A few days before the end of year celebrations, the Gard toy stores are always full and that is the least we can say. Between great classics and technological innovations, families are competing for products that will make children’s eyes shine on the morning of the 25th. Overview of the major trends that are essential for the youngest.
Unbeatable. Board games always bring together young and old alike. This year again, Monopoly confirms its star status on the shelves. Its countless variations, adapted to specific themes or even locations, continue to please. The “Super electronic” version seems particularly popular thanks to its noteless payment system, a practical modernity, it must be said. While retaining the essence of the game. “It’s simpler without the tickets, but it’s a shame… it made them do math”remarks, amused, Jeanne, who is about to offer it to her ten-year-old son. The family already owns “Monopoly Cheaters”, which was a great success a few years ago.
• DR/Canva
Other classics still in vogue, “Le Docteur Maboul” and “Loups-Garous de Thiercelieux”. Both resist fashion admirably, according to sales in many large boutiques. The Last City even benefits from renewed interest thanks to its series adaptation by Fary and Panayotis Pascot, followed by a film broadcast on streaming platforms. Among the more accessible new products, the “Skyjo” is making a notable breakthrough, like the “Speed Bac”, a yellow box card game, inspired by the legendary “Petit Bac”.
The triumphant return of Lego
But it’s hard to imagine a Christmas without these little multicolored bricks. The Danish brand Lego, still at the height of its popularity, deploys a varied offering that appeals to very young people as well as adolescents. From sets for the youngest to elaborate constructions inspired by iconic sagas like Star Wars and its Venator-class cruiser of the Republic or Harry Potter and its Hogwarts Castle, Lego remains a safe bet under the tree. This year, architectural models have a certain popularity. The Lego “Concorde” or even “Notre-Dame de Paris”, for example, charm many curious people, probably due to the recent reopening of the place for the second.
The little bricks that sting under bare feet have not said their last word. • DR/Canva
Julien and his wife, met in a store in Alès, are preparing to offer a Speed Champions version (a brick red Ferrari F40) to one of their children: “Lego is a classic for us, it’s everywhere (Laughs). The children love it, but we also, to tell the truth, enjoy building with them. » Reducing Lego to simple nostalgia would be a mistake. The brand clearly continues to appeal with other varied ranges, such as “Lego Technic” or robots, which are also enjoying great success. These are models that “introduces young people to complex concepts” while keeping “the leisure aspect” which makes the brand famous, observes a salesman.
The 90s-2000s are making a comeback
However, they have not experienced this era, but the young Gardois seem to be strongly inspired by it. Retro trends are taking over the toy aisles this year, with a surprising return of iconic gadgets from the 2000s. Among them, MP3 and MP4 players, which are resurfacing in a revisited version, now available on the shelves of high-end brands. -tech and large stores like Carrefour (formerly Cora) in Alès.
Their ease of use and their deliberately vintage appearance, like vinyl records for example, appeal to teenagers, at a time when their smartphones (also a very popular item at Christmas for the luckiest teenagers) are becoming increasingly imposing. “It’s fun to see them (MP3 players, Editor’s note) come back”confides Florence, who is thinking about giving one to her 11-year-old niece.
Even more emblematic, the Tamagotchi. He makes a resounding comeback. Yes yes. This little virtual animal to raise, star of the 1990s and 2000s, interests a new generation. With their simplicity and their ability to create long-term memories, these gadgets are flying off the shelves. The fashion of the 2000s is far from extinct.
The new era
If the classics and the retro are essential, the technological innovations are not left out. Among the stars of this season, the remote-controlled Gecko intrigues with its realistic design, without forgetting virtual reality headsets, like the Meta Quest. On a more creative note, the “Pen Workshop” allows children to design their own personalized pens, a fun, hands-on activity that clearly appeals to parents. “At home, we are rather fans of manual activities”confides Marie.
Interactive toys also occupy pride of place. The Bitzee, a virtual Disney animal, takes up the idea of the Tamagotchi, but with a more modern approach. The Pad Creator, a tablet that prints creations, or the Bumper Flybotic drone, are among the flagship innovations. Finally, on the video game side, the Nintendo Switch continues to establish itself as a reference, with highly anticipated titles like FC24, Super Mario Party Jamboree and The Legend of Zelda. The console itself, much like the PlayStation 5, remains in high demand despite its high price.
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