Toys and games form an integral part of every child’s life. A look at a child’s toys collection can make you decipher volumes about his\her disposition. This is also where a boy child differs from a girl. Girls prefer kitchen sets and Barbie dolls, whereas boys like to play with guns, cars and Superman figures. This is why all toys shops whether virtual or on the high street have compartmentalized the toys and distinguishes between them on the basis of gender.

Focusing on what interests boys, a mention must be made of the plethora of action figures that have engulfed the toy market of UK. Special mention can be made of varied popular action figures like Doctor Who 5″ Action Figure - Captain Jack and the Empty Child manufactured by Character Options, Guy of Gisborne 5″ Figure and Deluxe Horse Set that features a well sculpted realistically galloping horse, and Thinkway’s Spiderman - Interactive Green Goblin.

A plethora of companies have created a brand name for themselves by manufacturing children’s favourite characters in the form of action figures. Getting to play with their favourite characters gives your child a high and fills him up with enthusiasm. Various popular brands in UK that have created a niche market for themselves include Hasbro, Vivid Imaginations, Dark Horse, Tokyopop, Character Options, Play Inc. et al.

Just like the brands, there are several popular characters that have grasped huge chunks of UK market by their mass appeal and liking amongst the kids. Some such popular characters include Transformers, Batman, Gundam Wing, Star Wars, Harry Potter,Ben 10, Power Rangers etc.

Action figures, robots, action figure playsets, super heroes and police\fire and rescue can easily be regarded as some of the best gift options when it comes to boys. Also, finding the one that best suits your budget and requirement is no hassle any longer. The World Wide Web offers you with enough options and variety in the same.

Do you think little girls should be allowed to play with trains? I do, and here are some of the reasons I think little girls should be encouraged to play with trains, trucks, lego’s and tracks that need assembly. I was fortunate to be a young girl in a family of primarily men and boys (Grandfather, Uncles and cousins).

I was never told no you should not play with a truck or train when I was growing up and it helped me develop a sense of curiosity about how things work and what makes them run. It seemed so much more fun than playing house and got me outside too. I love anything that will get children out from in front of the TV or computer. I have a love and appreciation for how watches, cars, ball point pens and bullet train are made and created to serve us. Make our lives less physically difficult than it was just fifty or one hundred years ago, I also love history.

Maybe I’m a nerd then there are a lot of us. I believe that little girls of today should be exposed to toys traditionally thought of as “boys” toys only. Anything a man can repair or build so can a woman. Just look at some of the most beautiful buildings or woman doctors. This will be where girls of today learn the fundamental skills that will serve them throughout their learning years and beyond. Make the train pink, even better the boys won’t be trying to steal it away to play with on their own.

The Kidizoom Digital Camera is turning a lot of heads this year. One of the main reasons is because children are fascinated with photography! If you’re tired of your little one ‘borrowing’ your camera, your best bet might be to get them their own. There are four excellent reasons why a Kidizoom is worth the money.

• Very Tough - We all know that children are not always careful with their toys! That’s part of the reason you might be wary to invest in electronics for them at all. If you want to avoid any issues you need to make sure that the camera can withstand drops and bounces. The Kidizoom camera passes this test with flying colors! The outside is very durable so the camera will last for years.
• Easily Personalized- Children don’t want a boring old camera like mom and dad have. They’d much rather have one that is fun to look at and to use. This kid digital camera is great looking, and your child will have a choice of colors. Boys and girls both get their pick, actually! There are also changeable faceplates to give them more options.
• Great Features- Features are important for every camera purchase. This camera offers a 1.8 inch viewing screen, 16 MB of included storage space (with room to expand), software, USB cable and more. Even though this camera is made for kids, it still has the features you’d expect in an adult camera.
• Low Price- Finally, no purchasing decision is complete without knowing the price. You’ll be pleased to know that the Kidizoom will definitely not break the bank. In fact, the price is lower than $70 depending on where you purchase. That is some massive value for something that is practical and fun. This isn’t a toy that will be a waste of money since your little ones will want to take pictures of family gatherings and events with their friends.

There you have it; four compelling reasons why you might want to consider the Kidizoom Digital Camera for your little munchkins. If only something like this had been available when we were little!

After enduring about a dozen top ten picks from magazines, newspapers, websites and more, it is high time someone chooses toys that are both affordable, sustainable and will last beyond Christmas morning. As a parent myself, there is a lot of agonizing choices when it comes to toys(Ben 10 Toys) because there is a lot of pressure from your kids (even my three year old was making a list!) The toy has to be both “cool” and useful.

My first pick is for ages 4 and up:

The Leapster game module from Leap Pad is a combination of a video game and learning toy. Cars, Finding Nemo, and I Spy continue to be fun even though the toy itself is now two years old. The durability of the machine is incredible. It has survived all the torture that a two year old, and now five year old, can put it through. This toy is first rate and well worth the investment. One word of caution, do not purchase the “My First Leapster” or “Little Leapster” as they burn through batteries, and kids loose interest in them within a few weeks. The Leapster remains fun because it has the video game aspect.

Mothers everywhere will appreciate the fact that when your husband goes Christmas shopping for the boys, inevitably the toys he picks will be ones that he will play with too. Which is why I have to nominate Air Hogs Havoc Heli Alien Invasion as this years top pick for all. Manufactures recommend ages nine and up, but kids as young as five can be taught to operate the devise with parental guidance (read: parents will have to play with the kids, but don’t be surprised if you want to play with it just as much as the kids). It is an absolute blast to shoot another helicopter out of the sky! It is like Battleship only cool. A side note: don’t purchase this item on EBay because with shipping it will cost you more than it would in a national store chain. Often the price is more expensive and there are not as many incentives (like Site-to-Store free pick-up) from retailers like Wal-Mart ,Toy’s-R-Us and Ben 10 Toys.

My third pick is for girls ages 3 and up. Available at the Costco website, the Doll Crib with Canopy and High Chair set is both inexpensive and nice enough to stand the test of time. It is a toy that once outgrown, can be saved for future generations to love.

Both boys and girls ages 2 and up both love tents and tunnels. Sold through almost every retailer on-line and in stores, it is important to do research before picking one that is right for your home and the use level of your kids (i.e. kids that like to climb and wrestle will need a stronger fabric and seam structure than kids that uses the fort as a “house”). These structures range in price from about $40.00 - $500.00.

If you are still unsure of a gift, just get Lego’s. Lego’s are a sure bet for both boys and girls ages 2 and up. This toy is virtually indestructible, inexpensive, and provides fine motor development absolutely essential for healthy growth. There is no such thing as “too many” and the hours of imaginative play are well worth the money. Pick the sets that best coincide with the age of the recipient. Stick with the actual “Lego” brand because they only work with their own kind.

Musical instruments are both fun, and functional. Boys and girls love to create music and dance from the time they are about 9 months old. Fortunately, there are toys out there that can also improve the living conditions of those in 3rd world countries. SERRV international (formerly A Greater Gift) has a wide range of flutes, drums, and maracas that are suitable for every age and skill. My almost two year old has been playing with a bongo drum for about six months now. Other good choices are My First Acoustic Guitar, and mini-piano’s/keyboards. The best part about choosing music is that it never goes out of style and will create a life-long appreciation for a fine art.

Choosing gifts for a child should never be about volume or what is advertised most on television. Gifts should reflect each child’s personality, interests, and create an appreciation for the world around them. It is better to invest in a couple of really functional toys than spend hundreds of dollars on gifts that will be abandoned as soon as a couple of pieces are lost.