South African toy retailer, Toys R Us has revealed the top trending toys list for the 2022 festive season. After months of sourcing, testing, and predicting trends, the retailer says it has carefully curated an assortment that showcases top toy trends, inspired by popular culture, that stimulate imagination and growth as well as encourage interactive play across several age groups.
This year’s Top Toy List includes items like the Caylee Beach Villa, Peppa Pigs Clever Car, Lego sets, Muscle Remote Control Car, 4WD Drift Remote control Car, Reggies Police Car SUV Ride On, and a full range of Squishmallows Hugmees which won Toy of the Year 2023.
Fortunately, the list does include something to suit every budget, with one of the most expensive items, the Reggies Police Car SUV electric ride-on car topping out at R4,500. The cheapest item on the best toys for 2022 list is a collectable car toy, Reggies Mini 1:64 Scale RC Car costing R199. Shopping around for the best price on toys this festive season is easy with PriceCheck. Simply, visit PriceCheck to compare prices on the toys you’re after before clicking ‘add to cart and save big this festive season.
Top toy trends for 2022
“Social consciousness, post-lockdown living, nostalgia and consumers looking for value have all impacted this year’s toy trends,” says Catherine Jacoby, Marketing Manager at Toys R Us. “Consumers are driven more than ever by experiences and parents are looking for toys that give their children memories outside the digital world.”
Jacoby went on to explain that this year, parents can expect screen-free toys to top the list of trends and toys that encourage hands-on play and skill-building. She also added that this year’s list features a broad assortment of gift ideas for every age and interest and highlights twenty-two hero products that will make gift shopping for any child an easier task. From active and sensory play to play sets featuring kids’ favourite characters, this year’s top toy list encourages grown-ups to wrap up an extra-special gift that sparks hours of imaginative play and years of memories.
Collectable toys are a big trend
What’s more, Jacoby explains that this year retailers are expecting a retro revival across older age groups as collectable toys are topping the trends.
Collectable toys are becoming increasingly popular which is fuelling the kidult trend. “The growing ‘kidult’ trend was fuelled by the pandemic,” explains Jacoby. “With more adults than ever turning to toys to bring joy and levity into their lives. Toys and games have been a means of escapism for adults and offer a way to reconnect with their own inner child with toys like Funko Pop.”
Another great collectable toy option is the WWE Wrekkin’ Rampage Rig. WWE is a big trend with big kids and little ones alike. Wreck the truck and the competition with the WWE Wrekkin’ Rampage Rig! Kids can roll down to the ring with WWE action figures (sold separately) in a semi that can be smashed, bashed, and crashed again and again with eleven “breakable” parts. Climb the ladder for the WWE Championship held inside the extended Wrekkin Ball. Plus, collectors in the WWE Universe can display their favourite figure on the truck for authentic displays.
Notably, Jacoby adds that one of the most significant trends this year is unboxing and collectables. “It’s all about the full experience from packaging to unboxing and then the replay experience,” she says. “The element of surprise, blind unboxing with kids looking for more, toys like Squishmallows Hugmees and Barbie Color Reveal will be topping the Christmas wish lists.”
Family play, fashion, and imaginative play top the list
The family play still remains a strong trend this year, with board games, puzzles and outdoor games all featuring amongst consumers’ wish lists. Roleplay, sensory and educational play has also seen a surge following the national lockdown with parents investing more in toys that teach their kids through the power of play.
According to Jacoby, construction with Lego and imaginative play and building things your way has seen a huge surge in extended play and building through imagination. This year is really about getting back to the core of having fun and this year’s top toy list has something for everyone.
Jurassic World Dominion Thrash ‘N Devour Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Dinosaurs are always a firm favourite, more and more categories are incorporating this trend into their toys. “This has also seen more of a resurgence following the release of the new Jurassic World franchise and the Jurassic World Thrash n Devour T-Rex will be on the lists of many kids,” says Jacoby.
Fashion in toys is really coming to the forefront with brands like L.O.L Surprise and Barbie Colour Reveal, Jacoby explains that different body shapes, diversity and toys that are relatable and aspiring which allow kids to express themselves through roleplay is being seen across many of the doll categories.
The complete top toy list for 2022:
1. Rainbocorns Eggzania Surprise Mania Series 1 (Assorted)
2. Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron Playset
3. Barbie Color Reveal Totally Neon Fashions Doll (Assorted)
4. Caylee Beach Villa
5. Baby Alive Princess Ellie Grows up like Isabella & Sophia
6. L.O.L Surprise Queens Grill & Groove Camper
7. Angel High Itty bitty Prettys Capsule Doll with Colour Change (Assorted)
8. Reggies Muscle 1:10 Scale RC Car
9. Rev Up Rapid 4WD RC Drift Car (Assorted)
10. Tech Deck Display Skate Shop
11. Jurassic World Thrash n Devour T-Rex
12. Marvel Goo Jit Zu Single (Assorted)
13. X-Shot Skinz Dread Sonic
14. Reggies Police Car SUV Ride On 12V
15. Paw Patrol Look Out Play Set
16. Reggies Mini 1:64 Scale Car (Assorted)
17. Raptor Remote Control Dino
18. Lego City Horse Transporter
19. Lego Friends Pet Playground
20. Peppa Pig Clever Car – WINNER MADE FOR MUMS GOLD AWARDS UK
21. Monopoly Travel World Tour
22. Squishmallows Hugmees35CM (Assorted) – TOY OF THE YEAR WINNER 2023
