London - A dog which excretes yellow putty, a model gun which fires rubber disks, and an all-singing, all-drumming Elmo figurine, are among toy sellers' top picks for the festive season. But it was the Moshlings that had our correspondent Nancy Donaldson, aged nine, rushing for a closer look.
With not much time until Christmas, toy manufacturers are gearing up for their big sales battle.
In their annual prediction of what will be filling this year's stockings, the Toy Retailer's Association (TRA) has chosen its “dream dozen” for December. They range from a children's version of a tablet computer - a LeapPad Explorer - to the Moshling Tree House, . And they, alongside a host of other hotly tipped products, were gathered for the TSA's Dream Toys exposition in a north London church.
But back to the Moshlings. An online game/social network, the world of Moshi Monsters is a fully-fledged phenomenon, with 50 million online users. The corresponding range of figurines is just as popular. What's their secret? Harnessing children's creativity, it seems.
“It's so imaginative. Playing with the toys, I make up my own world!” bubbles Nancy.
Also receiving her seal of approval is the Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster, a model gun which shoots out foam disks as well as sound effects.
A set of Hexbug Nanos - scurrying, plastic insects - meanwhile, prove to be something of a surprise hit, not having made the dozen but attracting crowds nonetheless.
Not every toy fared as well. The putty- pooping Doggie Doo earned a scathing review. “What's the point?” Nancy huffed. Equally unimpressive was Milky the Bunny (“that freaks me out”), a cuddly Rastamouse (“weird”) and a Team GB cycling Scalextric set (“boring”).
In all, the theme of the day was technology. Whether it is the LeapPad Explorer, or a digital camera with special effects (Kidixoom Twist), almost every toy in the dozen exhibited the industry's technological advances.
But for parents mourning their own childhood favourites, some heartening news. Midway through the sales pitch of a souped-up lightsaber (the Ultimate Force Tech Lightsaber Assortment), Nancy wandered off. The Play-Doh stand had caught her eye.
THE EXPERT’S VIEW BY NANCY DONALDSON, NINE
Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster
“I haven't seen one of these before but it's really cool.”
Lego Ninjago Fire Temple
“I like ninjas, and I like using my imagination.”
Milky the Bunny (from the Emotion Pets range)
“Emotion Pets freak me out.”
Doggie Doo
“No!”
Let's Rock Elmo
“Great for younger ages - it also teaches the alphabet.”
Fireman Sam Pontypandy Rescue Set
“Good for younger kids.”
LeapPad Explorer
“I've no idea how this works.”
Fijit Friends
“I've seen the adverts. You can do a lot of stuff with it.”
Star Wars Ultimate Force Tech Lightsaber Assortment
“We have one similar already.”
Monster High Lagoona's Hydration Station
“Not really one for me.”
Kidizoom Twist
“This is cool. You can do loads of things to your photos with it.”
Moshling Tree House
“I really want this, even though my mum says I'm too old.” - The Independent