So what are the top toys for Christmas 2010 for our boys?

Please read our detailed reviews of these Christmas toys but here is a little bit of information on each one to whet your appetite.

Armouron Action Set

Your little one can dress up and pretend to be a knight in this lightweight and colorful suit of armour that comes with a variety of accessories.

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Lego Hero Factory

Following hot on the heels of the Bioinicles success, the new Lego Hero Factory buildable action figures offer Lego and role play fun for children of all ages. From small and basic figures to large and complex vehicles there is something to suit every ability.

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Paper Jamz Guitar

For any would be rock stars, this touch sensitive paper guitar will be the quickest way to get them to their dreams. There are integrated songs to strum along to but the guitar can also be used to play any songs that your kids can come up with. Oh and you can turn the volume down or make them plug in headphones to keep your sanity!

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Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Disc Ultimatrix

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien is the new third series from the Ben 10 cartoon show. As with any good popular brand, there are new toys to accompany the new series. The Ultimatrix is the latest Omnitrix style watch that Ben uses to transform into his alien alter egos so is a must have for any Ben 10 toys fan.

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Bakugan 7 In 1 Maxus Dragonoid

This big and powerful Bakugan toy is a must have for any experienced fan. It combines 7 normal Bakugan pieces into a giant dragon robot. It is quite a complicated transformation taking about 20 minutes so will keep your kids busy for a while on Christmas Day.

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Lego Duplo Deluxe Brick Box

For your younger children, this deluxe brick box contains some great elements including figures and an inspirational building booklet.

Full review coming soon.

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Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear

Toy Story 3 has no doubt been on the agenda this year for many families and Buzz is a long standing hero. This fully articulated 12″ version of him coming complete with a rocket pack, lights and sounds will keep any fan happy shooting off to infinity and beyond.

Full review coming soon.

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Dr Who Sonic Screwdriver

This all new sonic screwdriver is essential to the Doctor and should be part of any fan’s toolkit. It is larger than previous versions and has a luminous green light.

Full review coming soon.

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Mindflex

Can your child concentrate hard enough to get the small foam ball to rise on a stream of air and then to guide it around an obstacle course. The sensors on the headset will measure their brain’s activity to see.

Full review coming soon.

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Meccano 50 Models

Meccano, a bit like Lego, has been loved by children and parents alike for years. By teaching skills such as construction, mechanics and movement, this huge 605 piece set will allow your child to make 50 distinct models. It’s even got an electrical motor to add action to the fun.

Full review coming soon.

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Ferrari F1 Electric Ride On

For the ultimate in ride on toys, try the Ferrari F1. Designed with the help of real Ferrari engineers, this child version features the precision and build quality of the real thing. It has a powerful motor and gearbox offering two forward gears as well as reverse.

Full review coming soon.

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Turbo Twister RC Car

You’ve probably seen the TV adverts for this crazy remote controlled car that can do spins, wheelies and 360 degree flips. It’s hard to take your eye off the flashing lights and amazing stunts.

Full review coming soon.

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Stinky The Garbage Truck

How could a garbage truck be cute? Well Stinky seems to manage it despite him gobbling up and spitting out all the cars that you feed him. He features a wide range of movements, lights, sounds and phrases and can sing and dance for hours to keep your children amused.

Full review coming soon.

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Beyblade Metal Fusion Super Vortex Battle Set

If your children like Battle Strikers – the ultimate in spinning tops – they will also love Beyblades. They are very similar and two are included with this battling stadium set which will provide a super battling experience.

Full review coming soon.

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Kung Zhu Hamsters

These are definitely Zhu Zhu Pets for boys. No more cute, cuddly and fluffy hamsters, the Kung Zhu hamsters are warriors. There are two opposing forces – the Ninjas and the Specials – who will win when war is waged in the battle arena?

Full review coming soon.

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Related posts:

1. Christmas Toys For Boys
2. Bop It – New Version – A Hot Toy For Christmas 2009
3. Bakugan Toys – Your Top 5 Choices

Play like a pro by simply touching the guitar’s paper surface!

Please click for prices on the full Paper Jamz range

The range of six guitars, drums, amps and straps is made using unique technology whereby touch sensitive sensors and circuitry are embedded into the paper. This enables children aged 8-12 years to pick up a guitar and play music easily. These guitars are very affordable costing around £25, lightweight so easily portable but most of all superb fun to rock out with. Move over kids, even the adults will want a go.

For visitors from the US please click here for prices and availability

Paper Jamz Guitars

When you see a Paper Jamz guitar you will wonder how on earth it works. It is super thin at only 1 inch thick and there are no real guitar strings to get broken – just printed ones. You just strum away by running your fingers over the printed strings and let the technology do the rest. With practice your kids will become the perfect rock star.

Playing this cardboard guitar is very easy to pick up and you need no prior musical experience. Just make sure that you choose which one of the six guitars is best suited to your musical taste. Oh and don’t forget some extra batteries to keep it working for longer. Along with different graphics on each guitar, they all have different built in songs. Double check that your online retailer is sending you the specific guitar that you want and not just a random one from the six on offer.

The songs accompanying Series 1 guitars and drums are as follows:

Guitar 1

Songs: ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, ‘Online’ and ‘My Maria’.

Currently unavailable

Guitar 2

Songs: ‘What I Like About You’, ‘Two Princes’ and ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’.

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Guitar 3

Songs: ‘Born To Be Wild’, ‘Mississippi Queen’ and ‘Smoke On The Water’.

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Guitar 4

Songs: ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ and ‘Godzilla’.

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Guitar 5

Songs: ‘Hey There Delilah, ‘All Star’ and ‘Helicopter’.

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Guitar 6

Songs: ‘Woman’, ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Take It To The Limit’.

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There are three different play modes to keep your children interested:

Perfect Play allows you to just strum along to each of the three built in songs. They will play automatically so you will look the part but won’t actually be doing anything. This mode is ideal for younger members of the family who will no doubt want to join in.

Rhythm Play encourages you to build your skills by strumming in time to each of the three tunes. You control the guitar rhythm for each song.

Freestyle Play is just as it sounds where you get to create your own songs using majors, minors and sevenths chords just like a real guitarist. There are 30 chords to learn which leads you into open-ended play. This mode will offer a great development opportunity for would be musicians and is obviously the most useful and interesting. As children get to use the fret board part of the guitar in this mode, they may even learn a thing or two about playing a real guitar.

You also have extra options on the Perfect and Rhythm Play modes where you can remove any combination of the vocals, drums and guitar so you can play along karaoke style.

The graphics are awesome on all six versions – bright, cool and unique and there are volume controls as well as headphone/speaker jacks to keep parents happy!

Once your kids get hold of one of these beauties they will not want to put it down. Combine that with them costing a fraction of what a real guitar would set you back as well as being much easier to learn and you can see why your children are going to love them.

Paper Jamz Drums

To complete the rock experience, a set of Paper Jamz drums is likely to be a must have. These use the same touch sensitive technology to allow you to drum away on this awesomely narrow drum kit. They are covered in amazing graphics and are ultra portable – a huge advantage over normal drums. Again there are six versions to choose from with the same play modes. They can also be paired up with the guitars to play the same songs simultaneously.

Paper Jamz Amp

The cardboard Paper Jamz amp is what will make your children look and feel like real pros in a rock band. The built in speaker has a volume control as well as connection points for earphones or more speakers. The whole thing vibrates to the beat and is actually quite loud. It can even double up as a normal speaker for other purposes.

Paper Jamz Straps

To accessorise the guitars you can buy six cool adjustable Paper Jamz Straps to attach for easier playability and to complete your rock star look.

Paper Jamz Packages

You can also buy the whole lot in a Paper Jamz bundle to save yourself a few pounds.

Buy Now

If these Paper Jamz toys are half as popular as they are expected to be, they will get increasingly hard to find in the run up to Christmas. So buy now and avoid disappointment later on. If your children are into music, these toys should be more than a five minute wonder. I wonder how many future musicians will have started on the road to stardom with these cool guitars.

I hope you have found this Paper Jamz review useful!

Related posts:

1. Top Toys For Christmas 2010

The starter sets cost around £30 while the accessory packs cost around £15 although for considerable savings, please click to view the full range here on Amazon.co.uk or please see below for more information on each set.

A line of Armouron books for children have also been released, charting the adventures of a young group of knights in a futuristic galaxy as they attempt to keep the peace. There are currently four story books accompanying the series with more due shortly as well as a potential TV show and associated video games.

The story behind the Armouron costume is that it enhances the wearer’s skills and abilities, which is sure to be a great story to be acted out in endless heroic battles. It is suitable for children aged 4+ and makes the perfect dressing up costume as well as role play accessory. The accessory packs allow the costume to be altered as desired, offering much more longevity to the toy than a normal costume. They also make the armour look more fearsome. Swapping various bits and pieces with their friends or their own stash of accessories to create new looks is likely to be half the fun of this terrific suit.

The starter set comes in a flat pack comprising chest armour, a helmet and a shield. The armour is lightweight and is easily joined together using Snapperons which are effectively interconnecting pieces. The Snapperons come in four colors – red and blue come with the associated starter packs and gold and silver can be purchased separately – further allowing for individual styling on the armour.

The current range of Armouron accessories is soon to be extended with long swords and more exciting weapons.

The Armouron action sets are lightweight being made of high density foam. They offer construction as well as imaginative role play fun. Although the recommended age is over 4 years, the recommended height for your child is between 104-130cm, so measure them before purchase to avoid disappointment. They are ideal for futuristic action packed games and are sure to be loved by children all over the world.

Armouron Starter Sets

Join together the various pieces that make up this suit of armour with the enclosed Snapperon system. The suit comprises a red or blue helmet with visor, chest armour and a circular shield. Further customisation is available with the Wing, Flame and Spike accessory packs.

Please click for more information and prices on the Red Starter Set or the Blue Starter Set

Armouron Accessory Set – Spikes

The accessory sets add another dimension to the basic suit of armour, making it look more warrior-like. This set contains two spike pieces for the shoulders, two for the helmet and one for the shield. They are easy to fix on or remove with Snapperons – three come with each set but you really need more (sold separately) to make full use of the accessories. The sets are also no good without having the armour suit to start with.

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Armouron Accessory Set – Flames

This is equivalent to the Spikes accessory set but comes in the Flame design.

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Armouron Accessory Sets – Wings

This is equivalent to the Spikes accessory set but comes in the Wings design.

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Armouron Snapperons 6 Clips

Snapperons are the clips that connect the various pieces of armour together as well as enable the accessory packs to be joined on. Red or blue Snapperons come with the starter sets but you need to buy extra clips to use with the accessories. These six additional Snapperons come in gold or silver to further customise your Armouron body armour.

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Armouron Books

Armouron: The Armoured Ghost is the best selling of the four Armouron books currently available. It follows the story of four apprentices as they become knights and have to defeat the dangerous Armouronaut. These great stories are ideal for young boys who love adventure. Any child who loved to read the many Beast Quest adventures will soon become addicted to this new series.

Please click for details of the full range

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The Ben 10 Ultimate Alien toys have started appearing in shops over in the US (US visitors please click here), but for those of us in the UK, we will have to wait a bit longer. There is no sign of this third installment of the popular Ben 10 series airing on Cartoon Network either yet but we are expecting the toys to be here ready for your Christmas shopping.

Currently if you want to be ahead of the game, you will need to secure these goodies on Ebay from an international seller and pay postage costs of between £5 and £10. But if your little Ben 10 fan’s birthday is coming up, it may just be worth it to see the surprise on his face and the looks of awe from this friends.

If you prefer to wait, here is some idea of what you can expect to find closer to Christmas.

As with all of the Ben 10 toys range, the new toys will centre around the new Omnitrix watch called the Ultimatrix and the 10cm alien character figures.

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Ultimatrix & New Omnitrix

There are a few versions of the new watch – the Vuescope Ultimatrix and the Disc Alien Ultimatrix – one of which is likely to be the next Ben 10 toy that your children will have to have. There is also a Legacy Omnitrix for slightly older children and an Omnitrix Bi-Optixx with lenticular disks for younger children.

Don’t get confused between these two new Ben 10 Ultimatrix though as per usual one is better than the other. They are both aiming to look more like the Omnitrix from the cartoon show by offering the ability for alien characters to be shown above the watch face. This is central to the cartoon’s story line where Ben sees his alien alter egos projected from the watch before transforming into them.

Vuescope Ultimatrix

The Vuescope is the poor relation here as it achieves this via two viewing cones which stand on top of the Ultimatrix. Each cone has six images of different aliens.

Disc Alien Ultimatrix

The Disc Alien Ultimatrix is much more realistic as the Disc Aliens are popped into the toy but they then pop up once activated to reveal a 3D version of the chosen alien. This watch also has realistic voices and character sounds from the show. It is also a two-in-one toy as you get a 10cm figure with it. You can get more of the Disc Aliens by buying more of the Ultimate Alien 10cm figures.

Legacy Omnitrix

The Legacy Omnitrix is not just a role play watch, it is the ultimate Omnitrix set for any Ben 10 fan. With this pack of 35 interchangeable pieces you get to build your own version of the Omnitrix. There is even a lightcore. You design it, you build it and then you can take it all apart and build another of the 1000 possible combinations.

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Figures

10 cm Action Figures

In the 10cm articulated figures range, there are new alien characters to collect in the largest selection ever, such as Armodrillo, Rath and Lodestar but you can also get some old favorites in a new ‘Ultimate’ version such as Ultimate Humungousaur and Ultimate Swampfire. Each new figure comes with a Disc Alien that can be used with the Ultimatrix. The ultimate versions of old aliens have been brought out to match those from the new show where the new Omnitrix gives existing characters extra strength and more powerful abilities. The toys are bulkier than their predecessors.

Alter Alien Figures

These are odd looking figures. They are effectively a block head which can transform into a new character when you flip down the sides of the head. They come in packs of two and there are 12 packs to collect.

15cm DNA Alien Heroes

The slightly larger articulated figures are again represented in the new Ultimate Alien toy line. They each have two unique features such as arms that shoot missiles or water and retractable hoods.

Alien Creation Chamber Figures

The popular creation chamber figures are again represented in the Ultimate Alien line of toys. These 7.5cm mini figures come in packs of two with heads, arms, legs and bodies that can be taken apart and reassembled as different alien creations. There is also an Alien Creation Transporter where these different creations can take place (although they can also be made manually) as well as where the toys can be carried about or stored.

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Vehicles

Mark 10 Deluxe Vehicle

This super Ben 10 vehicle is actually four vehicles in one – a racer, hovercraft, submarine and fighter jet – and also comes with a 10cm figure. It has lights, sounds and missiles.

Alien Creation Battle Launchers

This small three-in-one set comes with a Creation Chamber figure as well as a vehicle and a launcher. The packaging also doubles up as a ramp and there are six figures and launchers to collect.

As well as these central toys you can also find comic book sets that come with two 10cm figures and the new video game called Ben10 Ultimate Alien Cosmic Destruction (which will be available in the UK from 8 October – pre order now).

As soon as any of these toys are available to buy in the UK I will update you!

Related posts:

1. Ben 10 Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix Watch Review
2. How To Fix The Ben 10 Mini Figures To The Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix Watch
3. Ben 10 Alien Force 10cm Action Figures Review

This range from Lego is new out and is set to be a top contender for toy sales for Christmas 2010.

Check out prices for the full UK range here or if you’re from the US here.

So let your children clear up the world’s troubles by playing at the imaginary call center where the Hero Factory takes its call from those in trouble and builds and sends out a robot hero in their very own hero pod to help out.

There are currently 15 kits to buy to suit a wide age range of children from 6 years and up. They start at smaller kits with only 17 pieces and move up to whopping kits of 390 pieces with prices ranging from around £8 to £35. Each character has its own tools and weapons suited to different missions.

Each of the robot heros has their own rank within the team. Natalie, Mark and William are rookies, while Preston, Jimi and Dunkan have higher ranks. Preston is the Alpha team leader. There are also some baddies in the range to ensure that good vs bad role play can take place.

Here is the full range ordered from the smallest number of pieces (and therefore price) to the largest.

Jimi Stringer
Alpha Team
Age: 6+
Pieces: 17
Size: 15cm
Features: built-in multi-functional sonic blaster, removable hero core, high tech armour and communcations headset with camera

Please click to check price in UK or US

Preston Stormer
Alpha Team Leader
Age: 6+
Pieces: 17
Size: 15cm
Features: multi-functional ice weapon including an ice saw, bot shooter and harpoon as well as removable hero core, high tech armour and communcations headset with camera

Please click to check price in UK or US

Dunkan Bulk
Alpha Team
Age: 6+
Pieces: 17
Size: 15cm
Features: multi-functional heavy metal weapon, loaded with metal sphere ammo as well as removable hero core, high tech armour and communcations headset with camera

Please click to check price in UK or US

Natalie Breez
Alpha Team Rookie
Age: 6+
Pieces: 19
Size: 15cm
Features: energized dual boomerangs and harpoon for climbing as well as removable hero core, high tech armour and communcations headset with camera

Please click to check price in UK or US

William Furno
Alpha Team Rookie Leader
Age: 6+
Pieces: 19
Size: 15cm
Features: dual fire shooter as well as removable hero core, high tech armour and communcations headset with camera

Please click to check price in UK or US

Mark Surge
Alpha Team Rookie
Age: 6+
Pieces: 19
Size: 15cm
Features: lightening bolt weapon and electrified shields and armor as well as removable hero core, high tech armour and communcations headset with camera

Please click to check price in UK or US

Corroder
Baddie
Age: 7+
Pieces: 40
Size: 17cm
Features: spiked head, corrosive spit, meteor blaster, razor sharp claws and horn

Please click to check price in UK or US

XPlode
Baddie
Age: 7+
Pieces: 45
Size: 17cm
Features: blazing spiked armor and Meteor Blaster

Please click to check price in UK or US

Thunder
Baddie
Age: 7+
Pieces: 47
Size: 17cm
Features: Meteor Blaster and powerful crush claw

Please click to check price in UK or US

Meltdown
Baddie
Age: 7+
Pieces: 50
Size: 17cm
Features: radioactive sludge shooter and Meteor Blaster

Please click to check price in UK or US

Rotor
Baddie
Age: 8+
Pieces: 145
Size: 20cm
Features: biohazard gas shooter and meteor blaster and Helicopter jet pack that spans over 25cm

Please click to check price in UK or US

Von Nebula
Leader of the Baddies
Age: 9+
Pieces: 156
Size: 22cm
Features: heavily armed with spiky armor and his deadly staff that can generate black holes

Please click to check price in UK or US

Furno Bike
Vehicle and Hero set
Age: 8+
Pieces: 165
Size: 30cm
Features: William Furno Hero figure and his motorbike which includes spinning rubber tires with treads as well as working kickstand and flame windshield art

Please click to check price in UK or US

Drop Ship
Vehicle
Age: 9+
Pieces: 390
Size: 43cm
Features: star cruiser ship with tough armour and an H4 Force Ball shooter; pull trigger to flap stealth wings and fly; includes pilot

Please click to check price in UK or US

My 9 year old has just received three of the Lego Hero Factor characters from his 90 year old great, great Aunt to keep him quiet during the school holidays. For some reason he chose the easier sets (ie, less pieces) of Jimi, Mark and Preston and here’s what he had to say about them:

“Compared to Bionicles, the new Lego Hero Factory figures are smaller and easier to build. [Editor note: he only has the smaller sets!] Each figure comes with different coloured armour and masks. All figures have a weapon or two (I poked Mark Surge’s weapon in my eye, so be careful!) to make them more extraordinary. All six heroes have different colours on the core piece on their chests. The bad parts about the figures are that their legs and elbows don’t bend, only their hands, but at least they don’t fall over like Bionicles. [Editor note: some of the larger sets have more moveable joints!]”

To an untrained parent Lego Hero Factory toys look much like their Lego Bionicle predecessors, but at least you won’t get as confused as you might have done with the sheer number of Bionicle toys.

Overall they are well liked toys and being Lego you know you are getting a quality toy. The building process is fun and you can buy easier or harder kits depending on the age of your child. For real youngsters start off with the Rookie kits but for more advanced builders you will definitely want to stick with the likes of Von Nebula or the Dropship. Once built the figures offer lots of imaginary play and when a change is needed, the characters can be dismantled and the pieces mixed up with other kits to make a whole new creation.

The look of these Lego action figures is great. They are very human like in proportion and the colors are fun and vibrant. The armour and weapons are bulky and appealing making for a solid looking and durable toy. The figures stand and move well. As for playability some of the smaller sets can just be posed and moved whereas the larger sets have projectile launchers. It is always a good idea to buy a few of these figures, including a villain, to enable more imaginative play during missions. The downsides are really on the smaller sets where some more bendability would have been nice in the knees and elbows but they can still pose well. Overall the Lego Hero Factory characters are not too simple but not too complicated either and the perfect size to play with once built.

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Fans of the Harry Potter toys, books and films will love being whisked off into well known scenes such as the Lego styled Diagon Alley and a very detailed and grand 3D version of Hogwarts Castle in this new video game.

Children aged 7 and over will be able to enjoy Harry Potter’s first four years (aka the first four books) at Hogwarts in a whole new way by casting their own spells and cooking up their own magic potions. They will feel as if they are really attending Hogwarts School as they go to lessons, talk to teachers, mix up their potions, fly on their broomsticks and undertake various tasks to complete the game.

There are over 140 popular characters that they can play as in this Lego Harry Potter game. These obviously include Harry, Ron and Hermione but there are many more on top such as Fang, Hagrid’s dog! Whichever character you choose has their own special abilities whether this is riding a broomstick or being able to perform different magic spells. There is a special Lego magic spell that all characters can cast though which moves and builds Lego bricks into walls, stairs or other objects. You will also learn more spells and potions as you progress through the game, just as if you were in the real school.

The graphics are great giving rise to beautiful scenery. The story part is very faithful to the films and there are many comedic moments to keep everyone laughing. One downside of story mode though is that it cannot be skipped over to dive straight into the gaming section. This waiting around can be annoying for children impatient to play the game.

This game is less of a fighting game than other Lego games. It is more of a learning journey where you explore Hogwarts to uncover secrets and solve mysteries and puzzles along the way. You will need to use the new spells and potions you have learned to help you out, but don’t get them wrong or you might turn into a frog.

You can easily play with friends and family using co-operative play where players can join or leave the game as they please as well as change characters. This game is great for younger players as you do not die, you just regenerate and lose a few Lego studs that you are supposed to collect as you play. This ensures older and younger siblings can play happily together as the youngsters won’t get frustrated when they mess things up. There is no prior Harry Potter knowledge required to play the game, so any children that are just into magic will still love it.

If your child prefers action games, then this is probably not the game for them. This could be deemed more educational as other than smashing a few things, it is all about solving puzzles. It is quite easy to play but does need you to think at certain points.

If you want to join in with your kids go for the Wii version. It is more parent friendly and you won’t be able to stop yourself from wanting to have a go. The only downside to the Lego Harry Potter DS version is the need to use the stylus for everything as opposed to the buttons. This can be frustrating if you are used to playing with buttons, especially when the console misreads your stylus action, and also seems to slow the game down.

This interactive journey follows Harry and friends through their first four years as a budding wizard. Your children will be kept quiet for hours as they make potions, cast spells and solve puzzles. They can play on their own, with friends or even with you and with the combination of the Lego and Harry Potter brands, you know you are buying a quality product.

Check out prices and further reviews for:

Lego Harry Potter Wii

Lego Harry Potter PS3

Lego Harry Potter PSP

Lego Harry Potter XBox 360

Lego Harry Potter PC

Lego Harry Potter NDS

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The official merchandise is all made using the same material for things like bedding, curtains and bean bags so you can be sure that everything will match. Here a few ideas of what is available to pack into this ultimate room transformation that even Ben 10 would be proud of. You can then check out our detailed Ben 10 bedroom page for price comparisons of all the goods on offer.

Ben 10 Bedding Sets

There is a great range of Ben 10 bedding to choose from including duvet sets, sheets and blankets. The duvet sets also come in various designs displaying large scale character and alien pictures including some from the new Alien Force cartoon. The well known Ben 10 colours of green and yellow are used in abundance and the logo is prominent. Some designs feature the Omnitrix watch and multiple aliens so your child’s favorite Ben 10 character is bound to be featured on one of the designs somewhere. A Ben 10 duvet is sure to make bed time a more enticing experience.

Ben 10 Curtains

Soft furnishings add a cosy touch to any bedroom and those on offer in the Ben 10 curtains range are no exception. They tie the look of the whole room together with their themed green and yellow material. They are made from 100% cotton, are 66″ wide but come in two different drops, being 54″ and 72″. Just make sure you measure from your curtain rail, not the top of your window, to ensure you buy the right size.

Ben 10 Wall Art

The range of Ben 10 wall art seems to grow by the day. What started as packs of 22 Ben 10 wall stickers has now grown to include self adhesive borders, wall paper, art squares and posters. Whatever option you go for, you will be pleased to find a selection of Ben 10 alien heroes to complete the kids bedroom decor in your themed room. All are easy to apply and remove should you ever need to change them. Make sure you paint the walls in one of the Ben 10 colours to provide a perfectly themed background.

Ben 10 Bedroom Accessories

The range of Ben 10 bedroom accessories is huge and you will be able to add to your child’s bedroom with lights, bean bags, rugs, clocks, bins, storage boxes, chairs, cushions and a whole load of other things for their next few birthday and Christmas presents. A popular must have accessory is the Ben 10 light shade which features red and blue alien figures or the bedside lamp which is cool to touch.

Ben 10 Bedroom Set

To make a quick dent in your shopping, why not go for a Ben 10 bedroom set. This gives you all the basics such as bedding and curtains. All you need to do then is accessorise.

So if your child’s room is a little bit dull, make their day and spend a few hours transforming it into a Ben 10 sanctuary!

Check out our detailed Ben 10 bedroom page for price comparisons of all the goods on offer.

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Battle Strikers Metal XS are really exciting. The weapons part of the build has been transformed from plastic as we have been used to, into 100% high quality metal. This means that the impact between Strikers and battling fun is even more intense. It gives the Strikers their weight and ability to attack. The booster part determines how the Striker behaves. There are various types of boosters used in the new Strikers – some ensure longer spins, others better control or balance. The tip part determines how the Striker moves in battle – whether it is fast across the arena or whether it stays still but spins for ages. As usual there are two final parts that make up each Striker – the magnetic core for control and the lock to hold everything together.

But that is not all that is new. There is also an advanced launcher and in battle controller to take the battle to another level. The new turbo boost launcher has a nicer grip as well as hand and face guards to protect you from awesome launches. The new DLX Controller is now a full hand rather than fingertip variety.

Now that the Strikers have metal parts they are more durable and stronger than previous ranges. They still spin at ridiculous speeds and have interchangeable pieces allowing you to build your own unique versions. Test out different combinations of weapons, boosters and tips to find the ultimate Striker to take into battle.

Scroll Over Pictures to Get Pricing Information

Dragonfire

Sentinel

Raptor

All Strikers are classified according to their rating in the three categories of Attack, Defense and Control. Previously Strikers have been rated out of a high score of 5, but the Metal XS Strikers can score a 6. Top rated Striker, Sentinel, scores 6 in Defense. When buying a selection of Strikers for your child, buy a selection that score highly in different categories to maximise their customisation options.

Three were also made for a very short period of time, so you will be one of the few if you manage to get your hands on Viper, Viking or Minotaur.

There are two starter packs available to get you going with all the bits and bobs that you need, including a new turbo boost launcher, a new DLX controller and one metal XS Striker.

Ninjitsu

Firehawk

Ninjitsu scores 5 in both Attack and Control, while Firehawk scores 6 in Defense.

The tournament set offers even more for a two player game. It comes with two new launchers, two new controllers, two XS Strikers and a Knockout Arena to stage the battle.

Tournament Set

The Strikers of the tournament set are Viking TS (scores 6 for Control) and Shredder GT (scores 6 for Defense).

To keep your new Battle Strikers Metal XS safe while you carry them to battles, why not consider the new Striker Case. This ensures all of your loose build pieces can be kept together and organised in the handy storage tray. It also joins with the Knockout Arena (sold separately) to offer access to quick customisation during battle as well as blocking knockout zones to encourage caged in battles. The case is also a two in one purchase as it comes with its own Striker, Dragonfire II, which scores 6 for Attack.

Storage Case

Now go and try out some metal on metal clashing fun.

Related posts:

1. Battle Strikers Series 2
2. Battle Strikers Tournament Set Reviewed
3. Battle Strikers – 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know

Battle Strikers series 2 are the next generation of Battle Strikers. They offer high speed action and fun as you listen to the tops clashing and battling with others as they spin at over 6000 revolutions per minute. As with all Battle Strikers, they are launched into battle with a motorised launcher and are then controlled through battle with a powerful, magnetic, fingertip controller.

Collect all six of the new Strikers and watch as they battle with your older Strikers or the other new Metal XS Strikers. They are unique from other Strikers in their weapons, boosters and tips, in other words their build parts. The weapons are built into their shape and determine how they attack or defend, the boosters either help with spin time or control and the special tips aid attack or control.

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Pantera

Scorpion

Banshee

Scarab

All Strikers are classified according to their rating in the three categories of Attack, Defense and Control. Pantera scores 5 stars in Defense, Banshee scores 5 stars in Attack, Scarab scores 5 stars in Control, while Scorpion is strong in both Attack and Defense. When buying a selection of Strikers for your child, buy a selection that score highly in different categories to maximise their customisation options.

Two were also made for a very short period of time, so you will be one of the few if you manage to get your hands on Grizz or T-Rex.

All build pieces are interchangeable meaning you can build your own unique Striker. Series 2 parts can be mixed with Metal XS pieces to make even more interesting creations.

There are two starter packs available to get you going with all the bits and bobs that you need, including a launcher, a controller and one Striker.

Cobra

Terantula

Cobra scores 5 in Control, while Terantula scores 5 in Attack.

The tournament set offers even more for a two player game. It comes with two launchers, two controllers, two Strikers and a Knockout Arena to stage the battle.

Tournament Set

The Strikers of the tournament set are Scarab II (5 stars for Attack) and Scorpion II (5 stars for Defense).

The Knockout Arena can also be bought separately. It has a half height wall allowing you to send your opponents over the edge if you have good aim in your attack. Its slightly curved floor keeps your Strikers moving towards each other and rebound curves help you perform turn attack strikes. It also offers a good storage option to keep all your Strikers together.

Battle Arena

Related posts:

1. Battle Strikers Metal XS
2. Battle Strikers – 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know
3. Battle Strikers Tournament Set Reviewed

The HM Armed Forces figures are extremely precise, toy size versions of real soldiers. Their design meticulously follows the uniforms and weapons seen in today’s forces. The figures are a bit smaller than Action Man was but still large at 25cm, fully poseable and built to last. Every joint moves making them very life like so your children can arrange them in any number of positions during their play battles.

They generally come with removable uniforms and accessories making them interchangeable between figures but you have to take care not to lose any pieces. The weapons and other military accessories that come with the figures are very life like and will fascinate most young boys. They are bound to set off their inquisitive minds so be prepared for a barrage of questions about what does what.

These soldier figures will provide positive role models for children and the recently released enemy figure will help them separate the good from the bad characters. Playing with these army toys will lead to children interacting with each other as they organise themselves and cooperate in dramatic role play which can take place both in and out of doors.

The HM Armed Forces action figures make the perfect gift choice for army mad children with fathers or other relatives in the military. Watch out though, being so highly thought of, your children are sure to want to build up their army with more and more of the figures in the range as well as the vehicles such as the HM Armed Forces tank to complete the experience.

Here are our top picks from the range:

#1 HM Armed Forces RAF Fast Jet Pilot

This large scale 25cm RAF Fast Jet pilot is very detailed and comes with a lot of equipment to make him truly authentic. His removable flight clothing is made of green fabric and he has a side arm and holster. His helmet has a flip down black visor which is also removable as is his face mask and oxygen tube. If your child is mad about aeroplanes, then he will have lots of fun defending the skies with this combat ready, fully articulated action figure. It will teach children things about military equipment and get them questioning the world of flying. It is robust, even the removable equipment, and will stand up to the daring action play demanded by this toy. If you also buy the HM Armed Forces jet, this pilot figure will of course fit in for more realistic role play.

#2 HM Armed Forces Royal Marines Commando Desert Raiding Party Set

For an action figure and vehicle combination set, this Royal Marines duo is a winner. The large 25cm moveable Commando action figure comes with removable green camouflage fatigues sporting an authentic Royal Marines Commando badge as well as body armour. Accessory wise he has a removable combat helmet for superb protection as well as a respirator, goggles, ear defenders and a radio set. As a real Commando would carry all the latest weaponry, this toy has to do the same, so he is battle ready coming with a pistol and light machine gun. The all-terrain quad bike that makes up the rest of the set also mimics real life where such vehicles are used to deliver essential supplies of ammunition as well as food and water to the troops on the front line. It is also camouflaged and has storage compartments to give added interest to youngsters. As with all of the HMAF toys, this set is a lot of fun and being of such good quality will be a long lasting favourite.

#3 HM Armed Forces Armoured Infantryman

This 25cm infantry soldier figure is incredibly detailed making it a highly authentic army toy. The green camouflage uniform is removable as is the protective gear comprising body armour and a patrol vest. He also comes with a set of ID tags. As with the Commando, the infantryman sports the combat helmet and equipment including a respirator, ear defenders, goggles and a radio set. On the weapons side, he is fully armoured with a choice of three guns to call upon: a heavy machine gun, an assault rifle and an anti-tank weapon. The latter comes with three missiles which can be realistically fired thanks to the spring powered mechanism. With such a diversity of weapons, your child may be interested in finding out about the detailed uses for each one, something not all toys encourage.

#4 HM Armed Forces Royal Marines Commando

This Royal Marines Commando action figure is fully articulated and quite large standing at 25cm tall. The figure features a realistic and removable green fabric camouflage uniform, equipment belt with pouches and a replica assault rifle. He is a true Commando style toy as he is robust and will not end up in bits after a few play sessions.

#5 HM Armed Forces Royal Navy Diver

The stunning likeness to a real Royal Navy Diver in this action figure is amazing. The diving suit is made of a realistic fabric, the breathing apparatus is lifelike and the figure also comes with a spanner accessory to help him with his missions. He is fully poseable, his hood can be removed as well as his face mask and air tanks. Great for realistic play at bath time or in the paddling pool although this figure does seem more prone to his hands and feet falling off than the others.

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Related posts:

1. HM Armed Forces Toys – 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know