The TikTok trends changing the toys kids play with

Detailed summary

From sensory squishies that soothe anxiety to screen-free wooden trains, social media is driving Australian toy trends in two very different directions.

Australian kids are seeking out squishies in a tech-dominated era of information overload as their parents search for tangible toys to get them away from screens.

Social media is driving toy trends in two different directions, retailers have told AAP in the lead up to the all-important Christmas period.

Parents are buying what algorithms push on their phones, along with toys to keep their kids away from their devices.

"Parents are steering away from quick consumption (toys) and trying to get (their children) away from screen time," independent toy shop Jasper Junior's manager Sammy O'Sullivan said.

"There's a bit of kickback from all of the overwhelmingness of social media.

Trends have come and gone since the Melbourne-based store opened in 1996 and Ms O'Sullivan said the gifts parents were buying this Christmas were anything but technological.

"Things like building train sets that can be made down the hallway with dad, and beautiful wooden cars - things you can remember the feel of and the smell," she said.

In the 12 months to October 2026, the three toy categories delivering the largest sales increases were games and puzzles (up 35 per cent), building sets (up 14 per cent) and explorative and other toys (up 63 per cent), according to global market researcher Circana.

Its data showed Pokemon cards were the stand-out performer, retaining the top-selling toy property each month in 2026.

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