Star Wars
Millennium Falcon £149.95
This is a gift that, if we’re being honest, many dads will covet for
themselves. The gigantic ship (it’s the better part of a yard long) is the
ultimate Star Wars toy: It features an appropriately rakish Han Solo figure
and a hulking wookie. It fires missiles, it lights up, it makes authentic
‘failed hyperdrive’ noises. It has secret compartments, a working gun
turret, a separate mini-shuttle, even somewhere for Luke to practice his
light-saber. Every red-blooded boy from 3 to 53 will absolutely adore this,
if they can only find room for it. I daresay a few green-blooded boys might
got for it too.
Biscuit the
loving pup £119.95
President-elect Obama’s greatest dilemma right now seems to be selecting the
ideal puppy to live with his family in the White House. He clearly knows
that a pet can be a terrific stimulus to a child’s development but we can’t
all afford the space or the time to care for a dog properly. One of an
ever-more realistic lineage of robot playmates Biscuit is less likely to
exacerbate the First Kid’s allergies and, apart from a few dead batteries,
won’t leave any nasty surprises on the hall rug.
JVC
KD-10 Headphones £22.00
It’s increasingly common for kids to entertain themselves on long journeys
with a portable DVD player or a hand-me-down iPod, but the headphones that
come with expensive electronics are rarely suitable for delicate young ears.
Enter JVC with these sturdy cans that feature a volume limiter that can be
set by the concerned parent.
SparrowKids
Routemaster Bus Kit £9.99
Sparrowkids make a huge range of craft kits for children – there are dozens of
pretty but achievable projects for young girls but this London bus might
also tempt a young boy to take up his (safe plastic) needle and sew.
Lego Indiana Jones
Motorcycle chase £8.99
This Christmas will undoubtedly see a new generation of Indy Fans born as the
Crystal Skull movie arrives on DVD. What better way to expand on that
enthusiasm than to give a little Lego motorcycle and sidecar combination
featuring everyone’s favourite renegade archaeologist? Unless you count Tony
Robinson of course. Lego’s always a great gift because it encourages young
minds to pull things apart and reassemble them, encouraging analytical
thought. It also teaches them to endure the pain of stepping on a loose
piece barefoot, which encourages fortitude. Character building
entertainment.
Kitchen
Chemistry Set £15.99
Bring our the budding Heston Blumenthal in any 6-14 year old with a chemistry
set that uses common household ingredients to teach kids about acids and
alkalis, chemical reactions, enzymes and mixing. Not quite as the virtual
bomb-making kits that our grandparents grew up with but still good,
educational messy fun.
Holz wooden
airport £52.95
It might sensibly be said that Britain doesn’t need another airport but when
it’s a chunkily traditional (sustainable) wooden toy one like this even the
most eco-concious of us would agree that it’s a good thing. Especially as,
treated with a little care, this sturdy playset could easily entertain
several generations of young air traffic controllers. How many High School
Musical Dance Mats can make that boast?
Ladybird
dress-up £35
Dressing up is one of those activities that never quite gets boring, no matter
how old we get. This red tulle dress with elegant gossamer wings supplies
enough age-appropriate glamour to pass muster at a birthday party or two as
well as being the star of every sleepover and playdate until the lucky
recipient regretfully grows out of it. Best of all, it will survive a 40
degree wash so it will resist a certain amount of blancmange.
Pirate
Outfit £25
Everybody loves a pirate. With a satin-lined waistcoat adorned with
(unfortunately not real) gold buttons, artfully distressed pantaloons, an
eyepatch and a Jolly Roger bandana this has that authentic buccaneer style
that will please every young boy (and not a few young girls) with a longing
for the Spanish Main.
Catch
a beast £19.99
Already a huge craze in Japan, the Catch a Beast phenomenon might baffle us
busy adults, but captivate most single-minded young boys with its
Lovecraftian mythology of a world seething with invisible beasts just
waiting to be captured, trained and exchanged with other beast-masters.
Need more present ideas? Try:
Gifts
ideas for women
Gifts
ideas for men
Gadget
gifts ideas
Presents
under £30
