Kids Want Video Games For The Holidays, But Not More Than Cold Hard Cash

"The Entertainment Software Association has released the results of its annual holiday shopping survey, and the data shows that kids really want video games, but not as much as they want cash. The ESA's survey found that video games are among the top three things that kids want this holiday, with 58% of kids saying they would like games as gifts this year. Money and gift cards (69%) was the most sought-after gift for kids, followed by clothes/accessories (63%), and then video games at 58%."

"The survey also found that 58% of kids want to play more video games with their parents; the percentage increases to 73% for kids ages 5-7, 66% for ages 8-9, and 62% for ages 10-12. The ESA's survey also found that the most likely generation to ask for video games as gifts this holiday was Gen Alpha (ages 5-12), at 62%."

"Finally, the ESA survey found that, among parents who said they are planning to buy their children video games as gifts this year, they plan to spend an average of $736.83. That figure may look high, but games are generally more and more expensive these days, and consoles are ticking up in price, too, due in part to tariffs and other factors."

Money and gift cards lead kids' holiday wishes at 69%, followed by clothes/accessories at 63% and video games at 58%. Fifty-eight percent of kids want to play more video games with their parents, rising to 73% for ages 5-7, 66% for ages 8-9, and 62% for ages 10-12. Gen Alpha (ages 5-12) is the generation most likely to ask for video games at 62%. Beyond games, kids want in-game currency (43%), consoles (39%), physical games (37%), accessories (37%), and subscriptions (32%). Parents planning to buy games intend to spend an average of $736.83, with prices rising partly due to tariffs. The online survey ran Sept. 26-30 with over 1,900 respondents aged 5-65 and was weighted to represent the U.S. population.

Read at GameSpot