The most popular Christmas toys of 2024 under £40

If you’re looking for gift inspiration for the little people in your life, you’ve come to the right place. Santa’s elves have spoken and the official DreamToys list of 2021 is out!

Compiled by the UK's biggest and best toy retailers, this Christmas wish list predicts the most popular toys of 2021 in the lead up to the big day. We've picked out the best of the bunch for under £40 to make your festive budget fly further than Santa's reindeer. So, scroll on for the top toys for Christmas 2021 and prepare to bag a bargain.

Best gifts for 2 year-olds and 3 year-olds

Pokemon 8” Plush Pikachu £14 from Argos

Looking for a Christmas soft toy with universal appeal? There isn’t a toddler around who wouldn’t love this super soft and cute-as-a-button Pikachu. Not only is it an eye-catching colour, but it’s also perfect for cuddles — the perfect candidate for a new favourite toy! Even an older child might appreciate the retro appeal of everyone’s favourite Pokèmon. Add it to any stocking for extra Christmas cheer.

CoComelon Deluxe JJ Interactive Doll £39.99 and Bedtime JJ Doll £27.99 from Smyths

You might not know who Baby JJ is, but your little ones may recognise him as the star of CoComelon, the biggest kid’s channel on YouTube. The most popular Baby JJ toy is the Deluxe Interactive doll who giggles, sings and even eats from his own bowl and spoon. However, this popular Christmas toy has flown off the shelves so fast, it's now selling for over the odds on eBay!

Why not save your pennies and purchase a CoComelon Bedtime JJ Doll instead? He makes the perfect nighttime companion and will even sing your little one to sleep.

Best presents for 4 year-olds and 5 year-olds

Barbie Dreamtopia Colour Change Mermaid £27.99 from Argos

The classic Barbie doll has been given a magical twist with a vibrant mermaid tail and rainbow-coloured hair. Dip the mermaid's tail into hot water to watch it change into a palette of pastels, then rinse her in cold water to see it change back to those neon brights. While this mermaid Barbie is suitable for kids over three, we think it will brighten up bathtime for those a wee bit older too.

Jurassic World Slash ‘n’ Battle Scorpios Rex £30 from Argos

This all-new hybrid dinosaur is a serious sight to behold. Based on the animated series Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, it’s the ultimate action toy with its dynamic claw slashing feature, chomping bite and furious dinosaur roar. Plus, you can even pull the tail back to activate a full-throttle, spring-loaded whipping attack! Don’t forget to download the Jurassic World Facts app to see your dinosaur come to life.

Little Live Pets My Pig Piggly £24.99 from Smyths

Who needs a pet IRL when you can take home your very own My Pig Piggly? This little piggy moves and sounds just like a real pig with her wiggling snout and snuffly sounds. Animal lovers can stroke her soft skin, feed her with her bottle and even take her for a walk — just give her a pat on the back to watch her dance with happiness. And if Piggly herself is out of stock, the Little Live Pets series has several other options up their sleeve like this scruffy mutt for £25 or this sweet singing bird for just £14.99.

Best presents for 6 year-olds and 7 year-olds

Bluey Family Home Playset £31.99 from Amazon

Fans of the TV show will adore this replica of the Bluey Family home, and enjoy recreating their favourite scenes in the four beautifully detailed rooms. With a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and even an outdoor patio, all stocked with furniture, it’s the perfect toy for imaginative play and to bring their favourite cartoon to life. This super-cute house comes with one Bluey figurine, so why not add a few friends to their stocking to make the family home complete?

Gassy Gus Board Game £18.99 from Smyths

If Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a family board game or two, Gassy Gus is the ideal gift to get the whole family giggling. The aim of the game is to get rid of all your food cards by taking turns to feed Gus and watch his belly inflate. The problem is that Gus is one greedy so-and-so and if he passes gas on your turn, you have to pick up all the cards. You might want to keep Gus away from the sprouts.

Best presents for 8-11 year-olds

Lego Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship £39.99 from Smyths or Lego Ninjago Jungle Dragon £28 from Amazon

Two things that never get old: Star Wars and Christmas Lego. So, treat your older kids to this detailed version of the awesome Boba Fett’s starship and watch their eyes light up! With everything from rotating dual blaster cannons to Boba Fett himself, this premium set is 593 pieces of pure Lego joy. The starship is currently on sale at Smyths, but we’ve seen cheap versions on eBay already, so it might be worth a look there first.

If Boba Fett’s Starship ends up out of your price range, Lego Ninjago sets are all the rage among the kids these days and could make the perfect budget alternative. This Ninjago Dragon from Amazon should do the job nicely.

L.O.L. Surprise Movie Magic Doll £10.97 from Amazon

The latest dolls in the popular, pint-sized L.O.L Surprise range come with a magical movie theme. There are 12 to collect, each encased in their trademark capsule with 10 unique surprises up their tiny sleeves — think secret messages, film props, 3D glasses and more. And the best thing about L.O.L dolls is that every toy is a surprise! Although suitable for children over four, the collectable nature of these dolls means they’re a big hit with older kids and make cute presents for 11 year-olds too.

Once you’ve completed your list and checked it twice, don’t forget to head to our vouchercloud money-saving merchant pages. You could snap up some Christmas coupon codes to cut your bill down to size.

*Prices correct at time of writing.