Every Christmas, mums and dads hunt for the latest and most popular toys to give to their children. With thousands of different toys and games available, it's a tough choice to make. Will they like it? Is it safe? Will it last until lunch time? These are a few of the questions that buzz through parents minds before taking out their plastic. I know because I'm a parent.
Here are a few ideas to make life a little easier whilst your Christmas shopping for your youngsters.
1 - If you are shopping for new babies this Christmas, look for brightly coloured toys and games, cuddly toys with relaxing music. Playmats and gyms will encourage babies to move their limbs and co-ordinate hands and feet.
For babies from 0 to 11 months old, the Skip Hop Funky Farmyard Activity Play-mat offers plenty for a baby to do. It has soft arches and quilted matching Tummy Time Pillow. 12 easy-to-hang loops and 5 hanging toys offer irresistible multi-sensory play for a baby at every stage of development. There are lots of ways to use it and it's machine washable in cold water.
2 - Imaginary play is really important and a favorite activity for pre-school children. Look for presents that encourage role play and playing with other children. The Play-Doh Fun with Food - Burger Builder lets children create their own burgers, with pretend onions, lettuce,pickles and so on. They can make pretend fries and set up their own burger bar. A great way to get young children to interact and develop speech and language skills.
3 - When Children start school, they are soon capable of a little more concentration, toys and games should be more challenging. They may be learning about computer technology. Printies Pet Design Studio lets children create their own stuffable pet, designing it at home on-line. Create a pet they want using the art tools, any shape or design. They are then printed on to Printies Fabric sheets using just your printer ink. And finished off by joining together.
4 - An old classic and family favorite suitable for this age range, Monopoly is still one of the top Christmas presents. Why not try the latest version with Monopoly City. It's a game that lets you build the perfect city and watch your fortune grow. Christmas afternoon fun for all the family.
5 - Once children get towards 10, they start to outgrow traditional toys. Electronic toys feature highly on their wish list. There are scores of electric or remote controlled toys, computer games for boys and girls. From Play stations to the Wii with all their different add ons. One game that is sure to delight is the Mega Bloks Battle Strikers Tournament Set. One in the range of Mega Blok games. This is the ultimate Battle Strikers battling play set. The player can experience the turbo power of next generation of battling.
There's too much to choose from and this can make Christmas shopping for toys a nightmare task. whatever you choose this Christmas make sure it is from a well known manufacturer, take it out of the box and make sure it works because if you don't and it doesn't there'll be hell to pay come Christmas day!
DON'T forget the batteries!
