For decades now, the Easy Bake Oven has been top of many girls’ wishlists for birthdays and holidays. The latest version of the toy – the Easy Bake Ultimate Oven – has now done away with the classic light bulb heating method and is easier to use than ever. Even better, the cooking area can fit more treats in at one time! Keep reading to find out more about whether it’s worth choosing this toy for your child.

Features Of The Easy Bake Ultimate Oven

* Does not require light bulbs like previous ovens,
* Includes all the pans, mixes and accessories needed to follow the recipes,
* Comes with recipe booklet,
* Accessories: cupcake pan, pan pusher, baking pan, cupcake wraps,
* Mixes: Chocolate chip cookie, pink frosting mix, red velvet cake mix, rainbow sugar crystals mix.

Is The Easy Bake Ultimate Oven Worth Buying?

The best thing about any Easy Bake oven is the fact that it’s easy! Kids can’t generally bake traditional cakes in a standard oven, so it’s a simpler and safer for them to use a toy such as the Easy Bake Ultimate Oven. Unlike previous Easy Bake Oven toys, you no longer need to use a bulb as the heating element, so it’s even simpler to use than it has been in the past. There’s absolutely no assembly required: it comes ready to use.

The cooking process is easy enough to follow, and kids even younger than the recommended age range of 8+ will still be able to enjoy making food. Make sure you supervise kids, however, as they’ll need to work with the electric appliance and make sure that they turn the oven on far enough in advance to heat up properly. You’ll also have to wait 10-20 minutes for the mixture to cook.

As for the cooking process, it’s well worth noting that everything included with the Easy Bake Ultimate Oven is SMALL! That not only includes the finished baked products, but it includes the mixing utensils and every other accessory. When your child has finished cooking, they won’t get full on these treats!

Once you’ve finished with the included mixes, you’ll need to buy more. If you stick with the Easy Bake brand then this can be a little expensive considering how small the cakes are. However, kids usually love them for the pure fact that they’ve created them themselves!

The Easy Bake Ultimate Oven isn’t too different from most other ovens in the Easy Bake range, but if your child has never owned one before then this is bound to put a smile on his or her face. Sure, the treats are small and aren’t the highest quality you can get, but you can’t beat the fun for kids of cooking them for themselves!

Features Of The uDraw Studio Game and Tablet

* Includes drawing tablet with 4×6 inch drawing space,
* Pen attached to tablet,
* Easy to use with tutorials for every function,
* Variety of tools including pen, airbrush, chalk and more,
* Large library of 100+ stamps,
* 11 different canvas types,
* Choose the environment from 8 backdrops designed to inspire creativity,
* Replay your whole creation at 1x, 2x or 4x the speed to watch it unfold,
* Save your work to SD card,
* Print your artwork,
* Send creations to compatible devices.

Is The uDraw Studio Game and Tablet Worth Buying?

The first thing to note is that you’ll need to have a Nintendo Wii to play this game. If not, buying one could add a couple extra hundred dollars onto the cost of this gift. If you’ve already got one, and your child loves their art, then this could be an excellent gift choice.

One thing you’ll notice about this drawing tablet is that it doesn’t come cheap. That’s because you’re getting the whole tablet as well as the game. The good news, however, is that the tablet can be used for other games (sold separately) to really help you get your money’s worth. Separate games include Pictionary, Spongebob Squarepants and more. Some games even use the Wii Motion remote to turn the tablet into a whole new gaming controller.

The uDraw Studio and tablet may be considered expensive by some, given the fact that kids can use painting programs on a computer for a fraction of the cost. However, those who’ve bought and tried the device all state how different it is to these computer programs. For a start, you’re drawing directly on the tablet – helping to develop real life drawing skills rather than using a computer mouse.

This game also comes with far more features than you’ll get on a standard painting program, and the ability to see your artwork on a big screen TV makes a lot of difference to potential creativity. One of the best things about being able to use it on a big TV screen, however, is the fact that the whole family can watch and use it together.

The uDraw tablet is easy enough for young children to figure out, and is suitable from around the age of five. There’s not much setup required – you simply place the Wii remote into the tablet. The best thing about it, however, is that there’s no mess to clean up at the end!

In short, if you’ve already got a Wii and want a gift that the whole family can enjoy this holiday season, the uDraw Studio Game and Tablet is an excellent choice. Make sure you check out the related games, too, as they’re excellent for some family fun!

Features Of The Lego Space Alien Mothership

* Large UFO model,
* Outer spinning disc on the UFO,
* UFO makes a sound when you spin it,
* Abducting claw in UFO can pick up Lego minifigures,
* Comes with reporter and Alien Commander minifigures,
* 416 pieces in total,
* Suitable for ages 8-14,
* 19 x 19 x 4 inches in size.

Is The Lego Space Alien Mothership Worth Buying For Your Child?

Compared to the other sets in the Alien Conquest range, this particular set is one of the most expensive. That said, for roughly $70-$100 (depending on where you buy from), you’re getting a big Lego set comparable to some of the more expensive toys out there. It’s got plenty of pieces and features to keep kids occupied for a while.

The spaceship ends up around 19 inches wide once it’s all been built, which makes it perfect for flying around the room (it has a handle to make this easy). The cockpit dome is also bigger than on comparable Lego sets, and the Alien Commander figurine is something unique and special to this set.

If you’ve got a child aged eight or older who loves anything to do with space then the chances are this set is going to make them happy. Aside from the fun of putting it together, features like the abduction claw, alien commander figurine and the spinning disc make this really fun to play with. It’s also pretty durable, but you’ll need to be careful with the antennas.

Although the sound brick is fun for a while, some reviewers have commented on the fact that the spinning sound quickly got annoying after playing with it for a while. It is possible to deactivate the sound by rebuilding the set with the sound brick facing downwards instead of upwards, however.

In short, the Lego Space Alien Mothership set may be considered a little expensive, but it’s still a very big and challenging set, perfect for children between the ages of eight and fourteen. It’s even been picked by Toy Insider as one of the hot holiday toys for 2011, so you know it’s going to be popular with kids!

Toy retailers are agreed that the Chuggington Interactive Railway Set is destined to sell in huge numbers this holiday season.

Features Of The Chuggington Interactive Railway All Around Chuggington Set

* Different engines interact with each other through “SmartTalk” technology,
* Interactions prompt sounds, lights and phrases based on the TV show,
* Over 250 sounds and phrases,
* 4 foot wide layout,
* Over 13 feet of track,
* Pieces easily snap together,
* 3 interactive train stops: tower platform, loading yard and roundhouse,
* Interactive Vee figure,
* Interactive Wilson engine,
* Hopper car,
* 6 pieces of cargo,
* 60+ pieces total,
* Requires 11 AA batteries (included)

Is The Chuggington Interactive Railway All Around Chuggington Set Worth Buying For Your Child?

At over 4 feet wide, it’s important to note that this is a relatively big train set (made even bigger if you choose to combine it with other elements from the Chuggington range). This makes it fun for kids who can really get involved in the railway operations, but it does mean you’ll need a large play area for it.

As for the kind of kids this toy will suit, it’s designed for ages three and above, and will especially appeal to those who watch the TV show and love the characters. It’s easy to use, as the trains are propelled by hands and the set automatically recognizes certain trains passing through. However, you may need to spend some time helping young kids to put the track pieces together correctly.

The Chuggington railway set brings the famous toys to life. At certain points in the track, the set will recognize the engine passing through, activating a number of unique features. Kids can also play with other engines who recognize each other and make sounds or say phrases. Although only one engine comes in this kit, it will work with all other Chuggington engines.

The Interactive All Around Chuggington Set is just one element of a much bigger world. If your child really enjoys playing with this set, then there’s plenty of opportunity for some more excellent gifts in future. The fact that they all work together makes this a unique range to start collecting.

The main downside to this product is the fact that it uses 11 AA batteries. Thankfully they are already included, and shouldn’t run down too quickly since they’re only used when the trains pass through at certain points (the set doesn’t constantly require power to function). Some parents have also commented on the fact that the connected track does come apart a little easily when compared to wooden train tracks.

At $65, the Chuggington Interactive Railway All Around Chuggington Set isn’t exactly cheap, but for kids who love the TV show, this is the perfect gift to keep them happy.

Features Of The Transformers Dark Of The Moon MechTech Voyager Optimus Prime

* Vehicle turns into a robot,
* Ion blaster converts into battle cannon,
* His weapons also work with other MechTech Transformers,
* Designed to look like Optimus Prime from the movies,
* 3.9 x 7.9 x 9.5 inches in size,
* Suitable for kids aged 5 and above.

Is The Transformers Dark Of The Moon MechTech Voyager Optimus Prime Worth Buying?

Transformers really are unique in the toy world. Kids love playing with a toy that can turn from a vehicle to a robot and back again, and the whole transformation process is fun in itself. Once transformed, this is the perfect toy for recreating those exciting battle scenes from the movies. This Optimus Prime model is a pretty accurate representation of the character in the movies, with excellent attention to detail.

One thing that’s important to note is the fact that this is a level two transformation on the difficulty scale. What this means is that it can be a little harder to transform for younger children, or for those who don’t have much experience transforming these toys. Instructions are included with the model, but it may still take a little practice.

Although the manufacturer age range says that this Optimus Prime model is suitable for kids aged 5 and above, be aware that they may need a little help to get the transformation right. The good news is that it is easier than some comparable Transformers toys, and the transformation process is still fun if a little challenging.

For children who love the Transformers movies, or who may even own some other Transformers toys already, this is an excellent holiday gift. The price is just right for a toy that is more than your basic action figure. All in all, another excellent option from the MechTech range of Transformer toys.

The Angry Birds have now made their way into the toy world. There are a range of different Angry Birds plush toys available to buy, ranging in size and depicting popular characters from the game. They all feature authentic sounds from the game, and are suitable for kids and adults alike.

Features of The Angry Birds Plush Toys

* Come in a variety of sizes and characters,
* Officially licensed to match the characters and sounds in the game,
* Squeeze the top of the toy to hear the bird make a sound,
* Suitable for age one and above.

Should You Buy The Angry Birds Plush Toys For Your Child?

The Angry Birds toys are suitable for just about anyone, whether you’ve got a big kid in the house who loves to play the game, or a toddler who could do with a new, fun, soft friend. That said, those who will appreciate this toy the most are those who’ve played the Angry Birds app before, whether on their smartphone, computer or tablet.

These toys don’t come with any fancy bells and whistles. They’re simply round, plush balls that make a few different sounds when you squeeze them. You can choose the sizes that best suit your needs, and they start at 5 inches.

The main thing you need to worry about in a toy like this is that it can withstand rough treatment. After all, the Angry Birds in the game are frequently catapulted towards the pigs! Kids are bound to recreate this with their toy, though thankfully most parents have reported the toy holding up well.

The only downside to the Angry Birds toys is that you need to be careful not to push too hard to create the sound. Although most units are fine, a few buyers have reported issues with the sound mechanism breaking relatively quickly. Also note that, once the included batteries run out, there’s no way of replacing them.

In short, the Angry Birds plush toys are some of the most affordable “hot” toys you can buy this holiday season. At less than $15, they’re a fun gift for anyone who loves quirky stuffed toys, or who is obsessed with the original Angry Birds game.

0-2 Years Of Age

For the very youngest children, the Toy Insider hot 20 for 2011 list includes the entertaining Let’s Rock Elmo, which will teach your child to sing with Elmo and play along with toy musical instruments. There’s also the ever popular Pocoyo Swiggle Traks set, the Elefun Busy Ball Popper and the Little People Zoo Talkers Zoo that’ll help your child learn more about different animals and what they sound like.

3-5 Years Of Age

There are plenty of choices for this age bracket, and one of the highlights is the Plasma Bike. This is a balance bike that’ll help kids develop those vital balance skills, but without yet having to worry about pedaling or using training wheels.

Aside from the Plasma Bike, other recommendations include:
* The LeapPad Explorer,
* Chuggington Interactive Railway,
* Lazer Stunt Chaser,
* Mini Lalaloopsy Treehouse,
* Lite Sprites.

6-8 Years Of Age

For children who are a little older, things get even more fun. One gift that’ll prove fun for the whole family is the Redakai Championship Tin – a starter kit for the popular game that comes with basic and advanced levels for kids and adults alike. Or maybe you’ve got an Angry Birds fan in the house? No matter how old they are, the new Angry Birds plush toys are bound to be appreciated.

Other hot toy predictions for this age bracket include:
* Justin Bieber Rockin’ Tour Bus And Concert Stage,
* Nerf Vortex Proton Blaster,
* Radica Fijit Friends,
* Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure.

9 Years And Older

If you’re looking for a good gift for your tween then there are a couple of Toy Insider predictions that the whole family will be able to enjoy together. First is the uDraw Studio game and tablet for the Nintendo Wii, letting you draw directly onto the tablet into the game, with a range of different effects. Another good option is the WowWee Paper Jamz Pro Mic Series. These microphones are all about having fun, and add plenty of effects to your voice as you sing.

Other recommendations for hot tween gifts:
* Lego Alien Conquest: Alien Mothership,
* Scene It! Harry Potter trivia game.

As you can see, there’s a toy to suit every child on the Toy Insider Hot 20 for 2011 predictions list. They’re all widely available online too, so shop around to grab the best price before these toys go out of stock.

Harry Potter Lego

Lego is loved by children all over the world, and its Harry Potter range has proven hugely popular with kids aged between six and fourteen. Some of the current sets available include:
* Hogwarts Castle,
* Quidditch Match,
* Hagrid’s Hut,
* Diagon Alley,
* The Burrows,
* The Forbidden Forest.

These Lego Harry Potter toys range in size and complexity, and there’s a set available at pretty much any price point. They all come with special Harry Potter figurines, some featured in multiple sets, some included in just one. If your child is really into Harry Potter then they may want to collect them all.

There’s even a Lego Harry Potter game available – build the game board from scratch using Lego pieces. This is an excellent option if you want a game to play as a family during the holidays.

Harry Potter Costumes

Costumes aren’t just for Halloween! There are a number of officially licensed Harry Potter costumes and accessories available for children who love to play dress up. Get hold of the Gryffindor robe, scarf/ tie and wand, and add the classic Harry Potter glasses and lightning bolt to complete the look.

Alternatively, you can buy costumes of some of the other main characters from the series, including:
* Dementor,
* Quidditch player,
* Dobby,
* Hedwig the owl,
* Death Eater,
* Voldemort.

Harry Potter Games

If you’re a Harry Potter fan along with your children, and want to find a toy that you can all enjoy together, then there are some fantastic Harry Potter trivia games available. The Scene It! range has just come out with a new version to take the latest movies into account. You’ll be asked questions on all of the eight Harry Potter movies, and the best thing about this game is the fact that adults and kids have an equal chance of winning.

Other Harry Potter games available include the very affordable Uno special edition, and Clue Harry Potter: based on the classic Clue mystery game.

There really is no shortage of Harry Potter toys available if you need to find something to suit a fan. The best thing is that all of these toys are affordable, so you don’t need to break the bank to keep your child happy.

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