I’ve been testing ‘top buy’ toys for Christmas and these are what will REALLY keep kids busy
CHRISTMAS may be a time of goodwill, but for me, as a mother of two boys, it is also a time of stress, anxiety and the endless challenge of ‘HOW can I keep them occupied?’ when it freezes and/or rains non-stop.
So instead of searching for endless, random plastic toys this year, I tried and tested The entertainer‘s Top Buy toys to see what actually makes them tick and there was a clear winner that DID NOT break the bank.
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My two boys are seven and four years old and although the seven year old is a ‘typical boy’ he only cares football and getting muddy outside, the four year old loves make-believe, unicorns and being creative AND I even convinced a few of his friends to become little testers.
So, if you’re worried about what to buy… here’s an honest review.
Despicable Me 4 The ultimate fart blaster
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What the kids thought: The name and idea were an instant hit, especially when they saw my nose and Grandma’s (my glamorous assistant) popping up. They couldn’t stop giggling and were very excited to make fun of us. Although the sounds were funny, it was the cool smoke ‘fart’ rings that they loved.
What I thought: It’s a big, cumbersome toy, so if you’re short on storage space, this will take up an entire closet if you’re not careful. The smells from the machine aren’t unpleasant – they smell a bit like popcorn – but it’s not Yankee Candle aroma!
How to set up easily: The fart ‘liquid’ is quite greasy and messy to put into the toy, so keep it away from soft furnishings. It also needs SIX AA batteries to get started, but once that’s done, you’re okay. However, the fluid needs to be topped up quite regularly.
How long it kept them busy: 30 minutes. It was too complicated for my 4 year old, but the 7 year old enjoyed farting in the garden for a while (sorry neighbors!) However, after the first play they didn’t pick up the toy again.
Stars: 3/5
Hatchimals alive! Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Electronic Pet
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What the kids thought: My seven year old wasn’t interested, but this was a HUGE hit for my four year old and his friends (girls and boys). The egg is mysterious and it’s adorable to watch it hatch and become their own little pet. The lights and smoke as it is born are magical.
What I thought: I loved how this totally transfixed the kids and blew up their imaginations. Like any talking toy, it’s annoying if it goes everywhere with you, but you can easily turn it off and put it back in its nest. However, it is not a hug, it is hard and heavy.
How to set up easily: Very simple. The ‘magic heart key’ does all the work for you. There will be a bit of a mess when the egg hatches.
How long it kept them busy: 2 hours. My four year old played with it for ages and carried it everywhere for a few days.
Stars: 4/5
Totally Tracks Loop race track
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What the kids thought: They loved it, especially during the dark days and afternoons, because the lights on the car are great. It is also a fast route.
What I thought: I was surprised at how cheap this was considering how good of a toy it is. It is easy to assemble and easy to store. I would say it would have been better to have two cars to avoid fights, but they enjoyed making different numbers under tables, the couch… wherever.
How to set up easily: V. easy.
How long it kept them busy: 1 hour + came back to play with it again and again.
Stars: 5/5
Is the sold out Lego Fortnite Battle Bus worth the waiting list?
Lego Fortnite Battle Bus, £89.99
It’s sold out everywhere – and I mean EVERYWHERE.
But that doesn’t mean my 10-year-old son Lucas would accept that I couldn’t get him the long-awaited Lego Fortnite Battle Bus for Christmas.
So when I actually managed to get one, I couldn’t wait to give it to him.
And the look on his face was definitely worth the wait!
It’s a 10+ set, so it’s obviously more complicated than some other builds, but Lucas had no problem with it because he’s a Lego pro.
When asked what he thought of the set, he said it was “amazing” and was a lot of fun to build.
The only criticism he had was that he was hoping for some minifigures of certain characters that didn’t end up in the package, so he was a little disappointed about that.
But his joy when he finally got the set helped him overcome that disappointment almost immediately.
And as a mother, there are few benefits that excite me more than keeping him busy for two full hours.
Lego has also been proven to help children with their “problem-solving skills, spatial awareness and… critical thinking skills“.
So it’s a win in my book!
by Sarah Bull, fantastic online digital senior reporter
The Lego Fortnite Battle Bus will be back in stock on the Lego website in February – keep an eye on stock levels here.
Disney Lilo & Stitch Crack Me Up interactive soft toy
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What the kids thought: They thought it was ‘sus’ (weird), but for any Lilo & Stitch fan, they thought it was brilliant.
What I thought: Same as the children. Not that cuddly for a teddy bear either.
How to set up easily: V. easy.
How long it kept them busy: 5 minutes. All the kids, not just mine, who played with it thought it was a bit funny, but then it was quickly put down and left behind.
Stars: 2/5
Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorized Race Track Playset
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What the kids thought: They were excited to get it running and as the cars went around the track there was a lot of excited jumping and ‘car testing’ to see which engine would whir the best.
What I thought: Setting it up had me sweating and being prepared for the fact that some cars work better than others on the track. Like a shooting across the room. It’s loud too – the kind of constant noise that makes you gasp when you least expect it!
How to set up easily: Not as easy as most Hot Wheels tracks and frustrating, but when it’s done, it’s done!
How long it kept them busy: 1 hour. They also keep coming back to test more cars, so this isn’t a one-time wonder like some.
Stars: 4/5
