Shopping for your children can be a nerve-racking experience but don’t worry, we have compiled a list of the top five trending toys for Christmas 2014.
1.Sony Playstation 4 (PS4) -The number one toy wanted all over the world by all ages is the PS4, the newest console released by Sony. The new and improved fourth edition of the wildly popular gaming trademark, Sony, has gamers literally drooling over the Blu-Ray graphics and online capabilities.
PS4 is just over a year old now and have sold 13 million consoles world wide. Things certainly don’t look like turning round for the PS4. With more graphical power than the Xbox One, 32 times more system memory than the PS3 and a firm focus on pure gaming experiences rather than media might, the PS4 has established itself as the next-gen console to beat in this generation. Price: R6299.90 (www.cna.co.za).
2. XBOX ONE -The Xbox One is now a full year old, and it’s sales record would be looking fairly healthy if it wasn’t for that pesky PS4. Over six million gamers have bought into the Xbox One philosophy so far, a number that would be really quite impressive were it not for the PS4’s frankly incredible record-breaking tally of 13 million. But don’t let that distract you from the fact that the Xbox One is a superb living room machine that offers super speedy performance and media features you won’t find on any other (next gen) console. Because the Xbox One is not just a games machine, it’s also a clever and powerful media hub designed to sit at the centre of your digital home, offering a slick, unified interface for your choice of Sky, Virgin, BT, Freeview and Freesat TV services alongside music and movie streaming options, Skype chats, catch-up TV and more. Price: R6299.90 (www.cna.co.za).
3. Leap Frog Leap Pad 2- If you have a tablet and young children, then you will probably already know the plus points and pitfalls of getting the two together. On the negative side, tablets are still a sizeable investment, and most of us feel a little uneasy when they’re in the grips of a five-year-old, or being prodded hard and repeatedly by more impatient youngsters. Perhaps. Instead of letting the kids loose on your iPad Mini or Nexus 7, it might be better to give them something built for them. No-one could accuse it of being comparable to a proper grown-up tablet, but it has its low-resolution colour display, its own touch-screen interface and its own apps ecosystem, while coming wrapped in a chassis your average five-year-old can’t mangle, and at a price your average parent might be willing and able to afford. Price: R999.90 (www.toysrus.co.za).
4. Fantasy Loom Bracelet Making kit -These tiny colourful elastic bands have taken the world by storm. It is fun and creative exercise for young and old and fairly inexpensive. There are also loads of extras sold separately and promises to entertain the kids for hours on end. Watch a video about a similar product here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Pz_ZjrWDU. Price: R99.90 (www.toysrus.co.za)
5. Lego- Boys: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Lair attack-Defend the Turtles’ Lair in a Dark Ninja ambush! It’s an intense day of training in the Turtles’ Lair. Instruct Leonardo in the ninja arts with Master Splinter and the rotating training dummy. Then experiment in Donnie’s lab. When the explosion function is triggered by the Dark Ninja and his Foot Soldier minion, it’s time for a turtle-powered ninja battle! Fight in all 3 stories of the Turtles’ Lair with 10 weapons and a pizza shooting oven! Make those villains pay for trespassing into Turtle territory! Price: R699.90 (www.toysrus.co.za.Girls: Friends Jungle Rescue Base- Let Lego take your child on a magical jungle adventure. Co-ordinate your animal rescue missions at the Jungle Rescue Base! Help Andrea climb the watchtower and use the telescope to look for animals in danger. There’s a panda that needs your help! Slide Andrea down to the rescue boat, rescue the panda in distress and help Stephanie check it over in the mobile medical station. Jump on the zip line to slide down to the living quarters. Take a shower in the bathroom at the end of an exciting day and help the girls cook and eat dinner together with the animals before heading to bed for a good night’s sleep. There’s another busy day of animal rescue in store tomorrow! Price: R699.90 (www.toysrus.co.za).
