Toyology

Secret Santa goes Global

Fire, Wheel, sliced bread, Global Secret Santa - Yup, we're that impressed that such a head-slappingly simple idea was not ours or indeed has not been done before. So what if it is a commercial ruse to shift a ton of stock, the sheer joy of receiving something from a far flung land, or indeed closer to home,from a complete stranger has us all here at Toyology Towers trying to decide how many we'll send. The idea is simple, choose a product from Bungee Bird feeders to Chocolate Ants, flying monkeys to giant microbes, pen a few words to accompany your gift and its done  -All you have to do now is await your package from the postie,finding out who and where its from is almost as exciting as the gift itself. The cost of this potentialy record breaking activity, a paltry £9 - What are you waiting for the FIREBOX elves are waiting.

Halloween Essentials - Part II

The universally acknowledged truth is that a party isn't a party until the jelly appears, so this rings true for the spooky season but of course the jelly must be brain shaped. Saving us all from hours of intricate carving here is the Zombie Brain Jelly Mould! Available in fluorescent green, so it won't get lost amongst your other body part jelly moulds, Zombie Brain Jelly Mould can also be used as an impromptu hat, lettuce storer or arbitrary thing that lives by the front door and houses keys and spare change. The possibilities could be endless! They're not. But they could be! As you may expect, the drill for jelly brain making is mix jelly, pour into mould, leave in fridge, take out of mould when set and serve. Whilst jelly is a fine choice in almost any colour pink Blancmange is undoubtedly best. £8.95 for a brain mould of your own.

Why cats need nine lives

We spent some time this week out and about with the latest creation from FurReal, Lulu, a most realistic kitty as you'll see from the footage and peoples reactions. This thrill seeking kitty enjoyed pulling a few stunts and illustrates very well why cats need all nine of their allocated lives.

Yummy Dough - Eat your greens, yellows and blues

Have you never been quite the same since eating that vat of neon playdoh back in 76'? Well, thanks to the clever folk at Yummy Dough, future generations need not suffer after succumbing to the irresistible allure of modeling clay. Unlike its predecessors, Yummy Dough actually IS edible and in an even more exciting twist of fate, it tastes good! Guaranteed 100% safe to eat, Yummy Dough allows kids to make their shapes and eat em' after a quick sojourn in the oven. The blue, red, yellow and green doughs are coloured with vegetable based agents and can be shmulshed together to create all manner of colours. A 'moulding tool' and ideas leaflet are also provided to help even the least imaginative soul craft elaborate doughey masterpieces...and then eat them.£7.95 a set from FIREBOX

Robohamster Queen AKA Steph

More Luck, Strategy and Logic from LEGO

We thought it appropriate to allow you to digest one new batch of board games before unleashing another, splitting them into two posts may well have resulted in you already making a purchase and now, with this final four, compelled to invest in another, we think you'll be thanking us though. A couple for the younger board gamers are Magikus (£7.99) and Monster Four (£9.99), the first is a race around the set to collect four ingredients for a magic potion, whilst of course others plot to steal or swap your stuff with a magic bat! the latter is a simple enough sounding game, make a line of four monster characters but the Giant Spider constantly conspires to wipe you out.

Dog toys create comical canines

Chewed up tennis balls and rubber bones might well entertain your pooch but how about a toy for your pet that offers us humans some happiness that lasts longer than the five-minute floorshow, the norm before irritation sets in. This trio of Extreme dog toys are ready for some "ruff" and tumble with Fido yet their added extra is the catchphrases. For comedy-loving canines there's a clown that can't stop laughing and yelling phrases such as 'What dreadful breath you have, my friend!' and 'Oh my, Grandma, what big teeth you have!' Or the wrestler shouting WWF rubbish like 'Who says wrestling ain't real?' and 'You never gonna get my belt little doggie!' Then there's a Zombie that does lots of moaning 'Aargh my leg...you can't kill what doesn't live!' and 'Ughr, tear me apart, my stitching is coming loose. £12.95 at FIREBOX

Rodent race track - get your furry friends ready

For a while now we've been able to set our gerbils and hamsters racing around the front room, bumping and slamming into solid surfaces for our entertainment....and they have loved it too! This all new race track takes their fun to F1 levels as they power mini-plastic machines across lino at lightining speeds. Grab yourslf a Critter Cruiser and enjoy the furry fella running around your abode, but set the track down and pit animals against each other with your betting slip held in sweaty hand. Fun to watch the small fluffy fellas racing about on the track or your wooden floor we're loving it...Starter set £19.95 at firebox

Piggy Bank chomps on coinage

We're not sure where the idea of saving cash inside a pig first started yet most of us have had a porker to deposit our change in at one time or another. This 21st century makeover of the bacon giving beast offers a satisfying chew and the obligatory oink when fed with money. In these times of thrift we would probably do the same! £14.95 at Gadgetshop

Reservoir (for) dogs

Burgers beware theres a comedy cartoon gun in town and it has you in its sights. This splendid shooter comes with two condiment containers for you to fill up then load before brandishing it toward your target. Colonel Mustards chosen weapon surely - Available soon from FIREBOX for £14.95

Play with your Food

Poking pretend planes and trains into your kids mouths accompanied by your inane soundtracks might well work for a while, these actions have inspired a range of "baby spoon planes" but after the age of three they need to take a bit more control and we have the answer, construction tool cutlery, the set has a fork lift, bulldozer and front loader spoon. Designed with little hands in mind we say boys and girls alike will want some. Get your set for $20 HERE