Star Wars Millennium Falcon £149.95
This is a gift that, if we’re being honest, many dads will covet for themselves. The gigantic ship (it’s the better part of a yard long) is the ultimate Star Wars toy: It features an appropriately rakish Han Solo figure and a hulking wookie. It fires missiles, it lights up, it makes authentic ‘failed hyperdrive’ noises. It has secret compartments, a working gun turret, a separate mini-shuttle, even somewhere for Luke to practice his light-saber. Every red-blooded boy from 3 to 53 will absolutely adore this, if they can only find room for it. I daresay a few green-blooded boys might got for it too.
Biscuit the loving pup £119.95
President-elect Obama’s greatest dilemma right now seems to be selecting the ideal puppy to live with his family in the White House. He clearly knows that a pet can be a terrific stimulus to a child’s development but we can’t all afford the space or the time to care for a dog properly. One of an ever-more realistic lineage of robot playmates Biscuit is less likely to exacerbate the First Kid’s allergies and, apart from a few dead batteries, won’t leave any nasty surprises on the hall rug.
JVC KD-10 Headphones £22.00
It’s increasingly common for kids to entertain themselves on long journeys with a portable DVD player or a hand-me-down iPod, but the headphones that come with expensive electronics are rarely suitable for delicate young ears. Enter JVC with these sturdy cans that feature a volume limiter that can be set by the concerned parent.
SparrowKids Routemaster Bus Kit £9.99
Sparrowkids make a huge range of craft kits for children – there are dozens of pretty but achievable projects for young girls but this London bus might also tempt a young boy to take up his (safe plastic) needle and sew.
Lego Indiana Jones Motorcycle chase £8.99
This Christmas will undoubtedly see a new generation of Indy Fans born as the Crystal Skull movie arrives on DVD. What better way to expand on that enthusiasm than to give a little Lego motorcycle and sidecar combination featuring everyone’s favourite renegade archaeologist? Unless you count Tony Robinson of course. Lego’s always a great gift because it encourages young minds to pull things apart and reassemble them, encouraging analytical thought. It also teaches them to endure the pain of stepping on a loose piece barefoot, which encourages fortitude. Character building entertainment.
Kitchen Chemistry Set £15.99
Bring our the budding Heston Blumenthal in any 6-14 year old with a chemistry set that uses common household ingredients to teach kids about acids and alkalis, chemical reactions, enzymes and mixing. Not quite as the virtual bomb-making kits that our grandparents grew up with but still good, educational messy fun.
Holz wooden airport £52.95
It might sensibly be said that Britain doesn’t need another airport but when it’s a chunkily traditional (sustainable) wooden toy one like this even the most eco-concious of us would agree that it’s a good thing. Especially as, treated with a little care, this sturdy playset could easily entertain several generations of young air traffic controllers. How many High School Musical Dance Mats can make that boast?
Dressing up is one of those activities that never quite gets boring, no matter how old we get. This red tulle dress with elegant gossamer wings supplies enough age-appropriate glamour to pass muster at a birthday party or two as well as being the star of every sleepover and playdate until the lucky recipient regretfully grows out of it. Best of all, it will survive a 40 degree wash so it will resist a certain amount of blancmange.
Pirate Outfit £25
Everybody loves a pirate. With a satin-lined waistcoat adorned with (unfortunately not real) gold buttons, artfully distressed pantaloons, an eyepatch and a Jolly Roger bandana this has that authentic buccaneer style that will please every young boy (and not a few young girls) with a longing for the Spanish Main.
Catch a beast £19.99
Already a huge craze in Japan, the Catch a Beast phenomenon might baffle us busy adults, but captivate most single-minded young boys with its Lovecraftian mythology of a world seething with invisible beasts just waiting to be captured, trained and exchanged with other beast-masters.
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