Minotaurus From Lego: The Ultimate Family Game This Christmas

Minotaurus, from Lego Games, has long held the position of one of the top-selling family games. It’s now been announced as one of the top gifts for kids for Christmas 2010, so you can be sure it’ll be selling in its millions this year!

What is Minotaurus?

Minotaurus is the game involving the mythical creature, the Minotaur, who guards a secret temple that lies at the heart of a labyrinth. The object is simple: be the first person to lead your hero to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur on the way, and blocking off your opponents’ access by carefully placing walls.

The rules of the game are very clear and simple, which makes Minotaurus a fun game for the whole family. The game can be played by 2 to 4 players.

What Makes Minotaurus Different?

The game itself is great fun, but the fact that you have to build it before you play is even better! The package comes with the building instruction booklet and all of the parts you’ll need to set up the labyrinth. This is something that’s great for the kids before the whole family sit down to play.

Once the board’s been set up, you can guide your Lego figures through the maze as you follow the simple rules and role the die (which is also made from Lego).

A Creative Game

When it comes to creating the game, you have flexibility as to how you want to play. Everything you build, right down to the Lego die, can be changed and customized as you see fit. Every single game can work out differently!

Once you’ve set up the game, things keep changing as you build new walls to block off your opponents. Each game will last for around 20-30 minutes, meaning it’s fast paced and a race to the center of the labyrinth!

Is Minotaurus the Right Gift for Your Child?

If you’re looking for something that the whole family can enjoy together, then Minotaurus is definitely a great option. Kids will love building the walls together and letting their imaginations take over as they relive the stories from Greek mythology.

If you really want to go further, then you can even start collecting the whole range of Lego games. They are all designed with families in mind, made to be fun for all ages. However, it’s important to realize that the manufacturers recommend the game be played by ages 7 and up – though you can create your own rules to make it more simple for the younger kids.

There’s no denying that Lego holds a special place in the hearts of girls and boys from many generations. You can’t go wrong with the Minotaurus game this Christmas! The game is generally sold for around $30 or less.

FIND Minotaurus game AT AMAZON FOR DISCOUNT PRICE!

Loopz from Mattel: The Top Memory Game For Christmas 2010

Loopz is the latest memory game from Mattel, and is set to be one of the fifteen hottest children’s gifts for Christmas 2010. Loopz comes in the form of an interactive device of four semi-circular rings. It’s designed to get everyone moving, by following patterns of light and music.

How Does Loopz Work?

Loopz is a music memory game that includes motion sensors to track the performance of its players.

The game starts with you watching patterns of music and light, after which you will need to repeat the patterns by waving your hands through the four semi-circular rings. If you fail to complete the task three times, you lose!

Loopz works by incorporating motion sensors in each of its loops. This ensures that the players are repeating the light performances correctly. Other factors that make a difference in your score include your speed and level. The Loopz internal counter will rate each player for their overall performance.

The longer you play Loopz, the faster and more difficult each movement becomes!

Loopz includes 7 different ways to play and can be played alone, one on one, or with up to four players. This is what has made it such a hit with families!

Is Loopz The Best Christmas Gift For Your Child?

Loopz has already been listed as one of the hottest gifts of 2010, thanks mostly to the fact that it’s interactive and, most importantly, heaps of fun! But you should be aware that it’s designed for children aged 7 or older.

If you want to keep your kids active then Loopz is the perfect game to do this. It really encourages movement, and gets faster and faster as the game progresses. What’s more, it’s the kind of game that both adults and kids will pick up. And, once you start, you won’t want to stop!

If you have kids under the age of 7 then this probably isn’t the best game for them. However, if you want to get the younger kids involved while the older ones are playing, then they can have fun on the freestyle modes which are easier to play.

Loopz: Chrome Edition

The Loopz game also comes in a chrome edition. This simply has a chrome finish and costs a little more than the recommended retail price of the standard edition, which is $29.99. The version you buy will depend mostly on the look you prefer, and the chrome finish helps it to look more durable and modern.
FIND LOOPZ AT AMAZON FOR DISCOUNT PRICE!

The Leapster Explorer From LeapFrog: The Ultimate Learning Tool For Your Child

The Leapster Explorer from LeapFrog is a unique teaching tool, designed for kids aged 4 to 6 years, that encourages new learning experiences every day. The Leapster handheld tool includes a number of different features, ranging from videos to games, eBooks and more.

What Do You Get With the LeapFrog Leapster Explorer?

This teaching tool comes loaded with:
* Over 40 different games and activities,
* Access to online games and activities through Leap World,
* Completely safe environment for kids to play online,
* Includes school subjects: math, science, reading and geography,
* Encourages life skills such as problem solving, music and health,
* Features a camera/ video camera,
* Ability to download apps,
* Allows parents to connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path online to see what the child is playing and to follow their learning journey.

If you want to make use of Learning Path and Leap World, you’ll need to have access to the internet and have a free USB port.

How The Leapster Explorer Helps Kids Learn

When it comes to toys for your child, there’s nothing better than choosing something that you know they will learn from (at the same time as playing). The Leapster Explorer is designed with that purpose in mind, and will help your kids learn in a number of different ways.

Developmental Learning: The Leapster Explorer is designed to encourage all of the essential skills that your child needs. This includes math, reading, geography, technology and basic scientific ideas.

Language Tools: The eBooks featured on the tool are designed to be read along with by your child, to encourage understanding and reading skills.

Personalization: The Leapster Explorer is designed to recognize the level your child is learning at, and adjust the activities accordingly. Your child is guided through by a learning buddy. Each time your child completes a section successfully, they will unlock new ways to customize their buddy as a reward.

Online Tools: Leap World is designed to be a completely safe online world where kids can play games and expand the scope of the Leapster Explorer.

Have Fun At The Same Time: Children learn best while they’re having fun, which is why LeapFrog have included many learning games that feature famous movie and TV characters to help develop skills. Games are purchased separately from the main device.

Parental Involvement: Parents can follow along with the progress of their child and find ways to maximize the learning experience.

LeapFrog have long been famous as a leading developer of educational products for children, and the Leapster Explorer has been listed as one of the fabulous fifteen gifts for Christmas 2010. Kids will enjoy hours of fun with this portable tool, which has a recommended retail price of $69.99. At AMAZON.

Imaginext Big Foot the Monster Toy: He Walks, Laughs and Roars!

Imaginext Big Foot the Monster is the perfect friend for your child this holiday season. Bring this friendly monster to life with the remote control, and learn how to teach him various commands.

What Can Big Foot the Monster Do?

The remote control includes seven different buttons to help kids get the most out of Big Foot. You can have him walk forward, backwards, and make him angry, happy, fun, sleepy, throw a ball or want to exercise.

When you trigger Big Foot the Monster’s emotions with the remote control you’ll hear him laugh, hear him roar, and even see him pound his fists! His facial expressions also change as your child plays with their giant monster.

When Bigfoot goes to sleep he tends to snore loudly! When you press an emotion button while he sleeps, you’ll hear him dreaming!

Exercise With Big Foot

Your child can work together with Big Foot to help him complete an exercise routine. He’ll perform somersaults, lift weights and make all kinds of sounds while he’s doing it! When he’s done enough exercise, he’ll say “No More!”

When Big Foot exercises, he tends to get hungry. His favorite food is the green leaf. Just press the button at his mouth and you’ll hear him chew and burp.

What Will You Get?

When you buy Imaginext Big Foot the Monster, you’ll get a remote control and a ball for him to play with. Each button on the remote control helps him to perform a different action, emotion or movement.

Should You Buy Big Foot?

There’s no denying that this is going to be one of the hottest toys of 2010 thanks to the fact that Big Foot is so big and noticeable! There aren’t many other toys that can do as much as Big Foot, and he’s perfect for a wide range of different ages. Young kids should find him adorable, rather than scary, as he gets angry and pounds his chest.

Kids won’t get bored quickly thanks to the fact that there are so many different options to make Big Foot move and change his mood. He can even throw a ball to the kids! All of this does mean that Big Foot is one of the more expensive toys, but you’d expect that due to his sheer size and features.

Big Foot is part of the Imaginext range from Fisher Price, and is designed for kids aged 3-8 years old. The remote control is designed for small hands to use, and Big Foot is sold at a recommended retail price of $112.99 (but is available for less from a number of toy retailers). FIND IT AT AMAZON FOR DISCOUNT PRICE!

Fast Lane Wild Fire Monster Truck: The Hottest Selling RC Truck For Christmas 2010!

The Fast Lane Wild Fire Monster Truck is one of the top holiday toys for 2010, sold exclusively by Toys R Us. RC trucks have always been a hit with kids who like action games, and this is the biggest and best RC truck yet!

An Electric Powered Monster Truck

This remote controlled monster truck is ideal for those just getting started, or anyone looking for cheaper gifts, as it’s powered by electricity. The electric motor trucks are generally far cheaper than their gas powered alternatives, and are also easier to maintain.

When you purchase the Fast Lane Wild Fire RC, you may want to buy an extra battery to ensure that playtime isn’t broken up. If you use just one battery, then you’ll have to wait a little while in between each play for it to charge up again.

The Fast Lane Wild Fire RC Features

This truck really is a monster! It’s bigger than you might expect, and just about every boy will have fun learning how to drive the truck around. It’s powered by remote control that’s designed for small hands to fit around. It won’t take long before they master the controls!

Some of the other Fast Lane Wild Fire RC features include:

* Works on or off road,
* Nine inch wheels,
* Includes lights and sounds (can be switch off if necessary),
* Over two feet long and one and a half feet high,
* Rechargeable battery,
* Includes charger.

Should You Buy the Fast Lane Wild Fire Monster Truck For Your Child?

It isn’t hard to see why RC trucks are popular with boys – they love to race each other in the most powerful vehicles possible! The Wild Fire Monster Truck is certainly a great choice for anyone with a little boy.

Because of the way it works, it’s only recommended that you buy this truck for kids aged 6 or older. This is bigger than many previous trucks, so you may find it’s almost as big as your child if they’re any younger!

The good news is that certain safety aspects have already been considered – there is no risk of injury by the antenna, and the remote control has been built to withstand use by younger children.

Because the truck is so powerful, it does come at a price at around $90. The Wild Fire Monster Truck is being sold exclusively by Toys R Us, who also offer a 15 month protection plan.Find it at Amazon at discount prices.

Disney Princess and Me Dolls: A New Take On The Classic Toy That Little Girls Love

New on the most wished for list for the holidays in 2010 are the Disney Princess and Me dolls from Jakks Pacific. Whenever you’ve got to find a gift for a little girl, you can be sure that the Disney Princess theme is always going to go down well. But this year we have a new take on the theme with a set of beautiful dolls.

What Are the Disney Princess and Me Dolls?

These large dolls are designed to look like the most famous Disney Princesses: Aurora, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Rapunzel, and Tiana. They are perfect as a single gift, or for a little girl who wants to collect the whole set.

Each doll wears their signature, recognizable ball down. They all have long silky hair, and wear a tiara on their head. The dolls are designed with a new design twist, and each princess is portrayed as if she were in her tween years.

What Do You Get?

Aside from the Disney Princess and Me Dolls, which come with a gown and shoes, you’ll also get a booklet with each one, filled with facts and activities relating to the princess. Little girls will also get an invitation to register to become part of the Disney Princess royal family and get a letter on their birthday from their favorite princess!

The dolls themselves are aimed at girls aged 5-8 and are 18” in height. You’ll find the official trust mark of the Disney Princess and Me line on the foot of each doll, and on their garments, to prove authenticity of the product.

Should You Buy The Disney Princess and Me Dolls For Your Child?

Just about every little girl loves Disney Princesses, so you can’t really go wrong with these dolls. They look great and are very well presented.

These dolls are recommended for girls from the age of 5 and up, and are sold for around $50 per doll. Make sure you check stock levels in advance, as certain dolls are sure to sell out by Christmas 2010 – make sure you get your hands on your girl’s favorite princess.

If you’re looking for a few gifts to buy your little girl, then Jakks has also come up with a range of accessories to match each doll. Little girls will love to wear a dress that matches their Princess Doll’s clothing perfectly, or you could choose to get a purse to match each princess. The accessories are all sold separately.Find discount price at Amazon.

Cuponk From Hasbro Games: Addictive For the Whole Family!

Cuponk is the game that has been making waves in the world of toys: fun for both children and adults! The premise is simple: sink your ball into the cup and make it light up. Simple it may be, but boring it certainly is not!

Finally there’s a game that gets kids involved without them having to spend hours staring at a computer or television screen! This toy has been tipped as one of the top 15 toys of 2010, both for girls and boys.

How Cuponk Works

To begin the game, the player must pick a card from the Trick Deck which includes 30 different tricks. The card will tell you what to do and how many times you’re allowed to try that particular trick. When you play Cuponk, you’ll use tables, chairs, walls and other standard objects to help make your tricks more elaborate.

When the player successfully performs the trick, they get to keep the card and the next player takes their card. But if the player fails at the trick, it’ll be passed onto the next player who will have to attempt it themselves.

Cuponk is actually a lot harder than it might sound, but it doesn’t take long for kids to get used to it. The best thing about the game is that it’s extremely flexible. You can set your own rules for winning and, before you know it, your kids will be making up their own Cuponk tricks! There are 5 blank cards included for custom-made tricks.

Cuponk can be played alone or in group competitions.

Available Cuponk Games

Cuponk is available in a few different sets. Each set comes with its own cup, balls, trick cards and instruction guides. Kids are often eager to collect all three Cuponk games due to the fact that each one has a different set of tricks. That’s 90 tricks in total, showing that there’s huge potential in Cuponk. You won’t get bored fast!

Each game is recommended for ages 9 and up, and requires batteries to play.

Gorillanator Cuponk: This version of the game makes a gorilla sound when you get the ball in the cup, and also features an extra ramp if you want it.

El Campeon: This includes wrestling sounds and also has a funnel.

Let It R.I.P.: This version comes with killer zombie sounds.

Cuponk is a fantastic kids Christmas gift choice for 2010, especially for boys. It’s the perfect way to keep them away from their video games and get them to do something that takes a little skill. Cuponk encourages kids to get creative, improve their hand-eye coordination and have fun!

The best thing of all? Despite the fact that it’ll be one of the most wished-for gifts of 2010, Cuponk only costs $14.99!
find Cuponk at AMAZON today.

Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse: The Ultimate Gift For Girls This Christmas?

One of the top holiday gifts for girls aged 4 to 8 years old is set to be the Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse, made by International Playthings. Here’s a quick guide to what you’ll get and whether this is a good choice for your little girl.

What Are Calico Critters?

Calico Critters (also known as Sylvanian Families outside of North America) are the now famous miniature animals who love to live in realistic homes alongside various items of furniture and other accessories. The creatures and their habitats are famous for attention to detail – which is why little girls absolutely love them!

There are several characters to collect in the world of Calico Critters, who live on Cloverleaf Corners. Each character plays its own unique role in the community. Calico Critters just love to be around their friends and family – and the new Townhouse gives them the perfect setting.

What Is the Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse?

It isn’t difficult to see why little girls will love this house, which is the perfect home for Calico Critters. The Townhouse includes four rooms, which can be turned into five if needed. The whole house is able to open and close, keeping things tidy when it’s not being played with, and it even includes working lights!

The Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse is also a fantastic gift for kids who like to get creative. The Townhouse is designed to be decorated however your little girl wants. She can even rearrange the staircase and extra floor area to transform the layout of the home.

What You’ll Get:

* The Townhouse (measuring 12x12x12 inches),
* Lights that turn on and off,
* Four rooms plus room divider to create a fifth room,
* Moveable staircase.

It’s important to note that this house doesn’t come with any Critters. Some little girls have been left disappointed due to this fact. If your little girl doesn’t already have any Critters, simply buy a starter set along with this Townhouse and she’ll be playing in no time!

Should You Buy the Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse?

Calico Critters and their accessories may not be the cheapest gifts this holiday season, with a recommended retail price of $79.99, but they are sure to be some of the most treasured among girls in the 4-8 age group. They are extremely well made, and include details that are often missed on other brands of toy. If your daughter is mad for Calico Critters then the Townhouse is a sure hit!