Yes, yes, we know that Christmas is still months away. But word has it that Santa and his helpers are starting to get things ready up North which means before you know it, your little one will be writing their letter. Here are the Hot Toys for Christmas 2015 Top Predictions – the ‘Must Have’ list of toys that children will be desperate to get their hands on this Christmas
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Don’t wait until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping! As the season approaches it becomes increasing difficult to find the toy you are after. This list will give you a heads-up on the most popular toys that are sure to be on every child’s list this year, and help you avoid the disappointment of finding it ‘sold out’ by leaving it too late.
Note : All prices correct at time of print.
My Friend Freddy
Description
My Friend Freddy Bear is the bear who really knows you. Download the free app to any iOS or Android smart device and type in all sorts of information about your child and their family to bring him to life. Little ones will be amazed that their bear knows all about them.
When not connected to a smart device Freddy Bear is a lovely, cuddly teddy who will talk when he’s cuddled, tipped upside down, or thrown in the air.
Why Buy
What little kid wouldn’t want a cuddly teddy bear that knows all about them! This is sure to be very popular this Christmas (on 3 major toy retailers top lists) so don’t hang around.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £39.99; Smyths Irl €57.99/ UK £39.99; Argos Irl €58.99/ UK £39.99;
Thunderbirds Interactive Tracey Island
Description
Jump into the world of Thunderbirds with this cool Interactive Tracy Island Playset! Recreate your own International Rescue adventures with this amazing Tracy Island Playset.
Based on the top secret headquarters, Tracy Island uses the latest in smart technology allowing the island to interact with the vehicles. Tracy Island is packed with over 50 actions, lights and sounds. Note: Vehicles sold separately.
Why Buy
Thunderbirds are back in a big way for 2015! With lots of interactive fun to be had, kids will love this island, so be quick if want to secure this.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £76.33; Smyths Irl €110.99 / UK £73.99; Argos Irl €117.99 / UK £79.99;
Little Live Pet Clever Keet
Description
Little Live Pet Cleverkeet is an interactive, singing, talking pet bird! Cleverkeet is just like a real bird but smarter. Give him a name, pet him and watch him come to life. He talks, sings, dances and swings.
He will respond to your voice and you can teach him to speak. You can even ask him questions and he will respond.
Why Buy
This no-hassle talking, singing, dancing bird is perfect for the child who would like a pet, and for the parent who doesn’t!
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £64; Amazon.com $48.97; Smyths Irl €88.99 /UK £59.99; Argos Irl €88.99 , Argos UK £59.99; Walmart $48.97.
Frozen
Frozen products continue to make top toy lists again this year, to the delight of many fans everywhere (and the frustration of their parents!). Argos top toy list featured Sing Along with Elsa, while Hamleys opted for Skate & Sing Elsa.
Sing-A-Long Elsa Description
Sing Along with Elsa. Simply place the microphone up to Elsa and she will start singing the hit song from Disney Frozen “Let it Go”.
You can join in too just take the microphone away, sing the song and Elsa carries on when you stop. This Queen Elsa doll also says 15 different phrases from the film.
Why Buy
If you’ve a Frozen fan in the house, what more could they ask for? Being able to sing along with Elsa herself!
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £39.99; Amazon.com $39.99; Smyths Irl €57.99/UK £39.99; Argos Irl €58.99, Argos UK £39.99;
Skate & Sing Elsa Description
Recreate Queen Elsa’s magical moment in the hit Disney Film Frozen with this Disney Frozen Skate & Sing Remote Controlled Elsa Figure.
Watch Queen Elsa glide around on the ice whilst playing the hit song ‘Let it go’. The easy to handle remote control lets you control Queen Elsa’s movements.
Why Buy
What more could your little fan ask for – she skates and sings?!
Cost
Smyths Irl €49.99/ UK £39.99 ; Argos Irl €58.99, Argos UK £39.99;
i-Que Intelligent Robot
Description
i-Que is an interactive, intelligent robot! He has a wicked sense of humour, with lots of jokes and some cheeky sound effects. Play games, see if you can match his i-Que by doing his quizzes, or ask him questions about pretty much anything.
When i-Que Robot isn’t connected to a smart device he’ll say robot phrases and can be played with like an action figure.
Why Buy
Intelligent, interactive cute-looking tech toys are always a winner with kids. They don’t come cheap, but we guess this little fellow will be popular, so don’t hang about!
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £87.81; Amazon.com $139.99; Smyths Irl €94.99 /UK £64.99; Argos Irl €95.99, Argos UK £64.99;
Minions – Tumblin’ Stuart
Description
Expect lots of fun and laughter with this Tumblin’ Stuart toy. Watch as Minion Stuart tumbles and rises again. Press the button on top of his head to see Minion Stuart do funny actions.
Minion Stuart talks and responds to your voice in his original movie voice – you will hear lots of funny Minion phrases and sounds, including some funny fart sounds!
Why Buy
With the success of the movie this summer, no surprise that Minion toys feature on this list – this will be a real winner with Despicable Me & Minions fans.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £44.83; Amazon.com $34.45; Smyths Irl €69.99 /UK £49.99; Argos Irl €73.99, Argos UK £49.99;
Shopkins Scoop Ice Cream Truck
Description
The Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Treat Truck Play Set is sure to be popular with kids this year. Includes a treat board inside the Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Truck, and an Ice Cream display with an umbrella so that your Shopkins can sit and enjoy their tasty treat.
Comes with 2 exclusive Shopkins and freezer bags. Store them in the freezer or sit them in the front of the Scoops Truck and take them for a ride.
Why Buy
No batteries required! Surely enough of a reason to be on any list.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £19.99; Amazon.com $19.44; Smyths Irl €28.49/UK £19.99; Argos Irl €29.49, Argos UK £19.99; Walmart $19.44;
NERF Modulus ECS10 Blaster
Description
Get a whole arsenal in one blaster with the motorised Nerf Modulus ECS-10 blaster! This incredibly flexible Nerf blaster has a targeting scope, drop grip and dual-rail barrel, and its many removable parts let you customize your Nerf blaster in more than 30 combinations.
Load up the blaster’s 10-dart banana clip with the included darts and hit the battlefield in whatever configuration will make you the victor.
Suitable for 8+yrs.
Why Buy
The fact that you can customise your blaster in more than 30 combinations will surely appeal to Nerf fans. Doesn’t come cheap, though.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £72.94; Amazon.com $99.99; Smyths Irl €84.99 /UK £57.99; Argos Irl €88.49, Argos UK £59.99; Walmart $39.99;
Barbie My Style House
Description
With the My Style House, Barbie fans can express their own style, choosing how they want the home to look.
With a selection of furniture and accessories, sold separately, fans can decorate the space to suit the story they are telling. Includes house with working door, staircase and chandelier.
Why Buy
Barbie fans will love furnishing, arranging and rearranging the pieces. Prices are quite varied so worth shopping around.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £29.99; Amazon.com $140; Argos Irl €44.99, Argos UK £29.99;
VTech Toot Drivers Super RC Raceway
Description
Younger kids can get racing with the VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Super RC Raceway! Race through lots of incredible features including 4 fun action zones. The track can be rebuilt in many different ways in order to ensure that the fun doesn’t stop! Comes with cute Toot-Toot Drivers remote control racer with chunky controller.
Suitable for 1+ yrs.
Why Buy
Toot Toot Drivers are loved by little kids, and the added chunky remote controller will make them feel all grown up!
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £71.65; Argos Irl €73.99, Argos UK £49.99;
Real FX
Description
And for older kids who love car racing, Real FX is next generation slot-less racing – each car is fitted with infrared Opto sensors which read the track at 200 times per second, and this artificial intelligence means a second car can drive around the track by itself and compete against you!
Overtake opponents and deal with track hazards, from tyre blowouts to oil spills in this truly innovative racing system. It’s like video gaming meets slot racing, but in real life and of course with no slots!
Suitable for 8+ yrs.
Why Buy
This will appeal to all car racing fans (young and old!) providing the most realistic driving experience in remote controlled cars ever created! Deep pockets required!
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £98.70, Amazon.com $149.99; Smyths Irl €142.99 /UK £99.99; Argos Irl €135.89, Argos UK £99.99;
Tablets for Kids 2015
Tablet computers continue to dominate top toys lists this year. With so many tablets on the market, parents face a tricky task in deciding what to buy. Price, durability and parental control are just some of the factors that need consideration.
With this in mind, we’ve put together our Top Tablets for Kids to help you choose.
LEGO
It’s no surprise that Lego would be on the list, as it’s always a hit with kids.
New this year, and on Argos’ hot toy list, is LEGO City Deep Sea Exploration Vehicle for 8+yrs, which includes an exploration vessel, a submarine and remote sub, a scuba scooter, shipwreck, shark cage, and lots more.
The LEGO sets from popular movies of 2015 will also be popular. From Jurassic World, there’s plenty to choose from, with Indominus Rex Breakout Set for 7+yrs expected to be a big seller. Younger kids will like the Marvel Super Heroes Ant Man Final Battle set which is suited for 6+yrs.
With the release of 7th Star Wars film in December, new LEGO Star Wars sets will be popular, with many of the original vehicles being updated for the Force Reawakens, like the Millenium Falcon, Tie Fighter & Poe’s X-Wing.
And of course, all the favourites like Minecraft, Ninjago & Scooby Doo have some new sets. Now it’s just a matter of trying to get the kids to decide which set goes on their list!
COST (LEGO CITY Deep Sea Exploration Vessel)
Amazon.co.uk £72.94; Amazon.com $112.02; Smyths Irl €99.99 /UK £69.99; Argos Irl €117.99 , Argos UK £79.99;
LEGO Dimensions
LEGO Dimensions is a new video game that occupies a multiverse where different mini-figure characters from totally different worlds can enter game play, via a portal, which you build, along with the mini-figures and various weapons and props.
The Starter Pack includes the videogame, bricks to build the Gateway, 3 Mini figures (Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle), plus the LEGO Batmobile, and the revolutionary LEGO Toy Pad, which allows players to transport LEGO Dimensions mini-figures and models into the game. Plus, every LEGO vehicle and gadget in LEGO Dimensions can be physically rebuilt to add variety to gameplay.
Available for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems and Nintendo´s Wii U™ System.
Why Buy
This is already in incredibly high demand, having sold more on its first day of release then
Disney Infinity and Skylander did in their first week! So if this is on a list, be quick!
Star Wars
Star Wars merchandise will be super popular this year with Star Wars: The Force Awakens set to release on 18th December. All major toy retailers will be stocking products, including action figures and role play – one we think will be popular is the Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber.
Description
The Bladebuilders system provides kids with the unique components needed to create 100+ combinations from their imagination. The Jedi Master Lightsaber comes with a main Lightsaber featuring lights and sounds, two independently- lit lightdaggers, expansion hilt, and connectors.
Can combine with other Lightsabers in the BladeBuilders system.
Why Buy
2 words – customisable lightsaber. How cool is that?! As with most of the merchandise, it’s not cheap.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £56.99; Amazon.com $104.99; Smyths Irl €72.99 /UK £49.99; Argos Irl €73.99 , Argos UK £49.99;
Pony Club Lottie
Description
Pony Club Lottie is about much more than just riding – Lottie learns about caring for her horse Seren too, and studies for achievement badges covering subjects like feeding, equipment, pony behaviour and grooming.
Lottie comes dressed in her riding jodphurs, tweed-style formal riding jacket, shirt and tie, boots and riding helmet. Seren comes with saddle, bridle, stirrups and numnah (a saddle pad that acts as a protective cushion between the pony and the saddle).
Why Buy
The award-winning Lottie range of dolls are for girls ages 3 to 9 yrs – she doesn’t wear makeup, jewellery or high heels and she can stand on her own two feet (always a useful life skill for all girls, big and small). She’s all about letting girls be girls, doing all the activities a child would do, not growing up too quickly, and presenting a healthy view on body image. Here’s why we love Lottie dolls.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £29.99; Amazon.com $34.95;
Pie Face
It wouldn’t be a complete list without a new family game.
Description
The Pie Face game is filled with fun and suspense, and somebody’s bound to get splatted! Just put some delicious whipped cream from home or the wet sponge on the “hand” of this hilarious game unit and start turning the handles. It could go off at any time, so keep your fingers crossed and hope you’re not the one who gets a splat in the face!
You score a point for every time you turn the handle without getting pie-faced, and the one who scores 25 points wins.
Why Buy
Simple fun for the whole family.
Cost
Amazon.co.uk £24.69; Amazon.com ~$49; Irl €28.99/UK £19.99; Argos Irl €29.49, Argos UK £21.99; Walmart $18.88.
What is your little one asking Santa for this year? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
About the Author: jenniferb
