Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Or more accurately, Christmas is coming and it’s time to scramble around and work out what presents to get for your kids or any kids you have to buy presents for.
Luckily for you, my Educational psychologist wife and our 5 and 7-year-old girls have been busy trying out the hottest kids’ presents for 2024.
Stocking fillers for children
Little People Big Dreams: Taylor Swift book
What Is It:
Ignite the imagination of young readers with the “Little People, Big Dreams: Taylor Swift” book! Part of the beloved Little People, Big Dreams series, this beautifully illustrated biography tells the inspiring story of how Taylor Swift rose from her small-town roots to become a global superstar.
The series celebrates the lives of influential figures, like Frida Kahlo, Martin Luther King Jr., and Marie Curie, encouraging kids to dream big and follow their passions. With its engaging storytelling and stunning artwork, this book entertains and empowers children to believe in their dreams, making it a perfect addition to any holiday gift list!
What We Thought:
Swifty love is alive and well in our house, as is our desire to get the kids reading to themselves. This is a perfect book to do that, we read it once and now our 7 year old picks it up again and again to read to herself. She loves the beautiful illustrations and we love how the book weaves in why Taylor is a good role model.
Where To Buy It: £9.99 from https://amzn.to/3UGfo70
Enter The World Of Dinosaurs – 3D Immersive Viewer
What Is It:
The Enter the World of Dinosaurs 3D Immersive Viewer is an exciting screen-free gift for young dinosaur fans. This kit lets kids explore 30 realistic 3D illustrations of their favourite prehistoric creatures, including T-Rex and triceratops, through a special viewer.
Each dinosaur card is packed with fun facts on the reverse side, providing an engaging learning experience with every look. The set includes 3D lenses, a series of dinosaur cards, and an instruction leaflet with observation games, making it both educational and entertaining for kids ages 3 and up.
What We Thought:
A fun little stocking filler which is well made and has managed to take a battering from our kids. I was surprised how quickly they learned dinosaur names and found their favourites to look at again and again. I know next term they start studying dinos in school so this will be perfect to go alongside that.
Where To Buy It: £12.99 from https://amzn.to/4hDtL5V
Boogie Bath Duck
What Is It:
Make bath time a splash with the Boogie Bath Duck! This adorable, brightly colored rubber duck is not just for floating – it’s a fun musical companion that plays catchy tunes to keep little ones entertained while they scrub-a-dub. With its easy-to-press button and cheerful design, this duck encourages playful imagination and makes bath time something to look forward to.
Plus, it’s a great way to help kids relax and unwind after a busy day. A quacking good gift that adds a touch of joy to any bathroom routine this holiday season!
What We Thought:
Anything that can make bathtime more fun is a win for us and this duck has bought a lot of laughs and fun to the bath, turning it into a mini-concert with splashing and singing along.
Where To Buy it: £9.99 from giftrepublic.com
Pods 4D & Nano Pods
What Is It:
Pods 4D & Nano Pods offers a fun line of collectable figures featuring pop culture characters from franchises like Disney, Marvel, and Harry Potter. Each figure is set against a high-resolution lenticular background, creating a stunning 4D effect that makes it seem as if they are bursting out of their world. These collectables allow for modular display, enabling collectors to connect multiple PODS in creative arrangements to make their own display.
What We Thought:
It’s easy to forget how much kids love collecting things and these pods are perfect for them. The sort of pocket money toy which they can grow their collection with and find their favourite characters and stack and sort them into their own designs.
The Pods 4D are perfect for hands-on exploration, with their unique textures and vibrant colours that invite little fingers to squish and squeeze. Meanwhile, the Nano Pods are great for imaginative play, fitting perfectly into their tiny hands and sparking creative scenarios.
Where To Buy It: Pods 4D RRP £12.99, Nano Pods £2.99 available from Amazon & Argos
Countdown to Christmas Activity Book
What Is It:
Kick off the holiday excitement with the Orchard Toys Countdown to Christmas Activity Book! This festive book is packed with fun puzzles, colouring pages, and engaging activities to keep little ones entertained all season long. Perfect for building up to the big day, each page brings a new activity that’s easy to follow and wonderfully designed to spark holiday cheer.
Ideal for kids eager to count down in style, this book is a delightful stocking stuffer that turns each day into a merry mini-adventure!
What We Thought:
A thin little book which gave a fun activity every day from 1st December, this went perfectly alongside an advent calender. The kids especially loved the stickers that came with it.
Where To Buy It: RRP £4 orchardtoys.com
Toyllectible™ Pufflums Niffler
What Is It:
Meet the Toyllectible™ Pufflums Niffler – the perfect blend of mischief and cuddly charm! Inspired by the magical creature known for its love of shiny treasures, this plush Niffler is a must-have for Harry Potter / Fantastic Beasts fans and collectors alike. With its adorably round body and velvety soft fur, it’s ready to snuggle or sit proudly on a shelf. Whether for playtime adventures or simply a touch of magic to a collection, the Pufflums Niffler is a sparkling gift idea that will bring enchantment to the holiday season!
What We Thought:
Having just introduced the kids to the world of Harry Potter they don’t actually know what a Niffler is, but that didn’t matter as they loved him as soon as they saw him. His soft, squishy body seems perfect for snuggles and the look on his face constantly makes me smile when I see him.
Where To Buy It:
RRP £18 available from noblecollection.co.uk
Harry Potter Mystery 7” Lumos Wand
What Is It:
Let the wand choose you! The Mystery 7” Lumos Wand comes in six character versions. Who will you get – Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, The Elder Wand, Ron Weasley or He Who Must Not Be Named, Lord Voldemort? This wand features a vibrant LED tip activated by a hidden button, allowing fans to replicate spells and magical moments just like Hermione Granger. With its compact design, it’s ideal for smaller hands, making it great for ages 6 and up. Plus, when paired with the free Wow! Stuff Light Painting App, users can create stunning light effects and capture their magical moments on camera.
What We Thought:
It’s incredible how quickly they started acting out their Harry Potter fantasies with this wand, making their own spells up which I reacted to. The Lumos Wand is super bright and the girls loved filming themselves on the app, painting the screen with light.
Where To Buy It: RRP £14.99 from Amazon & Smyths
The Story Orchestra: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What Is It:
The Story Orchestra: A Midsummer Night’s Dream brings Shakespeare’s beloved play to life with music. This interactive book combines beautiful illustrations with sound, allowing young readers to listen to Mendelssohn’s orchestral pieces by pressing buttons on each page.
The story follows the humorous and magical events of enchanted characters and young lovers in the forest, making it a delightful introduction to both classical music and Shakespearean comedy. Part of The Story Orchestra series, which also includes The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, this book includes a composer’s biography and glossary to enrich children’s appreciation of music.
What We Thought:
The beautiful illustrations combine wonderfully with the music, making this a different sort of story for bedtime. A wonderful introduction to classical music with the different movements matching the story and the illustrations helping our kids really feel the narrative. A fun interactive book, and boy do they love pressing that music button. The sort of gift that we’ll give to other kids throughout the year.
Where To Buy It: £16.99 https://amzn.to/3YT0WuW
Storyfold Classics: A Christmas Carol
What Is It:
The Storyfold Classics: A Christmas Carol book is a unique interactive edition of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Designed to combine reading with hands-on creativity, each page includes marked fold lines that allow readers to transform the book into a festive 3D Christmas tree as they read along.
This engaging version keeps the original text and features the iconic illustrations by John Leech from the first edition, bringing characters like Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Ghost of Christmas Present vividly to life. This book offers a delightful activity for the holiday season, creating a keepsake decoration that can become part of family traditions.
What We Thought:
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Christmas Carol. Normally we go for the muppet version but have loved getting Dickension with the original story. Especially this edition which gives a fun, interactive way to experience the timeless story and a lovely visual market of how far through the book we are.
Where To Buy It: £12.99 from https://amzn.to/3NWpdKa
Fashion
Start Rite Chelsea Boot
What Is It:
Trusted and renowned children’s footwear brand has a gorgeous range of favourites, festive colours and new styles for this holiday season. With a legacy that spans over 200 years, they offer a wide range of stylish and comfortable shoes designed to cater to the unique needs of growing feet. From playful sneakers to elegant boots, Start-Rite focuses on durability, fit, and fashion, ensuring kids can run, play, and explore with confidence.
What We Thought:
This Chelsea Boot is super stylish, with a timeless design that offers comfort for our kids and comfort for us in knowing their foot is being well looked after. Easy to slip on and perfect for school, parties and little adventures. Even after lots of climbing and running around they still look brand new, a mark of true quality.
Where To Buy It: £50 from https://www.startriteshoes.com/products/chelsea-black-patent-girls-zip-boots
Little Star Jewellery – Kaya 3 Colour Diamond Rainbow Pendant
What Is It:
With over 20 years of designing Jewellery Little Star was born in 2017 whilst on holiday in Greece by a London-based husband and wife team. They are the go-to brand for luxury children’s jewellery dedicated to creating high-quality, meaningful jewellery for children, emphasizing both style and sentiment.
Founded with a passion for celebrating childhood milestones, the brand focuses on unique designs that can be personalized, allowing each piece to carry a special significance. Committed to craftsmanship and durability, Little Star aims to create treasured keepsakes that children can cherish as they grow.
The Kaya 3 Colour Diamond Rainbow Pendant is a charming piece of jewelry designed for children, combining sterling silver with rose and yellow gold plating. Featuring a small diamond, this pendant symbolizes love, safety, and remembrance. Inspired by the sentiment of connection, it can be engraved on the back for a personal touch.
What We Thought:
Presented in packaging which makes it feel special, complete with a millennial grey design our kids’ eyes lit up when they laid eyes on it. They instantly knew this was something special, a piece of jewellery to be cherished and not part of their dressing-up box. The subtle pastel colours in the charm really pop and the quality is second to none. To be honest, any adult would love wearing this too!
Where To Buy It: £75 from https://littlestarjewellery.com/product/kaya-3-colour-diamond-rainbow-pendant/
Little Star Jewelry Eos Multi Heart Beatclent with Rose Gold Plated Heart
What Is It:
Crafted from sterling silver, it features multiple charming hearts, including a larger rose gold-plated heart that can be personalized with an engraving. This bracelet is a lovely gift for birthdays or special occasions like a first communion, designed to be treasured for years to come. With adjustable sizing for growing wrists, it comes beautifully packaged, making it a perfect gift choice this holiday season!
What We Thought:
Another hit, this bracelet oozes class, style and design. Perfectly designed for a kids wrist to look fashionable, classic and stylish. The only downside was that our tiny human never wanted to take it off.
Where To Buy It: £60 from https://littlestarjewellery.com/product/eos-multi-heart-bracelet-with-rose-gold-plated-heart/
Fun and games
Disney Bitzee
What Is It:
Bitzee, the top toy of 2023, is back with a brand-new edition to make all your magical dreams come true…introducing Disney Bitzee!
Disney Bitzee is a digital pet you can really touch, and with 30 beloved Disney characters to collect and play with including favourites such as Simba, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy, the Disney dreams never stop! Housed inside a fun pod, Disney Bitzee pets come to life with an innovative, full-colour display that creates an all-new play experience for kids. They respond to swipes, tilts, shakes and touch with sounds and reactions.
What We Thought:
The fact that as soon as our kids opened this all the adults gathered around to look at it and have a play is a testament to the uniqueness of this. A sort of modern-day Tamagotchi with technology I’d never seen in a toy before. We love that it’s transportable and can easily entertain the kids during car drives as they try to collect their favourite characters and play the games. A real hit!
Where To Buy It: £39.99 at Symths – https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/interactive-pets/bitzee-disney-interactive-digital-pet/p/236797
Snack-O-Saurus Rex Board Game
What Is It:
Get ready for a roaring good time with the Snack-O-Saurus Rex Board Game! Perfect for kids aged 5 and up, this game invites 2 to 4 players to embark on a snack-hunting adventure while dodging the legendary Snack-O-Saurus Rex. Players take on the roles of hungry cavepeople, competing to collect two pairs of snacks—think tasty taco-dactyls and prehistoric pizzas—while avoiding being snagged by the dino’s super-long tongue.
With a mix of strategy and excitement, aim to grab treats or knock opponents back for a hilarious twist on family game night. The game includes everything you need to play: the Snack-O-Saurus Rex figure, a gameboard, snacks, and more. It’s a fun-filled way to engage kids in a lighthearted, action-packed challenge!
What We Thought:
The game is super easy to set up and play, which is a big plus for busy parents. My 5-year-old was immediately drawn to the cute dinosaur characters, while my 7-year-old loved strategizing her moves to snag the most snacks. We found ourselves laughing as we navigated the colourful game board, trying to outsmart each other with silly tactics.
One thing I appreciated was how it kept both of them engaged; they were able to work together and take turns without any fuss. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some counting practice without it feeling like a lesson!
Where To Buy It: £19.99 at Smyths
Hex Bots Gecko
What Is It:
It may be the season for reindeer, but with Hex Bots the little ones will only have eyes for geckos! Hex Bots, the new and improved brand formerly known as Hex Bugs, is back this Christmas with unique mechanical bots that are guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained.
The Hex Bots Gecko is a thrilling remote-controlled robot toy that mimics the movements of a real gecko! Designed to crawl across floors and even climb walls, this playful gadget features a user-friendly remote control that operates from up to 25 feet away. With its LED eyes, the Geko offers an exciting twist for nighttime adventures. Made from durable hard plastic with flexible silicone limbs and tail, it’s both robust and fun to play with.
What We Thought:
From the moment they saw this being demonstrated in a shop they wanted one. Luckily it was super easy to assemble and they loved its bright colours and scaring the adults with it as it scurried around and produced non-stop giggles from them. They keep reaching for it again and again and have become inspired to learn more about robots.
Where To Buy It: £29.99 at Smyths
Bigjigs Toys Four in a Row Game
What Is It:
Bring classic fun to family game night with the Bigjigs Toys Four in a Row Game! This beautifully crafted wooden game adds a touch of nostalgia and is perfect for all ages. Simple to learn but endlessly entertaining, it’s a strategic challenge to get four of your colours in a row while blocking your opponent. Compact and durable, it’s easy to bring along for travel or display on a shelf, making it an ideal gift for game lovers who enjoy a little friendly competition.
What We Thought:
A beautiful wooden set which puts to shame any plastic version and makes a classy addition to the toy cupboard.
Where To Buy It: £20.99 https://www.scandiborn.co.uk/products/bigjigs-toys-four-in-a-row-game
