Coding caterpillar among top Christmas gifts 2016

A Real Baking Chocolate Pen, Teletubbies Jumping Po and a codeable caterpillar are just some of the toys which retailers predict will top children's Christmas lists this year.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Nov 2016, 15:43 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 17:04 BST
This year's DreamToys were unveiled at an event in London today.This year's DreamToys were unveiled at an event in London today.
This year's DreamToys were unveiled at an event in London today.

Decided by a panel of leading toy retailers in the UK, The Toy Retailers Association’s DreamToys event publishes an annual list of the top twelve toys likely to be a big hit with youngsters.

Collectable Shopkins Chef Club Hot Spot Kitchen is expected to be popular this year, while Hatchimals and Snuggles My Dream Puppy were said by the panel to "highlight the increasing creativity within the growing interactive toy market".

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Popular characters from TV and film are also expected to feature, with Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump, Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Fighter and Paw Patrol Air Patroller all making the top twelve.

Classic building toy Lego is also represented by the Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster whilst the SelfieMic from Worlds Apart allows users to create their own music videos using their phone. Games Speak Out and Silly Sausage, which sees a sausage character give commands such as "shake me" and "dip me" are said to provide "family fun".

Other toys likely to be a hit with British children include Real Baking Chocolate Pen, cashing in on the BBC's Great British Bake Off's popularity and Fisher-Price Code-a-Pillar, which gives toddlers a chance to follow basic coding rules.

Gary Grant, Chair of the DreamToys selection committee, which unveiled this year's top toys at an event in London this morning, said: “The one unifying thing that I see in the DreamToys selection this year is a sense of real family fun at the heart of many of the toys represented. I’m sure that’s what many families are looking for this year, great value toys and games that all the family can play."

Frederique Tutt, global industry analyst for market researchers the The NPD Group, said: “Analysis of the top selling toys this year shows the sheer variety of concepts driving the sector – from low-priced collectables to entertainment-driven hot toys."