Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or family friend, it's important to keep your finger on the pulse of all the best new toy releases if you're going to get that magical present-opening moment on Christmas morning – which is where the experts come in.

Every year the UK's biggest retailers, like Very, Hamleys, Argos, Amazon and more, share their picks for the must-have Christmas toys to buy for your children.

To help you decide which toys are actually worth it, we'll be keeping a list of the best products coming out and sending them to our child testers for an in-depth review. So far, Argos, John Lewis and Selfridges have released their top 10 list, here's a closer look.

Jump to:

• How do experts pick their top Christmas toys?
• How do we test the top Christmas toys?
• Top Christmas toys to buy your child in 2025

Must-have Christmas toys at a glance

Plush Christmas toys

• Noodoll plush toys | £23
• Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear | £39.90
• Labubu's | £39.99

Electronic Christmas toys

• Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi | £30
• Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber | £40
• Bitzee Hamster Ball | £40
• Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino | £64.99
• Toniebox 2 | £99.99
• Instant Print Tablet | £130

Best Christmas playsets

• Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack | £19.99
• LEGO Minecraft The Creeper | £29.99
• John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer | £30
• Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station | £35
• Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset | £44.99
• Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger | £50
• Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy | £55
• Sylvanian Families Skytop Fairy Castle | £59.99
• Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie | £65
• Hot Wheels Formula 1 Racing Grand Prix Track | £80
• LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy | £110
• LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship set | £119.99
• BRIO 36114 Mega Spiral Set | £120
• Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz | £140

Best dolls

• Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories | £24
• Elphaba Singing Barbie doll | £35

Best stocking fillers

• SMISKI Phosphorescent | £12
• UNO Spin Game | £16.99
• Sticki Rolls Jumbo Studio Rolluxe Deluxe | £39.99

How do experts pick their top Christmas toys?

Every year, expert retailers such as Argos, Selfridges, Hamleys and The Entertainer publish lists of the toys they think will be most sought after this Christmas.

Selections are normally based on the biggest, best and trendiest moments of the year – and there have been plenty of those. Popular TV shows and social media moments (like Peppa Pig's new baby sister) can play a part, as well as the latest advancements in toy technology.

Last year 90's nostalgia was a heavy factor, with Furby, Beyblades and Polly Pocket all making a return, as well as Bitzee Digital Pets, which are very reminiscent of Tamagotchis. Stitch also had a huge renaissance thanks to the new Lilo and Stitch movie – a trend we expect to see more of this Christmas – alongside dolls and LEGO sets from Wicked Part One. 

So far, Selfridges, Argos and John Lewis have released their top toy picks and it's exactly as we thought. Sylvanian Families and Hot Wheels rank highly; driving up the nostalgia factor. While toys licensed from Wicked, Minecraft and the popular anime series One Piece all appear, plus, of course, Labubu's!

Last year, a lot of the imaginative play toys centred around kitchen and cooking, with the Ooni toy pizza oven and Melissa & Doug Wooden Vending Machine proving particularly popular, now we have the John Lewis wooden air fryer on the menu. Plus, a huge upswing in toys that have a do-it-yourself element, like the Build-a-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station and Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi.

As the Argos press release reads: "This year’s Top Toys reflect the dynamic landscape of play, bringing together world-famous brands, beloved movie characters and highlighting cutting-edge innovation. It’s also so important for us to tap into the latest play patterns, supporting children’s development through interactive fun and encouraging them to unleash their creativity too"

How do we test the top Christmas toys?

Our best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including testing during the MadeForMums Toy Awards and feedback from our trusty Top Testers Club.

For these Christmas toys in particular, we send them out to parent and child testers who deliver detailed feedback as well as direct quotes and imagery from the child themselves. Our family testers consider size, price, assembly, portability, age suitability, durability, how easy it is to store and, of course, how much fun it is!

Each year, 1000s of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

Must-have Christmas toys to buy your child in 2025

Toniebox 2, £99.99

Recommended by: John Lewis and Argos

Age suitability: 1+
Batteries required: None (USB-C charging port)

The all-new Toniebox 2 is now available to buy. Released on 15th September, this upgraded model has new colourways and an updated design, plus the Tonieplay function that allows you to play interactive games with your favourite characters. The Toniebox 2 is 1+ certified, as opposed to the original Toniebox, which was for ages three and up and is available from 15th September. Check out our Toniebox 2 bundles and deals page for more.

• Buy the Toniebox 2 for £99.99 at Tonies
• Buy the Toniebox 2 for £99.99 at The Entertainer

Mattel UNO Spin Game, £16.99

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 7+
Batteries required: None

It's a new spin on UNO – literally! This version of the game includes the dreaded spin cards that requires the player to spin the wheel and follow whatever action it lands on. Different spin powers include Colour Draw, Swap Hands, Colour Discard and so much more. 

Buy Mattel UNO Spin Game for £16.99 at John Lewis

Casdon Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station, £35

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA

How many of us have experienced the joy of the Build-A-Bear workshop? Well now, you can bring the workshop to your home with this incredible portable stuffing station. The kit comes with two diddy teddies that you can pump up with fluff and then style with outfits and sunglasses! Best of all, it comes with two birth certificates, so everyone knows exactly who these bears belong to.

Buy Casdon Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station for £35 at John Lewis

Bitzee Hamster Ball, £40

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

Bitzee's have been a winner among parents for the past two Christmases. These digital pets function a lot like Tamagotchi's, requiring kids to play with them, feed them and discover new friends to unlock. Now though, they're swapping the ring-box design for a cool little hamster ball that allows you to pick up and roll your pet around, all while being able to see them from every angle.

Buy Bitzee Hamster Ball for £40 at The Entertainer

Instant Print Tablet, £130 

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 8+
Batteries required:1x Li-ion 4000mAh rechargeable Battery included

The Pad Creator Instant Print Tablet can really help to unlock your child's creativity. With six inspiring modes, kids can take photos, record videos, draw, add stickers, insert text, images and design cards or collages using a wide range of built-in templates. Then, they can print off anything they make onto physical sticky paper.

Buy Instant Print Tablet for £130 at Amazon

Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi, £30

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

Gigi the giraffe is a cheeky little pet who needs to be put on the toilet! You can feed her, chat to her, sing to her, but just know as soon as she says "Uh-Oh, Gotta Go!" you'll need to put her on the potty.

Buy Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi for £30 at Argos

VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset, £44.99

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA

Bluey is off on her travels, but needs a trusty Satnav to find her way. With this playset you can press buttons or drive Bluey's car over certain points to get her to speak. She has one sing-along song and six melodies that can be played, plus the car and house playsets have plenty of buttons to push and bits to pop open.

Buy VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset for £44.99 at John Lewis

Noodoll plush, from £23

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: From birth
Batteries required: None

Jellycats, Squishmallows, Labubu's, now introducing the Noodoll plush. These adorable little teddies were inspired by the shapes of rice grains and noodles, and started life as a storybook character. Now, they're available to buy in a range of outfits and designs, from dinosaurs to rice pudding.

Shop Noodoll plush toys from £23 at Selfridges

Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino, £64.99

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

If you want a toy with an exciting opening experience, this is it. This Jurassic World Interactive Dino literally hatches from an egg. It's then free to roam and cause terror with its roars and stomping, all of which you can control with a handy remote. Best of all, you can put it back in the egg for re-hatching, so you can relive that heart-stopping experience all over again.

Buy Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino for £64.99 at Very

Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie, £65

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

Bring home the magic of Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie! This incredible two-feet dolls house has seven rooms, including a party room on the fourth floor, plus a Cat-a-vator to take your dolls where they need to go.

Buy Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie for £65 at Argos

Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber, £40

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA (included)

Live the world of Star Wars like never before with this super realistic Crystal Lightsaber. This toy features seven different blade colours, sound effects and for the first time – crystals that can be swapped in and out of the hilt. There are 10 crystals in this set and 50+ different combinations of crystals and sounds to try.

Buy Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber for £40

LEGO Minecraft The Creeper, £29.99

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 10+
Batteries required: None

Minecraft fans will adore this brilliant blocky Creeper, featuring four movable legs and a poseable head. The head also opens up to reveal a pig mini figure and TNT block for an extra bit of detail.

• Buy LEGO Minecraft The Creeper for £29.99 at John Lewis
• Buy LEGO Minecraft The Creeper for £29.99 at LEGO

Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack, £19.99

Recommended by: John Lewis and Argos

Age suitability: 6+
Batteries required: None

This deluxe slime kit is beautifully bright and shimmery. It comes with two different colours as well as gems, crystals and little slime bears. Or, you can buy the cheaper Gui Gui Create And Collect Slime kit.

• Buy Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack for £19.99 at John Lewis
• Buy Gui Gui Slime kit for £10 at The Entertainer

Wicked Barbie dolls, from £6

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: None

Wicked was one of the biggest movies for families last year and, with the second film approaching, it's set to be just as prevalent this Christmas. Right now you can buy Barbie versions of both Elphaba and Glinda in a range of different outfits.

• Buy Elphaba Singing Barbie doll from £35 at Selfridges
• Buy Glinda Singing Barbie doll from £35 at Selfridges

John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer, £30

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

This mini air fryer is the perfect addition to your kids' pretend kitchen and comes in a stunning sage green. Crafted with premium quality, sustainably sourced wood, this air fryer toy comes with chips and drumsticks for kids to fry up a feast.

Buy John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer for £30 at John Lewis

Jellycats, from £10

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: From birth
Batteries required: None

Jellycats still rule the roost when it comes to cute plush toys. Whether it's a piece of fruit, an animal or even a baseball, there's an Amuesable to suit you. You can find a whole host of Jellycats at the Selfridges pop-up store in London, or you can take a look online.

• Book your visit to Jellycat Selfridges
• Shop Jellycats at Selfridges

LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship set, £119.99

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 10+
Batteries required: None

LEGO has released a new range of sets based on the anime series One Piece. One of our favourites is the Going Merry Pirate Ship set, which allows builders to explore the cabin, kitchen, workshop and more, all while navigating the high seas towards their next exciting adventure.

Buy LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship set for £119.99 at LEGO

Sylvanian Familes, from £5

Recommended by: Selfridges and John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

First created in 1985, Sylvanian Families are back! Appealing to children and adults alike, these adorable figures had a +228% increase in sales last year. Perhaps most appealing about them is the range on offer, from otters to bears and so much more.

Retailer Selfridges has chosen their entire Sylvanian collection to feature in their top 10 list, while John Lewis is promoting the Skytop Fairy Castle complete with swings, a life and a ton of mini-figures.

• Shop Sylvanian Families collection at Selfridges
• Buy Sylvanian Families Skytop Fairy Castle for £59.99 at John Lewis

Hot Wheels Formula 1 Racing Grand Prix Track, £80

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: 4x D batteries (not included)

You can now pre-order this brand-new Formula 1 Hot Wheels set, dropping on 1st September. Featuring three highly detailed F1 cars and a thrilling Grand Prix track, it's the perfect gift for petrol heads.

Buy Hot Wheels Formula 1 Racing Grand Prix Track for £80 at Selfridges

SMISKI mini figures, £12

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 3+ Recommended for age: 15+
Batteries required: 4x D batteries (not included)

SMISKI are curious little creatures that hide in corners of the home and glow in the dark at nighttime. With 6 SMISKI variations in each series, including Yoga, Dressing, Moving, Work, Cheer and Exercising, each character presents a different personality and comes wrapped, making each unboxing a surprise.

Shop SMISKI Phosphorescent mini figures at Amazon

Labubu Pop Mart, £39.99

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 15+
Batteries required: None

Labubu's have taken the toy world by storm this year. The little fanged fiends have proved very hard to get your hands on, so we'd suggest heading over to one of Selfridge's pop up stores, or taking a look at Side Kicks.

Shop Labubu's at Side Kicks

BRIO 36114 Mega Spiral Set, £120

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

This advanced train set includes 63 modular track and support pieces, designed for builders to construct taller, more complex layouts. You can assemble impressive spiral-shaped tracks, intricate figure-eight loops or even towering multi-level track designs. It's not available yet, but will be in stock very soon.

Check out the BRIO 36114 Mega Spiral Set at Amazon

Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories, £24

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: None

You can re-enact the entire Wicked movie with this pack of five dolls, they are: Glinda, Elphaba, Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq.

Buy Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories for £24 at Very

Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear, £39.90

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 1 month
Batteries required: None

This adorable Christmas teddy is full of festive cheer with a tartan tie and Santa hat atop its curly head.

Buy Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear for £39.90 at John Lewis

LEGO Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies Set, £20

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 6+
Batteries required: None

If your child is puppy-mad, try getting them this 101 Dalmatians LEGO set, made up of 268 pieces.

Buy LEGO Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies Set for £20 at LEGO

LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy, £110

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 12+
Batteries required: None

Star Wars fans will also adore this LEGO Ewok recommended by Argos. It's made of 1,010 pieces and comes with an additional Ewok mini-figure.

Buy LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy for £110 at LEGO

Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz, £140

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

This toy offers house of experimentation and active fun. You can arrange the tubes and connectors in any way you can imagine, create loops and swirls, weave them under tables. Then, switch on the turbine and let the fun begin. Can you make the foam balls leap from one tube to the next, or hover in mid-air, or go around and around in an endless cycle?

Buy Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz for £140 at Argos

Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy, £55

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: None

Drive into battle with this Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter and Cars Playset. After knocking out cars with the fire-breathing red dragon, unlock the smaller blue dragon and transform it into racetrack. The race track dragon has wings that you can flap like a real dragon and can scoop up cars to be stored in its bigger friend. The set comes with two cars included but can store up to 20 cars at a time.

Buy Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy for £55 at The Entertainer

Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger, £50

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA (not included)

This remote control Smash & Bash Gravedigger is made to withstand anything. No matter where your child drives it – into walls, on the patio, off a high shelf – this bad boy will live.

Buy Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger for £50 at JD Williams

Sticki Rolls Jumbo Studio Rolluxe Deluxe, £39.99

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: None

Sticki Rolls were a huge hit last year and now they're back in a Jumbo Deluxe set! The all-in-one Sticki Rolluxe includes 500 stickers and 3 Jumbo Stickies in a stylish wearable handbag.

Buy Sticki Rolls Jumbo Studio Rolluxe Deluxe for £39.99 at Smyths

We've more top toys, all tested and rated by parents and children including Best toys for 2 year olds, Best toys for 3 year olds, Best toys for 4 year olds and Best toys for 5 year olds.

The Toniebox 2 takes everything we loved about the original and improves it in almost every way, making an already great product into something truly special.

But at an increased price of £94.99, we wanted to see if the new Toniebox is really worth the increased cost, especially considering  the first generation Toniebox is still available to buy.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

What were your first impressions of the Toniebox 2?

The first thing you'll notice when you get the Toniebox 2 is the premium packaging. It might seem strange to hype up a box but the experience of unboxing the Toniebox 2 is a huge improvement on the original player.

Everything comes in cardboard packaging with little single use plastic beyond the wrap around the box itself and the plastic bag that contains the Tonie figure.

When you open the box you're immediately greeted with a QR code inviting you to download the Tonies app which you'll need for the setup (but more on that in a moment).

The new Toniebox is a significant improvement in terms of look and feel. It still feels soft, but the corners have been rounded and the base includes a soft, squishy plastic that adds to the characteristic ‘huggability’ you’d expect. It is smaller than the original, but the ears and magnetic base of the figures look and feel pretty much the same. The fabrics used feel slightly more premium, making the package feel like a nice refinement of an already excellent product as opposed to a total reinvention.

One thing I should note is that while the Toniebox 2 no longer uses a propriatary charger, instead charging using USB-C, the included cable is hilariously short. Honestly, unless you're planning on sitting next to the wall while it charges, you'll probably want to use a longer one you've got lying around.

TLDR: This is the Toniebox you love but better.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

How easy is the Toniebox 2 to setup?

If you read my review of the original Toniebox, you'll know I had some issues with the setup process. Originally, you needed to type in a long serial number found on the base of the Toniebox to pair it with the app and get everything set up. Sure, it's not the most difficult thing in the world, but it was a bit annoying.

That's all changed with the Toniebox 2, which uses a new bluetooth functionality to quickly pair the unit with the app.

Just plug it in (using the comically short cable) allow access to bluetooth through the Toniebox app, pair the device by pressing one of the ears, and then connect to your WiFi network. After it has completed a series of updates — you’re done!

Overall, the setup process was painless and took around 5 minutes to complete. You'll just need to make sure you've got WiFi to allow the Toniebox 2 to update.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

How does the Toniebox 2 compare to the original Toniebox in terms of functionality?

First things first, the Toniebox 2 does everything that the original Toniebox could do, including the ability to play all the existing Tonies in your collection. What they've done with the Toniebox 2, is add some new functionality and upgrade a few of the existing features.

For example, one of the first things you'll notice when you turn on your Toniebox 2 is the light ring that surrounds the magnetic circle where the figures attach. As the Toniebox 2 is still screen free, this light ring performs a number of useful functions such as acting as a battery life indicator when charging and showing the volume increasing or decreasing.

This might seem like a small thing, but one complaint I had about the original player was the lack of any indication that the box was charging or any sort of volume indicator beyond an annoying chirp that would play when you pressed the ears. Speaking of that chirp, they've also replaced the volume sound with something much more pleasing to the ear.

The ring light can be controlled within the Tonies app, allowing you to set the brightness or turn it off completely. Plus, it can act as a nightlight when your child is sleeping, making it a step above the original in terms of in-built multi-functional uses.

The one drawback is the controls. Like the original, you control the Toniebox 2 using 'tap and tilt' controls which are mostly pretty rubbish. They play a sound when skipping or rewinding audio but getting it to work can be very fiddly and difficult.

What are the new ToniePlay games and are they any good?

The other major innovation with the Toniebox 2 is the brand new ToniePlay games that expand the functionality of your Toniebox. We tested out the Paw Patrol: Adventure Bay Rescue Heroes game, but there are multiple other games on offer including a Disney Quiz Kingdom game.

Given that many of these new games retail for £19.99, we were keen to see just how much play potential they offered considering that higher price point. It's safe to say that we were impressed by what we saw.

The games don't feel cheap, continuing the detail and quality Tonies are known for with a colourful, thick cardboard game mat as well as an overlay for the top of the Toniebox. Then there's the button which magnetically attaches, similar to the way the Tonies figures do and acts as the primary input method for the games.

I played the Paw Patrol game which has you choose the best pup to help with a particular emergency using one of 6 pup cards and then help them out by using the dial and button to perform tasks. Considering the limited input methods available, it is remarkably varied in what you can do, keeping it from feeling stale. For example, one mission sees you helping the pups perform a rescue using a hovercraft, requiring you to press the central button to break a boat free from some rocks. The story then develops, making the game feel closer to an interactive novel than a traditional board game, while keeping the screen free benefits of the original.

They do take a while to download, even on fast internet, but they offer an exciting and new way to interact with your Toniebox.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

Is the Toniebox 2 worth the money?

At £94.99, the Toniebox 2 isn't cheap. It's £15 more than the original and that's without the additional cost for the Tonies figures and ToniePlay games.

That being said, like the original, this is a purchase that will last. Sure, that initial outlay is expensive but the play potential you get in return is fantastic. Given the massive array of content available including audio books, educational content and the new ToniePlay games, you'll never be short on content.

We should also mention that the new Toniebox 2 is now 1+ certified, meaning you can use it with children from the age of 1. To support the lower age range, Tonies have released a new range of nursery Tonies figures which feature audio suitable for ages 1-2. This means that the player now covers a huge 1-8+ age range, making it an investment that will literally grow with your child.

Should you buy a Toniebox 2 if you already have a Toniebox?

As we mentioned previously in our review, older Tonies figures are compatible with the new player, meaning any existing Tonies in your collection will play fine on the Toniebox 2. What you do get if you upgrade is the new design, the light ring, the ability to use the device with children ages 1-2 and access to the new ToniePlay games alongside a range of different quality of life updates.

Whether you upgrade will depend on if you want the latest and greatest features and how much the propratary charger annoys you. If you've recently bought a Toniebox, you're probably good to wait for a while before upgrading, but if your Toniebox is on the older side then you'll likely find the Toniebox 2 to be a fantastic upgrade.

Eitherway, this is fantastic product that provides everything we wanted from a second generation Toniebox — and more — so you won't be disappointed with an upgrade.

MadeForMums verdict:

Put simply, the Toniebox 2 is pretty much perfect. There aren't many devices that are suitable for such a wide age range and with as much play potential as the Toniebox 2, especially ones that don't include a screen. The Toniebox was already a great product but this new generation fixes most of the issues we did have with the older model, while adding some fantastic new features that make it a must-buy gadget for your home.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

Product Images: Tonies

She continues: "Your child's improved dexterity also means they are also able to do much more fiddly-stuff: this is the age when fine-finger-control toys and kits that involve playdough, puzzles and painting and drawing come onto the scene."

However, Helen adds that the biggest winners at this age are toys that set the scene for imaginary play – "Especially if it involves acting out roles (doctor, cook, train driver, pirate). Your 3 year old is fast becoming a proper drama king or queen!"

Whether you're looking for outdoor toys, soft toys or learning toys, we’ve chosen and tested the best toys for 3 year olds from favourite brands that will suit a range of budgets.

Best toys for 3 year olds at a glance

Best educational toys for 3 year olds

• Yoto Player, £89.99
• Connetix 212-piece Rainbow Mega Pack, £198.95
• Learning Resources Numberblocks Rainbow Counting Bus, £24.99

Best imaginative play toys for 3 year olds

• Play-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset, £19.99
• Melissa & Doug Vending Machine, £69.99
• My 1st Years Personalised Kitchen and Washing Machine, £155
• Casdon Ooni Pizza Oven, £24.99 £17.99
• Little Live Pets – Mama Surprise, £64.99
• Doctor's Play Kit, £47

Best character toys for 3 year olds

• Imaginext DC Super Friends Ultimate HQ Playset, £68.99
• Bluey 3-in-1 Transforming Plane Set, £59.99 £44.99
• Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash Playset, £59.99 £42.99

Best transport toys for 3 year olds

• The Adventures of Paddington Campervan, £20
• Thomas & Friends Talking Cranky Delivery Train Set, £44.99 £29.99
• Paw Patrol racers, £25

Best outdoor toys for 3 year olds

• Early Fun All-Surface Swingball, £24.99
• Pop-up Play Curtain, £19.99

Jump to:

• Best educational toys for 3 year olds
• Best imaginative play toys for 3 year olds
• Best character toys for 3 year olds
• Best transport toys for 3 year olds
• Best outdoor toys for 3 year olds

What are the best toys for 3 year olds?

Best educational toys for 3 year olds

1. Yoto Player, £89.99

Available at: Yoto and Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Batteries: Rechargeable, up to 24 hours of battery life

The Yoto Player is the main competitor of the Toniebox, differing in that it swaps small figures for cards. Like the Toniebox, the Yoto is a speaker that can play anything from music and nursery rhymes to long-form stories and educational lessons. While the device is screen-free, every time you insert a card the speaker will display a pixel-art cartoon on its face, but it can also show the time and the weather if you want it to!

Yoto has hundreds of cards to shop on their website, with new stories and adventures being released all the time – including recently all 7 of the Harry Potter books. With Yoto, you can also make your own cards by recording your own sounds and uploading them, or download cards to the Yoto app on your phone.

2. Connetix 212-piece Rainbow Mega Pack, £198.95

Available at: Connetix, The Kid Collective, John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Size: L41cm x W31cm x H9cm ‎| Batteries: None |

Though they are expensive, these colourful construction tiles are an innovative and exciting way to play. The pieces come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes allowing for complex constructions while offering children great educational value for a range of ages by engaging problem solving and spatial awareness.

From counting the pieces and learning colours to finding the right piece for the particular build, there are an array of ways for children to improve their logical reasoning using the Connetix Rainbow pack. The strong magnets that connect each of the pieces allow for some impressive builds including towers and castles and, as an added bonus, the magnets make cleaning up easy and fun as the pieces stack up neatly.

3. Learning Resources Numberblocks Rainbow Counting Bus, £18.99

Available at:  Very and Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Batteries: 2 x AAA (included)

With 12 songs and sounds, this interactive bus is packed with colourful features and fun numbery elements inspired by the Numberblocks character Seven. Simply use the slider on the front to choose the destination, and then hop on and enjoy the ride. You can also fill the bus with other Numberblocks characters which are sold separately.

Best imaginative play toys for 3 year olds

4. Play-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset, £19.99

Available at: Boots, Argos

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for: 3+ | Batteries: None

We all scream for ice cream, and now your child can mix it, serve it and decorate it for themselves with this beautifully colourful Play-Doh set. Load the machine with two or more Play-Doh colours and press the handle to fill the spinning cup or cone with the perfect Mr Whippy. You can also make sprinkles from the dispenser at the side and additional toppings from the moulds.

5. Melissa & Doug Vending Machine playset, £79.99

Available at: Melissa & Doug, Very, John Lewis and Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3 |Batteries: None

The Melissa & Doug wooden vending machine is a great way of improving your child's dexterity, colour-matching and imaginary play. Simply insert one of the three colourful coins, or credit card, and pick one of the nine coloured snack boxes, including food packages, snack bars, drinks and pouches.

This item has been in and out of stock thanks to its huge popularity, so if you want to look at other products check out the Melissa & Doug Amazon page.

My son Ezra has loved playing with this. He was so excited when he opened it, he played with it for 2 hours straight, and wanted to play with it immediately when he got up the next day. I can see he will come back to it again and again. 
Hannah, mum to our child tester Ezra, 3

6. My 1st Years Personalised Kitchen and Washing Machine, £155

Available at: My 1st Years

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3 | Size: L90cm x W31.5cm x H74.5cm x  | Batteries: None

Make laundry day and dinner time a breeze with this pastel pink wooden toy kitchen, designed to encourage imaginative play. It features a hob and oven with removable shelf and clicking dials,  also a trendy Belfast sink with mock tap and plug hole, and utensil shelves. To add to play, there is a washing machine with a see-though door with soap bubble details, plus utensils including a spatula, salt and pepper shakers and a pastel-design pan set. There is also a clock with moveable hands to help with time-telling. The kitchen can be personalised with a name or phrase.

7. Casdon Ooni pizza oven, £24.99

Available at: Ooni, Very, Selfridges

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3 | Batteries: 3 x AAA (not included)

Children love to copy their parents' day-to-day lives, so if you're a fan of the Ooni pizza oven, you can now buy a mini one for your pint-sized chef. The oven comes with a flame-effect light to make it feel as real as possible, plus accessories like a pizza cutter and pizza ingredients.

8. Little Live Pets – Mama Surprise, £64.99

Available at: Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Size: L20cm x W30cm x H29cm ‎| Batteries: 6 xAAA (not included)

The bestselling Little Live Pets range has included many different sorts of interactive animal over the years but this little hamster is, in our view, one of their best yet. If you take her from her hutch and groom and stroke her and feed her (pretend) celery, she'll respond with cute noises. But there’s more – carry on with your hamster cuddling and a heart will start to glow on her chest to show that she is ready to have a baby. Then, you pop her back in the hutch, shut the doors and wait – for the first of 3 little arrivals, each with their own little 'care pack' of accessories.

The wait for the birth may be a little long for some children but, if you can't spin the 'There’ll be a baby in the morning' message, there is a 'faster birth' button that shortens the wait to about 10 minutes. And once all the babies are born, you can repeat the whole process again.

9. Learning Resources Pretend & Play Doctor's Kit, £47

Available at: Amazon and Learning Resources

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Size: L37cm x W3cm x H23cm | Batteries: 2 x AAA for toy phone (not included)

This good-sized, sturdy doctor's kit is stuffed with 19 (plastic) medical 'instruments', including a stethoscope, syringe, blood-pressure cuff, tweezers, phone and a fetching blue pair of doctor's specs. It is pricey, to be sure, but it's also best set of ‘instruments’ we’ve seen. We love the interactive stethoscope that you press to hear a beating heart, and the blood pressure cuff with a red dial that moves. This is a great kit to encourage role play that's all about identifying and then solving (imaginary) problems.

Best character toys for 3 year olds

10. Imaginext DC Super Friends Ultimate HQ Playset, £109.99

Available at: Amazon and Selfridges

Age suitability: 3-8 years | Best for age: 3-8 years | Size:  L40.64 x W18.88cm x H61.72cm | Batteries: 3 x AA (included)

This vibrant and colourful playset is perfect for DC superhero fans with its array of fun interactive play features. There are lights and sounds that activate depending on where the figures are positioned, as well as multiple included vehicles for Batman. The Batwing is a particular standout.

The handle at the back of the set can be used move the Batwing and activate the disc shooter. What really stood out during our testing was the scale of the set. It includes 4 floors, stands at an impressive 61cm tall and even includes a lift to move figures between the floors. However, we must note the baffling omission of Wonder Woman, a key member of the DC Justice League.

11. Bluey 3-in-1 Transforming Plane Set, £60

Available at: Very, Argos, John Lewis and Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Batteries: None

Try not to lose any of the 25 pieces in this 3-in-1 playset, because Bluey and her family will need all of them to get on their holiday! This intricate set transforms into a plane, a resort and a boat, and comes with a load of detailed props, including an Aussie passport!

12. Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash Playset, £60

Available at: The Entertainer, Very and Asda George

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+  | Batteries: None

This is a super exciting new Hot Wheels set featuring a colour-changing car. Simply place it in the shark's head and press down to splash water on it, revealing the car's decoration, then let it race along the car wash, through a foam roller and movable gates, until its dunked into the water tank and changes colours again!

Best transport toys for 3 year olds

13. The Adventures of Paddington Campervan, £24.99

Available at: Very

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Size: H13.8cm x W20cm x D11.2cm | Batteries: 2 AAA (not included)

Marmalade sandwich, anyone? This playset contains a Paddington figure and Bessie the Campervan, as seen in the Adventures of Paddington TV series. The campervan has a removable roof that allows for play inside the camper, and you can also fold the roof into a canopy for rainier days. The set comes with Paddington’s suitcase that contains a picnic cloth, toy cup of tea and marmalade sandwich. Bessie also plays two different sounds in Paddington's voice, as well as music from the TV show.

14. Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Talking Cranky Delivery Train Set, £59.99

Available at: Very, Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3 | Size: 69.3cm x 132.7cm x 50.5cm | Batteries: None

Bring Brendam Docks to life with this Thomas & Friends motorized train and track set that includes songs, railway sounds, and real character phrases from the Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! series. The set features three familiar characters from the show, including Cranky the Crane, a motorized Thomas engine and a Troublesome Truck. The set includes 14.5 feet of track, three pieces of cargo, as well as a child-powered hopper. In a move that will delight all fans of the show, the characters recognise and talk to each other on the tracks. There are also 325+ songs, sounds and phrases to soundtrack kids’ imaginative play.

15. Paw Patrol racers, from £24.99

Available at: Amazon and John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3 | Size: H19.05cm x W21.59cm x D9.53cm. | Batteries: None

Join the Paw Patrol on their latest mission with these mini racers. There are a huge range of characters available including Zuma, Rubble, Rocky, Marshall, Chase and Skye, each with their own iconic vehicle. The vehicles come with moving wheels, authentic detailing and moveable parts. Simply pick your child's favourite pup and away they roll.

Best outdoor toys for 3 year olds

16. Early Fun All Surface Swingball, £24.99

Available at: Argos and Amazon

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Size: L31cm x W39cm x H125cm | Batteries: None

Yes, it's swingball for smaller people! The ball is bigger and softer (foam) and much easier to hit, and the bats are smaller and have nice grippy handles. We like the redesigned base, with balancing feet, which allows you to play on any surface, outdoors or in, and which also converts into a carry case to store the game in or take it with you. And the spinner really is as tangle-free as the packaging blurb promises.

17. Pop-up Play Curtain, £19.99

Available at: Very

Age suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 3+ | Size: H170cm x W68cm | Batteries: None

Let their imagination run wild with the Pop-up Play Curtain. Coming with an extendable rod this play curtain can be hung over any doorway and has a perfect-size cut-out for role play or puppet theatre performances. There are a range of designs available including ice cream parlour, theatre stage or supermarket.

We've got more top tested and rated toys here...

• Best toys for 4 year olds
• Best toys for 2 year olds
• LEGOLAND Windsor deals and ticket offers

Unpacking their stocking is often the first thing your child rushes to do on Christmas morning – usually quite a few hours earlier than you were hoping for.

So, among the little reindeer socks, the chocolate coins and the regulation satsuma at the bottom, it’s wise to stash your child's stocking with some well-chosen, pocket-sized toys that'll keep them happy and busy while you stagger out of bed and find your festive sparkle.

We've scouted the shelves for great stocking filler toys for toddlers to preteens – in a range of prices – looking for the ones that really stand out for play potential and value for money.

You might also want to check out our must-have toys for Christmas, or the best kids advent calendars and best teen advent calendars.

Best stocking filler toys at a glance

• Kids Pirates Tattoos, £1.95
• Yoto Cards, from £1.99
• Pastel Dough Tubs, £7
• Make Your Own Strawberry Bracelet, £3.95
• Hot Wheels 5-Car Pack Assortment, £4
• SnoBall Battle Pack, £4.99
• Character Options Simbrix Alphabrix Pack, £4.99
• Kids Versus Adults Trivia Game, £5
• Sticki Rolls Sticki Bands, £5
• Wild Wonders Felt Tip Stamp Pens, £6.95
• Disney Stitch 13cm Plush Soft Toy, £7
• Kinetic Sand Project Planet Turtle Beach Playset, £7.50
• Tonies, from £8.99
• Squishmallows Original Micromallows 4-Pack, from £9.99
• MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Food, £9.99
• Sea-Monkeys Ocean Zoo, £10
• Soap & Glory Three For All Body Wash Trio, £10
• Sylvanian Families multi-pack, from £11
• LOL Surprise! Limited Edition Hello Kitty Mystery Capsule, £11
• Instant Air Hockey, £13
• Asmodee Dobble Harry Potter, £14
• Mattel UNO Spin Game, £16.99
• Noodoll, £23
• Wicked Small Doll Multipack, £24.99

Best stocking filler toys for kids to buy this Christmas

1. Tonies, from £8.99

Available at: Tonies

Age suitability: 3+

Like Yoto Cards, Tonies are a lovely idea for filling up your child's stocking. Not only are they small well-made characters for your child to play with, but they also tell a story, sing songs and more when plugged into a Toniebox or the brand-new Toniebox 2.

2. Sylvanian Families multi-pack, from £11

Available at: Selfridges and The Entertainer

Age suitability: 3+

First created in 1985, Sylvanian Families are back! Appealing to children and adults alike, these adorable figures had a +228% increase in sales last year. Perhaps most appealing about them is the range on offer, from otters to bears and so much more.

3. Sticki Rolls Sticki Bands, £5

Available at: The Works

Age suitability: 5+

Sticki Rolls were a huge hit last year. Every Sticki Roll on your bracelet has 10 holographic mini stickers that you can pull, tear and share! 70 total stickers in every pack, each with different cute, Kawaii characters.

4. Kids Pirates Tattoos, £1.79

Available at: Kid Collective

Age suitability: 3+

Ahoy! Why not give your child the chance to play pirate for the day with these temporary tattoos? You'll get 2 sheets of swashbuckling designs and they're super easy to apply and remove.

5. Yoto Cards, from £1.99

Available at: Yoto

Age suitability: 3+

Yoto Cards are the perfect little present to put in the bottom of your child's stocking. There are hundreds of stories, lessons, and songs to choose from and each one comes with a unique pixelated design that will display on the front of your Yoto Player. Check out the best new Yoto Cards for more.

6. Scented Jumbo Pots of Dough, £7

Available at: The Works

Age suitability: 3+

Let their creativity blossom with this 10-pack of dough, each coming in a soft pastel colour, or the bright rainbow alternative.

7. Make Your Own Strawberry Bracelet, £3.60

Available at: Kid Collective

Age suitability: 3+

Perfect for little crafters, this strawberry bracelet kit has an easy to thread elastic and a tonne of colourful beads, including three wooden strawberries.

8. Wicked Small Doll Multipack, £24.99

Available at: Very

Age suitability: 4+

You can re-enact the entire Wicked movie with this pack of five mini dolls, they are: Glinda, Elphaba, Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq.

9. Kinetic Sand Project Planet Turtle Beach Playset, £7.50

Available at: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 5+

Grab your tools and dig through this Kinetic Sand capsule to find a secret turtle inside. You'll also find a mould hidden in the lid to create shapes with the satisfying sand.

10. LOL Surprise! Limited Edition Hello Kitty Mystery Capsule, £11

Available at: The Entertainer and Amazon

Age suitability: 4+

L.OL Surprise! has partnered with Hello Kitty to produce eight adorable characters. Best of all, you won't know which one you've got until the Mystery Capsule is opened, with plenty of accessories and treats included.

11. Kids Versus Adults Trivia Game, £5

Available at: John Lewis

Age suitability: 8+

Challenge the family to a round of kids vs adults and watch the competition begin! The two teams will go head to head to answer quick thinking lightning round questions, half of them for adults and half of them for kids. It's perfect for helping everyone to feel included.

12. Rex London - Wild Wonders Felt Tip Stamp Pens, £6.95

Available at: Kid Collective

Age suitability: 3+

This is so much more than a pack of felt tip pens. Inside each one is a signature stamp to match the colour of the pen. There are 18 colours and stamps to go through, making it perfect for some creative downtime.

13. Disney Stitch 13cm Plush Soft Toy, £7

Available at: John Lewis

Age suitability: From birth

Stitch is set to be one of the hottest toy characters this Christmas, to this titchy 13cm version is the ideal stocking stuffer.

14. MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Food, £9.99

Available at: The Entertainer and Amazon

Age suitability: 8+

The Miniverse Make It Mini Food capsules are hugely popular thanks to how interactive and detailed they are. Inside each capsule is the ingredients to make a surprise meal, like cake or a stack of pancakes. You'll get the basic pieces, as well as sprinkles and packets of gel or slime for the icing, plus a way to proudly display it afterwards.

15. Mattel UNO Spin Game, £16.99

Available at: John Lewis

Age suitability: 7+

This version of UNO includes new spin cards that requires the player to spin the wheel and follow whatever action it lands on. Different spin powers include Colour Draw, Swap Hands, Colour Discard and so much more. 

16. Soap & Glory Three For All Body Wash Trio, £10

Available at: Boots

Soap & Glory is a great brand for teens with a growing interest in wash and make-up products. This set contains 3 body washes: rose & bergamot, coconut & vanilla and tropical fruits & hibiscus.

17. Asmodee Dobble Harry Potter, £14

Available at: John Lewis

Age suitability: 6+

Dobble is an easy, fun matching card game which can last for hours thanks to the many different rounds to play. This one in particular, is great for Harry Potter fans as all the images have a distinctly magical twist.

18. Squishmallows Original Micromallows 4-Pack, from £9.99

Available at: Amazon

Age suitability: 3+

If you thought Squishmallows were cute, just you wait until you see these 2-inch Micromallows. Each pack has 4 Mallows in, like this one which has Irina the Axolotl, Tabitha the Tabby Cat, Tex the Taco, and Gordon the Shark.

19. Instant Air Hockey, £13

Available at: Prezzy Box

• Age suitability: 5+
• Batteries: 2 x AAA (not included)

Once Christmas dinner is over and the plates are all cleared, what exactly is stopping you from converting the table into an instant air hockey set? The hockey puck cleverly floats in mid air, the paddles have felt bottoms and the goals stick to the table with suction cups, so you don't have to worry about any damage.

20. Character Options Simbrix Alphabrix Pack, £4.99

Available at: Amazon

Age suitability: 5+

If you’re looking for a gift for the creative in your house, then the colourful Simbrix construction range is a great place to start. The simple interlocking pieces come in a wide array of colours and can be arranged into almost any 2D or 3D pattern your child can dream up.

21. SnoBall Battle Pack, £4.99

Available at: Amazon

Age suitability: 3+

Want more of the white stuff? Here's how to get some – without the cold fingers! Each pack contains 4 sachets of Gelli Snow powder that you mix with water to create mouldable 'snow'. The mixture is stain-free and 100% degradable powder and each 20g sachet contains enough to make around 15 snowballs.

22. Hot Wheels 5-Car Pack Assortment, £4

Available at: The Works

Age suitability: 3+

These 1:64-scale die-cast toy cars have sporty detailing, bright paintwork and are all slightly different, meaning you can build up a grand collection. And 5 cars for under £1 each really is great value, as all our child testers' parents agreed.

23. Sea-Monkeys Ocean Zoo, £10

Available at: The Entertainer

Age suitability: 6+

This is a cleverly designed little aquarium in which you can watch Sea Monkey eggs hatch and grow. The Sea Monkeys take about 3 days to hatch and the set includes a water purifier, a food pouch, a feeding spoon and nice, clear instructions. Once they hatched, you can continue to feed them and watch them grow and take care of them.

24. Noodoll, £23

Available at: Selfridges

Age suitability: from birth

These adorable little teddies were inspired by the shapes of rice grains and noodles, and started life as a storybook character. Now, they're available to buy in a range of outfits and designs, from dinosaurs to rice pudding.

We've more top toys, all tested and rated by parents and children including Top Christmas toys – for all ages, Best toys for 2 year olds and Best toys for 3 year olds.

The Toniebox 2 boasts an upgraded design, now suitable for ages 1+, as well as new colourways, and the exciting new games, interactive experiences and quizzes of Tonieplay.

With the release of the Toniebox 2 comes the release of the brand-new My First Tonies range, adorable soft tonies figures designed specifically for younger children.

However, the question on everyone's mind is this: will new tonies be backwards compatible? Or, to put it another way, will newly released Tonies function on the original Toniebox?

• Browse Tonies at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 for £94.99 at tonies

For more on the latest tonies release, here's our Toniebox 2 guide, plus our comparison between the Toniebox and the Toniebox 2. We've also curated some of the best Toniebox 2 bundles and deals to help you save on your Toniebox upgrade.

Check out our review of the the Toniebox 2 for a breakdown of our thoughts on the new device.

Will new Tonies work on the original Toniebox?

The answer is yes: both the Toniebox and the Toniebox 2 are fully compatible with the whole Tonies collection.

This means that your existing Tonies collection will work on the new Toniebox 2, and any new Tonies, including the My First Tonies range, will work on the original Toniebox.

However, it's important to bear in mind that the My First Tonies range is designed for kids aged 1-2, and should be used with the Toniebox 2, as it is certified for ages 1+, whereas the original Toniebox is certified for ages 3+.

• Browse Tonies at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 for £94.99 at tonies

Will Tonieplay work on the original Toniebox?

When it comes to Tonieplay, it's a different story. Tonieplay has been specifically designed for and is only compatible with the Toniebox 2.

This means that while you can experience plenty of magical stories with your favourite characters on the original Toniebox, you can't access the games, quizzes and interactive experiences that make up the world of Tonieplay.

• Browse Tonies at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 for £94.99 at tonies

Why not check out our list of the top toys for Christmas 2025?

Now tonies are back with a huge product launch, this time introducing the Toniebox 2.

The Toniebox 2 takes all the fan favourite features of the original Toniebox and adds on some brand-new bells and whistles, from suitability for younger children to the exciting new world of Tonieplay.

However, with a new product comes a price increase. So, we're here to answer the question that's on everyone's mind: is it worth upgrading from the original Toniebox to the Toniebox 2?

For more on the new product, check out our Toniebox 2 release date page. We've also curated some of the best Toniebox 2 bundles and deals to help you save on your Toniebox.

Check out our review of the the Toniebox 2 for a breakdown of our thoughts on the new device.

• Buy original Toniebox at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 at tonies

Jump to:

• Toniebox vs Toniebox 2 design
• Toniebox vs Toniebox 2 features
• Toniebox vs Toniebox 2 UK price
• Final verdict: should I upgrade to the Toniebox 2?

Toniebox vs Toniebox 2 design

Major strides have been made when it comes to the design of the Toniebox 2 vs the original Toniebox.

The biggest achievement is that the Toniebox 2 is officially 1+ certified, meaning that it's suitable for children aged 1 and up, while the classic Toniebox was only suitable for children aged 3 and up.

This is thanks to the brand-new design of the Toniebox 2, which includes much rounder edges, increased squeezability and the ability to withstand years of bumps and tumbles.

The Toniebox 2 is also available in new colourways, including Sunset Red, Cloud Pink, Sky Blue, and Moon Gray.

The only thing to note is that the Toniebox 2 is slightly heavier than the original Toniebox, with enough of a difference to be notable but not to severely impact play.

• Buy original Toniebox at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 at tonies

Toniebox vs Toniebox 2 features

Simply put, the Toniebox 2 has all the features of the original Toniebox, and more.

In addition to the classic Toniebox capabilities, the Toniebox 2 boasts new features like a dynamic Light Ring, which glows in rainbow colours to help guide users through Tonieplay games.

And speaking of Tonieplay, this new features includes a wide range of screen-free ad-free games and activities to further immerse your child in the worlds of their favourite characters, from PAW Patrol to Disney and more.

These games include interactive stories, challenges and quizzes, and can be played with a Tonieplay attachment, which allows you to flick through and select different answers to questions, thanks to the dial and haptic button.

Some games also include cards, which you can simply tap on the top of the Toniebox 2 to select answers or progress through the game.

In addition to new play features, the Toniebox 2 also comes with a Sleep Timer with Light and Sunrise Alarm to help build healthy sleep habits.

• Buy original Toniebox at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 at tonies

Toniebox vs Toniebox 2 UK price

The original Toniebox has an RRP of £79.95 and is still available to purchase.

The Toniebox 2  has an RRP of £94.99 and is available to buy at a range of major UK retailers.

• Buy original Toniebox at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 at tonies

Final verdict: should I upgrade to the Toniebox 2?

In our opinion, it's absolutely worth upgrading to the Toniebox 2. The main reason is to have access to Tonieplay, which unlocks hours of additional immersive screen-free play.

Your tonies figures are backwards compatible, meaning that the collection you had for your original Toniebox will also work on your Toniebox 2 so there's no need to start your collection from scratch.

Plus, now that the Toniebox 2 is 1+ certified (suitable for ages 1 and up), that expands the lifespan of the product for two whole years— absolutely worth the £15 price increase.

• Buy original Toniebox at tonies
• Buy Toniebox 2 at tonies

For more on the latest trending toys, here's our list of must-have Christmas toys for 2025. Plus, can you use original Tonies on the Toniebox 2?

The supermarket is offering up to 50% off a huge range of toys, covering much-loved brands such as LEGO, Minecraft, Disney and Bluey.

Some of our highlights include £30 off this LEGO Angel set from the Lilo and Stitch franchise, 24% off this Cookeez Makery Lil' Bakez Oven Playset – which was one of the top trending Christmas toys last year – and a 20% saving on this huge Pink Wooden Kitchen playset.

The sale began on Monday and is available in store and online via the Asda and Asda George websites.

While Christmas still feels a while away, more parents are choosing to spread the cost of toy and gift shopping over a few months, so this is a great way to get a few purchases in the bag.

• Shop Asda Big Toy Event at Asda George
• Shop Asda Big Toy Event at Asda George

When is Asda's Big Toy Event sale?

Asda's Big Toy Event started on 8th September with no end date announced. However we expect the sale to wrap up some time in October to make space for when new Christmas toy stocks come in, not to mention the Black Friday sales.

Best toy deals from Asda's Big Toy Event sale

LEGO Disney Angel Lilo & Stitch Building Toy | £59.97 £29.97 (save £30 or 50%)

This beautiful alien comes straight from the Lilo and Stitch universe, perfect for fans of the new live action movie.

Buy LEGO Disney Angel Lilo & Stitch Building Toy for £59.97 £29.97 (save £30 or 50%)

LEGO Technic Fast and Furious Toyota Supra | £54.96 £37.96 (save £17 or 30%)

Car lovers can test their building and driving skills with this LEGO Technic car.

Buy LEGO Technic Fast and Furious Toyota Supra for £54.96 £37.96 (save £17 or 30%)

George Home Picnic Basket Set | £18 £12.97 (save £5.03 or 27%)

This adorable wooden picnic set is great for imaginative play, with Swiss rolls, fruit, waffles and so much more.

Buy George Home Picnic Basket Set for £18 £12.97 (save £5.03 or 27%)

Electronic Spirograph Machine | £21.97 £17.62 (save £4.35 or 19%)

For budding artists, take advantage of this discounted Spirograph machine.

Buy Electronic Spirograph Machine for £21.97 £17.62 (save £4.35 or 19%)

Sticki Rolls Sticki Rolluxe | £39.98 £31.88 (save £8.10 or 20%)

Sticki Rolls were a huge hit last year and now they're back in 2025 with a Jumbo Deluxe set! The all-in-one Sticki Rolluxe includes 500 stickers and 3 Jumbo Stickies in a stylish wearable handbag.

Buy Sticki Rolls Sticki Rolluxe for £39.98 £31.88 (save £8.10 or 20%)

Original Squishmallows 16-Inch Ronnie the Cow | £25 £12.50 (save £12.50 or 50%)

We all love a Squishmallow don't we? Well this huge Ronnie the Cow Squishmallow could be the perfect cuddly friend for your child this Christmas.

Buy Original Squishmallows 16-Inch Ronnie the Cow for £25 £12.50 (save £12.50 or 50%)

Moana 2 - Maui's Fish Hook | £22 £11 (save £11 or 50%)

Relive the biggest moments from Disney's Moana 2 with Maui's magical Fish Hook, complete with lights and sounds from the movie.

Buy Moana 2 - Maui's Fish Hook for  £22 £11 (save £11 or 50%)

Terror Fried Gross Bucket | £19.98 £9.98 (save £10 or 50%)

This playset won silver in the Made For Mums Toy Awards last year, but be careful it's only for the strong stomached as it features a huge range of "freaky figures" and "creepy compounds" from inside the Fast Food Fryer.

Buy Terror Fried Gross Bucket for £19.98 £9.98 (save £10 or 50%)

Little Live Pets My Pet Penguin | £24.98 £17.56 (save £7.42 or 29%)

This little penguin was a very big deal last year, with the ability to walk, waddle, sing and interact with your little one.

Buy Little Live Pets My Pet Penguin for £24.98 £17.56 (save £7.42 or 29%)

Upcoming Christmas toy sales from UK shops

Asda may have gone first, but there are still plenty of UK shops who will soon be running toy sales. Here's a list of what's coming:

• Tesco – 15th September 
• Aldi – 21st September
• Morrisons – 29th September
• Sainsbury's – 22nd October

Make sure you check out our full guide to the must-have Christmas toys. Plus we've got more top toys, all tested and rated by parents and children including Best toys for 2 year olds, Best toys for 3 year olds, Best toys for 4 year olds and Best toys for 5 year olds.

Whether you're looking for classic children's tales from the mind of Julia Donaldson, exciting lessons from National Geographic, or songs from your favourite Disney character, you can find something to suit your child.

Tonies also make characters suitable for a wealth of ages, starting at children age 3 and ranging up to 9 and 10 years old. Highlights include the likes of Captain Underpants, Moana and Peppa Pig, plus there are new original Tonies coming out all the time.

And with the release of the Toniebox 2, comes further good news. All Tonies designed for the original Toniebox will also work on the Toniebox 2, plus new Tonies will work on the original Toniebox.

Below, we've compiled a list of our favourite Tonies currently available, so you can tailor your child's audio player to their interests.

• Shop Tonies figures
• Buy Toniebox 2 for £94.99 at tonies

For more on the latest tonies news, here's our guide to the Toniebox 2, as well as our comparison of Toniebox 2 vs Toniebox.

Jump to:

• What are Tonies?
• What age are Tonies figures for?
• Where can I buy Tonies figures?
• Best new Tonies characters
• Best kids favourite's Tonies characters
• Best Tonies Disney characters
• Best Tonies Julia Donaldson characters

What are Tonies?

Tonies are small figurines that connect to Tonieboxes. They contain a range of stories, songs, and games for children to listen to.

Tonies has over 250 characters available including licensed figures from Disney, like Elsa and Olaf, or popular cartoon characters like Peppa Pig and the Paw Patrol gang.

Tonies also has a range of audiobooks and documentary Tonies from the likes of National Geographic and Roald Dahl.

What age are Tonies figures for?

In general Tonies are available for ages 3 and up, but a vast library of Tonies characters is available for a range of ages. The entire My First Tonies range is suitable for ages 1+.

The original Toniebox is suitable for ages 3 and up whereas the Toniebox 2 is suitable for ages 1 and up.

For younger children, you can find Tonies with nursery rhymes and toddler-friendly characters like Iggle Piggle and Peppa Pig. But for older children, you can get more mature audiobooks and stories like Horrible Histories and Captain Underpants.

Where can I buy Tonies figures?

Tonies characters are available at a range of UK retailers, both online and in-store. You can find them at the official Tonies website, alongside major shops like Boots and Amazon, here's a full list:

• Tonies
• The Entertainer
• Currys
• Amazon
• Boots
• Very
• Argos

Best Tonies characters for children of all ages at a glance

• Ms Rachel | £14.99
• Penguin Night Light Tonie | £29.99
• Gangsta Granny Strikes Again | £8.99
• Paddington Bear | £14.99
• Igglepiggle In the Night Garden | £14.99
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt | £14.99
• Peppa Pig: My First Album | £14.99
• Hey Duggee | £14.99
• Guess How Much I Love You | £14.99
• Encanto Disney Classics | £14.99
• Marvel Spiderman - Spidey and his amazing friends | £14.99
• The Lion King Disney Classics | £14.99
• Cars Disney Pixar | £14.99
• Elsa Disney Classics | £14.99
• Moana Disney Classics | £14.99
• Inside Out Disney Pixar | £14.99
• The Snail and the Whale | £14.99
• The Gruffalo | £14.99
• The Stick Man | £14.99
• Zog | £14.99

Best new Tonies characters

Ms Rachel

Beloved internet personality Ms Rachel has now been immortalised as a Tonie! Now you can join her on field trips, as well as singing, dancing and learning together.

Ms Rachel | £14.99

Penguin Night Light Tonie | £29.99

This adorable Penguin night light is the perfect way to chase any night-time scaries away. When turned on, it will play up to 75 mins of calming melodies and soothing sounds, including waves and Antarctic breeze.

Penguin Night Light Tonie | £29.99

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again | £8.99

The second instalment of the Gangsta Granny series has now arrived at tonies. Listeners just pop this David Walliams Book Pocket Tonie on their Toniebox and can enjoy all the twists and turns of the latest story.

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again | £8.99

Best kids' favourites Tonies characters

Paddington Bear

• Age 3+

It's never too early to get your child into the wonderful stories of Paddington Bear. This Tonie is from Michael Bond's second book: More About Paddington, and is narrated by Stephen Fry.

Paddington Bear | £14.99

Igglepiggle In the Night Garden

• Age 3+

Join In the Night Garden's Iggle Piggle on a musical journey with night-time stories, and charming songs to send your child off to sleep.

Igglepiggle In the Night Garden | £14.99

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

• Age 4+

The classic children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt is now available as a Tonies figure. It features Stan, Katie, Rosie, Max, the baby and their pet dog Rufus as they squelch through the countryside in search of bears.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt | £14.99

Peppa Pig: My First Album

• Age 3+

Peppa Pig's got a musical extravaganza to share with your little ones! Featuring 17 toe-tapping songs, this one is the perfect playtime soundtrack.

Peppa Pig: My First Album | £14.99

Hey Duggee

• Age 3+

Join Duggee in a selection of 10 stories such as the Big Day Out Badge, The Tooth Brushing Badge featuring The Toothbrushing Song, and The Glasses Badge.

Hey Duggee | £14.99

Guess How Much I Love You

• Age 3+

This beautiful children's book follows the story of a father trying to find ways to tell his son just how much he loves him. And now, you can find it in audio form.

Guess How Much I Love You | £14.99

Best Tonies Disney characters

Encanto Disney Classics

• Age 4+

This Tonie features the very best songs from Disney's Encanto, like Surface Pressure, We Don't Talk About Bruno, and What Else Can I Do?, plus a short story in English and Spanish.

Encanto Disney Classics | £14.99

Marvel Spiderman - Spidey and his amazing friends

• Age 3+

Mini superheroes will love this Spider-Man Tonie, featuring 4 action-packed stories about Spidey and his friends.

Marvel Spiderman - Spidey and his amazing friends | £14.99

The Lion King Disney Classics

• Age 3+

Let your child dance and sing along to classics from The Lion King like I Just Can’t Wait to Be King, Hakuna Matata and He Lives in You, plus the story of the film itself.

The Lion King Disney Classics | £14.99

Cars Disney Pixar

• Age 4+

This high-octane Tonie follows the ambitious (and selfish) race car Lightning McQueen as he ends up in a little desert town and finally learns how to slow down.

Cars Disney Pixar | £14.99

Elsa Disney Classics

• Age 4+

This best-selling Tonie features the story of Frozen and everyone's favourite Disney princess, Elsa, plus 4 beloved songs: Let It Go, For the First Time in Forever, Love Is an Open Door and Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Elsa Disney Classics | £14.99

Moana Disney Classics

• Age 3+

With this Tonie you can go on an adventure with Moana as she sets sail to save her island and meets the demigod Maui. It also features 4 songs from the Disney movie.

Moana Disney Classics | £14.99

Inside Out Disney Pixar

• Age 4+

Pixar fans will fall in love with this Tonie from the movie Inside Out. It follows the story of 11-year-old Riley and the emotions that help her along. It's perfect for little listeners who need to check in with their emotions.

Inside Out Disney Pixar | £14.99

Best Tonies Julia Donaldson characters

The Snail and the Whale

• Age 3+

This beautifully designed Tonie includes 2 popular tales by unstoppable duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Snail and the Whale and The Smartest Giant in Town.

The Snail and the Whale | £14.99

The Gruffalo

• Age 3+

It's the ultimate children's classic by Julia Donaldson – but who is this creature with terrible claws, and terrible teeth, and terrible jaws? And will the mouse survive his trip through the deep dark wood?

The Gruffalo | £14.99

The Stick Man

• Age 4+

The Stick Man is on a mission to get back to his family when he just so happens to have the best (and worst) adventure of his life! But will he get home?

The Stick Man | £14.99

Zog

• Age 4+

Zog is the keenest dragon in school, but also the most accident-prone, flying into trees and even setting his own wing on fire. Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises. But will she be able to help Zog with his toughest test?

Zog | £14.99

Read more: 

• Best audiobooks for kids
• Best new Yoto cards
• How to make your own Yoto cards
• 10 of the best Nintendo Switch games
• Toniebox review

They're both portable, well built and designed to be easy for children to use. Both have vast libraries of content ranging from classics by authors like Julia Donaldson to stories from big brands like Disney and Star Wars.

But which one is best for you and your child? This guide compares both players including key features, price, design and content to help you decide which one suits your family.

Bear in mind that although the Toniebox 2 has just been announced, this comparison will be between the original Toniebox and the Yoto Player.

Wondering what else is on offer outside the two leading brands? Check out our roundup of all the best kids music players and audio players on the market for more tried and tested recommendations.

The Toniebox 2 is finally here and it comes packed with a bunch of exciting new features. Check out our guide to the Toniebox 2, as well as our comparison of Toniebox 2 vs Toniebox and the best Toniebox 2 bundles and deals to help you save on your Toniebox.

Jump to:

• What is a Yoto Player?
• What is a Toniebox?
• What are the differences between the Yoto Player and Toniebox?
• Yoto vs Tonie: Price
• Yoto vs Tonie: Usability & Features
• Yoto vs Tonie: Build Quality
• Yoto Cards vs Tonies figures
• Yoto vs Tonie: Accessories
• Yoto vs. Toniebox: Apps

Yoto vs. Tonies at a glance:

• Yoto Player | £89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%)
• Yoto Mini | £59.99 £47.99 (save £12 or 20%)
• Original Toniebox | £79.97 £61 (save £18.95 or 24%)
• Toniebox 2 | £94.99

Want to know what we thought of these audio players when we tested it out? Read our Yoto player review and our full Toniesbox review for an even more in-depth analysis from our parent and kid testers. And if you're looking for a fun techy treat, check out our list of best Nintendo Switch games for kids.

MadeForMums verdict:

On the whole, we would recommend the Toniebox to those looking for a more child-friendly, toy-like experience, as the collectible Tonies figures and the tactile, soft design give it that instant "wow" factor and make it fun to use and explore. It's also the best option if you want a truly screen-free experience.

The Yoto – although still brilliantly designed for kids – has more in common with a gadget, offering great parent-friendly features to go alongside the audio capabilities, and does tend to wow the adults a little more. It is more compact and cost-effective over time. The cards lack the instant appeal of the Tonies figures, but have similar content and will keep children entertained for hours.

What is a Yoto Player?

The Yoto Player, currently on its 3rd generation, is a child-friendly audio player. It is essentially a speaker that can play audio content via Yoto Cards, as well as content from an accompanying app. The cards, purchased separately, include a range of content from audiobooks like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Chronicles of Narnia to music from bands like Queen.

• Yoto Player | £89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%)

It can also be paired with a caregiver's phone to play audio via bluetooth and access additional content like the daily podcast. The player features a pixelated screen that displays simple animated graphics alongside content.

Yoto also offers the Yoto Mini, a smaller player at a lower price point that is designed for portability.

• Best portable audio player: Yoto Mini Adventurer Bundle | £114.97

Similarly to the Yoto Player, the Toniebox is a kids' audio player that can play a range of audio content via small figures called Tonies (sold separately). The Toniebox is covered in a soft 'huggable' fabric designed to make using the player a more tactile experience. It doesn't feature a screen or any physical buttons beyond two 'ears' that are used to control the volume.

• Best Tonies bundle: Toniebox and any 7 Tonies | £184.88 £119.90 (save £64.98 or 35%)

The Toniebox Starter Set includes the box itself, the charging stand and a Creative Tonie figure that is used to show you how to use the device – you can then upload your own audio to the figure to customise it. 

What are the differences between the Yoto Player and Toniebox?

We think both the Yoto Player and the Toniebox are great products, in fact we recently awarded them joint gold awards in the MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023. They’re both well-built and easy to use, offering a unique and interactive way to get your children engaging with stories and music (and perhaps buy you a few extra minutes of peace). They're a clever alternative to screen time, and can really bring stories to life, especially for children who can't read yet.

Picking between the two will ultimately come down to what you're looking for in a few key areas. For example, the Toniebox doesn’t include a screen, while the Yoto Player does (albeit a very simple one). This does mean that the Toniebox can’t be used as a night light and clock, whereas the Yoto can. Both have large content libraries with a similar set of familiar brands and characters, but the Tonies used with the Toniebox are also detailed figures that add to the play value and collectability of the stories themselves, while Yoto uses simpler cards.

Overall, our testing showed the the Toniebox is great for younger children due to it's soft fabric exterior and the "wow" factor of the collectable Tonies figures, while the Yoto Player works well for older children due to it more mature design, ability to access the Yoto radio and more advanced app control. As parent tester Milly noted, "We’ve actually got both, for my two year old the Toniebox is the real winner as the characters are fun and it’s more robust. However, for my 4 and 8 year old, the Yoto has much more choice and the radio and nightlight is a bonus."

Interestingly, though, multiple members of our Top Testers Club noted, when asked which they prefer, that they feel the Yoto is a better value option as it has greater longevity due to its wider range of capabilities that parents will enjoy. "I like that it has more features like the night light, day/night clock, radio, Bluetooth speaker, podcasts, the app I can play in the car etc," parent tester Rachel said of the Yoto. "I also think that the selection of stories is broader so it will grow with him and last longer."

Yoto vs Tonie: Price

Both the Yoto Player and Toniebox are similarly priced, with the latter coming in slightly cheaper. For the extra cost you do get a few added features with the Yoto that aren’t available with the Toniebox, such as the free daily podcast and the clock/nightlight feature.

Yoto cards start at £5.99 (although most are between £7.99 and £9.99) whereas the Toniebox figures start at £14.99, though it is worth pointing out that the figures do offer additional play potential beyond just the audio. They are great for collecting and displaying on a shelf in your child’s room – Tonies even offers magnetic shelves designed for displaying the figures. The collectible nature of the Tonies is a huge selling point and one that shouldn't be discounted when deciding which is right for your child.

"It's got fabulous features and is great value for money," says parent tester Athena about the Yoto. "It will last longer than the Toniebox, the adults in our house use it as well as my daughter so I know she can use it for a long time with content to suit her age."

Increasing the value of the Yoto Player is the Yoto Club subscription service. For the price of £9.99 per month (or £99.99 annually), the same price as around 1 Yoto card, the Yoto Club allows members to pick two Yoto Cards from a rotating library that updates monthly with stories for every age.

• Yoto Club: from £3.99 a month/£29.99 annually

Yoto vs Tonie: Usability & Features

When it comes to usability and features, we think this is an area where the Yoto comes out on top. In our testing, we found the controls for pausing, playing, skipping tracks and fast-forwarding and rewinding on the Toniebox to be difficult to use. They require tilting the box itself or tapping the side making the functions easy to trigger accidentally and frustratingly tricky to trigger on purpose. This is intended to make it easier for children but it still requires them to learn the knack.

The lack of simplicity extends to the two buttons that the Tonies does include. The buttons, designed to look like rubber ears, are simple enough to use and provide tactile feedback when pressed, but the tone they play when changing volume - especially when listening through headphones - may be irritating to some.

On the other hand, we felt the the Yoto’s controls were much easier and more enjoyable to use. Two robust control dials on either side of the device offer a range of functionality including volume control, the ability to change chapters and shortcuts to trigger content like the Yoto Daily podcast and Yoto Radio. They are tactile buttons with a satisfying click when turned and, thanks to the screen, it is always clear what you are doing when controlling the device. For example, icons for each of a stories chapters is displayed when skipping forward or backwards. Our 2-year-old tester got the hang of them very quickly.

With the Toniebox, the lack of a screen is very much a feature of the device. It is designed and advertised as a screen-free way to help support your child's independent reading and entertainment. Whether the fact that the Yoto Player includes a screen is an issue for you will come down to your screen time preference, but it is worth noting that the screen is a simple pixelated display and isn’t used for much beyond displaying graphics alongside a story, aiding in controlling the device, or allowing the Yoto to be used as a clock.

The Yoto's nightlight is dim enough to not disrupt your child's sleep yet bright enough to save you needing to buy an external nightlight. The nightlight can be programmed through the app to work as a sleep training clock, changing colour at a certain time to give a child a cue that it's time to wake up. Parent tester Laura noted, "We went for the Yoto because I felt it had more longevity with the cards rather than characters. I genuinely love ours and it’s the only thing that kept my 3 year old in her bed!"

This isn’t to say that the Toniebox is lacking in features. The brand recently rolled out a nightlight feature, although this comes in the form of a large-sized Tonie figure you have to buy separately. There's also a new podcast, but again a Tonie figure must be purchased separately to access this. Though it is worth noting that like other Tonies, the nightlight is also a collectable figure that comes with another layer of play potential and collectability on top of its primary function.

If you're conscious of investing in yet another device with a screen, then the Toniebox is a great way to allow your child access to a range of books and audio without needing to use a screen of any kind, something that is becoming harder to find in the tech focused world of today. You’ve also got the figures themselves, but we'll get to those.

Yoto vs Tonie: Build Quality

Both the Yoto Player and the Toniebox are well built and designed to last – which one you pick will come down to personal preference regarding the design and materials used. The Yoto Player is made of hard plastic, which makes it robust and durable but also heavy and potentially hazardous if knocked off a shelf or bedside table, though this can be mitigated using one of the rubber Adventure Jackets – sold separately, adding to the price.

The Yoto is designed well, with the controls mentioned earlier being a particular standout. In our testing we didn’t notice any bend in the plastic casing when pressure was applied. The screen, thanks to it’s pixel-like design, is covered in a sheet of matte plastic as opposed to glass. It also has four rubber feet that prevent the device from sliding on hard surfaces. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a sleek design that feels sturdy and simple and will fit in nicely into any child’s bedroom then the Yoto Player is a great option.

However, if you’re looking for a more tactile device with that added fun factor then the Toniebox might be a better option. The colourful fabric box is, as Tonies describes, “soft, huggable and tumble-proof”, something we can very much attest to after our testing. The Toniebox is satisfying to hold and use, designed less for setting and forgetting and more for a tactile user experience.

As parent tester Anna, whose daughter uses her Toniebox everyday, noted, "the box itself I find very durable due to its padded surround, meaning it can withstand a few drops." Everything has been built to avoid hard edges with the control ears being made from flexible rubber and the padded fabric body being soft and squishy. The only hard surface on the Toniebox is the spot where the figures are magnetically attached and at the base where the charging port is located. Ultimately, the design of the Toniebox will appeal to children looking for a more hands-on experience, versus the smaller and more subdued Yoto Player.

Yoto Cards vs Tonies figures

In order to make the most out of both the Yoto Player and the Toniebox, you’ll need something to play. Both Yoto and Tonies offer a vast library of content including stories from familiar names like Disney, Marvel and Julia Donaldson as well as music and other audio content. Yoto’s audio is stored on Yoto Cards  – small cards about the size of a credit card – that slot into the player and download the audio.

• Browse Yoto Cards

Once the audio is downloaded to the player and a card is added to your library within the Yoto app, the audio can be played without the cards making them an ideal option for travel, something parent tester Nathalie noted as a reason she chose the Yoto Player over the Toniebox. "The cards aren't cheap for either," she noted, "but the Yoto cards certainly do have extra features, like games, rather than just the stories."

As we mentioned above, the cards start at £5.99 but most are in the £7.99 to £9.99 range. You can also make your own Yoto Cards through the Yoto website allowing you to upload a range of audio from recordings of loved ones and mixtapes of your own MP3s.

• Read our full guide on how to make your own Yoto cards

If storage is a concern and you want to purchase stories and other audio that won’t take up too much space then the Yoto Cards are perfect. They’re small and easy enough to store and take with you on holiday and the art on each card is colourful and vibrant.

This is one area where the Toniebox might better the Yoto Player. In order to play audio through the Toniebox, you need small figures called Tonies. These themed figurines are very detailed and usually depict a character from the story they contain. They attach magnetically to the top of the Toniebox and immediately begin playing audio after it has been downloaded to the player. As they are figures, they provide an added layer of play and collectibility.

They’re designed to be displayed and work as a toy on their own outside of their function when combined with the Toniebox. They do, however, start at slightly more expensive price for the more premium looking figures. The starter set includes a Creative Tonie figure that you can use to store messages uploaded via the app, a feature that parent tester Natalie found particularly useful, saying, "It was a godsend in lockdown when pre recorded messages and stories read by their grandparents were being listened to when the world was at a standstill."

The libraries available for both the Yoto Player and the Toniebox are similar with some titles crossing over. Both have audio available from big brands including Disney, Paw Patrol and more, and both have audio available for a wide age range from 0-9+. If you’re on the fence about which player to buy, deciding if you’d prefer to invest in the Yoto Cards or the Tonies might be a great way to help make your choice. Ultimately, Yoto Cards are better if you’re looking for something to save space and money while the Tonies are great for collectibility and play.

• Read our list of the best Yoto Cards
• Can you use original Tonies on the Toniebox 2?

Yoto vs Tonie: Accessories

Cases

As the Yoto Player lacks any real protection around its hard plastic casing, they offer something called the Adventure Jacket for £24.99, which is available in a range of colours perfect for customising your child's Yoto. As an added bonus, the silicone jacket includes a handle to improve portability.

• Best Yoto Player case for listening on the go: Yoto Adventure Jacket | £24.99
• Best Yoto Mini case for listening on the go: Yoto Mini Adventure Jacket | £19.99

Given that the Toniebox is made from soft fabric, there is no sleeve on offer, however, they do sell a range of themed cases that store both the player and several Tonie figures. They start at £24.99 and come in a variety of fun designs and colours so you can match the style to your child. If you’re looking for something closer to the Yoto Adventure Jacket, they do sell a carry case in a range of colours that has a vent on the front to allow you to play audio while it is in the case.

• Best Toniebox travel case: Tonies Listen & Play Bag | £27.99
• Best Toniebox case for listening on the go: Tonies Carry Case | £15.99

Headphones

Tonies offers a range of wired headphones, including foldable options, in different colourways to match the Toniebox with prices starting at £19.99. Yoto, on the other hand, offers both wireless and wired headphones in the signature Yoto orange starting at £24.99 for the wired option. Other kids headphones will also work with both devices.

• Best headphones for the Yoto Player: Yoto Wireless Headphones | £34.99
• Best headphones for the Toniebox: Tonies headphones | £19.99

Other accessories

As the Yoto Player 3rd Generation comes with wireless charging functionality, as we mentioned above, they also sell a wireless charging dock for £29.99. We should note, though, that in our testing, we were also able to charge the Yoto Player using a third party wireless charger.

• Best wireless charger for the Yoto: Yoto Wireless Charging Dock | £29.99
• Best for storing Tonies on the go: Tonies Car Organiser | £39.99
• Best for fun Christmas gifting: Tonies Advent Calendar | £24.99
• Best for Tonies personalisation: Tonies Topper | £7.99
• Best for sleep: Tonies Night Light Audio Character | £44.14

Yoto also offer storage for the Yoto Cards, with their focus being more on travel and portability. The Yoto card case comes in 3 colourways and fits up to 64 Yoto Cards to help keep your collection organised or ready to take on the road.

• Best Yoto card storage: Yoto Card Case | £24.99

Yoto vs. Toniebox: Apps

Both the Yoto and Toniebox make use of mobile apps which are essential to the setup and use of the device. Both apps are available for Android and iOS and are designed to be used on a parent's device, giving them parental controls such as volume limits and more. In our testing, we found the Toniebox app to be limited in functionality. It is intuitive and easy to use, though it is missing a few key features present within the Yoto app. The setup process within the app is a bit convoluted, requiring you to enter a device number on the bottom of the Toniebox which is quite small and difficult to read in order to pair your device with the app ready for use.

The app does allow you to make recordings and upload them to the Creative Tonies figure that is included with your Toniebox. It also allows you to set the volume both for the speaker itself and for headphones and lets you control the brightness of the LED that surrounds the magnetic space where the Tonies figures attach. One thing we found notably absent from the app is any sort of playback controls. Given that the controls for the Toniebox are quite difficult to use, having playback controls within the app would have made life easier.

The Yoto App is significantly more full featured allowing you to view the standard device stats like battery level – it also shows you when the device is charging – as well as the WIFI network the device is connected to and volume level. As the Yoto Player 3rd Generation includes a room thermometer, the app also shows you the room temperature. You can also set alarms and, customise both day and night modes allowing you to set different volume limits and change the LED ring and display colour/brightness depending on the time of day.

The controls on the Yoto Player itself can also be mapped within the app so you can set them to perform different functions including playing the Yoto radio or Daily podcast or setting a homework timer. As we mentioned above, the app also allows you to play audio that you have downloaded to the player and added to your library. When a card is first inserted into the player, it is downloaded to the Yoto Player itself and will appear within the app’s library section where you can choose to play it either on the mobile device or on the Yoto Player. This function also includes all the playback controls that the Tonies app is missing including a sleep timer that will turn off the audio after a set amount of time.

Overall, the Yoto app increases the portability of the device beyond the player itself, something parent tester Elizabeth echoed. "I love that I can use the app on my phone if we're out and about," she said, "as soon as I buy the cards they're on my phone even if they haven't arrived."

Read More:

• Best kids smartwatches
• Best cameras for kids
• Best Nintendo Switch games for kids
• Yoto vs Tonies
• Toniebox review
• Yoto Player review
• What is Minecraft? A Minecraft guide for parents

The toy brand has launched the new Tonie: Leah Williamson – Ultimate Football Heroes, to tell the story of how England Women took home the Euro trophy in 2022.

The Tonie will follow Williamson's story from the start, from playing on a boys' football team in Bletchley, to captaining her country to victory at Wembley Stadium.

For young football fans, and anyone looking for a big dose of sporting inspiration, this is a perfect gift, as it also delves into the determination and struggles behind her football journey.

The Tonie will last for 183 minutes and is suitable for kids aged 7+.

• Buy Leah Williamson Tonie

Where can I buy the Leah Williamson Lioness Tonie?

You can buy the Leah Williamson – Ultimate Football Heroes Tonie now at the official Tonies website, costing £8.99.

• Buy Leah Williamson Tonie

You can also check out the best Tonies characters and the best audiobooks for kids here.

For more on the latest tonies news, here's our guide to the Toniebox 2, as well as our comparison of Toniebox 2 vs Toniebox.