Knowledge is power, writes Alanna Gallagherof a selection of top toys for Christmas. Interactivity is the buzzword, though, so be prepared to see a lot of squawking parrots and animatronic dinosaurs.
What's top of Santa's list this year? Computer games and consoles are still huge, but it's the addition of an interactive aspect that has broadened their appeal. "This is the first year that computer games, spearheaded by Nintendo's family-friendly Wii, have become a massive hit for families and girls, not just boys, who have always been the traditional market," explains James Byrne, MD of Byrne's World of Wonder stores. "Supply has outstripped demand for the Wii - even Santa won't be able to get this item for everyone this Christmas."
After decades of exercising your thumbs, gaming is now assaulting a new body part, the brain. Toys with an educational aspect are a huge hit right across the board, from biology pop-up books such as Dorling Kindersley's Alive, written by Anita Ganeri, to Nintendo's Brain Training game for its DS console.
"Big brand hits this year include High School Musical for the girls and Ben 10 for the boys. These will be a definite sell-out," says Byrne.
While television controls some of what children want, Byrne also remarks on the return of traditional toys. "There's been a big increase in demand for wooden toys for younger kids - dolls' houses for the girls and remote-controlled vehicles for boys." Early Learning Centre, Imaginarium and the Eco Shop are also good sources of such items.
Mandy Haslett, a buyer with Avoca, echoes this sentiment. "Nostalgia is a really big story for us. Plastic toys are everywhere and parents now want to give their children something that is longer-lasting and well-made. They want these toys to become heritage pieces that get handed down from older sister to younger sibling. Our dolls' houses start at €120 and we can't keep them in the stores," she says.
"Parents are looking for an alternative to the solitary play offerings of electronic games," says Imaginarium's Clodagh O'Brien. "There is a return to traditional forms of play, such as dressing up and board games - things that stimulate a child's imagination and creativity. Activities that parents can make and do together with their children are particularly popular."
Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old? (€29.99) is a board game that puts kids on a level playing field with adults, for the ultimate right to brag.
Astronomy has been a surprise hit in recent weeks. "It seems to have come from nowhere to become a big category this year," James Byrne comments. "We have had a massive increase in demand for astronomy-type toys. We always stock a good range of these, and sales are usually steady, but they have shot up this year," he says. While they are still selling old favourites such as telescopes, they have some new items such as the Solar System Mobile (€39.99), a suspended array of every planet in the solar system which hangs from a child's bedroom roof, and the Moon in my Room, a 28cm authentically-detailed moon with
12 lunar phases (€34.99). The illuminated, remote-controlled room accessory has a built-in light sensor and includes a "full-of-facts" audio CD. Lidl has also caught the coat-tails of this trend and offers a Meade Reflector full-sized telescope for €599.
Anything musical has also been a big hit. "Our Rock & Drum is a real drum kit tailored to small hands and feet," Clodagh O'Brien says. "We also have a classical guitar, the Concerto, and demand for it is so high that there's already a waiting list for it." Avoca's pink guitar is on every rock chick's wish list, while Hasbro's Power Tour guitar, €74.99, teaches you how to play, lets you plug in your MP3 player and jam along, and plays pre-programmed music.
Squawkers McCaw FurReal Friends parrot (€99.99) was one of the big hits among the children assembled here. The 30-centimetre-tall bird takes interactive play to a new level. It can whistle, laugh, dance and be taught how to speak.
Interactivity is also the selling strategy behind this festive season's number one toy. And it hasn't even hit the shops yet. The animatronic Pleo is a toy set to radically shake up the market. Baby Pleo is a week-old infant Camarasaurus from the Jurassic period that reacts to the world it inhabits. It's only due in stores mid-December, and will cost upwards of €349.99.
"Sport, in the guise of skateboarding, is making a comeback and it's all thanks to Dublin City Council's investment in skate parks," says Clive Rowan of Skate City. "It heralds the return of the real toy." And, many parents hope, a move off the couch and back into the great outdoors.
There is no better way to build your child's creative canon than investing in some make and do. Take time to help them express their individuality and who knows, they may become the next Banksy. With the way the property and stock markets are going it might just be the best investment you ever made. Paint Your Own wellies for crafty boys and girls, €19.95, from Art & Hobby shops. Twins Finn and Evie Smith (two and a half) model their own creations.
Drama kings and queens can channel their excess energies into the production of plays and puppet shows. Get the kids to write their own stories and then perform them, and make it all-family entertainment. Set the sitting room up as a theatre, pop a couple of popcorn bags in the microwave and clap enthusiastically. Gabriella (three and a half) enthrals her audience behind the curtains of their Fiesta Crafts Tell Tale Theatre (€49.99). Their Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood puppets cost €15.99 each. Both theatre and puppets are available from Art & Hobby shops.
Give the gift of wanderlust this yuletide. Your kids can explore the length and breadth of the world from the comfort of their bedrooms. Avoca has a large inflatable globe for €31.95. The appropriately named Skye Byrne (eight) could use this Globo Luminoso by Nova Rico (€59.99), from Eason, as a night light and learn about the world we live in with Discovery's Talking Globe (€133), from Marks & Spencer. You can touch any part of the world with the wireless pen, and the globe will respond with the facts and figures relevant to that part of the planet.
MATHS
The 123s are as important as ABCs. Sonny Byrne (12 months) grapples with basic subtraction using the Early Learning Centre's bag of Play Balls, €15. Martha McCarthy (three) balances the take on her cash register set from Marks & Spencer (€30). The wooden abacus pictured is from Nimble Fingers (€14.99), and the wood fraction Cake and Pizza set is from Early Learning Centre
(€15). Thrill your child with basic magnetism using Habitat's woodbot, which is held together by simple magnetism, and offers hours of endless fun (€20).
SCIENCE
Teach your child how the body works with Dorling Kindersley's Alive, a heart-thumping, muscle-flexing, pop-up book by Anita Ganeri that illustrates the living, breathing human body. It's available from Eason and other bookshops (€22.50). Shane Mangan (four) also gets to grips with the subject of chemistry thanks to Bandai's Ben 10 Alien Laboratory (€34.99), from Smyths and Byrne's World of Wonder.
SPORT
Nathan Gaynor (13) embraces an old-school activity that's making a comeback: skateboarding heralds the return of the real toy. This skateboard (€49) and helmet (€30) are both from Skate City, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Meanwhile, Eva McCarthy (14) adopts the traditional teen-girl approach to sport, eschewing participation for a supporting role on the sidelines. Her rugger hugger kit would make Ross O'Carroll-Kelly's heart swell with southside pride. Essential elements of this uniform are a ladies-fit Leinster jersey (€49.99) and palomino pony Ugg boots (€249), both from Arnotts.
Practice makes perfect . . . so make the mantra fun. Indie kids and pop princesses may relish the chance to form a band, using real instruments.
Shane McCarthy (nine) gets to grips with a full-size Yamaha electric guitar and amp set (€199) from Lidl. His brother Killian (seven) keeps tempo on the Rock & Drum (€99), a drum kit tailored to small hands and feet, from Imaginarium. Miles Gaynor (eight) tinkles the ivories on a full-size Yamaha electric keyboard (€99), also from Lidl. It's perched on two red Tam Tam stools (€15 each), from Habitat.
Meanwhile, Emile McCarthy (seven) strokes her Hasbro Power Tour guitar (€74.99), which teaches you how to play, lets you plug in your MP3 player and jam along and plays pre-programmed music. Front women Ella Lawlor (nine) and Sara McQuaid (11) exercise their vocal range on the High School Musical Rock-A-Long mic (€12.99). The Power Tour guitar and High School Musical mic are both from Byrne's World of Wonder. The girls also wear wrist bells (€4.50 each) from Early Learning Centre. Rhyme, rhythm and song!
MOTHER NURTURE
Baby Pleo is a week-old Camarasaurus, from the Jurassic period, that reacts to the world it inhabits. The Pleo has dozens of sensors, sensitive to light, touch and edges, so its behaviour is somewhat akin to that of a pet. It is said to be so lifelike that it's hard not to treat it like a real pet, making it a perfect alternative to a puppy for Christmas. It's only due in stores mid-December, so it will be a last-minute dash for the lucky few who can afford its hefty price of €349.99 and upwards for the limited numbers being shipped to Ireland. It will be available at Argos, Smyths and Byrne's World of Wonder.
MONSTER MODES
Soft toys are always popular, but these are out of the ordinary. Habitat's Fashion Monsters (€15-€25, above), with their acid-coloured satin patchwork styling, were designed by Christian Lacroix. They come wrapped in satin sacks that you can then use as Christmas stockings.
GAME ON
Are You Smarter than a 10 Year Old? (€29.99, below) is a board game that puts kids on a level playing field with adults for the right to be top dog. How do you play? Simply answer 11 curriculum-based questions that the average 10-year-old should know to claim victory - and avoid the humiliation of having to admit that you are not top of the class.