If the Christmas wish lists in your house look different this year, you are not imagining it. Surprise collectables, miniature worlds and deliberately odd-looking plush creatures are rewriting what children ask for, according to Toys R Us South Africa’s Top Toys for 2026.

Launched with the retailer’s 52-page festive catalogue, Geoffrey’s Toy Guide, the selection spans pocket-money treats to showstopper gifts. “What’s exciting about this year’s selection is the sheer variety of ways children are playing,” says Catherine Jacoby of Toys R Us South Africa.

The blind box obsession. Blind boxes and miniature collectables, including Mini Brands, MiniHouse and Miniverse, have turned unboxing into an event of its own. Collectors swap, display and build entire miniature worlds around their finds. “The hunt for a particular character can be as exciting as finding it,” says Jacoby.

Ugly-cute rules. Fugglers are plush creatures with exaggerated expressions and human-like teeth. Funko Pops and Pokémon, which turns 30 this year, are winning over teenagers and adults too.

Messy creativity and virtual discovery. Slime Mart lets children turn slime into pretend desserts and takeaways, while the Abacus National Geographic VR kits pair interactive books with a headset to explore extinct animals and world wonders.

The classics are holding firm. Barbie playsets, dinosaurs, remote-control vehicles, blasters and family board games remain gift staples, alongside Toy Story, Spider-Man and Star Wars favourites.

The Top 20 ranges from Reggie’s Mudslinger Extreme RC Rock Crawler at R399.90 and Funko Pops from R199.90 to the Barbie 2026 Dreamhouse Playset at R6,799.90 and a Porsche Macan 12V Ride On at R5,999.90. Other picks include the Sky Hunter X FPV Drone (R1,299.90), Monopoly Formula 1 Racing Edition (R899.90) and the Instax Mini 13 bundle (R1,699.90).

With household budgets under pressure, Toys R Us is putting value and choice at the centre of its campaign. Geoffrey’s Toy Guide runs from 22 October 2026 to 3 January 2027. Shoppers can also enter to win their Christmas wish list, valued at R20,000, by selecting five favourite items online or in a participating store. Entries close on 11 December 2026, and terms and conditions apply.

“Christmas isn’t about how much you spend,” says Jacoby. “It’s about the memories you make.” Browse the full selection at www.toysrus.co.za.