CHRISTMAS might be the season of goodwill but for me, as a mum to two boys, it’s also a time of stress, anxiety and the endless challenge of ‘HOW can I keep them busy?’ when it’s freezing and/or raining non-stop.
So, instead of forking out for endless, random, plastic toys this year I tried and tested The Entertainer’s Top Buy toys to see what’ll actually keep them busy and there was a clear winner that DIDN’T break the bank.
My two boys are ages seven and four and while the seven-year-old is a ‘typical boy’ who only really cares about football and getting muddy outside, the four-year-old loves make-believe, unicorns and being creative AND I even got some of his girl-mates to come over to be tiny-testers.
So, if you’re tearing your hair out as to what to buy… here’s an honest review.
What the kids thought: The name and the idea was an instant win, especially as they saw my nose and Grandma’s (my glamorous assistant) turn up. They couldn’t stop giggling and were very excited to prank us. While the noises were funny, it was the cool smoke ‘fart’ rings they loved.
What I thought: It’s a big, cumbersome toy so if you’re tight for storage space this will take up a whole cupboard if you’re not careful. The smells from the machine aren’t unpleasant – they smelt a bit like popcorn – but it’s no Yankee candle aroma!
How easy to set up: The fart ‘liquid’ is quite greasy and messy to put into the toy, so keep it away from soft furnishing. It also needs SIX aa batteries to get going but when that’s done it’s okay. The liquid needs refilling pretty regularly though.
How long it kept them busy: 30 mins. It was too complicated for my 4-year-old but the 7-year-old was enjoying fart blasting in the garden (sorry neighbours!) for a while. They didn’t pick up the toy again after that first play though.
Stars: 3/5
What the kids thought: My seven-year-old had no interest but this was a HUGE hit for my four-year-old and his pals (girls and boys). The egg is mysterious and watching it hatch to become their own little pet is adorable. The lights and smoke as it is born is magical.
What I thought: I loved how this utterly transfixed the kids and blew their imaginations. Like any talking toy, it is irritating if it ends up going everywhere with you but you can easily switch it off and put it back in its nest. It’s not a cuddly toy though, it’s hard and heavy.
How easy to set up: Really simple. The ‘magical heart key’ does all the work for you. There’s a bit of mess when the egg hatches.
How long it kept them busy: 2 hours. My four-year-old played with it for ages and carried it everywhere for a few days.
Stars: 4/5
What the kids thought: They loved it, especially during the darker days and afternoons as the lights on the car are great. It’s a fast track too.
What I thought: I was amazed at how cheap this was considering what a good toy it is. It’s easy to assemble, easy to pack away. I would say having two cars would have been better to stop any squabbles but they enjoyed making different tracks under tables, the sofa… anywhere.
How easy to set up: V. easy.
How long it kept them busy: 1 hour + returned time and time again to play with it.
Stars: 5/5
Lego Fortnite Battle Bus, £89.99
It’s sold out everywhere – and I mean EVERYWHERE.
But that doesn’t mean my 10-year-old son Lucas would accept that I couldn’t get the highly-anticipated Lego Fortnite Battle Bus for him for Christmas.
So when I actually managed to get my hands on one, I couldn’t wait to give it to him.
And the look on his face was definitely worth the wait!
It’s a 10+ set, so naturally is more complicated than some of the other builds, but Lucas didn’t struggle as he’s a Lego pro.
When asked what he thought of the set, he said it was ‘awesome’, and had been loads of fun to build.
The only criticism he had was that he’d been hoping for some certain character mini figures which didn’t make the pack, so he was a little disappointed about that.
But his joy at finally getting the set meant he got over that disappointment almost immediately.
And as a mum, there are few benefits more thrilling to me than to have him occupied for a full two hours.
Lego has also been proven to help children with their “problem-solving, spatial awareness, and critical thinking skills“.
So it’s a win in my book!
by Sarah Bull, Fabulous Online Digital Senior Reporter
The Lego Fortnite Battle Bus is due back in stock on the Lego website in February – keep an eye on stock levels here.
What the kids thought: They thought it was ‘sus’ (weird) but for any Lilo & Stitch fan they thought it’d be brilliant.
What I thought: Same as the kids. Also, not that cuddly for a teddy toy.
How easy to set up: V. easy.
How long it kept them busy: 5 mins. All kids, not just mine, who played with it, found it a bit funny but then it was quickly put down and left.
Stars: 2/5
What the kids thought: They were excited to get it up and running and when the cars were looping around the track there was lots of excited jumping and ‘car tests’ to see which motor would whizz the best.
What I thought: Getting it set up made me sweat and be prepared that some cars work better than others around the track. As in some shoot across the room. It is noisy too – the kind of constant noise that makes you snap when you least expect it!
How easy to set up: Not as simple as most Hot Wheels tracks and frustrating but when it’s done, it’s done!
How long it kept them busy: 1 hour. They keep coming back to test more cars too so this isn’t a one-play wonder like some.
Stars: 4/5
