Christmas trends 2014

Christmas 2014: top toys for children

High-tech toys are in the lead!

If spinning tops and arenas have turned the heads of little boys in recent years, they are now out of fashion and should no longer appear too much on the letter to Santa Claus. According to Fréderic Carré, purchasing director of Toys’R’Us stores, “ they are replaced by robots and digital animals As Dino zoom. Another insured box: the Digibirds, already number 1 in sales, just a few weeks after their release. These are small, collectable birds that sing while moving their heads and beaks. “They appeal to boys as well as little girls.” Moreover, in the latter, high-tech is also at the party. “Cayla, the first doll able to answer almost all questions since she connects to the Internet is already positioned as a must-have for this Christmas, ”explains Fréderic Carré. Furby Boom, elected by the girls to the Toy Stars 2014, is also one of the flagship toys. This new generation soft toy transports children to a virtual world thanks to its downloadable application.

 For the little ones, Lansay’s Sparkup reader should be a hit. “This little console reads stories. She can recognize any children’s book. Parents will only have to record the text, which their child can then listen to, ”explains the specialist.

 Finally, games combining electronics and an educational dimension such as Clementoni’s Exploraglobe or Leopfrog’s My Leap Reader will particularly appeal to parents.

Super heroes for boys, Violetta and Frozen for girls

Avengers, Spiderman, Planes, Transformers … the many cinema releases in recent months should bring licensed games to a certain success. Another star expected: Batman who celebrates his 75th birthday this year. “The boy’s world is starting to look positive again. It took two years to find satisfactory figures after the success of the Beyblades, but since July, this sector has started up very strongly, ”explains Fréderic Carré. On the video game side, the new Skylanders Trap Team should hit hard. In this new starter pack, kids can imprison bandits and rally them to their cause to help them fight the enemy.

 Among the girls, Frozen and Violetta won all the votes. In addition, toys derived from the Princess Sofia or Doctor La Peluche series are popular with the youngest. For its part, “Monster High shows negative results. This license nevertheless remains in the top 5 of the girl list. Moreover, as soon as we introduce a novelty, it hits the mark. It still interests a lot, ”explains the purchasing director of Toys’R’Us stores. Finally, like last year, theToys that are on the DIY trend, such as Créadise Cupcake Deco or The 3-in-1 chocolate workshop will, for sure, be on the Christmas list. little girls.

Bricks and classic games resist

Faced with the avalanche of electronic and connected games, construction toys and the great classics resist. In the lead: Lego. “Number 1 in toys at the start of the year, with an increase of 30% compared to last year, Lego is still attractive. A success due in particular to its renewal rate. It’s a classic toy that offers new things every year ”. And this Christmas, cis the box of the temple of the Phoenix of Fire, awarded in particular to the Stars of the Toy by the boys, which should be the most ordered. “This year, Lego is also relying on the StarWars license, with the new trilogy”. Playmobil is also doing well. “Noah’s ark and the new castles will appeal to many children”. Other construction games that should be cardboard: Magnetic and Discoveries or Magformers 30, both awarded at the Toy Stars.

What gift for Baby?

The retro trend is always a hit with toddlers. The most nostalgic will fall for the Vintage collection from Fisher Price. Another trend: wooden toys. Parents will particularly appreciate the Oxybul Cook creation range, offering small kitchen equipment that is easy to handle, which can also be used as a decorative object. Finally, this year, parents will be spoiled for choice when it comes to roller games. Brio’s Dachshund carrier and Hape’s Petit Trotte-Bébé are sure values. In addition, balance bikes or evolutionary bikes like My Free 4 in 1, the Mini Micro 3-in-1 or the Scoot and Ride will also be the stars of this Christmas.