Finding the right toy
This year has seen the revival of old-time classics such as Monopoly, Cluedo, Memory Game and Scrabble to take top spot in the games section. Families are enjoying games they can share together and board games like these have always proved successful among all ages.
The run-up to Christmas is a frantic time for toy retailers and toy stores expect to see the promotion of old-time favourites along with toys based on movies, toys from TV shows as well as last years top toys for Christmas to hit the shelves again.
Popular action films are always followed by an array of DVD, gifts and toys to go with the hit movie; they make ideal presents at any time of the year.
Finding the right toy to suit the age of a child is not always easy; kids grow up so quickly that before you know it they’ve outgrown the present they so wanted. Top Toy Guide looks to find toys for all ages from the early learning stage to young adult.
VTech Myla The Magical Make-Up Unicorn Toy with Microphone for Kids | Interactive Toy with Kids Microphone and Unicorn Make Up Brush & Palette | Suitable for Children 5, 6, 7+ Year Olds, Boys & Girls
Amazon
Toy Story Sheriff Woody With Interactive Drop Down Action - 16.5 Inch Talking Action Figure
VERY
SGILE Early Education Piano&Drums Instrument - Gift Toys for 3 Year Old Kids with 4 Musical Modes, Animal Sounds and Light
Amazon
£14.99
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi Rey (Jedi Training) Electronic Lightsaber
The Toy Shop
Carlsbro Compact Electronic Drum Kit Bundle With Free Online Music Lessons
VERY
£379.99
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Star Wars: A New Hope Darth Vader Electronic Lightsaber
The Toy Shop
Electronic Pet Dog Interactive Puppy - Robot Helen Responds to Touch, Walking, Chasing and Fun Activities
Amazon
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Electronic Educational Toddler and Baby Book
The Toy Shop
FurReal Friends E85935S1 furReal Plum, The Curious Panda Cub Interactive Plush Toy, White-Black
Amazon
£79.44
More DetailsToys for Babies age 6 to 18 months old
At this age babies love investigating so looking for baby toys that have various textures, form and shape with bright vivid colours are ideal not forgetting toys for chewing; babies love to put things in their mouth!
A number of good baby and young infant baby toy shops cater to the type of creative toys that aid the development of vital skills in the first few months and years.
Good baby products include baby walkers, bouncers, cot toys and mobiles including wooden toys, ride on toys and playsets from trusted brands like Fisher Price, Little Tikes, Chicco, Leapfrog and Vtech.
VTech Toot-Toot Friends Daring Dragon Interactive Baby Musical Toy, Dragon Toddler Toy with Music & Sound Effects, Includes Role Play Mode, Suitable for Boys & Girls 1, 2, 3, 4+ Year Olds
Amazon
£21.97
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VTech Learn & Dance Dino Baby Interactive Toy, Educational Baby Musical Toy with Shapes Sorting, Sound Toy with Different Music Styles for Babies & Toddlers from 2 Years Old, Pink
Amazon
Children age 2 to 5 years old
Most toy shops cater well for the pre-school age group, however with TV and movie merchandise making up a large amount of the toy stock available a balance still needs to be struck between these kinds of toys and those considered more creative and educational.
Many popular online shops, for example, Early Learning Centre and Amazon.co.uk cater well for 2 to 5-year-old children. These online stores publish valuable product reviews, customer comments and opinions.
Favourite children’s characters Fifi and the Flowertots, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, Roary, Waybuloo and Peppa Pig all have a massive following from the toddler’s corner.
No doubt as soon as the new animated series of Zigby is aired on CBeebies there’ll be many plush toys and games of this adventurous zebra and his friends.
Aimed at 3 to 5-year-olds the fifty-two 11 minute animation series is set in a beautiful jungle island and is full of fun adventures with friends Mcmeer the Meerkat and Bertie the Guinea Fowl.
Zigby is based on Brian Pateson’s book, Zigby the Zebra trots into Trouble. Books are available from Amazon.
Toys & Games for 5 to 8-year-old children
Children at around the age of five to eight years old quickly start to develop a unique personality with interests that can remain with them for the rest of their lives.
This age group love playing with toys that engage their curiosity imagination and are challenging, like board games, remote control toys, puzzles, construction sets, action figures, dolls and role play games.
Buying toys for 5 to 8-year-olds is made easier with the release of blockbuster movies and the toys that soon follow. Boys can enjoy reenacting action scenes and girls too can create their own fantasy world from top films like Barbie and the three Musketeers and High Street Musical 3.
Paint-Sation Paint-Sation Anti-Gravity Technology Kids Mess Free Easel
VERY
Pop Beads - 500+Pcs DIY Jewelry Making Kit for Toddlers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8 Year Old, Kids Pop Snap Beads Set to Make Hairband, Necklaces, Bracelets, Rings and Art & Crafts Creativity Toys for Girls Boys
Amazon
1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle - Harry Potter Hogwarts Edition
I Want One Of Those
Dress up costumes are a great choice that gives good play value and encourages social skills among their friends as they pretend to be their favourite characters like Harry Potter, Bumblebee Transformers, Dr Who, Disney Princess or whoever their superhero is at the time.
Television and films play an important part at this age with shows like Hannah Montanna, SpongeBob, Star Wars, Batman, Spiderman and Indiana Jones. Other interests include music related toys and games, musical instruments, computer and handheld video games.
Toys & Games for older children of 9 to 11 years old
When children reach the ages between 9 and 11 years old they begin to explore new experiences, question and play differently often through sport, technology and science and arts and crafts.
They take very easily to challenging games like those found on gaming consoles like the handheld PSP and Nintendo DSi Lite with its challenging strategic games.
HM Forces Night Vision Goggles from character online may be popular with this age group and the Nintendo DSi Console released in 2009 is expected to be added to the list of best-selling toys for 9 to 11-year-olds.
Teenagers 12 to 16 years old
Buying toys and gifts for young and older teenagers can be a bit more of a headache for parents trying to get something cool for them to open especially when Christmas time comes around.
Young teenagers appreciate fun gifts as well as the more whacky presents. Firebox and I Want One of those are great online stores for finding this kind of present.
While nitro RC cars, robots and football kits will be welcome, cool gadgets such as iPods, mobile phones, mp3 players and the high-end gaming consoles will be top of the wish list too. The latest Playstation from Sony will even be on mum and dads wish list!
LocoTime 144 PCS Magnetic Sticks Construction Set toys and Educational Stacking Toys for Adults and Toddlers (Children over 6 Years Old)
Amazon
K'Nex 25525 Imagine 12 Model Cars Building Set, 186 Pieces, Ages 7+ Engineering Education Toy
Amazon
£14.99
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Moonlove Kids Construction Building Blocks Bars DIY Interlocking Magic Sticks Geometry Shapes 3D Intelligence Educational Stacking Toys With Handcarry Box Children Christmas Birthday Gift
Amazon
£12.50
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LEGO 10863 DUPLO My First Animal Brick Box Storage Set with Zoo Train, Preschool Toys for 1.5-3 Years Old Boys and Girls
Amazon
LEGO 31058 Creator Mighty Dinosaurs Toy, 3 in 1 Model, Triceratops and Pterodactyl Dinosaur Figures, Modular Building System
Amazon
Playlearn LARGE 856 Piece Straws and Connectors Set | Building Construction Blocks and Bits Toy | Provide Hours of Fun and Entertainment with this Giant Kit of Special Straws and Connectors Age 3+
Amazon
Desire Deluxe Magnetic Building Blocks Gift 94PC Kids Magnetics Construction Block Games for Boys and Girls Creativity Educational Children's Toys for Age 3 4 5 6 7 Year Old
Amazon
Imperial War Museums Hawker Hurricane Construction Set
I Want One Of Those
LEGO 60138 City Police High-speed Chase Playset, Helicopter Toy and Sports Car, Crook's Escape Set for Kids
Amazon
£26.11
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LA HAUTE Kids Building Blocks 500Pcs Plastics Snowflakes Construction Toys Plastic Disc Set Educational Toys with Storage Box
Amazon
LEGO Star Wars 75192 Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon
John Lewis & Partners
£649.99
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The PS3 Slim launch date in the UK was September 2009, this new console doubles as a Blu-ray player too bringing the whole HD entertainment experience in gaming and movies.
These types of gift are not always the cheapest to buy so lookout for any bundle offers or special discounts and remember Amazon normally do free delivery for purchases over £5.