Children and Teens Gift Guide #2025
The 2025 Christmas Gift Guides are live! Each year I tend to pick a selection of books, clothing, one or two practical gifts our kids need like toiletries– especially in stockings, sweets or chocolate, then a couple of toys like the wonderful products listed below. I buy a mix of second-hand and new – when budgeting don’t forget to factor in postage costs. My 7-year-old is easier to buy for than my 14-year-old, who just wants Vbucks and game codes. Stick with their likes and interests so things don’t sit unused on shelves. We are mindful that other family members will buy for them too, who also often ask us for suggestions. This guide has ideas for parents with children (and teens) for inspiration. We tend to buy from brands and companies that have a good reputation, so toys will last.
We have made it easy to see the age suitability, retailer, price, postage info etc, including our own review as a customer and product descriptions. (Always check websites’ last postage dates before Christmas.) Check out our socials for pictures of the packaging and gift wrapping where applicable.
P.s Check if websites have discounts to sign up to mailing lists before you buy – every little helps and most offer between 10-20% off on first purchases. Remember to buy batteries/have scissors and screwdrivers on hand on Christmas day to avoid toys being trapped in boxes and not working.
Stuntman Stu Race Ace Stunt Car Set RRP £24.99.
Stuntman Stu is a unique brand that focuses on high energy fun and sells the ultimate collection of action-packed stunt toys. Children can create their own stunts at home with the break-apart Stuntman Stu Race Ace Stunt Car Set. For ages 5+ the toy and its packaging are visually appealing, bold and full of character. A generously sized toy, the articulated stuntman figurine is 12cm and car is 22cm. The car includes multiple ejectable parts that will fly off upon impact on the front bumper. With pop off doors skins and engine, roof, trunk and fly off bonnet you can then rebuild the car after a crash. The set also includes five crates to incorporate into stunts, 1x decal sheet and instructions. I like that children can get inventive and make their own ramps with used cereal boxes and cushions. Save up the recycling! It is simple to assemble and the toy has a well-made plastic body to withstand rough pay – it can flip, jump and smash, then get rebuilt. Added bonus Stuntman Stu comes with a manufacturer’s 1 year guarantee. If you go on the brand YouTube, there are cartoon videos to watch of Stuntman Stu which will give children a giggle. Smyths offer FREE standard delivery.
Yoto Mini Player (RRP £59.99), Adventure Jacket (RRP £19.99), Wireless Headphones (RPP £34.99) and Yoto Cards (starting from £1.99).
Inspired by Montessori principles the Yoto is an award-winning screen-free audio player that plays fun and educational audio content using Yoto cards, on Yoto Radio and links to the FREE Yoto phone app. It is primarily marketed towards children ages 3-12+. More than just a speaker the Yoto is designed to be child-controlled and the opportunity for listening, learning and play is endless! See our full REVIEW. The Yoto Mini audio player is the compact sibling of the Yoto, which fits in the palm of your hand, ideal for in the car and out and about. Functionality is brilliant – the controls are simple, the small display offers a useful clock function (with Wake to Go clock) and shows pixel images, and it has the familiar Yoto card slot. It is AD free. With the simple card system and chunky buttons, the device is easy to use and allows children to select and play their own content independently. What I love is that you can access all the same music (including free white noise/sleep sounds), stories, and FREE online content. You can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker. The Yoto Mini comes with a charging cable (USB) a make-your-own card and instructions for setup. This is quick and simple: download the APP, link through Wi-Fi, and set up an account. If you have a family account, you can add additional devices and share content! Plus point the Yoto Mini has a new battery with up to 14 hours play per charge. The brightly coloured Adventure Jacket helps to protect your Yoto from the bumps, knocks and drops that always happen with children around. If you purchase at the same time as your Yoto Mini you can buy a bundle where the jacket is £14.99 instead of £19.99. They sell in a range of bright colours – we feature ‘sweetcorn’. The silicone cases fit snugly over the Yoto Mini, so the buttons are still accessible. They also come with a handy wrist strap. Yoto’s Wireless Headphones are a great addition for quiet listening. Designed for young ears (3+), we love the bold orange shade and kid-safe volume limiting. They connect wirelessly with ease and also come with a premium braided cable and a daisy chain feature to allow two sets to listen together from one player. Fab for siblings. The headband can be adjusted for comfort and they offer a huge 20 hours of listening time. If you already have a player Yoto Cards are the perfect stocking filler – we always look at Best Sellers or New Releases for inspiration! You can select tales by age, creator and genre – single cards sell for under £10. The Yoto will grow with your child, they have over 1200+ audio titles. My 7-year-old now loves longer stories such as Charlotte’s Web, or The Railway Children – you can buy a pack such as the Classics Collection, or for older children there are epic tales such as The Chronicles of Narnia and His Dark Materials which offers a whopping 43 h 21 min of listening time. Our favourite listen at the moment is the Wicked Soundtrack! I like that you can preview each card being narrated on the card sales page on the website. There are now 3 membership plans to the Yoto Club subscriptions, which we have joined for discounts, free shipping and lots of extras.
Art Lab Fluffy Paint Studio RRP £22.99.
Headquartered in France, and with offices in the US, China and Spain, Canal Toys continues to grow in popularity in the UK. Expert in arts and crafts, Canal Toys are synonymous with fresh and innovative products, which are all in-house designed product ranges. For art lovers aged 6+, The Art Lab Fluffy Paint Studio gives children everything they need to design up to 10 unique posters in a compact studio. It is well stocked which includes 10 poster templates and 10 sheets of watercolour paper, 4 watercolour paints and 4 colourful shades of fluffy paint to create textured effects for a fun, sensory twist. What I like is the adorable kawaii poster characters and candy colour paint shades. There are 4 nozzle tips to pipe fluffy paint into unique shapes which adds a magical element to the artwork. It takes a little time to master the techniques but there is good advice in the guide and increasing difficulty levels for the pros. For those who love a blind bag, there are also 6 surprise deco bags to personalise the art with charms. I am so impressed with the amount of supplies within The Art Lab Fluffy Paint Studio. The storage element is a clever touch with handy built in compartments to store the paints, decorations and creations. It is easy to assemble, they just slot together. For rainy-day projects, craft afternoons, or as a thoughtful gift, it’s a great pick for children aged 6–10. The fluffy paint takes about two hours to dry so keep that in mind! Smyths offer FREE standard delivery.
Green People Oy Clear Skin Goals Gift Set RRP 51 on SALE £43.
The pioneers of organic beauty since 1997 Green People are an organic skin care brand, the ones that rewrote the rules on caring for sensitive skin and helped create the first standards for organic beauty. Forever at the forefront of botanical innovations and planet-friendly packaging, Green People’s international brand continues to grow year after year. If you have teens, self-care and skin care have become high on the priorities list and you want to ensure the products that you are purchasing are designed for younger skin. The Oy Clear Skin Goals is a popular gift set of spot-controlling products tailormade for teenagers and tweens. Attractively boxed and packaged for young people, the set includes a simple 3-step routine with safe, natural ingredients. I love that the box on the inside has instructions for each of the products, what they target and how to use them. Certified organic, cruelty free, vegan and alcohol free the set is unisex and a great choice for that first skincare routine. The pump action foaming face wash (100ml) is a great combination of Tea Tree, Witch Hazel and Willow Bark that cleanses, is antibacterial and soothes all in one. This is followed by a 30ml purifying cleanser that helps control breakouts whilst reducing redness and irritation. Suitable for sensitive skin and those prone to exam the 50ml moisturiser is lightweight and non-greasy. The fragrance of mandarin and sweet orange of each product is gentle and even my teen with ASD loved the scent. On the site additional products that would pair well with this set are suggested which I like if you are feeling a bit lost as what to buy. Save up to 20% on first purchase when signing up to emails and the site also offers FREE UK delivery on over £35 and £3.50 for purchases under this.
Zoo Friends Bear Camera RRP £69.95.
Known for their colourful, durable, and delightfully child-friendly tech, The Zoo Family is loved worldwide and gives kids the tools to explore their world, i.e. binoculars for outdoor explorers. Do you have a budding photographer and want to encourage creativity and exploration? The Zoo Friends Bear (one of nine characters) 32-megapixel digital kids’ camera and video recorder focuses on durability and fun. It features playful details like the protective PVC-free, phthalate-free, silicone animal-themed sleeve and an easy-to-use interface for kids aged 3 and up. The case is easily removable and washable for added convenience. It is compact (7,9 x 4,6 x 2,1 cm) yet shockproof and durable with a generous 2-inch display and decent resolution. As a parent, I was pleased that the camera is easy to hold and use, with only six chunky buttons and designed so it can withstand enthusiastic little hands. Customise your child’s camera with stickers and explore over 20 camera filters and frames for endless creative fun with the creativity setting. In the box also comes a cute character hand/neck strap. Equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery, it offers hours of usage before needing a charge. When fully charged, containing a 32GB memory card, it can snap over 2000 photos, offering up to 2 hours of continuous use. The Zoo Family’s digital cameras aren’t just fun gadgets they encourage STEAM learning – improving digital-based literacy, artistic skills such as understanding composition and encouraging children to feel proud of their creations. With each camera purchase Zoo Friends plants a tree and offers free delivery with orders over £89.
Micro Scooters Dino Print Safety Set: Helmet, Bell and Light RRP £42.95.
Micro Scooters have a reputation for unmatched quality in their sale of two and three-wheeled Mini Micro & Maxi Micro Scooters. An award-winning certified B-Corp company they sell a rider accessory Safety Set which includes a helmet, light and bell. A perfect present for kids who have been given a new bike/scooter for Christmas – to keep every adventurer safe. The set includes an award-winning Micro Small helmet (48-54cm – to fit between 1-4 years depending on head size) with adjustable chin strap, air vents to keep heads cool, a rear sizing dial for the perfect fit, a chin strap for pinch-free opening and closing, and extra padding for a comfy fit. The brand’s easy squeeze buckle/unbuckle helps little fingers fasten their helmet independently. A winning feature for me is the integrated rear light, which helps with visibility. The set also includes a Micro-branded bell to match the helmet, which is a nice touch. The weatherproof, flexible bell wraps around a scooter or bike’s handlebars, and it is loud and effective. Available in dino or mermaid print I love the bold colours and design of the helmet itself, which is really appealing, with unicorn and star detailing so a child is more likely to want to wear the helmet. Also included is a robust pink Micro light. Rain proves no problem for these clever little lights; they are made from silicone with a flexible body making them easy to wrap around and hold fast to the stem of a scooter. With three settings, constant, flash and rapid flash, with a quick release feature and bright LED bulbs, ensuring every rider can be seen. Check out the website for additional coordinated items like the unicorn Eco backpack that you can strap on to the scooter, great for travelling back and forward to school. Save up to 10% on your first order when you sign up. FREE delivery over £40.
Sylvanian Families Flowering Princesses Set RRP £25.99 and Baby Santa’s Christmas Tree House RRP £29.99.
Sylvanian Families, introduced in 1985, are enduring and beloved toys known for their quality, attention to detail, and ability to inspire imaginative play, through their wholesome and friendly appeal among children and collectors alike. They are designed around themes of nature, family, and love, encouraging children to explore their imagination and develop social skills through play. The toys include a variety of animal families, detailed buildings including houses and workplaces, furniture, and a wealth of accessories, all crafted with care to enhance the play experience. The toy range is substantial, and you can buy large sets for gifts or figure sets to perfectly fit in stockings, depending on your budget. Whilst I had the classic Windmill, my daughter loves the new hair style Sylvanian’s and especially covets the baby figures. The Sylvanian Families Flowering Princesses Set includes four mixed figures dressed in beautiful flower dresses with real-looking flower detailing, including the Chocolate Rabbit girl and Persian Cat girl. Combine with the Skytop Fairy Castle, Floral Fantasy Skyship and Daydream Parade Playset for even more fun imaginative playtime! The Chocolate Rabbit girl is named Freya, the Persian Cat girl is named Lyra. I love that they have names; it just adds to the warm and sweet nature of the figures. Each figure is paired with an accessory that complements her dress, adding to the fun of imaginative role-playing and children will love sharing the outfits and accessories between figures – the little tiara is my favourite. Their soft fur and the pastel dresses with gems and iridescent colouring are an extra special touch. Or, why not purchase a limited-edition seasonal product Baby Santa’s Christmas Tree House? This festive-themed set contains a small house in the shape of a Christmas tree, a sleigh, the Snow Leopard baby, the Caramel Dog baby, and multiple accessories (7 little toys and a Christmas card). Toys can be placed inside the plastic present box and a little fabric sack. The Snow Leopard baby is Lala and the Caramel Dog baby is Justin who are wearing adorable Santa Claus and reindeer costumes. I really like that the Christmas tree house can be attached to the top of the Skytop Fairy Castle (sold separately) and the sleigh can be connected with the baby snowmobile from the Snow Leopard Family (sold separately). There are a lot of extras alongside the figures which I like and the teeny candy cane is adorable. Both sets are suitable for ages three years and above. Get 15%* OFF your first order when you sign up to the newsletter. Standard shipping is £4.99 on the website.
Baker Ross art supplies and craft kits for children, from RRP £3.95.
Co-founded in 1974 Baker Ross is still a family-owned and run business whose innovative ideas led them to become one of the leading suppliers of arts and crafts, toys and party supplies to parents, schools, playgroups and organisations in the UK and beyond. With so many fun themed crafts and all-in-one craft kits for children and such reasonable prices the only problem you will have is choosing! Why not buy a few different sets for stocking fillers as these are perfect for rainy days and each encourages different skills. We wanted to give you a peek at the huge variety that is on offer! For festive choices are the: Christmas Foil Art Decorations (pack of 8) RRP £5.95. These are so simple for children to make. Peel back the covering on the card design, rub on a foil sheet in the colour of their choice, and lift to reveal a bright, shiny finish. Cheerful Christmas designs with six foil colours are included. The kits come with everything needed, including a rubbing tool and ribbon for hanging. No glue is required, and clear instructions make it easy and mess-free. Fill calendars with chocolate coins and adorable Christmas themed Erasers (pack 12 or 36) RRP £5.99. Each eraser measures 20mm and includes a Reindeer, Christmas Tree, Stocking, Gingerbread Man, Present, Bell, Santa, Santa Hat, Mitten, Snowflake, Wreath, and Snowman. For festive fun The Christmas Capybara Mix and Max Decoration Kit (Pack of 8) RRP £5.95 includes a template, self-adhesive foam decorations, and ribbon for easy hanging! Conveniently stored in a handy storage box the Polymer Clay Beads Bumper Box RRP £5.95 from 8.95 offers hours of fun with holes for threading. With 24 assorted colours, each box contains 3600 flat polymer clay beads, measuring 6mm. Pair them with Neon coloured elastic (5 pack) RRP £3.95 down from £6.95. Add extras like the pastel Butterfly Beads RRP £3.95 down from £5.95 to make jewellery, keychains, anything! Or, how about the Magic Bubble Slime Kit for mini scientists again on SALE FOR £7.95 to encourage sensory play and creativity. Each kit includes 1 bag of white slime, 4 bottles of pigment, 3 glitter powders, a plastic pot with lid, a mixing container, a pair of disposable gloves, and straws. Easy-to-follow instructions are included to guide you through the process. Or, how about the pack of 8 white Design Your Own Hair Scrunchies ready to be painted, drawn on and dyed RRP £5.95 instead of £7.95 with the Fabric Pens (12) RRP £8.95 that you heat fix and are crafted with washable permanent ink that withstands up to 40°C laundering. This is just a taster of what is available on site and the prices are so reasonable. If you sign up, you can ENJOY £5 OFF plus FREE Delivery on your first order (minimum spend £29).
Twisty Petz 3 Pack. Available as a mystery pack, 2-pack, 3-Pack and Family Pack, RRP £5.99 – £24.99.
Twisty Petz have an innovative dual-purpose play and jewellery function, one moment they are an adorable animal made of sparkly beads on an elasticated string and the next a wearable accessory. The affordable 3 pack (RRP £16.99) includes three cute pets for endless fun! Twist them into friendship bracelets, necklaces, or backpack charms. To change them from a pet to your chosen accessory, i.e. a bracelet, pull the head and the tail gently apart (this untwists the animal into a string of beads), then to create a loop place the tail into the hole in the head and simply push it in. Ideal for children age 4+ they will make a great stocking filler, my daughter loves the collectable element (12 in this assortment), and they are a nice introduction to child-appropriate jewellery. Twisty Petz come with a collector’s guide which contains full instructions on how to turn your pet into a bracelet and back again. They are lightweight and don’t pinch. Ideal entertainment for on the go, grab a couple for car journeys. Available from Amazon and Smyths who offer FREE standard delivery.
Jaques of London Shape Sorter (RRP £25.99 on SALE £22.99), Catching Frogs – Fishing Game (RRP £29.99 on SALE £24.99) and the Toy Ferris Wheel (RRP £35.99 on SALE from £38.99).
Jaques of London is a multi-award winning, 8th generation family-run company who have been inventing and making toys and games since 1795. They offer a large catalogue of beautiful, primarily wooden products with a commitment to sustainability. For infants The Jaques of London colourful FSC approved wooden Shape Sorter Learning Game (suitable for 1+ Years) engages young children to recognise shapes, understand size and patterns, and develop colour recognition. A classic stimulating toy for toddler play this sturdy shape sorting cube is a must-have for parents looking for an early educational toy. It is an ideal size for little hands ((H) 14cm x (W) 14cm x (D) 12cm) with a durable wooden design and rounded corners for UK & EU tested safe play. A simple sliding lid makes easy storage of the 13 bright wooden 3D shapes, coloured with non-toxic water-based paint with clear printed shape names. I like the traditional style and variety of shapes included for children to match and sort to encourage fine motor skills and coordination through play. Competing toys only offer half the amount of shapes, and the inclusion of unusual shapes and colours makes the toy especially engaging.
For toddlers enjoy hours of fun with the popular developmental toy Catching Frogs Fishing Game (1+ Years). Offering multiple games in one why not turn playtime into a mini maths lesson with counting, packed with excitement and skill-building fun. It reminds me of fun at the fairground playing hook-a-duck! Perfect for playful learners, watch your little ones develop their coordination as they fish for frogs and discover the magic of numbers. Unbox to discover a generous 10x18x23 cm decorative blue portable play pond which doubles as a storage container for easy tidy-up. There are also 12 colourful, friendly-faced numbered wooden frogs for exciting catch-and-count play to build number recognition. I like that the frogs are quite chunky to be played with solo if children wanted to. The pair of magnetic rods are solidly made of lovely pale wood. As an additional bonus, the game includes a Number Play Pack with counting cards with number bonds to add extra learning value and suggestions for different types of game play. Catching Frogs is a highly rated, well-constructed toy that is easy to play and use.
Our preschool suggestion is the beautiful and newly introduced moving Toy Ferris Wheel With Figurines (age 3+). Teacher designed to inspire imagination, this charming Montessori fairground playset will bring so much joy to children. Safe and engaging for young learners, included are six solid beech cheerful wooden characters with colour-matched numbered cabins on the wheel. The wheel comes fully assembled and stands 33cm (H) x 24cm (W) x 15cm (D) tall with no need for batteries as children turn the handle for a realistic carnival spin. I like that this toy is ideal for independent play and inspires storytelling and imaginative adventures. What I love about this company is that toys arrive gift ready, delivered in Jaques’ exquisite signature packaging with branding and black ribbon, it is such a high attention to detail. Wooden toys are a sustainable choice, made of natural materials, with high craftmanship and long lasting value -Jaques offers heritage toys that can be passed on. There is currently a black Friday deal running if you use the code DEAL30 for 30% off. Shipping is £1.95 for orders over £35 or £3.95 for orders under £35 with a FREE Tote Bag When You Spend £100.
Mighty Wheels 16″ Cement Mixer RRP £24.99 and the Mighty Man Figure RRP £8.
Mighty Wheels is a trusted household brand that offers a wide range of heavy-duty toys with a variety of sizes of bright, colourful vehicles made from real steel and durable plastic to withstand the toughest of playtimes. Mighty Wheels trucks are made for kids who love construction, rescue, and imaginative play. With millions sold worldwide and a growing UK fanbase, they are one to watch for Christmas. At Mighty Wheels, they have also created their own cartoon series called Mighty Man! For adventure-filled imaginary play The Mighty Wheels Steel Cement Mixer Truck Toy 16″ is a large Cement Mixer Toy (40.6 x 24.1 x 21 centimetres) with sounds and spinning drum suitable for 3+ years. It requires 2 AA batteries (included). Children can engage with the easily steerable 4-wheel drive powerhouse, and they can use the side crank to spin the realistic cement drum to mix up sand or soil and deposit it anywhere with the movable cement spout. Ideal as a companion buy or solo for role play the Mighty Man posable figure (5 points of articulation) is 12 inches tall with 3 catchphrases from the series including “It’s time to get Mighty!” and has a removable hammer. I like the addition of a character to the vehicle selection (little ones will enjoy sitting him on top of the vehicles!) The fact that these toys can make sounds is a big selling point for me, meaning they feel more immersive and realistic. These toys are perfect for indoors but also in the garden and sandpit! If you buy on Amazon postage is FREE with Prime.
Simbrix Disney Stitch Feature Pack RRP £20.00.
Winner of the Made For Mums toy award 2023 Simbrix is a brand that can be enjoyed by all ages, abilities and genders which promotes family play with a vast range of designs, themes and difficulty levels to keep everyone engaged. For ages 5+ Simbrix is a unique building system which allows children who love creative and construction activities to connect, create and play with their 2D/3D creations. With over 2250 Simbrix in the set, this freestanding 3D Disney Stitch Feature Pack display showcases all the favourite characters and icons including Stitch, Angel, surfboard, palm tree, pineapple, tropical flower and more! My daughter is obsessed by this character at the moment! Parents will love that this craft toy is mess-free, requiring no ironing, gluing, or water, as each piece interlocks easily. Simbrix is reusable and encourages creative thinking while providing educational benefits through STEAM learning. As a parent I really like that the Simbrix uses FSC® certified packaging, which is plastic free and 100% recyclable. The packaging also acts as a reusable storage tray for you to keep your brix in as you build. Check out the huge variety of other sets including jewellery making, gaming, under the sea etc. It comes with a manufacturer’s 1 year guarantee. The standard delivery fee for Argos starts from £3.95.
MyFirst Headphones AirWaves (available blue and pink) RRP £39.99.
MyFirst is a global company headquartered in Singapore that offers the world’s first kids’ tech ecosystem: Real tech for kids with fun devices, connected services and a kid-safe social network. Now these fascinated me – MyFirst Headphones Airwaves are a safe and comfortable air conduction headphone designed for kids with an open ear design. Suitable from age 4, a plus side is when wearing, children can hear traffic and an adult call. If your children don’t like the feel of in-ear buds or over-the-ear sets this is the choice for them. The band hooks over the ear to keep them in place, but the speakers are positioned in front of rather than over their ears. These wireless headphones (so you can say goodbye to snapped cables) designed for safety and comfort with Crystal Clear Audio that can go to a safe 85dB Max Volume. This type of listening means they can stay aware of their surroundings. Ideal for active kids the ergonomic build ensures comfort being ultra lightweight (only 21.5g) and they are flexible to handle play (can be bent and twisted). The MyFirst headphones are also IPX5 Water Resistant so a bit of rain won’t hurt them. Ear to Ear Width is 98.5mm. The device is compatible with iOS and Android devices and inside the box are instructions and charging cable. They are easy to control, with a tactile button children can Pause & Play with One Tap, manageable for child-sized fingers. The simple plus and minus buttons make it easy to control the volume, too. Setting up the headphones is easy enough, taking only a few minutes. Battery life is decent with 18 Hours Playtime so kids can play longer and charge less. Full charge time is approx. 2 hours. The device is covered with 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. FREE standard delivery is offered.
Playin Choc Christmas Gift Set RRP £15. JOY + HEALTH + PLANET.
Playin Choc is an award-winning ethical and sustainable UK manufacturer of organic dairy-free chocolates and plastic-free toys, which are sustainably and fairly sourced. Perfect for stocking fillers or as alternatives for Christmas Crackers is the Playin Choc Christmas Gift Set – a wholesome, delicious treat for our Children’s Guide but it is also perfect for friends, family, and colleagues alike. Each gift set includes a suite of 6 x Playin Choc Christmas boxes. Each box contains two individually wrapped chocolates, a fun, easy-to-build 3D cardboard Christmas character (Santa, snowman, reindeer, penguin etc) to assemble and a collectable fact card with festive trivia for an educational aspect. The characters can then be used as Christmas decorations in children’s rooms or played with of course! It’s like a sustainable upgrade on a Kinder Egg. The chocolate itself is smooth and delicious, made with organic, fair-trade ingredients – suitable for vegans and free from common allergens (including dairy, gluten, soy, and nuts). Flavour is created from the cocoa solids and the sweetness is from vanilla pods. I was delighted with the beautiful packaging, the bright colours and cute characters. A lot of thought was taken to design on each individual element – from the stamp on the chocolate, each individual box and the main box itself. Playin Choc only use paper based FSC or PEFC recycled, recyclable, biodegradable and home compostable materials such as paper tape and maize starch void filler. They source everything from UK suppliers and make everything in the UK. Sign up and save 10% on your first order! Postage is Fedex Next Day Tracked – £4.95.
Casdon Build-a-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station RRP £35.
Founded in 1946, family run and well known Casdon is the number one manufacturer of role-play toys in the UK. Suitable for ages 3+, this is not just a toy but the exciting experience of the build-a-bear workshop in your home (without the high price tag), where you receive not just one but two bears! This play set comes with a mini stuffing station, filling, and a duo of teddies one cream and one brown, hearts, clothes, and birth certificates. The at-home Casdon Build-a-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station is designed to look just like the one in the build-a-bear workshop and includes a ‘push pump’ handle for easy use that helps dispense stuffing into the bear. It is a tabletop size 12.4L x 20.8W x 26.1H cm so can still be stored easily. The nozzle is fixed so there are no awkward pop-offs when filling the bear. The instructions are really clear and helpful, with a step-by-step guide so children can create their own special bear keepsakes. The toy helps develop coordination and fine motor skills and is perfect for crafters ad soft toy lovers. You can extend play through accessories from the Casdon website also sells a Bear Carrier, additional outfits and bears for some extra stocking fillers. As a parent I value the emotive element where children can make their own cuddly friends, and retailers tip it as a sell-out success. FREE standard delivery on all orders over £25. FREE next-day delivery on orders over £40.
No Brainer Family Quiz Reflex Game RRP £24.99.
For those looking for a family-friendly, fun and fast-paced party game then check out No Brainer: from the inventor of Bop It! (I knew I recognised that voice!). Newly released it is made for children age 8+ and is a play and pass question game with four modes Solo, Party, Expert, and Speed. It is easy to set up and learn the game with simple mechanics which throws rapid-fire Yes or No questions at you. Answer “yes” by nodding the brain forward or “no” by tapping it sideways. The unit itself looks a little like Einstein with a giant brain head and is 13.3L x 9.2W x 21H cm. The voice is loud and clear. It requires 3x AAA Batteries (demo batteries included). I like that it is good for replayability and it had the children in stitches. It’s nice to have a game or two that can bring everyone together in the Christmas gifts. It is widely available from Amazon, Argos, Smyths Toys, The Entertainer. Smyths offer FREE standard delivery.
The Original Gel Blaster Surge RRP £49.99.
Gel Blaster is the leading water ball based blasting brand, they are headquartered in Texas and hugely popular with families looking for active, social play options. A fast-paced, mess-free alternative to paintball or Nerf, Gel Blaster Surge offers screen-free fun that teens and tweens (aged 14+) can’t get enough of, engineered for both beginners and seasoned players. The Gel Blaster Surge has unmatched high-velocity performance with automatic and single-firing modes, firing 10 gellets per second at an impressive 175 fps. As a parent, I really like the selling point that it fires biodegradable, non-toxic, non-staining, water-based “gellets” that burst on impact and evaporate. Enjoy extended play with a magazine capacity of 800 gellets, ensuring uninterrupted action across its 100-foot range. The Gel Blaster is lightweight, easy to handle, rechargeable, customisable, and available in multiple colours. The package includes everything you need to start playing and there is no assembly required: 1 Surge Gel Blaster, 1 pair of protective eye goggles, 10,000 gellets pack (soak in water for 2 hours before game play), a USB-C charger, a low velocity barrel (90 fps), and a high velocity barrel (over 100 fps). The Surge blaster measures 9 inches (228.6mm) in length, 1.75 inches (43.18mm) in width, and 8.25 inches (43.18mm) in height, weighing just 0.86 lbs (39g). It charges in 45 minutes and offers 4 hours of playtime per charge. With a 2-year warranty, shop with confidence. A cool extra is that you can buy glow in the dark gellets from the website. It is an exciting and action-packed toy! Sign up and get 10% off your first order. Shipping is FREE.
P.s The limited edition Halo x Gel Blaster pack was released in October. It’s great toy which can capture the interest of a teenager rather than their consoles. Bring the battle to the garden, park or anywhere else you can think of!
Style 4 Ever Magic Clay Jewellery Maker RRP £23.
Canal Toys is a global leader in creative play, inspiring children to explore, experiment, and express themselves through innovative and fun craft kits and activity toys. Canal Toys introduces the screen-free Style 4 Ever Magic Clay Jewellery Maker, a bright, stylish arts and crafts toy designed to inspire young creators to craft unique jewellery pieces. Design rings, bracelets, pendants, and more using a unique, quick-curing clay formula. What I love is that children don’t have to wait an age for the clay to dry, it is ready in under 3 minutes so there won’t be any cries of ‘I’m bored!’. The set develops fine motor skills encouraging children to be imaginative and engage in creative problem solving by designing their own wearable accessories. There are 5 colours to choose from, multiple cutters, decorative foil and beading, elastic for bracelets, transfers and tutorial sheets. Kids can make the jewellery for themselves, gifts for friends, or even little treasures for family members. As a gift it is affordable, educational and is reusable (making up to 20 pieces), requiring minimal parental supervision. The pink and turquoise creation station requires little set up, stores the different craft elements and overall the kit is packed full! The Style 4 Ever Magic Clay Jewellery Maker comes in a vibrant box, and you can clearly see what in included. You will need to lend a hand to insert the batteries, 4 AAA, not included, so do make sure you buy these. All of the parts are plastic, but decent quality and not flimsy. Smyths offer FREE standard delivery.
Paddington Bessie The Camper Van RRP £25.
Classic Characters are the essence of Rainbow Designs, and they are one of the country’s leading character soft toy and nursery companies. For mini fans of the award-winning Adventures of Paddington TV series, take Paddington on adventures in Bessie the Campervan! Suitable for ages 3+ this fun-packed playset is perfect for inspiring imaginative play. I like the simple interactive and accessible elements of the design – push along wheels, the roof is removable and there is plenty of space for Paddington to be played with inside the camper, which makes 4 sounds when you press the front of the vehicle (Broom Broom!). 2x AAA batteries are included. At picnic time the canopy opens out and you can remove Paddington’s signature case from the luggage rack to reveal a cup of tea and marmalade sandwiches as lovely little extra accessories! It’s a nice touch of the checked pattern inside the case. Paddington’s arms and legs are movable so he can sit and drive the camper, which is H13.8, W20, D11.2cm. This is a lovely bright coloured, durable character toy that will encourage children to develop language skills, storytelling, and imagination. Delivery from Argos is £3.95 with options for Next Day delivery.
I hope these ideas have helped give you some ideas for Christmas! Remember if you can pick wrapping paper that can be recycled!
#AD. We were gifted the products for the purpose of inclusion, our thoughts and views are our own.