The countdown to Christmas has begun and the pressure is mounting to purchase those important presents.

Little ones are busy preparing their lists for the Man in Red and, unsurprisingly, techie toys and tablets feature in the top toy predictions as our young ones are equipped to cope in a technological world, but there is still a place for traditional toys and games as demonstrated in this year’s top toy predictions.

The Dream Toys list, unveiled at an annual event organised by the Toy Retailers Association, was selected by an independent panel of buyers representing 80 per cent of the toy retail business including Hamley’s, The Entertainer, Toys R Us and Toymaster.

Featured among the top 50 are toys guaranteed to satisfy tech-savvy youngsters, such as the Hexbug Aquabot robotic fish and the Teksta robotic puppy.

Youngsters are encouraged to create, learn and explore with popular tablets, the LeapPad Ultra and the InnoTab 3S.

Refreshingly though, there is a place for the tried-and-tested traditional games too with Monopoly making an entry into the top 50 with its Empire version, along with the risky business board game Logo Billionaire.

There are playsets, a pop-up pizza version from the famous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Peppa Pig’s theme park balloon ride, and Play Doh’s Sweet Shoppe Perfect Twist Icecream, to encourage youngsters to have hands-on entertainment while using their imaginations.

Must-have dolls such as Monster High, and One Direction are also proving popular scoring another chart success for Bradford-born Zayn Malik and his fellow bandmates.

“From flying fairies to robotic dogs, the diversity and innovation keeps on coming. The two pads that have made it into the Top Toys this year continue to deliver fun and educational value in equal measure, helping develop our tech-smart young adults of tomorrow,” says Gary Grant, chair of the Dream Toys committee.

In Bradford top-selling techie toys include Despicable Me 2 Ultimate Dave; Furby Boom; Kidizoom Twist Plus Camera; Kurio 7S Tablet; LeapPad Ultra and Teksta.

Young car enthusiasts are loving the Mini Cooper 6v and Audi R8 and Monopoly Empire is proving a popular board game choice for Christmas get togethers.

Among the popular affordable toys are Angry Birds; Star Wars; Telepods; Chasin Cheeky and Monster High 13 Wishes Dolls; NERF N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike; RoboFish & FishBowl; Squeeze Cup Slushy Maker and the Dream Dazzlers Styling Head.

Harry Tranter, manager of Bradford’s Toys R Us store says: “This year’s outstanding line up of top Christmas toys has been brilliant in Bradford. We’ve seen demand for gadget toys like Furby Boom and Teksta in the past week, we’ve also seen a huge interest in ride-on toys and battery operated cars like the Mini Cooper and Audi. But one of our best selling lines is our Dream Dazzlers Styling Head, a traditional and popular toy that’s just under £15, shoppers in Bradford love big items that offer good value for money and this toy fits the bill perfectly.”

Ian Jojic, who manages Conways Toymaster in Westgate, Otley, with Karen Reddyhoff, talks about toy buying being an experience and one which evokes nostalgia for many of their customers.

While techy toys – such as the Teksta puppy, Tickle Me Elmo and The Hexbug Aquabot and bowl, a micro robotic creature with smart fish technology – are popular purchases in their shop, they are also selling more affordable toys too.

Ian says board games in particular are purchased by grandparents and parents with the emphasis of being a family game generations can sit down and play together.

“The techie toys have their place and sell well but the non-techie things do attract a lot of people,” says Ian.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting site Netmums says youngsters still want simple toys, which are often continually played with long after the flashing lights on the techno toys have faded.

“Although tablets like the Innotab are popular as they can be used for fun games as well as learning, on Netmums we’re seeing a revival in classic Christmas gifts.

“The top choice is the simple and timeless Elf On The Shelf doll, along with traditional toys like Lego sets and old-fashioned annuals. The Jenga game has been given a modern makeover to feature Angry Birds and has topped lots of kids’ Christmas lists. But we’re also seeing a revival in craft sets and simple playsets like Sylvanian Families.

“So while the flashing and beeping electronic playthings may capture the eye on Christmas Day, children still want simple toys they will play with all year round,” says Siobhan.