October 2012 | UK Kids Toys

Archive for October 2012

Move over dad! Kids are the masters of DIY.

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

DIY, otherwise known as do it yourself, is commonly associated with being a ‘man’s thing’. If you need a fence building, who is going to do it? Dad! If you need a room repainted, who is going to do it? Dad! If you need shelves putting up, who is going to do it? Dad! And so on and so forth...You get the picture! However, is it really our fathers that are the masters of DIY? Or could someone else really be the King of doing it yourself.

In my opinion it could be argued that children are the real talent when it comes to a bit of DIY. So many toys nowadays are based around this sort of notion and kids are encouraged to utilise their creative flair. And it is not only the male sex that is being credited with such sort of skills. Take a girls doll house for example. Little girls are presented with the welcomed challenge of decorating their dolls house, picking interior designs, deciding on different furniture pieces and selecting the right colour scheme. And not to mention, they actually have to put the whole thing together to.

Nevertheless, it is not only traditional childrens toys which are embracing the concept of DIY. As I am sure most of you know, we live in a day and age where almost everything is electronically based and a whole host of platforms and mediums have moved onto the internet. For instance, you can now find the concept of the doll house online through games based around decorating your own house and your own rooms. These sorts of games possess a whole host of other advantages, such as, getting your child familiar with using a computer.

As mentioned, there is a vast selection of toys which contain the DIY based theme. A lot of these coincide with the aspect of role playing. For instance, you have garage workshops which revolve around the imitation of being a mechanic and the do it yourself aspect of fixing vehicles. In addition to this there are other toys which are DIY based but revolve around a building or crafts style of play.

It is not hard to see that children have a big hand to play when it comes to mastering the art of doing it yourself. These sorts of toys possess a whole host of advantages which children can benefit from. The most obvious benefit is of course that the child in question will develop their creative skills. However, there is a lot more to be gained then merely creativity. For instance, children will become more independent and self-confident as they start to do things themselves and even more do so successfully.

So there you have it; I hereby crown children as the kings and queens of DIY!

Thomas the Tank Engine Toys

Monday, 29 October 2012

Thomas the Tank Engine is widely considered one of the most popular TV shows and cartoon characters amongst young boys all over England. If your child loves Thomas the Tank Engine then he is bound to love the following toys, so get ready to add them to this year’s Christmas list!

Musical Bubble Thomas, £24.99

This Thomas the Tank Engine toy can do everything; make different noises, blow bubbles, play music and of course rides along too! The fun that can be had with this little Thomas toy is simply endless. Nevertheless, it is only suitable for children that are 18 months old and above.

Syot Licensed Thomas the Tank Engine, £306.00

This toy is truly the closest any child will get to being on a real life Thomas the Tank Engine. You will be far-fetched to find another Thomas that looks so sleek and has such a classy design. The seats are padded in order to provide extra comfort. This is a toy which younger and older people both tend to enjoy. However, in general the pedals adjust to suit those aged between three and six years of age.

Take N Play Thomas at the Farm Portable Play Set, £11.99

This toy is great because it not only brings Thomas with it but the whole adventure is ready made and just waiting for your little child to go on it. The Take N Play Thomas at the Farm Portable Play Set comes with a track, a farm yard and of course Thomas himself. This play set can be joined on to similar sets in its range and it has a carry handle so that the fun can be taken anywhere. This play set in particular is 15 inches long x 10 inches wide.

Thomas & Friends 10” Bike, £32.99

Every little boy should have a bike. They are one of those toys that everybody has and they will simply never fall out of favour amongst small children. So what better bike to have than a Thomas the Tank Engine one? The stabilisers on this bike are fixed because the bike has been designed for first time riders, nevertheless you can get bigger versions of the Thomas & Friends bike which will suit older and more competent kids. In general this bike has been designed for children aged two years old and above. The handlebar adjusts in height between 50 – 57 cm and the seat adjusts from 39 to 42 cm.

Thomas & Friends Megasketcher, £21.99

This toy offers a different alternative to all the other Thomas and the Tank Engine Toys available. Rather than being a mobile train like most of the others, this toy is a drawing based toy. Now your little boy can recreate Thomas and all of his friends with this well-loved Megasketcher.

So, which of these top five Thomas toys will you be buying your little one?

Every girl’s favourite toy: Barbie

For as long as I can remember Barbie has been the most popular toy amongst young girls all over the world. If you are struggling to find a present for a little girl then you are assured to be on to a winner with a Barbie doll. Nowadays there are so many different types of Barbie’s to choose from in stores all over the UK and off of the internet. This article will give you an insight into just the range of dolls available by delving a little deeper into some of the most popular options.

Barbie Play with Fashion Pink, £39.99

This Barbie is extra special because it is from the collectable range. This Barbie comes in a bright pink extravagant leather gown, totally fit for a red carpet appearance! This doll is all about fashion and looking good. The pink dress embodies everything that a Barbie girl is all about.

Barbie Blossom Fairy, £19.99

This fairy Barbie is simply stunning. The Barbie is wearing a fitted pink top with a blue and purple tutu. She is also wearing high glamorous purple heels. But these clothing items are not what makes the Barbie such a standout one, it’s her big purple and blue fairy wings that really make fairy Barbie so special.

Barbie Suds and Hugs Pups, £19.99

If your little girl is an animal lover then this is just the Barbie toy for her. The Barbie Suds and Hugs Pups set comes complete with a stunning Barbie doll, two puppies, a puppy bath and all the necessary equipment to wash it with as well. Put the scrubber in Barbie’s hands and let her clean her little puppies after a hard day of playing in the garden.

Ken Fashionista Doll Asst, £13.94

Every Barbie needs a Ken, right? And what better Ken to have than an ultra-fashionable one. After all, Barbie can’t have anything but the best on her arm. Ken’s hair is groomed to perfection, he is wearing a trendy stripy t-shirt and cargo shorts.

Barbie Hairtastic Doll Assortment, £19.99

Every girl loves playing around with different hair styles and Barbie is no different. The Barbie Hairtastic Doll Assortment features three dolls, each of which are sold separately, all boasting fashionable and fantastic hairstyles. Each doll has long thick hair which falls to her waistline with either bright pink, electric blue or shocking pink highlights.

Barbie I Can Be Team Barbie Swimmer, £17.99

Does your little princess like to swim? Well so does Barbie! This gorgeous Barbie comes complete with her bright pink swimsuit, her trophy (because we all know Barbie’s going to win the race) and her little dog who likes to come for a little paddle as well.

Barbie Colour Change Mermaid, £10.99

This stunning mermaid Barbie is cheap in price but it is certainly not reflected in the toy. The best thing about this mermaid Barbie is that its hair changes in colour when it is put in cold water.

How the toys industry makes your phone a child’s dream

Saturday, 27 October 2012

Most adults now own a smartphone of some description, as the technology that makes smartphones becomes more common, you will find that your service provider will start to offer smartphones and iPhones as standard, and the prices for these phones is more than manageable. Smartphones are great for busy adults as they allow you to check your email, browse the web and even do your social networking all from your phone, meaning you are always connected and can always get things done on the go.

The toy industry has started to capitalise on this and started to create games and toys which tie in with the iPhone and smartphones, to give kids access to the phones as well, and meaning parents always have an on-the-go gamestation which can be used to keep kids amused on long journeys or on rainy days. Of course, you would never give a small child a smartphone of their own, but being allowed to use yours can give them a glimpse of what it is like to be an adult, and give them a new and exciting way to play.

Where adult games and apps tend to involve quite fiddly gameplay, a lot of the games and apps designed for very young children use the phone itself as the way to play the game. You can find games which turn the entire iPhone or iPad screen as a board or playing area, and kids need only move the phone around to reach their goal. For smaller children this means an end to the frustration that comes with having less evolved hand eye coordination, and an easy way to use these complicated pieces of equipment. The games are easy enough to play that small children won’t get frustrated, but developed enough that they provide something of a challenge for older children and adults, so that they are still fun ways to waste time during quiet moments.

One of the best games for the iPhone is Birthday Party Playtime, which is an offshoot of the very popular Toca Tea Party. Birthday Party Playtime allows kids to arrange and live out their own birthday party anytime and anywhere. With cute graphics which will appeal to the youngest children, kids can do everything from cake to party games all during the game, to keep them having fun and exploring different options. The best thing about it is that it can be played by more than one child at once, so young siblings can join in, or your child can play with their friends.

There could be nothing better on a rainy day than having a toy which can keep kids amused in a variety of ways, and if that item is your phone you’ll know it is always with you ao you need never worry about bored and miserable children again!

Top Kids Christmas Toys 2012

Friday, 26 October 2012

As we leave summer and head into autumn, one of the things that will be at the forefront of parent’s minds will be what to get their children for Christmas. Although it may seem a bit early to be thinking about Christmas, every year there are a few toys which are incredibly in demand and these tend to be the toys that all children want. To save themselves from getting the wrong thing or not being able to get the toy they want, parents need to start thinking about Christmas as early as possible and get a good grasp on what is going to be popular this year.

According to toy shop Hamleys, who start their Christmas sales push as early as summertime, they know exactly what children are going to want this year and have released a list which reveals some of the most popular choices.

Topping the list are the Monster High Dolls, showing a marked change in the kinds of toys that children are fascinated by. Monster High Dolls are ghoulish themed fashion dolls which all purport to come from a high school named Monster High. The dolls each come with a signature pet and a school diary which kids can fill in themselves. With new dolls being added to the range all the time, it is worth researching the dolls available and which are the latest to have been added when shopping for these dolls in time for Christmas, to prevent buying a doll that is already out of fashion come December!

Surprisingly this year, Cabbage Patch Dolls are making a resurgence, coming high up on the list of most wanted toys. Cabbage Patch Dolls have been around for decades and are chubby looking babies that are supposed to have been found in a cabbage patch. there are a huge range of these available, all with different looks and styles, so it is best to find out from your child which kind of doll they would like in advance to prevent choosing something they are not happy with.

For boys and gadget fans, the Web Shooting Spider-Man is very popular and makes for a great addition to their existing action figures. Tying in perfectly with the popularity of The Amazing Spiderman movie this year, this action figure shoots out webs at the touch of a button, as well as making the appropriate web shooting sounds, which will make him the pride of your child’s collection.

Whatever you choose for your child’s Christmas gift, if they are old enough to know what they want you may be safest asking them for a Christmas list which you can choose from the surprising them with something you have researched and know they have an interest in. See what is popular online and in stores and trust your instincts and you can be sure to find something your children will adore.

What Makes LEGO So Popular?

Although there are hundreds of construction toys available on the market, LEGO has always been, and continues to be, the most popular form with adults and children alike. In one way this is not a surprise, as LEGO allows children to build and invent their own worlds with very simple bricks and characters which allow for a huge range of different creations with just one simple box of bricks, wheels and characters. Kids can build houses, or even whole communities, castles, cars and shops, or even just create the tallest tower they can before knocking it all down to start again. In this way, LEGO gives your children a huge range of play ideas in just one toy, meaning they are unlikely to get bored as they eventually will with a toy which only offers one way to play.

On the other hand, LEGO is incredibly simple, and with such a vast range of technologically advanced toys out there it may seem strange to some that it’s popularity never wanes and that it continues to be so popular. But here is where the creators of LEGO have a great idea of the market and what they are doing. With a product that is already successful, and that they know children enjoy, they have the opportunity to evolve and change it constantly so that there is always a new exciting product on the market. This is evident by the huge number of different LEGO ranges found on the market at the moment. There are sets for building realistic looking Star Wars items, Dino LEGO, sets to create your own archaeological site and so on. This means that kids don’t even have to use their imaginations too much at the start, with simple instructions on how to build the image on the box, and after this are still able to change their creations to suit their current game. You can buy figures to allow for role playing games after the sets are built, meaning you create your ‘dolls house’ or situation and then let your characters live it.

And as things get more advanced, many of these sets have exciting extra features which allow for lights, movement and even sound effects so make your children’s creations come to life that bit more, making for exciting play which can be adapted and even put together, joining two sets up to create hugely varied worlds!

LEGO shows no signs of losing popularity, with new ranges being released all the time, and tie ins with movies and TV shows which have proved popular with adults and children alike. LEGO have moved into video games, and there are even two LEGO themed theme parks in the world which thrill children on a daily basis. If you are looking for a toy with unlimited potential for your children, no matter how old they are, a box of LEGO building blocks and a few characters could be a winning move!

Top Toys For The Whole Family

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Playing together as a family is a really great way for parents and kids to bond and become a happier unit. When going about your everyday life with your children it is unlikely that you will have too much time for silliness and fun, as the day to day grind tends to mean most of your interactions boil down to telling your kids what to do and when to do it, and giving them simple instructions which they must then carry out. Although there can be a lot of love and fun in a family, day to day they may not get to act it out, so a few family games can be a great way to rediscover your bond and enjoy a silly, giggly afternoon that makes you all feel closer and happier by the end of the day.

Don’t just save these activities for birthdays and Christmas, try to get together and play some games at least once a week. Perhaps you could makes games night a Wednesday evening, turn off the tv and spend your evening having fun as a family. You’ll find it is a great way to drag you all away from the television and it may even soon become your favourite night of the week!

Some of the best games to play as a family are active games, as it gets you moving and laughing at the same time. However, in the UK it isn’t always possible to head out and play games, which is why the Nintendo Wii is such a great system. You can buy games for all ages and suitable for all levels of fitness, but to begin why not pick up something simple such as Wii Bowling and make your games night Bowling Night without ever leaving the house! The game is simple and just requires moving the controller around to control what happens on screen, so should be simple for the kids to pick up, and it gets you all on your feet and having fun.

Another great, classic and active game is Twister. Although somewhat of a cliche these days, it is fun every time it is played and will get you all laughing and having fun from the start. Again, you don’t need to be particularly fit to enjoy the game and as long as everyone can bend comfortably you’ll find the game riotous fun which is bound to tire the kids out!

For a more interesting, educational activity for the whole family, look into the Galt Magic Science Kit, which allows you to work as a family to create fun experiments and watch them unfold. This game teaches everyone something but is also just really fun to do, and can happily while away an afternoon as you work your way through the 10 different experiments, creating magical potions which will thrill adults and children alike.

How To Get Your Kids Active With Toys

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

It is a well documented fact that kids are less active today than they have ever been. This is a concern for many parents, as obesity levels rise and kids become less healthier, leading to illnesses and physical problems that can affect them as they get older. There are plenty of ways to get your kids active though, and the toys industry is doing what it can to make getting active something that kids aren’t just prepared to do, but actually want to get involved in.

The best active toys for kids are bikes, scooters and rollerblades. These toys give kids the chance to be really independent and head out on their own or with friends and their own form of transport. Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for all children and as they get older gives them their first taste of what it is to be truly independent, taking their bike off wherever they like to go. There are plenty of great first bikes for kids out there, and ones with training wheels tend to be very popular with both adults and children for a first bike. Parents feel more comfortable knowing their child can learn to steer and pedal the bike without the fear of falling off, and it gives kids a chance to enjoy their bike from the moment they get it, rather than worrying about the difficulty of keeping balance as well as steering. Look out for themed bikes and scooters which kids can take real pride in and will soon want to head out as much as possible to practice their new skill!

Toys that the family can play with together can also help get both parents and children interested in sport in a new way. Popular with families in particular are swingball sets which allow everyone to get involved in playing and teach hand eye coordination as well as getting everyone active as they move around to get the ball. Any game that can be played outside and teach a certain kind of sport is helpful though, and you can also buy tennis, cricket and rounders sets which are suitable for all the family as they feature lighter bats and softer balls so there is no chance of a younger child injuring themselves when they first start to play. Kids love getting active and playing games with their parents as well, as it can be a great bonding activity, so if you really want your children to enjoy exercise you may as well take it up with them and get the whole family fighting fit and having fun at the same time.

Whichever method you choose, keep an eye out online and in toy stores for the best active toys and make sure the whole family is willing to give it a go so that you always have a fun activity planned on a sunny day which will be entertaining and get your heart pumping at the same time.

How Kids Costumes Help Your Child To Develop

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Once a child reaches a certain age (usually between about 2 and 4), they will tend to go through a phase of dressing up in different costumes and experimenting with their clothing. This is a completely natural and fun part of being a child and helps with their development as well as being a really fun addition to role playing games and experiences. Sometimes you will find that a child falls in love with a certain costume and wants to wear it everywhere they go, and this should be encouraged as it is teaching them plenty about the world around them.

For little girls, dressing up as princesses, fairies and even their mums gives them a chance to explore what it is to be female. For children under the age of 4, it is generally understood that gender is changeable and although they recognise the difference between men and women they do not necessarily realise that this state is fixed. Once a little girl realises that she is a girl, her costume choices will reflect her pride in being female and wearing typically ‘girly’ costumes helps her to experiment with what it means to be a woman. Similarly, little boys may experiment with girly costumes for the same reason, to help them understand what it means for them to be a man. Boys tend to prefer dressing up as superheroes, or in costumes which reflect certain professions, and this is a great way for them to work out what they want to be as they grow up, and the kind of man they are going to turn into.

You should always encourage your children’s dress up games and toys, and having a dress up box that they can dip into whenever they are playing a new game, or want to put on a play can be an integral and exciting addition to their bedroom. You should be looking for plenty of variety, so your kids can be film characters one day, in certain professions another and just dressing up as mum and dad another time. The most popular costumes around at the moment include Harry Potter outfits, pirate costumes, superheroes and, as always, princess outfits. You can find these widely available online and should look for something that your child has room to grow into, as you never know how long they may want to dress up for!

If you are running short on cash, choose one really good costume with plenty of accessories, and then fill the rest of the box with old clothes of yours, or from friends. If you are handy with a needle and thread, you can add onto old clothes to make them themed, or let your kids get involved with fabric paint and stick on gems. The point is to give them as much choice and say in the costumes as possible, and you should soon find that they have an active dressing up life!

Best Toys For Newborns

Monday, 22 October 2012

When you bring your new baby home from the hospital, you will want everything in the nursery to be perfect and welcoming to your new child. However, from a very young age babies will not necessarily recognise the world around them and will only really respond to things they can touch and feel, which is why their first toys are so important. Toys help children develop and this developmental process begins from a baby’s first days. You will find that your baby reacts better to some toys than others, so should have a good range of different toys to experiment with. Thankfully there are plenty of great toys out there to give you some choices.

When a baby is very young they will not be able to focus on much, and will only learn to recognise things that are right in front of them. Bright and colourful toys with high contrast patterns will be best for your baby to see as they will be able to recognise them easily. babies also start to recognise faces from the day they are born so try to pick out something with a smiling face that they can start to recognise as a face as they play. Something like the Fisher Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse would be perfect as it is in bright blues, greens and yellows and has a cute smiling face which will comfort your baby. It is also made in soft plush and it’s tummy gently glows as it is held to create a comforting nightlight and help your baby fall to sleep on it’s own. The seahorse also plays comforting music which will stimulate all of your baby’s senses and may easily make it your child’s favourite first toy.

Mobiles are great for babies as they spend the first few months of their life horizontal and can be constantly entertained by having something always in their reach which they can see and play with. You will find that your baby will reach out and grab everything that comes close, so a mobile with soft toys attached which will allow your child to safely explore with his or her hands would be ideal. The Beanstalk Baby Playmat and Gym is a great product for newborns as it is a comfortable playmat that can be laid on any surface or the ground, keeping baby warm and comfortable, and has bright coloured animal characters attached to the top bar which your child can play with to their hearts content. Again, the playmat comes in high contrast colours which are easier for your baby to see as they pick out the individual shapes and colours, helping their eyesight to develop as well as letting them explore the world around them safely.

Finally, keep an eye out for toys which make noises when pressed in different ways, as these can help your baby to learn more about their own bodies, working out what happens when they press or cuddle their toy and how they are making these things happen.

Let your child unleash the budding artist inside them with the Guidecraft Art Activity Desk

Sunday, 21 October 2012

The best toys out there on the market today are those which allow your child’s creativity and imagination to run wild. This is because their possibilities and potential for usage are seemingly endless as your child will constantly be thinking up new ways of which they can use their toy. This is obviously great because it means that the toy you have bought them will last a long time, which is something very uncommon amongst most toys today as kids tend to lose interest very easily.

One of the best toys steeped with creativity and imagination is the Guidecraft Art Activity Desk. This is the ultimate toy for any young child who likes to draw and create up a masterpiece. If you are unsure regarding what to buy your little loved one then this art desk is assured to be a hit as it is something which almost everyone will enjoy. After all, most children relish the opportunity to participate in a bit of drawing.

Because of the desks sophistication and sleek appeal it is suitable for children aged three years old and above. The desk has a clean and fresh looking wooden surface however its sides are a bright yellow, blue, green and red colour. This contrast is perfect as it strikes the right balance between being eye catching and playful whilst also ensuring that it is not too childish nor is it tacky. This is good because a lot of children like to feel like they are being taken seriously and that their toys are mature and adult-like. This art desk certainly gives off that vibe.

The appearance of the Guidecraft Art Activity Desk is not the only thing it has going for it in its favour. In addition to this it also has a lot of storage space, in fact there are four shelves placed alongside the drawing area. This means that your little one can have all the supplies they need on hand. The surface itself is also accommodating and versatile. It consists of an erasable write on wipe off white board which has a magnetic surface and it also has a roll of paper attached to the top in the case that your child wants to create something permanent.

This art desk will add heaps of character to any room that it is placed in. It will also provide heaps and heaps of fun for your little loved one. It is really straightforward to assemble meaning that fun has never been easier.

So what are you waiting for? Buy your little loved one a Guidecraft Art Activity Desk today and let their creative flair shine for the entire world to see.

Best Playmobil Sets

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Playmobil is an exciting toy brand for children that allows for hours of really exciting and unusual play. Playmobil sets tend to come with a standard built set, such as a home or attraction, but also come with both adult and child figures. The best thing about Playmobil for children is the endless detail and thousands of accessories that come with the sets and are available to buy seperately. With a huge range that goes from standard home making sets to more adventurous sets, kids are able to branch out their play hugely and keep building on their play until they have built their own exciting world with all the figures and accessories to make for as many creative games as they can think of.

Playmobil have an almost endless series of sets, but there are some which are a little more exciting than others, and would make great gifts to start a child’s collection!

The Playmobil Romans Egyptians Set Pyramid is an ambitious and exciting set which features a large, realistic looking pyramid which is full of interactive features to get your child excited and make sure they never run out of things to do or scenarios to play out. Half the fun of Playmobil is the building and this set is one of the advanced models, but rewards the child at the end with features like falling walls and secret compartments, to make all their adventurer fantasies come to life!

For animal fans, the Playmobil Animal Clinic would make for tons of exciting games, with a detailed animal clinic which even features an outdoor area to exercise the animals and add to your Playmobil street! Inside the set even comes with animals for your characters to care for, and little bandages which can be used to treat the animals that come into the clinic.

Most kids love pirates and pirate ships, and if you really want to splash out you could always buy two sets which go together perfectly. The Playmobil Giant Pirate’s Ship and the Take Along Pirate’s Island will make for hours of swashbuckling adventures. The pirate’s ship is one of the more complex sets and takes a while to build, but once finished has so much detail your child will love exploring it. From a pirate’s cabin to plenty of exciting hidey holes, the journey to the island will almost be as fun as the island itself, which features a cannon that fires cannon balls, and even a spooky glow in the dark skeleton! The Take Along Island has it’s own creepy pirate figures and an escape boat which come along with it, so children can happily play together as their own team of pirates and enjoy a really exciting game which has so many possibilities that they may never run out of new ideas to play!

The latest toy for little kids: The Step2 Write Desk!

Watching your little child play with their toys can provide some of the most memorable, precious and touching moments for a parent to witness. Seeing the smile on their face and observing their little cute giggles is well worth the money spent on the toy in question.

Nevertheless, deciding which toy to buy is the difficult part. There are so many kids toys on the market today, and this means that it is exceedingly difficult when it comes to making that all important decision regarding what to purchase. One toy which is assured to produce a bright response on your little loved one’s face is the Step2 write Desk.

This toy is perfect for any child; whether they envisage themselves as the next Picasso or they simply like to have a bit of creative fun. Drawing desks are great because they provide endless amounts of fun as there are an endless number of things your child can draw. What’s more is that the toy will enhance your child’s creativity and this is one of the key skills any young person should be embracing.

The Step2 write Desk is great in particular for a whole host of reasons. First and foremost, the desk comes in a bright blue and bold red colour. The colours chosen are great because they appeal to both boys and girls meaning that the toy is versatile. Furthermore, they are eye catching colours meaning that your child will be instantly drawn to the toy and therefore you will have no trouble trying to retract a positive reaction.

The colours of the desk are not the only reason for its popularity. In addition to this, there is also a lot of storage space meaning that your little artist can store all of their pots, pens, paper, glitter tubes and anything else that they may require in order to complete their masterpiece.

A further point worth noting is that the desk is extremely strong and durable. This is great because it means it will last a long time. Quite often in these days toys tend to break easily and this can be frustrating, especially when you have to buy a replacement. However, you need not worry about this with the Step2 write Desk as it is built to last. In fact, it is surprising that despite its longevity it is actually really easy to build and assemble. You need not worry about confusing instructions and an upset child when he or she realises she will have to wait a long time before they get to play with their new favourite toy.

This product is ideal for any child aged over one and a half years old. It is available for a mere £48.99, which is exceedingly cheap when you compare this price to other rival toys on shops today.

So there you have it; let your child’s creative flair run riot!

Hello Kitty

One of the most popular brands with both children and adults for toys and accessories is Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty is a Japanese brand that first emerged in 1976 and has gained popularity to become something of a cult icon throughout the world. Originally aimed at young girls, the brand has now spread to become popular with adults as well, and you can find not only toys and games but also a wide variety of other products featuring the Hello Kitty Design.

Hello Kitty’s success is largely down to the character herself, one which has been given extensive background detail, which has been followed up on with TV series that appeal to a wide range of ages thanks to its cute imagery and lighthearted storylines. Hello Kitty is designed to be a happy, fun character which gives people a boost, and the imagery has been adopted as a kind of cheerful addition to many homes and offices. The image has also been adopted by various unexpected social subcultures, with bags and keychains in particular being very popular with the goth and alternative tenn cultures, adding a cute and lighthearted element to quite a dark look. This unexpected turn has made Hello Kitty more of a mascot for young men and women around the world, which may account for her huge popularity.

The company that make Hello Kitty, Sanrio, have an annual turnover of around $1billion each year, making it one of the more profitable brands across the globe. The company tries to branch out and expand the Hello Kitty line all the time so there are always new products cropping up which can capture people’s imaginations. As the world moves further towards the digital and futuristic, Hello Kitty laptops and video games have started to emerge, making the brand even more popular with adults and bringing her trademark cute, smiling image into offices and adults lives. Sanrio has tried to make Hello Kitty a collectable brand. Collectables are a great way of a company making more revenue from their products as people love to have something that other people do not have, and the value of such items increases as their availability goes down.

To make the rarity of products drive up their selling power, Sanrio takes 600 Hello Kitty products off the market each month and replaces them with another 600. At the same time, the products are still in the low-moderate price range to make them affordable for younger children and ensure they will always be able to afford the things they want. If the prices go up too high when they are first released, younger collectors cannot afford them and move onto something else. However, as the products are taken off of the market the price raises dramatically, meaning collectors know that they will get a return on anything they have bought, and this makes them even more popular.

EDU Science

Friday, 19 October 2012

There are some subjects that it is easy to get kids interested in, such as music, drama and art. But when it comes to ‘stuffy’ subjects such as science, many children feel that it is best left in the classroom. EDU Science feels differently, and tries to open up some of the magic of science with their science kits and toys, to make it more interesting to children, and teach them a little something without them even knowing they are being taught!

Magic is a big deal with children at the moment. With the success of Harry Potter, every kid wants to learn how to do spells and make their own potions, and EDU Science capitalises on this by trying to bring some of the more ‘magical’ looking experiments to life so that children can see just how interesting science can really be if it is taught correctly. Doing experiments is better than reading about them, but with EDU Science kits, you will need to learn the basics behind what you are doing to be in with a chance of making the experiment work, and this is how kids are taught, but with the pay off of enjoying a really interesting experiment at the end of it all.

The EDU Science Do and Discover Kit - Test Tube Magic is one such experiment which shows just how interesting and exciting science experiments can get. The kit features over 25 activities, as well as 5 featured experiments, which include Magic Ink and the really magical Little Lava Lamp. The kit comes with everything a child could need to get their experiments going, as well as full instructions to teach as they play and learn.

A slightly different set, which may be more suited to kids with an eye for solving crimes and mysteries, the EDU Science CSI Fingerprint Analysis Kit allows kids to find and analyse fingerprints just like the investigators on CSI. The kit features 8 experiments as well as detailed instructions which will allow any child to learn how to fingerprint and how to work out whose fingerprints are whose in the family and amongst their friends. Because the kit has a crime and mystery element to it, learning how to analyse fingerprints becomes more than just looking for patterns, but about solving mysteries, making the whole experience more exciting for kids of all ages.

Finally, for those with an interest in the solar system, the EDU Science Glow in the Dark Milky Way System is a complete map of the galaxy in glow in the dark stars and swirls, allowing children to discover what lies above the earth everytime they get into bed. On top of this it looks great and can make for exciting bedtimes with learning attached in such a way that kids will enjoy finding out more about the solar system and want to learn more.

KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Table and Set

For an amazing set which will work both as a great centerpiece for any child’s bedroom, or for a school or playgroup, the KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Table and Set is an incredibly detailed train set which is built into it’s own table to allow many children to enjoy playing it at once, teaching them how to share and enjoy group play without getting in each others way.

The KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Table and Set is a basic table, fitted together with T-moulded edges to prevent chipping and to keep it together securely. All edges are rounded, meaning even small children can play safely, and the set comes with three baskets which fit neatly underneath and in which your children can keep all of the extra pieces for their set, building a new environment to run their trains through every time they play.

Not only does the set have a track which can be adjusted and built on to create many different routes and journeys, it also comes with a train set and other accessories which can be driven around the track to visit all of the interesting places on the route. The accessories on the silk screened, landscaped play board include shops, stations and even a mountain with a waterfall, to make the journey more exciting and make for great play in between journeys. The table also has a lip to keep everything on the play board, even if play gets a little rough as kids get excited and enjoy their game.

This cute set features different levels to be played on, with the train tracks able to run higher up on the board, with detailed imagery on the bottom including roads, parkland and even a lake which kids can build around or play on top of, as the set also includes plenty of other transport accessories to make their games more interesting.

The KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Table and Set will make for great games for groups of children, so if you have more than one child, or want an activity that your child can enjoy with friends or the children of your friends, you won’t be disappointed by the range of options available. Just set your kids up with the basic table and the boxes of accessories and see what they can create!

The set will store neatly in any room and look great as an addition to your child’s bedroom. With the boxes fitting underneath the table, all of the accessories for the table can be kept in one place, making clean up after each game easy and meaning your home won’t be full of the track and accessories!

How The Toy Industry Is Fighting Against Gender Stereotypes

Monday, 8 October 2012

When Lego released its new pink set, featuring pink bricks, flowers and ponies, many parents were outraged by the suggestion that little girls couldn’t enjoy Lego as it was. For many years children of both sexes have been playing with Lego, and the bricks have always come in a number of different colours, and featured characters of both sexes. The point of Lego is that children can build anything they want, and some parents felt that this pink set designed to build houses and ponies - quite clearly aimed at girls - was a step back for equality between the sexes.

However, the toy industry is faced with a difficult decision here. On the one hand they want to promote healthy ideas of gender and allow both boys and girls play with whatever toys they like, but on the other hand toy makers are trying to sell toys and some gender stereotypes still stand. When advertising products, the toy industry still tends to stick to the notion that girls are nurturing whilst boys are aggressive. Advertising an action man set with keywords including ‘cute’ ‘princess’ and ‘flowing hair’ is unlikely to sell many toys, whilst a pink bicycle is unlikely to be called the ‘warrior’. Whether it is well thought of or not, boys and girls do still conform to certain gender stereotypes, which is why products for boys still tend to be aimed at sport, fighting and building, whilst girls toys go for fashion, pink and beauty.

However, there are some positive moves being made in the wider world of the toy industry, as sets typically aimed at girls in the past have started to become more acceptable for both genders. Kitchen and home sets, for example, have started to move away from the typical pink and flowery designs and are becoming more utilitarian, clean and simple. This means both boys and girls can be attracted to the sets and will feel equally as invited to come and play with them. Some playhouses clearly designed for both genders now feature small gardens and other ways to decorate and clean, encouraging boys to get involved in household chores and take pride in tasks which in the past have been considered a girls’ prerogative.

Similarly, playsets featuring male and female characters are now advertised for both sexes, so a girl can quite easily ride around on a Fireman Sam bicycle whilst a boy is actively encouraged to enjoy Peppa Pig toys. The key language of advertising may be changing slowly but it is changing, and it all starts with children. If kids feel comfortable in every role available to them through play and imagination, then they should grow into adults with a much healthier idea of their own roles in life.

Gadgets For Kids

Saturday, 6 October 2012

In recent times gadgets have become integral to our day to day lives. Most adults will at least have a smartphone, a laptop or an ereader to make their day to day lives that much easier and give them something they can be proud of and enjoy every day. This trend has gone unnoticed in the toy industry and many gadgets for children have now been released to give kids the chance to enjoy exciting and unusual toys in the same way as their adult counterparts.

Kids love gadgets as much as adults do, as they add a little magic to everyday play, and make for really interesting games and creative play. One of the most popular types of gadgets for kids is the smartphone-esque LeapPad, which holds over 100 games and applications for kids to enjoy time and time again. With this amount of different activities, parents can be sure that their child will be kept amused for months by their LeapPad and, whilst the technology is advanced, the pad is suitable for even the smallest children, safe to use and difficult to break! It is simple enough that smaller children won’t find it frustrating and it also gives kids the chance to emulate the adults they admire.

Simpler, but just as exciting is the Cubelets set - a robotics kit that requires none of the intricate building and engineering that older kits need, and simply snaps together to create a variety of exciting robots which react to light and other stimuli to give kids something really exciting to create. The Cubelets are designed to have somewhat lifelike behaviour and can be taken apart then put back together in a variety of ways to make new robots in whichever way to child sees fit. These toys show a great level of advanced technology but are also so simple to use that they will not frustrate or irritate children, who will pick up how to use them quickly and easily.

For a gadget set which also helps children to learn and develop naturally, you could pick out the Reinventing Edison set, a kit which enables children to build their own lightbulb and recreate the experiments which led to the first lightbulb. This set brings in history and science at the same time to teach children whilst they play, but it fun enough that it doesn’t feel like school. Kids can enjoy building the sets on their own, or could join up with friends and have competitions, with the inevitable end result of finally getting light from their own bulb, which brings a little magic to the whole process!

Gadgets make great gifts for kids because they stimulate not just their creativity but also their desire to learn and explore what makes things work. In this way you can buy your children the perfect educational toy - a toy which teaches secretly, without kids even realising they are being taught!