printcam
The Kidizoom Printcam digital camera for children. Comes with a built-in printer, special effects and games with rechargeable battery. Listed as one of the Hot 20 Holiday Toys 2021 on US site The Toy Insider. Age range 5 years+.
Star Wars Galactic Snackin’ Grogu
Interactive Snackin’ Grogu with four accessories (bowl, cookie, shifter knob and spoon) that he reacts with when you place them in his hand. Inspired by Disney+ The Mandalorian. For ages 4+.
Must Have Toys – Magic Mixies Cauldron
Interactive real misting cauldron with over 50 sounds and reactions. Mix magical spells to create your own Mixie. All is revealed when the mist clears. Refill packs available so the magic can go on and on! For kids 5+. One of the Dream Toys 2021.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets
This 20th Anniversary set for ages 9+ features the Chamber of Secrets and Great Hall with accessible tower and attic. Includes 10 minifigures. Is one of the toys on the License to Thrill list of Dream Toys 2021.
Jurassic World Stomp N Escape Tyrannosaurus Rex
This T-Rex is 21.6cm tall and 21.5cm long and has realistic stomping action and attack features and sounds. Perfect for Jurassic World fans aged 4+.
Paw Patrol Chase’s Deluxe Transforming Vehicle
Transforming car with disc launcher as seen in Paw Patrol The Movie. Includes Chase figure and two projectiles. For ages 3+. One of the Dream Toys 2021.
Barbie Big City, Big Dreams
Barbie ‘Big City, Big Dreams’ vehicle playset features a pink two-seater SUV which transforms to reveal a stage, drum set and concert-themed accessories. The age range is 3+ but would make a great gift for Barbie fans of all ages. One of the Top Toys For Christmas 2021 from Selfridges.
Barbie Dreamhouse
It’s not cheap but the Barbie Dreamhouse would make an incredible gift for a Barbie fan. Measuring approximately 110cm tall and 105cm wide, it can be customised and configured and comes with sound effect, songs and light settings. For ages 3+.
Hot Wheels Massive Loop Mayhem
From the Hot Wheels brand comes this massive Loop track set with wide track loop slam launcher, battery box and Hot Wheels scale car. For ages 5-10 years. One of the Dream Toys 2021. Hot Wheels was named Vehicle Brand of the Year in the recent Toy Industry Awards in London.
Polly Pocket Rainbow Theme Park
There’s three rides, seven play-areas, two dolls, two unicorns and 25 surprises in this new Polly Pocket theme park. For ages 4+. One of Amazon’s Top Ten Christmas Toys 2021.
Must Have Toys – Jurassic World Scorpios Rex
Inspired by Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, this dinosaur toy unleashes terror with claw slashing and poisonous tail-whip attacks. For ages 4+. One of the Dream Toys of last year. See more ideas for this age-group in Gift Guide For Four Year Olds.
LEGO Jurassic World Carnotaurus Dinosaur Chase
New Jurassic World LEGO set for ages 7+ including helicopter and pickup truck. Includes three minifigures and a posable Carnotaurus dinosaur toy figure and taser accessory element.
LOL Surprise OMG Magic Studios
LOL Surprise The Movie is on Netflix. For fans of LOL Surprise, here’s a massive unboxing surprise set with scenes to create your own movie. There are 12 dolls and 70+ surprises. The packaging becomes the studio with four stages plus a green screen. For ages 4+. One of Amazon’s Top Ten Christmas Toys 2021.
Must Have Toys – Nerf Elite Flipshots
New Nerf blaster has barrels front and back. When you finish blasting from the one, flip the second into action. Ages 8+.
Little Live Pets My Pig Piggly
My Pig Piggly is a cute interactive pig who walks dances and eats. For ages 4+. One of the Dream Toys 2021.
Must Have Toys – Pokémon 8″ Plush Pikachu
Adorable Pikachu for Pokemon fans aged 2+. Measures about 20cm high. One of the Dream Toys 2021.
Gotta Go Turdle
New from Little Live Pets is Gotta Go Turdle. If you feed the Turdle it will poop plus it repeats what you say. For ages 4+. One of the Top Ten Toys For Christmas 2021 from Amazon and on the top toy list from Selfridges too.
LEGO Luigi Starter Course
The LEGO Luigi Starter Course brings you all the fun of your favourite video game for ages 6+. Includes an interactive Luigi figure, sounds and music. Lots of challenges for solo play or with others. Includes 280 pieces. One of the Amazon Top Ten Toys For Christmas 2021 and one of the Top Toys For Christmas 2021 by Selfridges.
Monopoly Cash Decoder
The latest Monopoly game features a twist – some of the cash is fake. When a player pays for something, the others can use the cash decoder to check the money is the real thing. Ages 8+.
Must Have Toys – Nintendo Switch OLED
The new Nintendo Switch with a 7-inch OLED screen. This is the newest member of the Switch family featuring 64 GB of internal storage and enhanced audio. Play anytime, anywhere.
Disney Princess Ultimate Celebration Castle
New from Disney is this ultimate celebration castle with it’s iconic castle silhouette and fireworks display. Stands 1.2m high with three storeys and six rooms. Comes with furniture but no dolls. For ages 3+.
Batman Bat-Tech Transforming Bat Cave
New massive transforming Bat Cave playset. Stands 83cm tall and includes 10 areas for play, lights and sounds, and 40+ accessories. For kids aged 4+. One of Amazon’s Top Ten Christmas Toys 2021.
Must Have Toys – Tamagotchi Pix
Tamagotchi is back with this new generation of virtual reality pet. Features a new interactive screen, built in camera, games and social options to make caring for your pet more fun than ever! Play games alone or with friends to keep your little Tamagotchi happy. Loads of customisation features. For ages 6+.
LEGO Friends Jungle Rescue
New LEGO Friends set with a treehouse watchtower and clinic connected by a rope bridge, a jungle hut and picnic area, and a campfire tree. Perfect for young animal rescuers, vets and scientists. Also includes three buildable mini-dolls, a baby elephant with its mum, two sloths, a turtle, drone and rescue quad bike. Plus accessories such as walkie-talkies, syringe, feeding equipment, stethoscope and more. This is a substantial set for LEGO Friends fans aged 8+.
Pop-Up T-Rex
If you know the hugely popular ‘Pop-Up Pirate’ game from Tomy, you’ll love this new version but with a T-Rex. No-one knows when he’ll pop! For ages 4+. See more of our picks of the latest family games for all ages.
Barbie Breathe With Me Meditation Doll
New Barbie Breathe with Me Meditation Doll for ages 3+. With lights and sounds designed to inspire mindfulness. Plus five guided meditation exercise that children can practice along with Barbie. Includes a puppy and four emojis to show feelings.
Must Have Toys – Treasure X
Treasure X Gold Dino Dissection has 16 levels of adventure as you dissect the dinosaur and search through the golden ooze to rescue the hunter. For ages 6+.
Sing And Skate Sunny Starscout
New from the My Little Pony brand is the singing unicorn Sunny for ages 5+. With 50+ sounds, lights and motion reactions operated by the microphone controller. Customisable with stickers too.
Jurassic World Pop And Drop Dino
Shown here in Bumpy and Velociraptor Blue. These plush dinosaurs hatch out of their eggs when you drop them. Easy to reset and play again. Nicely priced for a birthday gift for ages 5+.
LEGO Disney Mickey Mouse Space Rocket
LEGO buildable space rocket featuring an opening rocket ship and space station. Includes Mickey and Minnie astronaut figures plus other accessories for ages 4+.
LEGO City Stuntz Stunt Park
New stunt park with launch ramps, obstacles, spider cage and flywheel powered self-driving stunt motorbike. With a total of 170 pieces and two minifigures – one of them being Tread Octane. Ages 5+.
Junkbots Large Factory
Unboxing fun from the new Junkbots factory range. With over 285 pieces, 15 stages of fun and includes a metro sewer system. You can now play the locations from the series in real life. With 3 hidden Junkbots. For ages 5+.
Paw Patrol Wooden Truck and Trailer
New from Melissa and Doug, is this wooden truck set with 28 early-learning blocks including letters, numbers, Paw Patrol characters, puzzle art and three play figures. Great for pre-school learning without a screen.
Sylvanian Families Baby Amusement Park
New for 2021 is the Sylvanian Families Amusement Park. With lots of fun rides for your baby figures to enjoy. Comes with three figures but there is room for many more.
WOW Pods
Very popular collectible craze featuring lots of your favourite characters and themes including Marvel, Disney and Harry Potter. Just swipe to light up the pods and reveal the mystery backdrop. Shown here in Spiderman. For the over-3s.
Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch
New smartwatch from Little Tikes has a playful personality, sound effects and more than 100 expressions to keep kids entertained. Also helps them tell the time and includes two built in cameras for taking selfies and videos.
Instaglam On-The-Go Trolley
One of Tesco’s Top Ten Toys For Christmas 2021. Comes with 100 pieces of make-up and beauty accessories. For ages 6+.
Squeakee The Balloon Dinosaur
New interactive balloon dinosaur that walks, chomps and dances. Comes with headphones and bone accessories for dancing and games. For ages 5+. One of Amazon’s Top Ten Christmas Toys 2021.
Squeakee Minis
Mini interactive Squeakees with record and playback for ages 5+.
There are five mini Squeakee Balloon animals to collect. They are interactive and talk with a helium voice effect.
Images: 1. Poppy Bunny. 2. Heelie Puppy. 3. Billo Monkey. 4. Redgy Puppy. 5. Sugapops Unicorn.
Cutie Cuts Shave and Reveal
From the Scruff-a-Luvs people, this is the new Cutie Cuts Shave and Reveal. Using the magical clippers (not real clippers) you can shave the fur to reveal the beautiful puppy. For ages 5+.
Akedo Ultimate Battle Arena
Comes with two warriors, instruction manuals and training mode so you can practice your moves. Ages 6+.
Kindi Kids Bubble And Sing
New from Kindi Kids, here is Pearl and Bonnie. They are bubble blowing baby dolls with ice-cream scented bubbles, giggling sounds and bubble wand. On the list of Top Ten Toys For Christmas from Bargain Max. For ages 3+.
Playmobil City Police Robot
This 50 piece set is part of the City Action range from Playmobil for ages between 4 and 10 years. Was one of the toys picked by Hamleys for their Christmas Toy recommendations last year.
Barbie Extra
Beautiful new Barbie dolls with a ‘More is More’ attitude! For Barbie fans over 3 years.
Must Have Toys – My Garden Baby
Beautiful butterfly baby doll for ages 2 years+ in scents of blueberry, raspberry and strawberry (shown here in strawberry). Pretend to feed the doll with the spoon and cup together with colour-change fun. The packaging turns into a baby crib so you can rock your baby to sleep
My Very Own Fairy Jar
Create your own magical fairy world. Comes complete with decorations, fairy dust, mini notes and envelopes.
Must Have Toys – Barbie Puppy Party
New Barbie doll set which combines dough play with a puppy party. Make a bone-shaped cake to give your puppies in their doggie bowls. The larger dog even ‘chews’ when you press its tail. Also comes with party hats, cake server and gift box with a toy ball. For ages 3+.
Must Have Toys – Spirograph
We love Spirograph for keeping kids entertained for hours. It’s one of our picks of classic must have toys. This ‘Scratch and Shimmer’ set is a great way to get amazing coloured patterns by scratching away at the special paper. For ages 8+.
My First Scalextric
Mains powered Scalextric set with easy-to-assemble figure-of-eight track. Suitable for ages 3+ and great for inside play.
Must Have Toys – Giant Science Lab
This bumper giant science lab from well-known brand GALT includes 30 fun experiments with full instructions, there’s even a lab coat and play goggles. Suitable for budding scientists aged 6+ with adult supervision.
Unicorn Knitting Set
Here’s a good project for older kids from a British company. Includes bamboo knitting needles and suitable for knitters with little experience. Finished unicorn measures 35cm.
Botley Coding Robot 2.0
The next generation of the award-winning coding robot Botley. Screen-free coding – no tablet or phone required. For ages 5+.
Hot Wheels Sky Crash Tower
Kids can race multiple cars at once for sky-high crashes. Measures 83cm high. For ages 5-10 years.
Must Have Toys – Marvin’s Magic
Magic sets are a great way to have fun. This one from Marvin’s Magic includes 225 easy to perform tricks for ages 6+.
Must Have Toys – Scalextric Batman vs Joker Race Set
Amazing Scalextric set where Batman takes on Joker in a thrilling chase. For ages 5+.
LOL Surprise Styling Head
With 30 surprises including stick-on hair pieces and colour-change make-up. Head swivels for easy styling and includes a drawer to store accessories. Also available in Neonlicious.
Polly Pocket Unicorn Party Set
Shaped like a unicorn pinata, this party play set includes over 25 wrapped surprises. For ages 4+.
Xootz BMX Scooter
Great present for an active kid. This is a hybrid BMX and scooter suitable for beginners and intermediate riders. For ages 6+.
Must Have Toys – Power Pux Challenge Pack
Play, collect and trade the Power Pux. Very popular on Must Have Toys this year. This is a challenge pack where you can play against your friends. Includes a launcher, Pux cups, target and five Pux discs.
LEGO Lamborghini
LEGO Speed Champions Lamborghini Urus ST-X and Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO Race Cars Set. For ages 8+.
Must Have Toys – Rainbow Unicorns
Rainbow Unicorns is a new twist on the Head and Tails game for pre-schoolers. It’s teacher-tested and there are two ways to play.
LEGO Friends TV show Central Perk
Here’s the Friends Central Perk cafe recreated in LEGO. Includes the iconic seating area and seven specially designed mini-figures including Gunther too! See more gifts for teenagers.
Must Have Toys – Elmer’s Glitter Slime Kit
Volume-Limiting Headphones
Puro volume-limiting and noise cancelling wireless headphones just for kids. Shown here in teal. One-touch Bluetooth pairing with iPhone, Android, and other compatible devices makes for hassle-free listening.
Must Have Toys – Gravitrax Starter Set
Use the Gravitrax starter set to create incredibly demanding ball runs.
Melissa and Doug Vet and Groomer Centre
The Melissa and Doug wooden multi-functional animal centre is easy to assemble and offers amazing play opportunities for children aged 3+. Pets and other equipment is available separately.
VTech Walkie Talkies
This is a great present which will keep kids aged 5+ occupied for hours. From trusted brand Vtech, they offer a range of 200m and have a digital screen so you can send secure messages and play games too.
Must Have Toys – My Own Rainbow
We love this rainbow light projector. Perfect for parties and sleepovers. A great to give. Sweet dreams!
Little Live Pets Rainglow Unicorn Vet Kit
Use the five interactive accessories to make your Unicorn better. For ages 4 years and over.
What are best new must have toys?
Must have toys are new or trending toys that kids really want. Unicorns, Llamas and Mermaids continue to be sought after and are themes for some of the best new toys. Current toy trends include collectables and unwrapping toys. STEM toys and educational toys remain popular too and new family games are constantly being developed. However, there are plenty of toys and games that have stood the test of time such as LEGO and Monopoly. Others reinvent themselves to remain relevant in a fast-moving world.
New toys and games are always highly prized. Children love a novelty especially when it comes to toys. They will look to other people to see if something is worth having. If a friend, or someone else they admire, has a present they think looks good then they may well want it too. But these days, social media is one of the most popular ways to find new toys. It also means that kids can see exactly how a toy or game works – and adults can see what’s included in the price – before a purchase is made.
Must have toys – what are the Hero Toys?
The Toy Fair’s Hero Toys list consists of 23 products launched at Olympia London on the first day of Toy Fair 2022. The Hero Toy finalists are judged by an independent panel of retailers, and industry experts, to be the most exciting and creative toys unveiled at the event.
What are the Dream Toys?
Dream Toys are the annual Christmas toy predictions from the UK Toy Retailers Association. The Dream Toys were announced in October last year.
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