Toyology

Use Your Hands

Historical artists would be turning in their grave if they saw how easy it is to create your very own ‘statue in an instant’. It’s quite simple really – all you have to do is mix up the powder to a smooth liquid, pour it in the bucket provided, plunge your hand into the goo and leave there for around 7 minutes. Carefully remove your hand – you don’t want that seven minutes of your life to go to waste – and fill the hole with the plaster of paris, wait an hour, peel away the goo and wha-hey you have your very own amazingly detailed sculpture of your hand. Hand positions and gestures are entirely up to you.

Become a Superhero

Everybody loves the Power Rangers and Ben 10. Well who wouldn’t want to shout “It’s morphing time” followed by a battle with some of the coolest baddies to have hit our screens or have the ability to transform oneself into an alien with uniquely awesome powers? For pure fighting action take a look at this line-up of weaponry that will prepare you for any battle. The results won’t be the same but at least you have your imaginations.

Ben 10 Transforming Alien Arm – Amazon - £20.00

How cool would it be to be Ben Tennyson and have that kind of power? Wannabe’s, this is as close as you’ll get to the real thing with the new Ben 10 Transforming Alien Arm. Connect the three alien attachments and listen to real sound effects from the show.

Operation Overdrive

The Power Rangers have been saving the world for years. Now in its 15^th year The Power Rangers have a new mission – to protect hidden treasures and prevent evil forces from getting their hands on them. Enter the world of metamorphosis with the new range of collectable figures, vehicles and playsets bring the Operation Overdrive team to life.

12.5cm Operation Overdrive Figures - £4.99

You can build and collect a whole team with these Power Rangers figures. Figures include fearsome armour, cool sounds and light effects to assist them in their battle to conquer the enemies.

Wind Up Wonders

No we are not referring to those old skool 80’s toys you have to wind up in order to get any kind of action – we are talking about toys that will literally wind-up anyone on the receiving end of one of these prankster products. This list really is a prankster’s paradise – VERY childish but VERY fun. Please note not everyone will find them funny.

Light Sensitive Sound Box - £4.99 – crazyaboutgadgets.com
These Light Sensitive Sound Boxes will make a noise whenever they are left all alone in the dark. Choose from a Dripping Tap to a Barking Dog – both equally annoying sounds - and cleverly hide in a drawer of down the back of a sofa, sit back and watch everyone around you desperately try and find the source of the incessant clamour.

Have A Scooby Adventure

Scooby Doo and the gang are still entertaining children and adults alike around the world and with a new extended product line for 2008 the popularity of the talking pup and his mystery solving team definitely won’t fade. These paw-shaped Walkie Talkies have a range of over 10 metres – indoors and out – so are perfect for solving a mystery in your very own Scooby Doo adventure.

Gormiti: The Latest Craze

If you don’t already know about Gormiti, let us be the first to tell you about this range of mystical creatures that are based around the five elements. Gormiti is a range of highly detailed collectable figures with collectable cards which can be swapped and competed with.

Pound Puppies: They're Back

Remember the adorable and phenomenally successful Pound Puppies from the 80’s and briefly in the 90’s? Well they’re back and are being re-launched to once again find a place in every child’s heart. These classic pups are not ordinary soft toys; they need a loving girl or boy to adopt them and take care of them. The new Pound Puppy has all the same features as the original plus some great new extras to bring them up to date. Recently named as one of the ‘Top Twenty Toys of All Time’ in a poll, the Pound Puppies come in a variety of sizes and styles from collectable Backpack Pups to Jumbo Plush Puppies. We had the pleasure of meeting the creator at Toy Fair and he’s very excited – as are we - about the re-launch of the once famous Pound Puppies – complete with their very own birth certificate.

Go Exploring with Pocoyo

This mischievous and curious little boy is about to embark on an adventure and wants to take your little explorers with him. So join his friends Elly the Elephant, Pato the Duck and Loula the Dog as they go exploring the world, learning and most importantly having fun. The latest range of Pocoyo goodies are bright and bold interactive toys which are great for capturing inquisitive imaginations. Join Pocoyo in his Electronic Pedal Car and watch him bounce along or cuddle up to the Elly Musical Plush while she plays music or why not have some bath time fun with the 3 in 1 bath figures with water-squirting action. Out in October with prices ranging from £5.99 - £14.99.

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

Plethora from Playmobil

Playmobil once again surprised us this year, not a single licenced product on their books yet still able to introduce innovative and hugely desirable toys to a line-up that any other manufacturer would be proud of.