What Makes a Toy Last Beyond Christmas Morning?

Will it still be played with in January?

As Christmas approaches, it is easy to become caught up in lists, trends and the pressure to find the perfect present.

One question I have learned to ask is much simpler:

Will the child still be interested in this after Christmas morning?

There is no guaranteed answer. Children can be unpredictable, and sometimes the smallest or most unexpected gift becomes the favourite. The old cardboard box!

However, there are a few qualities that can give a toy a better chance of lasting beyond the first burst of excitement.

It connects with a real interest

A child who loves animals may return repeatedly to an animal puppet, a nature activity or a game based around wildlife.

A child who enjoys making things may get much more from an art set or construction toy than from the latest fashionable character.

When buying for older children in particular, interests are often a better guide than the number printed on the box.

I saw this with my own children as they grew. Their interests became more specific, and the products that lasted were usually the ones that connected with something they already cared about. The actual value of the purchase was not always connected to that interest! Something relatively cheap like good quality paints was more used and appreciated than a higher value item.

There is more than one way to use it

Open-ended toys do not decide the entire game for the child.

A set of building pieces can become many different structures. A puppet can be a storyteller, a friend, a mischievous character or the star of a show.

Creative materials can be used for a planned project one day and a completely original idea the next.

This flexibility is one of the reasons certain products stay in use for longer. As the child changes, the play can change too.

It offers the right amount of challenge

A toy that is far too easy may quickly be abandoned. One that is frustratingly difficult may never get started.

The best challenge sits somewhere in the middle.

It should be possible for the child to experience some success while still having something to work out, practise or improve.

This is particularly important with games, craft sets and construction toys. A child may not master everything immediately, but they should be able to see progress.

It encourages interaction

Some of the most memorable toys are those that bring people together.

A family game may be used repeatedly because everyone can join in. A puppet may encourage siblings to make up stories together. A puppet theatre may give children a reason to prepare a performance for the adults.

These products often last because the experience is slightly different every time. I used to have family day every Sunday where we would play board games with my kids, they are now teenagers and young adults but I can still throw a deck of cards on the table and everyone will join, I really like the fact that this tradition has left a imprint on them.

Quality matters, but price is not everything

A more expensive toy is not automatically a better one.

Good value comes from how much use and enjoyment a product provides, not simply from its size or the price on the box.

A small finger puppet that goes everywhere with a child may offer far better value than a large toy that is forgotten after one day.

I have seen inexpensive products become treasured favourites, while more impressive-looking gifts have barely been touched.

It leaves space for the child

The toys children return to often leave room for their own ideas.

They do not do everything automatically. They require the child to bring something to the experience: a decision, a story, an invention, a strategy or a little imagination.

That is one of the principles that has guided Mimitoys since 2004.

I continue to look for toys, games and puppets that invite children to participate rather than simply press a button and watch.

No toy comes with a promise that it will become a favourite. But choosing around a child’s interests, abilities and imagination gives it a much better chance of being enjoyed long after Christmas morning.

Myriam Doyle - October 2026