| Wouldn't you just love to know. | | | | again Playmobil with **My Take Along |
| | | | Dollhouse** for around 30 dollars. This is a |
| On the market there are millions of toys now, | | | | portable fold-up dollhouse complete with cute |
| so picking the Top Toy for 2005 would be | | | | little kittens, dolls, furniture plus many |
| quite daunting, and I would say a | | | | more accessories. |
| disappointment as everybody has their own | | | | |
| favorites. This year the Toy Industry | | | | Another toy that took my fancy was the **EZ2 |
| Association (TIA) Top Toy was something that | | | | Quikcochet Kit** for about 12 dollars. The |
| very few industry insiders actually picked. | | | | old fashioned crochet kit complete with |
| | | | hundreds of glass beads, metal crochet hook |
| Here it is: the **Vsmile TV Learning | | | | and crocheting spool has returned along with |
| System**. This electronic toy ended up with | | | | 30 yards of metallic elastic string. This |
| Toy Of The Year and Best Educational Toy | | | | should keep the girls happy while they design |
| Awards for 2005. Just plug it into your TV | | | | and make a dozen or more beaded necklaces, |
| and away you go. It seems to be a cross | | | | bracelets, and ponytail holders. |
| between a video game and educational game and | | | | |
| it should keep the kids happy for hours on | | | | These are the types of toys I like, something |
| end, or that is what they say. | | | | that has nothing to do with the TV. And can |
| | | | keep kids doing things for hours on end. At |
| I'm not really into anything that involves | | | | the end of it they can say "Look Daddy! Look |
| the TV, as I try to keep kids away from the | | | | what I just finished." Instead of you saying |
| TV. I prefer games where the kids are sitting | | | | "Switch off the TV Son, NOW" |
| around doing something as opposed to watching | | | | |
| the box. So to be honest my kids or I have | | | | Toy Wishes also seems to like toys that gets |
| not tried it so I can't comment on it. | | | | the kids to do something instead of sitting |
| | | | in front of a screen, and their picks |
| The Vsmile TV Learning System was mentioned | | | | included **Black Belts Karate Home Studio** |
| in last year 2004 Family Fun's Toy List for | | | | and **Dora's Talking Kitchen**. They didn't |
| the year, but not in the top ten. | | | | even mention **VSmile TV Learning System**, |
| | | | but they did like the **V.SMILE Pocket**, |
| I was hoping Playmobil's **Knights Empire | | | | which is a hand-held version of the **VSmile |
| Castle** a bit expensive at 179 dollars, | | | | TV Learning System**. |
| would have made it to the top. Knights Empire | | | | |
| Castle popped a few awards throughout the | | | | Family Fun's top this year was, as mentioned, |
| year. It was the Toy Wishes All Star and the | | | | Playmobil's **Knights Empire Castle**. |
| Family Fun Toy Of The Year, but it didn't | | | | |
| rank on the TIA Top Ten. | | | | Another playmobil to come in was their |
| | | | **Grand Mansion** along with Lego's **Wild |
| The TIA Top Toy For Boys was a similar pick | | | | Hunters** and of course **Roboraptor**. We |
| with **LEGO's Knights Kingdom**. Another good | | | | had to have a robot toy and the |
| do-it-yourself game. It seems knights are | | | | **Roboraptor** is pretty good. |
| making a come back, even though there are no | | | | |
| new programs on TV to do with **King Arthur | | | | These are just a small sample of what was hot |
| and the Knights of the Round Table**. | | | | in 2005 in the US. The UK awards come out in |
| | | | the end of January, so we'll let you know |
| For the girls the top was **Bella Dancerella | | | | what happened across the Atlantic next time. |
| (TM) Home Ballet Studio** from Spin Master | | | | |
| Ltd. A good toy to keep the girls active and | | | | Actually there was nothing predominately |
| fit and hopefully knock a few pounds off. | | | | animal, dinosaur or bug except for |
| Teaches ballerina dancing steps but the | | | | **Roboraptor**, while **Wild Hunters** is |
| dreaded TV is on in the background showing | | | | more to do with futuristic predators. |
| the **How To Dance** video. | | | | |
| | | | Until then, all the best and keep on playing |
| I preferred another toy from the Top Ten, | | | | and having fun. |