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

A new survey from the Entertainment Software Association reveals that while children are interested in video games this holiday season, they actually prefer receiving money as gifts.

According to a recent survey by the ESA, video games are high on kids’ wish lists this holiday season. While money and gift cards (69%) are the most requested gifts, followed by clothes and accessories (63%), 58% of kids said they’d like to receive video games as gifts this year.

The survey revealed that over half of children (58%) wish they could play more video games with their parents. This desire is even stronger among younger children, with 73% of those aged 5-7 expressing this wish. Interest remains high for older kids too, at 66% for ages 8-9 and 62% for those 10-12.

A recent survey by the ESA revealed that Gen Alpha (children ages 5-12) are the most likely generation to request video games as holiday gifts, with 62% expressing interest. Besides the games themselves, kids also want things like in-game credits (43%), gaming consoles (39%), physical copies of games (37%), accessories (37%), and video game subscriptions (32%).

I was looking at the ESA’s latest numbers, and it’s interesting – parents who are planning to get their kids video games for gifts this year say they’ll spend around $737 on average. That might seem like a lot, but honestly, games are getting more expensive all the time! Plus, consoles themselves are costing more now, and things like tariffs are definitely playing a part in that price increase.

This year’s research reveals that children desire both engaging games and meaningful family time. According to ESA president and CEO Stan Pierre-Louis, video games offer a simple and enjoyable way to connect with loved ones in an increasingly disconnected world.

YouGov and the ESA conducted a brief online survey between September 26th and 30th. Over 1,900 Americans, ranging in age from 5 to 65, participated. The results were adjusted to accurately reflect the demographics of the entire US population, considering factors like age, gender, race, education level, and geographic location.

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2025-11-17 17:40