We’re barreling toward the holidays with the speed of a runaway freight train, and if you’re like most parents, you’re probably staring at your half-finished shopping list, wondering what on earth will actually delight your kids on Christmas morning. This is also a conundrum if you’re buying for your nieces, nephews or younger siblings. Last year, they may have been into Bluey and Barbie, but is that cool anymore? Are they suddenly tweens who like Sephora and Roblox and say things like 6-7? Seriously, what is happening, and what the heck do they want?
First of all, breathe. Second, we’ve got you. A brand-new survey is about to take the guesswork out of gifting for you. The results reveal the one standout holiday-gift wish that rises above the rest. Read on to find out what it is—and what will really put this gift over the top.
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What do nearly half of kids want this year?
Drumroll, please! More than 43% of U.S. kids want in-game currency for video games as a holiday gift, according to a survey from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) that polled children ages 5 to 17 earlier this fall.
If you’re not familiar with the term, in-game currency is essentially digital money that’s used inside a video game to buy things within that game. Kids can earn this money by completing challenges, leveling up or—more commonly—having an adult purchase the currency with real cash. Currency can buy things like: skins and outfits for characters, accessories like backpacks or tools, pet companions, battle passes and more.
Different games use different names for their currencies—Robux (for the game Roblox), V-Bucks (for Fortnite), Gems/Coins (on various mobile games)—but the idea is the same: In-game currency lets kids customize their game experience and access special content.
Were these results the same for boys and girls?
Within that 43% of kids asking for in-game currency in the survey, the breakdown skews more toward boys: 76% boys and 39% girls have this item at the top of their wish lists. We know, that’s probably not a huge surprise from an anecdotal perspective. But the breakdown is in line with actual research showing that boys, particularly teens, are more likely than girls to play video games daily and are even more likely to identify themselves as gamers.
That said, an unofficial look at middle school girls just might reveal a gaming obsession too. In-game currency might not be the thing they want most this Christmas, but there’s a high probability they’d be happy to see some Robux in their stockings. My editor at Reader’s Digest, who has a 10-year-old daughter, says she’d bet some serious money on this fact! (Though she also says you may also want to check out Labubus and Jellycats.)
How do you buy in-game currency, exactly?
Even if you’re completely unfamiliar with video games, buying in-game currency as a gift is pretty easy,. and there are different ways to purchase. First, you can purchase currency directly inside the game, using a saved payment method on your child’s device or console for instant delivery. This is a great option for parents who want to surprise their kiddos on Christmas morning—you can ask your child to log on and see what Santa left them within the game. You can also buy in-game currency through larger platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Apple or Google Play, giving kids the flexibility to choose the currency themselves.
For gifting, both physical cards (sold at major retailers) and digital codes (emailed instantly after purchase) are available in amounts ranging from about $10 to $100. Kids simply redeem the code online or in the game, and the currency appears in their account—making this one of the easiest last-minute gifts you can give. If you have your heart set on giving a physical item or your kiddo still believes in Santa, you can print out a gift card and pop it under the tree.
What are the most popular games to choose from?
The most popular games among kids for 2025 are Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite. Roblox consistently tops the charts for monthly active users, especially among kids, and features countless games within the game, creating endless options for play. Some popular examples include: Adopt Me!, where you can care for virtual pets; the horror game Piggy, inspired by Peppa Pig; Arsenal, a first-person-shooter game; and Dress to Impress, a dress-up game for budding fashionistas.
However, Tetris remains the one of the all-time most played games—even after 40 years!—selling more than 520 million copies as of this year. And, yes, the beloved game has evolved with the times to have its own in-game currency (on certain apps).
What else do kids want this year?
According to the ESA survey, which highlighted the gamer-related items that kids really want for the holidays, having a platform on which to play these games ranked high as well. Here are the other gaming items kids really want:
- Video game console: 39%
- Video game accessories: 37%
- Physical game: 37%
- Video game subscription: 32%
What other surprising info did the survey reveal?
While some parents may believe otherwise, 3 in 5 kids actually want to play more video games with their parents, according to the ESA survey data. Yes, really! Another ESA survey also found that more than half of the 82% of parents who play video games with their children say that these games serve as a powerful tool for families to connect with one another.
So while we may roll our eyes at video games—or want to reduce kids’ screen time—research shows that playing together can be great for family bonding. And what better time to bond with our kids than during the holidays?
Entertainment Software Association: “Power of Play: 2025 Global Video Games Report”
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Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Entertainment Software Association: “Kids Want Video Games for the Holidays – and for Their Parents to Game with Them!”
- Singular: “Teens and games: what the latest data says”
- Pew Research Center: “Teens and Video Games Today”
- Demand Sage: “The Most Popular Online Games in 2025”
- Business Wire: “Tetris Becomes the Stepping Blocks to Entertainment and Leisure”
- Entertainment Software Association: “Power of Play: 2025 Global Video Games Report”
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