Must-have toys this Christmas

What must-have toys does Santa’s bag contain this Christmas?

This year’s Christmas wishlists include everything from Lego‚ Stikbots‚ Barbie dolls‚ Furby‚ Disney’s Frozen range‚ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles‚ the Sofia doll‚ zany games like Pie Face and the ultra popular Hatchimals — which sold out even before the festive hype.

Toys R Us South Africa said electronic and interactive toys‚ collectibles and franchise merchandise are must-haves this season.

Popular classics such as dolls‚ cars‚ plush toys‚ figurines and educational toys have also proven a firm favourite.

“Technology and gaming remains a leading toy trend while toys inspired by popular animation blockbusters also continue to propel the industry‚” said Nicole Annells‚ spokesperson for Toys R Us South Africa.

The toy store released its Top 15 toys in October to allow parents to budget and plan ahead.

Included on the hottest toy list is Sofia super value doll‚ Disney Tsum Tsum plush toys‚ Selfie Mic‚ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figurines‚ Pie Face and Chatimals.

Tevin Kalako‚ customer assistant at Toy Kingdom‚ Sandton City‚ said the store has done brisk business in the last two weeks.

“This is peak time for us. Amongst the favourites have been Hatchimals - which are sold out - Leapfrog tablets‚ Furby‚ which sells for R3‚000‚ and Lego. Barbie and Frozen merchandise are almost on par with each other when it comes to popular choices.”

The popular Hatchimals allow children to nurture an egg to hatching stage before looking after the cuddly toy contained in the brightly coloured eggs.

The little hamster Chatimals repeat back what children say to them.

Kalako said dolls resembling newborn babies were top sellers.

Toy and parenting expert Nikki Bush - who recently released her annual Toy Talk list - said: “There was nothing earth-shatteringly innovative in toys this year that we haven't seen before..

“Interestingly number games and construction toys feature prominently.

“The more children play with numbers in the real sense‚ the more they will understand numbers in the abstract sense in the classroom‚” said Bush. Bush has encouraged parents to go for education games and family board games this Christmas - which will “foster quality family time and to convey to children that families value learning‚ turn-taking‚ winning and losing with grace and having fun in the process”.

Bush also included the Cake Splat and Pie Face games on her list - “the silliest games of the year ... because of the stress-relieving fun and laughter it elicits”.

The games involve a mechanical hand launching a whipped cream surprise into a player’s face after turning a dial.