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Toys and games

From first toys to big kid favourites, share your best finds and recommendations. For the latest must-have toys loved by parents, sign up for Mumsnet Swears By emails.

What toys were on your wish list growing up?

17 replies

OneUmberJoker · 20/10/2025 17:33

More wrestling figures

OP posts:
BeMellowAquaSquid · 20/10/2025 17:38

I always wanted the Mr Frostie machine but my parents always told me Santa had run out of those 😭

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/10/2025 17:42

I wanted the Playmobil Victorian mansion. Planning to buy it for my DC in a couple of years' time.

RaraRachael · 20/10/2025 17:47

A typewriter.

My cousin had one aged 8 so I asked Santa for one. It didn't come, so I was told , "Maybe for your birthday"

This went on every year until finally aged 16 I got one so I could practise typing for sec. studies at school 😪

I never forgave my mother.

mayflowers9 · 19/11/2025 11:14

The Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Maker!

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 19/11/2025 11:16

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/10/2025 17:42

I wanted the Playmobil Victorian mansion. Planning to buy it for my DC in a couple of years' time.

Start saving now then! It's like £300 with the furniture sets!!

GameofPhones · 19/11/2025 11:18

Microscope. Never got one.

mumonthehill · 19/11/2025 11:33

Cabbage patch doll, barbie but always got Sindy, Gearbox, mr Frostie, a new bike but never got one, roller boots which I loved!

MamaBobo · 19/11/2025 11:56

Another 70s child who didn’t get Mr Frosty here….or Mousetrap….we always wanted Mousetrap. I think my parents were probably smart enough to realise that both of these wouldn’t live up to the promise of the adverts and the glossy pictures in the Kays Catalogue (our go-to publication for writing our letters to Santa). I always wanted a tent as well….but at least I did make that right as an adult.

I saw an absolutely amazing toy cash register in a shop a couple of years ago and I had a real hankering after it…still thinking about it now!

Wheresmatty · 19/11/2025 12:51

Mr Frosty but was never allowed one as apparently ‘Father Christmas doesn’t like messy toys’! I take the piss out of my mother every year about it! Especially the year she bought my son Kenetic Sand for Christmas so, I suppose Father Christmas has now lowered his standards around ‘clean’ gifting!

LauraHopkins · 19/11/2025 12:58

Big yellow teapot. I still remember the acute disappointment, having carefully folded over the corner of the catalogue page, and writing it on my letter to Santa Claus, of opening something completely different (which was probably the same cost, my mum just enjoys ruining the joy of others)

HangryBrickShark · 19/11/2025 13:07

Space hopper/computer/girls bike/Girls World

HangryBrickShark · 19/11/2025 13:07

Space hopper/computer/girls bike/Girls World

cramptramp · 19/11/2025 13:13

A Chopper bike. But they were so expensive I knew I’d never get one.

ShopTutter · 19/11/2025 13:17

"The Little Mermaid" on video. Every time I went to my friend's house I borrowed her copy. But it was pirate so terrible quality. I have no idea why my parents didn't just buy it for me.

A Little Tikes Coupe. Whenever my mum used to take me to Toys R Us, I'd spend ages playing in these and longed for one so desperately

Novemberish · 19/11/2025 13:24

Barbie camper van - I wanted this so badly and to this day don't understand why I didn't get it. My parents clearly weren't opposed to barbie - I got other barbie things instead. Over a few years, I asked for the camper van, and got a fashion studio, a sportscar, horse-riding stables (I had never shown any interest in these) and countless actual barbies. But never the campervan. I remember once seeing a second-hand version in a charity shop and begged my mum for it, but she still wouldn't budge. Buoyed by a previous similar MN thread where I told this story, I finally asked her in adulthood why this gift eluded me. She said she has absolutely no memory but it was probably a load of tat. Still doesn't really explain in - but I loved seeing the van make an appearance in the Barbie movie!

Edwinstarrihavefaithinyou · 19/11/2025 13:37

Eval knieval stunt bike with figure.
But with 70s toy advertising it looked ace as with a lot of other toys.
My pal had one ..and it was shit!!

girlwhowearsglasses · 19/11/2025 13:42

BeMellowAquaSquid · 20/10/2025 17:38

I always wanted the Mr Frostie machine but my parents always told me Santa had run out of those 😭

Same!

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