Top toys for Christmas 2010 revealedWhich? takes a closer look at tech gizmos for kids

29 October 2010

Industry experts have unveiled what they're predicting to be the must-have toys, gadgets and games of 2010.

The Toy Retailer's Association's 'Dream Toys list' for 2010 includes a mixture of well-known toy names and brands - and even a game featuring 3ft inflatable characters.

Prices start at £19.99, but the most expensive item - a City Airport Lego kit - carries a premium price tag of £84.99. Other items include a Buzz Lightyear figure with light-up jet pack, a new take on Monopoly and paper-thin electric guitars.

2011 update: find out which children's toys are must-haves this Christmas.

Tech gadgets rule?

The TRA said this year's toys had made some 'simply amazing' technological advancements - and we certainly noticed plenty of electronic and tech gadgets amongst the finalists. 

Watch our top toys video round-up, with our top five gadget picks for little technologists: 

The items that caught our eye included:

• A tech twist on a word game classic - Boggle Flash - which puts your word skills to the test using electronic blocks that record your score. It's £24.99, but we think it should keep both kids and adults entertained.
• Paper Jamz Instant Rock Star instruments are made of paper-thin cardboard with no strings that you play using touch alone. For £24.99, the guitar comes with three in-built songs to play along to - and braver parents can buy drums and a separate amp separately.
• VTech says the Storio is the world's first animated ebook reader aimed at kids between 3 and 7. It's touch screen and brings a story to life with interactive pictures and words, with a handy pop-up dictionary for difficult words or phrases. At £59.99 (RRP) it's quite expensive - and you'll need to buy new stories separately, too.
• The Kidizoom camcorder (£59.99) is suitable for budding film directors (4+ upwards) looking to film and edit SD video clips. While we don't know if the camcorder is completely drop-proof, it looked pretty sturdy. You can download footage to a PC - and we like that you can hook the camera up to a TV to play your child's handiwork back on a big screen.
• Mindflex, according to Mattel, 'utilises the power of  thought' with similar technology to that used in an EEG monitor. Players (8 years+) put on a headset containing sensors that are able to read brain signals. The ball moves around the course by focusing your mind's concentration, using controls to change direction. It's a pricey £80, and a shame it only comes with one headset.

The prices quoted are the recommended retail prices - but we suspect you'll be able to bag more of a bargain if you shop around. Take a look at which high street toy shops came top of our shopping customer satisfaction survey and the online shops Which? members rate for buying toys and games.

Have your say - tell us if gadgets are top of your children's Christmas wish list at Which? Conversation.

Dream Toys 2010 - full list

1. City Airport (Lego UK, £84.99)

2. Fireman Sam Deluxe Fire Station Playset (Character Options, £29.99)

3. FurReal Go Go Walking Pup (Hasbro, £59.99)

4. Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear (Mattel UK, £39.99)

5. Kidizoom Videocam (VTech, £59.99)

6. Monopoly Revolution (Hasbro, £29.99)

7. Moon Dough Barn (Spinmaster Toys UK, £19.99)

8. Nerf N Strike Stampede ECS (Hasbro, £54.99)

9. Paper Jamz guitar (Wow Wee Europe, £24.99)

10. Pumpaloons (Drumond Park, £19.99)

11. Sylvanian Families Motorcycle and Sidecar (Flair Leisure, £24.99)

12. ZhuZhu Grooming Salon (Character Options, £22.99)