Games & toys

Get ready for the latest Winnie the Pooh feature film with a brand new range of puzzles from Jumbo. Using iconic new imagery from the upcoming movie, these puzzles are ideal for all new or classic fans of the much-loved Disney character.  Alex Bell tried one out with three year-old Pippa ably assisted by older brother Toby!

Disney Interactive Software has just launched its brand new video game: LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean. Brian O'Neill took his son and a friend to the launch event to try out the game.

This fast and furious family card game, Ratuki from Hasbro, is perfect to play at home or to pack and take on holiday.

Mix and match bodies in the shape of eggs with attitude – Egg Bods are here and were voted the pocket money toy of these year. Georgina Collins introduced them to Sandy aged four and – with close supervision! – Betty aged one.

Harriet Elliott was so delighted with Tomy's Aquadoodle mat, she's buying another to use for son Hal's third birthday party!

If you're looking for a soft toy with a difference, this superb ethical range of large toys is ideal. We tried out the Giant Panda for size but there are 20 to choose from and each one is, sadly, an endangered species.

A real party game as up to ten players can compete in this quickwitted family game – Apple to Apples from Mattel.

A great family game to concentrate the mind (and calm down the Christmas excitement), Mattel's Mindflex is in a class of its own.

Louise Pollard and her family got their feet on the keyboard to Play that Tune.

With HABA's new Building Blocks Technics even physics can be fun, says Georgina Collins whose son, Sandy, took up the creative challenge.

Ever been frustrated by a Scrabble champion who seems to be plugged into a dictionary and always knows how to make the maximum points for a Z or an X? Then, writes Anne Coates, Scrabble® Trickster is for you.

A new computerised game from VTech means that young children can practise their literacy and numeracy skills without being aware that they aren't just playing games as the Toy Story character calls out the instructions on the Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop.

A fan of family board games, Anne Coates recommends English Quest™ game for long winter evenings.

Louise Pollard and her family tried out Imagination Games' family board game Beat the Parents and, true to the title, the kids won!

My little BABY born® is the little sister of BABY born® from Zapf Creations and is perfect for the little arms and attentions of an infant aged one plus.

David Collins and his son, Sandy, had a rare "boys day out" leaving baby Betty at home with Mum, to attend the launch of a new range of Tonka toy cars at Santa Pod raceway, the home of UK drag racing (the self titled “fastest and loudest motorsport on earth”).

As soon as a baby can sit unaided, you can consider a babywalker. Harriet Coates has had great fun in the Ziggy Rocker Walker from Tippitoes.

The Toy Retailers Association have announced their predictions for the top 12 toys for Christmas 2010.