10. Rubber Band Plane

Rubber Band Plane

Before battery power was affordable the only way to fuel a toy plane was with a rubber band.  This unique idea has come back to life this year with the Rubber Band Aeroplane that is a stunning representation of a small propeller plane straight off of a private runway. It comes in an easy to assemble kit, so children can have fun putting it together before it goes on its maiden flight. For added enjoyment, the rubber hand is made of the most durable materials on the market for unlimited hours of fun.

More info here.

9. Bag of Farm Animals

Every child that has a doll house or farm set will love adding in some of these plastic farm animals to their decorations.  The plastic animals are solid and able to stand on their own and thus are perfect additions to any child’s play set.   Included in the small affordable set are horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and lambs.

More info here.

8. Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope

Before every toy was made from plastic there was wood, and this old fashioned wood kaleidoscope is capable of portraying each of the same wonderful rainbow designs that their contemporary plastic versions can.  For children who love colorful displays, the kaleidoscope is able to provide plenty of multi-colored designs.  On the outside the kaleidoscope is black with stars embossed across the cover.

More info here.

7. Rainbow Spinning Top

Rainbow Spinning Top

For children over a year old, this colorful top is a wonderful distraction and play toy.  Made of strong metal the top is capable of spinning for hours to a subtle but pleasing humming tune. Low priced and equipped with a base for storage the rainbow spinning top is the perfect gift for the curious toddler in your life.  It is also fun for older adults who enjoy a flashback to their younger days.

More info here.

6. Soft Babies Jingling Ball

Soft Babies Jingling Ball

Plush, soft, and full of colour, the soft babies jingling ball is made to please children from the day they are born.  Completely safe and durable, the ball can bring hours of excitement to babies as they explore how to use their hands to shake the ball and hear its delightful jingle. Even better, as babies grow older they can use the ball to play fetch and toss making it a timeless toy that will last your child for quite some time past their infant years.

More info here.

5. Metal Spud Gun

Toy guns go hand in hand with childhood like mud on a rainy day.  Luckily, if you never grew up or want to give your children the same fun that you had you can enjoy the metal spud gun which comes in a delightfully vibrant red colour.  Even better, the spud gun is not only able to fire small pieces of potato, but also rubber pellets, caps, and even a small amount of water if loaded correctly.

More info here.

4. Fun Snap Bangers

Every kid loves a sharp noise, especially if it is one that they can create on their own.  With the fun snap bangers you can let your kids make their own snaps whenever they like simply by tossing one onto the ground.  Since they are cheap and small in size you can easily pick up a few boxes of the fun snap bangers to fill up a stocking on Christmas Eve.

More info here.

3. Wooden Letter Train

Wooden Letter Train

If you want to give your child a Christmas present this year that is personalized to for them consider getting a wooden letter train for them this Christmas.  All children love the charm of a wooden trail that they can pull along with them, but yours will love theirs better if it spells out their name or a personalized message of your choosing.  The wooden letter train can also be used for a room decoration as well if you are looking for something to spice up your child’s room.

More info here.

2. Penguin Race Game

Penguin Race Game

At 32cm tall the penguin race game is able to entertain young children for hours as the little penguin is able to climb the steps until it makes its descent back down to the bottom to begin all over again.  Assembly is easy making it a gift that your children can start playing with on Christmas morning and all it needs to continue working is one D battery so make sure to include one in the wrapping paper.

More info here.

1. Guatamalan Worry Dolls

Guatemalan worry dolls

At the top of the top ten Christmas toy list this year are the adorable small handheld Guatemalan worry dolls.  Made for children who are past the age of placing small objects in their mouth the worry dolls are perfect for children who are still scared of the dark.  The box contains a small leaflet that tells your child how having the dolls near you as you sleep will relieve them of any worries.

More info here.

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The site has plenty of funky, original gift ideas starting from under £5 that are planet-friendly and sourced from fair trade producers and suppliers helping communities in developing countries. Many items are individually crafted from recycled materials. All peagreenthings products have been chosen by the company’s dedicated team of eco-enthusiasts who believe that eco-living can combine with fun, desirable gifts that are a delight to receive.

Each item carries a Pea eco rating so you can choose the greenest things to give to the special little pea-ple in your life. Here are some new ideas but check the web site for many more play and learning ideas including some terrific stocking fillers.

Age: 3 +
Base: 17cm x 18cm
Price: £23.79

Fire Station

Toy Fire Station

This Fire Station’s garage has an up and over door and comes with two fire vehicles. Sound the siren and the station is ready to tackle the next emergency. The award-winning Thai manufacturer is the world’s first and largest maker of recycled wooden toys from rubber wood trees that are too old to produce latex. These trees would otherwise be cut, burned and discarded.
Pea eco rating: 9/10 Sustainable Biodegradable

Age: 3+
Size: 79cm x 54cm
Colours: Blue/Pink/Red
Price: £54.99

First Balance Bike

This sturdy bike will have toddlers racing to get outside and help them to improve their balance while having fun. The bike has a padded seat and easy grip handlebars. The chunky, pneumatic tyres give a safe ride and a grown-up feel. The seat is height adjustable to allow for growth. Made in China in ethically run factories from strong bass plywood that is sustainably sourced.
Pea eco rating: 6/10 Sustainable Recyclable

Age: 3+
Size: 18cm high
Price: £27.36

Natural Doll

A traditional doll made with soft, warm natural fibres made by a mothers co-operative in Brazil. This delightful toy companion is made of natural cotton and is stuffed with sheep’s wool, which becomes warm when held, for extra snuggliness. How ever will you put her down? Equally huggable dark-haired natural doll is also available.
Pea eco rating: 9/10 Natural Biodegradable

Age: 3+
Price: £47.41

Marble Run Set

Keep those marbles rolling! Everyone can join in the fun with this wooden marble run, great for encouraging imagination, accuracy and dexterity. Create all sorts of turns, drops and connections. Can be made complicated – or easy – so suits all ages. Comes with six marbles and ringing bell. Sound staircase, spiral shoot, trampoline drum and glass tunnel available as extras.
Pea Eco Rating: 8/10 Energy-saving Sustainable Biodegradable

Price: £29.80

Puppet Theatre

A great way of encouraging children to create and tell stories plus a great confidence builder when the whole family can be their audience. This theatre has been specially designed to give the width for two children to play together with ease and to give the height for bigger pea-ple to kneel comfortably and join in.
Pea eco rating: 9/10 UK Made Sustainable Biodegradable

Age: 3+
Size: 56cm high
Price: £57.70

Treeblocks Dolls Cottage

A solid wood construction that provides hours of fun for kids and dolls. Each solid wood construction is individually crafted in Europe from cherry and elder trees. It’s compatible with 2.5cm scale doll house furniture and dolls. Lounge set, bedroom set and kitchen set available as accessories.
Pea eco rating: 9/10 Natural Sustainable Biodegradable

Age: 3+
Size: 48 x 36 x 49.5cm
Price: £48.93

Jungle Lodge

Let your kids discover the wilder side of life. The lodge comes with a reversible fabric roof, an observation tower, mosquito net and many other accessories. Sets of animals and rangers sold separately. Made from rubber woods that have reached the end of their productive lives. All finishes are non-toxic.
Pea eco rating: 8/10 Sustainable Recyclable Biodegradable

Easy-peasy ordering – order from http://www.peagreenthings.co.uk Payment by major credit cards types.

Postage and packaging – UK mainland only. Free delivery on all orders over £100. £4.50 on all orders up to £100. Peagreenthings use minimal packaging to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Delivery – Goods are delivered to the UK mainland within 5 working days of order receipt, although some items that are delivered direct from the supplier may take longer.

Peagreenthings guarantee – Customers not entirely pleased with any product can call the customer services team, within 14 days of receipt, who will arrange for a replacement or full refund, where appropriate.

Peagreenthings parent company – If you have little pea-ple in your family or you happen to work at a school, you may already know Peagreenthings parent company, The Consortium. They’ve been supplying schools up and down the country with educational resources, including eco-friendly and sustainable products long before it became fashionable to look after the environment. So they really do know a thing or two.

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Carolyn Budding, director at Little Terra, a really different website, dedicated to inspiring children back outdoors, said:

‘Children love being outside, bug hunting in their garden, cycling, jumping in muddy puddles or simply racing to the top of a hill on a walk. They often just need a bit of encouragement to venture away from the TV or Play Station.’

Here are some Christmas Gift Ideas for childern.

Under £5

o Aunties and Uncles, neighbours, pre-school friends and anyone looking for little stocking fillers will love Little Terra’s Mini Construction Kits priced at ONLY £1.99. Little ones will also love building their own mini vehicle and as they’re made from plain wood they get to paint them afterwards too – double the fun! Approx size of vehicles 12x6x6cm

o Encourage your little terras to look after the local wildlife this winter with this lovely little Birdie Bistro, at £4.99. This smart bird feeding station comes with one feed block and is available in red, blue or yellow.

£5 to £10

o Another grandparent’s pleaser! A cute Little Pals Gardening Starter Kit for £5.95 – comprising a fork, gloves and plant marker for aspiring little green fingers everywhere and available in pink or green for boys and girls.

Space Ants

o If you’ve ever watched the films Antz or Bug’s Life with your kids then you will love Space Ants at £9.99 -a modern take on the traditional ant farm. The nutritious gel allows you to see the ants live and work more clearly –fAntastic!

o Knitting is making a come back and Nans and Grans won’t be able to resist this retro Knitting Doll £5. The kits include one doll, in three different designs, complete with wool and knitting needles and will provide hours of creative fun.

o Another innovative and useful idea is this Santa Torch; only £5 and no batteries required.

Over £10

o Little Terra’s top Christmas present this year for all budding conservationists – Butterfly Garden, £14.99. Watch as caterpillars turn into colourful Painted Lady butterflies then release them into the garden. Includes certificate for five caterpillars and food.

o Zip Bin Country Stable £17.50.A beautiful stable shaped storage chest / carry case that opens up into a paddock play mat. Comes with two horses and two riders. Perfect for pony loving little girls.

Over £20

o Explorer Junior Walking poles £24.99. These walking poles are a proper junior sized version of mum and dad’s – designed to get the kids dragging you out for a walk for a change. Telescopic, with a wrist strap and basket to stop them sinking into the mud.

o Tyrrell Katz Backpacks £22.95 – a neat children’s back pack with zipped front pocket and two side pockets. A great size for school, travel, out on walks or just for keeping all their favourite Christmas presents in! In ballet, horses and bugs designs.

www.littleterra.co.uk is dedicated to inspiring children back outdoors and offers everything they need to enjoy, learn, explore and have some old-fashioned fun outside.

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Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and ASUS, maker of the pioneering Eee PC™ netbook, have collaborated to develop the Disney Netbook, a netbook computer for children that’s fun, web-safe and easy to use. Developed with parents and children in mind, the Disney Netbook by ASUS is durable, with a reinforced mechanical design, and offers a truly magical and engaging computing experience with a unique Disney user interface. Features include several robust parental control options, an 8.9-inch LCD display, Wi-Fi capabilities, Windows XP Home, and child-friendly software featuring Disney characters and icons in stunning visual environments. Browsers and email have extra filters to assure that parents are able to control online safety and content for their children, and can easily select with whom their children can correspond via email. The Disney Desktop “gadget tray” offers a creatively designed 2D menu with several display icons, including a Disney-themed browser.

Disney ASUS MK90

With a user interface that is incredibly easy to use for both children and parents, from package to set-up in four simple steps, the Disney Netbook will be available from October in two models with prices based on features (see graphic below for Netbook feature comparisons). The Disney Netbook by ASUS is designed for children aged 6-12. Retailers include Comet and DisneyStore.com, and the suggested retail price is £299 inc VAT. Carry cases will also be available separately.

“Today’s children are tech-savvy and demanding when it comes to new gadgets and toys,” said Edward Catchpole, Senior Vice President, Toys & Electronics for Disney Consumer Products Europe. “Our aim is to provide products that are easy and fun to use, but also provide parents with peace of mind. The Disney Netbook, designed together by ASUS and the Disney team, is a no-compromise device. There are plenty of terrific features and fun applications designed just for children, but parents have ultimate control over the experience: they have power to set limits on how their children are using the PC whilst ensuring a safe online experience.”

ASUS is an established leader in the netbook category and is widely credited with launching the netbook craze, with nearly 7 million Eee PC™ netbooks sold to date.

Disney Netbook By ASUS Is Easy: Child-friendly Disney Desktop, Applications and Widgets

The Disney Desktop installed on the Disney Netbook by ASUS is an easy-to-use interface specifically tailored to children, with an intuitive visual interface and instructions that make it easy for children to operate the computer. Right out of the box, the Disney browser launches numerous child-friendly Disney websites for children to explore. The Disney Desktop features a 2D “gadget tray” that displays bold visual icons for easy access to applications. Rounding off the Disney Netbook by ASUS’ fun, child-friendly features are a collection of 15 easily-accessible widgets, including a stopwatch, digital memo pad, which inserts “reminder notes” on the Disney Desktop, and a calculator.

Disney Netbook By ASUS Is Fun, Customisable And Colorful

The Disney Netbook by ASUS features two choices of stylishly designed lids; Disney Princess Pink boasts beautiful pink florals and Disney Magic Blue cleverly displays rows of miniature Mickey Mouse icons. Childrens can dress their desktops with more than 10 customisable themes inspired by popular characters from Disney’s and Disney?Pixar’s most popular franchises, including Cars, Club Penguin, Disney Classic Characters, Disney Fairies, Disney Princess, Vintage Mickey Mouse, Toy Story and WALL-E. Themes that appeal to slightly older children, such as the popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana and JONAS styles, are also available. Favorite character icons can be attached to email addresses.

Additional Disney-developed applications include Disney Mix for music and media management, and Disney Pix for photo customisation and organisation. The Disney Pix application features fun Disney Bobblehead software, which lets children insert images of their faces on top of bodies, download them into videos and postcards and play wacky moving dance scenes, for hours of fun. The Radio Disney widget streams real-time music and lets children simultaneously submit song requests, if they wish. The Disney Netbook by ASUS also includes a driving game, number game, memory game and photo scrapbook.

Disney Netbook By ASUS is Optimised for Web-Safety and Sports a Sleek Durable Design

The Disney Netbook by ASUS is designed to be child-friendly, both in terms of durability and content permissions. It’s rugged and durable, with a spill-proof keyboard that protects against inadvertent liquid spills. The Disney Netbook by ASUS’ ShockShield data protection guards against data loss when the computer is subject to impact.

The Disney Netbook also allows parents to create a web-safe computing environment with significant parental control options. Parents can pre-select email correspondence options, browsers, the websites their children visit and the programs they use. These permissions can also be scheduled on a calendar, providing parents with a convenient, automated means of granting access on the days and times that they choose. Additional websites can be added for access, but only if the parent approves and submits the request within the password-protected system.

It should be available very soon from Amazon.

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Desert Fox Buggy

It is a rugged 2 seater battery operated car complete with chunky wheels, electronic sounds on the steering wheel and FM radio. Features working lights and buggy can go in forward and reverse. Top speed is 5.6 Km/h.

Check it out here – along with a lot of other great Christmas offers.

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British parents spend £1.4 billion each year on ‘educational’ toys, but the early years experts at Talking Tots believe many of these toys offer no significant developmental benefit to children. The Great Toy Awards are designed to recognise toys that offer real educational value for children, and are selected by a team of experts including paediatric speech and language experts, educational psychologists, teachers – and toddlers!

Hoping for some toys from the Great Toy Awards

“We considered more than 3,000 toys for inclusion in the guide, and many of the most popular items are no more educational than the box they come in,” says Tracey Park, co-founder of Talking Tots. “We launched the Great Toy Awards to recognise toys that are designed to really work with children’s early development, and that combine educational value with fun and great value for money.”

Parents can discover the 2008 Great Toy Award winning toys at the Great Toy Guide website, where they can purchase all the winning toys, and access exclusive discounts and special offers on a range of brilliant toys from companies including Manhattan Baby, JellyCat, Le Van Toy, Plan Toys and many more.

Talking Tots is also offering one family the chance to win a stocking stuffed with £250 of Great Toys including a Leapfrog “Tag” system – one of the most exciting new toys of 2008.

The 2008 Talking Tots Great Toy Awards winners are:

Great Communication Toy: Bamba’s First Comforts, £29.99, Baby Sign Factory
Great Motor Skills Toy: Hammering Set, £9.99, Absorbent Minds
Great Imaginative Toy: Dragonstone Castle, £13.99, Lula Sapphire
Great Role Play Toy: Tea Time Tray Set, £23.95, Tickety-Boo
Great Early Learning Toy: Cookie Shapes, £13.40, Learning Resources

Full details of all winning toys and runners up are available on the Great Toy Guide website at www.greattoyguide.com

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LeapFrog Tag

The Tag Reading System consists of an electronic reader which, when used with the range of exciting LeapFrog book titles, makes story time come to life. With every touch Tag’s built-in camera reads words and pages aloud, with characters and pictures making noises to enhance the reading experience. The groundbreaking Tag technology helps children learn to read, develop their vocabulary and learn how to spell, through games and activities within the books.

The Tag system works by “reading” by identifying dotted media. A small, sophisticated infrared camera works as an imaging system to recognize letters, words, and symbols when written on special dot-patterned paper. Using an optical pattern system and digital processing techniques the Tag reader can determine its precise location within the dot media. This enables a child to jump around within a book, or back and forth between different books in a seamless way.

There are more than nine titles in the LeapFrog Tag range, from classics such as Paddington Bear and Dr Seuss, to contemporary characters like Ariel from Disney Princesses and Po from Kung Fu Panda.

The current full list is:

Disney Pixar Cars
Disney Princess
Kung Fu Panda
Go Diego Go
SpongeBob Square Pants
Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends
Olivia
Paddington Bear
Dr Seuss The Cat in the Hat

Exciting titles due to launch in 2009 include Dora the Explorer, Scooby Doo and the eagerly anticipated Madagascar 2. Tag stores up to five titles and is small enough for learning on the go.

A unique benefit of Tag is that it connects to a brand new online Learning Path*: a dedicated website where kids can unlock fun rewards and activities and parents can follow their child’s learning progress.
Tag is suitable for 4-8 years old. RRP £39.99 which includes the title Ozzie & Mack

The new technology means that children are no longer confined to repetitive books. With Tag, reading becomes a joy and a game! Children are now able to get a sense of independence as they can to read by themselves or with their parent. For more information visit www.leapfrog.com/tag

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This year the Early Learning Centre is offering a free toy with any purchase of products in the star buys range.

This year also sees the launch of the Brilliant Start range, designed specifically for babies. This new range of innovative toys is designed in black and white with bold contrasting colours and graphics to captivate babies. Toys such as the Brilliant Start Activity Table help to encourage babies’ visual development and boost their strength and co-ordination.

The Classic range from the Early Learning Centre, featuring toys made out of wood, tin and fabric, continues to be a best seller with traditional toys such as the Tin Spinning Top, and the Rocking Horse adding a touch of nostalgia to Christmas.

A number of Christmas toys are also on offer to encourage children to use their imagination and creativity including the Snow Queen Palace, featuring towers and balconies. Along with the Magical Figure Set, this is a Christmas must have for imaginative children.

In a similar vein, Early Learning Centre’s Christmas gifts also include the Castle of Courage, an impressive dolls house featuring four towers, turrets, battlements, flagpoles and a working drawbridge, as well as the Jousting Set and the Stomping Battle Rhino, both ideal accompaniments to the Castle.

Early Learning Centre has literally hundred more toys on offer this Christmas all available in store or online, with parents being encouraged to look to the star buys for great value for money and free gifts.

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Horrible Science Kits – packed full of horrible experiments such as Dangerous Dinosaurs, Microscopic Monsters and Slippery Snakes. All of the kits contain props and instructions, along with a fascinating fact filled notebook, priced from £4.99 to £14.99 and suitable for ages 8+.

Barbie Arts & Crafts Range – 10 gorgeous kits to make everything from hair beads and jewellery to bags and cards. Priced from £5.99 to £14.99 and suitable for ages 5+.

Hannah Montana Pop Star Glitter Studio – jam packed with over 100 glittery artists tools to make cards and posters of your favourite pop star! Priced £9.99 and suitable for ages 6+.

First Years – Galt Soft Animal Books come in Dog, Lion and Cow designs with matching sound effects, suitable from birth and priced £6.99 each. The Soft Photo Album features eight themed pages with photo slots and a mirror on the back page. Suitable from birth and priced at £9.99.

Nursery Furniture – made from sustainable wood sources this jungle themed table and chairs set features colourful lion, hippo, zebra and monkey designs. Chairs priced from £15.99 and table from £34.99. A toy chest will be joining the range in the New Year.

See www.jamesgalt.com

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