Small, squishy toys are set to fill stockings for Christmas 2021, and not just because they're cute and collectible. Due to a scarcity of shipping containers, and rising costs and delays, toy retailers are prioritizing smaller toys such as Cutetitos and Mash'ems, over bigger toys like trucks and slides.

As a year of staying at home has pushed us towards minimalism, Whirli is helping parents avoid overconsumption. The toy subscription service offers an affordable way for children to play with a variety of toys, without clutter, while minimising the amount of landfill-bound plastic.

American Girl has introduced their 2020 Girl of the Year doll, Joss Kendrick, a competitive surfer and the brand’s first doll with hearing loss. The boom of inclusive toys speaks to Gen Alpha’s desire for inclusivity, equality, and diversity both in wider society and in their own lives.

School closures and online learning have meant that children are missing out on important physical play. Parents are relying on traditional methods to keep their kids happy after the school day is over, leading to an uptick in the sales of physical toys such as dolls and skateboards.