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Top Christmas Toys Already Predicted
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Paula

Yes that’s right, the predictions for this year’s top Christmas toys have already been made by toy giant Hamleys and it would seem there are certainly a couple in there that I most certainly agree with. So without further ado, here are the predictions for Christmas 2010.

 

Buzz Lightyear

This was always going to be one that I put forward for this year anyway and this is thanks to the fact Toy Story 3 is one of the biggest summer blockbusters for not only children but the entire family. Pixar have done another amazing job with this franchise and Buzz, along with Woody and all of the other members of the cast are going to sell in their thousands when it comes to Christmas this year. It is because of this that Pixar’s latest movie could be one of the biggest money earners in history (including sales from the toys). I am hoping it beats Avatar on this because i love Pixar and the films that they make.

 

Stinky The Garbage Truck

This toy is very similar to a transformer and according to the company it sings, tells jokes and eats cars. it is going to cost a very expensive 80 pounds when it comes out and is meant to be a boys best friend. is it just me that thinks that this is an awful lot of money for a bit of plastic that can talk.

 

Other Entries

Ben 10 is unsurprisingly top of the list again when it comes to predications along with Zhu Zhu pets which were popular last year and a kid’s video camera making it into the fray too. Other than this I can see traditional toys like train sets along with Scalextric and the odd RC helicopterbeing sold too.

 

It does not seem that many girls toys have been added to the mix yet, I wonder why this is!

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Toy Story 3 Brings Massive Sales To Toys
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Paula

With the release of Toy Story 3 getting closer and closer it seems a lot of time and effort has been spent outside of the movie and actually on the range of toys that are going to be released during the course of the year.

 

Clever Marketing

The really clever thing about Toy Story is the fact that it appeals to absolutely everyone in the world no matter how old you are which the fantastic thing about the franchise is. In my opinion Pixar have really gone to town with this film in that they have stuffed as many toys into it as possible, there are the normal characters, the trains so people will buy things like train sets and of course let’s not forget the entire new casting to the movie. It is certainly true to say that Disney and Pixar are clever companies indeed.

 

More Than Toys

Although the toys are the main focus of the release of this movie it would seem there are also many other things coming too. When it comes to the movie there is so many other things coming out too such as video games, books, posters and so much more. The American charts are already beginning to show that the film is going to be doing very well indeed and I have no doubt in my mind that Europe is going to be the same which is great. The only thing that do not seem to be selling to do with the franchise are RC helicopters however the RC Cars are covered thanks to the loveable character RC.

 

In the end I do not think there is anything wrong with this approach to business at all, it is working very well for them and everyone loves Toy Story right? Do you know anyone that does not like these movies, because I really do not.

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Race With Black Rugged Zero Gravity Car
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Paula

Teens and little boys are so delighted to see cars regardless of the sizes. Playing car toys is what most boys like to do at home with their friends. Even teens have the interest to play these stuffs. There is nothing more exciting than to bring the new talk of the town at these days. Today, car toys can be remote controlled. But new toys that hit the country and even to other countries continue to become popular. These cars are called as zero gravity cars.

Many toy manufacturers produced zero gravity macro cars. One of the best leading producers is Spinmaster. This company has greatly contributed to meet the needs of young boys as well as teens.

A very good toy car Spinmaster has created is the Black Rugged Car. This car is a fully functional RC toy car that has enormous great things to offer. The best feature it gives is its three dimensional movements. This Black Rugged Zero Gravity Car can run across smooth surfaced floors, walls and ceilings. Boys will be surely amazed by how incredible this superlight macro car toy is. Remember that this kind of toy only works on smooth and clean surfaces. Never let your children play this toy on rough or dirty surface. Do not also attempt to soak or clean it with water. Otherwise, the functionality of this toy will get easily damaged.

Air Hogs cars like this Black Rugged Car are the only toy cars that climb on walls and can reach ceilings. Every boy that is living today will surely like to have one like this toy. It is a very cool toy kids can own.

To narrow its goodness, Black Rugged Car is covered with a thin plastic shell with a built-in vacuum to get rid of particles like dirt and dust. There is also an integrated rechargeable LiPo battery but you still need six “AA” batteries for the remote control. Once these batteries are inserted, any child can make a fun ride and enjoy playing with his friends. Other spectacular features of this car are its four different frequencies that make it more enjoyable to play and race with their friends. This car has two power settings which are floor mode with venture fan off and suction mode for vertical and upside-down action. Read and follow the instructions written on the included manual for more information.

Measuring 4.75 x 2.5 x 1.25 inches, this car can make expressive running moves. Children will turn their eyes wide and mouth because of the excitement this toy gives. Invite siblings and friends to play or watch a good show. This toy can work for long several minutes. The battery indicator of this unit is its headlights then once it starts to blink it means it is closing down to get empty. But you can recharge it for only few minutes before you resume another action play.

Black Rugged Car is only one of the great products of Spinmaster that will surely entertain everybody. having that said, start off the show and begin the fu!

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Spikes, Teeth And Tails – All About Dinosaur Toys
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Paula

What do kids think if they see an image with long spikes, sharp teeth and tails? Do you think they can guess what the image is? Absolutely, yes! Boys and girls can easily determine an image of a dinosaur. They get thrilled and excited looking at a picture of a dinosaur on books and screen. They will feel happier when they receive toys that are dinosaurs. Perhaps, you want to look at your kids jumping for joy and smiling so wide. Well, here are three dinosaur toys you can give for them.

Playmobil Triceratops with Baby

A set of toy filled with dinosaurs is this Playmobil Triceratops with Baby. It includes a volcano with secret cave that actually blows up and throws rocks in a push of a button. There are also 2 scientists included which kids can play with as discoverers and researchers. They can role play with this incredible toy as it is packed with skeleton in which you and your kids can assemble. They will surely have fun playing with this dinosaur toy set.

The advantage of this toy is that you can bring it anywhere you go since it comes with a box plus the figures are small that fit in two hands. But you need to supervise small children as they play with this toy. They may get some small items they can choke into their mouth.

LEGO Creator Monster Dinosaur

LEGO toys are very popular to all kids around the world. All of their items require kids to build and form a toy. One of their best LEGO pieces toy is the Creator Monster Dino. This dino toy walks forward and backward, moves his head and arms as well as makes a roaring sound. Kids can have a blast of fun time playing this dinosaur because it moves like a real one. And at night time or in dark places, this toy glows in the dark. Young boys and girls will be thrilled with it a lot.

This toy has 786 LEGO pieces which you may rebuild also into a spider or a crocodile. Whether you make a dinosaur, spider or crocodile you can get a moving animal. Simply insert 3 “AAA” and 6 “AA” batteries then let the fun begins.

Other items included are battery box, 2 motors, a sound brick, a remote control and infrared sensor. A step-by-step instruction and a photo inspiration is also included for a long time fun play.

Fisher-Price Imaginext Ultimate Dino

A brontosaurus styled dinosaur called Spike is here to spend time with your kids. This Fisher-Price toy will cheer up boys and girls because of its wonderful, adorable features. Through the remote control, any kid can easily play with this dino as it walks forward, turns left or right, opens its mouth, blinks its eyes, stands up on hind legs and throws a boulder. Spike is a dinosaur play toy that arrives to real life! There are other few good things. The neck of this dino toy can rotate like the neck of a mega T-Rex. And when it stands up, it spikes down its back to light up. There are also dinosaur sound effects that give a make-believe fun. This toy also includes a 9.6V NiMH rechargeable battery, battery charger, two plastic rocks, and a plastic bone.

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Computer Engineer Barbie: Aspiring or Insulting?
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Paula

Recently an online Barbie poll was completed by the toy giants Mattel and it would seem that the two career options that Barbie has now are computer engineer Barbie and News Anchor Barbie. However is this a good thing or just another stupid idea to get people to buy the doll?

Well the thing is, like many other careers that the doll has gone through I don’t think I have ever seen a engineer that looks and sounds like Barbie does. You do not expect the typical, annoying blonde girl to be able to crack on with the tasks that a computer engineer can manage. This isn’t to say that they cannot do it but on the whole you do not expect it. Surely this is a very insulting thing for the women that currently work in the industry.

Surely every girl that gets this doll is going to think that the women that actually do work in the industry are going to look and talk like this. One of the comments was “This is insulting, Barbie already creates unrealistic expectations of what a girl should be”. One of the very surprising things is the fact that geeky Barbie got a lot of votes, last time I checked geeks did not really care about Barbie? In my own personal opinion I do think that this is a good idea at all, when was the last time you saw a woman in the IT business wearing very poor pink glasses frames.

On the other hand I can see why having a Barbie like this will make children think that being a “Geek” is actually not a bad thing at all. Could there perhaps be a bit less bullying becuase of this.

All in all I think that this doll has just outraged the women working in the industry more than anything, who wants to see Barbie in another pair of cheap glasses anyway? Barbie should stick to her Prada glasses and stop getting in on the industries that do not want her. So Barbie why do you not get back on your lovely horse and ride off into the amazing sunset you have with Ken!

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Toys with Remote for Kids
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Paula

Surpise your children by giving them remote controlled toys. Here are some of the amazing toys your children would truly love.

1. Spinmaster Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro Car

A cool RC vehicle that comes in red, yellow and blue sports car by Air Hogs can drive on floors, ceilings and walls. This zero gravity micro car toy has two power settings: floord mode and suction mode.

Floor mode has venture fan off, while suction mode enables the car to run on vertical and upside-down action.

To have a fun driving with this mini car, insert 1 LiPo battery and 6 “AA” batteries (for the remote). Let young boys and even teens play together and race with zero gravity micro car.

2. Pull-Back Spy Audio Car with Remote Receiver

Pull-Back Spy with audio is another RC car toy kids will surely love. This toy car arrives with ear bud which lets you listen to all conversation in a room. Hide it on a room and have a fun spying time. It transmits any sounds up to 75 feet. Believe it or not; it perceives sounds through walls.

There are 2 9V batteries needed for this toy car so it could work. Children of 6 years and up are recommended to use this.

3. D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur

For a playmate and a friend to your kids, give this D-Rex. It’s a robotic, interactive dinosaur that shows like a real dino based on its behavior and appearance.

This dino pet can respond to any voice and touch. It can walk, chomp, roar, bare its teeth and attack or obey command.

The remote is a bone-shaped controller which will mesmerize every child in the room. Have four “C” batteries for the dino and two “AA” batteries for the remote then your kids are ready to have a fun play for hours.

4. Megatech Police Outdoor Plane & I/O Fire Department Helicopter-Remote Control 2 Pack

This next RC toy comes in 2 great items – a plane and helicopter. These police plane and fire department helicopter would certainly give excitement to kids playing them. Allow them to imagine and play their dreams come true.

The Radio Control Plane highlights durable EPP Foam, throttle, left and right control. The Radio Control for the helicopter has buttons for up to down, left to right and forward movement. The Fire Department helicopter can reach up to 100 feet but the Police Plane can go up even to 500 feet.

The helicopter has a high intensity LED’s for low-light and dark conditions.

These two toys would be great fun toys for boys and even girls. Watch them act like police officers and fire rescuers. It will surely be fun.

Air Hogs, Pull-Back Spy Audio Car, D-Rex and Megatech Police Outdoor Plane & I/O Fire Department Helicopter are great samples of RC toys to purchase for your children. Provide them some ways to be creative, develop their skills and have fun playing for hours. If you give one of these toys, your children will not surely stop playing it.

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The Circus Toys Kids Love
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Paula

I was looking for a toy at Amazon.com when I spotted the Playmobil Circus Ring. I thought my four-year old daughter would love to have this toy set so I ordered it. I can afford the toy so I immediately purchased it.

My daughter is extremely shy and doesn’t talk much. She wouldn’t say a word if I let her play with other children. She would play by herself most of the time. I was hoping that the Playmobil Circus Ring would encourage her to speak with other children since there were many figures that needed more than one person to play.

I handed the Playmobil circus box to my daughter the day it arrived in our hosue. She opened the box and was thrilled to see the different figures. The big rind really looked like if it’s a real circus ring. My daughter and I set it up and displayed the ringmaster, the trapeze artists, the crowd and other figures. After everything was set, we played together. She had lots of fun playing the circus.

I had no idea this circus set would make a child very happy. My daughter got excited when she played with the different figures. She was more excited when the lights around the circus flashed. The circus set appeared to be like a real circus for her. In her closet, she has lots of small animal figures. She took them and included in her circus set as she continued playing. I could see how happy she was playing the circus set. She had smiles throughout the day.

The Playmobil circus toy set encouraged her to talk more often. I noticed that she would act from one person to another. She would pretend as if she’s the ringmaster then later the audience. I was happy to see her making conversation like that even if she’s playing alone. Then, I decided to play with her to help her enhance her speaking ability. She did a great job.

The next day, I invited some of my neighbors with their children to come along the house. The purpose of inviting them was to give my daughter a chance to play with their children. There were three children who came. One of them was three years old and the other two were six years old. I told them to play with my daughter. At first, my daughter was hesitant but after a few minutes she invited them to play with her. All of them began enjoying playing together as my neighbors and I talked on the corner.

What my neighbors knew was that I invited them for just a little talk. I told them that my daughter needed other children so she could overcome her shyness especially that I’ve decided to enroll her in a kindergarten school for next year. I thought of this idea as a starting point for my daughter to face the world outside out home.

I could see my daughter uttering more words as she played with her new friends. Happiness and relief were the things I felt that day.

She was sad to see the children go home when they’re about to leave. She asked them if they would come back the next morning. The children nodded with the assurance from their parents. I was glad to see my daughter playing with other children. I didn’t’ have worries since then.

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D-Rex, The Robotic Dinosaur
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Paula

We still do not have a grandbaby from any of our children but we have a nephew who has a son though. He is 8 years old and is already on his second grade in school. He is very precious to our family because of his sweetness and love toward us. The matter of the fact is that he’s closer to us than his real grandparents. He likes to play games. Every time we go to their house, we see him playing toys. He collects lots of different toys. His favorite toy is a dinosaur. We always see him play with his dinosaurs. He collects different kinds of dinosaurs. We found out that he’s wanting to have a big dinosaur like this. This gave me the idea that I must look for a big dinosaur as a Christmas gift.

My wife and I asked our son to browse the internet and look for a big dinosaur. He saw this D-REX interactive Dinosaur. My son told us what makes this dinosaur unique. This robotic D-Rex dinosaur can move, roar and can even respond to any child’s voice and touch. The D-Rex is like a real dinosaur. The D-Rex package has a bone-shaped controller that lets prompt five kinds of behaviors. Our nephew’s son would be amazed to use the bone-shaped controller.

This robotic dinosaur has a reptile-alike skin that appears to be real, but it’s made of a soft texture that’s comfortable to touch. The dinosaur looks frightening with its sharp teeth and big yellow eyes. But this robotic dinosaur can be a child’s best friend. Surely our nephew’s son will love this robotic dinosaur. So my wife and I agreed to order one for him as a gift for Christmas. This will be a perfect pet friend for him.

When this robotic dinosaur was delivered, we wrapped and gave it to our grandson. He quickly opened its box with a big smile on his face. He was amazed to see the dinosaur because it’s very big. When he touched this robotic dinosaur on its head, it responds with a big roar. This made our grandson laughed out loud.

Then he pressed the remote control on the “attack” button and then this robotic dinosaur launched forward with roaring sound. When he pressed the button “prank”, the robotic dinosaur farted. He even answered “yes” or “no” to his question with a headshake when he pressed the “question” mode. Our grandson had amazing time playing his robotic dinosaur.

Since he had this D-Rex, he plays every day. It has become his ultimate best playmate. The D-Rex is his new most favorite dinosaur. He had not own a big dinosaur like the one we gave him. Our grandson was glad to see a robotic dinosaur.He has a playmate, a pet and a friend at the same time. We’re both happy to give him this robotic dinosaur last Christmas. He thanked us for giving him another dinosaur that added to his collection.

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Toys and the ELC
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Paula

The Early Leaning Centre is a British retail store chain, with shops spread across the world.

Born as a Swindon mail order venture back in the 1970’s, the shops are a haven for kid’s toys – all of you must remember games with wood railway tracks in the stores when we were young.

The timeline of the firm includes a number of owners, at the moment the shop network makes up a section of Mothercare. Since the acquisition of the Early Learning Centre brand in late ‘07, Mothercare have included the ELC name into their Mothercare shops – you may find the ELC brand next to Mothercare toys.

Historically known for their wood toys, in recent times the Early Learning Centre store has expanded into other variations, likely both to increase the range of toys on sale, but also to stay well priced and maintain margins.

Reputation is of course important to any company selling to the newborn and toddler market – and this powerful brand recognition is a massive part of the power of the ELC. Few mums and dads would be able to avoid the range, as it is a very popular choice for presents to babies, first birthday presents and other occasions. The safety of the ranges sold by Early Learning Centre are not only a given but imperative for relatives sending presents.

The Early Learning Centre chain seems remarkably immune to the decline some popular stores have endured with the ecommerce shoppers explosion and more currently the recession – maybe the requirement to pick up and examine toys for children provides much more protection.

On occasion, it is possible to get discounts on purchases from the ELC, via voucher voucher sites like these discount codes so that you can benefit from cheap shipping, or perhaps a reduction to give 10% discount.

If you are struggling for ideas, why not have a browse around the ELC website and enter our competition to win £100 in Early Learning Centre vouchers?

Enter the competition

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A Good Playmate for Your Kids is Spike the Dinosaur
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Paula

We have a neighbor whose 6-year old son likes to play outside almost throughout the day. Other children of the same age play with him sometimes. There are some times he would play alone. His mother is a little bit sad seeing him playing alone by himself at the playground.

While I was browsing the net one day, she asked me to look for a toy she can give to her son which he can play both inside and outside the house. I nodded and started to look for one. I saw Spike, who is a dinosaur that is controlled by a wireless remote.

Spike can walk forward and can also turn to both left and right side. It can even blink his eyes, open his mouth, stand up on his hind legs and even throw a boulder. I knew it will be a great and perfect playmate for her son.  For sure he will love this robotic dinosaur which has a textured skin, yellow-colored underbelly, sharp teeth and has plenty of spikes. It can even swing his neck around or rotate it.

I told my neighbor about Spike, the dinosaur. When I told her about what Spike the dinosaur can do, she was really surprised. She tried to look it for herself. She was tremendously amazed. She immediately ordered Spike for her 6-year old son. She assumed that her son will not be sad and lonely anymore because he will have Spike as a playmate.

As soon as Spike was delivered to their home, her son was very happy seeing Spike. He was thrilled to see this robotic dinosaur. He repeatedly exclaimed “Dinosaur!” in a very loud voice. Her son was a little scared when he saw the big Spike but when the dinosaur stood up and lighten up its back, he smiled.

Spike can also walk to and fro anywhere. It turns around and rotates its neck. Our neighbor’s son started to laugh out loud when he saw Spike did these things. He hugged Spike very tightly. Spike is really the best friend our neighbor was looking for to entertain her son. She was happy too that Spike could be his playmate anytime anywhere.

Without a doubt, Spike is a charm robotic toy that brings good luck to its owner.

Whenever I passed their house, I can see our neighbor’s son playing with Spike. I can hear his laugh and I can see that he is really happy to own such a beautiful and entertainer – robotic dinosaur.  I can also see that a lot of kids started to play with him. The little boy was amazed and mesmerized by Spike.

Our neighbow was happy that I was able to help her through internet surfing wherein I found Spike. Spike became her son’s best friend since the day it arrived. Although a robotic toy, her son is very happy to have a playmate like Spike, the remote controlled dinosaur. Also, he would bring Spike every time they go to the grocery store or to the market. Spike is a great toy which gives smile to all children around the world.

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