Help - we need suggestions for the must have toys for this Christmas

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all,
We are helping the Indy produce the 50 best/ must have Christmas toys and we need to supply ideas for the following age groups:
Categories are
babies/toddlers
boys 4-8
girls 4-8
boys 8-12
girls 8-12

and a few reasons why we've chosen them...

So what would you pick and why?

Ta, Mumsnet Towers

i can recommend for the boys from age 6 the Universal Brick Set from Hawkin.com, its a set of real clay bricks(tiny of course) that can be built into different buildings using real cement which the bricks can be washed and then re-used, its £29.99 and is a good creative toy for great hand eye co-ordination, of course many girls would like this also

i would have to recommend the snap and style dolls from fisher price, suitable from 2 years but my 4 year old loves them too, outfits from £5 dolls cost £10

My three year old ds is getting this bike , purely because I think it will be easier to ride because of the highrise handlebars.

girls 4-8 - Pixel Chics, my 5 year old really really wants one but I'm sure she doesn't know what she has to do with it!
Also for the same group are Rainbow Fairies Books, all girls this age love them.

babies/toddlers - V-tech walker, it's the best toy we bought for my daughter at 9 months, at 2 1/2 she still plays with it.

fimbo my ds had the raleigh ollie for 3yrs it lasted from age 3 till he was 6

I second katzg with the Fisher Price dolls being good. They are along the lines of polly pocket but not so fiddly for little fingers, and great to take out to a pub/restaurant I find, because they are small but keep little girls busy, changing outfits and styling hair.

Wooden running bikes seem to be in at the moment. John Lewis sell one for about £40 and ELC also sell them but they are more expensive. They are for boys/girls and from 2 - 5 so don't go into any catagories.

Sounds good Kidstrack!

For all ages - a trampoline in the garden.

In all weathers, day or evening, my two have bounced on this thing, alone or with friends.

Fantastic buy.

Boys 8-12 Horrid Henry books. Love the ghastly things he gets up too.

Boys and Girls 8 -12 Horrible History/Science etc books. Fantastic way of putting over facts which actually sound interesting.

The obvious ones of PS2 (boys 8-80!), Nintendo Dogs (boys/girls 8-12).

babies/toddlers
ELC Kitchen keeps all ages entertained.

leapfrog activity table holds DDs attention while encouraging her to stand and increase her mobility

v tech fly and learn globe..bought this for DS 3rd birthday and he loves it and can now point out a few countries.

Toddlers - A trike with parents handle is always popular.

Toddler girls 2+
Fisher Price Click N Style dolls

Personally I would recommend the whole Playmobil range.

DS1 who's nearly 3 loves it and plays with it every day. All the detail is fantastic and it is indestructable. You can buy it as your childs interests develop and the details also really help to increase their vocabulary as they ask you where their wheelbarrow/rake/lasso/saddle/stretcher is. Also think it will last both my kids for many years so it's a great investment.

You can pick up second hand sets relatively cheaply on ebay because it's so universally loved and continues to look great for years.

The other thing we love are the Usbourne Books...particularly the Poppy and Sam Farm ones. The whole range of books are fantastic for little ones and if I didn't already have a job I'd hold parties to sell them.

another vote for the trampoline, all weather! dd had it just before her 3rd birthday, but dd2 has been on it since she could crawl!

agree re Playmobil - get over the fact that it is plastic, all the sets have such long-lasting play value and they seemingly last forever. Remember to assemble the big items before Christmas Day though unless you want to spend hours on The Day fixing bits of plastic together...

The new Playmobil Magic Castle would be an amazing present for a girl of between 4-8. (We couldn't stretch to it but managed to bag a second hand old style castle from Ebay for dd2 )

Toddler girls 2+ the new fairy toadstall house in ELC

Another vote for Playmobil for the 4-8 age group. All of the sets and people are interchangeable and there is so much detail. It's particularly good for children who love to fiddle. They have just brought out a fantastic remote control train set - expensive but really lovely. Ideal if family members can buy a bit each.

Also for the 4-8 group I would recommend torches and bits of dressing-up kit. ELC do some good firefighter/doctor sets with all of the bits & pieces.

Lego City sets are great for journeys

The baby & toddler toys which we found most useful were:

Tomy - pirate ship for the bath - colourful and fun with lots of functions, very sturdy
Tomy - My First Train Set - lovely design and a clockwork train with moving eyes
ELC - Happyland sets - ideal sizes and shapes for little hands, we still play with these
stacking cups and boxes - endlessly appealing
Peek-a-Blocks for taking in bags/on journeys
Trike with parent handle and bag - the Berchet from John Lewis is still good as new 2 years on and will be passed on
Little Tikes car - all of the children seem to want to play with this, the size and features are just right. Easy to get second-hand

Thanks to everyone who's posted suggestions. Do keep them coming...

toddlers - fisherprice little people sets DD2 (aged 2) has the house, the farm and the bus and plays with them constantly, the range of imaginative stories and games she creates is amazing. DD1 (aged 7) Nintendo DS keeps her amused for ages.

For toddlers - Brio Network. Very cool.

Any suggestions for the older age groups - 8-12?
Thanks, Justine

In the 8 - 12 group you will probably find that gameboys and games consoles are popular!

In the 8-12 age group-anything associated with Dr Who. Or those new trainer things with wheels, Heelys I think they are called.

pollypocket
the littlest pet shop
tony ross 'little princess' books

-for my 4 yr old

aquadraw
woolworths jigsaws

-for my 2 yr old

agree about trampoline, mine has been used and used and used by lots of different age groups

8-12 girls

that new pixil house thing

will do link later Im in work