Top five most complicated toys to assemble for Christmas
It become the parent's job to assemble the toys.
Image: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels
Every festive season starts the same way. Kids tear through the wrapping paper, their eyes light up, and then the box is handed straight to the nearest adult with the unspoken expectation that it will magically build itself.
While the toys are for the kids, the assembly job almost always falls to parents.
If you are doing your Christmas gift shopping and want to avoid a late night surrounded by screws, instructions and rising frustration, this list is worth a look.
Experts at Accu analysed some of the most popular toys and ranked them by how complicated they are to assemble.
Here are the five toys most likely to test your patience this festive season.
MECCANO 10 in 1 Racing Vehicle
This one takes the top spot for a reason. With a complicated construction score of 85.6 out of 100, it is officially the hardest toy on the list to assemble.
What makes it tricky:
- A massive 225 individual parts
- 53 steps to complete the build
- Almost 600 YouTube videos are dedicated to helping people put it together
While it is brilliant for kids who love building and engineering, this is not a quick Christmas morning job. If you buy this one, consider assembling it before wrapping it.
Barbie Dream House
The Barbie Dream House looks magical once it is standing, but getting there requires time and patience. It scored 76.7 out of 100 for complexity.
Why parents struggle:
- 50 assembly steps
- Over 46 million YouTube views on how to build it
- Multiple rooms and accessories that need careful placement
It is a dream gift for many kids, but it is definitely a sit-down and focus build rather than a rush job before lunch.
Kids love the Barbie Doll House.
Image: Mattel
Magic Tracks Racetrack
Sharing third place, the Magic Tracks Racetrack is deceptively complicated. It scored 75.3 out of 100.
What to expect:
- 220 parts to connect
- Flexible track pieces that need to be fitted just right
- Lots of trial and error if the layout is not planned properly
It looks simple in the box, but the sheer number of parts can be overwhelming, especially when excited kids want it ready immediately.
Jumpflex Trampoline
Also tied for third place, the Jumpflex Trampoline may not look like a traditional toy, but it still presents a serious assembly challenge.
Why it ranks high:
- 24 detailed steps
- Large pieces that require space and time
- Often needs more than one adult to assemble safely
This is best built outdoors and definitely not something you want to start late on Christmas Eve.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
Rounding out the top five is a childhood classic. The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe scored 74.6 out of 100.
Why it makes the list:
- 55 parts to assemble
- Around 13 million YouTube views on how to build it
- More fiddly than it looks once you open the box
It is iconic and loved by kids, but many parents are surprised by how long it takes to put together.
A quick Christmas shopping tip
If any of these toys are on your shopping list, think ahead.
Building them before Christmas morning or setting aside time and help can save a lot of festive stress.
Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is not leaving the assembly until the last minute.
Because while the toys are for the kids, the construction job is definitely a parent problem.