GCC Toys Market

Market Overview:

The GCC toys market size reached USD 1.4 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 3.9 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% during 2025-2033. The rise of digital toys and interactive learning games, increasing consumer spending capacities, and the rising demand for educational and development focused toys represent some of the key factors driving the market.

Toys are objects for children to play with, typically a doll or miniature replica of something. They play a crucial role in the growth and development of children by stimulating their imagination and teaching them about the world around them. Toys can be as simple as a teddy bear or as complex as a model construction set. They often mimic real-life situations or objects, which allows children to develop various skills, such as motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills. Different toys are designed to cater to different age groups and developmental stages. For instance, soft toys are safe for infants, while construction toys are suitable for older children to enhance their problem-solving abilities. In the present times, toys also include digital and electronic games, designed to promote interaction and learning. Despite their primary association with children, toys are also collected by adults for their artistic and nostalgic value.

GCC Toys Market Trends:

E-commerce Expansion and Digital Connectivity

The growth of e-commerce sites and digital connectivity is greatly transforming the toy buying environment in the GCC area. Due to online shops, parents can now find a wide variety of toys, including international brands that were not accessible in nearby stores before. Digital platforms enable straightforward price comparisons, provide home delivery convenience, and grant access to a broader range of products, streamlining the shopping experience. The rapid growth of e-commerce and digital connectivity is transforming the GCC toy industry, not only by expanding product availability and convenience for parents but also by creating new avenues for brand influence and market growth. The e-commerce market size in the GCC region is anticipated to achieve USD 2,020.6 Billion by 2033, as per the IMARC Group. Moreover, social media platforms and influencers play a vital role in influencing the popularity of toys, as they efficiently enhance visibility and market particular products to a wider audience.

Increasing Focus on Educational Toys

In the GCC region, parents are placing greater importance on educational toys that aid in their children's cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. This change is mainly influenced by an increasing awareness about the essential impact early childhood education has on determining a child's future. As a result, parents are actively looking for toys that not only offer entertainment but also promote education and growth. Moreover, there is a significant increase in the need for toys that encourage vital skills like problem-solving, creativity, and abilities tied to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. In reaction to this demand, toy manufacturers are focusing on developing creative products, including interactive educational games, learning puzzles, and STEM-oriented kits aimed at involving children in practical learning activities. These learning toys respond to parents' worries about developmental milestones and fit with wider regional initiatives to improve educational standards.

Influence of Expatriate Communities

The large expatriate community in the GCC region is influencing the toy market, increasing the need for a variety of products. Expatriate families, coming from diverse cultural backgrounds, have unique preferences and expectations for children’s toys, leading to a growing demand for educational, multicultural, and language-focused toys. This demographic shift is particularly evident in Saudi Arabia, where the expatriate population is a significant driver of market changes. As per government statistics, the count of non-Saudi residents in Saudi Arabia reached around 15.7 million in 2024, rising from 14.5 million in 2023, representing 75.6% of the overall population increase in the Kingdom. This change in demographics is encouraging toy sellers to provide products that represent different cultural traditions and meet various international educational benchmarks.

GCC Toys Market Growth Drivers:

Rise of Sustainable and Eco-friendly Products

With the growing concerns about environmental issues, there is a noticeable shift in user shift towards sustainable and environment-friendly products, including toys, within the GCC market. Individuals are progressively making intentional buying choices, highlighting the importance of the environmental effects of the products they select. This change is resulting in an increase in the demand for toys crafted from organic, recycled, or biodegradable materials, alongside those made using sustainable manufacturing practices. In reaction to this shift in user behavior, producers are creating toys that conform to these emerging ecological principles. The growing desire for sustainable products indicates wider regional shifts towards sustainability and responsible usage. In the GCC region, the increasing emphasis on environmental accountability is developing new market niches for sustainable toys, providing manufacturers chances to connect with a more eco-aware user base.

Growing Popularity of Industry Events and Exhibitions

The rising popularity of industry events and exhibitions is influencing the GCC toy market by fostering brand visibility, user engagement, and industry networking. These gatherings offer a crucial space for producers, sellers, and buyers to meet, network, and discover the newest advancements in the toy sector. An example of this is the forthcoming Kids & Toys Expo in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for September 16 to 18, 2025, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The event will host more than 150 exhibitors and over 200 brands, displaying a wide range of toys, games, baby items, and learning resources. The expo aims to connect international manufacturers with local buyers and retailers, providing an opportunity to discover new products and trends. Such events play a pivotal role in enhancing the GCC toys market share by increasing exposure and facilitating stronger connections between global brands and regional users.

Increased Focus on Safety Standards and Certifications

With the rising awareness about product safety, the need for toys that meet rigorous safety standards is growing. In the GCC region, governing bodies and regulatory agencies are increasingly prioritizing the implementation and enforcement of safety certifications for toys sold in their markets. These rules aim to guarantee that toys lack hazardous substances, adhere to suitable age requirements, and comply with global safety regulations. As concerns among parents about toy safety increase, there is a shift towards buying products that are establishing safety certifications. This emphasis on safety is encouraging toy manufacturers to dedicate additional resources to product testing, quality assurance methods, and verifying that their products comply with both local and international regulations. This growing focus on safety is catalyzing the demand for certified, high-quality products and fostering user confidence in the region's toy industry.

GCC Toys Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the GCC toys market report, along with forecasts at the regional and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, age group, and sales channel.

Product Type Insights:

• Action Figures
• Building Sets
• Dolls
• Games and Puzzles
• Sports and Outdoor Toys
• Plush
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes action figures, building sets, dolls, games and puzzles, sports and outdoor toys, plush, and others.

Age Group Insights:

• Up to 5 years
• 5 to 10 years
• Above 10 years

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the age group has also been provided in the report. This includes up to 5 years, 5 to 10 years, and above 10 years.

Sales Channel Insights:

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Department Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the sales channel has also been provided in the report. This includes supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores, department stores, online stores, and others.

Country Insights:

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Qatar
• Oman
• Kuwait
• Bahrain

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the GCC toys market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Latest News and Developments:

• In July 2025, the Qatar Toy Festival 2025 opened at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, featuring five themed zones, live shows, and a new summer camp for children. Organized by Visit Qatar, the event runs until August 4 and includes attractions like PUBG, Harry Potter, and interactive performances.
• In May 2025, Hamleys opened its first store in Kuwait at The Avenues mall, marking its ninth store in the Gulf region. Spanning 1170 sq. meters, the store features immersive zones, iconic characters, and over 10,000 toys across 100+ brands.
• In May 2025, The Little Things partnered with Aramco, Spacetoon, and TMC JV TotalEnergies to launch pop-up collectible toy stores across Saudi Arabia. These stores will offer toys and merchandise from popular anime series like Dragon Ball and One Piece.
• In March 2025, the “Share a Toy” Ramadan initiative was launched by Landmark Leisure (Landmark Group) in partnership with Emirates Red Crescent and IACAD. Aimed at promoting kindness and social responsibility, families are encouraged to donate pre-loved toys to underprivileged children across the UAE. The campaign emphasizes empathy in young donors and has collected over 20,000 toys in the past three years.
• In February 2025, Qatar Airways launched its fifth edition of Oryx Kids Club amenity kits featuring a "Marvellous Metaverse" theme. The new range includes interactive digital experiences, puzzles, AR features, and plush toys for children of all ages. Designed with retail-quality materials, the kits aim to enhance in-flight entertainment and engagement for young travelers.
• In June 2024, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival, starting July 1 at Exhibition World Bahrain. The month-long event featured 25+ global toy brands, live shows, and themed zones for girls, boys, and toddlers.

GCC Toys Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the GCC toys market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the GCC toys market?
• What is the breakup of the GCC toys market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the GCC toys market on the basis of age group?
• What is the breakup of the GCC toys market on the basis of sales channel?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the GCC toys market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the GCC toys market?
• What is the structure of the GCC toys market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the GCC toys market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the GCC toys market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the GCC toys market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the GCC toys industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.