Summer 2026: The Best New Toys, Games & Craft Sets for Children

Summer 2026: The Best New Toys, Games & Craft Sets for Children | AD

It’s finally summer and it won’t be long before the summer holidays will be here too. Hopefully the summer holidays will be full of adventure but it’s important to be prepared for cosy days at home too. If you’re looking for some new additions to entertain the kids, this guide is for you. Here you’ll find the best new toys, games and craft sets for kids. The guide features lots of fun options for kids of different ages – from pre-school through to older kids.

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Toys

Let’s start this guide with some new sets from two of our favourite brands – Sylvanian Families and CONNETIX.

Sylvanian Families Biscuit Bear Family

The Biscuit Bear Family is a sweet addition to the Sylvanian world. The Biscuit Bear Family set includes mother Elena, father Lloyd the architect, and baby Noa. The set also comes with the following accesssories:

• a miniature model house
• a toy car
• design tools (a drawing and a compass)

Sylvanian Families is one of the most beloved toy brands in the world. It’s also one that has been loved by several generations already! The adorable figurines are great quality and encourage imaginative storytelling and collectible play.

In the Biscuit Bear range, you can also find Biscuit Bear Sister & Brother – Delicious Picnic set (RRP £25.99) and Biscuit Bear Twins set (RRP £10.99). Read about more new Sylvanian Families sets here.

The Biscuit Bear Family set (RRP £26.00) is available from Amazon.co.uk here.

CONNETIX – PRO Range

This year, CONNETIX has released the start of an exciting new range called CONNETIX PRO. This range is a game changer for older builders and features smaller tiles with an innovative Smart-Spin technology that allows the extra strong magnets to rotate 360 degrees within each tile. This means more complex builds, next-level creativity, and endless engineering possibilities. These tiles can overlap, offset and stagger tiles in creative new ways.

The CONNETIX PRO Constructor Set is the first in the brand new CONNETIX PRO range. This 70 pc set includes bold, opaque tiles in six contemporary colours for a more modern and sophisticated look. The tiles also spin and click into place in a sensory way – perfect for fidgeting. 

The pieces included are: 

• 2 x PRO Large squares
• 24 x PRO Squares
• 10 x PRO Equilateral triangles
• 8 x PRO Right angle triangles
• 8 x PRO Isosceles triangles
• 4 x PRO Rectangles
• 4 x PRO Planks
• 10 x PRO Posts
• Build Manual Access Card

The advanced features and increased magnet strength add a greater level of complexity and technical difficulty which is ideal for challenging older children. The PRO tiles are safety rated from age 3 years+ but recommended for age 8 years+. 

The CONNETIX PRO Constructor Set is available to buy from Amazon.co.uk here.

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Games

Games that children can play on their own or with friends or family members are great. Especially for rainy days spent indoors at home. Here are a few new game releases to check out.

Super Mario Battle Pinball Galaxy

To celebrate the launch of the new film, EPOCH has released a line of officially licensed games inspired by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Here you can see the Battle Pinball Galaxy game. This is a fast-paced and action-packed solo game that tests your precision and accuracy. Use the side controllers to aim, hit targets, and defeat Bowser Jr.

Super Mario Battle Pinball Galaxy (RRP £24.99) is available from shops such as John Lewis and Amazon.co.uk here.

Alphabet Bingo from Orchard Toys 

Orchard Toys are known for their fun and educational games for children. Alphabet Bingo is a fun and colourful twist on a classic game and helps build early letter recognition through engaging gameplay. The game is suitable for children aged  4 years+ and has four different ways to play – from simple picture matching to letter recognition and mixed challenges. This means that the game grows alongside children as their confidence grows and their skills advance. As well as promoting language and literacy skills, this fun game also encourages discussion and observational skills. 

Alphabet Bingo (RRP £9.99) is available to purchase from Amazon.co.uk here.

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Craft Sets

Craft projects are a great way to have fun at home and craft sets make it all so much easier since everything you need is included in the box. Let’s have a look at some new craft sets that are perfect to enjoy this summer!

Style 4 Ever Sweet Scent Pen Factory

For children who love stationery and crafting, the Style 4 Ever Sweet Scent Pen Factory from Canal Toys is the perfect activity. This fun set turns everyday stationery into something personal as children get to design, decorate, and build their own scented pens and highlighters from scratch. 

The easy-to-use studio includes all the materials and tools you need. It features a stand for the pen you’re working on along with storage compartments for all the parts, decorations, and your finished pens. 

There are so many fun things to experiment with when designing your creations: bright beads, pom-poms, colourful decorations, stickers, pen toppers and more. Plus, there are pens and highlighters in different colours with interchangeable tips to choose from too. 

It’s a great set that you can enjoy on your own or share with siblings and friends too. Once you’ve made your pens, you can enjoy using them for a long time afterwards. They’re perfect for writing, homework, crosswords, or drawing for example. 

Style 4 Ever Sweet Scent Pen Factory (RRP £17.99) is available from Very.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk.

Style 4 Ever DIY Keychain Factory

Children love keychains and with the Style 4 Ever DIY Keychain Factory from Canal Toys they can create their own. 

The set lets kids mix, match, and personalise up to 10 keychains with a wide range of paracord, beads, charms, aqua magic, and other accessories. 

This is a hands-on, all-in-one kit with endless combinations. Master the art of paracord braiding, create your own dazzling aqua charms, and personalise your designs with your favourites from the huge variety of beads and charms that come included in the set. 

The dedicated studio helps keep everything organised, holds the paracords when braiding, and even has a clip on section for your paracord braid tutorial cards. 

Once done, children can enjoy accessorising bags, backpacks or clothing with their unique DIY keychains, displaying their personal style. The DIY Keychain Factory is a great set for crafty kids who love fun fashion too. 

Style 4 Ever DIY Keychain Factory (RRP £19.99) is available to buy from Smyths and Amazon.co.uk here.

Capybara Crystal Art Wildlife Buddies

This spring, Craft Buddy expanded their popular Wildlife Buddies collection with 5 new animals: a Cat, a Dog, a Panda, an Axolotl, and a Capybara. The collection now includes 25 animal designs to collect and craft. The collection is split into 7 exciting habitats: Safari, Ocean, Jungle, Down Under, Misunderstood, Mountain and Pet.

Here you can see the Capybara Crystal Art Wildlife Buddies from Craft Buddy which is so adorable. Each Wildlife Buddies set comes with everything you need for your creation:

• wooden adhesive template
• wooden display base
• pick up pen
• gem tray
• crystals
• bags for spare crystals
• jelly wax

Additionally, they include a fact-filled EduCard with fun ‘Did You Know’ information about each animal. There’s also a unique QR code that links to a fact-filled website with more educational fun in 5 different languages. Wildlife Buddies provide a relaxing and calm craft activity that lets children create cute decorations for their rooms while also learning about their favourite animals.

Craft Buddy products are available directly from the brand’s website and from shops like Amazon.co.uk.

Mini Camera

Last but not least — albeit very small! — is the adorable, Mini Cam’ from Canal Toys Photo Creator range. This tiny digital camera is a playful way for children to enjoy capturing their summer days without using a smartphone. Blending retro charm with modern convenience, this little camera is perfect for children to take with them wherever they go. 

Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the camera also comes with a keychain so that you can attach your camera to your bag (or outfit) when heading out. 

Despite its ultra-compact size, it packs in a mini display screen, internal memory and a range of colour filters for children to experiment with, expanding their creativity. The cameras are rechargable with the included cable.

The new range of Mini Cameras is available in four trendy colours — black, silver, pink and white —  and in four collectible styles. 

Buy your Canal Toys Mini Cam’ (£12.99) from Very.co.uk, Argos, or Amazon.co.uk here.

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