XBox? Children would rather have unicorn poo

Well according to children's letters to Santa, they are more likely to want Lego or unicorn poo.

Royal Mail has revealed this year’s top 10 most wanted Christmas presents in the Midlands, according to what children have written in their letters to Santa, and it's fair to say there are some surprises.

While the big electronic games are undoubtedly popular, it does appear that many of today's youngsters like the simpler things in life.

And toy shop owners in the area have also noticed a trend towards the classic toys of yesteryear.

"We sell a lot of Lego, that's always been our best seller," says Jessica Preston, who runs Alleykatz toys in Bridgnorth.

"I would say the sort of things people are asking for, they are starting to get a bit older.

"It's hard to say, people always ask me what the most popular toys are, and we sell a bit of everything. But I would say children are perhaps taking a bit of split from technology, and looking at some of the more traditional toys."

According to the Royal Mail list, the most popular toys among Midland children are anything relating to the Paw Patrol animated television series. Plastic fire engines, hovercrafts and models of canine heroes from the series are all sure-fire winners, says the survey.

And in second place, is the Poopsie Surprise Unicorn – a mythical creature which poops glittery slime.

"Anything to do with unicorns is popular with girls at the moment," says Dave Carter, who runs the Arcade Toy Shop in Dudley.

"The unicorn poo, it's like rainbow-coloured slime, that does very well as a stocking filler," he says.

In third place are Lego Mini Figures, followed by the Nintendo Switch in fourth

The X-Box One takes fifth spot with Meccano Max landing in sixth place

Seventh place goes to the Nerf Gun, while games take eighth place on the list, coming ahead of scooters.

Tenth place goes to a Victorian favourite with a modern twist, with a ride-on unicorn taking the place of the traditional rocking horse.

"I think this year there has been a bit of a trend back towards children building stuff," he says.

"The Lego action figures are popular because they are collectable," he says.

"I think Meccano has had a very good marketing campaign, although it is not the Meccano that you and I would have known.

"We also sell a lot of similar, bolt-together construction toys, which they find are just as good."

Royal Mail has been managing Santa's mailbag for the past 55 years. A study of youngsters' wish-lists shows a similar pattern across the country.

Nationally, the most-demanded toy was a ride-on Unicorn, followed by Lego mini-figures, with a scooter and board games coming joint third.

In joint fifth place were toys from the Paw Patrol range and the Nerf Gun. Meccano was seventh, followed by Poopsie Surprise Unicorn, with Nintendo Switch coming ninth, and games taking 10th place.

Royal Mail's Axelle Galera, who has the important task of ensuring children’s letters reach Santa, says: “Royal Mail plays a special part at Christmas.

"We are proud that for 55 years Santa has allowed us to help manage the thousands and thousands of special letters he receives from boys and girls across the UK.

“His special team of elves at Royal Mail enjoy taking a peek at what children are asking for, and helping Santa deliver gifts that make dreams come true.”

Most asked-for children's toys in the Midlands:

(1) Anything from the Paw Patrol range

(2) Poopsie Surprise Unicorn

(3) Lego mini-figures

(4) Nintendo Switch

(5) X-Box One

(6) Meccano Max landing in sixth place

(7) Nerf Gun

(8) Games (various)

(9) Scooter

(10) My Lovely Unicorn Ride On