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76% of US Children Want Gaming Gifts This Holiday
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76% of US Children Want Gaming Gifts This Holiday

A new ESA survey reveals 76% of American children prefer video game-related gifts for the holidays, with gaming consoles, subscriptions, and in-game currency topping their wishlists.

Eliza Crichton-Stuart

Eliza Crichton-Stuart

•

updatedLabel Jun 9, 2026

76% of US Children Want Gaming Gifts This Holiday

Video games dominate the holiday wishlists of American children, with 76% wanting gaming-related gifts this year. That's a clear signal that gaming culture isn't just popular with kids — it's what they actually want under the tree.

76% of US Children Want Gaming Gifts This Holiday

Top Wishlist for Kids

Gift preferences

The split between boys and girls is notable. Among kids who want gaming gifts, 85% of boys are asking for them compared to 67% of girls. Games are popular across the board, but boys are pushing harder for gaming presents this holiday season.

Gaming isn't the only thing on kids' radars. Other top gift requests include:

  • Money (67%)
  • Clothing (66%)
  • Gadgets (62%)

Cash and clothes still matter, but gaming sits right at the top of what kids aged 10 to 17 are hoping to unwrap.

76% of US Children Want Gaming Gifts This Holiday

Spending and Purchases

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Types of gaming gifts

When it comes to what kind of gaming gifts kids want, the breakdown looks like this:

  1. Gaming Consoles – 47%
  2. Service Subscriptions – 43%
  3. Gaming Equipment – 41%
  4. Console Games – 41%
  5. In-Game Currency – 38%

Consoles lead the pack, but subscriptions and accessories aren't far behind. In-game currency making the top five shows how much kids value digital spending power in their favorite games.

76% of US Children Want Gaming Gifts This Holiday

Top 5 Video Game-Related Gifts

Holiday spending on gaming

American adults are planning to spend an average of $312 on video game gifts this year. That's real money going toward consoles, controllers, subscriptions, and digital currency — a sign that parents are taking kids' gaming wishlists seriously.

Gaming has locked in its place as a holiday staple. With three-quarters of kids asking for gaming gifts and adults ready to spend hundreds to deliver, gaming's reach across generations is only getting stronger. The data makes it clear: if you're shopping for a kid this holiday season, there's a good chance a game, console, or subscription is at the top of their list.

Eliza Crichton-Stuart author avatar

Eliza Crichton-Stuart

Head of Operations

Reports

updated

June 9th 2026

posted

June 9th 2026

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