Toyology

Toyology's Top Toy of 2007

Well folk what a year it has been, we've been finger blistered playing with all the goodies that have hit the shelves this year and 2008 looks even better (which we'll tell you about after Toy Fair at the end of Jan). But from the hundreds of toys we have had the pleasure of reviewing these past 12 months have selected our two favourites. Its been tough, we've loved loads of LEGO, many movie licensed playthings, TV toys and classic handmade kit like Automoblox but there can only be two to make the final cut. For the boys it is the Flytech Dragonfly for its sheer unputdownability when placed in the hand and the girls have the remote control My Scene Barbie for having such longevity, attributes important to adults and kids alike. A Happy new Year to one and all... we look forward to a fun packed 2008.

Buzz Off

We've just been or a wander down the high street to grab some last minute goodiesand tumbled across this Chad Valley "Buzz Off" game for just £5.99. Steady of hand to guide the metal hoop over the wire from one side to another otherwise.....Bzzzzzzzzzz.....which is quite a shock when you've been quite so focused... Anyway, Woolies have some left on their shelves right now.

Wish Upon a Star

Wish upon your very own shining star this Christmas with the help of the International Star Registry and RUSS BERRIE Toys. Give someone special a unique gift this Christmas by choosing from the range of Shining Stars plush toy animals that kill two birds with one stone by being fun and educational. In addition to giving someone a new plush toy, you can also name your very own star in the sky. Each Shining Stars friend comes with a secret one-time use code. Simply register online, name a star, select its location and become part of the Shining Stars World Web. Once registered you become part of a virtual universe/social networking site that allows you to send e-cards, play games and safely chat to a community of friends online. You can also personalise your very own Shining Star friend. This ‘edutainment’ gift is the perfect introduction to astronomy for young ones. Choose from a collection of 24 cuddly characters. Priced at £10, there is a friend for everyone.

Get Stuffed

Create an extra special teddy bear with the Lil Luvables Fluffy Factory in the luxury of your own home. Plush toy lovers will absolutely love stuffing their new furry friends with this hand-cranking factory and fluffing to stuff the bears, complete with bear skins and adoption certificates to officially make them your own. Stuff your bear with love and care, add a wish and then you’re done. Collect them, dress them – the fun never ends. Get yours for £24.99 from Hamleys.

It’s Alive

On the mechanized marvel front Lego’s Monster Dino - a roaring, stomping dinobot that can be reconfigured as walking spider or a crawling crocodile, which boasts an improved power system will make a great Christmas present for budding young building enthusiasts. Now you don’t need an engineering degree to put this bad boy together nor do you need any software skills to operate it and you will feel oh so proud once you’ve put one of the three designs together. Once assembled, the dinosaur walks, moves its head and roars with the use of the remote control. It even has a cool glow-in-the-dark spine. To get in on the rampaging prehistoric action visit The Toy Shop - £54.95

Half Pipe Challenge

Having been on a motorised skateboard recently we’re a bit skateboard obsessed at the moment. So to pay homage to our new found obsession we’ve found this miniatures skater park from those mini makers at Playmobil. If like us, you prefer the safety of toy skaters and skateboards to the real thing then this graffiti designed skate park will be perfect. Skaters can grind their boards and do impressive stunts – a lot easier to achieve with a toy! The set includes four posable skaters with cool outfits with cell phone and lunch, cones, backpack, four skateboards and much more cool accessories. To get a piece of the action visit The Toy Shop and have £22.95 at the ready.

DIY Doctor Who

DIY toy making is making a comeback. Airfix is being relaunched by Hornby and are beginning with a collaboration between themselves and the cult phenomenon that is Dr Who. The Dr Who Welcome Aboard Gift Set is a model kit of the Tardis, complete with sound effects, internal illumination – making it the first Airfix model to come with light and sound - figures of Dr Who himself along with his trusty sidekick Martha. Model enthusiasts will be able to glue together their very own Doctor and eight inch Tardis. The set includes everything you’ll need - 12 paints, paintbrushes and model glue. The question remains however whether today’s children will be excited about or interested in the new range of Airfix toys after a lifetime of computer games and obesity-snack decadence? Only time will tell. To get your piece of history visit Wonderland Models – around £25           

New from Noel for Noel

Flying off the shelves right now is the board game version of Mr Edmonds hit TV show Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year Old? The Board Game brings adults and kids together to answer general knowledge questions that any 10-year old should be able to answer.As in the TV quiz show hosted by Noel Edmonds, simply answer 11 school curriculum-based questions that an average 10 year old should know. Claiming victory over the young people will ensure you avoid the humiliation of having to admit – “I am not smarter than a 10 year old!” Get yours for around £20 almost everywhere

Phone Pals

We bet you won’t be able to tell what these little monkeys do just by looking at them – we didn’t. These Mobimal thingamijigs feed off other people’s phone signals so you can sit on a bus or train and steal (well not quite) other peoples mobile signals to power you Mobimal. The more signals the more games and downloads you can get from the Mobimals website.

Deal of the Day - Yee hah

A little while back we told you about this genius inflatable horse costume so if you were feeling a little dubious as to whether or not to make the purchase now is the time to throw those doubts out the window. Alternative Gifts Ltd are offering you a fantastic buy one get one free deal on this comical costume. That means you and a buddy can go around in your inflatable costumes and get up to all kinds of cowboy shenanigans rather than on your own which can come across as a bit sad. How often are we given the chance to purchase items such as these on such a great offer so of course we’re going to tell you this is not one to be missed. We’ve already got ours; we’re ready to take to the streets (again) pretending to be cowboys and totally prepared to be looked at like crazy people when we go on our cold cowboy adventure. Get your pair for £39.95. Also available from drinkstuff.com - a great site for christmas prezzies and other cool forms of entertainment.