Best Toys for Christmas

The Best Toys for Kids This Christmas in New Zealand

Christmas is just around the corner, have you started planning for it yet? The best toys for Christmas are always so hard to choose - you never know what is in and what is out for your kids this year! Read on for the best toys for Christmas 2008.

• Children's Shopping

Not only will your kids love our best toys for Christmas, but you'll love them too. Video games might be on the top of your kids' lists - but these should be limited and left as a treat over the holiday period, the last thing you want is your children cooped up in front of the TV on hot summer days! Buy brands online to find the best discounted brands that will get your kids away from the box:

For Younger Children

Ready Riders
Have you heard about Ready Riders, the ride-on wild animals for your toddler? Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Horses and Giraffes - you can create an entire animal kingdom and give your little one a soft toy and physical activity in one. Top of the list for Under-5's this year.

Costumes and Dress Ups
Kids will always love dressing up, whether it's in Mum's hats and high heels or Dad's fishing gear, all children love to pretend they're someone else. Boys will love their favourite superhero's outfit (Batman is particularly hot this year after the release of The Dark Knight). If your girl loves pink and pretty, you can't go past a fairy costume - any girl from 2 to 7 or 8 will cherish her fairy outfit for years, so it's a worthwhile investment this Christmas! There are an array of sparkly, pixie-inspired mesh skirts available (try the brand Pink Poppy) that your daughter won't want to take off, even for bed!

Linen for Their Bed
Speaking of beds, themed bed duvets, pillows and linen aren't just a treat for kids; they're a treat for parents too. The trick here is making your children's bed places they want to be. Creating a luxury, ethereal bedroom for girls and an outdoorsy, pop culture-themed bedroom for boys will make their rooms places they want to go at the end of the day. Cuddly themed quilts, graphic sheets and soft toys will mean your kids will want more sleep (and that means you'll get more too!).

For Older Children

Sports Games over Video Games
When your kids won't stop begging for a PS3 or Nintendo Wii game this year, consider a real-world alternative - sports games. Foosball tables are great combined gift if you have several boys, as is Table Top Pool. And never forget the values in a rugby ball, cricket bat or tennis racquet. All gifts are Christmas presents that will last throughout their teenage years, and will keep them and their friends occupied with a real-life version of their favourite sports video games.

Get Radio Controlled
Gone are the controllable European sports cars, it's all about radio controlled helicopters this year. Great for older kids, these once out-of-reach toys are now in a reasonable price bracket (between $150 and $200) and will delight every young child who has ever expressed an interest in motoring or flight. Some of these can fly over 20 metres above ground and recharge in just minutes, so they'll no doubt impress this Christmas! Make sure you buy brands online that are in the $150+ price range, as many cheaper alternatives are significantly lower in quality - and no one likes an upset child with a broken toy on Christmas day!

Encourage Them To Be Physical
Encourage positive competitiveness with moon hoppers and other ride-on toys - which will give even un-sporty kids lots of exercise, and away from the TV. While we may all remember a game of simple Tag or Spotlight keeping us busy in our childhoods, in 2008 there are several high-tech alternatives to our traditional games, and the equipment will be high on the Christmas list this year. TekTak and TekStix in particular are gaining popularity for Christmas 2008, which are both tag games based on skill instead of strength, and are accompanied by touch sensitive sensors and electronic scoring.

Keep Them Thinking
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is wildly popular worldwide - and many kids now have forensic detective on their potential careers list instead of doctors, lawyers and firemen. Give your children a chance to become their dream this Christmas with a CSI branded forensic kit, and let them solve murder mysteries with their friends. There are several different CSI branded games available, containing fingerprint examination kits, entomology kits and even facial reconstruction kits - what more could you budding scientist want this Christmas?

Bond and Learn with Parents
It is important not to leave your kids to their own devices during the evenings over the holiday periods - so make one of the toys you give this Christmas a game which encourages parental bonding. Important for a wind-down after a big day of TekTag and Foosball, board games are still great gifts for the whole family, and will give you time to bond with your kids and teach them analytical skills. Best suited for older children are a chess set, or word games - there are several funky, themed alternatives to the traditional Scrabble now available!

Looking to buy brands online for the best toys for Christmas this year? Check out the NZS.com directory.

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Seasons and Celebrations images from Flickr: Toys, Fireworks Finale and Christmas in Love.