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.
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.
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:
- Gaming Consoles – 47%
- Service Subscriptions – 43%
- Gaming Equipment – 41%
- Console Games – 41%
- 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.
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.
