Top Ten Pre-school Toys 2009
Eleanor de Bruin lists the best pre-school toys to hit the shelves this year…
Fishing Set
This set contains a fishing rod, fish and other fishing paraphernalia and adds to Learning Resources’ fantastic Pretend and Play range. No pretending is necessary with this toy, however, as the rod and fish have magnets on the end, enabling little fishermen to land the catch of the day while learning about colours and matching. Priced around £28.60.
Building Blocks Zoolini Maxi
Haba’s beautiful wooden building blocks were an easy winner in the Wooden Toys category of the ToyTalk Awards this year, and also scooped a Top Toy Badge. The 16-piece set is perfect for babies from ages one upwards and features various interestingly shaped and patterned blocks and colourful animal parts. Priced around £23.
Mix ’n’ Fix Mike
Another hit from WOW’s construction range. Cement mixer Mike has no need for batteries as he’s got a powerful friction motor. The loveable character has a rotating drum and various other fun features to enjoy. Priced around £23.99.
Tellatale Finger Puppet Theatre
This is an exciting platform to stage puppet shows using any of Fiesta Crafts’ extensive range of puppets – or your own home-made ones. The wooden theatre is easily put together with no need for glue or tools and has a classic design including red fabric curtains. Priced around £17.99.
Ninky Nonk Playset
Who could resist the appeal of owning their very own Ninky Nonk? Playskool’s reproduction of the popular train from In the Night Garden even comes with a cuddly Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy, and is priced around £9.99.
Pet Chase Pullalong
Fiesta Crafts’ pullalong toy is attractively designed and gently amusing. A dog chases a cat which chases a mouse, which chases some cheese – nothing unusual there, but all the cords are interchangeable and the classic chase can be mixed up. Priced around £25.00.
Dino Roars Stompers
We thought the dinosaurs were dead and gone till we saw these soft toys from Playskool. With head-shaking, roaring noises and stomping movements, these Triceratops and Ankylosaurus replicas would be scary, if they weren’t so cute and cuddly. Priced around £24.99 each.
Zippity Learning System
LeapFrog’s great interactive game, which was Highly Commended at the ToyTalk Awards, encourages children to use their whole bodies to jump, dance and march as they follow dozens of activities featuring all their favourite Playhouse Disney characters. Priced around £79.99, the system ties in with the LeapFrog Learning Path.
Discovery Magical Melody Maker
Finally, a way for young children to make music that doesn’t have their parents running for the earplugs. Each of the chunky pieces in Tomy’s great toy are shaped like a different musical instrument, and play their part in the orchestra, as well as dancing when put in the centre of the magical stage. Priced around £29.99.
Scout Text & Learn
Winner in the Preschool category of the ToyTalk Awards, LeapFrog’s clever little device allows young children to interact with their pal Scout. Various educational elements and lots of good fun are packed into the multi-faceted toy, which is priced around £14.99.
Read our other Top Tens for 2009:
Top Ten Educational Toys 2009
Top Ten Budget Toys 2009
Top Ten Girls’ Toys 2009
Top Ten Boys’ Toys 2009
