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Toys, Books & Gift Reviews
Penguins of Madagascar for Nintendo DS
The famous Penguins are now available on the DS. Penguins of Madagascar is a great game for the little ones and a great game for anyone who simply loves these crafty penguins. The loveable and hilarious penguins are tasked with all new madcap missions and must use team work and their crazy acrobatics to solve puzzles, build contraptions, unlock paths, avoid super silly obstacles to advance through the game and ultimately save the day. This is a fund relatively easy to play game. And anybody that loves these Penguins will want to add this game to their collection.
You can buy your copy here >>>
Pictionary for Nintendo DS
The family fun game that is Pictionary has gone interactive and is now available for 
review on the DS. Guess words from sketches made by other members of your team. The words can be objects, people, places, animals, actions or the challenging “difficult”. Sketch your way to victory with a variety of drawing styles, shapes and colours! You don’t have to be an artist to play – all you need is a little imagination! There are over 3,000 clues on offer, including adult and junior options, plus 15 ways to play in a variety of single and multiplayer game modes. The perfect game to enjoy with all the family on Christmas afternoon!
As with standard Pictionary, this is a fun game that gives the whole family a chance to just be silly and let their hair down. Why not get your own, just click here >>>>
CALENDAR WIZARD Photo Calendar reviewed by Mel from Hampshire July 2010
"
I decided to order a personalised calendar for my Nan who loves looking at pictures from her family and she has not been 
disappointed! The website is very easy to use and navigate round. Once you have decided if you want a calendar, notebook or diary you can create your own account so that it remembers what photo’s you have uploaded so you can leave it and come back to it at another time. The hardest bit for me was deciding which photo’s to choose! Once you have uploaded your photos it is easy to rearrange them until you are happy with the order and then you can add dates that you need to remember. There really is no excuse to forget anyone’s birthday now! The calendar was delivered within a couple of days and I was impressed with the quality and sharpness of the photos. This really is a unique personal present and I would recommend it to anyone!" Visit www.calendarwizard.co.uk for more details.
The Blizzard Wizard - Reviewed by Benn 9 October 2010
The Blizz
ard Wizard is the 14th book in the brilliant Ramion series. When the Blizzard Wizard turns the whole of the kingdom of Ramion into ice, brothers Benjamin, Julius and 
Alexander plus Scrooey-Looey their half-mad friend set off to gather the four elements which will bind up the Blizzard Wizard and take him back to his prison cell. Benn says "I find it hard to sit down and read a book, my friends are the same but the cover was so funky that I thought I'd give this book a try. I really liked the story, it was very adventurous and the characters made me laugh. I haven't read any of the other books in the series but I think I will do now. I have leant Blizzard Wizard to my friend Kenny and he is enjoying it too. I'd like to write a book like this when I am older." You can find out more at www.ramion-books.com
Peppa Pig and Me’ reviewed by Lisa from Essex July 2010
"I chose to order this book as my daughter absolutely loves Peppa Pig and will be starting pre-school very soon. The whole b
ook is personalised with your child being part of the story. You can create your little one’s appearance by adapting a boy or girls character, choosing hairstyle, skin, eye and hair colour. My little girl was captivated from the first page! We both loved the storyline as it was based accurately on familiar episodes (that we both have seen more than once)! She felt ‘very’ involved and ‘very’ important and was so excited when she turned each page. So much so I had to read it three times over! This book is beautifully illustrated and I was really impressed with the quality of the product. With a personal inscription inside this makes an ideal and perfect gift or just a treat for your little one. Very much enjoyed and highly recommended." Visit Penwizard webiste for more details www.penwizard.co.uk
"When I w
as asked to review one of Penwizards books I was delighted that Peppa Pig was one of their ranges as my 2 year old daughter loves Peppa Pig. You enter their name an
d can choose the hair colour, eye colour and skin tone to match your child. Another lovely touch is that you can add your own personal message to make the book even more special for the child. When the book arrived and I showed it to my daughter she was so excited that we have read it hundreds of times already! She loves seeing herself on every page and part of the story with her favourite character, Peppa. This is a lovely present for any child and I would definitely recommend them to anyone!" Visit the Penwizard website www.penwizard.co.uk for more details.
BOOKADOO Personalised Children’s Books reviewed by Mel from Hampshire July 2010
"I was very happy to review these books as I knew my girls (and me!) would be delighted to see themselves as the lead character in one of the 4 books that you can choose from. The Bookadoo ordering system is very easy to use and you can actually see every page of the book before you make your choice. I chose the Popstar
book for my 8 year old and the Dreamland book for my 5 year old daughter. Once you have uploaded your chosen photo it checks it there and then for the quality so you know straight away how it’s going to look. I really liked the fact you could add your own caption which appears in the front of the book as it makes it even more personal for the child. I was given a date of when I could expect the books to arrive by but I received them at least 4 days early. I was so excited to open it and I was not disappointed!! To see my daughter’s smiling back at me on every page really made me smile. These books will be treasured for years to come! I will definitely be ordering more books for my nieces and nephews as this really is a unique, personal present." See the Bookadoo website www.bookadoo.com for more details.
"This game is awesome if you enjoying singing not like my Dad who finds it tricky. The game has lots of songs (20) from Disney shows including High School Musical and Hanna Montana. I found the game very easy to start and received an awesome score on my first try on the easy level. There are only a small number of songs available but I know most of them, unlike my Dad who only knew two of them. I can’t wait for my friends to come round and play it with me. I think I will get bored if I have to play it by myself and my Dad is no good at it – although Mum had a go and although did not score as high as mine she did do ok on the Duffy songs. I did find that you do not need to sing the words to get a good score, but as long as you hummed at the right time and level it worked. This is definitely for me and my friends and not my parents (well I might let Mum have a go when my friends are not there). We will have to wait and see how difficult this game gets as the levels increase. Will there be updates with other songs???"
April's Pond by I.J. Lyons (£5.99)
We haven't reviewed this books as it was only published two weeks ago but we have already fallen in love with it so wanted to include on this page and we think it would make a lovely gift.
"This is the tale of a small hedgehog named Milton, who is struggling to survive and find happiness. His adventures take him to April’s Pond where he meets a friendly ladybird, squirrel, and house martin. However, his fate is far from certain, hidden danger lurks in the shadows, watching his every move, and not everything at the pond is quite as it seems.
You can buy from Amazon or directly from the author here
Chairs Game reviewed by Erica from Hampshire in November 2009
"Tested by a 5 and 7 year old as well as a 40+ year old! A variation on a theme…but a good one…for 1 player on their own or for more players taking turns – you have to stack the brightly coloured chairs in different ways and the player who makes the pile come crashing down loses! A quick and easy game when you have 10 mins or for the more serious players it can take longer…. Comes in a tin to pack away quite easily (as long as you stack the chairs right!)" Priced at £9.95 see www.paul-lamond.com for more details.
Headbandz reviewed by Erica from Hampshire in November 2009
"Adults and children can have some great fun playing this game and I think it is a real Family Game - being silly really helps this game along and I would suggest a minimum age of 5 if playing as part of the Family but older if children are playing by themselves. You have a headband to wear (that’s part of the feeling silly bit!) and you slot in a picture card which is a place, person or thing and the other players have 60 seconds to help you figure out what it is? The older children can follow the rules the younger ones may need a bit of help …or extra time. The game comes with a certain amount of cards so I guess the more we play the easier it will get!" Priced at £9.95 see www.paul-lamond.com for more details.
Liv Dolls reviewed by Erica from Hampshire in November 2009
"My 5 year old girl (nearly 6….and going on 15!!) had the pleasure of reviewing one of the new best friends Liv dolls “Sophie”. She came in a lovely box with lots of information and bright pictures about “Sophie” the teenager who is one of 4 friends who all have different interests. My Daughter loved her and I must say I was very impressed with the look of the doll – the eyes are incredibly life-like and the whole proportions of the doll meant she was easy to play and pose. She came in a ‘cool outfit’ with a wig – blond and pink…my daughter loved this as she could change the hair, brush it and even cut it! She also has earrings, glasses, handbag and scarf – all the accessories which make play even more fun. More accessories and clothing packs are available to purchase separately. My daughter has never been totally in to dolls but this one was a big hit…..not least because she can also use a special access code that comes with “Sophie” to enter the www.livworld.com site and play games and activities related to her doll…. As most 5 year olds now are quite used to going online…this was easy for her to do and added to the pleasure." Available from leading retailers for £19.99 or visit www.livworld.com
Nintendo DS Christmas Carol game reviewed by Beth and Benn and their Mum from Kent in November 2009
"Before having a go Beth and Benn did wonder how on earth a Dickensian novel would translate into a fun game, I have to say that I agreed!
I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic artwork on this game with fantastic sound effects, very eerie ghost sounds indeed.
A Christmas Carol is firstly puzzle game on the DS but secondly is a great way to get a great novel into the minds of our gaming obsessed kids. There are quite a few fun mini games that can be played (by up to four players) and also the entire book is included on the cartridge.
Bonus extras include a real-time advent calendar, which allows you to unlock surprises each day that you play leading up to Christmas. What a nice way to get excited about Christmas!"
Toyrific Pirates Island reviwed by Jack and his Mum from Shropshire in November 2009
"Jack really enjoyed this set, it's like lego but not although jack's Lego does fit with it. Jack and his friend played for ages with it with lots of pirate battles. It's a lot cheaper than lego and just as nice."
Toyrific Cow Girl Costume reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in November 2009
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"Alice absolutely loves dressing up so I knew she would like this outfit. It's quite unusual to find a cow girl costume so I had to explain to her what a cow boy/girl was but it didn't really matter as she just enjoyed wearing it! We only had pink boots to add to the outfit which is mainly brown. We now just need a Wild West party to go to!"
It's Your Story Fairy Girl personalised Book reviwed by Trudy from Kent in November 2009
"My daughter loves anything fairy or princess so really enjoyed this book. We only had a sample with another little girl pictured but I can see how if it was her in the book she would have been very excited about it. It's a lovely keepsake too as it's so personalised through out."
Visit www.itsyourstory.co.uk
ELC Rock Star Guitar 3-6 years reviewed by Jane from Oxfordshire in November 2009
"My little girl is 4 and loved this. The neck of the guitar has button that play guitar tunes and the body also has more buttons. It also comes with a microphone headset that actually works!! Amy is just getting into Hannah Montana so thought the guitar made her look like her. I wish it had a volume control!" Visit www.elc.co.uk
Wii 3D Toy Story Game reviewed by Millie aged 7 and her Mum from Norfolk in October 2009
"Millie really loves Toy Story so we were very excited to try out this game. We were expecting a lot from the 3D glasses but they were a bit rubbish and hurt your eyes so we quickly discarded them. That said the game didn't need 3D to be really good fun.
Lot of shooting fair ground style and simple puzzles with different challenges to progress to the next level, like shoot 5 ducks. Really good for Millie as she could understand most of it. There is also a bit where you can swap your points "tickets" a create pictures. Great fun for all the family"
Pudsey Annual for Children In Need reviewed by Kelly from Cornwall in October 2009
"A fabulous old-fashioned annual that reminded me of the ones my Nan used to give me for Christmas! And in a very good cause too, £6 goes to the charity. The pages are full of activities, stories, games and ideas for children of all ages, I would say from 4+. Something for every rainy day or I'm bored moment and I really enjoyed doing some of the activities with my children."
Visit http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781405905800,00.html
Cardboard Toys from the ECOutlet reviewed by Maria from Manchester in October 2009
"These are such an amazing idea! It's a cardboard model, we had the police car and horse and carriage, that you put together and then can colour in. The kit comes with easy instructions but Mummy or Daddy will need to help, and a set of non-toxic, washable pens for the colouring-in bit. My children absolutely loved them. And once they've been played with they can be recycled as they are just made of cardboard. Best of all they are only £3.99 although I did look on the website and you can get play houses and forts that are £30+." Visit http://www.ecoutlet.co.uk/stationery-crafts-and-toys/cardboard-toys-and-furniture.html
Bookaboo DVD reviewed by Erica from Hampshire in November 2009
"My 5 year old girl and I got to review the new Bookaboo DVD from the hit CITV show about the Rock Puppy and his love of books and reading. The rock drumming puppy gets to share a story with his celebrity friends including Alesha Dixon, Meat Loaf , Fern Britton and Ben Shephard. This is a highly entertaining DVD with 7 episodes enjoyed immensely by my daughter ….and myself. Stories include ‘The Lamb Who Came For Dinner’, Splat the Cat’ and “Pooh is that you Bertie!” The DVD which is over 70 mins aims to encourage adults and children to share a story as Bookaboo ‘just can’t play without a story a day!’. Really great fun and an excellent present the ‘Bookaboo’ DVD is available to buy at www.bookaboo.co.uk."
My Blue Nose Friends ....
....reviewed by Sherrie from Kent, Cath from Preston & Sam from Hampshire in October 2009
- £5
"Patch is a cute blue nose friend. Patch is gorgeously soft with beans in his bottom so that he can sit and pose. He's the perfect gift for children of any age. The happy dog...a loyal friend indeed...and always there for you."
"Really cute and well made, any child would love to receive this from Santa! Very good price too!"
"My son who is 4 was really excited when we opened the parcel and he discovered Patch – A Blue Nose Toy. He has a few toy dogs and Patch was a welcome addition to the family!
Patch is a lovely toy; he is well made and most importantly is nice and soft with a really cute face, perfect for cuddling!. He has beans in his paws and bottom which help him sit up nicely and my son fell in love with him straight away.
This is the sort of toy that would appeal to both boys and girls."
Visit www.mybluenosefriends.co.uk
Cube Books - World Football (£6.50) from www.zoobookoo.com reviewed by Erica and her family
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"These are excellent - and such good value, my son absolutely loved the World Football Cube" said our Testers Mum.
Our 7 year old tester says "This was really, really, good. I can get lots of information and its great fun" " He loved the informativeness of the cube book and couldn't put it down as he also just loved playing with it in his hands!"
The range of Cube Books include Geographical, Multiplication, Planets and Dinosaurs to name just a few. They magically turn inside out to reveal 12 sides (not just 6!) contain lots of interesting, bite-sized chunks of information and make excellent Birthday Presents.
Originally designed for children the range has grown to cater for all ages!!
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(£6.50) are also available from www.zoobookoo.com for 2-4 players Age 5 - 7 years supporting the National Curriculum.
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Two of our Testers aged 5 and 6 played Demon Dice and loved it!! "I'v won a Demon !!" "AAAhhh!" could be heard as they played together.
Mum says "Its really good for either learning maths skills or enhancing them in a fun and entertaining way" My 2 are at different levels but managed to play together thanks to the role of the dice!!" "The winning of Demon's is an excellent incentive and you can actually play this game on your own trying to get the highest score that you can. It comes with a Drawstring Pouch making it easy to put away or take in the car, the dice are brightly coloured and sturdy - a real winner, I would have no problems in recommending this product."
Bagpuss from Past Times reviewed by Tina from Oxfordshire in October 2009
"I was actually thinking of keeping this for myself until my little girl found it and loved it! She has no idea who Bagpuss was but loved his fur and pressing the button in him to "wake him up" with a traditional Bagpuss jingles and yawn! I think Mums will enjoy this toy as much as children, maybe even more!" Visit www.pasttimes.com
Tinti Bath Fun reviewed by Sarah from Hampshire in October 2009
"Bath Pops....
Bath/shower coloured foam....
Good fun product that doesn't leave residue behind. It made them get into the bath much quicker than usual as they had lots of fun squirting each other with it!!"
Visit www.tinti.co.uk for more details
Horrid Henry characters reviewed by Sarah from Hampshire in October 2009
"Horrid Henry with spider...
Aqua Attack Scooter Water Pistol reviewed by Zena from Kent in October 2009
"When Benn was given this he almost ripped it out of the box. He's a bit of a terror so this was the perfect toy. This is the real pimp my scooter accessory. After a little bit of fiddly attachment he was ready. He had hours of fun in the garden squirting plants, then progressed to the dog (who seemed to enjoy the game) and then his big sister, before turning his attention to his friends who put up a good fight with water pistols. After some parental guidance on how not to terrorise the neighbourhood Benn really enjoyed this toy."
Nubie Storage Bags reviewed by Helen from Birmingham in October 2009
"The cube was flat when it arrived of course and wasn't very inspiring but on closer inspection was very good quality with sturdy zips, big zip pulls and quite thick material. We used it for games and jigsaws and it soon filled up and looked quite cool. You can't really stack them because they don't have any strength themselves but if you're looking for some flexible and good looking storage these do fit the bill and would cover the overflow after Christmas nicely!" Visit www.nubie.co.uk
Bike and Scooter Accessories from Micro Scooters reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in September 2009
"I love this brilliant but affordable "extras" for bikes or scooters. My fave is the Breo Roam watch which is like a rubber bracelet with a watch in it. According to the blurb it's made of Tourmaline which is supposed to make you calm, can't say I can report that but Alice didn't get a look in and now Mummy is wearing the pink Breo! They come in 25 colours and are only £9.99 so a cool gift for children and Mummys! Alice has got the BBB Quick Release Bell, Frog light by knog and the red coloured brake to replace the old one on her mini micro scooter! And she'll loving whizzing around with the light on and bell going. But seriously, these will be make me feel a bit happier if she is using her scooter on the path on the greyer days of autumn and winter." All these items available from www.micro-scooters.co.uk.
Metaboli On-line Gaming reviewed by Benn aged 8 from Kent
"From a parents point of view the best thing about using Metaboli is the price. Why spend on expensive games in ships when it takes seconds to download all the most popular games on line. The second advantage is how simple and easy it is to start playing a game. Once you're subscribed it's 3 clicks and you're downloading. I must admit, at first I was dubious, surely it couldn't be so easy? You are able to download as fast as your connection will allow you. Benn says 'I don't have to get Mum to run me to the shops every time I want to buy a game? And if you don't like a game, just download another. Up until now I've wasted my pocket money by buying a game and not liking it, now I don't have to.' Visit www.metaboli.co.uk
K-Nex Moto-Bots (aged 7+) reviewed by Benn aged 8 from Kent
The K’Nex Moto-Bots come in kit form, letting kids (or big kids) build and customise their own motorised robot.
The bots (£29.99 each) come in four varieties and, like any good robot, combine to make bigger, battle-ready Ultra Bots. Time for a Robot Wars revival?
Benn really like the Moto Bot, especially the fact that you this toy has a wonderful motorised movement. Benn says 'This was easy to make with some help from my Dad, the moving parts are really good, especially the moving head. My friends think it's really cool.'
There are a few Moto Bots to choose from, Turbo, Chomp and Razor, Benn tested Moto-Bot Spider (373 parts) the creepiest of them all, with all those legs and moving eyes. More details here
Rubik 360 reviewed by Alice (aged 5) from Hampshire
"I liked this as I managed to get one of the balls into the right hole when my Mummy couldn't. She said it was 'very frustrating'. There are balls in the middle you have to get out to the outside but when you try and turn it around the balls drop back and miss the hole. My friend Sammy who is 8 has borrowed it so she will write a review soon too." Visit www.drumondpark.com
The Kingdom of the Deep by Frank Hinks reviewed by Sammy (aged 8 1/2) from Hampshire in July 2009
"I was really excited when I was asked to review this book because it was about mermaids who I love. When I picked up the book the cover looked boring with no mermaids around. I tried reading the book myself, but it was hard with words I did not know. Looked at the pictures instead but did not like them as they were scary. My Dad started to read the story to me instead but we did not finish it as I did not like it. It says it is for 5 plus, but I am eight and it is too old for me." More reviews of this book to come...
GRAVITY DEFYING BOOTS
Like a walk on the moon, Free Jumpers anti gravity boots seem to defy gravity with every fun-filled step. Kids simply adjust the anti-gravity boot's length to fit their feet, strapping it on right over athletic shoes! Then they start bouncing bouncing across the yard like a herd of bolting gazelles. Free Jumpers feature a high-traction tread that is safe to use on any surface, indoors or out, and won't mar floors! Heavy-duty, interchangeable rubber T-springs transform downward energy into bouncing motions gentle on joints and bones. Not only do kids love the cushiony motion, it's easy to burn calories, build coordination and strengthen leg muscles. Click on the picture to see the Gravity Boots in action and for more information.
BALLOOPPA: A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME!
Are you fed up with broken windows and ruined flowerbeds thanks to your budding little Beckham or Rooney? Then TP Toys has the answer.
Ballooppa, the new football game that is sweeping the nation, is perfect for any child who one day hopes to be England's next football superstar or who simply enjoys playing football for fun.
Designed to improve accuracy, passing and shooting skills, Ballooppa can be used anywhere outside, making it an ideal garden or beach toy. Ballooppa has an integral ball attached by a rope, which means no more running after lost balls, trampled flowerbeds or broken windows. A clever rotating connection joint prevents the cord becoming entangled during play and it can be adjusted to suit all garden sizes. Ballooppa is easy and quick to assemble and can be packed away for convenient storage or left in the garden all year round.
Ballooppa will appeal to any football enthusiast from 4 years plus and can be played alone or with friends.
Ballooppa is manufactured by TP Toys and is available online and in a number of leading retail outlets, such as Tesco, Toys R Us, ELC and John Lewis, nationwide. RRP is £29.99. Click on the picture for further info.
HAND HELD PUMP ACTION ROCKET LAUNCHER
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to play with this kind of rocket. The Light up Ram Rocket is a hand-held, pump-action rocket launcher. Air pressure launches this large, soft jet rocket over 100 ft which is aerodynamically designed to spin then glide back down to earth. Press the tip and it will light up as it flies – great for night flights!
It's lightweight, safe and above all, fun! The suggested retail price is £8.99. For more information check out www.wickedvision.co.uk
SPORTSWEAR THAT LOOKS AFTER YOU
Columbia Sportswear have a range of kids clothing that has UPF protection incorporated into the fabric (normal clothes will still let harmful rays through the material so even if you think you're protected by a t-shirt you're generally not).
They have long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, trousers and shorts with UPF protection for both boys and girls.
We have reviewed the products with our team of kids, this is what Max's mum had to say: "The Omni-Shade UPF T-shirt is perfect for my son to wear in the summer as it offers added protection from the sun, as well as being cool to wear on hot days. Its also a trendy design so its not only functional, but looks good too. It is also very lightweight and soft - it doesn't feel like UV protection fabric that can be very dense."
The girls T-shirt – Mountain Tech Wildwood Tee - is £15 and the boys – Mountain Tech Ringer Tee – is £13. Click on the picture for more info.
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Nights away from your usual bed have never been such fun..the new ReadyBed is the only accessory you need for overnight stays and is just perfect for camping trips!
A ‘take anywhere, sleep anywhere’ inflatable bed, the ReadyBed is an all-in-one mattress, pillow and duvet that fits neatly into its own storage bag. It’s ideal for chucking in the boot of the car before setting off on your outdoor adventure and there’s no battling with foot pumps once you arrive - the battery operated pump gets your ReadyBed up and running in under a minute! And once you’re back home again, the removable cover can simply be taken off and popped in the washing machine.
There’s a ReadyBed to suit every age, from little ones to grown ups. Designed to be easy to use, comfy and durable, the whole family can simply grab their ReadyBed ‘n go, enjoying fun nights away from home with this handy on-the-move sleep solution. For more information on the range or to order a ReadyBed, visit www.readybed.com
AND FOR THOSE RAINY DAYS
FunToSee’s Room Make-Over Kits – a cost effective way to transform your child’s room!
If your kids don’t accept the credit crunch as a valid excuse, and they still expect to be a part of the latest crazes, then FunToSee has some stylish yet cost effective decorating solutions; Room Make-Over kits. The Room sticker kits are ideal for decorating a whole room, they cost £39.99 and some kits contain up to 96 stickers, so there’s plenty to use in other parts of the house! The FunToSee Stickers are not only value for money but they come in beautiful designs that take no time at all to put up, and are splash-proof and washable. The stickers can also be removed or repositioned without leaving a trace. Their colourful and exciting jumbo stickers come in all shapes and sizes and can be applied to walls with no glue, no mess and no fuss.
The kits come in five ‘Original’ themes: Undersea Adventure, Funky Flowers, Outer Space, Jungle Safari and Funberry Farm. In addition there are five Disney ‘Character’ themes: Cars, Princess, Fairies, Winnie the Pooh and Hannah Montana. So, if you’re forced to move, stay put, downsize or rent, you can rest assured that FunToSee’s stickers are a sound investment for you and your child! For more details visit www.FunToSee.com or call 08702 621 621.
For kids aged 5-7
. . . The hugely popular and award winning Creature Comforts and Shaun the Sheep Complete Collection are guaranteed to amuse the little ones long after all the presents have been unwrapped.
For kids aged 7-11
…How about investing in a boxset of your favourite Sci-fi show this Christmas? Doctor Who The Complete Series 4 will certainly entertain well into the New Year. What's more, the spectacular modern version of the Merlin story is guaranteed to enchant this Christmas or you could journey into the heart of Kenya with Big Cat Week. 
Benn says "I love Dr Who, I will be very sad when David Tennant leaves but at least with the DVDs I can watch him anytime!'
These DVDs are available at stockists througout the UK.
Deglingos!
All of our team loved this, 'Really snuggly for a bedtime cuddle' Kieran (6). Forget tired teddies and red.jpg)
undant rag dolls, this Christmas the coolest toys in town are these Deglingos! French slang for ‘The crazy ones, there are ten different characters including; a Wolf, Dog, Rat and Cow, each made from twelve different bright and tactile fabrics.
The new Deglingos cost £29. from www.funkyfeetfashions.co.uk.
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro r/c car
The only r/c car that can defy gravity and drive up walls. RRP £29.99
"I really like the Air Hogs Zero Gravity remote control car. Its dead fast and I can spin it and skid all over the place. This is so much fun to play with." Benn (7)
This 1/43 scale Radio Controlled car has modern sports styling, full function IR control and superior manoeuvrability. And to fuel your competitive streak there are two styles of car with different frequencies for head-to-head racing action. The cars can run for a spiffing 10 minutes run time per 30 mins charge and even have working headlights for night time cruising.
Available from all good toy and gadget shops
Miidio Piggy Vibro-Speakers
Boy did we hear about it when I team tested this!
These ultra-compact speakers take the signal from almost any music device and transform the surface on which they stand into an effective and powerful speaker. You can simply plug in and play music from any device featuring a standard
3.5mm audio (headphone) socket such as an iPod, MP3 player, laptop, PC, most multimedia mobile phones and many other hand-held devices. Miidio Speakers are highly portable and truly bring the idea of music anywhere alive – they work on glass, wood or plastic and even on the floorboards! Miidio Vibro-Speakers are available in 3 designs but kids would most appreciate the Miidio Piggy which is available in white with a choice of pink, green or blue detailing.
Available from www.twistedcarbon.com priced at £49.99.
Imagine - Nintendo DS - £29.99
Aimed at girls aged 6-12, Imagine is a range of video games that encourages young girls to use their imagination, creativity and have fun creating their own virtual world through a number of different games such as Imagine Fashion Model, Imagine Interior Designer and Imagine Baby Club.
Our older girls loved this game, we just couldn't get them to put it down! To learn more please visit www.yourimaginegame.com
TOMY Guitar RockStar
Now everyone has the chance to live out their dreams as a rock legend this Christmas with Guitar RockStar from TOMY, the must-have gadget that takes air guitar to a new level of fun for everyone from 8-80. 
Our team just had problems getting their Dads to give it back.
All a wannabe rock legend has to do is turn on Guitar RockStar, grab the electronic guitar neck, finger the frets and strum the infrared ‘strings’ to play a choice of two modes. Pre-programmed enables the user to strum along to one of eight pre-programmed tacks by running your hand through the infrared ‘strings’, while freestyle allows would-be rockers to compose their own classic rock songs. Sure to get everyone from the kids to Grandma rocking around the Christmas tree, Guitar RockStar is the ultimate stocking filler for 2008.
RRP: £14.99
Available from www.guitarrockstar.co.uk, Toys’R’Us and all good toy shops
Blast From the Past - Traditional Space Hopper £12.00
The first Space Hopper was patented in Italy in 1968, and was called a Pon-pon. These large bouncing balls with handles were introduced to England in 1969, sparking a Space Hopper craze that was to last over a decade. Our team had fun seeing how high they could bounce, how far they could bounce and how many of them could fit on this all at once. Great fun!
Available from www.pasttimes.com
Our Girls Loved
HannahMontana Design ‘n Create Rockin’ Guitar, RRP £24.99 for ages 6+
Girls will love the flip-open centre compartment crammed full of sparkling gem tattoos, mini photo frames, stickers and more perfect for making beaded key chains, cool body art, a shimmering sash and funky jewellery! MP3 compatible so girls can rock to the beat and the fun flashing lights while the Hannah Montana theme song plays!
High School Musical Design ‘n Create Stylin’ Keyboard, RRP £24.99 for ages 6+
From designing and decorating your own CD book, CD case and wipe off board with the prettiest gems, foam stickers, glam glitter glue and photos of the High School Musical cast, to making trendy friendship bracelets with the colourful charms and letter beads, the Stylin’ Keyboard has it all! Also features flashing lights and plays a High School Musical tune and is MP3 compatible!
Our Boys Loved
MagNext, available in various set sizes from £9.99 - £49.99, for ages 6+
An awesome and highly innovative new magnet construction system, MagNext gives kids the tools to build bigger, stronger, faster and ultimately better than ever before! With specially designed, intricate new pieces, kids can create more detailed and exciting builds, resulting in the ultimate fun and best building experience. (MagNext has just been named the SMart Toy of the Year 2008 by the Science Museum, as well as winning the SMart Build category of the Awards programme).
iCoaster, RRP £79.99 for ages 6+
An impressive and high tech multi-sensory joyride, the iCoaster will thrill boys and techno fans alike with its extreme magnetic force, state-of-the-art design and ultra cool physics! Assembling the towers, tracks, sensors, stunts and Magnetic Elevator is easy, fast and exciting. Sensors can be placed along the tracks, and when the “Sound FX Music Studio” is turned on, boys can create their own mix of tunes and effects! You can also plug in your MP3 into the “Sound FX Music Studio” for your own music selections. (iCoaster has just won the SMart Play category of the Science Museum’s SMart Toy Awards 2008).
Struxx, available in three set sizes from £19.99 - £49.99, for ages 8+
A dynamic new, hyper-flexible and super-scale construction system, Struxx features futuristic skeletal pieces for innovative large scale building and awesome high-tech features such as sound and light, motion detection, elastic pieces and wheels. Kids can achieve new heights in their construction experience and put their Struxx builds into motion!
Kidizoom VTech Digital Camera
Kidizoom from VTech is an award winning* multimedia digital camera for children aged 3 upwards. Perfect for any little adventurer, Kidizoom is sleek in style but ultra tough to deal with rough and tumble. 
Children will find it easy to capture images and snap away with a dual viewfinder, 1.8” colour LCD screen and big chunky buttons. Budding photographers or moviemakers can link their Kidizoom to a television or computer to play back photos or movies sure to impress friends and family.
Fun features include hilarious graphics to add to pictures, interchangeable face plates for camera personalisation, a creative workshop to edit photos and a range of in built games to play on the go or via the TV or PC. Compelling games on the camera develop key skills such as problem solving and co-ordination whilst photo editing software develops creativity.
Kidizoom is also available in Pink exclusively at Toys ‘r Us
RRP: £49.99
Zoggs Dive Sticks
Dive to find Zoggy and his friends to encourage and instill confidence in the water. These Zoggs Seal Sticks are a fun sinking swim game. These PVC seal sticks have a stainless steel weight inside to make them sink. Simply dive down retrieve the seal sticks - the one with the most wins. Beth and Benn love swimming and adored this great confidence building game. Beth (11)says 'my swimming instructer throws weights in the water for us to get in our swimming lesson, now I can do with it with Mum when ever I want'.
Dive sticks retail at £8.99 and are available from www.zoggs.com or Tesco
Combat of Giants Dinosaurs
Ideal for dinosaur-mad boys, Benn aged 7 would not put this game down 'It's so much fun I will never get bored of this game' says Benn. The aim of the videogame is to battle through the prehistoric age, roaming through Jurassic jungles fighting your way to become king of the dinosaurs!
Combat of Giants Dinosaurs is available to buy for the suggested price of £29.99
High School Musical Electronic Microphone Alarm Clock
Mornings will never be the same again thanks to the fantastic new High School Musical Electronic Microphone Alarm Clock. Already a huge hit in the
£19.99 For more information visit the company’s website www.worldsapart.com or call the customer service number on 0800 389 8591
The Maxi Micro Scooter – available pre-Christmas exclusively in the UK via: www.micro-scooters.co.uk.
This is the ultimate scooter for kids aged 6-11 years – many of whom will have been dedicated fans of its smaller ‘sibling’ The Mini Micro Scooter. This most definitely is the coolest thing on wheels on the ‘scoot to school’, with its funky ‘joy stick’ handle-bar and unique wheel and board-base construction it will no doubt be the next hottest trend on the pavement! Kieran (6) says 'this is different from other scooters, all my friends want one'. The Maxi Micro Scooter will retail at £79.99.
Pirate Ship Sand Pit reviewed by Mel from Hampshire with Alisha is 8, Eloise is 4 and Leila 2.
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When I received the pirate ship my 3 girls couldn’t wait for Daddy to build it and nagged him until he did!. It took about one and a half hours to build and the instructions were quite easy to read. We decided that we wouldn’t put the liner in the bottom for the sand but to let the girls play with it as a boat. That way we could move it around the garden as and when we wished to stop the grass from dying. Everyone that comes in our garden comments on how lovely the boat is and many stories have been made up when the children have been playing in it. It has a handy storage area in the front which is ideal for storing balls or other small garden toys. If you were using it as a sandpit it has a cover which is easy to put on.
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