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10/12/2015
Christmas 2015: Top Children's Toys
It's that time of year again, when the tree is pulled out of storage and painstakingly decorated, tins of chocolates and biscuits are cracked open, and kids eagerly await the arrival of Santa, having sent their wish lists away weeks earlier. But with so much choice, just what is on those lists? Here, we take a look at a few of this year's must-have Christmas toys...
The movie has already broken records and it hasn't even hit cinemas yet, so it's no surprise that Star Wars memorabilia makes our top toys list, courtesy of the Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber.
Not only does it sound incredibly cool, but kids are able to build the lightsaber themselves – in whichever way they choose – as the various components can be assembled in more than 100 different combinations. The Jedi Master Lightsaber comes with the main lightsaber itself, featuring the obligatory sound and light effects, while there are also two lightdaggers, two elbow connectors, a dual connector, cross connector and expansion hilt also included. As an added bonus, three AAA batteries are also supplied.
RRP: £50 (Hasbro) Jedi Master Lightsaber
Just like Star Wars, our list wouldn't be complete without a nod to hit animation movie, Frozen. Mostly known for the award-winning song 'Let It Go', this toy allows children to sing along with Elsa.
A very popular choice with little girls this Christmas, you simply place the included microphone near to Elsa's mouth to hear her sing Let It Go, and when you feel like joining in, start singing with the mic. It works by passing the microphone back and forth for the duration of the song – yes, the full-length version folks – while Elsa's necklace and dress light up as someone sings along. The package includes an Elsa doll, a real working microphone, and those all-important batteries.
RRP: £39 (JAKKS Pacific, Inc.) Sing-A-Long Elsa
We've all been there – at a school fun day, or a local village fête – when one poor soul sticks their head into a hole cut into wood or cardboard... and they are quickly splatted with wet sponges. Enter Pie Face.
This game is suitable for all the family. All users have to do is place a wet sponge – or some whipped cream, whichever you prefer – on the 'hand' of the unit, before turning the handle. There's no telling when the mechanism will trigger, so if you don't want to get covered in cream, you'll just have to hope that you're not the one who gets hit. Each player has to collect points with each go (you get one point for every time you turn the handle without getting 'pie-faced'), and the first to score 25 is the winner. Think Buckaroo, only messier. You know you want to give it a go...
RRP: £20 (Hasbro) Pie Face
Christmas is often a time for creativity, and the IDO3D Deluxe 3D Design Studio is perfect! It allows children to draw in 3D to design and create their own masterpieces. Using the UV light included, kids can draw, set and connect using the templates and accessories included, or freestyle. Apparently, you can even draw in the air. The assembled kit allows for up to 40 3D projects to be created, while eight IDO3D pens, a UV light, accessories, and a 3D guidebook are included.
RRP: £40 (Flair Leisure Products Plc) IDO3D Deluxe 3D
An ever-present fixture on gift lists throughout the world... Lego. This year's offering, the City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel, comes with a remote sub and scuba scooter, while a winch system allows kids to lower the sub into the water. A shark cage is also included with the LEGO CITY model, which can join the divers underneath the water's surface.
There's also a swordfish, octopus and even a great white to try and hamper user's attempts as they retrieve gold bars from the sunken ship. An array of accessories are included in the model set, as well as seven mini LEGO figures.
RRP: £80 (LEGO Company Ltd) Deep Sea Exploration Vessel
Lastly, we have one of the top picks for younger kids this Christmas.
The Busy Sounds Discovery Home aims to allow children to use their imagination, as well as teach them about cause and effect relationships through lights, motion, and friendly phrases. The house, which has its own moving lift, also comes with Miss Nora who talks and sings two songs. There are more than 40 songs, phrases and sounds accompanying the house, enabling kids to learn as they play. A doghouse and dog are also included.
RRP: £45 (Vtech Electronics Europe plc) Toot-Toot Friends Busy Sounds Discovery Home
Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber
The movie has already broken records and it hasn't even hit cinemas yet, so it's no surprise that Star Wars memorabilia makes our top toys list, courtesy of the Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber.
Not only does it sound incredibly cool, but kids are able to build the lightsaber themselves – in whichever way they choose – as the various components can be assembled in more than 100 different combinations. The Jedi Master Lightsaber comes with the main lightsaber itself, featuring the obligatory sound and light effects, while there are also two lightdaggers, two elbow connectors, a dual connector, cross connector and expansion hilt also included. As an added bonus, three AAA batteries are also supplied.
RRP: £50 (Hasbro) Jedi Master Lightsaber
Disney Frozen Sing-A-Long Elsa
Just like Star Wars, our list wouldn't be complete without a nod to hit animation movie, Frozen. Mostly known for the award-winning song 'Let It Go', this toy allows children to sing along with Elsa.
A very popular choice with little girls this Christmas, you simply place the included microphone near to Elsa's mouth to hear her sing Let It Go, and when you feel like joining in, start singing with the mic. It works by passing the microphone back and forth for the duration of the song – yes, the full-length version folks – while Elsa's necklace and dress light up as someone sings along. The package includes an Elsa doll, a real working microphone, and those all-important batteries.
RRP: £39 (JAKKS Pacific, Inc.) Sing-A-Long Elsa
Pie Face
We've all been there – at a school fun day, or a local village fête – when one poor soul sticks their head into a hole cut into wood or cardboard... and they are quickly splatted with wet sponges. Enter Pie Face.
This game is suitable for all the family. All users have to do is place a wet sponge – or some whipped cream, whichever you prefer – on the 'hand' of the unit, before turning the handle. There's no telling when the mechanism will trigger, so if you don't want to get covered in cream, you'll just have to hope that you're not the one who gets hit. Each player has to collect points with each go (you get one point for every time you turn the handle without getting 'pie-faced'), and the first to score 25 is the winner. Think Buckaroo, only messier. You know you want to give it a go...
RRP: £20 (Hasbro) Pie Face
IDO3D Deluxe 3D Design Studio
Christmas is often a time for creativity, and the IDO3D Deluxe 3D Design Studio is perfect! It allows children to draw in 3D to design and create their own masterpieces. Using the UV light included, kids can draw, set and connect using the templates and accessories included, or freestyle. Apparently, you can even draw in the air. The assembled kit allows for up to 40 3D projects to be created, while eight IDO3D pens, a UV light, accessories, and a 3D guidebook are included.
RRP: £40 (Flair Leisure Products Plc) IDO3D Deluxe 3D
City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel
An ever-present fixture on gift lists throughout the world... Lego. This year's offering, the City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel, comes with a remote sub and scuba scooter, while a winch system allows kids to lower the sub into the water. A shark cage is also included with the LEGO CITY model, which can join the divers underneath the water's surface.
There's also a swordfish, octopus and even a great white to try and hamper user's attempts as they retrieve gold bars from the sunken ship. An array of accessories are included in the model set, as well as seven mini LEGO figures.
RRP: £80 (LEGO Company Ltd) Deep Sea Exploration Vessel
Toot-Toot Friends Busy Sounds Discovery Home
Lastly, we have one of the top picks for younger kids this Christmas.
The Busy Sounds Discovery Home aims to allow children to use their imagination, as well as teach them about cause and effect relationships through lights, motion, and friendly phrases. The house, which has its own moving lift, also comes with Miss Nora who talks and sings two songs. There are more than 40 songs, phrases and sounds accompanying the house, enabling kids to learn as they play. A doghouse and dog are also included.
RRP: £45 (Vtech Electronics Europe plc) Toot-Toot Friends Busy Sounds Discovery Home
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