This week, we’ve been announcing the results of this year’s Mum’s Choice Awards. To date, we’ve revealed the winners of our Children’s Entertainment and our New Baby Must-Haves category, as well as the Best Gifts for New Parents, Best Skincare, Health & Care Products for Mum and the Best Food Products! In this feature, we cover the best toys (and the ones that will be the most wanted this Christmas!).
Best Toys for Children of All Ages
Keep reading to find out what came out top in our age-based toy categories.
Whether you’re looking for gifts for little ones aged 0-3, young children aged 4-7 or older children aged 8-11, keep reading. Here are the gifts that kids are going to longing for this Christmas!
Best Toys for Children Aged 0-3 Years
Joint Gold
Guess How Much I Love You Wooden Balance Toy
(RRP £14.99), from Rainbow Designs
About the product: “There’s lots of fun to be had trying to balance Little Nutbrown Hare, from the classic storybook “Guess How Much I Love You” and other colourful wooden shapes on the beautiful wooden moon with this fun and adorable balancing toy. Little ones will love trying to balance the wooden shapes onto the rocking moon as they learn through play and develop their hand eye co-ordination and fine motor skills. Created from high quality wood. For age 2 years and over.”
What our tester said:
“This is a delightful wooden toy. Great quality and an ideal way of beginning to show youngsters that actions have consequences!
Our granddaughter thoroughly enjoys playing with this toy and trying to make everything balance on the rocking horse. Great for hand/eye co-ordination and also for dexterity. Would definitely recommend.”
Joint Gold
Elmer Unfold and Discover Activity Toy
(RRP £16.99), from Rainbow Designs
About the product: “The vibrant Unfold and Discover Activity Toy features David McKee’s colourful little patchwork elephant, Elmer. A wonderful developmental toy to help encourage and explore the bond between baby and parent through play. Featuring multiple textures, crinkles and activities. It includes a baby-safe mirror, teether and high contrast colours for early visual stimulation. Encourages sensory play by helping to develop baby’s early motor skills. Perfect for encouraging tummy time and suitable from birth.”
What our tester said:
“Our son loved this. He particularly enjoyed scrunching up the pages, as well as peering at himself in the mirror. It’s great for discovering different textures. It’s lovely and bright and great that it can be easily stored away!”
Silver
Alphablocks Phonic Fun
(RRP £24.99), from Trends UK
About the product: “Learning to read is straightforward when you’re having fun! Play along with 26 alphabet characters as they come to life and make words! Sing along with some of your favourite songs! 4 Activities: Meet the Alphablocks, Hide and seek! Word Magic and Let’s Sing.”
Bronze
Playmobil 1.2.3 71156 Everyday Heroes
(RRP £24.99), from Playmobil
About the product: “Continue to help develop your child’s cognitive and fine motor skills with Playmobil’s 1.2.3 Everyday Heroes characters. The large and colourful characters are ideal for small hands. Plus it playfully promotes your child’s social learning. Contains three figures from Playmobil’s emergency services as well as two vehicles and a set of traffic lights.”
Highly Commended
Weebles
(RRP from £3.99), from Character Options
About the product:
“Little ones can enjoy lots of wibbly, wobbily fun with Character Options’ Weebles collection!
Children’s favourite preschool TV characters have been reimagined as Weebles figures that wibble and wobble but never fall down! The Weebles collection now includes the following ranges: Bluey, CoComelon, Peppa Pig and My Little Pony. The perfect first collectable range for little ones aged 18months-plus, there are lots of wobbily characters to collect, so it’s the perfect time to start building your world of Weebles first character collectable figures!”
Best Toys for Children Aged 4-7 Years
Joint Gold
Maxi Micro Deluxe Foldable LED Scooter
(RRP £157.95), from Micro Scooters
About the product: “Micro Scooters’ multi award winning Maxi Micro is now feature packed like never before. A one click folding system makes carrying and storing a breeze. Smart LED wheels use induction energy to turn the power kids create as they scoot into bright white light. No batteries. No fuss. Made with replaceable parts to last a lifetime of scooting.”
Our tester said:
“It’s brilliant how it folds down for ease when travelling in a car.
The lights are a great touch for the younger years. It feels sturdy and quiet when in use due to the rubber wheels and grippy footplate.”
Joint Gold
Mouse in the House Millie & Friends Stilton Hotel Playset
(RRP £29.99), from Character Options
About the product: “Millie & Friends Mouse in the House is the teeny-tiny, top-secret world, which exists just behind the skirting boards! The sides of The Stilton Hotel Playset fold out to create a large play area with a rooftop pool, two-bedroom suites, a fully-stocked restaurant and a gym with an exercise wheel and hot tub. Comes with three exclusive characters, two strings of bunting and glow-in-the-dark stickers to accessorise.
Our tester said:
“I love the idea of Mouse in the House – what parent wouldn’t?! Toys that stay pushed right up against the skirting boards!
And my daughter absolutely loved this detailed playset. She hasn’t stopped playing with it since we unwrapped it!”
Joint Silver
Playmobil 70885 Recycling Truck
(RRP £24.99), from Playmobil
About the product: “Help clean up your town or city with the great Recycling Truck. The vehicle features a light function to make other road users aware of the truck while it’s in service. It has a removable roof on the driver’s cab to help the driver get in and out – plus the cab and trailer can be tilted. A lever at the back of the truck conveniently lifts and empties the bins when they are attached. There are three bins included and each can be opened for placing or removing waste.“
Joint Silver
Migno Dolls Pram
(RRP £169), from ABC Design
About the product: “Some of the best toys are those that mimic a grown up version! The Migno dolls pram is a mini version of the ABC Design full sized prams in look, build and German quality. This 2 in 1 pram converts easily from a carrycot to second stage seat unit. It offers parent or world facing options depending on how dolly would like to sit. The handy storage basket is perfect for dolly’s essentials when out and about. The upf50 hood gives sun protection and the apron shelters from the elements. Little ones can adjust the handlebar as they grow and the chassis fold when tidying away. Available in 3 different colours and from age 3+.”
Joint Bronze
Switcheroo Coding Crew™
(RRP £67), from Learning Resources
About the product: “Switcheroo Coding Crew from Learning Resources® is the three-in-one coding robot that’s ready for coding-filled rescue missions! Preschoolers save the day the coding way when they explore early STEM. Here’s how each mission with this coding toy for kids unfolds.”
Joint Bronze
KookyLoos Express Yourself – Surprise Dolls
(RRP £9 each), from Magicbox Toys
About the product: “Open the tube and find out which KookyLoos is hiding inside. Each one comes with her very own accessories! These can be exchanged and shared with the other KookyLoos. You can change their expressions with just one click. Each doll has 3 different, fun faces! Discover what she likes or doesn’t like and which “squad” she belongs to.”
Highly Commended
Action Heroes City Police Truck S.W.A.T. Truck
(RRP £36.99), from Flair GP
About the product:
“This brilliant set has a lot of accessories to close the road including fencing, traffic cones and signs. It also contains loads to specialist equipment to help the S.W.AT. Police perform their missions!
Includes an aerial drone with remote control and road robot to send in before the tactical strike. A computer to lookup information and relay findings back to HQ. A crowbar to force open any locked doors. Plus two weapons for protection, and handcuffs to arrest the bad guys.”
Highly Commended
DesignaFriend Alicia Doll
(RRP £35), from Kid Kreations
About the product:
“Alicia measures 18 inches / 46cm tall and wears a sparkly dress with pink tulle sleeves and skirt & a pair of satin ballerina shoes. She has brown eyes that close when lying down and long, silky auburn hair, styled in a pony tail with a pink bow hair tie.
Alicia comes with a pink ballet barre, a pink ballet bag and a water bottle and has soft huggable body and poseable limbs. She comes with a silver charm bracelet for her owner and is beautifully packaged in a gift box with tissue paper. Packaging is 100% plastic free and recyclable.”
Best Toys for Children Aged 8-11 Years
Gold
Machine Works Hybrid Engine Kit
(RRP £24.99), from Trends UK
About the product: “ This Model engine kits from Machine Works make excellent gifts for vehicle enthusiasts who like creating and learning about mechanical systems. The functional model of a 4-cylinder internal combustion electric hybrid engine is the perfect activity for kids and adults to do together.
This hybrid engine is a simplified illustration of a four-cylinder internal combustion/hybrid system It illustrates the internal combustion and electric-only functions of a conventional hybrid system. This 100-piece kit for kids and adults is enjoyable to construct, and includes all of the tools you’ll need to complete the operating model.”
Our Tester Said:
“Wow! This is taking some serious building – almost there now and our son (aged 8) is enjoying every second – needs input from Dad which is where the delay is!
He has seen one of these working so is excited to get it finished but is providing him with endless entertainment and most importantly, he is also learning on the job! No iPad either which is also a good thing. Overall, this is a very good toy for older kids and we would certainly recommend it.”
Joint Silver
BrainBolt® Genius
(RRP £28), from Learning Resources
About the product: “Train your brain! BrainBolt® Genius is the mind-bending, brain-boosting memory game from Learning Resources®. Test your skills in solo mode or go head-to-head with a friend in two-player mode to see who can remember the longest sequence. Watch as up to 21 lights flash at random, then challenge your brain to repeat the patterns without missing a beat.”
Joint Silver
Among Us Airship with 3 exclusive figures
(RRP £30), from Sinco Creations
About the product: “Bring the action to playtime with this Among Us Airship collector’s set from the popular online game ‘Among Us’. Includes authentic Airship model and 3 exclusive collectible Crewmate figures. The airship roof opens to reveal a storage compartment to keep your figures safe. Will you be a crewmate or an impostor?”
Bronze
Barbie Sew & Style Machine
(RRP £34.99), from Sambro International
About the product: “The Barbie Sew and Style Machine is one of the best toys to help kids unlock their creativity, imagination and inner fashion designer! The machine comes with pack stickers and sewing patterns Plus needle and thread and a selection of fabrics, clothes. Plus accessories. The Barbie doll included can be dressed up in the outfits and accessories created. There’s even a Barbie™ runway included on the packaging to add extra play-value and utilize the packaging. Outfit guides included for creating the perfect Barbie look.”
Highly Commended
Squishmallows 16” Plush
(RRP £24.99), from Jazwares
About the product:
“Squish time is playtime when you add this plush to your Squishmallows Squad.
This ultra-squeezable, 16-inch, large-sized plush is made with high-quality and ultrasoft materials. This soft plush is perfect to snuggle with while relaxing at home, watching a movie, or taking a long car or plane ride.
These loveable and squeezable Squishmallows are the softest and cutest plush toys around. Join the Squad!”