New study shows over half of US kids want video games for Christmas

A new survey has shown that over half of the children in the United States are eager to find a video game product under the Christmas tree this year, with the majority hoping for in-game currency.

In a world where Roblox and Fortnite combine for nearly half a billion monthly active users, it’s no surprise kids are spending an increasing amount of time with video games.

Now, however, a new survey is reporting we’ve cleared the halfway point, and that gaming-related products are among the most desired Christmas gifts.

The study found that three in five US kids will ask for gaming products this holiday season, with the majority of them most eager for in-game currencies.

In-game currencies the most-requested Christmas gift for kids

This study comes by way of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) as they surveyed 700 children between the ages of five and 17. All up, their data (generalized across the US population), suggests “three in five kids are asking for video games” this Christmas.

Of that group, the most-requested gift of them all is in-game currency. The survey didn’t delve into specifics, so that could mean anything from V-Bucks to PlayStation Store vouchers, but the category as a whole leads the charge with a 43% request rate.

Down the list, 39% of kids after gaming products will ask for a console, 37% accessories, and also 37% for physical games.

Of note, more than half of the kids surveyed said they would like to spend more time playing games with their parents, with 73% of those ages five through seven leading the charge.

The ESA also survereyed over 1,100 results as part of the study, and found that one-third of them plan to purchase game-related items this Christmas, with the average spend coming in at $500.

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“Our research this year shows that kids not only want games, they also want quality time with their families,” ESA President and CEO Stan Pierre-Lous said. “In a world where people feel increasingly disconnected, playing video games remains one of the easiest – and most fun – ways to stay close to the people we love.”