Toy Testing Awards 2018; helping you find the Hottest Toys for Christmas
2018 Toy Testing Awards
MumsDelivery in conjunction with the Busy Mums Magazine, ran a Toy Testing event where we gathered a range of families and asked them to test and rate some of the top toys for Christmas 2018.
Each Toy Tester was asked to rate the toys on a 1-5 Scale on the following factors:
Safety: How safe the toy is.
Age Appropriateness: How suitable the toy is for the ages suggested.
Quality: The perceived quality of the toy.
Price: Based on the toy, how is its recommended retail price point.
Want Factor: How appealing is the toy to the child.
Below is each toy we tested, MumsDelivery’s thoughts on the toy and a comment from one of the testers. The higher the percentage values of the Test Scores, the better the result.
Toddler
early stART Sensory Creating Pack
Educational toys for infants are a great way to give them a developmental boost. The early stART Sensory Creating Pack includes everything needed to take your child on a sensory development adventure! Pack includes hard circle, triangle and square cards, thick flower cards, sticky sticker sheets, flat jumbo sticks, paper tape, shiny googly eyes, soft felt shapes and bumpy corrugated shapes!
RRP: $25
Available from: https://micador.com.au/products/EGS03
A Micador Early stART painting pack is also available from Amazon.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The early stART Sensory Creating Pack offers a Kit with everything toddlers need to create and experiment with.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 100%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Fine – 60%
Want Factor: Likes it 60%
“Perfect for the beginner crafter as everything is easy and altogether.”
Micador jR. E.S.C.A.P.E. Table
Awarded ‘Most Popular Toddler’
Slip paper, blackboard or whiteboard under the clips and use it as an EASEL. Lift the lid to find a large STORAGE area. Slot the pencil cases in and store all your art materials inside. Take your art CASE in the car, on a PLAY date – EVERYWHERE! Pop the legs out to turn into a Table!
Contains: Table/Case, Pencil Cases x2, Chalk x6, Pencils x8, Whiteboard Markers x4, Water Colours x12, Brush, Water Container, Whiteboard, Blackboard, Duster, Paper x10, Stickers sheets x6, Activity Sheets x10
RRP $60
Available from: https://micador.com.au/products/ESC01
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Ingenious idea. Perfect for toddler, pre-schoolers, travelling, at home and so much more.
Safety: Excellent – 87%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 87%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Good – 73%%
Want Factor: Loves it 80%
“Very Stable, blackboard insert is a great idea.”
V Tech First Steps Baby Walker
Watch your little one take their first precious steps with this award winning 2-in-1 walking and activity centre. The house-shaped activity panel encourages independent play and first words, while the textured wheels, easy grip handle and durable design, give babies the support they need to take their first steps. The fun-filled activity panel has more than 10 different activities, including bright light up number buttons, moving gears, and more. The activity panel can also be removed from the walker for extra sit-down play.
RRP: $69.95
Available from: Target and Big W, or check the price on Amazon.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Great to encourage independent play as well as walking.
Safety: Good – 75%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 100%
Quality: Excellent – 80%
Price: Fine – 60%
Want Factor: Loves it 80%
“Visually entertaining and bonus for the phone on it.”
The Wiggles Pile UP
The Wiggles Pile Up improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills!
Be the first player to place your last game piece on the pile without any pieces falling off the game base and you win! Balance your piece carefully and don’t let if fall! Play alone or with friends for more Pile Up fun! Ages 3+
The Wiggles Pile UP is available on Amazon – check the price now.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A great way to encourage fine and gross motor skill development.
Safety: Excellent – 96%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 100%
Quality: Excellent – 92%
Price: Excellent – 84%
Want Factor: Loves it 88%
“Anything Wiggles is loved by my little one”
Musical Rainbow Tea Party
Enjoy hosting tea time for two! The LeapFrog Musical Rainbow Tea Party with musical teapot, cake stand, five pieces of cake and two cups are perfect for pretend play. Music and Tea Party modes provide a fun range of activities that introduce colours, shapes, numbers and sharing. ‘Tea’ lights up inside the pot, tilts when poured and disappears when empty. Nine songs, 10 sound effects and more than 70 phrases allow for a rich musical and imaginative experience.
RRP: $34.95
Available from: Big W, good toy stores and online retailers.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A tea party that talks to you and allows your little one to remain amused.
Safety: Excellent – 93%
Age Appropriate: Good – 77%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Fine – 67%
Want Factor: Likes it 60%
“Definitely her favourite”
LeapBuilders Wild Animals
Children will learn about animals, colours, foods and first words while building this 16-piece animal set. LeapBuilders Wild Animals will respond with over 120 phrases, sounds and songs whenever one of the double-sided blocks is inserted into the interactive SmartStar Unit. Press the learning and music buttons for even more learning fun.
RRP: $24.95
Available from: Big W, good toy stores and Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A great way to encourage toddlers to build and create while the sounds keep it interesting.
Safety: Excellent – 93%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 100%
Quality: Excellent – 93%
Price: Fine – 60%
Want Factor: Likes it 60%
“An interactive way to help toddlers build hand/eye coordination skills”
early stART Board Books
Includes 3 Board Books with over 30 unique activities plus 8 Tri-Grip Crayons!
Specially designed, to engage imagination and develop key learning areas
Surface can be wiped clean and drawn on again!
RRP: $25
Available from: https://micador.com.au/products/EGSBOOK01
And Amazon Australia – click here to check the price.
Read the MumsDelivery Review of the early stART Board Books
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: An educational resource that can be used over and over again.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 87%
Quality: Excellent – 87%
Price: Good – 73%
Want Factor: Likes it 73%
“Would be great for use in car”
Ice Book and 30-piece Giant Puzzle Set
Winter is here and the animals that live in the forest are having fun in the snow and ice. Assemble the puzzle, read the book and learn about the magic of snow. This fantastic 30-piece puzzle has large pieces so perfect for small hands. The puzzle is complemented by a book with a rhyming story and lots of objects to find.
This set is FSC Certified. Age: 3+
RRP: $24.95
Available from: www.lovetospoil.com.au
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A cute, quality wooden puzzle that comes in a great storage box for packing away nicely.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 88%
Quality: Excellent – 92%
Price: Excellent – 88%
Want Factor: Loves it 80%
“The big pieces are ideal for young children”
Miniland doll and clothing set – 32 cm
Dressed in a new Miniland outfit, this Miniland Educational doll is not only cute as but an important educational resource which helps comprehend the concepts of family, population groups, the basic rules of relationships and coexistence, respect for racial and sexual diversity. Made in Spain, this range of dolls are vanilla scented to smell like a newly born baby. The dolls have well-defined ethnic features to aid the identification of the most representative races. The dolls can be articulated. Made in Phytalates-free vinyl. Age: 18 months +
RRP: $54.95 combined for both items
Available from: https://axistoys.com/Miniland-Doll-Stockists
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The perfect size for young girls, the doll has realistic features and is available in most racial types and both genders so your child can find a doll like them.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 93%
Quality: Excellent – 100%
Price: Excellent – 90%
Want Factor: Likes it – 73%
“Cute doll and priced well for little girls”
Pre-School
Banana Joe
Most Popular Pre-School Toy
Banana Joe is too greedy and wants to keep all the bananas for himself! Roll the dice to see how many bananas you can pick and work to build up your banana stash. But stay focused, Joe could jump away at any time with the rest of the bananas. Catch Joe to get a super bonus and win the game!
RRP: $25.00.
Suitable for ages 4+ & available exclusively at Kmart.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A simplistic concept and a quick game that is both easy to play and funny.
Safety: Excellent – 80%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 84%
Quality: Excellent – 80%
Price: Good – 73%
Want Factor: Loves it – 78%
“Such a simple game that kids enjoy. Bonus points as it can be played without parents”
Kruselings Party Doll
Vera Kruseling is dressed and ready to go to a birthday party. She stands 23 cm tall and has 13 joints so she can be posed easily and stand up on her own. Her hair is able to be styled and she comes with a hairbrush. Vera has blonde hair and blue eyes.
RRP: $39.95
Available from: www.crayons.com.au
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The Kruselings are great for little girls, offering a manoeuvrable doll that looks like a little girl – perfect for role play and fantasy.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 93%
Quality: Excellent – 93%
Price: Good – 73%
Want Factor: Loves it – 93%
“Sweet Doll with gorgeous clothing, she is easy to play with”
My Little Pony: Singing Rainbow Dash
Rainbow Dash knows what it takes to be awesomely amazing, especially at singing! The Singing Rainbow Dash pony figure has cool sunglasses and a microphone attached to her — press her Cutie Mark to hear her sing “Time to Be Awesome” from My Little Pony: The Movie, the theme to the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic animated television series, and 3 more songs! Press the button on her microphone and use the included lyrics sheet to sing along with Rainbow Dash! She says 15 entertainment-inspired phrases and rocks her signature rainbow hair. Whether kids listen to her sing, sing along, or sing alone, the Singing Rainbow Dash pony figure spreads the magic of friendship through song!
RRP: $44.95
Check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The My Little Pony crazy is huge in Pre-Schoolers, so Singing Rainbow Dash is sure to be on a few wish lists.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 80%
Quality: Good – 75%
Price: Good – 50%
Want Factor: Loves it – 75%
“K thinks it is cool that she sings.”
Dinosaur Robo Alive
Beware. This Dino is REALLY alive!
Zuru’s new Robo Alive Attacking T-Rex stomps and walks with REAL Dinosaur movement. It even bites and roars and has super realistic eyes that look alive. So, watch out, this is no ordinary pet! Comes in two different colours.
RRP: $24.99
Available from: Target, Big W, Target and all good toy retailers.
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Pretend play made to feel real with the realistic sounds this Dino makes.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 87%
Quality: Excellent – 80%
Price: Good – 73%
Want Factor: Likes it – 73%
“Limited in actions, yet the realistic sounds would appeal to dino lovers.”
La Bella Darcy Ballerina Doll
La Bella Darcy from dollmaker Kathe Kruse has a very sturdy body made out of high-quality vinyl and she stands 41 cm tall. Her hair wig is made out of resistant kanekalon, can be styled, washed and then air-dried at room temperature. Her fabulous designer outfit is made from high-quality fabrics. Age: 18 months+
RRP: $144.95
Available from: www.lovetospoil.com.au
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Sweet looking, her hair is great for girls to play hairdresser with over and over. Ideal for a room decoration/collectable that can also be enjoyed.
Safety: Excellent – 94%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 89%
Quality: Excellent – 91%
Price: Fine – 63%
Want Factor: Likes it – 73%
“Loves the Ballerina Outfit. Quality in the details”
Storytime Buddy
Go on a reading adventure with Buddy! Storytime Buddy teaches early reading comprehension, vocabulary, opposites, emotions, shapes, colours, numbers and letters. Featuring a five-colour LED which lights up as Buddy talks, he comes with five books, and responds to buttons on his collar and paws, with music and ABCs. Buddy also has a nightlight feature to send little readers off to sleep.
RRP: $59.95
Available from: Big W, good toy stores and online retailers.
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A soft cuddly friend that can talk and read to your pre-schooler; educational and fun altogether.
Safety: Excellent – 94%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 91%
Quality: Excellent – 89%
Price: Fine – 74%
Want Factor: Likes it – 66%
“Great to get children reading in books without always needing parents”
Baby Alive Real as Can Be Baby
There are so many sweet moments to share with Baby Alive Real As Can Be Baby! With over 80 lifelike movements and real baby sounds, this very special baby responds to a child’s voice and touch. Whether it’s feeding, chatting, snuggling or rocking her to sleep, there are plenty of memorable moments of real nurturing and love to share with this special doll.
RRP: $169.99
Available from: Big W and Independent Toy Suppliers
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Such realistic features, Baby Alive is soft and cuddly – perfect for little girls wanting to play mummy.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 85%
Quality: Excellent – 85%
Price: Fine – 60%
Want Factor: Begging for it – 95%
“Funny when the doll sucked my finger and did facial expressions”
Teebee Box
Teebee is a transportable, compact toy box made from food-safe plastic for kids aged 3-12 years, designed for use on the go whether in the car, plane or at a temporary destination from the beach to the park. The handy leather strap doubles up as a way to secure the box to the seat belt and also as a way to carry the Teebee. On every level brilliant. Teebee also received an Honourable Mention 2017 in the Childhood category at the Red Dot Awards
RRP: $49.95
Available from: www.crayons.com.au
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A Play Box, A Travel companion, A lunch box; the Teebee offers multiple possibilities and its compact size makes it ideal for travel.
Safety: Excellent – 96%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 88%
Quality: Excellent – 88%
Price: Fine – 52%
Want Factor: Likes it – 64%
“A great little box to take on a long car trip”
On the Go! Activity Packs
Keep kids busy while you’re on the go!
Pack includes 2 ‘pop-out’ animals, 6 colour pencils, 10 activity sheets, a sticker sheet and a scene.
Compact in size, fits easily in your bag
RRP: $12
Available from: https://micador.com.au/products/Z100918
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Perfect in size and offers a good number of activities to keep your kids interested while travelling.
Safety: Excellent – 96%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 88%
Quality: Excellent – 88%
Price: Fine – 52%
Want Factor: Likes it – 64%
“A great little box to take on a long car trip”
Baby Secrets
Baby Secrets has a cute surprise in every tub. Open up the Baby Secrets tub to discover your special baby. Fill the tub with water and give the baby a dip to reveal if it is a boy or a girl. Once it’s in the water the secret is out! There are over 50 babies to collect and discover their secrets!
RRP: Mystery Tubs: $4
Available from: Big W, Coles, Woolworths, Toyworld, Toymate
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A great stocking filler, the baby and bath appealed to both genders.
Safety: Excellent – 85%
Age Appropriate: Good – 75%
Quality: Excellent – 80%
Price: Excellent – 90%
Want Factor: Likes it – 60%
“Good for Doll houses and stocking stuffers”
Don’t Step In It
Honourable Mention – Most Popular Pre-Schooler (and above) Toy
Be careful not to poop out while playing this hilarious game with messy consequences! Put on a blindfold, spin the spinner, and then take that many steps across the game mat. But watch out! Little piles of compound, moulded in the shape of poop have been strategically placed on the mat. Sometimes players will have to add a poop, remove a poop, or even re-arrange the poops along the mat. Who can avoid the number twos to be number one to win?
Suitable for: Ages 4+
RRP: $32.99
Available from: BIG W, Toyworld, Myer, Independent Toy Stores
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A funny, icky game that appealed to children of all ages.
Safety: Excellent – 86%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 86%
Quality: Good – 76%
Price: Fine – 64%
Want Factor: Likes it – 70%
“The Funniest game I have ever played. Good for Party’s and Playdates”
FurReal Rock-a-too Show Bird
The Rock-a-too, the Show Bird pet is here to entertain! With three modes of play, he’s the perfect partner for a show that’s full of songs, dances, and laughs. And with 50+ sound-and-motion combinations, he’s ready to take over the stage. Of course, even a show-biz veteran likes to be petted and praised – pet his left cheek for a loveable response – and maybe even a kiss!
RRP: $139.99
Available from all leading Toy Stores
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The repetition of your child’s voice is seen as hilarious and they enjoyed hours of changing the sayings and laughing at the bird’s jokes.
Safety: Excellent – 82%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 80%
Quality: Good – 80%
Price: Issue with the cost – 38%
Want Factor: Likes it – 67%
“Funny and is ideal for 1 child families”
DigiArt Squiggles & Sounds
The DigiArt Squiggles & Sounds electronic board recognises its own animal stencils and gears, responding with fun animal facts, sounds and songs, whilst you draw. You can create amazing spiral art with the four animal stencils and five gears, and the Magic Stencil makes your drawings come to life.
RRP: $34.95
Available from: Big W, good toy stores and online retailers.
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A good quality stencil board that holds the paper still and works well.
Safety: Excellent – 97%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 90%
Quality: Excellent – 97%
Price: Fine – 77%
Want Factor: Likes it – 77%
“The digiart is a cool fun art project for little kids”
LeapStart 3D Interactive Learning System
The LeapStart 3D when used with new 3D-like encoded LeapStart books, delivers a magical experience that enhances the learning fun with amazing animations through a pop-up holographic screen. The system stylus reads invisible dots on every page, triggering holographic animations along with questions, challenges, songs, jokes and more. Children will be excited as their favourite characters and objects come to life with amazing 3D-like holographic animations, encouraging interactive play. Kids can engage with the step-by-step system to learn school and life skills through more than 600 activities that match the curriculum for their preschool and early school years. The system comes with a Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten sampler book and works with a library of replayable activity books (sold separately).
RRP: $89.95
Available from: Big W, Target, good toy stores and online retailers.
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The LeapStart 3D has brought educational toys to another level as the children hear the books, can read the words and see the story come to life.
Safety: Excellent – 95%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 85%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Fine – 77%
Want Factor: Likes it – 55% (rated as a toy that would be chosen by Parent’s more so than children)
“An interactive concept that could help younger children to grasp phonics and make initial reading more interesting and easier.”
School Age
Micador Air Clay Jewellery Kits
Most Popular Toy – School Age Category
Create your own on-trend jewellery!
Packs include materials, modelling tool and step-by-step instructions to help you create a necklace, bracelet and a bag charm
Air clay and foam are air hardening (no baking required!)
RRP: $13
Available from: https://micador.com.au/products/Z100812
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A quick, fun and easy, well priced craft kit that children can do on their own.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 90%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Excellent – 93%
Want Factor: Loves it – 87%
“An extraordinary little fun kit”
Lil Gleemerz
Short for ‘little gleaming lemur’, Lil’ Gleemerz is a limited-edition interactive light-up toy with an emphasis on fun and engagement. With over 100 + reactions and the capacity to tell knock jokes, answer yes or no questions, light up to the beat of music and sounds around it and play games, this product is the perfect companion.
Suitable for: 5+ years
RRP: $39.95
Available from: Big W and Myer
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Cute toy very much in line with current market trends for cute, cuddly toys mixed with tech.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 90%
Quality: Excellent – 85%
Price: Excellent – 60%
Want Factor: Likes it – 65%
“Thinks that it is cute and likes that it talks”
Secret Safe Diary Colour
Protect all of your secrets without worry with the Secret Safe Diary Colour. The colour screen makes your diary and personal organiser really stand out, whilst the voice unlock system that only responds to your voice, will keep everyone out. With 20 different activities, including three virtual pets for you to look after, lots of great games that cover words, maths, logic and more, your secrets will be safe. A QWERTY keyboard, voice memo, alarm clock, address book and more, makes this the must-have modern-day diary.
RRP: $59.95
Available from: KMart
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Another tech toy that offers a range of uses, from diary to pet play and other activities.
Safety: Excellent – 85%
Age Appropriate: Good – 70%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Good – 70%
Want Factor: Likes it – 53%
“Price is very reasonable – a great gift for a young girl”
Miniland Mecaniko
This STEM construction set includes 81 pieces plus wheels, string and a spanner to put it all together with, whatever it might be! The set includes six colour construction design sheets to get your child started and it all comes in a cardboard suitcase for easy storage and portability. Suitable for 3 – 7 years
RRP: $29.95
Available from: Australian Geographic
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Great toy to increase fine & gross motor skills; ideal for boys wanting to build and create.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 80%
Quality: Excellent – 85%
Price: Excellent – 75%
Want Factor: Loves it – 80%
“He gravitated straight to this and started building”
5 Second Rule Jr
A junior version of the popular party game, with all new questions and bonus time spaces! It seems like it would be easy to name 3 flavours of ice cream – but can you do it under the pressure of 5 seconds twisting down? You have to be quick, so just say whatever comes to mind and risk silly answers slipping out! Includes 200 cards (400 questions), 6 Playing Pieces, Timer, Game Board and Rules. Age 6+
https://www.ugames.com.au/product/5-second-rule-jr/
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: This quick game gets children thinking and excited. Easy to play with only 2 people so an ideal game for siblings.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 80%
Quality: Excellent – 94%
Price: Fair – 54%
Want Factor: Loves it – 74%
“An amazing and fun game”
My Studio Girl Flying Glitter Unicorn
Make your own gorgeous unicorns! These easy to make creatures are colourful and glittery. Each set includes a parent and child figurine to cover and decorate with air-dry 3D glitter foam and colourful air-dry clay. These are ideal introductory craft kits that assist children in creating magical creatures that they can display and play with. Age 8+
https://www.ugames.com.au/product/flying-glitter-unicorns/
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A great craft activity that isn’t very messy yet keeps them occupied for a good amount of time.
Safety: Good – 75%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 85%
Quality: Excellent – 90%
Price: Excellent – 90%
Want Factor: Loves it – 75%
“This activity is a fun school holiday game and only for $15”
Yellies
Yellies! are the cutest, fuzziest pets that respond to your voice! Each Yellies! pet has its own unique look and personality and is full of fun surprises! Voice and sound-activated, they respond to talking, yelling, clapping, singing, or even music. The louder you yell, the faster they go! Find your favorite! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.
RRP: $19.99
Click here to see the Yellies range on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Simple yet entertaining.
Safety: Excellent – 90%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 90%
Quality: Excellent – 85%
Price: Fine – 55%
Want Factor: Likes it – 65%
“Cute and fun”
Best Furry Friends
Best Furry Friends Pat and Chat Plush
Description (max 30 words): Your favourite BFFs are bigger and better as plush toys! These furry BFFs are a great addition to any #BFFSquad. Pat their heads and hear what they have to say- they are so chatty! Each Pat and Chat BFF comes in its very own handbag so that they can stay close to their bestie. Wave 3 is launching just in time for the holidays. Yoko the Pink Unicorn, Zara the Sloth and Stardust the Pegacorn are so excited to join the #BFFSquad that they can hardly stop chatting about it!
RRP: $40
Available from: Toyworld and Toymate
Check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Its fluffy, it talks and it comes in a bag – perfect for any 4-5-year-old girl.
Safety: Excellent – 93%
Age Appropriate: Good – 77%
Quality: Good – 73%
Price: Good – 65%
Want Factor: Likes it – 67%
“She likes that it is portable. Super Cute and Soft”
Pass the Pen
Pass the Pen is the world’s fastest drawing game! With the pen tip disappearing as you play, you only have 10 seconds to draw while all the other players guess. Is that a hamburger? A snowman? A sumo wrestler? You earn points if someone gets it right; if not, you Pass the Pen to the next player, and they pick up where you left off! With over 500 objects to draw, it’s fast, fun and guaranteed to draw plenty of laughter from the whole family.
RRP $39.95. 3 or more players ages 8+.
Available from Kmart
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Quick game, ideal for older children that can draw well.
Safety: Excellent – 84%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 80%
Quality: Excellent – 80%
Price: Good – 64%
Want Factor: Likes it – 56%
“Pass the pen was a fun and exciting board game filled with fun things to draw”
Sassi Lens Book
Most Intriguing Toy – School Age Category
A scientific book to inspire curiosity in learning filled with innovative and detailed illustrations of the animal world. Browse the pages of this fun illustrated 32-page book to read curious facts about the animals that inhabit our planet. Did you know that reptiles are ‘cold blooded’? Do you know how mammals are different from other classes of animals? What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates? A lens in three colours (red, green and blue) reveals the different themes on each page.
RRP: $24.95
Available from: www.crayons.com.au
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: The Sassi Lens Book takes reading to another level. Interactive and interesting.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 93%
Quality: Excellent – 97%
Price: Excellent – 87%
Want Factor: Loves it – 70%
“A big hit for the older kids and parents”
Micador jR. Globe4Kids – Blue Ocean, 30cm Adventure Edition
Comes with a non-permanent globe marker, so your child can plot their adventures!
Includes learning activity sheet and lots of easy to peel and replace stickers.
More than 100 illustrations of animals, monuments, produce and more on globe.
Easy to assemble. Includes easy-to-follow instructions.
Huge 30cm diameter globe sphere with lots of fun things to learn and do!
RRP $60
Available from: https://micador.com.au/products/MGMG4K
Read the MumsDelivery Review of the Globe4Kids
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: An interesting way to learn about the world around us. The globe makes it easier than a map to understand.
Safety: Excellent – 87%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 77%
Quality: Excellent – 87%
Price: Good – 60%
Want Factor: Parent’s Choice – 47%
“Good for preschool ages as well”
Tweens & Teens
National Geographic Glow in the Dark Slime Lab
Make your own glow-in-the-dark slime and learn all about the fascinating organisms known as slime moulds! Kids will become chemists – concocting slime, learning about slime moulds, and exploring where slime occurs naturally in nature. Age 8+
RRP: $25.00
Available from: Australian Geographic, David Jones, Kidstuff, Myer, Toy World, Toy Mate and all good toy retailers. For further information visit www.ugames.com.au
Click here to check the Price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: Totally on trend and a fun easy activity for children to do.
Safety: Excellent – 87%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 77%
Quality: Excellent – 87%
Price: Good – 60%
Want Factor: Parent’s Choice – 47%
“I just love making slime”
Wild Science My First Sci-Fi Science Kit
Star in your own sci-fi adventure as you explore the science of outer space. Make sci-fi movie sounds and discover the science of planetary orbits and cosmic storms. Launch a rocket to explore the Solar System, make spinning and flying UFOs and decode a secret alien message. Age 6+
https://www.ugames.com.au/product/my-first-sci-fi-science-kit/
RRP: $36.00
Available from: Australian Geographic, Big W, Kidstuff, Spotlight, Target, Toy World and all good toy retailers. For further information visit www.ugames.com.au
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A great interactive toy that will encourage thinking and understanding of science principles. Suitable from 6 with adult help and from 10+ without.
Safety: Good – 68%
Age Appropriate: Fair – 56% (Good with Parental help)
Quality: Good – 60%
Price: Good – 64%
Want Factor: Likes it – 56%
“Tricky without parental help, so a great idea to do together.”
Monopoly Gamer Mario Kart
Most Popular Toy – Tweens & Teens
This edition of the Monopoly game joins forces with Nintendo video game characters for an exciting gameplay experience. Instead of the standard Monopoly tokens, players can choose to move around the gameboard as Mario, Princess Peach, Luigi, or Toad. Buy iconic Mario Kart properties such as Bowser’s Castle and Rainbow Road, Pass Go to trigger a race from Mario Kart Cup, dodge banana peel tokens, toss shells, pick Grand Prix cards, and collect Coins. When the final race is over, the player with the highest score wins. RRP: $44.99
Available from: All toy retailers Suitable for: Ages 8+
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A new spin on a classic brings Mario Kart racing to a Monopoly board with your favourite Mario Kart locations. Faster than traditional Monopoly, making it easier for children to understand/play.
Safety: Excellent – 100%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 88%
Quality: Excellent – 96%
Price: Good – 52%
Want Factor: Loves it – 80%
“An Exceptionally funny and fun game”
Disney Song Challenge
Remember and re-enact favourite moments from Disney movies. Show off your Disney song skills and sing a song from the show or movie that’s listed on the card. When players mess up a song, spin the Wheel of Fun-Sequences gives them a fun Disney actions to perform such as pretending to eat an apple like Snow White, doing a whale impression, or even re-enacting the spaghetti scene from Lady and the Tramp. RRP: $39.99
Available from: All toy retailers Suitable for: Ages 10+
Click here to check the price on Amazon Australia.
TOY TESTING RESULTS:
MD Says: A different and funny game that is great for the entertainer children and gives the shy members an easier option.
Safety: Excellent – 88%
Age Appropriate: Excellent – 84%
Quality: Excellent – 88%
Price: Good – 68%
Want Factor: Loves – 72%
“Fun toy to play with and it is good for games and challenges.”
View these Christmas Gift Ideas and many more in on our 2018 Christmas Gift Guide.
