Toyology

Your own Dalek disguise

None of the Doctors foes strike fear into viewers as much as the Daleks, the appearance of them on screen had fans across the country ducking behind sofas, even running upstairs for safety (a huge design fault for a race set on world domination). Now you can don your own Dalek voice changing helmet and send a shiver down your own spine as you wander aimlessly uttering "EXTERMINATE" no longer will you have to use the speaking into a fan for the desired effect. This voice changing, sound-effect making, Dalek impersonating creation is the must have item of the moment, its hotter than a curry house on the sun.... It'll set you back just £40 over at Characters website........There isn't a moment to waste, there are comedy moments to create!

 

New and Improved Mr Chip

Remember all those times you screamed answers at the TV whilst watching the classic game show Catchphrase deluding yourself into thinking you were better than the contestants on the show? We know we do! Well this is our chance to prove that we have what it takes with the unbelievably popular Catchphrase DVD which has made a new and improved comeback with exciting new game play and graphics. Invite Roy Walker and Mr Chip into your living room to play everyone’s favourite game show with the objective to say quite literally what you see.

Beatles Vehicles to Die (Cast) For

Seeing as Corgi International Limited has entered into a Licensing agreement on a multi-year deal for a range of Beatles and Yellow Submarine Die Cast Collectables (which means they’ll be producing goodies right up to 2010) we thought we’d give you a sneak preview at the fantastic range put together to celebrate one of the most and some would argue THE MOST successful band in the UK. Iconic Beatles imagery is featured on a range of die cast collectables at different scales. As Corgi produced the original Yellow Submarine die cast in the 1960’s it was only right that they should be the company to revive these mini classics.

Calling Collectors

Anyone with a bit of spare cash lying about looking for a toy investment should take a look at this "MIB 1999 eagle freighter" HERE. According to Bayraider.tv the most valuable collectible Dinky Toy ever sold was the 1937 Dinky Bentalls store delivery van for $19,355 at Christie's back in 1994. An although this is no where near that old its mint condition should see it gather in value over the coming years.

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.

Loveable Bears Re-Launched

Remember those Loveable Bears from the 90's? Well they've made a comeback and have been relaunched under the name 'Love2Love Bears'. The Love2Love Bear collection comprises of six scented bears each with feeding bottle to feed your interactive bear, programmed electronic nurturing sounds and lights which are triggered when you feed your bear. It also comes with a keychain so you can take your bear everywhere you go. Great nostalgia for you adults out there and a great toy for girls everywhere. Get yours from Argos for £6.99.

Lego Stacks Up Fifty

     Lego’s company motto – ‘Only the best is good enough’ – will never ring as true as it will on Monday 28th January. Lego has been entertaining generations of kids and adults worldwide for 50 years – that’s 18,262.1099 days, 438,290.639 hours and 26,297,438.3 minutes - in case you were wondering. The famous building blocks have remained a firm favourite in Britain for yeeeaaars and have brought entertainment to over 400 million brick building adults and children, inspiring some great and some not so great creations. There is more to Lego than just child’s play – there are actually architects and artists who dedicate their lives to building life-size sculptures made out of the tiny bricks which can sell for up to and even more than £10,000 each. If you want to get in on the action you will need at least 1.5 million bricks – so good luck with that! The simple toy has come a long way since it was first launched in 1961 and despite all the technological advances of half a century, the classic brick still retains its original 2x4 studs. In fact, all Lego pieces are compatible, so a brick from 1958 will interlock with one made today - unlike the majority of long-running toys that most adults wouldn’t be able to recognize from their childhood because they’ve undergone a huge technological transformation!! Whether the creators were being lazy we’ll never know, but it looks like it’s paid off.

Five of Friday: BORED Games

The ceaseless down pour outside seems set to continue this weekend so its time to  invest in at least one boredom busting game, there are of course a myriad of others we’ve simply not the space to mention. Just one of these in your arsenal can defend against outbreaks of family feuding ,this collection offer the perfect partner for pacification, and of course loads of fun for all the family too.

Classic with Plastic – Monopoly Here and Now Electronic - £19.97 at www.tesco.com
The all time classic board game has had a 21st century makeover and now reappears not just with updated playing pieces (mobile phone, rollerblades to name but two) and higher property prices on new locations but no piles of cash. So forget trying to swipe a few notes from the banker now you must swipe your allocated credit card through the electronic banker.

Bathtime Toys Boring?

Have the kids forming an orderly queue to get into the tub when they've seen thge all new RC duck lurking behind the bubbles. Fully remote control and ready to go for a three minute paddle about the bath in exchange for a 45 second charge. We live in hope that RC Duck 2.0 features a Qucking sound, still at £15.00 from Red5 its a small price to pay for clean kids.

The Rocking Horse: A Timeless Classic

The rocking horse has been a firm favourite throughout history for many hundreds of years. We see the timeless fascination with it hasn’t ceased with this very modern ‘Rodeo’ version. The Rodeo is a unique rocking and galloping foot powered horse that features a new adjustable movement system designed to adjust to the weight of your growing child. Here’s a feature you wouldn’t find on the more traditional rocking horses – a button that plays galloping sounds when you play. Here’s another – the Rodeo can be removed from its rocking base to become a ride-on-horse that moves forward when a child sits up and down on the saddle. How cool is that? Get your Rodeo from The Toy Shop for around £40.