Check out what kind of toys grown-ups are buying for children this year.

It is enough to take a look at the bidorbuy Recent Buys to realise that Christmas is indeed around the corner.

And the tell-tale sign?

The rise and rise of the Toys section, of course.

In September, this category did not even make it to the top ten best-sellers on bidorbuy. By mid-October, it advanced to the position number seven, and these days it is comfortably basking in the spot number three.

And what are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends buying to fill up the Christmas stockings of the little ones?

After we sift out the items that do not really spell “kids” and “Christmas” (mostly collectibles like trading cards, models, Die Casts, etc.), the buying trends on bidorbuy in the first week of November reveal that grown-ups are most likely to reach for educational toys when choosing a gift suitable for a child.  Kids’ Computers & Games, Maths & Numbers and Science & Nature related items top the list. (So, if young South Africans are unwilling to pursue further studies in technical, mathematical and scientific fields, it’s not for the lack of trying to direct them in the right direction at the very early age.)

Next on the children’s toys popularity rank-list are everybody’s favourite Dolls & Bears. Practically every grown-up has fond memories of his or her favourite doll or teddy bear, so no wonder we want the next generation to have a similar experience.

Lego & Building toys, Radio Control and Action Figures take up the next rung on the toys popularity ladder, followed by Bicycles & Ride-ons, Pretend Playing, Soft Toys, Kids’ Arts & Crafts, Musical Toys & Instruments and Battery & Wind-up toys.

To our great surprise, Bath toys were at the very bottom of the popularity list (even when we included Baby bath toys). However, it’s early days; hopefully, grown-ups will not leave kiddies this Christmas without those adorable playthings that  float, dive, create wonderful splashes, and, in short, make bath time fun time.

Whichever gift you decide to give to the little ones this Christmas, remember to order it on time. Also remember to check out the Toys & Baby section of the bidorbuy Christmas Catalogues. You may find there just what (you think) the children you know want.