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Pretend play toys: ideas for Christmas 2026

Kitchens, shops, workbenches and costumes for imaginative play, from toddlers to early school age.

By Sam · Updated 4 November 2026

Our picks

Our top pick
Researched
£8.99 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In stock
Runner-up
Researched
£19.99 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In stock
Also good
Researched
£18.14 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In stock

All 13 compared

Crazy Chefs Game
1. Crazy Chefs Game Our top pick
£8.99 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Our verdict
Our verdictResearched

A good first game for a young child.

Good
    Worth knowing

      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the child is older: it's simple.

      £19.99 at Amazon
      as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
      Our verdict
      Our verdictResearched

      A fun pretend-play gift for a young child.

      Good
        Worth knowing

          Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a big set: it's small.

          Cutting Fruit Set
          3. Cutting Fruit Set Also good
          £18.14 at Amazon
          as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
          Our verdict
          Our verdictResearched

          A good pretend-play gift for a young child.

          Good
            Worth knowing

              Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they have a lot of play food already.

              £16.63 at Amazon
              as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
              Our verdict
              Our verdictResearched

              A good activity present for a pre-schooler who likes pretend cooking.

              Good
                Worth knowing

                  Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they dislike mess, as the compound dries out and crumbs onto carpets.

                  £25 at Amazon
                  as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                  Our verdict
                  Our verdictResearched

                  A good gift for a toddler who likes copying household chores.

                  Good
                    Worth knowing

                      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the toddler already has many noisy toys.

                      £40.18 at Amazon
                      as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                      Our verdict
                      Our verdictResearched

                      A great gift for a child who loves playing shops.

                      Good
                        Worth knowing

                          Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have little room: it's a big toy.

                          £19.98 at Amazon
                          as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                          Our verdict
                          Our verdictResearched

                          A fun dress-up gift for a child who loves fire engines.

                          Good
                            Worth knowing

                              Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a specific size: it's a one-size set.

                              £49.89 at Amazon
                              as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                              Our verdict
                              Our verdictResearched

                              A good gift for a child who likes stories.

                              Good
                                Worth knowing

                                  Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want ready-made puppets: they're separate.

                                  £80.84 at Amazon
                                  as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                  Our verdict
                                  Our verdictResearched

                                  A good gift for a child who likes to pretend.

                                  Good
                                    Worth knowing

                                      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the child is under the age on the box.

                                      £16.75 at Amazon
                                      as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                      Our verdict
                                      Our verdictResearched

                                      A good role-play gift for a child who likes playing shops.

                                      Good
                                        Worth knowing

                                          Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you don't want noisy toys at home.

                                          £242.94 at Amazon
                                          as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                          Our verdict
                                          Our verdictResearched

                                          A lasting present for a child who loves imaginative play.

                                          Good
                                            Worth knowing

                                              Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want it ready to play with: furniture and dolls are sold separately.

                                              £24.99 at Amazon
                                              as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                              Our verdict
                                              Our verdictResearched

                                              A good present for a child who loves animals.

                                              Good
                                                Worth knowing

                                                  Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they already have a vet kit.

                                                  £19.98 at Amazon
                                                  as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                                  Our verdict
                                                  Our verdictResearched

                                                  A fun dress-up gift for a child who loves role-play.

                                                  Good
                                                    Worth knowing

                                                      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a specific size: it's one size.

                                                      ⓘ Some links are affiliate links: a purchase may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our recommendations. Prices shown may have changed since they were checked.

                                                      Before you buy
                                                      Play kitchens and shops can be big: check the size and whether it needs building.
                                                      How we choose

                                                      We unbox and build what we can at home, hand it to someone the age it's sold for, and check prices and stock at UK shops through the day. Every pick is labelled: Tested at home when we've had it in our hands (bought, or sent free by the brand, and the review says which), Researched when we haven't. Commissions never change a pick or its place on the list. Read our full methodology →

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