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
keeping one amused
We're unlikely to see the veritable amount of tat that surrounded the Royal wedding last year, we're hoping that celebratory and commemorative kit will all attempt to be as classy as this chess set (over optimistic perhaps). Each piece is handpainted, it truly is a glorious piece of kit that's certain to find favour with those who refer to parts of their abodes with terms such as East and West wing. It'll set you back almost £300 HERE for those interested parties.
Star Wars slot sets – At last
We've been treated to a fair few Scalextric licences over the years, James bond ones were pretty good, Toy Story didn;t float our slot-car racing boat, this pair of beauties has us grinning from ear to ear. Why we've had to wait for so long to get Star Wars and Scalexctric to tema up Darth only knows, and frankly we don;t give a Yoda because it's finally happening - Exactly when we're no sure. So, we have the Micro 1:64 scale Death Star Attack set with a Lord Vader Tie Fighter battling a Luke Skywalker X-Wing, the spaceships have working ...
Cherry picker is a sweet build
It took us a while getting around to building our LEGO Technic Bucket Truck, that’s cherry picker to most of us or elevated platform to those perhaps allergic to cherries or very posh indeed. It’s the machine used to rig up local Christmas lights or fix street lights, very clever vehicles they are too. Just like its real life ride this Bucket Truck has a set of gears to raise and rotate the platform on the back, two more gears let you deploy the outriggers at the side of the vehicle to keep it stable when the platform is fully ...
Off-screen action with Mario
In our scramble to put as many crossover category toys to the test this year (think Skylanders, Wappydog, Angry Bird plush etc) we'd somehow almost missed this plumber based box of racing good ness. The Mario Kart Battle pack features a Mario and Yoshi sat in their rides and an assortment of track accessories for you to establish where your hairpins and chicances should be placed. whilst you race the lights on the nift RC unit have lights which each represent an action you'd find on the console version, Mushroom: Gives a speed boost Green Shell: Sends your opponent hurtling backwards Lightning: Sends ...
Remember the posh Fox?
The upper class fox was at his very best in the eighties, close to the cuff humour for kids TV, often ridiculing his guests and co-hosts, quality Telly. Now you can own your own Basil Brush handpuppet, give him a squeeze and he'll let out his grin inducing laugh topped off with a legendary "Boom Boom" at the end. At just £12.99 seems like a no-brainer.
On September 30, 2008, In Adults in mind, Eats and Treats, Edutainment, Family fun, Figures and Dolls, Get Involved, by peter jenkinson
On September 29, 2008, In RC's and Robots, by peter jenkinson
We love the new Robot from Mech RC, the intuitive robot that’s feature packed and aimed at robot regulars and amateurs alike. We’ve discovered a new machine is set to join the stable, as yet without a name but loaded with Bluetooth control and a camera in his head in addition to the smart software we’ve already seen should make this one another winner from Dr Wyatt. Watch out for more at Mech RC.
On September 24, 2008, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Electronics, Get Involved, Pit Stop, RC's and Robots, by peter jenkinson
The tricky to pronounce name of this Italian superbike gives you a taste of the scaled down remote control ride you are about to have. Unlike other R/C bikes with lame stabilisers at the back this one actually uses the weight of the on-board rider shifting from side-to-side to steer the machine. It’ll take some practice, but after a time you’ll be pulling crowd pleasing stunts and it’ll be worth all your training. £59.95 at Firebox
On September 24, 2008, In Electronics, by peter jenkinson
Early morning walks, vet bills, feed costs, space in your place – All reason enough not to cave in to kids demands for a pet…. Virtual ones online are one thing but this tangible pooch is far better, yes Biscuit the pet is just about as close to the real thing you can get. Advanced animatronics enable this Golden Retreiver clone to react in a lifelike manner to commands it is given such as "sit up and beg" or "give me a paw" – Retreiving your newspaper from the front door is alas a way off yet but happily so is chewing the furniture or yapping through the night. Available now for
£149.99 at thetoyshop.
On September 21, 2008, In Music Makers, by peter jenkinson
After months nay years of seeing prototypes of piano playing mitts they have finally arrived. Air guitars and drums are fine but slip these on and they enable you to “ting” out a tune anywhere without looking quite as daft. Chopsticks on your coffee table….easy, just select from classic piano tinking or eight other sounds….and they thought loud Mp3 music on the tube was irritating! Out soonish at £49.99 we are well excited…see IWOOT
On September 18, 2008, In Collectables, by peter jenkinson
The pop princess will likely be less than happy with this rather unflattering form of herself produced by the Danish brick builders. Amy Winehouse and Sir Cliff Richard have had the same treatment too but neither look as chunkcy as the material girl famed for her rigorous work out sessions. Far from being just some characters mocked up by avid fans this trio, amongst opthers have been produced as part of the ongoing 30th anniversary celebrations.
On September 18, 2008, In Electronics, Figures and Dolls, Get Involved, Girls Allowed, Music Makers, by peter jenkinson
Disney and iRiver have joined forces to bring us the M Player, a 1GB (up to 250 tracks) music machine aimed at the kids, yet it is quirky enough we can see grown-ups grabbing a few too. This uber-lightweight machine is just 18 grams but has a great build quality to it and feels robust enough to stand a few knocks. Its the controls where this contendor in the mini-MP3 machine market shines, twist Mickeys left ear for volume 
adjustment and a twist on the right ear is for track selection. £29.99 buys you one of thes cute audio machines and we reckon this is going to be one of this years hot properties so grab yours whilst you can ahead of the masses! AdvancedMP3players
On September 17, 2008, In Adults in mind, Boys Toys, Collectables, Deal of the Day, Electronics, Family fun, Figures and Dolls, Girls Allowed, by peter jenkinson
Stick your HB inside the high sea plunderer and as you turn your tip it’ll be winding up the character no end, then as you remove your imlement the little chap will whizz off with his head bobbing and arms swaying. If you are not in posession of any pencils the pirates come complete with a key to power them up. £4.99 at Hawkin
On September 16, 2008, In Adults in mind, Edutainment, Family fun, Figures and Dolls, Telly Time, by peter jenkinson
Remember Morph, the pliable plasticine pal of Tony Hart? Well here he is after all these years boxed up as an as yet unborn unit complete with instructional DVD from his creator on building your own slightly obnoxious figure and 15 episodes for further inspiration to boot. The fun doesn’t stop there, inside you’ll get a few props such as skateboard and beard and a wooden box not disimilar to the one Mr Hart would stick him if his shennanigans got out of hand. Out now, £10.95 at Firebox thats right, just a tenner for a weekend packed with memories and moulding!
On September 16, 2008, In Collectables, by peter jenkinson
All the talking toys from the new MR Men series will be available at the end of October from Mattel, the talking plushes will certainly appeal to fans of the new show and are good enough to even encourage die hard fans of the original series to invest. Over at Mr Men Doubles they’re asking you to nominate celebrities that have similar looks or personality traits to the characters… Obvious ones are of course Mr Rude = Gordon Ramsay, Mr Strong = Simon Cowell (its the belt) Mr Grumpy = Victor Meldrew so get along and vote for yours……
