There comes a point every year when the shops start playing carols too early and every child you know suddenly has a very detailed opinion about what belongs under the tree. That point has arrived. Toys R Us has revealed its Top Toys for 2026, and judging by the list, this year’s wish lists are a glorious mix of mystery, mess, nostalgia and remote-controlled chaos.
The selection launches alongside Geoffrey’s Toy Guide, a 52-page festive catalogue packed with everything from pocket-money treats to the kind of showstopper gifts that require a family meeting before purchase.
Leading the charge is the blind box obsession, which shows no sign of slowing down. Mini Brands, MiniHouse, Miniverse and assorted character ranges have turned unboxing into a full event. “The hunt for a particular character can be as exciting as finding it,” says Catherine Jacoby of Toys R Us South Africa. Anyone who has ever bought “just one more” pack to complete a set knows exactly what she means.
Then there are the Fugglers, deliberately odd-looking plush creatures with alarmingly human teeth. Forget soft and cuddly. Ugly-cute is the new adorable, and frankly, it’s about time the toy aisle had a sense of humour.
Nostalgia is doing heavy lifting too. Funko Pops and Pokémon are proving just as popular with teens and grown-ups as with kids, and with Pokémon celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, plenty of parents will be “buying it for the children” with suspicious enthusiasm.
For the creative crowd, Slime Mart lets children turn slime into pretend desserts and takeaway treats, which is either delightful or a future cleaning project. Meanwhile, the Abacus National Geographic VR kits pair interactive books with a headset so kids can explore extinct animals and world wonders from the couch.
The classics are holding strong as well. Barbie playsets, dinosaurs, RC vehicles, blasters and family board games remain festive staples, while Toy Story, Spider-Man and Star Wars characters continue to fuel epic living-room battles. “Trends come and go, but children still love creating stories, pretending, building, racing and playing together,” says Jacoby.
A few standouts from the Top 20 include the Barbie 2026 Dreamhouse Playset, a Sky Hunter X FPV Drone, a Porsche Macan 12V Ride On, Monopoly Formula 1 Racing Edition and the Dino Realm Mega T Rex, because no festive season is complete without a dinosaur.
With budgets under pressure in many South African homes, the focus this year is on value and choice. Geoffrey’s Toy Guide runs until 3 January 2027, in store and online at toysrus.co.za. There’s also a chance to win your Christmas wish list worth R20,000 by choosing five favourite items and entering online or in a participating store before 11 December 2026.
“Christmas isn’t about how much you spend,” says Jacoby. “It’s about the memories you make.” Which is lovely, and also exactly what we’ll be telling ourselves while queuing for that last Fuggler.
