TOYS PUT TO THE KID TEST: AMAZON AUSTRALIA RELEASES ANNUAL TOP 100 TOY LIST FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH HELP FROM STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION AND ‘THE PLAYMAKERS’, ELITE TEAM OF OFFICIAL TOY TESTERS
Nine Starlight kids across the country become expert toy-testers, the Amazon Playmakers, to help make shopping for little ones easier
Amazon Australia unveils the toy trends set to be winners under the tree this year, including ‘Going for Gold’ and ‘Top Toys for under $25’
Sydney, Australia, 24 October 2024: Amazon Australia has today unveiled its annual Top 100 Toy List and the hottest toy trends for the holiday season, with the help of its newest official toy-testers, the Amazon Playmakers and star of Hi-5, returning Amazon Playmaker
Ambassador Charli Robinson.
Once again Amazon Australia has teamed up with the Starlight Children’s Foundation to enlist the help of nine children connected to Starlight’s programs around Australia as part of the annual initiative now in its sixth year. The toy-experts were sent a selection of the Top 100 Toy List to test and review, giving them their tick of approval to seal their spot in the final list and providing inspiration for Aussies with children’s gifts to buy, ahead of the Black Friday sales.
For customers who may not be as clued in to what’s high on wishlists for Aussie kids, Amazon Australia has also grouped the Top 100 into the latest toy trends of 2024:
This year’s six trends include: 1) Going for Gold, following a mammoth year forsports in 2024, our next generation of athletes will find toys to start the training early in the backyard such as soccer kits and roller skates; 2) Top Toys for under $25with cost-of-living pressures hitting hard, many Aussies are looking for value over the holiday period, these are a collection of toys that are sure to please without breaking the budget including LEGO and Littlest Pet Shop3) Animated Icons,the stars of the big and small screens continue to be popular with a healthy representation on the list from Bluey, Spider-Man and Disney; 4) Sharing is Caring, toys and games designed for group fun sharing are popular choices for the holidays including Hot Wheels and an Exploding Kittens card game;5) Edu-Play, brain boosting toys for kids such as Play-Doh and VTech toys; 6) Quiet Time, toys that just require kids’ brilliant imaginations, perfect for at home or when travelling including Hatchimals and Melissa and Doug designed to keep the kids quietly entertained.
Avneel Narayan, Head of Toys at Amazon Australia said, “Our Top 100 Toy List is designed to make present shopping for little ones as easy as possible, which is why we’re beyond thankful for the crucial assistance from our newest Amazon Playmakers. They really are the experts and because of their reviews, kids across Australia will receive the right toys this year. We know that for many children challenged by illness and hospitals, that having some time to play and be a kid is so important, and so to help Starlight on their mission to give them this is such an honour. Amazon Australia is proud to donate $100,000 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation to support their incredible work”.
Louise Baxter, Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Children’s Foundation said, “Starlight is thrilled to again partner with Amazon Australia and give seriously ill children the opportunity to be the Amazon Playmakers testing the top 100 toys. This means sick kids are the stars and to see the joy this brings to them and their families … to see the way they light up … this is everything. Giving seriously ill children a moment to simply be a child and forget about the pain and stress of treatment is exactly how Starlight changes lives everyday. We can not thank Amazon enough for giving Starlight kids this experience.”
Former Hi-5 member and Amazon Playmaker Ambassador Charli Robinson said, “Becoming an Amazon Playmaker has been an incredibly fun and joyful experience for these amazing kids, who have faced so many challenges both in and out of hospital. Thanks to the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Amazon Australia, they get to enjoy something truly special. And for us parents, it's a huge help in sorting the perfect gift this holiday season”.
Playmaker, Oliver, 10, from NSW, discusses his role as an Amazon Playmaker, “I feel like one of the luckiest kids in the world to be an Amazon Playmaker. All of the toys I tested were so cool and interactive, but my favourite toy is definitely the Despicable Me Ultimate Fart Blaster, which I can play with my brothers around during the holidays”.
More on the 2024 top toy trends on Amazon.com.au:
Going for Gold: From swimming to breakdancing, 2024 has been a landmark year in sports. The vibrant spirit of momentous sporting events has inspired a new generation of young athletes to pursue their dreams:
- Powerplay 2020 Deluxe Size 3 Cricket Set
- Sherrin AFL Youth Football
- Speedo Unisex Kid's Biofuse 2.0 Goggles
Toys for under $25: With household budgets feeling the pinch during what can be an expensive time of the year, these are toys at great value, that kids actually want but won’t hurt the hip pocket:
Animated Icons: The characters loved by kids big and small continue to be favourites on and off screen as cinematic and TV legends are brought to life:
Sharing is Caring: Holidays are for spending time with friends and families, so with the holiday season upon us, these are the ideal toys for keeping everyone entertained at once:
- Big Potato Games The Chameleon Card Game
- NERF Sports Vortex AERO HOWLER RED
- Drop Trivia Game from Trivial Pursuit
Edu-Play: Plot twist – toys can be fun whilst also being brain boosting and educational! These are toys that not only provide entertainment but also increase your child’s cognitive development:
Quiet Time: An equal gift for parents and caregivers—these toys are perfect for little ‘uns to enjoy with just their imagination, at home or when travelling,:
The full Amazon Australia Top 100 Toy List and 2024 Trends can be viewed at www.amazon.com.au/playmakers2024
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*Products subject to availability and subject to change.
For more information, images or to set up an interview with a spokesperson please contact:
amazon@onegreenbean.com
About Amazon Australia
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
About Starlight Children’s Foundation
Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children and young people by replacing pain, fear and stress with fun, joy and laughter. Since its establishment in 1988, Starlight has expanded to become the broadest reaching children’s charity in Australia and was awarded the number one most reputable children’s charity in Reptrak’s 2022 Charity Reputation Index. There is a Starlight Express Room in every children’s hospital across Australia and over 140 Captain Starlight's nationwide, who made 186 trips to remote communities in 2022. Starlight created over 1,303, 775 positive Starlight experiences for children, teenagers and their families in 2022. Last year, Starlight granted 507 wishes and this year, Starlight will grant its 13,000th Starlight Wish. www.starlight.org.au