What kids want for Christmas this year - UK mums’ survey

14 November 2021 by Calan

We asked over 1,500 UK mums to tell us what their children want for Christmas this year. For a little background on why and how we did this, review the introductory post as it’s part of a series of articles covering the best toys and gifts for children based on real data.

We are looking to expand this research over time, giving us more detailed results, especially around the toys, games and activities that stimulate learning and development. If you’d like to take part in future and receive a copy of the results, please subscribe to our blog using the form on this page and we’ll include you in the next questionnaire.

Download the full spreadsheet

While the results appear in this series of posts, what is really interesting is to see the lists for each age side by side, as it shows how popularity changes as children get older. To see the data this way you can download a copy of the full spreadsheet by subscribing to our blog using the form on this page. On subscription you'll receive a download link to the full spreadsheet.

Lego, dolls and crafts

Unsurprisingly, in children old enough to understand what Christmas is, their wish list almost identically replicates the toys they play with most. Topping the lists are Lego, dolls and arts & crafts, the same as the toys they play with most.

In the younger age groups we have to assume that parents are telling us what they’re buying their children rather than what the children want, but it’s a good guide as to what is most suitable in each age group.

The undisputed champion

As a child, Lego dominated our house. My brother, who is now an architect, was significantly better at producing amazing creations, but we both spent countless hours playing with it on the bedroom floor. It’s incredible now, at the age of 40, to still see the same toy brand capturing the imaginations of children of almost every age.

What children want for Christmas in 2016

Within each age-group heading I’ve indicated the number of children that participated in the questionnaire, and within each list I’ve highlighted the total number of times the toy appears in children's lists.

0-6 months (39 children)

6-12 months (66 children)

12-18 months (84 children)

18-24 months (108 children)

24-30 months (135 children)

30-36 months (141 children)

3-4 years (234 children)

4-5 years (198 children)

5-6 years (135 children)

6-7 years (123 children)

7-8 years (90 children)

8-10 years (114 children)

10-13 years (87 children)

Share this research with other mums

If you found this useful, please help us by sharing it with other parents. You can use the social buttons below to share it with your networks, and help us deepen the research over time.