The 2026 autumn toy sales are now getting underway, with major retailers including Lidl, Asda and Argos already launching their events and other supermarkets expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Last year's sales offered discounts of up to 50 per cent on big-name toys, including Peppa Pig, Hot Wheels and Barbie.
But parents looking to spread the cost of Christmas have been urged not to stop at the sale price.
Savings Expert Clair Hughes, known to her followers as ThriftyClair, from VoucherCodes.co.uk, has revealed her tips for squeezing even more value from the supermarket toy sales.
Clair said: “Whether you’re a parent like me or just a self-confessed savvy shopper looking to save this Christmas, the Autumn supermarket toy sales are your golden opportunity to spread the cost of the festive season and take the financial pressure off the final months of the year.
“But why should the savings stop at the sale price? You could be missing out on extra discounts or ways to stretch your Christmas budget further, without even knowing it.
“Out with the old, to fund the new: Before buying a single new toy, do a tabletop or children’s market sale. Not only does this clear out playroom clutter but it also gives you extra cash in your back pocket to spend when store discounts go live."
What is discount stacking?
Clair says: “Master discount stacking: Don't settle for just the sale price. Over the year you can save up your loyalty card points, such as Nectar or Clubcard points, to splurge on the sales for even deeper savings.
“By shopping through sites like VoucherCodes, who reward customers with free gift cards just for making their everyday purchases, you can save up these gift cards to spend in-store or online during the toy sales.
"For example, you can currently nab a £10 gift card when you shop at Very through VoucherCodes.co.uk, which can be redeemed at all major UK supermarkets.”
She added: “If you add cashback on top of this, you could save even more. Banks, such as Monzo and Chase, offer supermarket cashback deals when you pay through them - you often need to activate the offers first to make sure you qualify. Once confirmed, the cashback drops straight into your bank account.
“Don't get caught at the checkout: Supermarket sales at Tesco and Morrisons are specifically gated behind loyalty cards. Make sure to sign up in advance and scan your Tesco Clubcard or Morrisons More Card at the till to cash in on the deals. Miss this step and you’ll be charged full price.
“Look beyond the obvious: There's always huge hype around the Aldi wooden toy event, with parents flocking to stores to grab their discounted toys, but you don't need to endure early morning crowds. Stores like Smyths, Sports Direct, and Lidl all offer fantastic wooden toy ranges at equally competitive prices - without the aisle chaos.
“Always check for in-store vs. online terms: Sainsbury’s and Morrisons toy sales are strictly in-store only, whereas Asda and Argos are available to shop online. If buying online, always opt for Click & Collect to prevent delivery fees from nibbling away at your savings.”
2026 supermarket toy sale dates
The current schedule includes a mixture of confirmed and predicted dates, so shoppers should check individual retailers before travelling.
- Lidl: September 3 – confirmed
- Asda: September 7 – confirmed
- Argos: September 9 – confirmed
- Tesco: September 14 – not yet confirmed
- Morrisons: October 5 – not yet confirmed
- Sainsbury's: October 21 – not yet confirmed
- Aldi: October 25 – not yet confirmed, with a wooden toy event predicted for October 8
- Smyths: October 21 – not yet confirmed
- Very: August 30 – confirmed
Argos top toys
Argos has revealed its Top Toys for Christmas 2026, with 20 picks expected to feature heavily on children's wishlists this year.
The list covers everything from £15 wooden toys and £20 soft toys to £150 LEGO sets, with retro favourites, movie characters, interactive gadgets and hands-on creative toys all making an appearance.
Technology is also making its way into playtime, but the focus is not simply on screens.
For children who love imaginative roleplay, the Little Live Pets My Magical Dragon Skye (£55) offers more than 60 physical reactions, responding with sounds and movements when children pet, feed or play with it.
For children who prefer making, building and inventing their own worlds, several of the 2026 picks focus on hands-on creative play.
For crafty children, the Giftie Badge Maker (£35) connects to a phone app and can print customised photo badges and greeting cards.
Argos says its 20 Top Toys have been selected following months of market research, with the retailer expecting the picks to prove popular over the festive season.
The range covers a wide spread of ages, interests and budgets, from the £15 wooden train set through to the £150 LEGO arcade set and wooden doll house.
For parents planning ahead, the biggest takeaway is that this year's list is not dominated by one particular type of toy.
Retro play, interactive technology, crafting, building sets and blockbuster characters all feature, meaning children's wishlists could look very different depending on what they are into.
And with Christmas shopping traditionally becoming more frantic as December approaches, parents who already know what their children want may want to start keeping an eye on availability sooner rather than later.
Argos's Top Toys for Christmas 2026
- Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset – £20
- LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade Building Set – £150
- Hot Wheels City Ultimate T-Rex Garage – £130
- Chad Valley Alfie And Jo Wooden Train Set – £15
- Chad Valley Wooden Classic Kitchen – £30
- Tonies Lite – £60
- Little Live Pets My Magical Dragon Skye – £55
- Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Egg Shark Toy – £55
- VTech Kidi 12-In-1 Guitar Superstar – £50
- Projector Karaoke Machine – £90
- LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle – £30
- Armosaurs Armor-Up Dinosaur T-Rex - Ajax – £45
- Giftie Badge Maker – £35
- Jupiter Workshops Four Storey Wooden Doll House – £150
- Flutter Monster 40 cm Soft Toy – £20
- Toy Story 5 Bullseye Jumbo Plush – £50
- KPop Demon Hunters Golden Singing Dolls – £35 each
- Megasaurus Dino Vehicle – £60
- Ready Pedal Peppa – £30
- Minions & Monsters Fart Blaster Pro – £30
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Bag the Christmas bargains available now
It might seem strange to be thinking of Christmas so early, but that is exactly what some savvy consumers are doing.
Consumer expert, Helen Dewdney, AKA The Complaining Cow and author of 456 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Throughout the Year, is advising consumers there are always offers available, it’s never too early to start and that you can take advantage of special offers now.
"Many stores have offers on now, the end of the Summer and not near to Christmas means that stores are putting on a number of discounts and offers to move stock," she says.
Some of her examples include keeping an eye on the supermarkets. Tesco, for instance, usually have toy sales throughout the year.
"Smyths always have clearance offers but currently have toys up to 65% off and they won’t face the stock shortage issues that stores may have nearer Christmas."
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