Christmas Toy Gift Guide 2014
Another year, another Christmas toy gift guide!
With only a few weeks to go until Christmas I thought I would share with you my top Christmas toys for 2014 to suit all budgets!
Budget £5-£50
Shape Snap. £7.50
My twins are two and a half and they absolutely love this game.
It’s fun, educational and a great way to learn through play. Recommended age is 3-6 years.
With the Shape Snap cards children can learn about shapes. There are lots of games you can use these cards for. As the name suggests Snap is one of those games, but you can also use them to match pairs. This is what our girls love doing!
I lay down one of each shape card on the floor and then hand the remaining cards out one by one. I ask them what the shape is called and then they have to place the card in their hand to the matching card on the floor.
The educational benefits of Shape Snap are that they can help develop, colour recognition, develop personal and social skills when played with friends and family, develops shape and matching skills and also encourages observational skills.
Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Christmas Cookie Set. £13.99
We were recently sent this lovely set from Tracy at The Bear and Miss Rabbit to review. Our twins are almost three and they enjoy playing with this toy so much.
Suitable from age three onward, this colourful play-food set includes a tube of 12 sliceable cookies with 12 decorative toppings, an oven mitt, wooden cookie sheet, knife and spatula, plus pretend baking directions to encourage unlimited imaginative play and learning.
I love that the cookies velcro to the tray so they don’t slide off while baking too!
Doh Vinco Style and Store Vanity. £20.
Available from Hamleys.
For the creative little artist in your life this looks set to be the perfect gift this year!
Doh Vinci – Creativity that pops off the page!
Get ready to be a 3-D designer with the Doh Vinci Deluxe Style & Store Vanity. This easy-to-use Styler comes with 4 Deco Pop tube colours to choose from. The vanity has masses of space to make your own creative design and keep, storage station.
Create all kinds of beautiful details in different colours.
When you want to change colours, it’s a snap to push the tube backward out of the Styler and pop in a new one.
Load up your Deluxe Styler, then just aim and squeeze when you start your masterpiece!
Suitable for ages 6+
Wooden Parragon Pirate Ship. £38.99
Available from The Bear and Miss Rabbit.
The wooden Paragon Pirate Ship from Tidlo by John Crane encourages pretend play and new vocabulary.
The recessed wheels enable the ship to move on most surfaces. This makes it perfect for Pirate fun across the high seas!
The tidlo wooden paragon pirate ship comes complete with a wooden pirate crew, a treasure chest and cannons.
A beautifully constructed wooden pirate ship complete with sail and pirates.
Where will you go on your pirate adventures? Who will find the treasure? Ooo – aarr!
Please note some assembly is required.
This is a 25 piece set
Dimensions: W18xL59xH48cm
Recommended Age: 3+ Years
Magnetic Funny Families. £4.99
Available from Amazon.
My girls love books that aren’t just books and this book is a great example of that! Children will love to mix and match the magnetic features to create comical characters time and time again. There are hundreds of crazy combinations to discover – perfect for hours of creative fun! When play is over, the magnets can be neatly stored in the compartment, ready for next time.
Dressing Up Costumes. £18.99
Available from The Bear and Miss Rabbit.
Dressing Up Costumes. £18.99
Available from The Bear and Miss Rabbit.
Most children enjoy dressing up and pretending to carry out various roles from chefs to doctors and princesses, to firefighters, knights and construction workers these fabulous dressing up outfits will be sure please little characters.
Dressing up and role playing is an important part of growing up. As well as allowing children to use their imaginations in the role they’re playing, it’s also a great way for children to learn about different types of jobs.
Disney Frozen Tumbler, Bowl and Plate Dinner Set. £11.40
Available from Amazon.
A must for all frozen fans to help add a bit of fun to mealtimes! This is on our twins Christmas wishlist!
Two-by-Two Noahs Ark. £29.99
This is a great gift for twins. We were sent one to review from The Twins Gift Company and I have to say that it is fantastic value for money. As well as being a fair-trade product, this toy is robust, very well made and will last for years. Suitable from age three onward, this toy comes with 10 pairs of animals as well as Mr and Mrs Ark.
The roof can be removed, as can the green top part so there is plenty of space for the animals to be stored and it also comes with a ladder so that the animals can easily board the ark two-by-two under the watchful eye of Mr and Mrs Ark!
Trudi Puppets. £12.99-£16.99
Available from The Bear and Miss Rabbit.
Trudi has the philosophy that playing is ‘very serious work’, and by following this, Trudi Toys bring us a range of toys to turn play into growth, fun into positivity and imagination into education,
The range of Trudi Puppets at The Bear and Miss Rabbit are designed in Italy and are hand made giving each puppet a certain uniqueness.
Budget £50-£100
My Friend Cayla. £60.
Available from Hamleys.
I saw a clip of this doll on ITV’s This Morning and the children playing with her looked like they were really enjoying it!
My Friend Cayla is not just a doll, she’s a real friend. Ask her all sorts of questions, from her likes and dislikes to general knowledge and sports results and she’ll tell you the answer!
You can sync her with an android or iOS device via Bluetooth and she’ll use speech-to-text technology to look up answers online and speak them back to you.
There’s a pre-defined list of ‘bad word’s and topics which Cayla will not talk about. Cayla can also play games, tell stories and discuss photos, when she’s not helping with homework! Cayla also has lovely hair to play with and wears a cool outfit!
Suitable for ages 4+.
Tidlo Shop and Play. £72.99
Available from The Bear and Miss Rabbit.
Available from The Bear and Miss Rabbit.
Tidlo by John Crane bring us this delightful 2 in 1 play shop and theatre. The Tidlo Play Shop and Theatre changes from a theatre to a shop by raising the theatre curtain with the rotating, clicking dial and reversing the fabric to reveal the market stall roof.
Theatre – 50 tickets are included to dispense through the ticket machine slot so that everyone can be invited to the show! The theatre also features a chalk board and clock to advertise the next lay and showtime.The shelves can then be used to store any puppets, toys and props that are being used throughout the show.
Shop – The shop has a market stall design with a fabric roof and countertop area.Featuring 3 angled shelves, you can pop all you tidlo wooden food crates onto the market stall to sell. Each shelf even features a chalkboard panel to write offers and prices!
(Please note the food sets are not included but can be purchased separately)
The Tidlo Play Shop and Theatre is L50 x W21 x H106cm. Counter Top Height is 52cm.
Age Recommendation: 3+ Years. Some assembly is required with this product.
Kiddizoom Smart Watch. £40.
Available from Hamleys.
Technology has come a long way since I was a child. In the 90s it was all about Tamagotchis!
With the Kiddizoom Smart Watch you can capture photos, edit with photo effects, record videos and play three built in games wherever you are with this exciting new interactive watch. Complete with a 1.4″ colour touch screen and built-in motion sensor, as well as a customisable watch mode with analogue and digital clock display. This must have gadget boasts a rechargeable battery, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch voice recorder with funny voice changing effects. What’s more, the Smart Watch is PC compatible, to make sure all your photos and videos can be uploaded for editing via the Learning Lodge.
Suitable for ages 5+.
Teksta T-Rex – Roarsome, Pawsome and Awesome! £75.
Available at Hamleys.
If you have a dinosaur loving child in your house they’ll be sure to want one of these this Christmas!
The new Teksta T-Rex joins the Teksta family (announced Toy of the Year in 2013) and gives you the choice of interactive robotic pet like never before.
This T-Rex is no ordinary dinosaur as roles are reversed and it’s time for the kids to take full control. Watch as he walks backwards and forwards moving his head from side to side, whilst sniffing and chewing on his favourite bone, but watch out, once this T-Rex has had enough to eat he’ll spit it out with a giant burp!
Suitable for ages 4+
Budget £100+
Bigjigs Village Shop. £114.99.
Available online from Bigjigs.
I can’t write this gift guide without mentioning this product! I’ve bought it for my twins for Christmas and I just know that they’re going to love it!
This wooden Village Shop is brightly coloured and ready to be stocked with fresh produce and treats! Includes a chalk board to display opening times and special offers, a clock with moveable hands, plus a handy canvas side basket for the store manager’s use.
Bigjigs have some great play food which will really help to enhance your child’s play experience. I love the crates of vegetables and fish, plus the little tea bags are so cute! I’ve also bought the till and scales to go with this too!
The Village Shop helps youngsters to build confidence and enjoy role playing with friends and family. It helps encourages creative and imaginative play too!
Suitable for ages 3+.
Xeno Cheeky Interactive Baby Monster. £80.
Available from Hamleys.
Xeno is a cute interactive monster offering a play experience unlike any other. Xeno offers expansive extendable play patterns by interacting with a dedicated app, his owner and other Xeno friends. He has entertaining animatronics bringing him to life and a unique look and cute imaginative design.Xeno presents a range of movements and emotions, with animated LCD eyes that can offer over 40 different expressions. Through mini gaming and interaction this tactile creature encourages hours of play using the eight touch sensors and audio inputs. Xeno can also communicate with his Xeno friends.
Available in multiple colours Xeno requires 4 x AA batteries (not included).
Suitable for ages 5+
On a final note….
Why not treat the loved one in your life to some novelty Christmas clothes from Tipsy Elves.
They have a great selection of jumpers for both adults and children, as well as jumper dresses, jumpsuits and accessories.
We love this Bucktooth Rudolph Jumper Dress available in sizes extra small through to extra large. It’s the perfect attire for a casual holiday party or for wearing around your home!
On a final note….
Why not treat the loved one in your life to some novelty Christmas clothes from Tipsy Elves.
They have a great selection of jumpers for both adults and children, as well as jumper dresses, jumpsuits and accessories.
We love this Bucktooth Rudolph Jumper Dress available in sizes extra small through to extra large. It’s the perfect attire for a casual holiday party or for wearing around your home!
All prices correct when last checked on 19/11/14. Prices are subject to change at any time.
13 Comments
Georgina Kent
November 21, 2014 at 8:51 am
The Christmas cookie set is so cute 🙂 Love the Xmas jumper/dress too 🙂
Georgina
Mummy Pixie
newcastle familylife
November 21, 2014 at 9:06 am
Some lovely gifts, I love the shop. I have the Doh vinchi set for my oldest for Christmas as it was the only toy she asked for this year xx
Emily Vaughan
November 21, 2014 at 9:48 am
Lovely gifts! I love that Melissa and Doug set, so cute xx
Zena’s Suitcase
November 21, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Love this guide, especially the pirate ship and the Noah's ark. I think there is something here for everyone
Little Miss Alba
November 21, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Oh my goodness – so many amazing gifts to choose from. I would like the Frozen dinner set and Cookie Set please hehe. Lovely selection x Ax
Dave H
November 21, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Some good gifts, particularly like the T-Rex. Might have to get one of those for myself! 🙂
Helen Slater
November 21, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Some excellent ideas that I hadn't even thought about!! Thank you!
amy cooper
November 22, 2014 at 6:47 am
great guide i love the look of that cookie set! x
Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows
November 22, 2014 at 5:12 pm
We love wooden toys, especially Melissa and Doug! We have that pirate ship as well – it's brilliant! #binkylinky
Joanna McCaffrey
November 22, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Looks like you've been a busy elf! I didn't even have time to think who I need to get gifts this years… Thanks for some ideas 🙂
#binkylinky
Ickle Pickle
November 23, 2014 at 10:31 am
Some great gift ideas here, my favourite is the pirate ship 🙂 #binkylinky
Louisa
November 23, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Some great ideas on your list. My daughter has asked for the doh vinci set and I am quite sure that we will get it for her.
twoyearsblog
November 23, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Hello there, this is great and with some brilliant ideas-I am feeling inspired already! I really liked the Tidlo shop and play, we are always playing shops in our house! x #binkylinky