Pocket Money Purchases: The Impact of Economic Uncertainty on Toy Trends in 2025
In response to today’s global economic backdrop, there has been a glaring impact on household spending, not least within the world of family life.
With export costs pushing toy prices up, caregivers and children are turning to lower-priced play purchases. Last year, 80% of the toys sold in the UK cost less than £15. As for Toy Trends in 2025, the projected average pocket money allowance is approximately £9.60 per week.
As a result, further importance and opportunity for sales are placed on pocket money purchases when it comes to toy trends in 2025.
Exhibiting a deep understanding of corporate values, social causes, and sustainability, Gen Alpha are invested in influencing and making informed purchasing decisions when it comes to spending their allowance.
Our 2025 Pocket Money Purchases report is available on our premium trend subscription, My TrendBible. Here we explore the key consumer mindsets influencing entry-price point toys for 2025.
Anti Online
According to Priory Group 92% of parents believe social media is having a negative impact on the mental health of young people. Caregivers are increasingly interested in creating balanced experiences that allow for offline experiences and moments of escapism from the digital realm.
Wild Potions
Dive into the whimsical world of potion-making as covered in our Play Moments Enchanted Garden AW2025/26 report, a trend that’s capturing young imaginations and fostering creativity. Brands, such as Den Kit Company, offer kits featuring vibrant botanicals, glittering elements, and easy-to-follow recipes, children are creating their own magical brews at home. Potion-making is not only fun but entertains, educates and encourages experimentation and appreciation for the natural world.
Mini Millennials
As highlighted in our “Here Come the Tweens” report, the market for in-between ages has historically been underserved, often forcing children to “age up” to shed their childlike status.
Age-Appropriate Beauty
Beauty products aren’t just for Gen Z and older. Gen Alpha want in! Recently, many beauty brands have come under scrutiny for their harsh ingredients and adult messaging meaning this space has had to evolve quickly. Ever Eden, is a brand that has a strong safety-first message. Bubble, with its brightly coloured packaging and collaborations with Pixar Inside Out 2 and Byoma, with its approachable language, pastel packaging and affordable price points, are to name a few who have recently emerged and appeal to Gen Aplha tastes.
How will low consumer confidence influence the popularity of pocket money purchases in 2026?
Despite overall UK toy sales falling 3.7% in 2024, lower-priced toys boomed, reflecting a cost-conscious response to tougher economic conditions.
With innovation and excitement around entry-price point toys set to continue, our Pocket Money Purchases: 2026 report explores new and evolving themes to keep in mind when designing and buying products for this market over the next 12 months. Now available on My Trendbible Premium Subscription. My TrendBible is a trend subscription platform designed to ignite inspiration, stimulate innovative ideas, instil confidence in your teams to act upon trends, and offer validation from across the globe.