London - Toy industry retailers in the UK have revealed what they expect to be the best-selling toys this Christmas.
And parents scratching their heads as to what to buy for their children might be surprised to see toys they recognise from their own childhood are still popular.
With a distinct lack of technology-themed toys, film and television show characters dominate, with Star Wars, Frozen and Thunderbirds-related fun all flying high. Elsewhere there are family games, craft pens and one definite old favourite - Lego.
Three Star Wars playing sets have made it into the “Dream Toys” list compiled by a panel of leading toy retailers. It is believed the impact of the upcoming Star Wars movie, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, will have a big influence.
The top 12 list includes Lego's City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel set, which is loaded with the latest hi-tech diving equipment, including a remote sub and scuba scooter.
The Thunderbirds Interactive Tracy Island set recreates the famous launch sequences witnessed in the show, including over 50 actions, lights and sounds.
Meanwhile, the Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber features lights, sounds, two independently lit light daggers, expansion hilt, elbow connectors and cross connector.
Alan Simpson, chairman of the Toy Retailers Assocation, said: “In the past you have had a lot of electronics such as X-Boxes and PlayStation games, but I think kids are moving away from that and back into toys with good play value.
“One of the Lego sets we have in the top 12 is designed for nine- to 14-year-olds, and if you had told parents just a few years ago that their 14-year-old children were playing with Lego they would have thought something was wrong with you.
“I think one of the reasons we have seen this change is that it is easier to incorporate technology into these toys. They are simple and effective.
“Often, it's the very simplest of things that work because they just grab the kids' attention.”
Overall, the UK toy market is enjoying positive sales, with the most positive figures seen in action figure sets, youth electronics and building sets.
Movies have fuelled the growth, as movie-related toys experienced a 28 percent increase in sales during the last year and represent 15 percent of all toy sales, compared to 12 percent last year.
Disney's Frozen and Star Wars hold the number one and two spots as the top toy properties.
“2015 is going to be a vintage year for toys,” said Gary Grant, chairman of the Dream Toys committee.
“Strong entertainment brands like Frozen, Thunderbirds and Star Wars are appearing alongside creative brands like Little Live Pets and classic evergreens such as Lego, ever more stimulating playsets for under-5s, such as Toot-Toot or Paw Patrol, and family games like Pie Face.
“While the blockbuster licences may steal the headlines, it is exciting to see innovation throughout the list with manufacturers successfully combining this with traditional play in, for example, the IDO3D craft set, and Shopkins has become the new craze of the year, embracing all that is good about toys.”
Daily Mail
WHAT SANTA NEEDS TO KNOW
THE TOP 12 MOST-WANTED GIFTS REVEALED
1) City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel - Lego
2) Disney Frozen Sing-A-Long Elsa - Jakks Pacific
3) IDO3D Deluxe 3D Design Studio - Flair Leisure Products
4) Little Live Pets Cleverer -Character Options
5) Paw Patrol Paw Patroller - Spin Master Toys
6) Pie Face - Hasbro
7) Shopkins Food Fair - Scoops Ice Cream Truck - Flair Leisure Products
8) Star Wars Bladebuilder Jedi Master Lightsaber - Hasbro
9) Star Wars Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle - Lego
10) Star Wars The Force Awakens Millennium Falcon - Hasbro
11) Thunderbirds - Interactive Tracy Island Playset - Vivid
12) Toot-Toot Friends Busy Sounds Discovery Home -Vtech
SOURCE: UK TOY RETAILERS ASSOCIATION