What's on your dream list for Christmas?

Nothing is more important to an excited child than Christmas Day and the glittering presents waiting for them under the tree.

But if you're one of the two-thirds of parents who admit they aren't sure what to buy their children for Christmas, the pressure to accurately predict their most-wanted toy can be a nightmare.

And that's where DreamToys comes in.

DreamToys is a list of toys that an expert panel of toy sellers from the Toy Retailers Association has decided will be the most popular this Christmas. The list has been broken down into eight categories, and from these, the 12 Top Toys are selected.

Toys in this year's Top 12 range from a train set, Nerf gun and giant garage, to an interactive puppy, a cuddly hatching animal and a karaoke microphone.

"The 2016 Top 12 list is incredibly diverse, with familiar names appearing alongside some clever innovations that will ensure these toys will be on Christmas wish-lists," says Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys selection committee.

Grant points out that a few of the Top 12 toys are in short supply, and advises parents who know their children want the toys to buy them as soon as possible.

In particular, he says Hatchimals - eggs containing tiny interactive pets that hatch when the egg's cuddled - are likely to be in short supply for Christmas.

"Hatchimals have taken the country by storm, and demand is at least double the availability, so we really are struggling for supplies," says Grant.

"You probably can't walk into a shop at the moment and find a Hatchimal."

Another DreamToy that's likely to be out of stock before Christmas is the laugh-a-minute game Speak Out. It features a mouthpiece which makes your lips square, and players then need to clearly say certain phrases on a card so their teammates can correctly repeat them. The game has an age suitability of 16+.

"The reason I think Speak Out's doing so well is that it's widened the game-buying age-group to any age over 16. It's just hilarious good fun," says Grant.

Supplies of Speak Out are coming through quicker than Hatchimals, he says, because the game is easier to make. But he warns: "It's still going to be an item you aren't necessarily going to find on most shop shelves for the whole of the festive season. It'll be in and out of stock."

While children have always loved collecting, this year it's a real craze and there's a whole DreamToys section dedicated to collectables. Indeed, Grant says £1 in every £4 currently spent on toys is going on collectable items.

"It's driving repeat returns to toy shops - this is where the volume is and what pocket money's being spent on," he stresses.

Shopkins, a range of diverse little collectable pieces, ranging from tiny plastic burgers to jewellery, features in the Top 12 list with the Shopkins Chef Club Hot Spot Kitchen. But while the playset costs £24.99, individual items in the Shopkins Chef range start at just £2.50.

There are four Shopkins playsets on the DreamToys list, as well as other collectables including Puppy in My Pocket, My Little Pony and Trolls.

As well as plenty of high-tech interactive toys and clever learning systems, there are plenty of old favourites in this year's DreamToys, including Lego, Thomas and Friends and Star Wars, as well as Barbie, Baby Annabell and Monopoly.

"Toys reinvent themselves," explains Grant, adding that many of the DreamToys can be enjoyed by the whole family, particularly the games, of course - and even the Nerf guns.

There's a Nerf gun in the Top 12 list - Nerf N-Strike Elite Hyperfire - and Grant explains: "You're just as likely to give it to your husband as you are to your six-year-old child.

"You'd give them one each - it's about interaction and families playing together and having joint battles."

While prices of toys on the DreamToys list range from the £11.99 Beanie Boo Buddies, to the interactive Zoomer Chimp at £119.99, the average price of a DreamToy, which is meant to be a child's main gift, is £40.

"It's great to see that, in these uncertain times, this is a very affordable DreamToys list," says Grant, who confirms there's good availability for most of the DreamToys.

But he warns: "That doesn't mean parents can be complacent.

"If you know what your children want, then I wouldn't leave it 'til mid-December to buy it, because things do go out of stock."

:: Top 12 DreamToys (in no particular order):

Shopkins Chef Club Hot Spot Kitchen (Flair Leisure Products, £24.99).

Snuggles My Dream Puppy (Character Options, £49.99).

Nerf N-Strike Elite Hyperfire (Hasbro, £49.99).

Speak Out (Hasbro, £19.99).

Silly Sausage (John Adams, £19.99).

Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster (Lego, £89.99).

Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Fighter (Lego, £69.99).

Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage (Mattel, £89.99).

Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump (Mattel, £99.99).

Hatchimals (Spin Master Toys, £59.99).

Paw Patrol Air Patroller (Spin Master Toys, £39.99).

SelfieMic (Worlds Apart, £19.99).

:: To see the full Dream Toys list, visit www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/dreamtoys-2016, or download the DreamToys 2016 app from the App or Google Play stores.

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: "My 13-year-old daughter is becoming increasingly anxious about world events, but she seems very young to be worried about things like this - how can I reassure her?"

A: Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, says: "The world can be a worrying place for adults, let alone children. In our 24/7 news environment, we're bombarded with reports of serious and distressing events which adults may find easier to process and put in perspective. However, the younger generation may be more directly affected by repeatedly being exposed to harrowing images and words from around the world, especially when viewed through the filter of social media.

"This is reflected in the fact that, last year, the NSPCC saw a 35 per cent increase in anxiety, with 11,706 children and young people being counselled by Childline for the problem in 2015/16, compared to 8,642 in 2014/15.

"The causes for this rise were identified as a combination of both personal and political concerns.

"To address this worrying trend, you should consider your own reactions, as children will look to see how you handle the news to determine their own approach.

"Listen carefully to your child's fears and worries, and offer reassurance and comfort. Avoid complicated and worrying explanations that could leave them more frightened and confused.

"In addition, help them find advice and support to understand distressing events and feelings."

:: Children can contact Childline free and confidentially on 0800 1111.

THREE OF THE BEST... Children's slippers

Katara Fluffy White Unicorn Slippers

Plush unicorn slippers with a soft inner lining. Available in one size that fits children's sizes 10-2.5, plus adult sizes. £21.87, www.amazon.co.uk

Green Triceratops Slippers

Dinosaur slippers featuring the head and feet of a triceratops. Available in sizes to fit from 1-13 years. £12, www.nhmshop.co.uk

Hedgehog Slippers

Cute mule-style slippers that are fortunately far softer than their prickly namesake. Available in one size to fit children aged around 6-12 years. £7, from Flying Tiger stores nationwide.