Toys the season to be jolly: Ballymena children offered chance to win entire DreamToys 2025 list

Children in Ballymena are set for an extra dose of festive cheer this year as two local retailers announce a major Christmas giveaway featuring all 15 toys from the prestigious DreamToys 2025 list.

Following the official unveiling of the highly anticipated selection, Smyths at Braidwater Retail Park and ToyTown in Fairhill Shopping Centre have teamed up to offer a dream prize for local youngsters — the full lineup of this year’s must-have toys, gadgets and games.

The initiative is expected to spark excitement across the town, offering families “15 extra reasons to be jolly this Christmas”.

Widely regarded as the definitive annual forecast of the toys set to top Christmas wish lists, DreamToys is the only list selected by an independent panel of toy retailers and industry experts, ranging from small specialist shops to national chains.

Each year, the announcement signals the beginning of the festive shopping season for families across the UK.

How to Enter the Ballymena DreamToys Giveaway

Local children will have the chance to walk away with all 15 toys on the 2025 list — just in time for Christmas morning.

To enter, families simply need to visit one of the participating stores before midnight on Wednesday 10 December, with a parent or guardian, and scan the in-store QR code to access and complete the online entry form.

To be eligible, the winning child must be available to collect their prize — the full set of toys — from the store they entered between Saturday 13 December and Sunday 21 December.

Paul Reader, DreamToys Chairman at the Toy Retailers Association, which is hosting the competition, said:

“This Christmas we wanted to spread seasonal cheer across Ballymena by giving local youngsters the chance to get their hands on the ultimate Christmas wish list.

“DreamToys is a joyful way to unwrap the magic of this time of year and remind families that getting out onto the high street to shop local is exciting, rewarding, and full of surprises – especially with a prize like this up for grabs!

“We’re excited to welcome local families into participating stores to make Christmas 2025 even more memorable for Ballymena youngsters as the festive countdown officially begins.”

Residents can find full entry details and the full list of participating stores on the organiser’s website. T&Cs apply.