Christmas may still be months away, but the battle to find this year's must-have toys has already begun.
Argos has revealed its Top Toys for Christmas 2026, with 20 picks expected to feature heavily on children's wishlists this year.
The list covers everything from £15 wooden toys and £20 soft toys to £150 LEGO sets, with retro favourites, movie characters, interactive gadgets and hands-on creative toys all making an appearance.
So whether you're shopping for a dinosaur fan, budding musician, Pokémon lover or a child who simply wants something enormous to unwrap on Christmas morning, there are plenty of contenders to know about now.
Chantal Pearce, Head of Toy Buying at Argos, said: “This year’s Top Toys list brings together the very best in imaginative play and innovation. We’re always monitoring market trends to discover what truly sparks children’s imaginations, and our 2026 Top Toys list reflects the toys we expect to capture their attention this Christmas.
"From movie magic and retro nostalgia to screen-free storytellers and hands-on crafting, we’ve curated a range that inspires imagination, supports children’s development and encourages creativity through play.”
The toys bringing back retro Christmas magic
Nostalgia is having another big moment, with several classic styles of toy getting a modern makeover.
The Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset (£20) is one of the more unusual picks. The miniature record player really spins and plays music, with 44 mini records to collect.
For older children and LEGO fans, the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade Building Set (£150) brings the look of an 80s arcade into brick form.
The Hot Wheels City Ultimate T-Rex Garage (£130) is another big-ticket option, with room to store and launch up to 50 cars.
There are also more traditional choices, including the Argos-exclusive Chad Valley Alfie And Jo Wooden Train Set (£15) and Chad Valley Wooden Classic Kitchen (£30).
Pearce said: “Parents enjoy introducing their children to the toys and characters they grew up with, but kids still want something that feels fresh and fun to play with.
"When a toy balances that retro charm with modern features, it quickly becomes a favourite across the household.”
Interactive toys are getting bigger
Technology is also making its way into playtime, but the focus is not simply on screens.
The Tonies Lite (£60) is a new, compact addition to the popular audio range, designed as a travel-friendly alternative to the Toniebox for taking stories, music and audio adventures on the go.
For children who love imaginative roleplay, the Little Live Pets My Magical Dragon Skye (£55) offers more than 60 physical reactions, responding with sounds and movements when children pet, feed or play with it.
Then there's the Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Egg Shark Toy (£55), which turns opening a toy into part of the experience. Children add water to trigger a fizzing and foaming reaction before their prehistoric shark hatches.
For budding musicians, the VTech Kidi 12-In-1 Guitar Superstar (£50) has light-up frets to help beginners learn to play tunes.
And for children who want to put on a show, the Projector Karaoke Machine (£90) comes with app connectivity and built-in stage lights.
Pearce said: “The best interactive toys are all about instant fun and encouraging kids to dive right in.
"It’s wonderful seeing how intuitive tech can bring so much joy and confidence to playtime.”
The creative toys to look out for
For children who prefer making, building and inventing their own worlds, several of the 2026 picks focus on hands-on creative play.
The LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle (£30) gives Pokémon fans the chance to build their favourite starter characters.
Meanwhile, the Armosaurs Armor-Up Dinosaur T-Rex - Ajax (£45) comes with seven pieces of mix-and-match armour and a tail-activated jaw.
For crafty children, the Giftie Badge Maker (£35) connects to a phone app and can print customised photo badges and greeting cards.
The Argos-exclusive Jupiter Workshops Four Storey Wooden Doll House (£150) takes imaginative play to another level, with four floors, working lights and sounds.
And one of the more unusual entries is the Argos-exclusive Flutter Monster 40 cm Soft Toy (£20). The plush toy comes with a hidden tummy pocket and feeling cards designed to give children a simple way to talk about their emotions.
Pearce said: “Creative play gives kids the freedom to build their own stories from scratch. Whether they’re designing gifts for friends or losing themselves in an imaginative world, these toys are all about hands-on fun that keeps them engaged for hours.”
The screen favourites children will be asking for
Movie and TV characters are once again expected to feature heavily on Christmas wishlists.
The Argos-exclusive Toy Story 5 Bullseye Jumbo Plush (£50) offers a huge, huggable version of Woody's loyal companion.
Fans of KPop Demon Hunters can choose from the Golden Singing Dolls (£35 each) featuring Rumi, Mira and Zoey. Each doll performs the group's song “Golden” from the film.
For younger children, the Megasaurus Dino Vehicle (£60) brings PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie into the playroom. The 76.2cm dinosaur automatically inflates at the press of a button.
Meanwhile, Ready Pedal Peppa (£30) lets children help Peppa Pig learn to ride her bike, with more than 75 interactive sounds and phrases.
And for children who prefer their Christmas presents with a little more toilet humour, the Minions & Monsters Fart Blaster Pro (£30) launches scented fart rings up to six feet through the air.
Pearce said: “When kids fall in love with a movie or show, they want to step right into that world.
"Screen-inspired toys are at their best when they let children recreate their favourite moments or create brand-new stories with characters they already adore.”
The Christmas toys worth knowing about now
Argos says its 20 Top Toys have been selected following months of market research, with the retailer expecting the picks to prove popular over the festive season.
The range covers a wide spread of ages, interests and budgets, from the £15 wooden train set through to the £150 LEGO arcade set and wooden doll house.
For parents planning ahead, the biggest takeaway is that this year's list is not dominated by one particular type of toy.
Retro play, interactive technology, crafting, building sets and blockbuster characters all feature, meaning children's wishlists could look very different depending on what they are into.
And with Christmas shopping traditionally becoming more frantic as December approaches, parents who already know what their children want may want to start keeping an eye on availability sooner rather than later.
Argos's Top Toys for Christmas 2026
- Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset – £20
- LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade Building Set – £150
- Hot Wheels City Ultimate T-Rex Garage – £130
- Chad Valley Alfie And Jo Wooden Train Set – £15
- Chad Valley Wooden Classic Kitchen – £30
- Tonies Lite – £60
- Little Live Pets My Magical Dragon Skye – £55
- Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Egg Shark Toy – £55
- VTech Kidi 12-In-1 Guitar Superstar – £50
- Projector Karaoke Machine – £90
- LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle – £30
- Armosaurs Armor-Up Dinosaur T-Rex - Ajax – £45
- Giftie Badge Maker – £35
- Jupiter Workshops Four Storey Wooden Doll House – £150
- Flutter Monster 40 cm Soft Toy – £20
- Toy Story 5 Bullseye Jumbo Plush – £50
- KPop Demon Hunters Golden Singing Dolls – £35 each
- Megasaurus Dino Vehicle – £60
- Ready Pedal Peppa – £30
- Minions & Monsters Fart Blaster Pro – £30
Prices supplied by Argos and may be subject to change.
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