Survey Shows Video Games Have Taken Over Canadian Kids’ Christmas Lists

A new survey suggests the holiday wishlist across Canada is dominated by gaming, with more than half of children aged 10 to 17 asking for video game-related gifts this season.

According to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), 52 percent of kids say gaming is at the top of their lists.

This national industry group represents Canada’s video game sector, including major global publishers, console makers and leading studios. Its members include big players such as Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, EA, Epic Games, and Take-Two, along with many Canadian developers and distributors. So yes, the gaming industry is telling you, parents, to buy video games for your kids, ahead of Christmas.

Parents appear ready to spend as well. Among those planning to buy gaming gifts, the average budget comes in at about $763, which is not cheap. The most popular items include new consoles, in-game currency and accessories.

We’ve seen major consoles such as Sony’s PS5 drop in price, with a recent Black Friday sale still available right now.

ESAC CEO Paul Fogolin said the trend reflects how common gaming has become for families.

“Given the popularity of video games in Canada, it’s not surprising that they have become a central part of our holiday traditions,” he said. “Parents aren’t just buying games for their kids, they’re buying them to play together. As families unwrap new consoles and games, we want to empower them to use parental controls so that the focus remains on fun, safety and shared experiences,” said Fogolin in a statement.

The survey shows that connection is a major reason kids want games in the first place. Over a third said they want them because they like playing with others. Nearly 25% of parents buying games said they plan to do so because gaming is something they enjoy together.

Safety tools are also a priority. Seventy-nine percent of parents say parental controls matter to them, and most who know about these tools use them. 72% of parents say they are aware of parental control features, and 74% of those actively rely on them. These controls are available on consoles, PCs and mobile devices and allow parents to set limits on spending, age restrictions and playtime.

To help families navigate these options, ESAC has published a Family Safety Guide and maintains an online Trust and Safety Hub with information on age ratings and step-by-step instructions for setting parental controls.

The survey was conducted by Burson for ESAC between November 13 and 18 and included 1,500 Canadians, made up of 1,000 adults and 500 children. The results were weighted to match Canada’s population profile.