Its that time of year again when we struugle to find things for our DC's for christmas.

[Marne]

Last year i started a thread where people could reccomend toys and other items for our dc's for christmas, i know some find it hard to find things to suit out childrens needs. Thought we could do it again this year, so what toys have been a hit with your dc's? and also post any bargains you have found?

Here's my list of good toys (my only expereance is ASD so my list might not suit all);

moon in my room (big hit with both my dd's)

Rainbow in my room

Tomy pain pot

Tomy photo Album

liquid bubble timer

Vibrating cushion

space projector

Tomy music maker

Scuttlebug

[moosemama]

Right, I have another deal of the day offer from Bright Minds.

Anyone who has a child that loves dinosaurs?

3d, T-Rex Skeleton model kit - half price.

[3b1g]

At last! I finally have access to the computer (children are at school and I've just got home from work). The microwavable thing DS2 has was made by this company: www.intelex.co.uk/
It weighs about 1 kg which seems to be just perfect for him to have on his chest or tummy when he's trying to settle.

[3b1g]

It is a bit like that but different company. DS2's smells of lavender which is fine for him.

[devientenigma]

Wasn't someone on this thread about microwave cuddly toys?

Is it like this ?

If so be aware of the aromatherapy side and check if it's suitable 1st.

[ouryve]

There's one in the green room at school - DS1 often plays with that when he's chilling out.

[3b1g]

DS2 bought the light-up glitterball with his own money last August. It has lasted really well and is still a favourite.

[ouryve]

DS2 chose hiself a couple of things while we were out shopping, this morning. He was fascinated by a glitter ball that lights up when it bounces. I've found him one at M&S that i can stick in the 3 for 2 with some jigsaws and a book
www.marksandspencer.com/Flashing-Water-Glitter-Ball-Toy/dp/B002UV4Y90?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_504&nodeId=2373465031&sr=1-504&qid=1353163169
And I had to drag him away from the table football that they have for half price this weekend, so that's in my basket, too!
www.marksandspencer.com/Roy-Rovers%C2%AE-Table-Football-Game/dp/B003GMSPVA?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_4&nodeId=2178545031&sr=1-4&qid=1353163460&pf_rd_r=0SJ7786PCNJ4MKT2V451&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=2178545031&pf_rd_p=321381387&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

[3b1g]

Ooh yes, the liquid bubble timers are very popular here too. And quite robust; even DS2 hasn't managed to break the two we have, and breaking toys is one of his superpowers.

[osospecial]

Sorry, tried to do links but dont think it has worked

[osospecial]

Lots of great ideas on here, I like the look of the tomy music maker and the leapfrog Fix the mix.
I have just made one purchase for dd for Xmas today, its a fish bubble lamp in Argos, currently 25% off so £30 instead of £40. I hav been looking at them for a while as dd loves fish tanks and lights. If anybody else is interested the link is below
www.argos.co.uk/static/Search/searchTerms/FISH+BUBBLE+LAMP.

Also the sensory toy warehouse has some great stocking fillers like a pull cord trembling farmyard animal (dd loves these), spring (that goes down the stairs),bubble liquid timer and lots more.

Dd had the Melissa and doug hid and seek board for her birthday and loves her Melissa and doug wooden shape sorting clock she had for Xmas last year, both great toys I'd recommend.
www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-Magnetic-Hide-Board/dp/B0033UWN90/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1353162146&sr=8-18&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-Shape-Sorting-Clock/dp/B0007D0UQY/ref=sr_1_21?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1353162197&sr=1-21&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
Also, my dm is getting dd this for Xmas
www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-12940-See-Spell/dp/B000EMPK2W/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1353162290&sr=1-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Marne]

We had a Zizzle sounds, they are great, we picked ours up last year from a boot sale for 50p (very lucky), i then sold it on to someone else to get use off (as dd2 had too many toys).

I have bought the addictaball for dd1 this year, it was on offer on Amazon last week.

Moon in my room will probably be fine for a 3 year old, the remote control is easy to use (just click a button) or you can set it to stay on (i think it goes off after 20 minutes by itself).

[moosemama]

Marne, my dd has that tomy music maker and it's been consistently her favourite toy since she got it when she was 2. In fact the whole family likes playing with it.

A more grown up one that might suit people with older dcs that are into gentle sounds and lights is Zizzle Zounds. You can see one in action , but they are really hard to get hold of in the uk these days.

[moosemama]

3b1g, ds1 asked for the addictaball last year but I read reviews that said it breaks too easily so bought him a similar one from ebay instead (can't remember what it was called, but it began with a P - I think. ). He loves it and it kept him busy for hours, but it the rattling noise really winds me up.

I have to admit to a deep sigh when I saw he'd asked for the paradox box, as it's pretty much guaranteed to be equally as, if not more rattley, but I know he'll love it and more importantly it's something he can do on his own, which is a big issue in our house, because he is totally unable to entertain himself unless fixed to a screen.

I got him something extra yesterday as well. Brightminds had an offer on those chrome mechanical marble runs that you can build and then watch go around. I've always wanted to get ds one as he still loves his old ELC basic marble run and again, it's something he can do on his own without nagging his brother to play, but they're thirty quid-ish normally and as he's never actually asked for one I couldn't justify it. I got an email from brightminds saying they were 9.99 just for one day, so I ordered one. Then I kicked myself for not thinking of posting it on here, because I'm sure there are others whose dcs would like one. The combination of construction and then perpetual motion to watch is pretty much a sure winner with ds.

Stockings in our house consists of mini-lego kits (cheapies off ebay) star wars mini-figures (again, I get them cheap off ebay), little puzzles, a couple of packs of pokemon cards, some sweets and a couple of stress toy's/tangles/fiddle toys.

I also do them each their own cracker for the table (to avoid the disappointment factor that can tip ds1 over the edge with all the stress and excitement of the day). Last year they all had a collectable star wars minifigure in one and a display case for the mini-fig in the other. This year they have star wars jedi knight enamel pin-badges, which I have to say look very effective and I'm pretty sure ds will love and I still need to think of something small but exciting for their second ones.

[3b1g]

Still can't link but the weighted microwavable beanie was made by a company called Intelex if anyone else wants to try one.

[3b1g]

I looked at the Paradox box for DS2 but worried that he'd find it too frustrating: his Impossiball has been thrown across the room on numerous occasions! I can't link easily from my phone but we're getting him some Basher Science books by Dan Green, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cheese Touch game and a Harry Potter Lego Wii game. I found a bundle of fiddly toys all in green (his favourite colour) on ebay so that's the stocking sorted. He has a weighted beanie that we warm up in the microwave and it has seen better days, but I'm reluctant to replace it in case the new one doesn't feel / smell right.

[rocket74]

would moon in the room be suitable for 3 yr old??
DS has three constant words one of which is Moon - he would love this!!
he always looks for the moon before going to bed (well i think thats what hes doing :))

[ouryve]

DS2 needs no encouragement with keys, latches and locks. Oh no

[rocket74]

for ds 3.6 with asd and language delay -

i've so far got the melissa and doug latches and locks board - will look up the doorbell one too!
a big kung fu panda that talks if you wrestle it
lift the flap books
new red boots
galt marble run

need a few more ideas so def going to check out some mentioned.

also not a present but I'm very excited as a laminator should arrive tomorrow so can make him some picture cards. didnt realise they were so cheap :)

[marchduck]

yes, I think after a while, ( Boxing Day) I may I have to think about sending the doorbell house and its inhabitants (the Meercat family) to live with DD's lovings GPs....

[Dreamstosell]

Oh the doorbell house looks like something my son would love. Not sure if the constant doorbells might drive me crazy though! Still I suppose the batteries could be removed might run out quite quickly if used incessantly.

[proudmum74]

- i think that's exactly what DD will do too! It says 3m, but I hope they're wrong. I know the kid can sit in it, but even still 3m seems excessive...

Must remember to act at the size if it turns out to be right & DH wants to know why I bought it.

[ouryve]

its. Its!!!!!!!!! I know the difference, honest!

[ouryve]

proudmum - my two would soon reduce it down from it's 3m (3 feet, surely?) to a pile of shredded card!

[ouryve]

Silverfrog, I think it was being phased out when I bought it a couple of years ago. I only came across it by accident when I was looking for that toy for older kids with all the tweaky bits, the name of which escapes me, right now.

It's brilliant for DS2, who is particularly entertained by the French counting and always gets that one right, and occasionally keeps DS1 occupied :o

[silverfrog]

dd1 used to do a good "'A' you're Adorable" - blimey, that brings back memories. she sang that on repeat for a good few months, including most of one holiday where she charmed just about everyone she came across by singing that to them (I guess it's really cute the first time you hear it! )