Dream Toys reveals top Christmas gifts for kids including farting board game ‘Gassy Gus’ – where to buy cheapest

TOY sales are up nearly ten per cent as parents scramble to grab presents early amid fears of shortages.

Supplies are already running low on two of the toys unveiled today as must-haves for Christmas.

But industry bosses promised Brits most will be in good supply and shelves would be well stocked – as they named a game where a character called Gus does farts as one of the top toys this Christmas.

Quirky Gassy Gus sits alongside better known brands like Lego, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Paw Patrol in the dream toys list.

But parents are already complaining it is hard to get hold of two of the 12 – Bluey Family Home Playset and Cocomelon Deluxe JJ interactive doll.

Gary Grant, boss of The Entertainer toy chain and chairman of the Dream Toys committee, said things have improved on the supply chain – but there were still some issues.

He said: “There is less of an issue now with delays in getting toys from China to the UK.

“The challenge is now getting toys from ports to shop with the shortage of HGV drivers.

“Plus now so close to Christmas if we order new batches there might not be availability in the factories.

“Closer to Christmas there are going to be one or two or three things we are short on – that is normal – but there will still be plenty of toys on sale. You won’t see empty shelves.”

Talking about the Bluey and Cocomelon toys, he said: “They were unknown quantities as they were new brands. When we were ordering them, we know they might sell like hot cakes or they might just sit on shelves.

“We just don’t know until we start selling them. So we don’t order as many of those as we do for, say, Paw Patrol – which we know we can always sell, even if it’s into next year.

“But Bluey and Cocomelon are both doing really well so there is a chance they will be hard to get.”

Mr Grant said some toys in September were selling at levels normall seen in December, but that October had been more normal.

Analysts said toy sales are up 9 per cent on 2019 – the last “normal” year – and up much more on Covid-affected 2020.

Frederique Tutt, global industry expert for toys at The NPD Group, said: “Brits have continued their love affair with toys this year and sales have been strong.

“Compared to 2019, pre-Covid, sales are up 9 per cent for the nine months ending September 2021.

“We expect the final sales quarter of the year to deliver a solid performance despite supply chain challenges.

“Toy manufacturers and retailers have planned ahead and stocked up to avoid anticipated shortages, so most toy shoppers will be able to get the items they want.

“But as we always say at the DreamToys event each November, if you know what particular toy the child in your life is dreaming of this Christmas, it is best to buy it now.”

The Dream Toys list is cheaper than in recent years.

The toys have a mix of prices – from £10.99 to £69.99. The total price for all 12 is £426.88 – with an average price of just over £35.57.