As Christmas draws near and youngsters are given access to high-tech toys and ever-expanding budgets – many would be forgiven for choosing a luxe gift or two.
But this year, excited children are opting for presents more synonymous with the simplicity of their parents’ childhood than the complexities of their own.
From re-booted Nintendo games consoles, to Tamagotchis and the timeless Barbie Dreamhouse, retro toys are back – and in a big way.
The year’s top trends centre on unplugged fun according to Ebay, with the website revealing ‘toys that encourage imagination, creativity or to simply get outdoors’ are top of the crowded Christmas heap.
Excited children are opting for presents more synonymous with the simplicity of their parents’ childhood than complexities of their own including a Barbie Dreamhouse (pictured)
‘This year, we’ve seen a shift away from screens with kids being encouraged to play in new ways, often involving the rest of the family, and parents couldn’t be happier,’ said the site’s Chief Marketing Officer Julie Nestor.
‘What we really love seeing is the resurgence of some retro favourites – from Polly Pocket and Tamagotchi to Betty Spaghetty – allowing big kids to revisit their childhood.’
Other favourites include Razor scooters and Ride on Four Wheel Drive cars – set to inspire hours of outdoor fun.
The year’s top trends centre on unplugged fun according to Ebay , with the website revealing ‘toys that encourage imagination, creativity or to simply get outdoors’ are top of the crowded Christmas heap
‘This year, we’ve seen a shift away from screens with kids being encouraged to play in new way,’ said the site’s Chief Marketing Officer Julie Nesto
From re-booted Nintendo games consoles, (pictured) to Tamagotchis and the timeless Barbie Dreamhouse, retro toys are back – and in a big way
Interactive and furry friends are also among kids’ favourites with the explosion in popularity of Fingerlings in 2017 and Pomsies, Poopsie Slime Unicorn and FurReal Ricky also entering the market.
In fact, sales of Pomsies soared 600 per cent over the past three months in the lead up to the festive season.
All-in family fun is also high on children’s Christmas agenda with board games aimed to get the whole clan in on the action.
The trend signifies a move away from screens according to eBay with sales of board and traditional games – including Monopoly – up 147 per cent since 2015.
Surprises galore will also be aplenty throughout the silly season with Hatchimals Hatchibabies and LOL Surprise! Bigger Surprise! range dominating much of the market.
Movie-influenced gadgets are also on the rise thanks to the unparalleled popularity of franchises such as Transformers Harry Potter spinoff, Fantastic Beasts.
Fantastic Beasts-themed buys jumped 1300 per cent during the month of August when filming began.
From Polly Pockets, to Tamagotchi, Beyblades and Betty Spaghetty, nostalgic retro toys are coming back for a new generation of kids to enjoy with their parents
Far and away the year’s biggest trend is throw back domination – including Barbie
But far and away the year’s biggest trend is throw back domination.
From Polly Pockets, to Tamagotchi and Betty Spaghetty, nostalgic retro toys are coming back for a new generation of kids to enjoy with their parents.
First launched in the 1980s, Polly Pocket has been rebooted this year, while the Super NES Classic is based on the original 90s console with Super Mario and Donkey Kong among its games.