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Miniature music player joins DreamToys’ festive favourites list
A £19.99 miniature record player has made the Toy Retailers Association’s DreamToys list of 15 anticipated festive hits, reflecting the continuing appeal of collectible toys and the vinyl revival. The toy plays 30-second song clips from tiny discs, including an exclusive track by Rosé and Bruno Mars, rather than playing actual vinyl.
Its 45 collectible discs include songs by Billie Eilish and Neil Diamond, and are sold separately in £8 mystery packs. Toy sales rose 13% to £2.6bn in the first nine months of 2026, the fastest growth in a decade, with 257 million toys sold; the final quarter typically accounts for 45% of annual sales. The list also features squishy toys, Pokémon cards and a £129.99 Hot Wheels garage, with retailers reporting renewed interest from children.
In short
- A £19.99 miniature record player is among 15 predicted festive hits.
- Its tiny discs trigger 30-second clips, not real vinyl playback.
- UK toy sales rose 13% to £2.6bn in the first nine months of 2026.
Explained simply
DreamToys is an annual list from the Toy Retailers Association highlighting toys its members expect to be popular at Christmas. It sits within a wider toy market that includes inexpensive collectibles as well as larger, higher-priced playsets.
Collectible toys are bought in series, with children often seeking particular designs or items to complete a set. The miniature player uses small discs to play short song clips; it is designed as a toy and does not play full-length music like a regular record player.
The toy draws on two established interests: collecting and vinyl records. Its mix of familiar songs and limited-edition items may appeal to children and music fans, while its price and separately sold mystery packs also shape what it costs to collect.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Mini record player on track for No 1 in Christmas toy parade”.